On Being a Writer: Promote

When I first started this blog, I made a promise to God that I would use it to bring Him honor and glory, that if I didn't spend time with Him, then I wouldn't spend time here.  This blog was important to me, but God was (is) even more important.  You can read more about that in my first blog post.

For me, blogging was a way to share what God was doing in my life.  At that time, I was becoming more involved in leadership roles in my church. Jeff was in the process of becoming an Army Chaplain. I was raising two sons with another on the way. Let's not forget about working full time.  Life was busy and there was so much room for God to work.  His work and love could be written about here.

But who would read it?

My friend Kim introduced me to blogging, so I started clicking on blogs she followed and leaving comments.  My hope was that those people would come back to my blog and share the love.  I guess that was my first taste of self promotion.  It was a little scary.  Was it the right thing to do?  Did I want strangers actually reading my blog?  The Internet can be a creepy place.  I was relieved to read in On Being a Writer that Charity did the same thing: I left comments on other blogs or linked to other posts by other writers hoping for reciprocation.

Like Ann, I promoted the work of others. I was involved in launch teams for Sara Horn.  It was fun to get involved and connect with others on topics we felt strongly about through books and blog posts. I was able to make friends and connections at the same time.

Through Leafwood Publishers, I was introduced to author Nancy B. Kennedy and was able to read and review her books. I count it a blessing to know her and support her writing.

The more comfortable I got in actually clicking publish, I felt that I needed to extend my audience.  After all, if I am sharing about God, I need people to actually read it.  I became involved in blog hops and link ups.  One of the first was MckMama's Not Me Monday. As an imperfect mom and wife, it was fun to meet up each week and share in the shenanigans of life.  Wives of Faith has also had some blog hops such as Wife to Wife Wednesday, Military Family Gratitude Photo Challenge, Military Spouse Appreciation Link Up, and the Wives of Faith Christmas Blog Carnival. I was able to meet some other bloggers through these activities, and I am hoping that some of them are still readers.

Because I wanted to reach more readers, I created a blog button for others to share on their blogs. I was one of those new bloggers that would click on those buttons to visit new webpages and meet new people.
But in all of this getting my name out there stuff, I had a struggle.  I know I'm supposed to be writing. I know God has given me a gift, but how far does it go?  How much do I self promote?  Is that sinful?  Those are questions that I've had great difficulty with.  After publishing a really great blog post (well, I thought it was great), I didn't get much response.  The response I got was from two relatives.  I'm thankful for that, but I was shocked the response wasn't greater.  I was disappointed and began to reflect on the whole situation.  I then posted about that in How Many Likes Can I Get?

But honestly, why did I click Publish?  Was it to get a million Likes or to stand up for Jesus? 
Hard question.  It shouldn't be, but it is. 
I was standing up for Jesus, but I also wanted to get a bunch of Likes and Shares too.  Hypocritical, I know. 
So where is that happy medium.  Can't I do both?  I think for me, I have to realize and understand that it doesn't matter how many Likes and Shares I get. What matters is that I spread the message for Christ.  That even though one person might read my post, that one person was hopefully touched. 

For me, I know my heart is in the right place. I know that whether I publish here or at Wives of Faith or Planting Roots or finally fulfill my dream of writing a book, that my heart is connected to God's and that's why I share words. For Him.  With sharing His work in my life, there has to be some promotion.  I have to get my name out there.  I just have to always remember: it's not about me; it's about Him. If I get to big headed, I know God will convict me of that prideful sin.

I do know that I have to promote.  I'd prefer the old fashioned method of word of mouth from those that now about this little space on the Internet.  However, I know there is a great big world of social media out there that can promote His work in my life.

You can find my words about this Life Worth Living here at my blog. 

You can follow the blog on Facebook. 

You can also find some of my favorite posts on Pinterest on my board Blogs and Such.  

I also tweet out my blog posts although I am not an expert in the Twitter world.

And Instagram...I have an account but I'm not sure how to use it for my blog.

There. My social media connections are out there. What I ask is this....

If you find something here on the blog that you feel is worth sharing, please share it.  You and I can be a team in spreading the word of God's love.  That's my goal here, and I hope that's your goal when you visit here as well.

Here's to promoting the Word of God!

How Many "Likes" Can I Get?

I have this love/hate relationship with social media.  I love blogging. I love connecting with others.  I love to spread encouragement, laughter, and the message of Jesus through technology.

But I hate the anger that is spread through social media. I hate the negativity.  I hate the finger pointing and blaming.

Most of all.....

I hate how sometimes I forget why I click post.

Way back when I started this blog, I wanted it to honor and glorify Christ.  That was the deal I made with God (Quit laughing. I know I'm not the only one who makes deals with God.)

I try to be real.

Like the time I ruined my witness during Pee Wee baseball.

Do you remember the time I defended public schools?

Or when I was feeling vulnerable and left out after returning to work after maternity leave?

Oh, and there was that time I experienced my first deployment as a military wife.

And let's not forget about my miscarriage.

I wrote those posts and clicked Publish to share, to encourage, to mend the soul.  Many times, my posts are for me and no one else.  If they are helpful, wonderful. I'm glad I was a blessing to you.  But for me, writing is an escape, a release.  It soothes me. It calms me. It brings me back to reality.

Reality.

In reality....life is hard. People are mean. There is sin and and hatred. There's so much "stuff" going on and spreading like wildfire that so many Christians cry out, "Jesus! Please come back now!'

And in all this reality, so many people click that post button wanting to see how many "Likes" they can get.

I admit it.

Sometimes I do too. I don't do it at anyone else's expense. I don't do it to humiliate or discourage. I don't do it to spread hatred and anger.  Sometimes I just want people to like what I have to say. Sometimes I want people to like my picture I am sharing.

Sometimes I forget that it isn't about me, but about Christ.

This all really built up when I wrote a post recently about my frustrations about how Christians are badmouthed simply because they disagree with the beliefs or lifestyles of others.  Honestly, I thought it was a really good post and that people would share it if they were too afraid to speak up for Christ.  I did the dirty work so to speak.  All they had to do was click "Like" and "Share."

Here are my stats on that post:

According to Blogger,  52 people read the post. There were no comments.

According to Facebook, there was 1 Share (2 if you count the one I shared from the blog Facebook page) and 2 Likes and 2 Comments (from the people that Liked it).

I'll admit it.

I was a bit disappointed.  After all, so many things that spread hatred, anger, and negativity are spreading like wildfire on social media.  And what???? I stood up for Christians who are tired of being pushed around for simply saying, "I don't agree," and it basically spread to a few folks.

I thought that was pretty sad.

But honestly, why did I click Publish?  Was it to get a million Likes or to stand up for Jesus?

Hard question.  It shouldn't be, but it is.

I was standing up for Jesus, but I also wanted to get a bunch of Likes and Shares too.  Hypocritical, I know.

So where is that happy medium.  Can't I do both?  I think for me, I have to realize and understand that it doesn't matter how many Likes and Shares I get. What matters is that I spread the message for Christ.  That even though one person might read my post, that one person was hopefully touched.


And as I write these words, I am telling myself the same thing I told Jeff.  He was frustrated about having to attend AT.  He told me that he felt like it didn't matter if he was there or not, that he wouldn't be missed.  His commanders don't even put Chapel on the schedule during battle assembly, and when he does get to have one, no more than 6-8 Soldiers show up.  I told him that was ok. That was 6-8 Soldiers that heard the message of Christ.  It's not about quantity. It's about quality.

So, in essence, that is what I am reminding myself.  It isn't about how many Likes and Shares I get on social media. It's about reaching at least one person....encouraging that person or showing the love of Christ to that person.  Sometimes that person might be me. Sometimes it might be you.  I have to remember.....It isn't about quantity. It's about quality.

Day 3 - Social Media

This blog is about as social as I get with technology (except for email and texting). 

I once had a FaceBook account. I used it while my husband was away at CH-BOLC (Chaplain School).  I was able to keep up with what was going on and see pictures of him that were taken at his trainings.  After he graduated, I was able to keep up with some of the other Chaplain wives I met.

I went from signing up to having lots of "friends." Not sure where they all came from.  Many I didn't really know. Most were from my school district, but weren't really my friends.  I got friend requests from my students, which I don't do. I truly believe that is asking for trouble.  I don't have anything to hide, I just think that teachers have to be very careful these days. The best thing about FaceBook was staying in contact with my long lost friends Amy and Beth.  I love these girls so much.  However, after I deleted my account, I've lost touch with them.

Why did I delete my account?  That in itself is a long private story. In a nutshell, someone thought they knew all the details of a problem that arose and posted some pretty hateful comments about the character of Christian people.  I didn't want to hear it read it. It was bogus. It was cowardly. It was totally uncalled for.  So, I deleted my account. 

I didn't need it.  It had totally gotten away from what I wanted it to be.

I have never done Pintrest. I got on the website once and it was very overwhelming.  I might check it out again.  I've never done Twitter before either.

I guess one thing I really like about this blog is the ability to make it personal.  I can decorate it up by changing my background and header. I can change the pictures, add and delete stuff, change the font.  For a tech geek like me (I have a class blog, a class webpage, and a glogster account), it is fun. 

When I started blogging, I was (still am) totally in love with Angie Smith's blog.  If you haven't heard her story, oh you must.  I have also discovered Zulily, which Jenna metioned. I love it!  I have made several purchases from them and love the items I got.  Like I said, I'm a pretty big geek, so I check the news and weather alot on my cell phone and iPad.  I am such a geek, that I have "taught" blogging PD's to teachers and Glogster classes.  My trusty sidekick Lesley has given me a bit of job security by adding me on to her annual growth plan (to collaborate with me using technology)! 

I think for now I will stick with this blogging thing. It is kind of fun!