It's been an amazing first week (has it really only been one week?) for WOW. The response has been overwhelming and we are beyond thrilled. However, it does seem that maybe we need to explain things a little bit better.
1. We have seen several commenters here and on some of our followers' blogs asking "What exactly is a a 'blog of substance?' How do I know if that's me?"
We are looking for blogs that are getting back to the basics of blogging. Like blogs used to be, before they were about making money. We want bloggers who write to share thoughts, to provoke readers to want to comment, to think, to "join the conversation."
These posts can be serious or humorous. They can be about any topic. But what they have in common is content. Great content. Doesn't have to be profound.
We are looking for blogs that have few or no ads and giveaways; those not about monetizing.
Basically, a blogger of note is a blogger who writes to share ideas. They blog for themselves. They're not trying to "build a brand", win giveaways or get sponsors. They blog because they have something to say and they like to write. Plain and simple.
2. On a related note, it's most important that people not only comment on the Blogger of Note's welcome post but also visit the three posts they have linked and comment on those; the posts the Blogger of Note feels are their favorite or best posts. The whole point of WOW is to expose thought provoking posts to like-minded readers who want to read those posts and get in on the conversation by leaving a thoughtful comment.
3. For the time being, we will be highlighting BONs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We hope to eventually highlight a new BON every weekday. But for now, while WOW is still in its infancy, we will allow each BON to be highlighted for two days so as to draw more readers to their blogs. As WOW grows and gains more followers and commenters, we will move to highlighting a new BON Monday-Friday.
And lastly,
4. WOW can only be successful if we get great bloggers to become BON. Please spread the word to all your favorite bloggers and if you would like to be a BON, please contact us at ourwordsofwisdom@gmail.com. Let us know that you'd like to be highlighted on WOW and include links to three of your favorite posts. It's as simple as that.
We hope that this clears up the mystery of EXACTLY what a "blog of substance" is. Please feel free to contact us at ourwordsofwisdom@gmail.com if you have any more questions or suggestions for WOW. We are dedicated to making WOW a vibrant place for great bloggers to meet. We appreciate all your support and encouragement. We never imagined how quickly WOW would take off. It's very obvious to us that a network like WOW was long overdue. Be sure to check in tomorrow for a new BON. You won't be disappointed. We promise.
Thank you for the clarification and I love WOW! I think that having a BON every other day is a good idea. keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited about WOW! Thanks for all your hard work to put this all together.
ReplyDeleteIn past couple months I have become somewhat unhappy with blogging, after 21 months. Been spending Wayyyy too much time, etc., etc. Obsessed, ya know?
ReplyDeleteWhat you have going here is REALLY interesting to me, although my blog probably is not a candidate for "BON", I'm certain a change in venue will be more than fun.
So I've got to go look for a couple Bloggers-Of-Note, and join in the conversations.
PEACE!
Thanks for clarifying - I was definitely one of the people whose first thought was "ooh, substance - do I have that?" ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see that there are still some of us blogging for ourselves (and hopefully others) and not the advertisers.
ReplyDelete'On a related note, it's most important that people not only comment on the Blogger of Note's welcome post but also visit the three posts they have linked and comment on those; the posts the Blogger of Note feels are their favorite or best posts.'
ReplyDeleteI have no problem visiting the BON, to check out the recommended posts. But I do have a problem leaving comments when I cannot relate to a post, or find it interesting. I would rather just leave; I am not into leaving lame insincere ‘great post’ comments. And I am not willing to compromise on that. So, I would leave comments on a post if I can relate on that post. Of course, I am expecting other bloggers to treat my blog in the same manner.
Thanks for the clarification. It sounds good, though after reading "WhiteSockGirl's" comment, I kind of agree. I don't care for commenting for the sake of commenting. BUT, I will definitely be generous w/ my comments when moved to do so!
ReplyDeleteI have gotten lazy in checking the BON's.....going to go do so right now!
ReplyDeleteLucky
I am really glad you ladies started WoW and I'm delighted to be apart of it. In fact...I may or may not have said so on my own blog today...
ReplyDeleteThank you for clearing things up. I couldn't be more appreciative of a site like this. Ever since I started blogging I've been wanting a group in this genre to be a part of. :)
ReplyDeleteLove this idea!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea! So many nitwits out there. I blog to share thoughts, ideas and the occasional recipe or classroom meltdown story. I look forward to perusing the links you plan to share. PS: Karen sent me over here, and I'm glad she did!
ReplyDeleteI don't advertise on my blog and I like blogs that don't advertise. Now is it okay to have a giveaway for your blogiversary?
ReplyDeleteI'm a blog who has giveaways along with content, but I read blogs for their content. So I really do appreciate what you're doing here!
ReplyDeleteI don't think we ever meant to say that blogs that who have giveaways didn't have content. We just prefer to find blogs whose focus is not about giveaways.
ReplyDeleteI love love love what you are doing. I will be referring a few friend bloggers of mine!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the clarification. I love this, really, and look forward to watching WOW grow!
ReplyDeleteI found you through A Peek at Karen's World. Sounds like a great concept - giveaways are neat, but substance is better!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on a great first week! I have to say I have been a little embarrassed about posting over here because I'm actually in the middle of a giveaway on my blog. I am doing it to celebrate my six month as blogger anniversary and don't plan on doing another until my one year anniversary... I hope this qualifies as "few" enough.
ReplyDeleteI do blog "because I have something to say and I like to write" and I like to think some of what I write provokes thought but I am also interested in building my brand, perhaps in the same way Gretchen Rubin of the Happiness Project is interested in building her brand. I want people to find my blog and the giveaway has really added to my readership. I do not like the so called giveaway blogs or the blogs that ONLY participate in memes but if I ever get the chance to make a few bucks because of what I am writing you can bet I'd like to leap on that chance! Hope this doesn't disqualify me!
I like the BON bloggers so far and while I haven't commented on all of the posts I intend on stopping back often and commenting when moved to do so. Oh, and I'd love to be a BON but I'm waiting until my giveaway is over before I apply!
This is a great idea!! I look forward to applying to be a BON :)
ReplyDeleteOh what a beautiful idea and a way to appreciate people that blog for the sake of blogging! I love finding like-minded blogs! Thank you so much for this!
ReplyDeleteI'm with WhiteSockGirl, I try to stay away from "great post" comments...though I do like to comment any time I have something to say (which is most of the time).
ReplyDeleteIt's been a great week, and looking forward to more!
I found this blog through Melissa B. I share my recipes. Besides I do review products and share my opinions about them with my visitors, followers.But I always look forward to read new blogs have quality content. Thanks for this!
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy reading other bloggers tid-bits...especially when it challenges me to stop and think!
ReplyDeleteThis clarification is really great! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'll add to what White Sock Girl and Ronnica have said...comments are wonderful but the "Great Post! Keep up the good work!" kind ARE disheartening. What if you've just blogged about the death of a loved one or the loss of a job? Ya know? I had one like that and clicked on it to go to the 'blogger', only to find it was Spam. Maybe that's what most of those are!
ReplyDeleteNow this is a wonderful idea to keep bloggers at it, you know. Sometimes sprinkling compliments by means of BON will certainly egg the 'genuine' bloggers to go on with their work.
ReplyDeleteJoy always,
Susan