It is hard to believe it was a year ago that I dreamed up the idea of this blog in my living room. It all started with a conversation my boyfriend and I had about me supposedly being a “girly girl” and me explaining that I was no longer a girl but a woman. I had just survived cancer treatments and was in a transitional period of life. I had also recently had to put my M.B.A. classes on hold. I had just finished my e-business course where the final exam was to learn how to monetize a blog! I needed something that would keep me busy, a way I could contribute to the world. I wanted something I could do where I could focus only on positive things and knew I needed a creative outlet.
I had learned HTML back in the 90s and started working with Blogger. I realized that HTML was like learning to ride a bicycle and it all came rushing back. While my HTML 1.0 wasn’t up with the times, it would do just fine for blogging because I just needed the simple codes to begin the project.
In a year I have:
- Posted almost two posts per day on average
- Attended Bloggy Conference and met other amazing bloggers
- taught myself more advanced HTML code and CSS code
- challenged myself to migrate from Blogger to WordPress
- changed from a host that wasn’t so politically correct to one that uses 100% wind power, Fat Cow
- learned the difference between a Framework and a Child Theme and purchased/installed/configured them to maximize the performance of my blog
- increased my Google Page Rank from a 1 to a 4 (which is pretty darn good for a blog – it means that when people search for stuff on Google they are more likely to visit my site than ones with lower rankings)
- gone from hardly any Twitter followers to over 900, from 0 Facebook Fans to almost 800, from 0 Google + followers to over 800
- I’ve discovered new social networks I had never heard of, even becoming the Vice President of Entertainment on Empire Avenue
- I’ve hosted giveaways for cash, iPads, coupons, and more
- I’ve done business with and for many different well known brands such as Progresso Soup and Google through groups like the One 2 One Network, SITS girls, and Sponsored Tweets
- I’ve tried to support other bloggers and help other women through projects like my Direct Sales Directory
- I’ve brought on other contributors and am still bringing on more who are amazing
- I’ve really enjoyed creating something that other people have come to love, appreciate, and expect
To celebrate this momentous occasion, I am hosting two giveaways.
The first giveaway will be for April 1st only. This is the 1 year blogoversy date. This winner will be awarded one membership to the Cheryl’s Cookie of the Month club. Please be sure to read the details on the rafflecopter widget.
Update 05/03/12: Did you miss the cookie giveaway but really want to BUY the cookies pictured?
You can use this link along with the coupon code to save on the best cookies I’ve ever eaten:
The second giveaway will be held all month long because I want to party like a rock star. The winner will be awarded $50 in paypal cash. Be sure you have a paypal account or are eligible for one before entering.
If you are a blogger and would like to join in on the fun, please email me at liz {at} womanlywoman.com for details. You can participate at any time during the giveaway and will be able to benefit through a social media boost.
To enter one or both of the giveaways, please follow the instructions in the rafflecopter widgets below.
happy blogoversary!
Congrats on surviving cancer treatments. Life is hard but you are harder!
@SeymaDorisBennettShabbir Thanks so much for your support. I’ve had a lot go down in my life in recent years and cancer was one of the easier things to deal with, believe it or not! Good luck on the giveaway! Maybe you will win cash or cookies! ;)
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
@StaceyDempsey Thanks, Stacey! :)
Happy blogoversary! ;-) Can’t wait to see you at Bloggy Conference again!!
@BloggyMoms Thanks so much, Tiffany! I can’t wait for #BloggyCon!
CONGRATS FOR INCREASING YOUR GOOGLE PAGE RANK!
@AnnaPry Thanks! I have definitely learned a lot about search engine optimization. I still have a ways to go. :P
I like the One 2 One Network as well! Congrats on all of your accomplishments!!
@WendyWaltsRiding Thanks so much!
If it wasn’t for your Direct Sales Directory, I would have never found you and if you weren’t so entertaining I wouldn’t have stayed :)
@Jenny8675309 Thanks so much, Jenny!!!!!! I’m blushing! :P From day one, I wanted my blog to be a place people could come to expect positive, fun, entertaining stuff so they could be sure when they stopped by it would be about entertainment, health, beauty, or shopping savings… something fun to escape the rest of the day! For anyone reading this interested in the Direct Sales Directory, visit http://www.womanlywoman.com/directsalesdirectory
Got the cookies today! They were fantastic (sounds like I ate them all but I didn’t really!) LOL the cookie was nice and buttery surprisingly fresh. The frosting was great too, sweet but not too sweet (hate eating frosting that tastes like me eating raw sugar). Thanks again!!!
@SeymaDorisBennettShabbir You are exactly right with your description of the cookies. I totally agree. I think it is the icing that makes them amazing, but the cookies themselves are also so soft and fresh. They are the PERFECT sugar cookie. They do such a nice job. Thanks for coming back to comment. I really appreciate it.
I would love to win the cash!
@MargaritaPickleh Thanks for entering the giveaway. Don’t forget to come back daily to enter by tweeting, etc. to increase your likelihood of winning.
happy blogoversary!
@xmd5 Thanks so much!
Happy Blogoversary, Lizard!!!!! Cross this one off your bucket list my friend! You are an inspiration to me!!!
@StacyRankin Thanks, Stacy!!!! :)
Happy Blogoversary!! I love your blog and your coupon giveaways!!
Thanks for all you do :)
@nascar333fan Thanks! Don’t forget to come back to this page to get more entries daily.
Happy Blogoversary – You’ve worked hard on your site and it definately shows!
@pauline15_01 Thanks, Pauline!
Happy Blogoversary!!!
Thanks for the giveaway :)
@amm09 Thanks! Don’t forget to come back tomorrow to tweet and use coupons to get even more entries!
Happy blogoversarY!! :)
@JonelleOhrn Woo Hoo!!! Thank you! ;)
happy blogoversary!! congrats on doing business with and for many different well known brands such as Progresso Soup and Google through groups like the One 2 One Network, SITS girls, and Sponsored Tweets. Its so amazing!:) i give mad props to people who have blogs its alot of work and it takes much dedication. you should be proud! :)
Thank you so much, Myra!
@MyraRzepa Thanks, Myra! It IS a lot of work.
Happy Blogversary!! :)
@krystlekouture Thanks so much! Good luck!
happy annivversary, sweety!! :*
@AndraKaterina Thanks so much! Good luck!
Have a Happy Blogoversary!
@prizepuzzle Thanks so much! Good luck!