Happy January 27th to you all! How was your weekend?
Bev left me for a girls’ weekend in Seaside, Oregon, so it was just me, two dogs, one devil cat, ten quail, six chickens and two rabbits. Just one big happy family, right? Bev had a great time despite the wet weather, and I had a productive weekend catching up on some writing projects and some past episodes of NCIS, one of the few television shows I will watch regularly. I also ate a bit too much, but oh well.
Let’s see, what else happened this weekend? I repaired a few things on the various animal shelters in the backyard. I built the foundation for the new chicken coop we will be needing next month, and I priced a few things at Home Depot so I have an idea how much the rabbit cages I’m planning on building will cost. I even managed to lift weights and go for a few walks over the weekend, so I’m feeling quite virtuous.
Why am I telling you this mundane stuff?
Read and learn!
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Communication – the human connection – is the key to personal and career success.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
A writer approached me the other day and asked me how I have managed to have such a large following. First of all, my following, compared to say, James Patterson, is miniscule, so calling my following “large” is a bit of a stretch. Still, to this woman, who was just starting out and had five followers, I imagine it did appear like I had a large following.
I’ll tell you what I told her. For me, the human connection is what it is all about. When I first started out I was determined to establish a bond…a connection…with my readers and with my peers. I believe very strongly about this. In a society that seems to be growing more apart daily, I think the human connection is crucial. Anyone who runs a business who does not understand this basic truth will fail in their business.
And I believe it is that connection that has allowed me to have so many followers. People know me as a real person. There is no pretense with me. My words tell you who I am. If you met me face-to-face tomorrow you would come away from that meeting thinking “he was exactly how I imagined.” So I’m not just another writer or writer wannabe. I’m a real human being, and if you allow me to be, I’m your friend. And sink or swim, that’s how I will always approach my peers and reading public.
TIP OF THE DAY
Open up! Make like a flower and spread those pedals so others can see the beauty inside.
REQUEST OF THE DAY
If I do not already follow your blog, please leave me a link of that blog in the comment section. I want to follow you and get to know you…so please, do that for me.
SUGGESTION OF THE DAY
There are still some of you who have not taken me up on my offer to do a guest post here on this blog. It will be good exposure for you and another step on your ladder of fame. J The only stipulation is that it has to be about writing.
THAT’S ALL FOR NOW
I have a little emergency with the quail to take care of, so I’ll cut this short. Sorry about that, but my little critters need me. Have a wonderful week of writing and remember…reach out and touch someone.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Great advice! I definitely need to get out more and connect with more people which is one of the many things I intend to do this year.
I’m glad to hear that, Donna. I know I’ve enjoyed connecting with you.
Thanks Bill!
Bill, I think you already know I 100% agree with you on this and am truly pretty much an open book in my writing and my blog. Just thawing out for a few minutes and catching up here today (had to stop on by). Once again, hoping you are having a great Tuesday so far 🙂
Thank you Janine. You and I made a connection very early on, and I am so grateful for it. Drink some hot chocolate then go build a snowman.
It sound like you and Bev had eventful weekends. Nothing much exciting went on around here. It’s been extremely windy and cold (for our area).
It’s very important to connect with our readers as people. You do a wonderful job of that, Bill. I try to do the same. I’m pretty much an open book. As the result, I’ve gained many friendships through writing. Shoot, even one of my new clients called me a couple of weekends ago to get my opinion on something. Forty five minutes later we knew a whole bunch more about each other than when the relationship first began. The personal touch makes doing business so much easier – and more pleasant!
I hope your quail are doing okay. Gotta go. I have an assignment to tackle. Have a great week!
Thank you Sha and yes, you understand this lesson quite well. No worries on that end for you.
One of our babies died, but all is fixed now. Such is life, and death, when raising little critters.
smiles to you Bill! You do the connection thing so very well!
Thank you Audrey. I hope you had an outstanding birthday.
I love Hubville and wonderful writers, so I’m a happy camper. Hope the little critters are ok…
Thank you Ruby. We lost one of the baby quail, but two more were born, so that took the sting out of it..and I love HP too.
We like NCIS, too! You definitely have accomplished the goal of making connections. I like that about you, Bill, I see you as a real person, not just another name. If there is one thing I can learn from you, that would be it!
When I started my blog, I imagined it as a “nothing but the facts” travel blog. I learned that my most popular posts are the ones where I pull back the curtain and let my readers know more about me as a person. Anything I post about our dog and/or my husband seems particularly popular. I’ve always been considered (considered myself) a reserved person, so this sharing is a bit of a stretch for me. It has been something of a journey.
Suzanne, thank you for sharing that. I think you speak for quite a few writers. I’m glad you have experienced a positive outcome from your pulling back of the curtain.
I remember being brand new and thinking wow there’s so many big blogs already, how will mine ever stand out? And it take time, for sure! The human connection – great advice, Bill! I hope your week is going well!
It’s a very smooth week, Christy, thank you, and I hope yours is as well. It’s always nice “connecting” with you.
I would love for you to take a peek at my blog! Head over to www. MommyIncolor.wordpress.com
Thank you mommy..I will do that.
Hey Bill ~ I enjoyed reading this blog. as always. Thanks for all of the tips. Here is the link for my blog: http://www.karenszklanygault.com/blog (thanks for asking). It’s a gardening blog that also includes home-schooling adventures. Enjoy what’s there so far! ~:0)
Have a great week!
Thank you Karen. I appreciate the link to your blog. I’ll be there shortly.