Connie Ragen Green | Solo Mompreneur

Riding The Blog30 Tour Bus

For the past thirty days, I feel like I’ve been riding one of those large luxurious tour buses with a whole pile of really neat people.

Funny thing, though. It really didn’t matter to me where the bus was headed, I just knew I wanted to be on it.

When we got on board on June 1^st, I immediately recognized a few of the passengers from a previous 30-day excursion. On that particular pleasure trip, the fun never ended for the entire journey!

It was fabulous and we deemed ourselves the “Fab 50”.

Wondering what happened after we reached our destination?

Well, we didn’t want the excitement, camaraderie, and good times to end, so we got right back on the bus and started touring again.

However …

This time we picked up an extra 200 passengers!

Given such a huge group of people, I had my suspicions that I wouldn’t have enough time to get to know everyone on this trip, and I was right. I’m sure there were lots of fascinating folks that I didn’t have a chance to meet.

But with any luck …

They’ll be back on the tour bus when we board again in the fall!

I want to extend a very warm and extra special thank-you to all the fantastic bloggers who knocked on my door during this 30-day challenge and posted so many well thought-out and meaningful comments. I hope we can work together to keep the momentum going!

Filed Under: 30-day Blogging Challenge, Blogging Tagged With: 30-day blogging challenge, Blogging, Connie Ragen Green, Jeanette Cates, Social Media, Special Events, Travelogues

I Uncovered 3 Buried Treasures in 30 Days!

By Melanie Kissell 8 Comments

Don’t believe me? It’s true.

What I uncovered during the 30-day blogging challenge was as valuable as a treasure chest filled with riches!

While writing 30 posts in 30 days and meeting some of brightest and most talented online marketers, I uncovered 3 buried treasures.

#1 – I learned to value myself and my expertise.

I realized I have some knowledge, tools, and skills that others sincerely appreciate. Does that sound odd? Maybe so. But I’ve always been under the impression that most marketers know a whole lot more than I do. What a wonderful treasure to be able to use what I know to help others!

#2 – I learned that my opinion counts and is respectfully heard.

I was absolutely flabbergasted when a few of the blogging challenge participants asked for my opinion on new business-building products and projects they were considering. Knowing that others value my opinion is a treasure worth more than all the tea in China!

#3 – I learned that there’s a big Return On Engagement.

Most people call it R.O.I. (Return on Investment). But after completing the 30-day blogging challenge, I’m choosing to call it R.O.E. Working to build community by engaging with others is priceless! I received a “guest expert” interview invitation, an opportunity to join an ongoing Blog Talk Radio show, promos for my business and blog, an invitation to a mastermind group, Re-Tweets out the wazootie, and kudos and kindness galore! This was the GREATEST treasure of all.

So, now do you believe me? I DID uncover 3 buried treasures in 30 days!

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Filed Under: Blogging, Building relationships online, Internet Marketing Tools, Online Marketing Tagged With: Blogging, Connie Ragen Green, Internet business success

“C” is for Challenge

By Melanie Kissell 10 Comments

Tomorrow I will be publishing my final post – my last contribution – to the 30-Day Blogging Challenge hosted by Connie Ragen Green.

I want to share my list of all the wonderful takeaways, lessons learned, and unforgettable experiences as a participant in this event.

“C” is for Challenge. But during this challenge, I came to realize that “C” stands for so much more! It also stands for …

Commodities – Friendships are the best and most valuable commodities you can acquire. The friends I made during this challenge are some of the most talented, bright, and creative people imaginable and I cherish every single one of them.

Commitment – Writing 30 posts in 30 days was a huge undertaking for me as well as for some others who participated. Commitment shows character and builds character.

Capacity – There was no such thing as limited space or limited seats to join this challenge. Everyone was welcome.

Cooking – I got my hands on some new recipes and learned some culinary secrets during this event! What a treat to have a couple of food experts on board.

Concentration – The only real way to make it all the way through this challenge was to become like a horse with blinders on and focus, focus, focus!

Collaboration – Bring a variety of personalities, skills, and expertise together. Combine that with energy, inspiration, and motivation … and lookout! Joint ventures, interviews, and an upcoming collaborative radio show are just the tip of the iceberg for this group!

Comedy - Laughter is the best medicine. I had a blast meeting others who value a sense of humor as much as I do!

Cooperation – Everyone did a fabulous job of visiting lots of blogs, posting wonderful comments, following networked blogs on Facebook, staying updated at TweetChat, giving support, and Re-Tweeting posts.

Communication – Some of the best stories I’ve ever read were communicated during this challenge! People offered advice, a listening ear, business building tips and tools, relaxation techniques, tutorials, book recommendations, and how-to’s.

Compliments – I will forever embrace the words of encouragement and all the positive, uplifting comments I received during this event. There was rarely a day that I didn’t witness someone paying someone else a confidence-boosting compliment.

Complaints – There were none!!

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Filed Under: Blogging, Building relationships online, Joint Ventures, Social Networking, Storytelling Tagged With: Blogging, Connie Ragen Green, Internet business success, Twitter

Do You Post Follow Friday Recommendations On Twitter?

By Melanie Kissell 6 Comments

Another Friday will be rolling around soon and Twitter enthusiasts everywhere will be joining the popular weekly event as an opportunity to recommend their favorite followers to others.

Some people choose to post at #followfriday and some prefer the shorter version, #FF. If you’re brand new to #’s (hashtags), visit http://hashtags.org or do a search for hashtags on Twitter to learn more.

Follow Friday recommendations are oftentimes referred to as “kudos”, “mentions”, “reco’s”, and “shout outs”.

Here are my Four Best Tips for getting desired results using Follow Friday recommendations:

1) Don’t just “clump” a pile of names (Twitter ID’s) together in the same post. It’s the standard approach I see all the time and it won’t work to get your favorite followers the attention they deserve. No one wants to take the time to rifle through name after name in order to check out each person’s profile.

2) Don’t create posts like: “Follow so-and-so” or “Follow my friend, so-and-so, he’s great.” Does that really make you want to check the person out? No, I didn’t think so. You may think your Twitter friend is great, but why should I?

3) Give each of your recommended followers their own chunk of the spotlight. Praise each one individually to share their talents, skills, expertise, and personality! For example:

Be sure to follow @shoestringgal to tap into the most Powerful Free Marketing Platforms! #followfriday

Look to @MarthaGiffen for inspiration and expert online marketing start-up tips. High-spirited & fun! #FF

Check out @HeatherBestel – the “Queen of Calm”. She’s an expert on helping you find more ME time! #FF

4) And my all time favorite tip is to place your Follow Friday recommendations in a BLOG POST. A blogging platform is the perfect venue to make your Twitter followers shine! You can include a bio, a short story about each person, or a list of products or services they promote. You might also want to share how you met and why you decided to follow these folks. Posting your Follow Friday shout outs on your blog gives you total creative freedom and flexibility!

Would you like to follow me on Twitter?

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Filed Under: Blogging, Building relationships online, Social Media Marketing, Social Networking, Storytelling Tagged With: Blogging, Connie Ragen Green, Copywriting, Free marketing tools, Jessica Swanson, Social Media, Twitter

I’m Rubber. You’re Glue.

By Melanie Kissell 2 Comments

Do you remember that old saying from your younger years?

When I was in elementary school, we used to say, “I’m rubber. You’re glue. Whatever bounces off me sticks to you.”

Your version may be a little different, but the meaning still holds true.

As I march along through this 30-day blogging challenge I entered, I’m noticing something interesting taking place. Everyone is learning from everyone else. What a concept, huh?

Every member of this challenge has a unique writing style and a unique message to convey. No two bloggers or blogs are alike. So many amazing individuals and possibilities for enrichment!

So how does this rubber/glue theory come into play?

As members of this event get better acquainted, we are …

Bouncing ideas off one another
Becoming better storytellers
Establishing joint ventures
Gathering new business building tips and resources
Offering encouragement and support
Sharing talents and expertise
Honing copywriting skills
Creating friendships
Planning future get-togethers
And having tons of fun!

The benefits and rewards of joining this blogging challenge will “stick” with me forever.

The 30-day blogging challenge is sponsored by Connie Ragen Green. If you’ve never had the joy of participating in the challenge, here’s a GREAT place to start and learn more about Connie: “5 Pronged Approach to Online Writing Success”.

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Filed Under: Authors, Blogging, Building relationships online, Following Your Passion, Infopreneurs, Joint Ventures, Online Marketing, Service Business Owners, Small business owners, Storytelling Tagged With: Article Marketing, Blogging, Connie Ragen Green, Copywriting, Free marketing tools, Internet business success, Online Success

Connie Ragen Green And Her Lean Mean Blogging Machine

By Melanie Kissell 4 Comments

We’re about to celebrate the halfway point in the 30-Day Blogging Challenge, hosted by Connie Ragen Green.

Connie is best known for her “5-Pronged Approach to Online Writing Success.” She came online back in 2005 and struggled her first year. She doesn’t want others to lose ANY time in getting started. Connie is an expert at teaching list building strategies through blogging, article marketing, social media marketing, affiliate marketing, and teleseminars.

I missed the last opportunity to get on board with the blogging challenge and I knew I missed out on something spectacular. So I jumped in this time with all the vim and vigor I could muster up!

Since this was my first time participating in the challenge, I really didn’t know what to expect. I did know, however, that if Connie was leading the way … it had to be fun and I had to be a part of it.

Good decision! This event has helped me to become better disciplined at writing, greatly improve my skills, and help me to tap deeply into my creativity reserves.

All of the 30-day blogging challenge entrants have been bloggin’ their little hearts out. And they’re some of the most fascinating people you’ll ever meet!

Wishing everyone magical and meaningful 30-day blogging challenge experiences, memories, and lasting friendships.

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