As a rather new Blogger, I’ve been on the look out for different blogging communities that are focused on supporting each other as women. In addition to joining SITSgirls, Bloggy Moms, and Double Duty Divas I most recently connected with SMGirlfriends. I saw them totally by accident through the Twitter Suggested Follow thread. I clicked on their Twitter Profile Page and thought that their mini description was interesting. Once I went to the website I knew they were something I was interested in being a part of.
If you are anyone who has interacted with me through Social Media and any type of Blog Hop or Link Up you know that I am all about supporting a fellow Blogger. I probably wear out the phrase ‘It’s all about support’ yet it’s something I firmly believe and stand by. I don’t think any of us will go very far without the support of the Bloggers around us. Those in our community of like minded topics and interests. So I went through the process of linking up and adding their button to my site (a very pretty pink one I might add) and then I was instantly welcomed into the ‘nest’ and even sprinkled with virtual diva duston twitter during one of the daily chat parties. I felt so welcomed and a part of the community it was actually a bit overwhelming at first. Yet I also knew I had made a great decision by clicking on their link in that Suggestion Feed.
After the chat party was over, I made note of the daily meet up times and continued on with my daily Blogging routines. The next day I signed in and was checking my comments, Facebook, and other daily Check Lists of things to do when I noticed the #SmGirlfriends chat time was coming up. I signed in and saw that everyone was talking about a Live Broadcast that was to be taking place. I was quickly welcomed to the day’s chat and asked if I was connected to the broadcast. I said no and within seconds had about 4 links given to me (It’s all about support). Once I was all linked in and set up with my Teenager’s earphones so I could hear over my Kiddies running around I settled in.
I heard @DabneyPorte (Creator & Producer of #SmGirlfriends #NFLgirlfriends and #SmManners) start speaking and realized she was doing an interview with Karen Lynn @onetoughmutherk (Called Dear Abby on STEROIDS). I immediately started following @onetoughmutherk and then proceeded to hear the story of a woman who as a child of about 10 had to basically raise her siblings and go through many different adversities. Yet she overcame them. I heard how she excelled in her professional life despite being a woman who was judged based on stereotypes and men’s insecurities.
Through the entire interview I kept thinking these women are here to support each other. Then I heard @DabneyPorte say that her ‘nest’ of women from #SmGirlfriends were listening and tweeting and she wanted to mention some of their thoughts. She started calling of the Twitter IDs with their Tweets and suddenly I heard my own. When I say my heart stopped. I froze…”Mrsteeh says…” I looked at my Hubby and started screaming “OMGosh! Oh My Gosh she just said my name on the air!” Of course since I had headphones in and he couldn’t hear it the moment was a bit lost on him but I was totally in my ‘5 Seconds of Fame Zone’. Then a few moments later she quoted one of my Tweets again!!! I was in total Cloud 9 atmosphere at this point! Of course Hubby was sitting there looking at me like I was nuts…
So after my flash freak outs, the interview was coming to a close and @DabneyPorte announced that @onetoughmutherk was going to be giving away t-shirts to those who had tweeted a secret word BOOM a bit earlier during the broadcast. Of course I had tweeted it so I was waiting anxiously to see if lightening would strike 3 times in my day and make me a winner on top of everything else. she did a random pull of the keyword and selected the first 5 Tweets. As I sat there listening for my name I heard her calling off others and I heard a Mrs…at the moment I swore it was @mrsteeh. Now I can’t tell you if I was wrong or right. Later when the list was generated by twitter I didn’t see my name and just assumed i was too caught up and heard wrong. Then late that night I received a Tweet from @onetoughmutherk herself requesting my info to receive the t-shirt. I thought am I loosing it…
I sent her a tweet asking was I a winner and she gave me the best reply I could have hoped for…
At the end of the day I walked away with a feeling of true acceptance and welcome from a community I came upon totally by chance and to top it off I’m going to get to rock an @onetoughmutherk T-shirt really soon and trust me I will be posting pics so stay tuned! I also ended that day with many new connections to women who had come together with one goal…to support and connect with other women. During the radio broadcast that day Karyn discussed how women should always support women. It rang so true with me and also sparked the idea for this post.
Today I highlighted a story of my interaction with one of the communities I have connected with. Yet that is definitely not the only positive story I have. I have felt nothing but an overwhelming sense of welcome and support from the communities I have chosen to join. SITSgirls is a community which on a daily basis offers an endless resource for blogging tips and new connections to other bloggers through their Featured Blogger program where each day they feature a blogger and her site offering her exposure and endless opportunities through the 40,000 Bloggers within their network. Bloggy Moms is a community which offers a forum where you can create a profile with your Blog Post and have the opportunity to be chosen a featured writer, participate in numerous Blog Hops and/or Link Ups as well as make numerous connections with other Bloggers within the network. Double Duty Divas offers a Blogger the opportunity to connect with brands and create a buzz around your site drawing the right type of spotlight to you in order to help you move towards jobs you desire. Also, each of these communities offers awesome Blogger Conferences and Brand training and placement when you feel your site is ready to go to that level.
So, when I look at these communities and the women who founded them I see nothing but support. I knew coming into this idea of creating and establishing myself as a Blogger I would need the support and knowledge of those who were already ahead of me. Those who helped pave the paths and who are still striving to make things easier. That’s why every time I read a post that I believe is excellent I don’t hesitate to say so or to share it, why? It’s all about support. If someone asks me how to create a button or a header I do my best to crack the crazy HTML and pass it on, why? It’s all about support. When I see another Blogger who’s work needs a spotlight I do my best to find a light to shine on them, why? It’s all about support. Without the support of our fellow Bloggers and the communities others have set up to help I’m not sure how far each of us could get on our own.
How do you show support to other Bloggers in your community?
Have you joined any Blogger Networks or Communities to help you stay connected?
If so, how have you enjoyed your experience?
*Please visit each of the Communities referenced websites through the links provided for more detailed information
*Listen to the BlogTalkRadio Broadcast “How to Be One Tough Muther W/Your #SmGirlfriends” anytime
“Believe in yourself, your passions, and your dreams. Your voice is unique - build on that. Embrace what is different about you and make it your greatest asset!”
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18 thoughts on “It’s All About Support…”
This is an amazing group of people. I too am part of the #smgirlfriends community. I love Dabney and Karen (One Tough Mother). I have learned so much and have been so inspired by this great group of people. 😉
As have I…they are definitely a unique set of women who are doing a great job at inspiring and encouraging others to pursue their passions for not only blogging but simply going after something they truly desire. Thanks so much for coming by, Christy 😉
What an inspiring story. I have not heard of SMgirlfriends but I am heading over there now to check it out. Thanks for sharing this. It's all about support 🙂
Thank you so much and please do…they are a wonderful group of Ladies! 🙂
Wonderful read! Welcome to #SmGirlfriends, and I am glad you had a wonderful experience. You are correct, it is really "all about support." Good positive loving support. Namaste to you! I wish you much success on your road to blogging.
Thanks so much… *DivaDust*
This is such an inspiring story. Congratulations to you! I can tell you have a beautiful spirit. Wishing you much success.
Thank you. I appreciate you and your words of encouragement. 🙂
This post is great! I know I'd be nowhere without the support of the amazing bloggers I've "met" over the years. I'll have to check into these other groups. 🙂
Yes, I am very grateful. Please do, they all have great things to offer…
So much love is shared with #SMgirlfriends. It is complete support and understanding across many miles and even more platforms. It is our collective differences that knit us together so beautifully. It is casual and caring and arguable one of the finest communities of belonging and love I have ever claimed membership to. Best to you on your blogging journey. Thank you for sharing it with us 🙂
Very well said Lori…I agree completely. Thank you so much and I wish the same to you on your journey as well. Many blessings. 🙂
What a beautiful, beautiful piece!
This makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside! Knowing how the acceptance of the Social Media Girlfriends and the content of the show touched you is what it's all about and I couldn't ask for more! Regarding all of the above – this post, our interaction, my interaction with Cheryl, her comment – it has all touched and inspired me!
Now I'm going to stop writing because you're "gonna have me messed up over here."
LUV 2 U!
I think we are all getting a bit 'messed up'…Thank you so much for your inspiration as well. *Diva Dust* for all of us… 🙂
Thank you AJ Rogers for your genuine kindness, interest and acceptance. Apparently we're all about "getting messed up" today.
*showers you with diva-dust"
When I joined SITSGirls that's when I found community, but to my shock, it wasn't in fitness, it was about being a blogger. When SMgirlfriends found me (which I just love because I didn't have to jump thru hoops or beg or anything) I realized I had come home to the community I had been looking for: WOMEN.
Yesterday was amazing. I was warmed and uplifted yesterday, and when I finally went to bed I felt I benefited someone else, just like @OnetoughMutherK benefited all of us. I honestly think all of us took a piece of her away with us.
Can you remember the last time you felt that way, just from hearing an interview? I can't.
We all got stuff. We have our issues, our fears, our dreams, but even better we have one another. That t-shirt means we are no longer alone.
Oh heck yeah I am gonna show pics of mine!
Oh my goodness Girl your gonna have me messed up over here. I wrote this Post because I just couldn't let the experience of that broadcast go by without a 'marker' of sorts. It was important. When I started my Blog (only 3 1/2 weeks ago now…not even a full month!) I did it knowing I wanted it to be a success. I'm a bit of a perfectionist. I <del datetime="2013-08-08T17:48:52+00:00">hate</del> despise doing things halfway so I did my pre-launch research and tried to network and everything even before I had my domain name. Once i had the site up and running I continued to search for a support system. Fellow Bloggers who wouldn't hold me back but instead push me forward. Yesterday that is what I felt. Full force. So yes, that t-shirt became a symbol of something more. So when you get yours I expect to see pics ASAP because I know I will be posting mine 😀
I LOVE THIS. I felt like such a whiny kid so I sent a DM to Dabney apologizing for my obnoxious behavior. She said she didn't even notice (bless her) and she said she would try her best to get me one. Then I saw the tweet this morning and I burst into tears. I don't know if I am hormone imbalanced or what, but that twitter chat we had yesterday was so amazing, and I heard my name on the air too! Crazy how something so simple can leave you feel so empowered, valuable and part of something that is bigger than yourself.
It was hard to put into words my feelings about the shirt. I think I heard Dabney say everyone was a winner, and I was like, wait, what about me? Then I realized that was my mantra in life. Always last picked, always left out, never belonging…and for some reason I was heartbroken over that shirt. It's just a shirt, yes, but for me? It meant that I belonged and I mattered. So when I saw the tweet (same one you saw when you thought someone was calling your name this morning) I about scared my co-worker as it was quiet at work and just the two of us in the entire building and I start hollering.
Yet, even after the interview you and I started chatting on Twitter and I thought, this is probably the coolest thing ever, as well as @MsAJRogers and @onetoughmutherK. @MsAJRogers asked me about my blog name and how I came up with it. Since I changed my blog to celeryhills she has been the first person to ask how I came up with CeleryHills, which touched me so much. See, I started out doing a fitness blog and I wasn't "fitting in", and I was starting to think I was a complete failure. I quit the pitty party and changed my niche, started interacting with SITSGirls and saw Dabney around on Twitter being her usually awesome self. Then, for the first time, instead of chasing down brands and names and groups and people, she friended me and I became a SMGirlfriend, logo and everything on my blog.
Some of us need verification from others. I admit, I am one (working on it, though) because I am my own worst enemy. Listening to @onetoughmutherK was like a wake-up call for me: there is a community out there where we can be ourselves, not a likeness of ourselves. I guess that shirt gave me sense of community for the moment, but the chats I had afterwards really hit home for me.
And what did you and I start talking about? You mentioned you thought you won a shirt but you heard someone else's name. That shirt brought us together. So that shirt means more than a brand or a logo to me.
It means SISTERHOOD.