Summer Blog Party! #writingcommunity

Hey Everyone! It’s been WAAAAAAY too long since I have hosted a Blog Party!

For those of you who are not aware what a blog party is let me break it down. Generally speaking, a blog party is an online gathering for bloggers of all kinds to meet and engage with one another. On Twitter, something similar is referred to as a #writerslift but it’s meant to be a bit more social than that

Here are some simple steps you can take:

Like. Comment. Engage. Reblog

1. LIKE: You do not need to be following my blog to participate, but I always appreciate a like if you’re enjoying the Blog Party!
2. COMMENT: Tell us your name, leave us a blurb about your blog, and THEN attach your link!
   1. Please do not just drop a link (my blog is set up where it will see it as spam)
3. ENGAGE: Blog Parties are not about simply promoting your blog/work. Engagement is where the party begins. Please visit AT LEAST two other blogs and leave them genuine feedback on their comments below.
4. REBLOG: Spread the fun by encouraging your own followers to join in the party! The best way to meet and interact new bloggers is by spreading the word so that we can meet people outside our normal “sphere of bloggers.”

 

Blog Party Manners:

1. You never have to follow anyone just because they follow you. However, it is good manners to always return a page visit for a page visit.
   • Did someone stop by your blog, like a post, or leave a comment? Do the same for them! (It only takes a minute.)
2. Please do not comment “I just followed your blog, please follow back!” or anything similar. You will be booted from the party.
   • Follow the blogs you are honestly interested in; don’t play the “follow game.”

 

This Blog Party will be held and moderated exclusively July 1st – July 3rd so don’t miss out!

Think I should host a Blog Party monthly? Let me know in the comments! I can’t wait to meet new bloggers, instagrammers, Twitterers, facebookers, etc.!

Invite your friends, reblog, and share with your blogging community!

End of Summer Blog Party

Hey Everyone! If you’re anything like me, you might be bummed that summer is coming to a close. What better way to end summer than with a BLOG PARTY?

For those of you who are not aware what a blog party is let me break it down. Generally speaking, a blog party is an online gathering for bloggers of all kinds to meet and engage with one another.

Here are some simple rules:

1. First off, everyone is welcome to participate in this Blog Party (even if you do not currently follow me, although I would LOVE it if you did!) -> If you are a new follower of my blog, say hi and let me know that you are new so that I remember to drop by your blog and check you out.
2. Leave a Comment and a Link! Tell us who you are and what your blog is about. Feel free to leave a link connecting back to your blog’s home page or to your favorite or most recent blog post! (Post this only once please.)
3. Mix and Mingle! This is where the party begins. I am blessed to have over 2,000 followers and this is a great opportunity for many of my friends to meet each other. You guys are amazing and I think a lot of you would enjoy meeting and following one another.
4. Remember, you never have to follow anyone just because they follow you. However, it is good manners to always return a page visit for a page visit. Did someone stop by your blog, like or leave a comment? Do the same for them! It only takes a minute.
5. Don’t forget to REBLOG! Spread the fun by encouraging your own followers to join in the party! This is the best way to attract new bloggers by spreading the word.
6. Lastly, please do not comment “I just followed your blog, please follow back!” or anything similar. You will be booted from the party. Follow the blogs you honestly like, don’t play the “follow game.”

As we are celebrating the end of summer, feel free to include your favorite summer activity! Mine would definitely be the amount of pool time that I get during the summer months.

What about you?

This Blog Party will be held and moderated exclusively August 7th-8th so don’t miss out! Invite your friends and share with your blogging community!

Also, I am feeling that itch again to hold another contest! In the comments below, please let me know which you would prefer:

Flash Fiction Contest

Poetry Contest (Open form)

Poetry Contest (Specific Form)

Poetry Contest (Specific Theme)

Alphabet Contest

Blogging Tip: Engaging in Reciprocation One Reply at a Time

Hello Bloggers!

I keep talking and talking (and talking) about this word “reciprocation.” According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, reciprocation means:

reciprocate (v.)

“to return, requite,” 1610s, back-formation from reciprocation, or else from Latin reciprocatus, past participle of reciprocare “rise and fall, move back and forth; reverse the motion of,” from reciprocus (see reciprocal). Related: Reciprocated; reciprocating.

 

Let’s focus on this idea of “to return.” Reciprocation means to give back what has been given, or to reflect in equal measures. Now sometimes, we can reciprocate above and beyond what we have been given, but for now, let’s just look at the prospect of equal reciprocation.

What does this look like in blogging? In some ways, it is extremely simple:

If someone visits your blog, visit theirs.

Of course, we can take this even further with a like for a like or a comment for a comment. 99% of the time, I do my very best to engage in this method of reciprocation. For instance, if someone visits my blog and leaves a comment, I open their blog in a new tab before I respond to them and so on and so forth. If you examine the photo below, you’ll notice that I have 17+ tabs open.

The first tab is my site, this is where I open my notifications and check my likes, read comments, and respond. As I am going through my notifications, every time I come across a comment on my blog, I do my best to open a new tab with that bloggers blog. After I have finished my responses to comments, I then spend about an hour or so going through the blogs and reciprocate!

When I go to their blogs, I often read the latest post or find a post (if they have many) that stands out to me. Sometimes, if I have nothing to say (which happens rarely), I’ll simply “like” their post because I hate leaving empty, meaningless comments. For the most part however, I usually leave at least one comment on one blog post before moving on to the next blog.

“Now Kayla Ann,” you might be asking, “Does that mean I have to follow everyone who follows me?”

Goodness no! Following should be a response of genuine interest, but I’ll discuss this further in an upcoming blog post!

So what do you think of my rules of reciprocation? Do you have a similar system? How do you engage in reciprocation?

Happy Blogging!

©KaylaAnnAuthor

© KaylaAnn and KaylaAnnAuthor.wordpress.com, 2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to KaylaAnn and KaylaAnnAuthor.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

New Year Blog Party!

New Year, Same You!

While 2019 is definitely a chance for all of us to make some improvements and to strive towards those (realistic) goals, ultimately, we are the same inside. And there is NOTHING wrong with you being you! So share all about yourself in the first Blog Party of 2019!

For those of you who are not aware what a blog party is let me break it down. Generally speaking, a blog party is an online gathering for bloggers of all kinds to meet and engage with one another.

Here are some simple rules:

1. First off, everyone is welcome to participate in this Blog Party (even if you do not currently follow me, although I would LOVE it if you did!) -> If you are a new follower of my blog, say hi and let me know so that I remember to drop by your blog and check you out.
2. Leave a Comment! Say hi and tell us who you are and what your blog is about. Feel free to leave a link connecting back to your blog’s home page or to your favorite or most recent blog post! (Post this only once please.)
3. Mix and Mingle! This is where the party begins. I am blessed to have nearly 2,000 followers and this is a great opportunity for many of my friends to meet each other. You guys are amazing and I think a lot of you would enjoy meeting and following one another.

1. Remember, you never have to follow anyone just because they follow you. However, it is good manners to always return a page visit for a page visit. Did someone stop by your blog, like or leave a comment? Do the same for them! It only takes a minute.
2. Don’t forget to REBLOG! Spread the fun by encouraging your own followers to join in the party! This is the best way to attract new bloggers by spreading the word.

Happy New Year Everyone! What are some of your 2019 resolutions? Did you put up a New Year’s post? Leave it in the comments 😀

This Blog Party will be held and moderated exclusively Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so don’t miss out!

 

Weekend Blog Party *Hosted by KaylaAnn* (November)

As some of you might remember, my past blog parties have been total smashes! I really enjoyed meeting new bloggers and I know you guys did too!

So, I thought, let’s do it again!

 For those of you who are not aware what a blog party is let me break it down. Generally speaking, a blog party is an online gathering for bloggers of all kinds to meet and engage with one another.

Here are some simple rules:

1. First off, everyone is welcome to participate in this Blog Party (even if you do not currently follow me, although I would LOVE it if you did!) -> If you are a new follower of my blog, say hi and let me know so that I remember to drop by your blog and check you out.
2. Leave a Comment! Say hi and tell us who you are and what your blog is about. Feel free to leave a link connecting back to your blog’s home page or to your favorite or most recent blog post! (Post this only once please.)
3. Mix and Mingle! This is where the party begins. I am blessed to have nearly 2,000 followers and this is a great opportunity for many of my friends to meet each other. You guys are amazing and I think a lot of you would enjoy meeting and following one another.
   1. In the spirit of the Holiday/November season, be sure to answer what you’re thankful for and what your favorites season food/drink is, along with your other comments!

1. Remember, you never have to follow anyone just because they follow you. However, it is good manners to always return a page visit for a page visit. Did someone stop by your blog, like or leave a comment? Do the same for them! It only takes a minute.
2. Don’t forget to REBLOG! Spread the fun by encouraging your own followers to join in the party! This is the best way to attract new bloggers by spreading the word.

Have Fun Everyone!

I look forward to mingling with our imaginary cocktails in the comments! I am thankful for this incredible writing community and I absolutely LOVE Pumpkin scones and Peppermint Mochas.

This Blog Party will be held and moderated exclusively Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so don’t miss out!

Highlighting Rejection Day 5: YOU

Can we all just be honest and authentic for a couple of minutes?

I am encouraging ALL of you to be willing to be vulnerable in the comment section. Anyone who is serious about writing has most likely received some sort of rejection in their lives. Maybe it was not an official rejection letter, maybe it was some peer review (from family or friends) that did not go as you expected.

Writing is hard, and rejection/criticism makes it harder. But I think the thing that is so detrimental about rejection is when we think that we are alone in our rejection. We think, “This is a personal reflection on ME.”

I am hoping to combat this idea and the isolation that can be a result of rejection by encouraging you to comment below your own experiences with rejection. As a writing community, let us come together to share our own struggles.

So, if you are up for it, in the comment section please answer:

Have you ever experienced rejection for your writing? If so, was the rejection kind or harsh? And more importantly, how did you respond/handle the rejection? What advice would you give to someone who just received their 1st, 2nd, 3rd rejection letter?

©KaylaAnnAuthor

© KaylaAnn and KaylaAnnAuthor.wordpress.com, 2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to KaylaAnn and KaylaAnnAuthor.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Blogging Tip: Decide for Yourself

“Do you want 1,000 followers in one week? Then you need to do exactly as I say!”

“NO, you need to do exactly as I say!”

“If you really want to succeed you should listen to me!”

Blogging advice can be great (I must think so since this is titled “Blogging Tip”) but sometimes the advice and tips can become a little overwhelming and sound a lot like the conversation above. There are hundreds of thousands of opinions out there on how you should blog, how to gain followers, how to be successful, how to, how to, how to, how to, how to….

Let’s be honest, it is EXHAUSTING trying to keep up with all of these different “tricks.”

While these tips and tricks are not necessarily bad or wrong, if you are listening to too many outside influences, they can become detrimental to your blog. Here is my advice (I know, I can hear the irony):

Accept that there are different opinions on every “how to” and decide for yourself.

Do you know what advice is? Advice is “guidance or recommendations concerning prudent future action, typically given by someone regarded as knowledgeable or authoritative.”

Do you know what advice is not? Advice is not a command. You do not ever have to listen or follow to anyone’s advice. You don’t even have to listen to my advice about not listening to advice. (Moving forward from that rabbit hole…)

This came up for me the other day when I posted “Blogging Tip: Stop the Hate; Moderate” and I had some other bloggers who disagreed with my tactics (no offense here guys, blogging is an individual journey). One follower, at my request, sent me a blog post that was the exact opposite of mine, arguing why you should not moderate your comments. You can find that post here: Your Comment is Awaiting Moderation

Check it out. Read my opinions on the subject, read their opinions on the subject, and at the end of the day, come up with your own opinions.

Everyone is going to have different advice on the exact same topic. Use this advice to learn and grow but don’t let it dictate your actions.

Decide for yourself.

Happy Blogging Everyone!

©KaylaAnnAuthor

© KaylaAnn and KaylaAnnAuthor.wordpress.com, 2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to KaylaAnn and KaylaAnnAuthor.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Weekend Blog Party *Hosted by KaylaAnn* (August)

As some of you might remember, my first Blog Party was a total smash! I really enjoyed meeting new bloggers and I know you guys did too!

So, I thought, let’s do it again!

 For those of you who are not aware what a blog party is let me break it down. Generally speaking, a blog party is an online gathering for bloggers of all kinds to meet and engage with one another.

Here are some simple rules:

1. First off, everyone is welcome to participate in this Blog Party (even if you do not currently follow me, although I would LOVE it if you did!) -> If you are a new follower of my blog, say hi and let me know so that I remember to drop by your blog and check you out.
2. Leave a Comment! Say hi and tell us who you are and what your blog is about. Feel free to leave a link connecting back to your blog’s home page or to your favorite or most recent blog post! (Post this only once please.)
3. Mix and Mingle! This is where the party begins. I am blessed to have over 1,000 followers and this is a great opportunity for many of my friends to meet each other. You guys are amazing and I think a lot of you would enjoy meeting and following one another.
4. Remember, you never have to follow anyone just because they follow you. However, it is good manners to always return a page visit for a page visit. Did someone stop by your blog, like or leave a comment? Do the same for them! It only takes a minute.
5. Don’t forget to REBLOG! Spread the fun by encouraging your own followers to join in the party! This is the best way to attract new bloggers by spreading the word.

Have Fun Everyone!

I look forward to mingling with our imaginary cocktails in the comments!

This Blog Party will be held and moderated exclusively Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so don’t miss out!

Crash Course in Blogging 101

To any First Time Bloggers (or any bloggers looking for help on their site or gaining new followers),

When trying to set up your blog and gain followers, do you ever feel like this?

Creating a new website can be frustrating as you navigate themes and customization options, but it does not have to be.

Finding blogs worth following and gaining followers in return can sometimes feel like the eternal mystery, but it does not have to be.

In my 5-day course, you and I will work together to tackle these enigmas and make your blog something special! In six months, I reached 1,000 followers and let me support that statement with this, “It was not easy and it was a LOT of hard work!”

If you’re willing to work for it, then you’ve come to the right place!

In this 5-day course, we will address blogging issues such as: site identity, the physicality of your blog, blogging schedules, content, how to follow and be followed, and how to thrive in the blogging world. Additionally, I’ll still be around after this course to answer questions that may come your way not only as your Blogging Mentor but as a Blogging Friend.

For my services, I require a one time payment of $40 (approximately $8 a day, which means I’m offering my services for under minimum wage).

Tiffany from BeUTifLee gives the course 5 stars!

I enjoyed the course, learning more than when I started the blog. Kayla Ann is full of knowledge, don’t hesitate to ask any question, big or small. The course is fun, inviting, and creative. It all depends on your motivation and determination. As I always say, Creativity takes courage.

If you are interested in this 5-day Crash Course in Blogging 101 with me, your go-to Blogging Mentor, head over to my home page. On my menu, you will see a tab that says “HOME.” Click that and in the drop-down menu, click “CONTACT.” Fill out that form to contact me about wanting to participate in this enlightening course.

Due to my schedule, I can only take on one client per week so keep that in mind! I only have a few openings left for this summer so don’t wait! I will get back to you within a few days at the latest with my next availability and further instructions.

I look forward to meeting and assisting new bloggers!

Disclaimer: This 5-day course is really designed for beginning bloggers (although veteran bloggers are welcome to apply for the course as well, though these will be more reminders than new insights).

*Weekend Blog Party* Hosted by KaylaAnn

Hello Everyone and Welcome to my first-ever Blog Party!

I recently participated in a blog party and I had a lot of fun getting to meet new bloggers that I might never have met otherwise. For those of you who are not aware what a blog party is let me break it down. Generally speaking, a blog party is an online gathering for bloggers of all kinds to meet and engage with one another.

Here are some simple rules:

1. First off, everyone is welcome to participate in this Blog Party (even if you do not currently follow me, although I would LOVE it if you did!) -> If you are a new follower of my blog, say hi and let me know so that I remember to drop by your blog and check you out.
2. Leave a Comment! Say hi and tell us who you are and what your blog is about. Feel free to leave a link connecting back to your blog’s home page or to your favorite or most recent blog post! (Post this only once please.)
3. Mix and Mingle! This is where the party begins. I am blessed to have over 1,000 followers and this is a great opportunity for many of my friends to meet each other. You guys are amazing and I think a lot of you would enjoy meeting and following one another.
4. Remember, you never have to follow anyone just because they follow you. However, it is good manners to always return a page visit for a page visit. Did someone stop by your blog, like or leave a comment? Do the same for them! It only takes a minute.
5. REBLOG! Spread the fun by encouraging your own followers to join in the party!

Have Fun Everyone!

I look forward to mingling with our imaginary cocktails in the comments!

This Blog Party will be held and moderated exclusively Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so don’t miss out!