Hi, I'm New Here!

 Care to show me around?





  

So it's been about a month since I started Rustic Renditions and to be quite honest, it's SCARY being the new kid on the block! 

It's also scary how much I loved NKOTB when I was younger.... (go ahead and admit it, you did too!... and I'm sure some of you still do LOL!!)  But isn't Joey sooo cute? :)

Okay, so in all seriousness, there is so much to "this blogging thing" and I've been doing my best to consume all the information available out there.  You could spend HOURS doing this.  I mean looking at all the great blogs alone is enough to take up half your day.  Not to mention trying to figure out layouts and design and fit in time to actually do some projects.  I think I've done a pretty good job so far doing it on my own.  But I still have questions that need to be answered.  Blogging etiquette seems to be an important core value amongst those BBFF's out there... and as a newbie trying to get noticed I don't want to make any mistakes. 

There's actually a great article about blogging etiquette over at A Girl And A Glue Gun that is a must read for us little fish.  While I think most of it is applicable to the majority of bloggers out there I still can't help but feel a little lost.  So I decided to post a survey of sorts for my own peace of mind and comfort.  Let's get started!

1.  Comments:  As I'm receiving more and more comments on my posts (which I totally love BTW), I can't help but wonder if I'm supposed to respond back to each and every one.  I mean, once you get like a BUNCH of them there's no way you could possibly do that.  But in the meantime what does a new blogger do?  I certainly don't expect a veteran blogger to respond back to any comments I've made on their site, unless I've specifically asked a question about a post.  But I want my readers to know that I've read and appreciate their time to leave a comment in the first place.  So to respond or not to respond, that is the question.

2.  Projects:  There are literally hundreds of DIY blogs out there.  I've seen some fantastic ideas.  While I have lots to share of my own stuff, I can't help but want to try out some of the awesome things I've seen.  However, I can't seem to remember what I saw and where to give credit where credit is due.  Like I said, spending hours and hours of searching sites, it's nearly impossible to keep track of it all.  But I don't want someone to come across one of my projects and say "hey that biotch stole my idea!".  Do you go ahead and re-create an idea as one of your own, or skip onto something else completely?

3.  This brings me to my next subject.  Is it okay to feel a little jealous when you come across a new blog that is totally and utterly out of this world, not only in design but in content and as well?   Okay so a little ranting here if you don't mind.  I saw this blog last night and first of all, it was beautiful... so my first thought was "oh she's been doing this for a while".  So I scroll down and see it's only been up since... January? What the...?!  I mean come on!  So did she have this professionally done, or is she some kind of computer guru?  Her profile read wife, mom of 3, avid crafter/DIY'er, blonde bombshell, etc. etc.  Not only that but she had like 2 posts per day (talk about blog burnout) and had about 5 or 6 "I've been featured on...." buttons on her sidebar and like 5 times the followers that any of us other newbies may have.  Okay this one is out of this world.  But how do we compete with that?  I mean, I'm pretty sure my child is sick of hearing me say "you wanna watch another movie?"  just so I have time to figure all of this out.  So how do you juggle blog time, family time, crafting time, (not to mention cooking, cleaning, showering!) and still make an out of this world blog?  If you're cheap like me you're doing it yourself.  But how many of you are hiring this out?

And just as I'm preparing to post this, another great article about all of this pops up.  Just in the nick of time!  Check this one out from Funky Junk Interiors so you don't feel down and out. 

4.  Followers:  So this is a tricky one.  I've recently seen some additional followers join my blog.  Yay!... and Thanks!  It really makes me feel like it's worthwhile if I have someone to share all of this with.  But on the other hand, I can't get everyone I know to jump on board.  I mean, if your own family and friends won't take the time to support you then is it really worth it to continue on?  I've been trying to put myself out there to get a few more blog stalkers, but how much can you really beg and plead with your posse?  Then there's the issue of, if they join my blog, should I join theirs?  How many blogs can one person follow and try to keep up with? 

5.  Advertising:  I've seen a lot of different opinions on this one.  Obviously nobody wants to work for free.  Some of you may feel like blogging isn't work.  But it does take a lot of time.... and well, time is money.  I don't know about you, but if there's money to be made I'm all for it.  Especially since I was a major source of income for our family before having Carter.  It's hard to feel like I'm not contributing.  I guess that's part of the reason I started this.  I want to make some extra money while staying home and raising my son.  Is that so bad?  I guess my question here is, how much can you really make doing this?  I know that may be an inappropriate question... but a valid one at the same time.  If you wish to share you knowledge or experience send me a message as inquiring minds would like to know.

So that pretty much concludes the survey.  While I continue "HANGING TOUGH" :) I hope that you stuck around long enough to enjoy my ramblings about all of this... and if so I would really like to get your feedback.  So please leave a comment or send me a message.  I do have some fabulous projects coming up so I really hope that I haven't scared you away and you'll stop back in for some more of my Rustic Renditions.  Thanks and happy blogging! :)

UPDATE:  So I received this really nice email from Debbie at Debbiedoos Blogging and Babbling.  She has the most awesome info for newbie bloggers, tips and tricks, etiquette do's and don'ts... and she's super funny and down to earth.  So if you're a little fish like me, go check out her Blogging Manners http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/search/label/blogging%20manners - you'll be glad you did!