In honor of Blogger Appreciation Day I want to offer a shout out to my two favorite bloggers. The first is Liz Strauss who continues to inspire me to be the best person I can be. She’s a class act and one of the nicest people I know. I had the pleasure of having a drink with Liz and sitting in on her session at BWE and if you think she’s a wonderful blogger, she’s even warmer in person. And she has the best stories ever!
My second favorite blogger is FWJ’s own Jodee. If not for Jodee FWJ wouldn’t be here anymore. I would never have been able to keep up with job leads, my paying gigs and my family obligations. It was difficult for me to entrust my baby to someone else, and a couple of days after hiring Jodee I knew I made the right decision. Two months ago I had to let Jodee go because FWJ was struggling financially and I received so many donations, some very generous, with the caveat that I use it to pay Jodee. That she’s so loved by this community says a lot. So thank you Jodee for all that you do because more people come here to find work than to read what I have to say. I don’t know what I’d do without you.
More props to some of my favorite blogs and bloggers, many of whom I’m proud to call friend:
- Jennifer Chait
- Performancing
- The whole crew at Hive
- Chris Garrett
- The Men with Pens
- Darren Rowse
- Brian Clark
- Amy Derby
- Shai Coggins
- E Moms at Home
- Freelance Switch
- Christina Jones
- Anne Wayman
- Ink Thinker
- Michael Stelzner
- Work from Home Momma
- Momgadget
I wish I could list all my favorites, but these are the ones I try to make a point to read every day.
Finally, I want to let you all know how much you’re appreciated. FWJ is about to celebrate its three year anniversary and I’m always amazed by this blogs popularity. That’s not a complaint, mind you. It’s more of a “I have to pinch myself because I’m dreaming” sort of thing. You’re a loyal, helpful wonderful community and I wouldn’t be where I am today without you.
It doesn’t seem like enough, but thank you.
- Deb
April 15th, 2008 at 5:39 am
And thank you too and other great bloggers like Taylor the Teacher, http://www.taylortheteacher.com/, and sneakmove, http://sneakmove.com/.
April 15th, 2008 at 5:43 am
I cannot believe we were posting our lists at the same time. Actually, I can. Thanks for the shout out
April 15th, 2008 at 5:54 am
Thats a nice list. Plenty of inspiration to be found there.
April 15th, 2008 at 5:57 am
I do appreciate you Deb, and Jodee at this blog. This was, for some reason, the first place I really hooked into when I first started being serious about freelance writing in January.
I suppose I could have picked several others (obviously, some really good ones listed above). Something here just makes you want to stick around! Thanks - thanks - thanks!!
April 15th, 2008 at 6:02 am
And John you have a great resource for writers too! Poewar helped me find work long before FWJ.
April 15th, 2008 at 6:44 am
I have to say thank you back. I consider it an honor that you actually haven’t given me the boot yet. Despite my outspoken charm
April 15th, 2008 at 7:17 am
Deb, I could turn around every word you said about me and it would be true about you as well. Like-minded bloggers deserve each other. Thank you the appreciation goes deep and both ways.
April 15th, 2008 at 7:57 am
James - I believe it is your outspoken charm as the reason Deb keeps you here! Truly, I read the comments just to hear what you will say next!
A great list of bloggers Deb!
April 15th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
There’s a blogger appreciation day? Are we supposed to get gifts?
April 15th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
@ Deb: To say thank you for your kind words doesn’t seem like enough. I visited FWJ long before I ever “met” you and really appreciated the leads. I was a fan back then - still am - and I am proud to call you my friend as well.
FWJ is a wonderful place online and I am so pleased to be a part of it. Thank you again, Deb, and to all of you who come here to visit.:D
@ Erika K: We hope you keep coming back for a long time to come!
@ china-matt: Good point.
April 15th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
@China-Matt - You,and everyone else, give me a gift every time you come here.
Stay tuned though. As we’re about to celebrate our third anniversary, I think it’s time for a giveaway to say thanks.
April 15th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
A wonderful community. Deb, a lot of people have found sound great paying gigs here. If it wasn’t for you then FWG would not exist… and if it wasn’t for Jodee things would not run so smoothly.
Thanks to the both of you and all good contributers
April 15th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
One of my favorite blogs, besides this one of course, has to be Uncle Jay. Even my fourteen year old gets up early on Monday to watch Uncle Jay’s news story of the week. My Monday morning routine is always the same, read the comic and post at Questionable Content, check out Uncle Jay and then head over here. It’s the best way to start out a week! So my hat is off to all three of my favorite blogs today.
April 15th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Deb, I second your shout out for Liz Strauss. Not only do I love her blogs but I have worked with her as well and she is a great coach/mentor–a big heart and a great mind. And yes, she has some great stories.
And I also want to say how wonderful this blog is - I have found some jobs here but I have also discovered great resources - like Liz - that have helped me as a writer and blogger.
So thank you, thank you, thank you.
April 15th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Thanks for giving us a lovely blog, Deb! When I first became interested in freelancing (I was 18 y.o.), I went looking for information and I stumbled across your blog. You were my first resource and your blog gave me a push into the writing world. I’m now 20 y.o., pursuing an English degree, and am planning to include writing in my professional life! Thanks for all the great advice - FWJ has been a valuable resource
April 15th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
No, thank you! This blog has been invaluable as I have sought to develop my freelancing career. Because of this site, I have landed some fabulous blogging jobs, which have led to other opportunities. I can’t wait to see what the future holds. Thank you so much for providing this blog as a help for all of us out there trying to make a few bucks doing what we love.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:17 am
Deb - Liz rocks (and so do you!).
Thanks for the recognition.
Mike
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:17 am
I’m late to the party (as usual). I just wanted to say “thank-you” for including Work From Home Momma on your favorites list.