That’s right – today is my fourth anniversary here at Words on the Page. It’s totally appropriate (in my opinion) that I chose one of my favorite holidays to build a blog. It was unintentional, but subconsciously? Who can say?
Four years. Wow. I thought I’d run out of things to talk about ages ago, but I should have known better. Rare is the day I can’t find something to go on about, and I’m thankful for every one of you for tuning in to see what Lori’s going on about this time. Every one of you who comments and helps build this little community – thank you. All 121 of you over there in the Followers section – thank you. Every one of you who lurk, read occasionally, get the feed, and share links with me – thank you. I couldn’t do it without you. Well, technically I could, but what’s sadder than the sound of a woman talking to herself all the time? I’m grateful for your friendship, contributions, debate, and continued support.
But I’m not one to look at something and declare it done. I may feel I’ve accomplished something here today, but we know how tenuous tomorrow can be. Time to reassess this blog and how you, the reader, react to it.
So what’s working for you here? What posts are the ones that bring you back? Is it a topic, a feeling, a need you can fulfill here? Tell me how I can bring you back every day. What do you want more of? Less of?
And while you’re thinking of your answers, think how those same questions can help you reexamine your business practices and client interactions. If you were to ask your clients those same questions, what would you hope to hear in return? What are you likely to hear? How would you use that information?
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone. It’s my own personal holiday, so I’ll be off this afternoon enjoying a Guinness (or a margarita – too early to tell) and some homemade Irish stew. You?
17 responses to “Happy Anniversary to me…..”
Happy anniversary Lori, and Happy St. Patrick's day! HAve a green one!
Thanks, Ruthibelle! I'm wearing my green and plans for celebrating are in place. 🙂
Happy Anniversary, and a very Happy St Paddy's Day.
I come here because, as journalists/writers/authors we're a bit softer in the UK and allow people (aka editors) to walk all over us. We're not treated as seriously and I'm a bit too militant for that. So it's nice to read of a like-minded person that can kick ass just as much as I can (it's why I love Devon's blog too) without fearing a loss of work.
I do prefer to read about the work you're doing, how you deal with things, and life too, rather than the top tips (although they are top) and regular guidelines. But that's only because they're already familiar to me. It's nice to have the reassurance there, though, and I know a lot of readers benefit from that. But I'm a bit nosy too. I want to know what else is going on in your world.
Keep up the good work. Here's to the next 4 years.
Happy Anniversary, Lori. I love hearing about what you have going on with work and how you deal with freelancing challenges. There are many good lessons to be learned in this blog.
Happy St. Patty's Day and Happy Blogaversary, Lori! I love your refreshing, no-nonsense approach to clients, so keep up the great work.
Happy St. Patricks Day and Happy blog anniversary. I would like to extend my thanks to you for creating the blog that I visit almost every weekday. I visit a lot of blogs, but there are few I can say that I visit that often or that I actually comment on.
The main reason why I keep coming back is because you don’t just offer advice and tips. You add a personal touch to it. You can offer the same advice as many other business blogs have, but the difference is that there aren’t that many, that I have seen, that add their experiences or opinions to that advice.
You gain more credibility if you share the pitfalls as well as your successes during your Freelancing career. I’m more apt to listen to you if you’ve been there and done that and not just tell me to do A, B and C to become successful.
I don’t know if I would change anything, if I were you. At this point, I don’t go and visit the Words on the page Blog. I go to see what Lori has to say today. To me, there’s a huge difference between the two.
Lori: Happy anniversary, Happy St. Paddy's, & thanks for making Words on the Page a must-stop on my morning lap 'round the Intertoobz!
Echoing what others have already written, my only advice for you would be "keep on keepin' on."
As we all know, there are a whole lotta sites out there that offer business tips, & a whole lot more that feature personal observations, but what keeps me coming back here is the balance you've achieved between these two topics. Tremendous insights & solid "real world" advice, all presented in an engaging manner with a unique voice — what more could a reader want?
Again, many congrats & thanks, & I hope your Guinness is extra-delicious today 🙂
Happy Blog-iversary, Lori!
What's great is you tell it like it really is, not how some over-the-top rah-rah-I'm-making-more-money-than-I can-spend types of writers who blog. Those people use their blog to prove how much more successful they are than other writers, and offer some advice along the way. But you share your ups and downs and let writers of all levels know that while even the best writers can have pitfalls, they can also pull themselves out of that pit through (say it with me everyone….) marketing.
I'm glad someone's having a happy St. Patrick's Day. My refrigerator conked out – I knew it needed to be replaced soon, so at least I have a good idea of what I want in a new fridge – but no one wants to wake up the day after buying groceries and find everything in the freezer is half melted. I guess it's the not-so-good-luck of the Swedish.
Lori,
Happy blog birthday, congratulations on four years of great posts, and Happy St. Patrick's Day. Keep doing what you're doing.
Happy Blogday to you!
Seriously Lori, you've added a great deal to writing and blogging.
Lori, Happy Anniversary, celebrate!
I come here to learn and I've learned much from you. Thank you.
Hi Lori– Congrats, and Happy Anniversary! I discovered your blog fairly recently (within the last 2 months or so) and I enjoy your straightforward, no-nonsense approach to dealing with clients and reminding us all to tell ourselves that we're worth far more than most clients realize, and that it's perfectly acceptable (almost required) to ask–nicely, but firmly–for clients to recognize that worth, too! Keep up the great work, and thanks!
Hi Lori.
Happy anniversary!
I couldn't put my finger on why I read you every morning, but I think those who said you blend personal and professional are right.
It's all well and good to say: Do this. It's better to say: Here's what really happened to me today, and here's my take on it.
I also love your monthly assessments because they force me to do the same. I probably would do them without you, but I'm not convinced of that.
Thanks again. It's no exaggeration to say you're on my must-check-every-morning blogroll.
Happy Anniversary.
I just found you recently, but I agree with all who say you keep it real for us.
Tammi Kibler
Wow! What a wonderful bunch of people you are! Thanks so much for the kind words and the encouragement. I do it for you. I'm thrilled I'm able to give back even a minute amount of what you give to me.
Diane, I'll always share the personal. 🙂 I can't be another way. If you want to be nosy, you're in the right place! LOL
Kim, I've been thrilled to see your blog grow into a must-read for me. Thank you for your kind words. Back atcha.
Susan, you too. I remember when you were full time elsewhere and now look at you! Your blog wins awards. Hon, that's success.
Wendy, you said "I go to see what Lori has to say today." Thank you. That's what I was hoping you'd get out of this experiment in rambling. You've made my day, too. 🙂
Hugh, the Guinness was smooth. 🙂 I appreciate you and your presence here. I'm glad I'm part of your surfing ritual. 🙂
Paula, those appliances never die when they're empty. Dryers die when the washer is full of wet clothes. Ovens die as the turkey goes into it. Refrigerators die on hot days when you've just bought rocky road ice cream. 🙂 Go get that fridge, woman. Make it the one you want – you've got to live with it for the next 20 years. And the Swedes strip the windows of curtains and paint the furniture white. Up to you, but at least open the drapes. 🙂
Lillie, your blog is my touch of religious reality in times of feeling a bit a-kilter. I should be thanking you!
Anne, look who's talking! You started it all. Your blog was my first and is still on my most-visited list. You're a superb writer, coach, and friend.
Joanne, I enjoy having you here. I'm glad to know you this past year. Your blog inspires me and has a calming effect. Love the photos and the poems.
Sara, I'm going to tattoo your words on my arm – you get it. You get why I'm here beseeching, begging, and strong-arming people into expecting fair treatment. I'm glad to have you here. 🙂
Gabrielle, I feel like I know you personally. I'm glad you're here, too. I learn a lot from your comments, and I'm glad we can inspire each other.
Tammi, welcome! Stay. We love having you. I'll keep it real as long as there's air in these lungs.
Happy anniversary … a day late. I think that means it's just about my anniversary too. I always forget until you announce yours. Great bloggers join the blogosphere together. ;o)
It IS about your time, Kathy! I think of you every year as I type this. 🙂