Why” No Thanks”?

Because this is my playground.

But don’t you want to make money?

Sure. But not here.

Are there other ways I can promote myself/my product through Wonderwebby?

Yes!

Like last year, when Reward Yourself Card donated $100 per post for 13 bloggers to write a tribute to the entrepreneurial poor, to raise microfinance for the Philippines. If you’re interested in supporting any future fundraisers, I’d still be interested in hearing from you.

Sometimes I’ll write about a relevant book or product sent to me. But I’m not paid for this. And sending me something doesn’t guarantee it will find its way to this little corner of cyberspace. Unless it’s full of wonderment

And every so often I like to share things that inspire or interest me, like this video from my employer. (See the disclaimer to the right…views expressed here are my own, not those of my employer, yadda yadda yadda.)

I suppose sharing corporate content is blurring the lines a bit. But it’s a personal choice, and that’s what I’m comfortable with.

What’s the Art Not Ads logo about?

Read more on Keri Smith’s Ad Free Blog site. It’s food for thought.

I’m not saying every single blog should be ad free.  But it’s still a choice, not an obligation to use Google Ads or to be paid for advertising.  Do you know what I mean? What do you think?

“Perhaps you want to change the world through your community group,  non profit, aid organisation or government agency, or maybe you help people to collaborate  in your workplace. Wherever you work or volunteer, I  hope Wonderwebby can be a place where you can find inspiration, ideas and tips so that you can make a difference  through the use of creative social media.”

As always I’m happy to hear your feedback, as I find About Me pages and bios to be quite difficult to get “just right”! Don’t you?

In a way, writing this blog also helps me to focus my time and energy on the things that I am passionate about. I was asked to speak about some of these passions at the VITTA Careers and ICT Expo earlier this year in Melbourne and I have finally uploaded it to Slideshare. Once again I used the alphabet technique. Truth be told, I knew I had an hour and the letters prompted me to keep my ramblings to a point per minute! Plus it made it enjoyable to present to the teachers who came along. Enjoy!

I would write about the possibilities. The good things. About the ways we can use the interwebs for social good.

If I had a blog I would write about being a part time working mum. About “balancing” work and life -  time with my husband, raising three young boys and enjoying life. I would write about the things I cook. Everyday moments. The ways we use the web everyday. The journey.

I would hope to share beautiful things;  photography, design, art, moving words and the moving image. Interesting things. I would even join in creative challenges, just for kicks.

If I had a blog I would feature the incredible people who inspire me.  The artists and animateurs who use their creative talents to bring value to communities around the world.

I would write about exciting and innovative things happening at work. Colleagues who are making a difference through technology. Communication, marketing, I.T. and leadership. And even some of the things I learn and enjoy about social media.

I would look forward to reading your comments and the ongoing virtual conversations that would enrich our meeting face to face.

Yes, if I had a blog, I just might write about such things.

If you had a blog, what would you write about?

I make time for blogging because it’s part of my learning & personal development and it sparks my creative thinking. I make time for it the same way you might make time to attend conferences, after work events or training. I only work three days a week, which restricts the days available to attend networking events. Also my husband and I have three young boys so I don’t travel for work often. Blogging (and Twitter, Facebook etc) helps me to stay connected in so many ways.

I don’t see myself as a serious blogger. There are times when I might choose to read a book instead of writing a blog post, or I might choose to do something creative, or spend time with the boys instead.

Sometimes I’ll begin writing a blog post late at night once I’ve tucked the little ones in bed, folded some laundry, and then I’ll finish the post first thing in the morning or later when I have a spare moment.  Blogging is often ‘me time’. It’s a choice. Free expression. I suppose that’s why I hesitate to accept offers of advertising, or to write about products that don’t interest me. If it’s genuinely wonderful, I’ll write about it.

When I ramble write, I try to think how my posts might bring some value to you. Blogging helps me to practice communicating and writing quickly, concisely and it challenges me to try different writing styles and approaches. I like to use this blog to express my thoughts, the things I learn, to share creative moments and wonder about the wonderful possibilities with you. I enjoy sharing ideas that might help create a better world and collaborating with you on your creative blog challenges.

But for the most part, I spend my time helping with homework, making lunches, working, washing clothes, connecting with and caring for my family, friends and others. Blogging is something I enjoy – and now 200 posts later (201 if you count this one) I’m just looking forward to the things that might find their way into this blog or your comments!

Thanks to those of you who subscribe - it’s really lovely to know you’re there! And to those of you who comment – I always enjoy reading what you have to say (although I’m really not so great at writing comments myself!).

What about you? Why do you spend time blogging?

Obviously my focus will be a little different, but I will continue to share some of the common threads between marketing and learning here on Wonderwebby, sharing random ramblings about interesting we can communicate, create and connect! I look forward to some great conversations with you.

connect the dots 1by Dutchtl

connecting the dots 2

connect the dots 3 by

Connect the dots 4 by SlipStream

Thinking Ahead – Ideas for a rainy day
While I was arranging the last fundraising event and making mental notes of things that were working, and things that I would do differently, I came up with an idea. I wanted the next creative challenge to be really simple and the word ‘Tribute’ came to mind. I wanted to honour the women in the Philippines who were taking steps into working their way out of poverty.

Opportunity Arises -  social networking serendipity
One morning I friended the friend of a friend on Twitter. I never expected him to follow me back  with a direct message the next day, asking me to call their offices. When I rang, I never expected to be having a conversation about a potentially significant donation to my fundraising project for Women’s Opportunity.

Money changes everything – respect the community
I had a weekend to think about the ideas they suggested and think up a project. I read up about Incentive House. I had to consider what I wanted to achieve (awareness of the Philippines, fundraising) and how I could still respect and create something that my online community would appreciate. I wanted this to be as authentic as possible (at least, as authentic as corporate sponsorship can get). Suddenly my ‘Tribute’ idea sprung back to mind. By Monday I shared my idea for a paid blogging challenge ($100 per post donated to Opportunity International) and soon after the initiative was launched,  raising $1300 in just a few days through the generosity of bloggers around Australia.

Sharing Ideas – social media sanity check
Before launching the initaitive I vetted the idea with a social media friend Des Walsh to get his feedback, which was all positive and helpful! He even interviewed me later on for the Social Media Show to get some more information about microfinance and this project. Subsequently I received two more donations creating an additional US$200 donation.

Image originally uploaded by Ryan C Anderson

1. Content. When we interact with our online community we have opportunities to engage with different points of view and ideas. Selective engagement with my blogging community expands my thoughts about the web, our ability to make a difference and give communication some personality.  The content found here on Wonderwebby, on your blogs, or through your tweets has a life of it’s own because of the community.

My blogging community reminds me to write interesting content.

2. Conversation. A picture might speak a thousand words, but a single conversation can change the world. The dialogue between us creates new words (and new worlds). It reminds me to write a blog, not a manual. Sometimes your words find their way into my words.

My blogging community reminds me to write with someone else in mind.

3. Technique. When I write a blog post I find I’m always balancing the desire to write compelling content, and the need to structure words in a way that works. Some days my inner-grammar-critic gets in the way of ideas. Other days I read about THE top ten tips for creating a successful blog and I can bet you I don’t pass the best blogging technique quiz. I appreciate being part of a community that writes with style, points to good ideas and goes beyond ‘tha rulez’.

My blogging community keeps my writing technique real.

image originally uploaded by Jickel

How does your online community influence your writing?

This post is my response to a group writing project for Confident Writing. “The topic is writing lessons. The aim is simply to explore ways in which your writing might have changed or evolved in the context of your online community.” You can take part too (by Fri 27th March)

• A Scottish writing coach writes a sentence for a creative online project..along with 25 other women
• A Sydney photographer shares a photo from one of his exhibitions for the same slides
• A woman in San Francisco hosts the slides in a virtual gallery
• A woman in India writes a story and leaves it as a comment on a blog and wins a prize

Honestly, if I had never started blogging, using Twitter, or building up some great online friendships I wonder if this would have happened. There are some wonderful people out there! Still I have a long way to go,  raising some funds. Here are some examples of social media I’m trying out to do this.

1.A place to raise funds – Chipin. This website has been helpful in creating a page where people can make payments, with the added benefit of a visible widget updating the fundraising status.  People have donated over AU$1200 so far this way and left some lovely comments of support. On problem is I’d like more flexibility to display Australian dollars and I can’t embed it in this blog or Facebook (I think). Also the ‘page’/blogging functionality is pretty crude so I ended up creating a blog.

2.A place to call home - a Blog. Yeah, yeah I created another blog. I used Blogger so that I could easily embed the Chipin Widget. In retrospect, I’m not sure if a blog was the best way to go, but it’s there now. I also created a page about the project on this blog.

3. Another place to promote – Facebook. I have used the Facebook Fanpage for my next creative project and exhibition.  Not wildly successful yet but I guess it’s all a case of ‘wait and see’.

4. A place to mention it – Twitter. No, I didn’t create a second Twitter account for my ambassadorship. I could, but I think it’s important to know your own limits. When you have part time work, a great husband, three young boys under the age of six, and your fingers in other creative pies – another Twitter account just didn’t seem to be priority! I’m trying not to bombard people on Twitter with requests to participate or donate, but I’m thinking of a Twitter challenge on International Women’s Day.

5. A place to stitch images together - Slideshare. I was fortunate enough to get a couple of slides featured on the homepage, but I’m not sure it helped to raise any funds. At least Slideshare has been a central place to share some of the creative work.

6. A place for people to get something in return – RedBubble. Yesterday I uploaded some of my photography to RedBubble. So you can now buy cards or prints with all proceeds going straight into the Paypal account I set up for this fundraising project.

I have also played around with Tumblr and Youtube (using Animoto) and I’m helping Opportunity International Australia get more of their content online for use in social media. I’m even giving Flickr a go for the current creative challenge.

I’ll give an update in June once I have raised some more money. The funds will establish a group of 15 to 30 of these entrepreneurial poor. The project is similar to the good work of Kiva, except this Opportunity International project additionally focuses on equipping individuals to develop small businesses AND impact their community.As soon as I raise the AU$10,000 the group will be sponsored and I can share their encouraging stories with you.

What about you? Have you used any social media for nonprofit fundraising? I’d love for you to share your story.

If you would like to make a difference and donate (tax deductible) to this project against poverty,  you can do so over at Chipin

1. Inspecht HR Futures Conference this Thursday in Melbourne. I’ve put together a presentation to showcase some of the work IBMers are doing in the area of informal learning, web 2.0, virtual worlds along with some insights into my own personal experience, and tips for creating a successful informal learning experience.  If you intend to register, let me know as I can give two people a discount of 30%! I’m looking forward to hearing some of the other speakers including Stephen Collin’s observations from TED.

2. International Women’s Day event “Renewing Ourselves Changing Our World” hosted by the Global Dialogue Center, Women in the Lead. I am so honoured to be on a panel for this event for women around the world. I’m participating in the second half  “changing the world” at 7.30am Sat 7 March Melbourne time (talking about the Women’s Investment project)and there are some AMAZING speakers. From their blog:

It’s a NEW DAY!
Renewing Ourselves; Changing the World
Friday March 6 from 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET
(10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. PT)
Location:
Online at the Women in the Lead at the
Global Dialogue Center CONFERENCE CENTER
This special day is a gift to women everywhere sponsored by Women in the Lead at the Global Dialogue Center in partnership with Women’s Radio. There are no fees, but you must register to get the login information to set-up your computer and to attend.

WAYS TO LEARN MORE…

• Listen to our personal audio invitation Click HERE
  from Founders, Debbe Kennedy, Global Dialogue Center and Pat Lynch, Women’s Radio
  
• It’s a NEW DAY – PDF Brochure with link to register.

Our focus will be on women’s leadership, professional, and personal development. We’ve planned two dialogue themes: 1) Renewing Ourselves so we are ready to contribute and lead the way at this time of both crisis and opportunity. 2) Changing the World …an inspiring exploration of how we can put our differences to work to build better organizations, healthier communities, stronger families, and a better world for everyone than we know today. We also have extraordinary women leadership trailblazers and role models to inspire our conversation from regions around the world, including accomplished thought leaders…

SPECIAL GUESTS…
We have extraordinary women leadership trailblazers and role models you will not want to miss. They will be joining us to inspire our conversation from regions around the world, including…

United States Congresswomen Barbara Lee representing the 9th Congressional District in California
http://lee.house.gov/

Harriet Mayor Fulbright, President, J. William and Harriet Fulbright Center
…Fostering peace and justice through education and collaboration
UNITED STATES
http://jwhfulbright.org/

Daphne Nederhorst, Founder and Executive Director
SAWA Global Empowering unknown leaders in the world’s 50 poorest countries
http://www.sawaglobal.com
CANADA

Cécile Demailly, co-author, Women @ Work No. 10:
Networking: The New Ariadne’s Thread
http://www.europeanpwn.net/index.php?article_id=54
Building awareness of the power of women networking.
Founder and Executive Consultant, Early Strategies
FRANCE

No FEES, our gift to you, but you must register to receive
HOW TO ATTEND information for logging in ONLINE to the event
and the audio options available to you. Space is limited; reserve your seat.
Invite a friend!

Registration LINK: https://www120.livemeeting.com/lrs/0000011799/Registration.aspx?pageName=fj56g81t7lbj242g
Allow a few seconds for the link to open.

3. Shout Out Social (of course) a fundraising event I’m coordinating with your help, for Opportunity International. The event will be hosted by Horse Bazaar, featuring a digital wall show and positive video messages about using your creative voice for positive change. I would love for you to be my guest. Sat 14th March 5-7pm. Free Entry, donation box for your tax deductible donations and pledges will be available.

Who says blogging is a waste of time? When you end up being involved with events like these, you know that your (enjoyable) investment was worth the effort!

“Professionally it’s certainly helped give me more status within the industry. A lot of writers, editors and other industry professionals are regular readers of my blog and it’s been well reviewed more than once in the mainstream and industry press (like The Age, or Bookseller and Publisher). I’ve had some opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise, like speaking gigs and commissions for articles.

Writing is often a lonely and isolated job, where you don’t necessarily meet other people doing the same thing as you, and I’ve created a community for myself of regular readers, whose blogs I also read and comment on. I’ve also been told that I’ve inspired other lovely smart people to start their own blogs, and that makes me happy. As a writer I’ve explored new voices and really begun to come to terms with the whole idea of digital media and the potential demise/transformation of the book. Also, as a writer for young people, it gives me more insight into how technology connects up with worlds, what it means to exist simultaneously in real life and online, and where the disconnect is between those two personas.

As a writer it was never really an option for me to blog anonymously, since my blog is an extension of my professional identity. I knew from the outset that I wanted my blog to have a strong visual element and be personal rather than an ‘expert’ blog, which is why I post pictures of the girls and my home, among other things.

I find blogs that are very text heavy a bit hard going to read, and I am bored by ‘let me tell you how to write a query letter’ style author blogs (which isn’t a criticism of them as such, many of those styles of blogs are far more popular than mine and more power to them, it just isn’t what I personally wanted to read or write). I was more influenced in the beginning by craft blogs like Loobylu and Molly Chicken. In fact when I started writing Eglantine’s Cake I didn’t read any writer’s blogs. When I started I didn’t tell anyone I was doing it, I just started talking into space, though it wasn’t long before a few friends stumbled across it. It’s momentum has been slow and steady and now I have about 1500 unique visitors a month (I wish they’d all buy my books!).

Because of its humble beginnings I have always felt comfortable with the idea of posting pictures of my kids and using their real names. Occasionally I wonder how they will feel about the identities I have created for them online, and as they get older I know I’ll probably be constrained more in what I can write about them, because they’ll be more self-conscious about it (which will be sad for me). All I can say is I write with empathy and love and hopefully that is how they will see it.

My books are dedicated to them by name so I don’t really see any point in trying to conceal their identities with cute nicknames (and must admit at finding that sort of coyness a little alienating in some blogs, depending on the nicknames used. If you’re going to do it, at least come up with a name or symbol that your reader can identify with, can love even.)

Perhaps I am naive but I don’t feel threatened in terms of personal security by that information existing online. Of course I can be tracked down if anyone was keen enough to find me, but I could anyway, through my books, through the biographical information already available about me. I am, to some degree, a public entity.

The one thing I find I do is I edit a lot of negative stuff out, for example I don’t write about my book sales unless they’re good, and I try not to write about my personal low points too much either, for example, I’ve never blogged about my father in law being terminally ill. This isn’t so much about presenting a brave face, but about what I am comfortable sharing. I actually have a deep aversion to sympathy so I try not to write anything that solicits this response. And I don’t want to bitch and moan about the more tedious aspects of my life. And as a writer, I do want it to have some marketing potential so getting on there and saying, ‘this book has only sold so many copies’ if the sales have been disappointing doesn’t seem a very positive endorsement of myself. So I guess I am glossing out some of the bad bits, and sometimes I think that’s a little unfortunate – if I was anonymous, I might feel more comfortable about showing some of the raw, painful aspects of my life, and I know this can be cathartic for readers. But I just can’t. After all, my mother reads my blog, and so do my in-laws, and one day my kids will be able to read it too.

I think we could possibly end up with a generation in which there are more writers than readers. Reading/writing as a dichotomy is often seen as passive/active (though this has rightfully been addressed thematically. Think The Neverending Story by Michael Ende in which reading becomes a powerful act of creation). I think new trends in education probably push writing more than reading. Writing is obviously empowering and relevant, but I don’t know that people see reading as the same way, which is extremely sad in a society that often leaves people adrift and alienated.

I predict a reading renaissance. Much like craft has emerged as an antidote to modern, empty, meaningless consumption, I think novels will re-emerge as a response to the many forms of ultimately unsatisfying entertainment that proliferates in a consumer society (perhaps as a response to our collective love of trash, which I admit I am also guilty of).

I also foresee a rising trend in storytelling in which readers create and control the story path (like in the second half of Neverending Story, where Bastien actually enters the world of the novel and actively participates in shaping reality, initially through naming. I wonder what forms this will take, personally I find game narratives (where your choices can direct the game narrative to an extent) static and boring, much like those old ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ books – there’s no real freedom for the average player to go in any direction they want, to step outside the parameters of the game Having said that, I do think game narratives will have an enormous influence online storytelling.

I think blogs have more to tell us about the future of collaborative narrative – for example the way blogs can blend fact and fiction and often utilise devices from fiction, like dialogue, characterisation, pace, tension, narrative ‘twists’. And the way blogs can have multiple authors and are open to an unpredictable public participation through the comments interface. Other present phenomena that I think may continue to develop in interesting way are the ‘recap’ (in which stories are summarised and retold, often with hilarious commentary) and fan fiction. I’m not saying this precludes conventional publishing (in fact both these forms build on existing novels), but that there will continue to be new ways to tell stories using technologies that don’t exist yet.

I personally think electronic readers like the Iliad and the Sony ereader are exciting ideas, but so far have failed to capture the possibilities of their form. If I have a choice between reading Pride and Prejudice in book form or on a screen, I know which one I’d choose. But if Pride and Prejudice on a screen had some other aesthetic possibilities (image, animation, other design features) then I’d definitely be swayed in that direction. The treelover in me hopes that these ereaders will get it right sometime. I want them to be sturdy, beautiful, flexible (open source please), writeable and experimental, not driven by the idea of capturing a ‘safe’ market of book readers, but perhaps aiming themselves at a new, possibly younger, certainly savvier market.”

Thanks Penni. Now I have to go and get myself a copy of The Neverending Story (loved that movie, as a kid)

All photos courtesy of Penni. You can read more words from Penni over at her lovely blog  Eglantine’s Cake