The Blogging Community has become so universal these days, with many artists and business consultants choosing this form of communication as a vital marketing tool. The pay-off has far exceeded the initial goal of growing a home-based independent business, to long term friendships in faraway continents. These friendships have blossomed and have boosted the personal day to day lives of the solo blogger behind the computer screen... One of the many new and lovely friends I've met along my short journey thus far is Mitzi Curi of Mitzi's Collectibles in Michigan, who describes herself as "a one-woman enterprise with oodles of ideas and enthusiasm within her world of vintage collectibles and crafty treasures." Every week I am especially thrilled with Mitzi's post on Expanding Your Vintage Vocabulary, and the history surrounding these 'new-to-my-ear' words. It's a delight! I was thrilled when Mitzi agreed to share her tips on the friendships she's made through blogging and Facebook.
In Mitzi's own words...
"When I started my blog, I remembered reading comments on other blogs from people that sounded so friendly and wondered if anyone would ever leave a comment like that for me. How would total strangers ever get to know me, and become interested in what I have to say? I had been leaving the occasional comment on my favorite blogs, but I didn't really feel like I had become "friends" with the blog writers yet. But sure enough, as the days passed, I noticed that a group of loyal readers developed and they began leaving comments. Not only that, some of them began e-mailing me privately about their lives, and we eventually became good friends. I've also become very active on Facebook, looking up old friends and "Friending" new folks. Although I've heard some people scoff at "internet relationships" as not being "real relationships" because the connection is all in cyberspace, I have to say I've benefited tremendously from my blogland and Facebook friendships."
Here are my five tips for these new-fangled friendships:
1. Be ultra-supportive of your new friends. There's no need to be jealous of the accomplishments of others. They will be supportive and compliment you
when you do something great!
2. You will learn about life in communities all around the world in a way
that will amaze you. I have friends in Sydney, Australia, and London, England,
and Hamburg, Germany, yet we are connected by common interests, like crafting,
antiques, and blogging.
3. Keep in mind that these connections can benefit you in ways you might
never expect, like to plan a vacation destination or establish a business
connection, but the primary reason to have them is always just to have a
friend.
4. For me, it's been easy to express myself in writing, so much easier
than calling on the phone. I've been able to send messages to old childhood
friends that I might never have had contact with for the rest of my life without
Facebook, and I've been grateful for the opportunity to say what I've wanted to
say.
5. Be one of the first to reach out in times of need, or if there's a
personal tragedy. When my father passed away, I treasured every word people
wrote to our family, and now I make sure to repay the favor to others.
Other fun facts about Mitzi...
Favorite Beverage: My favorite beverage is coffee, and I simply can't live without it! I drink
Starbuck's French Roast that I make at home, and I have a mug of it next to my computer all morning and late afternoon to give me a second wind.
What keeps You inspired: I keep inspired on the topics of antiques and crafts without difficulty, because my whole life is intertwined with those things. I am surrounded by craft supplies and vintage treasures, so everywhere I look in my home there is something calling my name, wanting to be written about!
Favorite Charity: My favorite charity is the Humane Society. I am such a dog and animal
lover, I have donated almost yearly to our local Humane Society.
Thanks so much for sharing Mitzi!
Enjoy your Valentine's weekend everyone and I'll be back next week Tuesday, February 19th...
~ Suzette
