As many of you know, I worked my buns off to make my creativeLIVE workshop the very best I possibly could. (Don’t know what I’m talking about? How dare you not be paying close attention. Just kidding. Read this.)
Day and night. Hours and hours.
The response I received made every single second that I put into the course completely worth it.
During the course, viewers put together a private Facebook group, so that they could stay connected, share their blogs and ask questions. They came up with this very awesome idea of putting together a blog tour, so that they could: 1) Say thank you to me (which still makes me blush and squeal). 2) Talk about what they learned and the changes they’ve made to their blogs. 3) Connect with each other and send lots of traffic to each other.
Pretty brilliant, right? I thought so.
So, instead of writing my own blog post today, I wanted to share their posts with you to say THANK YOU to each participant for being so involved with the course and staying committed to blogging afterwards and to hopefully continue the connections.
(These posts are in no particular order. And, the contest details to win some of my products for free are below.)
1. It’s all about YOU by Jo Cavagnis
2. Your Voice + Your Blog = Magic by Amanda Houchin Howell
3. Getting the K9 Blog to the Groomer {Creatively Speaking} by Kristina Zambrano
4. Just Do It! (It’s not just for Nike) by Connie Hanks
5. Old Dogs, New Tricks and Spring Tags by Gina Zee
6. How A Blogging Workshop Jumpstarted My Business by Rebecca Houghton
7. Blogging is a Team Sport: How to Build Community Online and Why you Should by Kris Windley
8. How blogs can help you be a Wok Star! by Eleanor Hoh
9. Done is Better than Perfect by Laura Kuenzig
10. 6 Things I Learned From a Successful Blogger (And How I Applied Them) by Nela Dunato
11. 5 Things I Learned about Blogging from April Bowles Olin by Kathy Reilly
12. 10 Best Blogging Bits from #BelleLive, and one important DON’T by Consu Tolosa
13. #LIVEAUTHENTIC – 11 Blogging Tips by Vivayne
14. Something New… by Beth Soler
15. Tips for Filling in Genealogy Gaps -Working towards Your 500 Direct Ancestors! by Lynne Cobine
16. Why Ponytails, Bubbles and Mismatched Socks Got Me Blogging! by Michael Nelson
17. Why I’m Building a Blog That is True to Me by Rebecca Nash
18. Keepin’ It Real in Business and Life by Sage Grayson
19. How A Blogging Workshop Changed My Outlook On Business by Anastasia Parmson
20. How to Make a Dream Come True by Richelle Shadoan
21. How Entering a Contest Literally Changed My Life by Richelle Shadoan
22. The “What #bellelive Taught Me” Blog Tour by Nelia Freitas
23. Revive Your Dormant Dreams: Some Motivation to Refresh Your Passion by Julene Fleurmond
24. Learning, Blogging, Doing by Josephine Mills
25. Blog Organization (and a freebie!) by Jennifer Ashley
26. When You Know Better, You Do Better Blogging! by Kymona Tracey
Contest Winners: (I’ll email you by Friday, June 13th to retrieve your prize!)
1. Jo Cavagnis
2. Anastasia Parmson
3. Rebecca Nash
4. KrisWithaK
5. Nayana Iliffe
6. Margareta Carlsson
7. Maria Zilakou
8. Beth@That One Mom
9. Michael
10. Vivayne
Contest Details (cause free stuff rocks):
I challenge you to pick TWO POSTS above and: 1) Leave a thoughtful comment on both posts. (Doesn’t it feel good when new people comment on your blog? Spread the love, people! It’s good karma.) 2) Share those posts via social media. You can tweet about them or like them or pin them or share them Facebook. It’s up to you. Just help that blogger spread the word.
Then, come on back and leave a comment below letting me know that you commented and shared two of the above blog posts. (Also, pleeeeeeease don’t just pick the first two. Pick two that you really think you’ll like. Spread the love around.) And, we’re using the honor system here, so be honest.
Next Wednesday, I’ll pick TEN people who’ve left comments below and the winners will receive their choice of Marketing for Creatives or 365 Days of Writing and Blogging Prompts. Yep, it’s true. (Closed)
Bonus Points: You’ll receive a bonus point for every ADDITIONAL blog post you comment on and share. That means you get entered another time for the drawing–the more times your name is entered, the more likely you’ll win. Just leave a comment below letting me know how many blog posts you commented on and shared. Remember, honor system–and I will be checking these posts for comments and shares.
Fine Print: Make sure you use a valid email address when leaving a comment, because that’s what I’ll use to contact you if you win. This is not valid for a refund if you’ve already purchased the above products. Good luck!
(If you’re a blogger who participated in the blog tour, you can still enter. Just follow the same rules above and leave a comment below letting me know how many you commented on and shared.)
Ya! What a great list of posts, I love seeing how others applied the class in their different blogs. (I responded to & promoted two which were both great!)
Woohoo! Thanks Cortney! 🙂
Squuuuueeeeaaallll! This is INCREDIBLE April, thank you so much for sharing all our posts. The Tour was such an incredible experience and a great way to share a small part of what you taught us! I know I commented on everyone’s blogs (well tried to) and tweeted a few too. I think most of us did 😀
I think I covered all of them……lol…I spent yesterday evening working my way through them. 😀 I’m so glad you conceptualized this tour Jo! 🙂
Thank YOU for putting this blog tour together. I’ve just loved reading your posts and I knew that I needed to find a way to help you spread the word even more. 🙂
I really did like post #2, but I also picked two others to comment on and pin to my Pinterest boards: #25 and #12. I pinned those posts to my “Planner Heaven”, “NaBloPoMo” and “~~Blog~~” boards.
Yaaaaay!!!! Someone liked my post! 😀 I’m touched and honored. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by!
oops, my link didn’t go through right the last time, my Pinterest boards are here: http://www.pinterest.com/VickiLynnHale/
Thanks, April! I am so pleased to be a part of this special group! Everyone has been so supportive of one another. It has been fabulous! Not only did the group offer moral support during the lead-up to the tour, but they all took time to read and comment thoughtfully on each other’s blogs. Outstanding!
It’s incredible how amazing the Facebook group has been. I’m very impressed and I never could’ve imagined something like that coming out of my creativeLIVE course. So cool.
Oh my i like this contest, thank you so much for sharing our blog-tour and thank you to you once again for teaching us about blogging.
You’re so very welcome, Kristina!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I feel honored beyond honored that you shared our posts, and I really feel like there are still things that I can glean from your course. Now I just need to find my printout…(I hate moving…I don’t know where anything is now, roflol).
You’re welcome! I’m happy to share your posts. 🙂
Thank you April – it certainly has been a great experience! So, glad I watched you on #CreativeLive and got to be a member of the blogging group, I really like that our group is so supportive of each other. Thanks for continuing to teach and support us!
I loooooove that the group is so supportive of each other. I never envisioned something like that happening with the viewers watching my course, and it’s just amazing and inspiring.
Oooh a contest! I’ve actually already lost count on how many comments and tweets I have left on this blog tour by now. But the post that spoke to me most was #16 by a girl named Michael.
This tour has been an amazing experience, I love the energy and the enthusiasm of everyone. I love reading similar things said in everyones unique voices. I feel like we are surfing a wave of success here. Thank you so much for this post April and thank you for inspiring those 26 people into action!
Aren’t contests so much fun? 🙂
Thanks for sharing the post that spoke to you the most. I love that!
Wow, thank you so much April. Your class was such a blessing to me. I can’t even begin to tell you how much it means to me that you did this as well. You are simply Amazing! Now if I could get some time to work my way through the hop myself I would be so happy. Kids have a way of taking all your time.
Thanks, Beth! 🙂 Hope you get a chance to enjoy the other posts.
Ha, April. Are you sure you want to do this? These bloggers are doing a great job of boiling down your class into core concepts and small actionable steps. Then again, maybe this is the best testimony that your class is actually really good. I haven’t taken it yet, but I plan to. I commented, shared and liked all over the place 🙂
What a great bunch of people you found.
I’m sure! There’s no way to consolidate 3 days worth of information into a blog post. 🙂
Thanks for sharing the posts!
So excited to see myself listed on your site April and in such great company! This has been a truly amazing experience from hearing about the course, to joining in, to connecting and joining the blog tour.
The comments and love on the blog gets me a little giddy to be really honest!
Thank you in advance to everyone who has already stopped by, and those that are heading over soon!
As for the contest – so far I’ve been to your post April, Jo Cavagnis’s, Amanda Houchin Howell’s, and Sage Grayson’s blogs to read and share some comment & social media love! Looking forward to checking out more very soon (but first, some sleep).
Thanks again for all you’ve done from prep, to the course, to the convos, and now the awesome shoutouts. We appreciate everything you’ve done for us!
Yay! So glad you were apart of it!
You’re so very welcome.
Such a great idea–and so excited about your courses! I caught some of it but would love, love the entire thing. And you were so right–it DOES feel great to comment on new blogs and share (which I did!). Thanks so much for introducing me to two new blogs (and the prospect of seeing some videos from Fiji–wowzah). 🙂
You’re so welcome. So glad I could introduce you to some other bloggers.
Great set of posts! I too loved the course and learned so much from it. As so many others pointed out, one of the best takeaways was that done is better than perfect. That was at the forefront of my mind these past few weeks as I prepared to launch my own blog on June 2nd. That day came and I was scared and didn’t feel totally ready, but I did it! It’s not perfect but it’s up!
I commented on and shared the posts by Connie Hanks and Laura Kuenzig. They both just summed up my own thoughts on the course so well. Thanks for doing the course and for throwing yourself into it so fully, April! It was well worth the time and money!
Thank you! So glad you’ve enjoyed the course and these posts.
Done is definitely waaaaay better than perfect.
Thank you April for putting up this contest …All these blogs are just awesome and i so far did commented and shared 4 of them and looks like i am not going to stop any time soon 🙂
You’re so welcome! 🙂
I wasn’t able to sit in on the entire class, but the parts I saw were inspirational. I visited #9 — Done is Better than Perfect, #15 — Tips for filling genealogy gaps, and #26 — When you know better, you do better blogging. My first blog, Triggershorse, is two years old and thriving, but my new blog is just beginning to take hold. Thanks for being so generous with your expertise. – Fawn
Thanks Fawn! So happy you were able to check out some of these other blogs.
I actually commented on all of them! Kudos to you and them for sharing their tips and inspiration. I loved the workshop, but I have a few clips to finish watching. I bought the sessions to catch up!
That’s awesome, Krystal!
You rocked creative live April! Congratulations. I hadn’t heard the story about the red balloon before, loved it. 🙂 You keep on inspiring!
Thanks Kathy! Isn’t that red balloon so much fun?!
Thanks April! For the shout out and for the contest. I would LURV to get my hot little hands on either of those products. You’ve taught me tons already, but I am willing to bet you can and will teach me more 🙂
xo
K
Oooh – and I read and commented on at least 15 of the posts. I enjoyed the process a LOT. Thanks to everyone for the fun work-together atmosphere of the tour; it was great 🙂
Awesome! You’re so very welcome, Kris!
Good job April! I really liked looking at the blogs. I’ve learned a lot From you (lower case F not working) and already have the two items you are giFting, but thanks anyway, keep it up! Bad week For me, my website is messed up too. I will prevail….
Sorry to hear about your website. Technology can be frustrating! Hope you get it all worked out soon.
Hi April, I just checked out all of them and picked number 12…Consu Tolosa (pinned this one) and number 13…Vivayne (posted this on my Facebook).
Both of these bloggers resonated with me, probably because they are artists. Such wonderful and helpful advice from all of them. Thankyou for such a great opportunity to take one of your courses and improve my business
Thanks for visiting these other sites! 🙂
April, your class on CreativeLive was amazing. You are just too cute. I love your blogs and videos (especially the outtakes) and it was great to get to learn from you for those 3 days. It’s so cool that your class brought all of these creative, talented people together. Talk about building community, hey!? Thank you for hosting this contest! Would love a copy of your book! I posted comments on 3-4 of the blogs and shared to social media. These 26 bloggers rock! Way to go, guys, for putting what you’ve learned into practice! I’m such a slow starter but have managed to post a couple of blog posts so far. Realizing it’s impossible to do everything at once…so just making a start is better than nothing at all!
Thank you so very much, Karen! I have to admit the outtakes are my favorite part of pretty much every video.
Thanks for checking out so many other blogs and commenting! 🙂
How awesome is that? Ever since I watched (and bought so that I can re-watch) your class in Creative Live, I ‘ve been trying to put in practice what I’ve learned and I can say you keep helping a lot, through subscription and posts etc. I ‘m so glad I ‘ve had the chance to get to know these 26 bloggers and read their posts, I’ve subscribed to a few, but, since I can only pick up 2, I’ll say that #9 – Done is Better than Perfect and #21 How A Blogging Workshop changed my Outlook in Business are the ones I should say… Thanks , April, you really help us change things for the better, a hug form Piraeus, Greece!!!
So glad you’ve enjoyed and learned so much from the course. And, welcome to Blacksburg Belle! Thanks for sharing your favorite posts.
I like when someone puts up things that I can learn from – like no. 15
Agreed!
I have felt a little lost with my blog of late. I’ve been blogging, to try to appeal to my ‘target market’ but it hasn’t felt quite real to me. It’s amazing that I’ve stumbled across all this inspiration right now. I wish I was a part of this community! I have visited no.18 (Sage Grayson) and no. 23 (Julene Fleurmond) and shared their posts. I want to visit a lot more. I’m going to have a good think about what I share on my blog from now on. Thanks for the boost!
Thanks for stopping by some of these other blogs! We welcome you into this community with open arms.
I commented on & promoted 2 blogs! Thanks for the giveaway April!
Awesome! Thanks Trish!
This is a real good read! Thank you so much for the opportunity 🙂
http://www.consutolosa.com/blog/10-best-blogging-bits-from-bellelive-and-one-important-dont?
http://kreativekymona.com/2014/06/03/when-you-know-better-you-do-better-blogging/comment-page-1/#comment-742
http://www.theredscorpio.com/blog/how-entering-a-contest-literally-changed-my-life/#comment-385
I commented on posts by Sage Grayson, Michael Nelson, Kris Windley, and Rebecca Houghton. I also bookmarked some great posts and found some new people to follow on FB and Pinterest…so thank you for that!! Now I’m going to go write something!
Awesome! Thanks for spreading the comment love.
Hi I commented and promoted on 2 blogs #10 and #23. What a great opportunity!
Great! Thanks Lissy!
Hi,
I commented and promoted on two blogs #10 & #23. A great group pf blog posts! Thanks for sharing!
So, I’m pretty ridiculous! I totally went to each and every single post (yup, all 26 of them) and read through them. Then I tweeted about each of them! Haha! I just wanted to kick my own butt for having missed your CreativeLive class! It sounds like everyone took away so much from your instruction. So there I was, after having read them all, commented on all of them, and tweeted about all of them, and then I realized that I already have both of these awesome products from you because I just bought the Multi-Passionate Must-Haves 2014. It’s totally cool though, becaus I was introduced to some really fantastic blogs, and have new friends to follow on twitter, and hopefully got some names out there to the followers that I have. Hooray! Keep doing what you do, April, because you are awesome!
I appreciate that you visited all of us though!! And thanks to your comment, and some of the others, I created a video post that went more into the “finding your authentic voice” topic. So thank you so very much for leaving me that thoughtful comment! 🙂
You’re the BEST, Renay! Thank you sooooooooo very much for giving so much. Truly inspirational that you took the time to visit all 26 of them.
April, look what you have created! Such an amazing ripple effect! I was a follower before, and then LOVED the CreativeLive class and am thrilled to be part of the FB group as we continue to reinforce the lessons you so wonderfully taught! I think I made it to — and commented — on all the blogs — but will have to do a “second check” to be sure! I did several tweets as well — it was easy to get carried away! Thank you so very much for being who you are and doing the work you do!
Thanks, Michael! You add so much to the community and I’m so very grateful that you’re apart of it. And, I think it’s amazing that you’re so supportive of everyone else who took part in the blog tour.
I have just started watching the 30 min free intro and love it, I am definitely going to buy the whole course as I started my new blog only a few weeks ago and need all the help I can get making it work as I love it. Originally I started blogging to help my jewellery business but found I love blogging so much that I changed to a new name to give me more freedom of style and subject matter. This is just the kind of help I need and I am enjoying the blog tour seeing what everyone has gotten from the course and will definitely be leaving comments and sharing those I love so will be back with the totals for bonus points.
Thanks, Rachel @ Craft, Art & Mess.
Thank you so much, Rachel! I so appreciate your support.
Okay, I think I got all 26 blogs (which I was gonna do anyway) but your post encouraged me to tweet out an extra 3 or so, which I don’t usually do because I am a twitter dummy, haha. So, yay yaaaaaa, that’s 29 entries for me baby!
April, thanks a ton for the amazing class and also for supporting our efforts, here on your blog. My biggest takeaway (as you might have guessed from my post) was to use our authentic voice in our blog, to write it like talking to my best friend… It’s kind of like a duh moment for me…why didn’t I think of that!? Another blogger thought it might be from being trained in school to write formally…. Ya know, I think I agree that is a lot of it for me.
AMAZING! Thank you so much for supporting everyone.
I love your biggest takeaway. It definitely goes back to school when our teachers were so strict and we had to write like english robots. 🙂
Lots of great posts! I commented and shared the 3 that jumped out at me.
I love Sage’s personality and discovered her by watching you on creativelive. Just love how she exudes energy and positivity… as well as keeping it real. Sometimes we get courage when others are able to share about themselves, even if it’s a vulnerable part!
I also love lifegraduate’s done is better than perfect statement – definitely tweeted that out – wisdom!
Finally I enjoyed Beth’s post on scrapping wonders because I’m a huge fan of inspiration boards and have learned how helpful they are in the process of any project!
Thanks, Linda! So glad you enjoyed them.
All of these bloggers are rockstars in my opinion. Thank you so much for sharing why you connected to those three. I know it means a lot to those bloggers.
I read and loved all the posts! I really loved #16 and #25 (and left comments on those). I feel so inspired by these ladies! I also shared those 2 posts in twitter!
Thanks, Monica!
I read #6 and #25. They both had good information that I could relate to. Plus a freebie in a blog is a plus. I shared them both on Facebook. Thanks!
Awesome! Thanks, Rick!
What a great roundup! I found several blogs to follow and commented and shared around my favorite two (and then some.) Thanks April! 🙂
I love that you found bloggers you’d continue to connect with! That’s very awesome.
The course was amazing, I came away feeling so inspired. I love some of the posts above implementing changes already. I’ve commented on, I think, 5 and will probably comment on more and pin some also.
Thank you! And, thanks for spreading the comment love.
I love, love, love your CreativeLive workshop! I learned so much and it arrived just when I needed it. I actually moved my site to WordPress after realizing I wanted to focus more on blogging and that my original site didn’t look quite the way I wanted it to. Thank you for the wonderful information you shared!
I also enjoyed this blog tour! A lot of great bloggers out there. I posted comments on Sage Grayson’s blog and Consu Tolosa’s blog and shared them on FaceBook with my friends.
Thanks!!
Awwww! Thanks, Erika!
Thanks for commenting and sharing! I know it means a lot to the bloggers.
Hey April i LOVED your creative live course so much that i purchased it before the end of Day 1. You have an amazing spirit and a gift for delivering the info in a palatable, interesting and fun way. Even though there is SOOOOO much info to absorb and do I don’t even feel stressed or overwhelmed. You inspire me to get my butt up and do the work. SO pls look out for me in the future.
So read article 1. It’s all about YOU by Jo Cavagnis and tweeted and FB’d it out. Her site has disappeared so i couldn’t leave a comment.
I read article 4. Just Do It! (It’s not just for Nike) by Connie Hanks I tweeted and FB’d it out as well. I subscribed b/c i really liked her style and voice in the piece. that realy hooked me! I couldn’t leave a comment though b/c hers prevented me from getting access. This is one thing i want to make sure of on my site, that ppl do not have to be connected to a particle site inorder to comment. Its frustrating.
I read 18. Keepin’ It Real in Business and Life by Sage Grayson i tweeted, FB’d, commented and subcribed to her blog b/c there was tons of amazing info on her site. And OMG the tons of freebies you get when you subcribe are freakin’ amazing!!
I will read more article and commenting but this is what i had time for right now.
Btw can you tell me where to find the FB group that was started so i can connect with other creative like minded bloggers, i’m looking for an accountablility partner.
Thanks again April!
Toya
Thanks you so very much for the support!
Jo is super bummed, because she lost everything. I feel awful for her, because she was the one who organized the blog tour.
The Facebook group is private so you’ll have to request to join right here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1489489311266927/
Thank you for sharing all of these wonderful posts. It took me awhile to read them all but I really enjoyed reading/sharing #10 & #2. Like so many people I received such great information from your workshop April. My creative business partner Tina and I have list of actions steps to take to grow our blog readership. I believe we have good content but weren’t being pro active in getting it out into the world. We are claiming our unique voice which is in a letter format to each other (we live 800 miles away from each other). It makes it easier to be ourselves like you talked about. I also really loved how you shared taking better pictures which we are both doing. It didn’t even occur to me that that was part of our branding but it is. Thank you for being you and sharing so much of yourself. You are a wonderful teacher. Cheery Smiles your way…Laura
Thank you soooooo very much, Laura! I really appreciate the kind words and I love the takeaways you shared here. You’re going to make huge shifts just by claiming your unique voice and improving with your photos. Love it!
And, thank you so much for sharing some of these posts. The bloggers worked so very hard on them.
Woa! What a great prize! And awesome list of blog posts. So sorry, I joined to late to be in it. 🙂
I commented on, and shared (Twitter or Pinterest): #4, #5, #9, #14, #25.
All the posts really had food for thought. I’m struggling struggling struggling with my own blogs, trying so hard to get it to work and failing epically every time. But I don’t give up. I keep going. Probably because I am a crazy woman. LOL! April, after your class on Creative Live, I finally feel that I am going forward. Getting somewhere, one teeny tiny step at a time, finding my voice, my audience… Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!
Thanks for spreading the comment love!
I bet you’re not failing. We all feel like we’re not succeeding for awhile, because we all start out with zero readers and have to work hard to build that community. You’ll get there! Every step you take will get you closer and help you learn what you need to do to succeed.
You’re so very welcome. 🙂
What a great bunch of posts. I read a few and found the last 2 really resonated with me so I commented on those. Very excited to get a chance to win one of your products, April!
Thanks for commenting! 🙂
I loved 17 and 26 they both resonated with me. I am having a tough time starting because I don’t want to just talk to other makers. I make jewelry and it seems that I attract other makers and while that is not the end of the world I am wanting to attract more buyers than other makers.
Thanks April I am a frequent visitor and buyer of yours 🙂
Shannon
@Emily_and_Eden
Thanks so much for your fantastic CreativeLive class and content-rich blog, April! I’m still reading all the posts and sharing as I go along (10 down so far!) and am blown away with everyone’s different takeaways! So much good stuff and the energy keeps moving us forward! Setting small goals everyday is definitely helping me not feel so overwhelmed and making small progress on my big picture goals. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge with us and the opportunity to win more Blacksburg Belle goodness!
Thank you for your support, April! I’m a big fan. When I saw your class on CL I immediately knew I had to have it (my first ever CL purchase!). It was so fun and informative, and I am glad I have it to watch over and over whenever I want. 🙂
Anyway, I went through the posts and found 4 I really liked, they’ve been pinned (cause that’s how I roll), and here is my board:
http://www.pinterest.com/jamievelazquez/blogging/
xo
Thank you so much April!
I’m looking forward to your email but not sure yet what to pick!
Yay for prizes!! I just replied to your e-mail, but I wanted to say thanks again for hosting a giveaway and for letting me be one of the winners!
Hello, April. I have just posted the text about 5 resources where you can learn about blogging and online business. Your is there of course!! All the resources are in English while the text is in Russian – sorry, you will not understand a word I guess. Still, I believe it should be shared with you. Thank you for the inspiration!
http://hometocome.typepad.com/blog/2014/06/5-websites-about-blogging-and-online-business.html
Hi April,
I might have missed the contest, but I still would like to thank you for the CreativeLive class. I printed out my workbook and filled it out so much that I had to make an electronic copy to reorganize the multitude of thoughts I jotted down as my creative side burst right out of me!!!
Of course you know I am reviewing my site and started applying some of the changes needed from suggestions made during the course. Since I signed up to receive updates, I am looking forward to them and participating in opportunities to not only learn more about building a successful business and be part of a community that ROCKS, but also to be able to share with others. Thank you for your awesome work, April!
Martine