In my humble opinion, I wholeheartedly believe that any blogger who has the incredible honor of using an online platform to get a message out SHOULD utilized that platform to deliver that message in a way that’s helpful to others. But, that’s just me.

The sky’s the limit in the realm of how one can help another, blog-wise. Let me count the ways.

Just kidding. I can begin to the count the ways, but I could never end the list. It’s infinite. So, here’s what I can do. I can try to lump that endless list of helpful ways into three major categories. And they go something like —

• be helpful by providing information that others are seeking in order to increase their knowledge base and/or improve their skills sets.
• be helpful by inspiring through sharing (and we all know that sharing is caring) as well as encouraging life improvement calls-to-action.
• be helpful by entertaining others, giving them a highly anticipated period of sheer enjoyment in a realm that excites the senses and emotions (in a most positive way, of course).

Oh, and let me just say that there’s nothing wrong with being entertained. Individuals who know how to do that and do it well are highly sought after in online spaces. And I, personally, love my entertainment, so I don’t mind reading something or viewing something online that provides me with a little jolt to the creative imagination; puts a smile on my face or a chuckle in my throat; or has me sitting on the edge of my seat, highly anticipating what’s coming next.

But here’s the thing. I caution anyone who puts out entertainment online (in blogs, for instance) to be careful that the entertainment value isn’t devalued by putting out content that promotes dysfunction in conduct, defamation of character, disparaging remarks, derogatory mindset shifts, or damaging behavior in any way shape or form. I’m definitely NOT about that kind of entertainment (if you can even call it that).

Okay, let me get off my momma soapbox. This blog post isn’t even about ENTERTAINMENT, per se. So, NEXT!

Yes, our duty as bloggers is to responsibly help those who choose to frequent our content.

Just think! We have an opportunity to electronically reach hundreds and thousands (dare I say millions) of people by our messages. And, we’re given the privilege of making a positive impact every time we hit the “Publish” button.

So, I personally take my role as a blogger very seriously, because I realize that I have the power (through words) to influence someone’s life. And, how I choose to influence that someone’s life can be for the better or for the worse.

I CHOOSE THE BETTER.

I can absolutely affect other peoples’ lives for the better by the words on my blog pages. I strive to do that very thing each and every time. At least, that’s the goal, anyway. And, I always wonder about the individuals (like you) on the other end of the message. Who are they? Are they finding anything of benefit from my messages? How can I truly be of service to them? Are they bloggers or simply enjoy reading blogs?

Yes, I have identified some of my audience as bloggers — bloggers who are even on this very platform. And, I absolutely love that. Bloggers supporting bloggers. That support should be reciprocal, you know. We should be supporting one another in this ever-changing online world we know as the blogosphere.

Hey, can I be a blogger’s friend? Can I help you along your blogging journey . . .

• if you’re just starting and need a little direction?
• while you strive to make that positive impact I alluded to earlier?
• by cheering you on as you share your unique stories that inspire?
• if you’re feeling a little behind the times in your blogging skills sets and need help in catapulting to the 21st century?
• when you feel like giving up on blogging and need some encouragement to stick it out a little longer?
• when you become a little disillusioned because you’re not seeing growth results as quickly as you imagined you would?
• when you’re feeling tired of the blogging growth process, wondering if what you’re doing is making any positive impact whatsoever?
• when you’re running out of blog ideas and are finding it difficult to keep your content fresh.

And, can Degrees of Maternity be a blogger’s blog? For real. I mean I don’t want to come off as being one-dimensional and say that I just cater my blog to bloggers ONLY, because that wouldn’t be true by any stretch of the imagination. But, you have to know that you guys and gals are a strong representation in the mix. After all, I’m a blogger and I understand the mindset shifts that us, bloggers, can go through as we’re striving to successfully maneuver our way in our various online nooks and crannies within the blogosphere.

So, let me hear from you, pretty please. On what challenges you’re facing in your blogging experiences. I’m here to help.

Truly, if I put a question out into the blogosphere’s atmosphere; then, I’m automatically letting you know that I would love to get a response from you. Seriously. I’m not just touting that rhetorical stuff and posing a question for silent mental gymnastics. NO! I REALLY want to hear from you. Enquiring minds want to know and all that.

In taking just a few seconds to a minute of your time, your response will help me in determining the type of messaging that Degrees of Maternity will focus on going forward. So, please help me to help you.

POLL TIME!