They say it takes a village to raise a child. They forgot to mention that it takes the strength of the FYBF community to see its linky grow.
According to Mr WordPress, this will be the 26th FYBF hosted by yours truly since taking over from the ever glowing Glowless back in May.
And the inklinz Gods have graciously let me know that preceding last week’s 91 links, FYBF reached an astounding 94.
Wow.
But hey, it isn’t about the numbers.
Last week, I received a message from a fellow blogger, who wrote:
“Confession: I WANT to truly love and embrace the FYBF thing, but I put in a lot of effort when I link up and get barely a hit out of it!”
While keeping her anonymous, I will mention that I met her over a year ago now on FYBF, long before it was ever housed here. I’ve been grateful ever since.
Maybe I might’ve met her later in my blogging journey but I guess fate didn’t want to delay our friendship.
Obviously, her message made me sad but I also started to wonder if FYBF was sticking to its purpose of connectedness, communication and community.
Sure, I can host this party every week, provide a place for everyone to meet and catch up. Introducing Featured Floggers is oodles of fun. And of course, I do my hardest to drop by every post.
But.
It’s also up to the rest of the FYBF community to clinch the deal.
So, here’s what I propose. Besides reciprocating a visit to the blogs of those who have left a comment for you, how about getting to know your neighbours too?
Whatever spot you find yourself on FYBF for the week, can I ask you to drop by the four other blogs that happen to be linking up in the same row as you?
Let’s call it “To the Power of Four”.
The law of blog reading averages tell me that to get through a post and (assuming you’ve dodged the perils of Captcha Word Verification) leave a comment, it will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
So, to read 4 posts, we’re looking at a maximum of 40 minutes.
Doable, yes?
I’m completely chuffed that this little community of ours is thriving.
But numbers are only numbers if mutual comment love isn’t there.
P.S If your post happens to be a very late entry and the row is incomplete, then just pick any random post to read and comment. Just remember the magic number is four.
P.P.S The Delectable Pear by Mumabulous was a post I picked for no other reason than I think she’s fabulous. But I think you’re all fabulous.
2. Sign up to the awesome Digital Parents community ( if you haven’t already done so). DP was created by Brenda Gaddi who happens to be the creator of FYBF. She’s also created 4 gorgeous kidlets. In case you’d like to know. Or maybe not. But we’ll share that info just the same.
3. Add your post URL to the linky. Please only link up one post.
4. Grab the funky FYBF button and post it on your sidebar. Help spread the blogfloggin love.
5. Visit the blogs of your fellow FYBF’ers and share the comment love.
6. Share some more comment love. It’s proven to make your wrinkles disappear…overnight. #truth
That’s a great idea x
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB recently posted..Barking mad
Grace, I love the power of four idea!!
I need coffee and I’ll get onto it stat!
happy Friday
xx
Josefa @always Josefa recently posted..Lessons from my two Zombies
Great common sense here. Wish I’d thought of that.
Great message Grace, and such an easy gesture to visit the four in your row. I think most people join link parties with good intentions, but a few maybe miss the true purpose.
Personally I think it is a win win situation. I gain new visitors but I also get to discover new blogs and build new relationships.
Now I am off to bed and will be visiting FYBF links in the morning (it’s still Thursday here and I really should of been asleep hours ago).
Carly recently posted..Jamie Oliver 15 Minute Meal Challenge
I totally agree with you Grace, and I actually do try and do that! I also try and go to at least one new person for me, ie – someone who I haven’t visited before.
I love this FYBF community, and glad to be a part of it! 🙂
xx
Tracey @ Bliss Amongst Chaos recently posted..The November 30/30 Challenge – Day 2. Feeling Pole-ish?
Tracey, I’ll always be grateful for having met you here in FYBF!!!
Ronnie xo
Pink Ronnie recently posted..Angus’ 4th birthday party
Grace, this is a wonderful idea! This is the earliest I’ve been up all week – will make a cup of tea and sit down to some fun FYBFing. 🙂
Ronnie xo
Pink Ronnie recently posted..Angus’ 4th birthday party
Excellent idea Grace. Also, I often comment on blogs and it gets swept off to the land of spam. So make sure you check your spam folders people 😉
workingwomenuas recently posted..Stop waiting for something to happen
Ok so I’ve just commented on 10 blogs, 4 of those comments went to spam…
workingwomenuas recently posted..Stop waiting for something to happen
Oh, isn’t that just so annoying?! I found one of your comments in my spam folder a little while ago! Good thing it was salvaged! 🙂 x
Glad you found it 😉
Grace, thanks so much for putting Mumabulous in the big red circle. I do appreciate the plug! I’m all about spreading the love through our blogging community and am more than happy to embrace the power of four concept. I notice I have some very cool FYBF neighbours to check out today.
All the very best.
Mumabulous
Mumabulous recently posted..The Devil Wears Target
Great idea Grace. I’m in! Sometimes I feel the hardest thing about commenting is getting past the restricted choices in comment names that some blogs have set up. I hope hope that makes sense.
Jo recently posted..Steampunks, Shoes and Chemo Party Tricks
Thanks for hosting. This is my first time linking up and now following you on Facebeook!
Welcome, Rebecca! Hope you have fun. Will head on over to your FB page and return the Like. Have a great day! x
definitely a great idea! i always try to get around to those blogs I already follow, + 2 new ones. everyone loves to feel loved, and I know IBOT , Thankful Thursday and FYBF always boost my hits and comments. Thanks for hosting, and love the Power of 4 suggestion!
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset recently posted..Holiday Observations
Great idea Grace. I also like it because sometimes I choose which ones to read because of the picture or the title…but I think it is better not to as it is a bit like judging a book by its cover…and you may be missing our on some great new finds!
I agree, so true Martine!
You’re an Ideas Woman, Grace! When I first started joining in FYBF it was nice and manageable and the whole “get around to read everyone in the linky” was something I enjoyed doing. I think as it has grown (blown out!) over the years, that old programming has not gone away and I had to really commit an entire day (or two) to get to them all… So I stopped joining in for the longest time! But then I miss other bloggers’ voices and new bloggers and, phew. So here I am again, making a go of it.
Thank you for giving me permission to read only the other four! Far more manageable now that my days are too busy to wade through dozens… (but truthfully, I can never actually stop at four, I like to leave comments wherever I visit and we all know everyone loves an encouraging word!)
Kirrily recently posted..Now Halloween is over… let’s talk about Christmas! (give-away)
And oops, I’ve botched this up and ‘replied’ instead of commented…*cough*
Kirrily recently posted..Now Halloween is over… let’s talk about Christmas! (give-away)
Great idea Grace. I really appreciate that you always take the time to visit – you are one dedicated woman – 90+ linkups last week!!!! Do you sleep!? I tend to dip in and jump around to visit, but I’ll take a more ‘linear’ approach this week to discover some new blogs.
Kim Frost recently posted..Another successful downward dog day
Likewise, I appreciate you, Grace, always taking time to comment. Between this and FBLS you are making a huge contribution to the blogging community x
Lara @ This Charming Mum recently posted..On Christmas shopping: thinking outside the gift box
It’s disappointing when people do the dump and run. I usually try to visit as many as possible. It’s a small price to pay to link up. I think it’s great that you wrote this post. Rachel x
Rachel from Redcliffe Style recently posted..Organised Chaos: My blogging schedule
Good idea Grace! Unfortunately, I don’t have any neighbours yet!!! But will visit later x
Housewife in Heels recently posted..Frocktober wedding success!!!
Also, I’m unable to leave comments on some (e.g. pandoraandmax) b/c I require name/url option when commenting, or just name/email.
Housewife in Heels recently posted..Frocktober wedding success!!!
I’m so sorry to hear that someone may have felt left out of the love-fest. I always read as many as I can of the FYBF posts, but that’s never every single one. It’s actually one of the hardest parts of being a blogger I reckon, is that I get notifications all week about other people’s amazing writing and I never feel I have enough time to read everything I’d like to. Anyway, here’s cheers to being good neighbours! I have already discovered some awesome blogs through FYBF – many more to come I’m sure 🙂
Lara @ This Charming Mum recently posted..On Christmas shopping: thinking outside the gift box
That is a great idea. My usual method is sharing the comment love with people who’ve commented on me, checking out the regular blogs I read/comment on, and then any others that catch my eye or appeal to my stage of parenting. There are quite a few bloggers I’ve given up on because they never reciprocate – which, outside of a link-up I don’t mind, but I do kind of think that’s what link-ups are about! I think this new guideline will be a great shake-up. By the way, you have superhuman powers to get through 94 posts!!!!!
Rachel @ The Kids Are All Right recently posted..10 ways to ‘share’ this Christmas
To the power of four is a genius idea! I normally will try and comment on those links directly either side of me and then pick a few more from the board. I’ll definitely be taking on the four method from now on 🙂
Hope you have a lovely weekend xo
Cassandra recently posted..A week of sewing fails…
Great idea Grace. A really concrete way to share some love.
Also, I’ve been a bit cheeky and linked my new site even though its still not open till this arvo. I’m just so excited and wanted to play!
jess recently posted..BIG HUGE NEWS
Ooooh, can’t wait! Not long to go now!!! 🙂 xxx
Great idea about the power of four. I must say I have noticed that my FYBF post have not been getting what they did when you first took it on, much like my experience from it’s previous owner actually. Mind you I have also noticed that the more posts I read the more visits I get. Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses lovely
I’ve commented on my row, plus the one above for good luck. I’ll come back and do more later when I don’t have a cranky, heavy baby on my lap!
Mel @ Adventures of a Subversive Reader recently posted..He’s a baby, not a gender stereotype
Great idea Grace. I find that I lose count sometimes of how many I’ve visited because I tend to read in between baby naps but I usually get some lovely comments. I’ve noticed a big drop in the amount of comments now since I first started which always makes me worry about the content that I’m writing but no matter how many, they are always very welcome 🙂
Renay@mummysmiracles recently posted..What University Really Taught Me
Grace, that’s a great idea. With so many linkers now, sometimes it’s hard to get time to read all of them, but I’m really enjoying finding new blogs through yours and other link-ups and checking in on them when I can 🙂
Francesca recently posted..3am
Gracie, this is a great way to encourage more love and not overwhelm us. I don’t link up that often because I don’t have the time to comment on heaps and heaps of posts. Four, however is totally doable and then you can still have a bit of time to visit the ones that really interest you too. Love it. Perhaps you could also suggest hitting each blog too ( it would only take 5 minutes extra). So, you don’t have to comment but you can just give each blog a hit. This could make me stay on the blog anyway if someone had written a really compelling title…
Penny recently posted..Powerhouse Museum tickets and Funky Tap™ bottles? Yes Please!
What a good idea, a manageable idea. I’ve been not doing linkies for a while because I was finding it hard to visit others and feel its not fair to link without visiting around. All my efforts were going into writing posts for my own two blogs… I do love content creation best. But I need to be more sociable and these linkies are a great way to meet new pals and re-visit old ones.
I would LOVE to have a natter on the phone sometime or a coffee to chat blogging with you. Am about to have a two week digitald etox and would like to be more organised and clear when we kick off again. Fancy a natter?
Seana Smith recently posted..The Australian Autism Handbook Edition Two – Well Done Benison and Kathryn
Absolutely!!! I’ll send you an email and we can arrange a time and place.
Wonderful idea Mama Grace! I do try to get around to spread some comment love and always appreciate it when others pop by 🙂 hope the twinlets feel better today!
Ai Sakura recently posted..Bub & Me: Kampong Buangkok, the Last Singapore Village
Nice one Grace. xxx
Bachelormum recently posted..The poo
Great idea Grace!
Danya Banya recently posted..Five Cool Projects on my To Do List (1-5)
Great message Grace. I always try to get through as many posts as I can and make a comment. Yes, some weeks are better than others, but I think my minimum hit was 10, so I am not doing too badly.
I hope everyone can put that 40 minutes aside to keep the community alive – love your work!
Becc recently posted..Christmas….got it sorted!
Great idea!! Off to do that right now! 🙂
Thea recently posted..Friday’s Fancies – Sweater Season
That is a great I dea Grace. I’ll get my reading done after I clean the house which I said I was going to do after I dropped the kids off at school but im still sitting here at 11am. Opps. I also every week try to read extra starting from the bottom up cause i know the bottom people don’t get as much love as the top ones.
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I think the power of four is a wonderful idea! Visit and comment on at least four I will! I always do visit & comment on around that many, or more – depending on the time I have. I usually choose by the topic – the picture does not come into it – though I guess I should be a bit more random about which one’s I read. I love #FYBF – thank you Grace – you are amazing! Off now to start reading. xo
MinsMash recently posted..365 Grateful – Day 39
You know me.. I love spreading the commenting love!! I do believe it is a big part of blogging – especially if you are just starting out.. the way to promote your blog is by reading and commenting on other peoples blogs! 🙂 I do feel sometimes I give alot of comments only to get one or two back.. but thats ok.. because people are busy and life gets in the way… sometimes though it would be nice to acknowledge those who comment on your blog by visiting theirs! 🙂
Happy Friday and have a fabulous weekend! xx
Yvette @ Little Bento Blog recently posted..playdate lunch and homemade icecream
A very practical idea, Grace! As you know, I’ve struggled to keep up for a long time now so I appreciate this.
Veronica @ Mixed Gems recently posted..State of play
I always try to go and comment on ten blog posts. Then, I comment on the ones who came and visit my blog. Your rule is great!
Rita recently posted..Beef shawarma
I feel like the power of four has really made a difference in my life.
Great idea! I didn’t make it to all of the links the other week, but did manage to visit 20. Probably more given others are on my feed anyway. Can’t do that every week, but man, it was fun! Thanks, as ever, for hosting the FYBF party! x
Emily recently posted..It’s harder to hide your baby bump the second time around
Excellent idea, and also thanks to the person who brought this issue to your attention. Last week, I commented on about 10 blogs and at least half returned the favour , but I was overwhelmed at the thought of visiting them all!! So keeping to 4 makes it not such a daunting prospect.
I also added on comments, that I found them via this FYBF, so they knew that where I had come from as additional support for this concept.
Annie recently posted..A camping movie for Halloween. Be afraid.
Sadly I too had noticed in recent weeks the numbers popping by had reduced. This sounds like a great idea.
Of course we are all busy mums (and dads) and of course there are some weeks when you’ve barely got time to add your link. But as you set aside half an hour with a cuppa (for you Catherine); relax and read.
Sally@Toddlers on Tour recently posted..9 Ways to Get Cheap Flights for the Family
What a fabulous idea Grace, I’m in!
And can I just say thanks for hosting this wonderful get together every week! You do such a great job of it, and look how much it’s growing! Love your work x
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Judgement: A Revelation
Great idea – am going to go and change my post to link in for today. Generally on a Friday (whether I link up or not) I hop around to as many as I can and have a read and comment.
Have the best weekend !
Me
Me recently posted..A Great Place
I love it. It sounds like something Shera would say 🙂 “to the power of!” it is.
Good idea. I will do my share on the weekend.
Rhonda – Silly Mummy recently posted..Turning December Around
Fantastic idea Grace!! Sometimes I post my link in the morning then get busy with kids and stuff and then fret all day that I haven’t had a chance to go check out the other blogs! Rest assured that I do eventually get there in the end!
I’m off to check out my four people now before witching hour starts – then I’m going to check out more once I have quiet time with a glass of wine in hand!!!! xx
Toni – The Aussie Hausfrau recently posted..My Ride to Conquer Cancer
Hello Ms G,
I have been an absent blogger..for many reasons..and as I love the blogging world, and comments do make our world go round, I am totally for this new idea of FOUR. Have just made my comments, and found 3 blogs I had never seen before. This is exciting.
Love you
D xx
The power of 4 is certainly powerful but I know I won’t be able to stop at that!
Thanks again for such a super weekly get-together x
Shari recently posted..Put some smiles on some dials!
Hi Grace – great idea! Love the power of four and loved my first FYBF experience! Can’t wait for next week! :=)
Thanks
Jenelle @ mummylovestorun recently posted..Three Things Thursday: Deadly Sins
Interesting idea, Grace! I’ll be doing that later tonight when this pizza and these children are all down 😀
The power of 4 is big. I will make sure that I do even more than that. Hope the comments do not end up landing the spam folder.
Shelmith recently posted..kimkardashian24h.com
Deal! And also, just quietly I am ecstatic that I am breaking the record and coming it at lucky number 95 🙂
Donna @ NappyDaze recently posted..An evening with my author idol – Ms Paullina Simons
I usually try to cover at least two rows, and usually those in the middle somewhere because I tend to think that many people start at the beginning, or the end, with the best of intentions to visit as many blogs as they can. But like you say, it takes time and we all run out of that! So those in the middle may get less visits. That’s my rationale, grounded on nothing but a hunch! 😉
I don’t always leave a comment though. Only when I have something to say.
Visiting at least two either side is a great idea, and I reckon most people should be able to manage that.
Mum of Adult Kids recently posted..On the eighth day of unemployment, what did Lisa do?
Make me Up Mandy’s link didn’t work 🙁
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Really? Her link worked for me yesterday 🙁
Such a great way of spreading the love! Top idea.
Robomum recently posted..Yesterday, at Westfield
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