Goodbye Follow Friday

I’m over Follow Friday. I’m really, truly over it!

Follow Friday has become more about quantity than quality. I tried to negate this by following my 2 simple rules for the Follow Friday, but I’ve learned that I’m not very good at it. In 2 simple statements, here’s why:

  1. Blog Post. I’m always writing Blog Posts featuring someone or something that I believe in. Isn’t that the point of a blog post? If there’s no passion around it, then I won’t put it out there for others to also be uninspired by. Thus, do I really need a “Follow Friday” just to have a “Follow Friday?”
  2. I don’t need you Friday. I’m in the “social” because I love it 24/7. There is nothing special about following someone on a Friday, especially if it’s just to push numbers. I build my relationships all week long. If I get a recommendation to follow someone on a Friday, then great -  a cap to the week. If not, there’s always Saturday!
Mother carrying daughter

No, this does not mean I won’t give out the #FollowFriday each week. Because I will. I like to recognize a few people I find over-the-top-spectacular! It just means that I’m not devoting a whole Blog Post to it when I feel there is better and more useful information to share!

On that note, I’m re-doing my content calendar. I decided to do this when I realized that many of my Follow Friday posts lately have revolved around health, fitness, foodie and overall “inspiring” people, like the Joyce Cherrier one I created today. But those posts don’t really “belong” here. They belong with Confessions, Truths & the Journey of a (Mis) Fortunate Foodie-Fitness Junkie.

So what does belong here? Connie Bensen said during the #CaribouChat21 meetup the other day something along the lines of (after you have blogged for awhile) ask someone (perhaps a mentor) to look it over and help you determine a “focal point.” What do you talk a lot about? What is your writing niche that you can further develop via the Blog? Where are your strong points? And how will you best provide value?

I think Connie is absolutely right. I need to find a pair of eyes to scan my blog, a mentor and have a more “true” vision of what this blog is all about. I have a broad idea, but I’m not sure that’s good enough. If you have any thoughts or comments, I am open to suggestions and criticism. That’s how we become a better version of ourselves, capitalizing on the person we will be! Happy Friday!

FollowFriday with Passion: OpenSkyProject


Companies that have
great visions and leave behind a “positivity trail” are those companies I like associating with best.

My Top Follow Friday could not fit this more! Their vision states,

“Buying from people you know and trust is the best way to shop.”

They believe in, “reinventing the Social Commerce landscape by introducing Relationship/Brand Advocate Commerce.” Welcome @OpenSkyProject – my Top Follow Friday today!

3 Top Reasons to Follow Them:

  1. They are truly “Social.” They connect sellers & suppliers to buyers, and are passionate about creating opportunities for entrepreneurs.
  2. If you are a Blogger, they have your best interest in mind. They provide a platform to those who want to build their brand and consolidate their fan base. If you choose to have an OpenSky Store with them, you will own 100% of it. You have complete control over the products sold and how you choose to sell them. OpenSky says, “Sellers don’t need to hold inventory, source products, or handle customer service.  OpenSky is building an enormous product directory of sourced suppliers that sellers can choose from in any category.  Sellers can also request special products, and OpenSky will source them for you (and if you have a relationship with a particular supplier–just let us know and we will set them up in our system).  We also have a buyer program for certain sellers to work with in specific categories.”
  3. They “get-it-done.” OpenSky hasn’t even officially launched yet, but they have already managed to get on ABC’s Good Morning America!

There are 2 other Key people to follow along with @OpenSkyProject: @TedRubin & @johncaplan.

Ted believes, Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass… it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” Ted is the Chief Social Marketing Officer & Board of Advisors at OpenSky. I have had the pleasure of speaking with him on the phone and networking with him over the past couple of months. I believe in the passion Ted brings to the table. (He is also highly interactive in the Social Space!)

John is the Founder & CEO at OpenSky. He states (via Twitter) that he is a, “lucky dad & husband. company builder – about.com, ford models & now the opensky project. believe that anything is possible.”

#itscoming #OpenSky @OpenSkyProject

If you know me personally, you know that my most favorite quote is,

“My Three Keys to Success: One, work hard. Two, be your own person. And three, have a passion for what you are doing.”

(Warning: Shameless Plug here!) It should come as no surprise, then, as to why the @OpenSkyProject is my Top Follow Friday today! It should also come as no surprise why I am choosing to utilize the OpenSky Store. My OpenSky Store will be available (at first) through my Blog, “Confessions, Truths & the Journey of a (Mis) Fortunate Fitness-Foodie Junkie.” Shortly thereafter (or perhaps even on launch date) it will move to my brand new Health/Fitness/Foodie & Vibrant Website (coming soon)!

You will notice on the right side of this page an #itscoming countdown! August 10, 2010 is when the OpenSky officially launches! Learn more about them by following on Twitter, checking out their Website and becoming a Fan on Facebook!

Get yourself some Friday Inspiration – Where the (Open)Sky is always the Limit!