I want you to also think about how often you take the time to comment on a question when you have the knowledge they are seeking. Do you shy away from joining the conversation even if you have some valid and useful input because you are new to a group? Are you afraid to join a conversation with those who you know have been in the game for a long time and include your input because of feeling intimidated? Or are you the go getter, joining in on many conversations, letting people know who you are and what you know?

If your not getting out there and joining in the conversations, you should be! Take a few of these tips and exercise them at least 5 times a week:

• Make it a point to put visiting forums and/or social networks on your daily to do list.
• commit to posting something WAHM orientated once a week at least.
• Join discussions daily at least 2 or 3 a day

When you do participate, whether it be a little or a lot, what do you say? How do you say it? Keep these few things in mind when you do participate:

• If offering up information, reference your sources
• Upon defending a statement or joining a heated debate, speak directly and firmly but don’t be obnoxious and rude.
• Never bogart a discussion, add to it. It’s just not cool to spin someones convo to your benefit, start another thread or separate discussion.

Whatever it is your saying, say it more often!

Are you members of these communities?

Facebook |  Twitter |  Mommy’s Helper Community |  Internet Based Moms |  Classy Chics Forum |  WAHM Forums |  Work at Home Space |  Type A Mom |  Blogher |  Associated Content |  Mom Favs | Work it, Mom |  WAHM Articles

These are my favorite homes to network on, they full of life, discussions…won’t you come by and join? Who said…I said…Eccentric WAHM said!

photo credit: Jenah Crump Photography

Let me go ahead and share my first time experience with you: See back in 2003 I was a moderator in an exclusive group (so they wanted to think anyway). There were two main woman in this group and I was brought on like the third, the right hand. I was in the loop about most everything. I knew there plans, was asked for my opinion, I was the soul person in charge of any graphics made for the group, I knew what pissed them off, what made them happy, I knew almost everything. They were a couple of toughies, I knew this, but in the beginning they just came across as they just were not going to take any crap (nothing wrong with that)…not these “bad girl” I will totally rip you to shreds cause you didn’t agree with me types (which is what they were about).

I started noticing the “Bad Girl Attitude” emerging when people where creating groups similar to theirs. The ugliness was surfacing, they would all but threaten others about doing the same. The breaking point came when an upstanding WAHM member stepped forward and said something about a person they were ridiculing publicly, this upstanding WAHM they attacked (and the person I decided to back) was (still is) one amazing woman who they should not have lashed out publicly at. I, of course, spoke out publicly as well. The fact I spoke up for my friend and did not support their stand caused me a night long attack, and continued attacks. There was demands to kick me out of places they also moderated. It was a mess.

When I tried to join other similar groups I was ignored, banned ALL because my name was tied to their group as one of the top dogs. I could not believe how mean they were behind the scenes to others, the things I did not know. I had to prove myself, I had to prove I was nothing like them before I could even move on in those kind of groups.

Now, with my directness I often wonder if people think I have the “bad girl attitude”? I certainly don’t think I do, but have been known to ruffle feathers with my straight forward approach, so I think it is wise to really break this down on a level people can grasp.

Now this is souly my opinion but it’s a formed opinion based on experience so I shall share it.

Top 3, might have a “bad girl attitude” if:

1. Thinking one is better than everyone else (confidence is good, even a little pompous is OK BUT arrogance is just annoying)
2. Can not handle constructive criticism (doesn’t mean that all criticism is good either, also doesn’t mean everyone should blow smoke)
3. Need others to fight their battles  (doesn’t mean someone can’t have someones else back, it just means others don’t have to take things into there own hands and be ignorant to about it)

How to avoid it? Click away. If you must say something, do it as straight forward as you can without sounding like a !@#$%.

In one word she is AWESOME!

I love her Easy WAHM Websites, one stop shop of more than just a website template, you are getting a complete website content and all! It’s a pretty cool deal! The thing is that’s not all that is offered! Nope you can find VA assistance, hosting and so much more at EWW! It’s truly a place for anything you might need from aid you in working from home. From personal experience the hosting is fabulous!

I absolutely adore her Stitching the Night Away and Craft Blog. I suppose being a crafter myself would make me a bit biased here, but I don’t really think so! For many these are awesome sites they frequent regularly. I am one of them!

Loretta is certainly one super busy working mom! Can I say that she is an amazing multi-tasker, super woman even. With each project she gets her hands on you can bet it will be as amazing as she is, not to mention VALUABLE!

Which brings me to her Transcription Crash Course which teaches how to start your own transcription business with little expense and experience. I told you Loretta was awesome…but then again most people already knew that.

Loretta has been and continues to be inspiring, especially within the crafting realm for me. I love seeing her new cross stitching creations she announces. It has been such a treat to meet and get to know her hands down!

It is an honor and pleasure to announce Loretta as the WAHM Spotlight and give her the Eccetric WAHM 5 Star rating!

★★★★★

I have been for the past year creating and selling my items at farmers/craft markets, it’s an awesome feeling that people love my stuff. However, I have had people ask if I had patterns as they enjoy crocheting too and would love to be able to make my designs themselves. Totally fine with that BUT I had not written done some of my original designs yet. I directed them to websites that may interest them.

Then it hit me, I need to get these written out and start offering them. I have went ahead and offered 2 of my patterns for FREE on Quirky Crafter Blog, the Craft Blog and Passionate About Crafting Blog. I wanted to get my patterns out there so people would take seriously when I decided to offer some of my more in depth patterns for sale.

There was a big uproar over my Snow Pony Winter Hat many request offline for the hat itself and quite a few request for the pattern. This pattern is the very first pattern I am offering for sale! I can guarantee you this, it was just as much work to put this pattern together as it was crocheting the hat itself, seriously!

With out further to do, you can pick up the pattern at my Etsy Shop right now! I am having tons of fun with it on as well as offline!

Original Post is at Quirky Crafter.