Wearing: Fair-isle + Orange

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Sweater: Old Navy
T-shirt, watch and socks: AE
Skirt: Kristina J. Sedona
Boots: Nine West
Call me crazy, but I never really thought Google Friend Connect was an accurate way to determine how many people were actively following a particular blog. So when Google announced they were discontinuing GFC as a tracker for non-Blogger blogs, I didn't really think much of it.  I can count on one hand the number of times I've clicked on a post link from inside GFC.   

When I began blogging, it was personal...a sort of visual diary of sewing and design projects or reworks of existing pieces.  It was also a place for me to categorize my wardrobe and chronicle what outfits worked for me and what didn't.  I also hoped, when the timing was right, that should there ever be a Kristina J. clothing brand, it would be a natural extension of the blog. I was shocked when the first reader followed me and continue to be pleasantly surprised with the addition of each new friend no matter the follow method.  If anything, a follow through GFC seems to be more a nod of approval for the most recent content than a declaration of dedication to it, and I'm under no illusions that my GFC number is an accurate reflection of how many people are invested in the content here. For me, GFC has been an effective way to book-mark blogs I didn't want to loose track of, but if I'm deeply interested in the content, I make sure to add it to my Bloglovin' reader.  
Since Google Friend Connect becomes inactive in a couple weeks, I wanted to break down the details on how I use the various follow options outside of GFC.

Or for those of us who are completely overwhelmed by computer speech, "Really Simple Syndication".  Basically, RSS allows you to get the most recent posts from a blog in the form you choose. I have the feeds opened through Feedburner, so whatever follow option you use should be conveniently available to you.  This is the most reliable way to get post feeds from Kristina J. to your Kindle, RSS readers or Ipad.

 This my personal fave on keeping up with content from my favorite blogs.  It's similar to Google Reader, but more accessible for people whose blogs are powered by Typepad or Wordpress. The layout is simple and clean and I love that I can scroll through all the newest posts from my favorite bloggers and conveniently comment or share the posts to social networks from one place.  

I don't overload my Twitter feed with a bunch of personal info, but I do link EVERY blog post there.  If you're wanting to follow Kristina J. through a social networking site but don't want to be bothered with all the extra, then Twitter's the place to go.

Unlike Twitter, I do overload my FB account with personal stuff like photos of my family and day-to-day emotions or events.  The number of times I link a post to FB is spotty, although it does happen. My FB account is not a fan page for Kristina J. and I don't want to clutter up the feed with stuff a lot of my FB friends aren't interested in. At this point, I don't consider Kristina J. a brand or business, so I'll be waiting to create a fan page for the day when it is.  If you're a social butterfly (like me) and like what FB brings to social connecting, then by all means, sent me a friend request on Facebook. But just know that over there, I'll consider you a friend, not a fan (which is really the way I prefer it).

Not necessarily a means to follow Kristina J., but definitely a place to follow what interests me...a visual representation of what I think is beautiful, inspiring and pretty. I DO pin all my sewing tutorials there. It is, I think, the best way to discover the abstract essence of a person.  
  
If Linked In is a networking site you're involved with, I do have a Linked In profile. I don't currently do a lot with it, but in anticipation of one day starting a business, I've created an account there and am a part of a few design groups.

This is a pretty recent tool created by the folks at Linky Tools to help bloggers retain followers upon the loss of GFC.  I haven't incorporated this tool yet, but may eventually. It was designed as a free way to organize and follow the blogs you love. It works in a similar way to GFC with a follow option, face button and number count and may or may not show up in the sidebar of Kristina J. in the future. Do you have any thoughts on LinkyFollowers?

What's your preferred blog-following tool?

15 comments:

  1. Love the color of your skirt! On the following question about Linky - I'm a little unsure. I added it to my blog, but I'm not able to easily read my favorite blogs from their dashboard ( maybe I just haven't figured it out yet). I think I'm going to transfer my blog list over to Bloglovin' for easier reading and use Linky as a way to tell another blogger, "hey, I like your blog".

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    1. I was thinking the same thing, Shelley. I'm not really sure how effective Linky will be to me since I pretty use Bloglovin, so I'm probably gonna slowly phase out GFC, 'cuz I keep hearing rumors that Google will be phasing it out for everyone (including Blogger) in time.

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  2. I guess I just use google friend connect- but thanks for the reminder that I should add a bloglovin link! I love seeing people's pinterests and polyvores, but I'm not much of a twitterer!

    I love the damp and misty air around these remaining forest greens- your bright orange is such a vibrant accompaniment to the moody setting!

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    1. It was super early in the morning before the fog lifted...which I think you can tell from my very squinty eyes!

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  3. I'm very behind when it comes to things like this....I think I need to make a bloglovin account too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!! And I'm loving the orange skirt with the fair-isle sweater!! You look so cute!!

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  4. I didn't even know that they were getting ride of GFC. Mine doesn't usually work anyway. I always try to follow through it and the next day I am no longer following. Silly thing. I use Bloglovin' but that's about it. I guess I should try the other ways.
    Your outfit is lovely especially the color of your skirt against the winter white sweater.
    Happy V-Day!

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    1. I've had my GFC badge disappear for days at a time, not knowing if it would show back up or not. Crazy.

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  5. Beautiful pictures as always. Thanks for explaining all of the different social media tools. I use facebook for more personal things and follow blogs on my blogger dashboard.

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  6. I don't have a ton of GFC followers, but I did add the Linky tool. I'm nervous that I won't be able to follow my favorite blogs on my dashboard after GFC goes away, because I do actually join a blog with GFC so that I can keep up with my faves. I've never looked in to Bloglovin, maybe I need to. Your outfit is adorable, I just bought a bright orange purse for that pop of color. :D

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    1. That's something I can't really figure out either. Will we be able to see the blogs not hosted by Blogger in our feed or will they disappear like the followers? It just seems like RSS is the safest way to go. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

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  7. Beautiful outfit, as always. I have similar feelings to you about GFC--I don't take it too seriously, but more as a nod of approval. And like you, if I'm deeply interested in a blog I'll follow it via Bloglovin. What I do take seriously as an indicator of reader interaction or impact my blog has is what gets pinned from my blog. I started my blog for myself but also hoped it would eventually inspire women who don't really know how to dress themselves to at least feel somewhat put together. So, if content from my blog is getting pinned, I'm encouraged by that, knowing it's helping other women!

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  8. I was totally confused on all this (I'm fairly new) and so this really helped me out. I guess I need to figure out the RSS thing. I started a bloglovin' account so I'm slowly trying to follow my favorites. Thanks for the breakdown and love these pics in the fog and that outfit. :)

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  9. Loving this adorable outfit - can't believe that sweater is Old Navy - SO cute! I definitely use Bloglovin' - this breakdown was awesome though:)

    Annie
    The Other Side of Gray

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  10. lovely outfit!!
    and great blog :)

    xoxo!

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  11. Cute outfit! I'm Shannon from Stylewithshannon.com. My blog is threw Wordpress.org and my GFC disappeared a few days ago. Is that because I'm not threw blogger? If I delete the HTML off my blog will the people that follow me so far not be able to link to my blog anymore? Sorry for all the questions but I new at this and the GFC thing has thrown me for a lop. BTW I love your blog!

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