Two Months: Lessons Learned, Advice For New Hubbers And Milestones Reached

I started writing for HubPages on June 6, 2012. I came across this site while searching for an online writing site. I noticed so many rave reviews that I simply just had to give it a try! I am glad I did and now I am looking back at everything I have learned and doing some reminscing. In this hub, I will be sharing lessons I have learned, offering advice for new hubbers and sharing some milestones I have been able to reach.

This hub will hopefully show you how I got to where I am today. I need to start off by saying that I am no where near those HubPages success stories you hear as far earnings and stats are concerned. But, I am also new to HubPages. Those days will come later, as long as I continue to work hard, remain diligent and keep my feet pointed forward!

I hope you(new and experienced hubbers both)enjoy this overview of what I learned throughout my first two months here on HubPages!

My goal in this hub is to give advice to new hubbers but also seasoned hubbers as well. We could all use a refresher course every once in a while. In this section, I will be discussing some lessons I havce learned including: fanmail, bookmarking hubs(comments and loyalty) and helping out new hubbers.

The first lesson I would like to discuss is Fanmail. You must be very careful when selecting a fanmail to leave for someone you are going to be following. For those of you who know me, I usually can't resist being funny. So, this is my funny way to start out this hub! Check out TToombs08's hub on funny pickup lines people unintentionally use when they are posting fanmails. Or are they being serious? Now, that is a little creepy!

Several weeks ago hubber Rahul0324 gave me an awesome tip to organize how I go about commenting on hubs. I am sure most of you already use this technique, but for some of you who are not aware, this is for you. When you sign into HubPages after having been gone for quite some time, go to your HubPages email account. Simply scroll through your emails and bookmark every hub that has been published while you have been away. This way, if you are not able to comment on all of the hubs, you will at least have them bookmarked for later. This advice has greatly helped me to organize all of the hubs I will read throughout the day.

As far as commenting is concerned, I make it my goal to comment on every hub that my followers publish. Now, I know for most of you, this is a hard task. You have families and priorities that are more important than HubPages. So, perhaps you could make it a goal to comment on every other hub. Set a goal that fits your busy schedule. Just make sure to drop by your follower's hubs every once in a while. This act will show your followers that you care about their work. If you leave high quality comments, then it will not matter if you can not make it to everyone of your follower's hubs. As long as you are as loyal as can be, your followers will understand. Loyalty is a huge part to anyone's success here on HubPages! Loyalty to hubbers brings steady views to your hubs. And if you are unskilled in Search Engine Optimization like I am, you will want these steady views!

This is definitely one of the most important lessons I have learned! I owe this technique to Billybuc. It actually started out with him helping me out. I still remember now when he first starting following me. He sent me a "Welcome to HubPages" fanmail. This might not mean anything to you seasoned hubbers, but this encouraged me. Those three words mean everything in the world to people who are just starting out on HubPages. It means that an expereinced hubber, with many other things he/she needs to do, took the time out of their busy day to encourage someone new. Thanks Bill!

So, after I had a month of hubbing under my belt, I began doing the exact same thing. When I come across a new hubber, I will stop by and send them a welcome fanmail and leave a comment on of their hubs if they have any. Then either in that comment or through email, I will let them know that if they have any questions regarding the website(whether it be hubtools, maneuvering around the site, etc.) to just let me know at any time! .

Doing this is important because it shows others that you really do care and are not just here for yourself. HubPages is a community, and new hubbers need to see us in action! They should feel encouraged and a part of our community!

I will now be offering some advice for new hubbers out there. For those of you experienced hubbers, do read! While writing this hub, I was able to refresh my mind with some tips that I know but sometimes forget.

The first days will be rough, but stay motivated! If you stay focused, work hard and remain diligent, success will come. Don't Give Up! Don't be scared to write that first hub! Don't freak out about earnings and SEO, that is if you even know about that yet. (If not, that is all right, you can learn that at another time). Writing your first hub will show others that you are stepping out out of your comfort zone and that you are ready to put your writing out there for everyone to see and critique.

Scary huh? It doesn't have to be. Postive criticism is a good thing. It will help you learn what to work on and also what not to do. Believe me, I have had my fair shair of criticism and critiques. But, I wouldn't have it any other way, because it has helped and shaped me into the writer I am now. If you are willing to put both feet forward and invest some time and hard work into your writing, you will be able to see your writing eventually take off. And you then can sit back and enjoy the site that it will be!

The best advice I can give you for making your hubs more attractive would be to add extra capsules. If you have not written any hubs yet, or have written a few already, I will offer the same advice. Do not just write your article in one text capsule and call it a day. Most HubPages readers will not be able to follow along. Pictures work as an excellent tool to engage the reader. Add some pictures, videos, and amazon/ebay capsules. Just make sure that the capsules act as complimentary visuals to your hub. What I mean by this is: Do not add an Amazon Inception Movie capsule for your new hub on how to read music. Use capsules that fit in with the context of the hub. Also, split up the body of your article into several text capsules with subtitles.

Another capsule you can add is a text capsule that is designated for adding a referral link. If you do not what this is, I have provided an example at the end of this hub entitled, "Why You Should Write For HubPages". In this capsule, you provide a signup link for people who are visiting your hub from outside of HubPages. If someone signs up under your link, you will receive a small percentage of their earnings. I have not had much success with this as of late, but you just never know! Also, it provides you with an extra capsule to engage your reader with.

Sharing Hubs With Followers: When you read a hub that makes an impact on you(can be serious or funny), take the time to share it. You can do this by looking over to the right of the hub. If you do this now, you will see a Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest Button underneath the title, "Like This Hub?". Just click on either button you want to use to share the hub. Underneath these buttons, is a HubPages Followers button. This button will post the hub to your followers' hub feed, so they can stop by and read the hub you have just read and commented on. You can also let the person know in the comment that you have shared their hub. This will let the hubber know that you went out of your way to share their hub that they invested a lot of hard work, time and effort into!

Following: If you only remember one thing from this hub, have it be this. For those of you that are new to HubPages, be very careful in how you choose to follow people. Do not randomly follow people just for the sake of following them. Follow people whose hubs you are interested in. Have a purpose in your following method. I would also encourage you to leave a comment on one of the hubber's hubs that you plan on following. This will show the hubber that you are interested in their work.

I know I have already mentioned this and may possibly be beating a dead horse, but this is the best advice I can give to someone starting out here on HubPages. Listen to this awesome Music Cover of "I Won't Give Up" by Tyler Ward!

I would like to share with you three milestones I have been able to reach during my first two months here on HubPages. I do not share these milestones with you to brag, but to encourage those of you hubbers who are new to this site. When I first started out here, I was nervous and my confidence was low. I was very intimated by all of the seasoned hubbers with their insane earnings and traffic views. I thought I would be stuck on the bottom forever.

But, I kept on trekking along. And my diligence and hard work starting paying off. Here are three milestones I have been able to reach. Before, I mention these milestones, it is imperative that I thank all of my loyal followers and supporters. Without you, I would not of been able to make it this far!

A few days ago, I reached my first milestone. I have now gained over three hundred followers. I can remember in the beginning feeling so overwhelmed. I could count on one hand my amount of followers. I knew I needed followers to enhance my traffic views. So, I did the only thing I knew I could do. I wrote, wrote, wrote, and had that be my source for followers. And then I wrote some more. I am so blessed to have so many followers who are loyal and encouraging to me! I am truly thankful for each and every one of you! I repsect you all!

I am so shocked and thankful to share that I have reached 10,000 views within my first two months of HubPages. This was a goal I had set for myself, and actually succeeded the last night before my two month mark! I am so thankful to all of my supporters, because without them, I would not have even come close!

On my two month anniversary of being here, August 6, 2012, I was crowned "Funniest Hub Of The Year". Now talk about a total shock! I was so surprised! Again, I thank all of you who have encouraged me and loyally supported me. You all rock, and words can not come close to what you mean to me!

HubPages is an excellent site to write for because of the compassionate and loyal community that exists here! People will encourage you and help you develop your writing skills and be right there with you as you start to soar off! Just click here if you want to start writing here! It is fast, easy and free!

Well, this concludes the overview of my first two months on HubPages! It has been a roller coaster ride for sure! I have had my ups and my downs, but the friendships I have made have kept me going! I love the support, encouragement and loyalty so many of you supply me with on a daily basis. This ride has been adventurous to say the least, and I am glad you have joined with me to share in my growth!

For all those of you who have been my support team, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! You know who you are! I will be sharing a tribute of thanks to you at some point and time! You deserve so much appreciation! But for now, just know that you have made a deep impression in my heart, and I will always remember that and never take advantage of it!

Until next time fellow hub friends! I hope you have enjoyed this glimpse into my journey so far, and I hope to spend many more months together with all of you!