Before we begin, let me just say that that was the most spectacular and jaw-dropping Olympic opening ceremony I have ever seen. I was totally geeking out at the LED floor. The amount of fireworks shot off at the Bird's Nest Stadium is just staggering. What an awesome production!
When I started this blog almost two years ago, it was just a place where I could store some pictures and brief descriptions of the food we were eating. I didn't really understand how powerful and beneficial the food blogging community could be. Then in February of this year, we heard about the FoodBuzz community. In exchange for putting an ad banner on our site, FoodBuzz would pay us a small amount per 1,000 pageviews.
FoodBuzz also had a traffic challenge, starting in March and ending in July, to see which blog could build its traffic the most. I signed up with FoodBuzz then, but kept blogging as before, which was not very seriously. I even stopped blogging for almost the whole month of May!
Then in early June, Annie kicked me in the butt and told me to get serious. I started studying other successful blogs and seeing how I could make House of Annie better. I started submitting pics to TasteSpotting and FoodGawker and actually managed to get a few of them accepted!
FoodBuzz treated us to a dinner with other Featured Publishers (like Lando of SpotsforDates.com and Michael of CookingforEngineers.com) at Gochi Japanese Fusion Tapas in Cupertino. They even sent us a box of Moo Cards, plus a nifty FoodBuzz canvas bag:Sungold Girl with her fashionable FoodBuzz bag
Then in late June, we were "Blogspotted" by the Malay Mail and that really got us excited.
July was a seriously busy month for us, with an average of 5 posts per week. But it was paying off, as we started to see the site get more and more attention. The March traffic challenge hadn't even entered my mind, as I thought I had started too late to make any significant growth. I was more focused on building the site and building relationships with other bloggers. We even ran a small giveaway of Lupicia tea to see if we could get more interest.
(By the way, Julie, if you do not contact me regarding the prize you won, I will redraw from the list of commenters!)
July ended, and we kept blogging and kept seeing growth. Then, just this week, FoodBuzz announced the winners of the March traffic challenge -- and we were declared the winners! The prize?
$1,000!Daniel the Spam Musubi Maker with a Message
So I have a lot of people to thank for this honor:
We are more energized, more excited, and more passionate than ever about food blogging. It's not just the virtual interaction we have with you, but moreso the face-to-face meetings with fellow foodies that makes blogging so much fun.
Tomorrow, we go to the 2008 NORCATT in Solano County. We hope to meet some foodies there. I don't know who exactly is coming, but hopefully Chef John from Foodwishes will be there.
Then, next week we fly to Hawaii to visit my family. We won't be posting as many recipes as usual, but we will be posting dispatches of some of the great places we went to eat (of course!). One thing on the agenda is a dinner with other FoodBuzz Featured Publishers in Hawaii. I'm really looking forward to that.
When we get back, Annie and I will be going to an event that we are both really excited about. I'd love to tell you about it but I think I'll leave you in suspense for now. heheheheh!
Well, this post has turned out longer than I expected. I'm going to sign off now, but I would like your opinion on something:
How would YOU spend $1,000?
A. Buy a new camera
B. Buy a new computer
C. Blow it all on a dinner at the French Laundry
D. Save it for a rainy day
Leave us a comment below!
Aloha, Nate
Saturday, August 09, 2008
A Thousand Thanks, and Aloha
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17 Comments:
Congratulations!
And hey, I don't think choice A applies anymore -- didn't you guys win the camera from Jaden? (Unless I'm mistaken.)
Um, a new computer only if you need it. I wouldn't blow ALL OF IT on a dinner (hehe)... then the rest, save!
THat's just my practical side talking, of course. =D
Hey nate and annie !!
congratulations on winning the March traffic challenge :)
as for the opinion for the question I'd choose D ! hehe .. anyway hoping to see you all soon. And pls send me some pictures of the kids :) mom and dad would love to see their pictures !
Congratulations, Nate and Annie, on winning the prize!
Just dropping a note here to let you know that I've been enjoying the quick Asian series so much. I've bookmarked all those recipes to try soon. I especially enjoyed the tofu, the beef with ginger, and the steamed mushrooms. Great stuff!
@TS - well, I was thinking more of a DSLR, but sure, I'll take a video camera! Woo hoo!
@Jessica - hey there, cousin! I'll try to put more pics up of the kids, if they'll keep still and smile more.
@JS - thank you! Annie's got more ideas for quick Asian dishes, so we'll be doing more of these series in the future.
Congrats! Congrats!
I would definitely spend the money on a camera but dinner at French Laundry is a very close second and so tempting. Looking forward to your posts in Hawaii!
Congrats Nate and Annie. I am so proud of you guys! ZOMG, $1000??? That's like over RM3000, FAT TATT LOH!!
For me, I would spend the $1000 on a new camera because my blog basically went from GOOD and VERY GOOD because of my DLSR camera, and the money I have earned in returns is n times more than the initial investment. :)
Have a great vacation!
Nate,
WOW! That's awesome. Congrats! If I were you, I would save it for a rainy day...although the meal at The French Laundry would certainly be worth it as well. Maybe you'll have some left over for a lunch at Ubuntu.
Hope you have a great time when you are here. I'm sorry that we won't be able to meet up this time. Maybe we can meet up when I am back in the Bay Area.
@Shao - thank you!
@Rasa - Heheheh. I guess I'll have to start test-driving some DSLRs.
@Reid - definitely send me an email the next time you're in the area!
Once again things are looking bright Nate. Cheers! Take the $1,000 and spend it on some good grub. Nothing beats relaxing and treating yourself out.
@Lando - I think we could get some seriously good grub with the money...or lots of seriously good pictures of grub... ;-)
Congrats you guys! You both certainly deserve it!
xo, jaden
@Jaden - thank you SO much!
Congratulations. I am new to food blogging and am inspired by your story. Thanks for sharing.
@Foodmadesimple - thanks! We're all learning together.
Congrats! I am still working on improving and seeing stories like yours makes me want to keep working on it. lol geeking out... love it!
@judyfoodie - thanks. it's hard work but rewarding.
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