I Wanna Know...{Week 10}

I had a great response to my post a few months back.
I basically opened the floor and gave you guys a chance to ask me ANYTHING.When I say anything, I mean anything! Blogging, marriage, army, crafting, shopping...
I'd love for you to submit a question for me to answer & for you to be featured next week!!!Click Here
Yay for Week #10! I can't believe I get so many amazing questions every week. I always try to include both blogging & personal questions.

Sybil

Question #1: Twitter: Yes? No? What are the benefits? Are there any negatives?

Hey Sybil! Alright, Twitter is a definite thumbs up. If you don't have an account, get one immediately. I know it can be scary. What's a tweet? How come people put # in front of long run on words? I don't know what to say!!! Trust me, I put off getting Twitter as long as possible and I really regret that. First of all, Twitter is the most used social media in my opinion. By having a Twitter account, you allow your readers an easy, quick way to connect with you. It's like a text message, but you don't have to give out your personal number. Secondly, Twitter is a great way to get exposure for your blog. You can tweet out new blog posts or giveaways you are hosting. Third, if you ever want to grow your blog into more of the business side as well, one of the first things companies want to know is how many Twitter and FB followers you have. They want to know that if they sponsor you or give you a product to review, you'll be able to blast it out amongst a ton of people. I say YES YES YES to Twitter! It will help you and your blog grow so much.
The only negative drawback I can see is sometimes people use Twitter in a rude or negative way. They will use it to cut down or be mean to other bloggers. My take on this is that they could be tweeting mean things about you whether you have a Twitter or not, so I wouldn't let that deter you. It's not something I see often, but it does happen.

Holly

Question #2: How do you get in on all these awesome giveaways? I would love to help sponsor one, but I'm not sure how to go about it.

Hi Holly! I think you are asking about the big giveaways I host. I can tell you that personally, my invites go out to my Sponsors first and then to a list I keep of small bloggers who have talked to me about growing their blogs. I think that the majority of bloggers handle their giveaways in the same way. Usually Sponsors are the first to get invites. It's a perk that is frequently listed as something you get with an Ad spot.
I can say that last month I sent out an email for the Michael Kors watch giveaway. I went to the grocery store and 20 minutes later I already had TOO MANY girls signed up. My slots for giveaways go really fast. I always do sign ups on first come, first serve basis.
I encourage girls to do giveaways as much as they are able. It is (in my opinion) the best way to get exposure for your blog and make new bloggy friends! If you don't have money to chip in for a big prize giveaway, sometimes you can find giveaways where the host will accept Ad space. That's always a great way to go!
My Sponsors get exposure depending on which Ad spot they purchase (the In Post Ad is obviously the most bang for your buck), but I know their insane amount of followers come from my giveaways. Just to give you an idea, the average gain for the Michael Kors giveaway was 200+ followers each girl. That's a ton of exposure!!! Giveaways are definitely a great way to go if you have the means to participate (:

Ashley

Question #3: How do you come up with the Cara Box themes?

Hey girl! The Cara Box themes just magically appear in my head. Ha. Sometimes I don't come up with the theme until the day I am announcing that month. I try to mix in themes that apply to the time of year (fall, valentine's day..) with themes that are random (childhood). Anyone who reads this: if you have creative Cara Box themes or ideas of what you would like a box to be focused on in the future, please email me!!! I would love suggestions (:

Mandy

Question #4: What's one life changing thing you've done since entering your 20s?

Mandy, I would say the most life changing thing I've done, was make the decision to move to Atlanta back in January 2011. I was born and raised in Florida. I left Orlando and went to college at FSU (north Florida), but I never left the state. My family was there, my friends were there - I just never saw myself leaving.
Then in the Fall of 2010, I went to a conference for my job. I had Lyme Disease at the time and was so sick. Every night instead of hanging out with everyone from the conference, I would have to go to my room and give myself IV meds. Because I was so ill at the time, I wasn't going to go. But something forced me to have the strength, and I went. I met a few people at the conference who told me I should take an opening in Atlanta. There were tons of people my age and the city was amazing. I went home and told my parents, "I'm going to get that job opening and move." They thought I was crazy, but by November I had the offer letter and was set to go.
January I moved and I knew absolutely no one. I found a roommate online. Yeah, I was scared to death. She turned out to be one of the greatest friends I have ever had and was a bridesmaid in my wedding - so it worked out (: I also had just broken up with my boyfriend of 3 years. Those first three months in Atlanta were awful. I won't lie. I cried myself to sleep most nights asking "Why did you do this to yourself?! You made yourself move here and now you are so lonely and sad!!". But then I made a life in Atlanta and I loved it.
October that year, the Atlanta plant began doing layoffs. To keep the job I loved, I would have to move...again...To a strange place where I knew no one. I cried and cried but finally accepted it. I made plans to move to Nashville. On my house hunting trip in December I met Ryan....
Hindsight is 20/20...had I not taken that leap of faith and moved to Atlanta, I would never have been forced to move to Nashville...I would have never met Ryan. I cannot imagine not being married to Ryan or living the life I now lead.
Coming from a girl who thought she would live in Florida forever, I have now moved 4 times in less than 2 years!!! Atlanta - Nashville - Arizona - Colorado.
Take risks. Trust your heart and God. You will look back one day and be so glad you did (:


I hope you guys enjoyed seeing some of your questions answered! I'll be back next Tuesday with more!
I'd love for you to submit a question for me to answer & for you to be featured next week!!!Click Here

"I love life. I love being happy. I could sit and watch the ocean go by all day long..."
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