I wasn’t sure I wanted to write about this a few weeks ago, but after this week’s events, I think it’s something every ambitious woman should ponder on. This week Forbes decided to open up their nominations for their Top 100 Best Websites For Women. I was completely caught off guard by this, I was planning on working towards being on this list for 2015. But it’s 2014, all I have is the present day, and the opportunity presented itself.
To be completely honest, I didn’t think YS.com was up to par for the list. Yes, I’ve been blogging for years, yes I do cater to ambitious woman and my fellow 20-something-year olds trying to survive life, and yes, I do my very best to share my experiences so you learn what not to do, but I just didn’t think I was there yet. I still very much so consider YS.com a baby fish within the ocean of some of you phenomenal powerhouses.
Until the sharks came to attack my inbox anonymously this morning and afternoon.
I was accused of stepping on the toes of a fellow blogger I admire simply because I was nominating myself for the Forbes list. I was called out of my name, my brand was attacked, and blog was basically shitted on.
It honestly took me by surprise because I hate stepping on other people’s toes. I won’t blog about something if I know a fellow blogger has recently touched upon that subject, and I hold back from implementing certain things I’ve seen done elsewhere. This is how much I hate it. Believe it or not, this blogsphere is very much like high-school, and I honestly do not have the time for it’s drama. Call me a hippy but I strongly believe that if we’re working towards the same goal of inspiring other women, there is no reason for us to be competing so aggressively against each other. A little healthy competition is good for you.
Tuesday night, my oh so awesome roommate preached to me about not dimming my light for anyone. I was worried about nominating myself and I was on edge about a few upcoming projects I have been hesitant to begin working on. I’m not the only one that thinks the way I do. The more I meet other bloggers and ambitious women, I realize this. But I also now understand that by altering what I want for YS.com based on the actions of others who could give a fuck about my blog, I’m holding myself and this website back from being the best that it can be. My readers and I do not win here… and I’m all about winning.
So if we can’t simultaneously build together, and if we can’t honestly support each other, than yes, I am your competition. If you don’t understand my motives, or the greatness that is to come, then I am one of your biggest nightmares. I truly believe in the potential of this blog, it’s my baby, and it will be nurtured and it will grow. If this aches your soul, unnerves your mind, and keeps you up at night then so be it. I’ll be the monster that lives underneath your bed, the person that keeps you on your toes, the dark horse of this party and much much more if it means my blog, my ideas and my success no longer suffers.
I’ll be that.
Don’t Forget To Nominate Yettisays.com!
- Visit the Forbes Nomination Page here and leave a comment stating why Yettisays.com deserves to be on the 2014 Top 100 Best Websites For Women
- Or tweet @Forbes and use the hashtag #BestSitesForWomen and a simple “because it’s inspiring and awesome” comment. Make sure you include my blog URL www.yettisays.com and my Twitter handle @yettisays in your tweet.
Carly says
08/08/2014 at 2:03 AMLove!!! Send the haters a polite “fuck off” email n keep it moving! Like they say “there is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.”
Amber says
08/08/2014 at 8:29 AMThe fact that there is a need to write posts like makes me sad. Yes, if you want to attain certain goals you are going to have to compete at times. And yes, sometimes those competitors are going to be your fellow bloggers, friends, and women with similar goals. But seeing one win does not indicate a loss to the other. As women, we should be the ones encouraging and uplifting one another.
Stop holding back because others don’t want to move forward themselves. Write those posts, start that series, and nominate your blog for the simple fact that you’re amazing and not doing so would be a disservice to your audience. You are living out your purpose through your blog and brand. The opinions of others are nothing compared to fulfilling your destiny.
I fully support you, and really do believe in your vision, brand and blog. Keep going, love!
Yetti says
08/08/2014 at 8:44 AMAmber. I am printing this the fuck out. And it’s going on my wall. Thank you.