MyShingle Turns Eleven

Sometime in the evening of December 9, 2002, I clicked the enter button and launched MyShingle’s inaugural post into cyberspace. My blog has created some great opportunities — but eleven years is also a long, long time to be blogging. Each year, more blogs emerge and it becomes increasingly difficult to stay relevant and keep abreast of the rapid pace of change. I’m not ready to stop but I must confess that this is the first blog-iversary where the thought has crossed my mind.

Six years ago, I pondered a remark by Kevin O’Keefe where he optimistically proclaimed that “bloggers, age 35 will be blogging for 25 more years.” Really? At the same time, what is your blog’s end game? Do you sell it? Preserve it? Let your law firm continue it?

Comments are always a nice anniversary gift – so why not post your thoughts? And as always thanks to my fellow bloggers and readers – no way that MyShingle would have reached age eleven if you all weren’t along for the ride.

13 Comments

  1. DFL on December 9, 2013 at 5:36 am

    Ms. Elefant, I hope you continue to blog for many years. As I work towards my 2nd attempt at my state’s bar exam and knowing that I will have to run solo, your blog gives me hope that I will be able to make it.



  2. Jamison on December 9, 2013 at 6:18 am

    Carolyn: Congratulations. Eleven years is truly a long time. Thank you for the continuing inspiration.



  3. shg on December 9, 2013 at 7:37 am

    Congratulations. Carolyn. Eleven years is remarkable stamina.



  4. Andrea Cannavina on December 9, 2013 at 7:47 am

    Congrats Carolyn!



  5. Jeff Gamso on December 9, 2013 at 7:50 am

    Carolyn,

    Wow! Eleven years. That’s just remarkable. And you keep doing it with real substance. I’m awed.

    Congratulations.



  6. Gabrielle Smith on December 9, 2013 at 8:55 am

    Carolyn,
    Congratulations! I think your blog is an awesome resource for solos and those pondering going solo. I often look at posts from years back and I am astounded at how relevant they still are. I started a blog about 6 months ago, it is fun, but it is still a commitment. As for when will blogging stop? I am not sure. I guess when I don’t benefit from it in some way. I started just for fun so when it is no longer at least fun I will stop.

    I see a lot of job posts for bloggers, where someone hires a contract type worker to blog on their behalf. I think this is how some lawyers may stay in it for the long haul. Also, the ability to manage posts from a tablet or smartphone makes it easier to keep up.

    Again, congratulations on 11 years. Thank you for helping solos all over the U.S. with an invaluable resource.



  7. Susan Cartier Liebel on December 9, 2013 at 9:48 am

    Congratulations, Carolyn. You’re as relevant today (even more so) as you were 11 years ago. Keep on keepin’ on!



  8. Josh brown on December 9, 2013 at 10:18 am

    congrats, Carolyn! I love your blog. But I certainly understand the grinding feeling that you are experiencing. Maybe you can figure out a way to switch things up a bit. As an example, do an audio blog, or interview more people, or even a podcast combined with your blog. I have not been in the online game nearly as long as you, but I absolutely love podcasting. In fact, I enjoy it 10x more than merely blogging. Plus, your great personality can come through much easier through audio or video. Anyways, just some thoughts to ponder……….



  9. Jacob Sapochnick on December 9, 2013 at 1:01 pm

    Congrats Caroline!! I have been following your Blog since 2005 and you are an inspiration. Thanks to you, I finally launched my own Blog to help other lawyers grow. I feel there will always be something to say about trends in the legal profession. Keep up the good work.



  10. Kelly Twigger on December 9, 2013 at 1:30 pm

    11 years!! Wow, many congratulations. As one who has plenty to say, but never seems to get it down as often as I would like, I salute you. Maybe try having some guest bloggers to the mix so you don’t have to come up with the content every day? Videos that are short and sweet are great too, and I love seeing who I’m reading so I can put a face with the information. You have such great insights — keep them coming! I look forward to seeing your mail in my inbox.



  11. Chris Hill on December 9, 2013 at 6:12 pm

    Way to go Carolyn. I still look to your blog for inspiration and find it regularly. Here I thought 5 years was a big deal!



  12. Cliff Tuttle on December 9, 2013 at 11:17 pm

    Hurray for My Shingle.com! You still have a lot to say after eleven years. Keep it up.
    CLT



  13. Paula Marie Young on December 10, 2013 at 2:54 pm

    Keep “leaning in.”



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