I had the best of intentions to complete the 31 Days to a Better Blog Challenge through Yeah Write.
It didn’t really happen. I even missed the link up to the final review post.
But, I’m still committed to making my blog as good as it can be.
So, since, as my friend at that cynking feeling reminded me, this is a lot to do well in just a month. So, I’m going to keep plugging away at this effort over time!
Day 1: write an elevator pitch
Day 2: create a list post
Day 3: promote a blog post
Day 4: analyze a successful blog in your niche
Day 5: email a blog reader
Day 6: make the blog mobile-friendly
Day 7: come up with 10 post ideas
Day 8: develop an editorial calendar for our blog
Day 9: write a link post
Day 10: set up alerts to monitor what’s happening in your community
Day 11: create a sneeze page
Day 12: join a forum and start participating
Day 13: take a trip to the mall
Day 14: update a key page
Day 15: leave good comments on other blogs
Day 16: write an opinion post
Day 17: watch a first-time reader use your blog
Day 18: join a blogging community
Day 19: solve a problem
Day 20: choose a social media space to focus on
Day 21: conduct a policy review
Day 22: pay special attention to a reader
Day 23: use a literary magazine to improve the blog
Day 24: call to action
Day 25: ask a question
Day 26: improve someone else’s blog
Day 27: hunt for dead links
Day 28: develop a plan to boost your blog’s profile and readership online
Day 29: monitor your blog stats
Day 30: write a review post
Day 31: plan the next steps
You know what? As I scroll through the list, I realize I actually did do a lot of this stuff this month. I’m already in blogging communities, forums, and I comment on other blogs… I am actually writing a review post write now, that is also planning my next steps!
I will continue to make improvements, and continue to blog about blogging. Because that’s what I love to do, and I want to be good at it!
Have you ever done a comprehensive blog analysis or participated in a blog improvement program? If you don’t have the time to do it yourself, I highly recommend Alison at Little Love Media. I was extremely pleased with the professional evaluation and all of her tips and suggestions that helped me tremendously!
Finally, I’m always interested in constructive criticism. Is there an element of my blog that drives you nuts? That could be better? Or that you really like?
katbiggie
Latest posts by katbiggie (see all)
- What to say when a baby dies ; words of comfort - October 31, 2019
- Try listening to her, not fixing her – October 15th - October 15, 2019
- Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Book Bundle - October 3, 2019
katbiggie on Google+
Janine Huldie says
August 1, 2013 at 10:03 amI love you even more, because you can admit when you do fail at something. Seriously, love you and love your blog. Please do cut yourself some slack. You truly are doing the best you can and that is all any of us can do!!
Janine Huldie recently posted…Old School Blogging ~ Five Things.
Michelle says
August 1, 2013 at 10:59 amI recommend Alison too – I still have plenty of work to do on my blog, but she gave me a lot of great tips!
Michelle recently posted…Bookboard: A Digital Library of Children’s E-Books Right at Your Fingertips!
katbiggie says
August 1, 2013 at 2:41 pmShe’s awesome! So professional and thorough!
The Dose of Reality says
August 1, 2013 at 12:02 pmYou rock! I think those kinds of challenges are really hard to complete, especially in the summer. I do think doing them over time is a really good idea. :)-Ashley
The Dose of Reality recently posted…“Arie” Ready To Know The Tweeting Champion?
katbiggie says
August 1, 2013 at 2:40 pmYes, I think it’s the only way to really do them well. But this was a great jump start. Combined with the valuable info I learned at BBC, I’m starting to feel like I actually know something about blogging! 🙂
Erica M says
August 1, 2013 at 12:20 pmNo way did I expect anyone to actually complete all the exercises in 31 days. You’re not a failure! This was a jump-start, a primer, for all your good ideas. We have so many things going on off-blog, it sometimes takes a 30 minute pep talk for me to even power up my laptop. Thanks so much for becoming part of the yeah write community.
Alison was one of our biggest supporters when yeah write started two years ago. She’s good people, and I know she gave you valuable advice.
Erica M recently posted…yeah write #120 weekly writing challenge is open for editor picks, popular voting and prize selections
katbiggie says
August 1, 2013 at 2:39 pmThanks Erica!I really enjoy being a part of the yeah write community, and hope that once the kids are back in school, I can participate more frequently! Everyone is so supportive and amazing!
Rachel @ Architecture of a Mom says
August 1, 2013 at 12:24 pmGirl, I think you did great. Besides, many of those items should be daily/weekly items! Remember, blogging is a process! I stumbled across a famous blogger’s early post earlier this week, and thought, ok, now I don’t feel so bad. 🙂 Not that her post was bad, but I keep comparing myself to people who have been doing this way longer than I and don’t have small kids and a full time job that isn’t blogging, and I forget they started somewhere, too!
Rachel @ Architecture of a Mom recently posted…Coral Doily Art with Mod Podge
katbiggie says
August 1, 2013 at 2:38 pmSo, so true! I have been thinking about that a lot actually. Most of the bloggers that really have it together and write so beautifully and are being published elsewhere etc either have been doing this for 5+ years, do not have small children, or are just super heroes! 🙂 Thanks for your words of encouragement!
another jennifer says
August 1, 2013 at 1:01 pmI’ve had intentions of doing this challenge several times, but I never have the time to commit. Going through the list, I already do many of these tasks, so I guess I’m not that far off. I always think it’s fun to take on these challenges though. They can get you focused. I definitely wouldn’t call your participation a failure. It’s July! We can’t be that focused in the summer. 🙂
another jennifer recently posted…Wordless Wednesday: Pemaquid Lighthouse, Bristol, Maine
katbiggie says
August 1, 2013 at 2:36 pmYou are absolutely right! And yes, I’m already doing much of it as well. I wrote the title before I wrote the post, and honestly, by the time I finished with the post, I realized I did quite a bit after all. And why would anyone plan a challenge in JULY?? 🙂
Ilene says
August 1, 2013 at 2:08 pmI admire that you jumped in – and like others have said, You can take your 31 days and spread them out into 62 days or 124 days or whatever. Blogging takes time and it’s hard work, and I think quality should come before quantity- always. You go girl!
Ilene recently posted…I Heart Robert
katbiggie says
August 1, 2013 at 2:27 pmThanks Ilene! I’m totally with you on that!
Dana says
August 1, 2013 at 2:25 pmI failed even bigger, Alexa – I lurked a bit but never linked up. I did do my sneeze page, but I am stuck on #1, and I’d like to redo my tagline. If you ever want to tackle a day from the challenge and need a partner/feedback, let me know.
Dana recently posted…This is why I love you – a birthday message to my son
katbiggie says
August 1, 2013 at 2:27 pmThat would be great Dana!!! I’m totally in! Let’s chat!
Tamara says
August 1, 2013 at 3:55 pmOh boy, these challenges are hard! I’ve never done a challenge and I don’t have any plans for it. Just shedding my lone wolf status has been a big deal for me for 2013. Maybe by 2014 I’ll actually be self-hosting on wordpress. Then by 2015 I’ll be world famous? (yeah right)
Tamara recently posted…How To Photograph Children And Moose, But Not Together!
katbiggie says
August 1, 2013 at 5:25 pmIt’s good to have lofty goals! I know, challenges are tough! You will LOVE being self hosted! And why not be world famous??
Joi @ Rx Fitness Lady says
August 1, 2013 at 7:31 pmHey Kat! This is just your jump start, no failure! There were a lot of items on this list. Good stuff. I’ll plan to watch a new reader navigate my blog for sure plus a few more. I’m curently working on my own tweak list. I have no doubt Allison would provide excellent feedback. She is ALWAYS so helpful. Good luck with the rest of the list!
Joi @ Rx Fitness Lady recently posted…A Day in the Life: My Name is NOT Joanne
Leah Davidson says
August 1, 2013 at 11:27 pmPat yourself on the back for attempting this list! Wow! I think it is an awesome list, and I am going to look at it a bit more closer (in the fall – summer is just not realistic). But, it looks like even if you spread it out over time, accomplishing it would be a HUGE accomplishment. I love that you blog about blogging – I am just getting out there and thinking of spending more time improving my blog – so following your journey is so helpful! Thank you!
Leah Davidson recently posted…Quote of the Week
Amber Day Hicks says
August 2, 2013 at 3:05 pmHow awesome is this! You can do it! I support ya, I am sure there are a ton of #LOBS who will support. Go for it!! 🙂 Happy Friday!
Amber Day Hicks recently posted…BlogHer NaBloPoMo- Aug 2nd post