‘Tis the season for retrospectives, reflections, resolutions and other “re” words that describe paying uncharacteristically close attention to our lives.
As I wrote a couple of weeks ago in Also Bullied By My Blog, my pal Amy Burkert at GoPetfriendly.com and I decided it would be useful — and we hoped, fun — to look back at what we’ve done with our blogs and forward to where we want to go with them. We invited anyone who was interested to join us, and promised guidelines in the form of a questionnaire — which we’re both posting today. Here’s the link to Amy’s post.
The results will become part of The Pet Blogger Challenge on Monday, January 10.
It’ll be like other group efforts such as the Saturday Pet Blogger Blog Hop (here’s a recent example) or the Blog the Change for Animals challenge. We’ll have a Linky tool and maybe even a badge if the talented person that we plan to ask for help agrees.
So join us. Show off your blog, see what your fellow pet bloggers are up to and get a bit more traffic.
We all want traffic — except in the real world.
Without further ado:
1. When did you begin your blog?
2. What was your original purpose for starting a blog?
3. Is your current purpose the same?
If not, what’s different?
If so, how do you feel you’ve met your goals?
4. Do you blog on a schedule or as the spirit moves you?
If the former, how often — and what techniques do you use to stick to it?
If the latter, do you worry about… well, whatever you might worry about (e.g. losing traffic, losing momentum)?
5. Are you generating income from your blog?
If so, how (e.g. sponsor ads, affiliate relationships, spokesperson opportunities)? If not currently, do you hope to in the future — and how?
6. What do you like most about blogging in general and your blog in particular (bragging is good!)?
7. What do you like least?
8. How do you see your blog changing or growing in 2011?
Note: This is just a structure to help you organize your thoughts. Feel free to follow it or — for those who blog as the spirit moves you — to do your own thing. The only rule is that you post your answers, in whatever form, on January 10.
Oh, and if you plan to participate and haven’t already mentioned that on my last post, let me or Amy know. We’ll keep in touch and send you the code for the badge. If we get one made by the aforementioned talented person.
Any questions? Ask them here or on GoPetFriendly.com.
I will try. Thx.
Sure, I’ll participate in the January 10 Pet Blogger Challenge.
Excellent! We have another kitteh on board so I’m glad this is getting to be an interspecies effort. P.S. Love the name of your blog.
Oh my! I’m going to have to ponder these questions. I’m glad I have a week and a half! Happy New Year to you and Frankie.
Remember, they’re just a guideline, some things to think about when you’re contemplating your blog.
Happy New Year to you and Sadie, too!
Great timing for some “re…” contemplations and some bullying back 🙂 Count me in!
I’d love to participate; seems like I’ve been on the blog challenge track lately!
I’m in.
This sounds like fun, Snoopy and I would love to give it a go……:)
This sounds great! I think it will kind of force me to think about things in a new way, really consider what it is I am doing with all this time. Thanks to you and Amy for putting all of this together. I think it will be enlightening.
I’m still in!
Flexibility is good;)
I’m in!
As I commented to Amy–posting this challenge is a curious response to feeling bullied by your blogs. But I’m thankful for your willingness to set this up. It looks like a lot of people are looking forward to it.
I know I’m anxious to see what everyone else says and I’ve started thinking about my response.
It’s our way of wrestling the blogs to the ground and telling them who’s boss!
The hoppy link thing scares me a little. Haven’t done that before. But the quiz is most interesting and timely so will be doing it.
It’s easy, trust me. If I can do it, anyone can.
I’ll try.
I write 2 animal blogs
One to fund-raise for animal charities and the other to end greyhound racing.
I don’t know how to add the “thingy” but will try with instructions.
Hi Y’all!
Love to get introspective! What a neat idea! Count this BrownDog in!
Hawk aka BrownDog
I will post on this day too!
This sounds like a great challenge! I did much better in 2010 about keeping up my blog, but want to do even better in 2011. This will be a great help in getting me on the right track.
We’re in too!
I will definitely participate!
This sounds like fun…we’re in! Happy New Year!
Nice idea, you know that I’ll be there 🙂
Edie: I promise I’m going to try to participate because I’d like to – things have been crazy of late and I’m soooo behind already on writing my next post – yikes. Anyway, it’s a great idea – thanks.
This sounds like a great idea!
Count us in!
I’m in too!
Hmmm, I’m not sure if qualify because I don’t think of myself as a pet blogger. I blog about lots of things, and some of it happens to be about my pets or my fosters……
However, I’ve been mulling implementing some changes on my blog & this is a good kick in the pants to write them down. Thanks for that!
Go for it — we’d be happy to have you join us!
Sign me up!
This will be really helpful, as a new pet blogger, it’s been challenging to turn my attention to these types of questions! Thanks!
Okie dokie, written and ready to go!
Goodie! Now don’t get too excited and post before the rest of us, y’hear?
This is just the thing I need to update the blog. Count me in.
Hi Edie (and Amy!) This is a great idea – I will be there : )
Looking forward to taking part! Thanks for putting the challenge together!
-Chandra at Daley’s Dog Years
Ok here is my “Pet Blogger’s Challenge” post… fun to answer and post these answers!
http://www.dogtrainingsandiego.com/2011/01/pet-bloggers-challenge-k9-coach-san-diego/
Happy 2011 and keep wagging!
I’m working on it now, cool idea!
Thanks, we’ve participated in the challenge! http://rufftoyreviews.com/2011/01/pet-blogger-challenge-ruff-toy-reviews/
Did you add yourself to the Linky tool list?
I do I do the linky thing — I have the badge included.
http://www.kweaver.org/adventures_in_training_th/2011/01/pet-blogger-challenge.html
I’m in and have already gotten newcomers to my blog. This is really neat.
The Briese Moon
I just posted! Accepted: Challenge for Pet Bloggers.
http://smartdog.typepad.com/smart_dog/2011/01/accepted-challenge-for-pet-bloggers.html
Well, better late than never, I suppose. Here’s my post:
http://thebarkpark.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/the-pet-blogger-challenge/
While I’m nowhere near caught up, I wanted to stop in and thank you for co-hosting this event. What a cool idea! When this announcement came out I was a million miles away in Thailand, enjoying a visit with my son who is working there. I arrived home just in the nick of time to get my answers in before the deadline. Thanks again!
Thank YOU for taking part — and for stopping by after the fact to thank me. What a nice thing to do!