Shelly, special needs mom, advocate, blogger extraordinaire, and all-around amazing woman, as well as host of the February 31 Days to Build a Better Blog Challenge at SITSGirls wants you to come to the party. The blogging party, that is.
Over the course of the last 10 days or so (the challenge began on Feb. 1, but we only have exercises on weekdays), Shelly has led us through Darren Rowse's ProBlogger Book, one lesson at a time. So far, I've refined my elevator pitch, been reminded of the power of networking, and of using available resources like Google Alerts and forums to which you already belong, as well as using a variety of different writing techniques, like lists, to spice up your blog. I found it very useful to be reminded of the importance of internal linking which I tend to overlook, but the most important thing I've gained since starting this exercise is inspiration and a framework within which to make the changes I need to make.
For too long, I was of the mind that "If you write it, they will come." I thought about what I was writing, but not how I was presenting the information or how I was marketing it. For a while I did work to build genuine relationships with other bloggers, but I see now how much more effort is required if I want to grow this blog and build a shared community for other like-minded fellows. (For the record, I do.)
Even though I had to play catch-up because I started late and I've had other writing projects this week that caused me to do days 7 & 8 and 9 & 10 of the challenge on the same days, I'm still in the game and having fun.
And so are a lot of other bloggers! I've been impressed with both the quantity and quality of the other bloggers participating. To celebrate our making it 1/3 of the way through the challenge, Shelly is giving away a $20 iTunes gift card to one blogger who posts about the challenge and comments on her blog.
It's still not too late to join the challenge, either...
Over the course of the last 10 days or so (the challenge began on Feb. 1, but we only have exercises on weekdays), Shelly has led us through Darren Rowse's ProBlogger Book, one lesson at a time. So far, I've refined my elevator pitch, been reminded of the power of networking, and of using available resources like Google Alerts and forums to which you already belong, as well as using a variety of different writing techniques, like lists, to spice up your blog. I found it very useful to be reminded of the importance of internal linking which I tend to overlook, but the most important thing I've gained since starting this exercise is inspiration and a framework within which to make the changes I need to make.
For too long, I was of the mind that "If you write it, they will come." I thought about what I was writing, but not how I was presenting the information or how I was marketing it. For a while I did work to build genuine relationships with other bloggers, but I see now how much more effort is required if I want to grow this blog and build a shared community for other like-minded fellows. (For the record, I do.)
Even though I had to play catch-up because I started late and I've had other writing projects this week that caused me to do days 7 & 8 and 9 & 10 of the challenge on the same days, I'm still in the game and having fun.
And so are a lot of other bloggers! I've been impressed with both the quantity and quality of the other bloggers participating. To celebrate our making it 1/3 of the way through the challenge, Shelly is giving away a $20 iTunes gift card to one blogger who posts about the challenge and comments on her blog.
It's still not too late to join the challenge, either...
Posts
6 comments:
The first time I did this challenge I started late too. I think that is why I feel like I have learned SO much in these first ten days, because it was the first time I was able to go through them like this. Also, Shelley's plan of doing this only on weekdays is simply BRILLIANT!!! It gives us the weekend to absorb, catch up on life, friends and family and appreciate!
I am so happy you joined in, I think this program is worth its weight in gold!
I look forward to seeing more of your blog in the weeks to come.
Btw, I love the name of your blog "Belle of the Blog" that is so cute!
Best,
Nicole :)
I'm also glad we have the weekends off, I get so behind because I'm so busy with school. But I have actually learned some stuff this time around, because I had pretty much dropped out by this time last summer because I was so busy!
Visiting from 31dbbb... I totally forgot about doing this! I guess it was the 4 kids and the 3 day weekend. Very nice post summarizing it.
Thank you, Ladies, for all stopping by! I'm loving meeting so many new folks through SITSGirls.
Suz, I'm flattered that you came back again. : )
It has really been an amazing challenge so far! I have had to play catch up too, but I think that the community is still so supportive that it makes it worth staying in.
Hey, I am on Twitter @fitnessconf but i have not really started using it. Would love to be added though!
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