My experience writing this post is a good example of why I am not moving forward in my blogging goals. This post is scheduled to go live on Wednesday at 8:00 pm. I started writing it on Sunday. By writing I mean I gave it a working title and saved it as a draft. I like the visual of having my posts there, just waiting for me to write.
Well, this post has been waiting three days. Nothing exciting has happened, just the normal busyness of everyday life. Work, family, work, running, work, work, work. I’m not making excuses (well, I kind of am), it just is what it is. I work 8-10 hours a day, commute an hour a day, prepare dinner every night, run a few days a week, and try to fit in some time with my husband during all of that. After all of that, I try to squeeze in some quality writing. So the actual blog improvement time has gone by the wayside so far this year.
Oh, I’ve made stabs at it. If you’ll recall, I signed up for Blog Genie’s Blog Improvement Challenge. The first module is very important and is scheduled to be completed in January. As of February 6, I’m about halfway through. (Rita, if you’re reading this, first of all, thanks for visiting my blog!, and second, I promise to do better!)
One improvement that I am pleased and proud about is my new theme that was part of the package when I signed up for the Blog Improvement Challenge. I love the clean and professional look.
I also joined Katy Widrick’s 28 Day Blog Challenge. The challenge is to use the 28 days of February and make small changes each day. Katy even started the ball rolling with a list of 28 suggestions. While I have a few ideas rolling around in my head, I have yet to take action or even write them down before now. (Katy, if you’re reading this, thanks for visiting my blog!, and I really am taking the first steps right now.)
Without further ado, here is a short list of some of the changes I plan to make during February. They are in random order, I’m writing them down as I think about them.
1. Update my “About” page.
2. Create a new header.
3. Clean up my sidebars.
4. Update my “Recipe” page.
5. Check the content on all of my pages. Is it outdated? Is it still relevant?
6. Create a Media Kit.
7. Update my twitter profile and photo (it’s never been changed!)
8. Take a look at my facebook page. Update as needed. Change profile and header photos
9. Take a look at my “share” settings for my blog. I’ve added automatic sharing over the course of time, so it seems that right after I publish a post, there are three or four automatic updates to twitter, facebook, and others. Annoying I’m sure, to my readers.
10. I have business cards, now I need to use them!
11. Add a little “about me” intro on my home page.
12. Make sure that my blog is sitemapped correctly. I have worked on this, but I’m still not happy with how it shows up in google.
13. I’m always talking about learning about Search Engine Optimization (SEO). This month I will take steps, read articles, books, study, so I can understand, then follow through on steps to improve my SEO.
In addition, I have three modules to complete in the Blog Improvement Challenge, which will drive me to make improvements and changes in the design, function, and content of my blog.
Now that I’ve written a few things down, I am excited to get started. Now I have small, achievable goals that I can work on. Hmm, what should I do first?
Are you a blogger? Are you working to make improvements and changes in your blog? Have you joined 28DBC?
I like to see the changes that people are making but I am afraid everyone’s blogs are going to end up looking the same. Glad you are having fun with it though.
I’m not worried about looking alike, since I won’t be copying anyone, just taking a look at my blog and making changes that I think will make it better.
Debbie recently posted..Checking In: Blogging Goals, Challenges, and #28DBC
I signed up for Katy’s challenge too… now I need to actually DO it. I need a media kit in the worst way. And new cards. Thanks for the extra nudge.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Awareness in the Long Run + Sweet Potato-Pecan Mac N Cheese
I embarrassed to say I still have almost all the Moo.com cards that I earned from Klout months ago.
Debbie recently posted..Checking In: Blogging Goals, Challenges, and #28DBC
I’m in Katy’s challenge as well! I was super bummed that I missed two days recently, but I got back on the wagon today, looking up new themes and cleaning up my reader!
MegG recently posted..My First Guest Post
Good for you! I’ve done two things today, neither are on my list. I updated my signature on my blog email so that there is a link to my blog, and I finally figured out how and verified my blog on Pinterest. Go me!
I need to clean up my reader tool I was just reading that if you use Bloglovin’ the pageviews will count for the blog that you’re reading. I’m going to check that out!
Debbie recently posted..Checking In: Blogging Goals, Challenges, and #28DBC
I haven’t joined any of these, but cleaning and tidying the blog is something I really enjoy once a month or so. It’s my little corner of the world, and I can keep it the way I want it
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The layout looks great, and I’m looking forward to seeing what you do next!
Kate recently posted..Running and Social Media
Good for you for taking regular time to keep up your blog! I find it too easy to let things go, then I’ll suddenly notice one of my ads is taking about Christmas specials or something.
Debbie recently posted..Checking In: Blogging Goals, Challenges, and #28DBC
awesome updates! i’ve added a few plugins to mine this week that i’ve been meaning to add!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean recently posted..Pecan Crusted Salmon
Ooh, plugins. I probably need to look through mine and delete some. I’m kind of a plugin addict.
Debbie recently posted..Checking In: Blogging Goals, Challenges, and #28DBC
averts eyes
I SO SO SO NEED BLOGGING GOALS.
Miz recently posted..PLAYout: scooter as exercise.
So? What are you waiting for?
Debbie recently posted..Checking In: Blogging Goals, Challenges, and #28DBC
You’re way further than I am. I know I need blogging goals and these lists are great! I need to definitely get on it. Don’t stress..you have great content which keeps people like me coming back! The rest will come.
katie recently posted..Blog Reading is Dangerous
Thank you. Your comment just made my day. <3
Debbie recently posted..Checking In: Blogging Goals, Challenges, and #28DBC
Yes, I joined it too! I got as far as making a long list of ‘to do’ items… now to start implementing them.
I’m in the same spot as you. Let’s do this!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..February 5 by the 5th Winners and Link up
I felt so much better just making the list, so that I could conceptualize what I need to do. Of course the first three things I did were not on the list (add a link to the blog in my email signature, verify my blog on pinterest, and transfer the blogs I follow from reader to bloglovin’ (about 3/4 through that). Oh well, it’s all progress.
Debbie recently posted..Checking In: Blogging Goals, Challenges, and #28DBC
That’s a lot of goals! If you want an example of another media kit, email us and we’ll send one along. Saaay, why not run to work and nail two goals at once? Of course, you might not make it home in time for dinner or blogging ……
KymberlyFunFit recently posted..Special Mind/Body Collections for Special Boomers
Ha, you joke, but if I didn’t live 14 miles from my work I might consider it. I will email for the media kit. Thanks.
Debbie recently posted..Checking In: Blogging Goals, Challenges, and #28DBC
I joined Katy’s challenge too – I have so much work to do! I like that you’ve laid out specific goals – I need to hone in on a few myself!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted..Monday Motivation
It really helps to take a few moments and write some goals down. I felt so behind before, but so much better after I wrote this post.
Debbie recently posted..Checking In: Blogging Goals, Challenges, and #28DBC
This is so awesome. I am going to try to do some of this. I wish I understood what I was doing more… I need a blogging class!!!
Mindy Artze recently posted..Runners and their socks!
Have you joined the 28 Day Blog Challenge? It’s not like you’re on your own out there. Katy is amazing and has so many suggestions. The other participants are posting what they are doing, so you can get fresh ideas. You can even throw out questions. Try it!
Debbie recently posted..Checking In: Blogging Goals, Challenges, and #28DBC
I’m in Katy’s Challenge, but I skipped Rita’s Improvement course; I don’t want to spend money on my blog till it makes money, you know? I mean, it’s a hobby ABOUT my hobby.
I want to do a media kit too, and I have both Katy and Rita’s samples somewhere, but what stymies me is the specifics, e.g. what rates to charge for ads. I have no idea what to put in there, plus I’d need a better logo and visual theme I figure. Carts and horses, as it were…
I have made small changes, but I now I find my blog ‘work’ time is taking up the time I’d rather devote to post writing. Are you having the same problem?
Totally! I mentioned that in my post. There are so many hours in the day, and when you try to post four or five times a week, plus, you know, real life, like working, family, cooking, the blog improvements fall to the bottom of the list. I think though that is the great thing about the challenge. Once you make the list, you just need a little time for some of the things. I spent about 15 minutes figuring out how, and changing my signature in my blog email to include a link. Yes, that’s an improvement. I spent about the same time figuring out how and verifying my blog on Pinterest. So small changes add up.
Debbie recently posted..Checking In: Blogging Goals, Challenges, and #28DBC