31 Days To Build A Better Blog
I started this blog in January 2009, and I didn't tell anyone about it for the first oh maybe six months (other than my hubby and the 5 friends I emailed it to). I just felt too weird about the whole thing. I know, sort of an oxymoron eh? I used it mainly as a vehicle to keep myself motivated with my weekly goals and training, yet had no clue who was reading the dang thing, let alone if ANYONE was, other than my 5 friends and hubby.
Then last Fall I started reaching out to a few fellow blogs, and cafemom, and tried to make it a point to write more than just my once a week Sunday goals. I felt more momentum, but I still didn't really know what my blog was about, who my audience was, or how many peeps read it.
Then in the New Year, I thought about my goals for the year (I know....sooo unlike me eh?), and what brought me joy. This blog was around the top of the list. That's when I decided to put in the due effort and attention it deserved to see where this blog could go.
So I googled 'building blogs' or something like that, and this here book on problogger came up. I'll be honest, when I first visited the site and read it's 'All You Can Eat For ONLY $19.99!' approach, I was a bit thrown off. But I figured it's a workbook with 31 concrete ideas to specifically help my blog for only twenty bucks- that's how much I'd spend on my next book. Why not just buy it? So I did. But again, I didn't tell anybody because I think I was again embarrassed to admit I wanted to put this much attention into blogging.
Problogger states this workbook will give you a dramatically better blog. And for me? It has done so and then some. I can't believe it.
This book (which you download online) was my personal 'Blogging For Dummies 101'. It confirmed a lot of things I felt like I wanted to be doing, and gave me the understanding of how the bloggville sort of works.
Now granted, 31 Days to Build a Better Blog is also written for the BIG TIME bloggers out there who are lookin' to make six figure salaries, but it also definitely includes the spectrum for all the different styles/sizes of blogs out there.
I've been wanting to share this book with y'all for some time now, but I honestly hadn't finished all 31 days til' right before my vaca. I haven't fully implemented all the activities recommended yet, but I know what they are now, I have direction, and a way better understanding of it all.
And the best part of all this, is that this blog has given me so much motivation, inspiration and support from becoming part of the bloggyworld these past few months. It's been fantastic. And I have (virtually) no problem shouting from the mountaintops that I have this here blog;-)
Oh, and also, I was not paid to write this (actually, problogger if ya end up reading this, can I have a discount? OR maybe I should try and do a GIVEAWAY!...now I'm thinkin'...)
Have any of you read this book, or any similar style book that has helped your blog? Please share!
Comments
Like you, I've been slowly letting people in on the fact that I have a blog...and feeling more comfortable with it as I make adjustments and transitions along the way.
Thanks for sharing that...I'll definitely check it out.
Seriously...THANK YOU!
There much better... I am NOT going to blame it on the two little ones on my lap!!!!
BTW, nice work on the new training plan. I use training peaks to load my workouts.
Now, it's something that I really like to do. And, I love reading other people's blogs and learning about new things and reading about different people's experiences (like yours!).
Oh boy, they have books on blogging!! I just started blogging a little bit before you did and my goal was to make a few friends who like to run:) It has been such a positive experience for me and a total blast!! I really enjoy your blog Anne Marie...I am glad we are blogging pals:)
Thanks for sharing this resource:-).
I've never read a book about blogging. I'm not even finding the time to do the blogging much less read about it. I better start there first, eh?
You have an awesome blog and should shout it out to everyone. I have learned alot from your blog and have only been reading it for the past 2 or 3 months. Keep it up!
You recommended this book to me recently. I have read a few of the pieces of the book that are available on the website. It's pretty good. Thanks for sharing!