The Pet Blogger ChallengePupLove

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The Pet Blogger Challenge

Posted on 10 January 2013 by AJ

I almost forgot that today was Pet Blogger Challenge day, but Jodi reminded me with enough time to not miss out. Hooray, Jodi!

I missed out last year, but I took part two years ago… back when PupLove had just begun! Want to see what my thoughts were on the blog back then? Click here and check it out. I feel like PupLove has changed a lot since back then. Now we have four writers, a new look, and new features – and yet, it’s time to think about what changes should be implemented in 2013. So… on with the challenge!

1. How long have you been blogging and provide a link to your post from last year’s Pet Blogger Challenge so we can refresh our memories.

I’ve been blogging a little over three years now. As mentioned, I didn’t do last year’s challenge – but I did do one two years ago, just after I started. Again, it’s here!

2. What do you consider the most important goals you set out in last year’s post?

Two years ago, I had no idea where PupLove was headed. I didn’t really have goals past writing an About page (which, hey – I did it!) and crafting a cartoon header, which I also did. I mentioned wanting to feature a lot of adoptable pets and I feel like, in a way, I haven’t accomplished that. There have been a good number of adoptable pets featured on PupLove, but it’s a feature that I started slacking on. That’s an effort to pick up again in 2013.

3. Have you made progress toward those goals, or have your goals changed over the past year?

I think that the PupLove goals, in general, have changed over time. When I first started it, it was mostly for writing about life with Jack and what was/wasn’t working for us in the training department (Jack had a rough start to life and came to me with literally zero training or socialization). As Jack became less of a struggle, my topics sort of shifted. Instead of my goal being to talk about our training sessions, it became more about finding information that I thought would be useful to other dog owners. Product reviews became a bigger feature; opinion pieces more or less fell by the wayside. Truthfully, blogging has become almost a chore now – I’m always struggling to find a topic, and I think PupLove could stand to be a little less “general information”.

4. How often do you post?

Hah. See above answer. Sometimes I will blog 4 or 5 days in a row, maybe even more than one post in a day. Other times, I will go a week without posting anything. It’s a problem.

5. Has your opinion of blogging on a schedule or as the spirit moves you changed?

Much like two years ago, I still feel like I need to post more. I’ve toyed with the idea of blogging on a schedule, but until I’ve sort of “streamlined” the purpose of PupLove, I think it will be difficult for me to focus and post daily.

If you don’t publish on a schedule, why? How do you think your decision affects your audience? How do you know when a topic is “post-worthy?”

I’m a slacker. Seriously, though, I don’t publish on a schedule because I’m always struggling for topics to write about. I’m sure it’s not helping my traffic any, but I feel like when I force myself to post something, it’s obvious.

6. How much time do you spend writing your blog per week? How much time visiting other blogs? Share your tips for staying on top of it all.

In an average week, I probably spend between 3 and 10 hours on the blog. It depends on how active I happen to be that week. I spend a lot of time reading other blogs – I don’t even have a rough estimate of it. I’m not great at staying on top of it all, so I have no tips… none that would be helpful, anyway. I used to use Google Reader, but I found it got overwhelming after some time away and ditched it!

7. How do you measure the success of a post and of your blog in general (comments, shares, traffic)?

I probably don’t spend nearly enough time actually checking stats and measuring successful posts. I feel like if a post gets a lot of commenting or draws a bunch of attention on Facebook, I consider it a success. I think part of my 2013 goals for PupLove will be to spend more time actually measuring traffic and shares, and finding out what does and doesn’t work for the blog.

8. If you could ask the pet blogging community for help with one issue you’re having with your blog, what would it be?

I would ask how you guys always come up with things to write about! It’s definitely my biggest struggle. PupLove is so general that I feel like maybe I get overwhelmed… I could post about literally anything, there’s no jumping off point. Do you guys feel like it’s better to have a more streamlined ‘niche’ topic for your blogs? What are your favourite kinds of posts that you’ve seen on PupLove and want more of?

9. What goals do you have for your blog in 2013?

I’d like a redesign… yes, again! I’m just not thrilled with the look of PupLove. I’d also like to come up with features to keep me blogging. I created “Fetch Friday” a few weeks ago, and I love it! I need more ideas like that so I have less trouble focusing.

If I could start generating some income, that would also be fantastic! Jodi (who is basically my life coach, no joke) keeps ~~gently~~ reminding me to showcase my art and web design services, but marketing is clearly not my strongest suit. So that’s another thing to work on over the coming year.

About the Author

AJ is the founder of PupLove.ca. She's a freelance web designer/developer with a certificate in Dog Obedience Instruction, and she spends most days (and nights) in front of her computer, snuggled up with her dog, Jack. When AJ isn't working on client sites or posting on PupLove, she can be found practicing yoga in her living room, losing games of chess against The Monkey, or eating an obscene amount of dessert.

- Facebook

Vicki Stringfellow Cook

Hi AJ – stopping by on the PB Challenge. I think a lot of the issues that you are dealing with are similar to ones that other people have. For the first couple of years, I struggled with what I wanted Bunny’s Blog to be – especially right after Bunny died. It took me about six months to work through that, and this past year I feel that I hit a nice groove. That may or may not stay the same in 2013, life has a way of throwing curve balls – but that’s what makes it interesting!

http://www.puplove.ca/ AJ

Hi Vicki – Congrats on hitting your groove! Fingers crossed that I’ll get there soon, too.

wagthedoguk

This is my first time at your blog and I really like how it looks. It’s clear and easy to get to the stories. I usually keep a notebook with me at all times and when I get an idea I write it down. This sort of helps me when I am thinking about a post. Best for 2013 and I am glad I found your site.

http://www.puplove.ca/ AJ

Welcome! Thanks for the design compliment and the tip – I’ll try jotting down notes as my mind wanders and see if it makes things easier!

Jodi

Hey AJ, this is the “other” Jodi.

I usually hesitate to leave comments like this on someone else’s blog as they can sometimes be misconstrued and I do hope you aren’t offended by it. Since the nature of this hop is to help and encourage others, I’m going to go out on a limb.

Here’s my trick that helps me when I’m searching for a topic to post about.

Are you ready?

In Blogville there is a theme for every day of the week. Monday Mischief, Tasty Tuesday, Wordless Wednesday, This ‘N That Thursday, Follow-up Friday, the Saturday morning blog hop and Black and White Sunday.

If I’m stuck, I just think along those theme lines and can usually come up with something.

Best of luck to you this year and meeting all your goals!

http://www.puplove.ca/ AJ

Hi Jodi! You’re right, I really do need to take advantage of those theme days… I can imagine that they’d really help in narrowing down post ideas! Thanks so much for the suggestion!

http://www.pibblesnme.com/ Brenda Lee

Great to meet you! Looks like your Jack and my Titan have a similar history. Basically starting at scratch with training and socialization. Have you had as much fun as I have? Some days are fabulous and others are trying? BTW, I love the header you designed! It’s fabulous! Your blog theme is awesome imo. I wouldn’t change the theme, however I’ve always been one to change up my theme. Eeek! Freaks people out sometimes. I’m finally content though and I think readers like consistency and a clean blog versus an overfancified one? I may be wrong. I say keep up the good work!

http://www.puplove.ca/ AJ

Hi Brenda! There are a lot of votes *not* to change the design, so I suppose for now I’ll just let it be. As a web designer, I’m always itching to redo my own sites!

Some days are definitely trying with Jack, even still, but others are so rewarding , especially when you see progress on something they’ve been struggling with so long. Hooray for rescuing!

http://twitter.com/thesarahhosick Sarah Hosick Ⓥ

I feel like we are in rather similar predicaments. I’m not 100% sure on what I want my blog to be, but I feel like knowing what I DON’T want it to be is sometimes helpful. Even if some posts are a little off the map, it’s better to try them out and fail then to not bother trying at all; it’s a way to find your voice and your niche.

For inspiration, I try to check out other blogs, see what they’re doing and as someone already mentioned, try to take part in the theme days/blog hops. This community of pet bloggers is so incredible and inclusive, that often times the only things holding us back are our own insecurities; it’s that way for me, anyhow. I also keep a notepad and pen with me everywhere so that I can write things down if I need to.

Checking back to your blog is something I hope to do a lot more of this year – I hope you’re able to achieve the goals you’ve set out!

http://www.puplove.ca/ AJ

Thanks, Sarah! You’re absolutely right about the community… I think pet bloggers are a wonderful bunch, and so very supportive!

http://twitter.com/barkandchatter Bark and Chatter

So glad i stumbled on the blog hop and found your site!

http://www.puplove.ca/ AJ

Welcome! Glad you found us, too!

Marci

Hello
I wanted to comment and let you know that a) I really enjoy your blog and b) tell you about the things I like to read about. I mostly enjoy reading about product reviews. THere are so many great dog products/treats around and I love it if someone else can do the trial run And you can never go wrong with pictures

http://www.puplove.ca/ AJ

Hi Marci! Thanks for the input! You’re right, there’s never a shortage of products out there – I’ll see if I can get more reviews up this year!

http://www.facebook.com/macdogald Tegan Whalan

I have no trouble finding topics to come up with, it’s the actual writing that’s hard!

I have a file on my computer where I just dump ideas as they come up. Sometimes the ideas are simply a link to a blog post to think about/respond to. I also spend a lot of time on forums, and sometimes I include forum links, especially when considering two sides of a story.

Sometimes my idea dumps are more elaborate, and often include dot point lists. I carry a note pad with me and, if I have ideas for blog posts along my way, I will write the main points in my notepad. I have a shocking memory, so actually writing things down is really important to me.

I also write a lot of posts that simply sit in my drafts folder, because they are ‘timeless’, and if I’m having a real struggle-time, I can use these drafts to keep my blog going without committing to writing.

This is far too long already, but I hope that gives you some ideas on coming up with content. Good luck with your site’s redesign – I don’t think it needs a redesign, but I look forward to seeing it, because I’ve loved every single design that you’ve put up.

Happy blogging.

http://www.puplove.ca/ AJ

Tegan, thank you so much for the ideas… I love the idea of keeping drafts around for those “off-days”!

MelF

I’m with Jodi. Your talents are getting missed. Maybe she should market you and you can do something else to help her (since you are already helping her with her blog). Se’s quite good at it you know. I say use the talents around you if it is not your strength. Clearly, you are talented with websites and building them and transitioning them, etc.

I nodded my head when I read your comments about coming up with topics to write about. I was there once too. I have found a few tricks to blogging since then. I don’t know if these will help, but… anytime you go out with Jack or take him for a walk, observe him and the dogs around you. See if there is something of interest in how someone walks their dog or how they move with their dog. Make note of it on your phone and keep going. Be aware of any stray thoughts that come into your head and start to pay close attention to those that are dog-related. Those could become good posts. Start to hang out on Twitter and FB and follow lots of animal groups or people – most of them will share something that will trigger a blog post.

Those are some of the things that have helped me. I hope they will be helpful to you. I look forward to seeing what you do in 2013 AJ!

http://www.puplove.ca/ AJ

Mel, I am so, so awful at Twitter. Facebook, no problem… Twitter, I forget it exists!

Jodi really is an awesome marketer (and life coach). I don’t know how she does it all… she makes me feel like a lazy life-waster in comparison.

Amy@GoPetFriendly

I completely get how having a broad range of topics options can be paralyzing – it seems counter-intuitive, but I think that narrowing your focus can help you get into more than a groove and make deciding on what to post about easier. I say, go back through your old posts and pick the 10 or 15 that YOU liked the best and try writing on those subjects. If you’re writing about things you find interesting, you readers likely will, too!

Thanks so much for taking the Challenge! I got a lot out of your post and I’m looking forward to staying in touch in 2013.

http://www.puplove.ca/ AJ

Amy, that’s a great suggestion… perhaps in going back over my old posts, I’ll even find a “theme” as to what I enjoyed writing about the most. Thanks!

Jen@MyBrownNewfies

I have to agree with Jodi also, you need your talents to be seen more because they are awesome!
Coming up with topics can be difficult for most of us I think. Some months my calendar is full of things to write about and other times the calendar is totally blank! I need to learn how to spread things out!

Best of luck to you this year!

http://www.puplove.ca/ AJ

Thank you so much for the compliment… I’m going to make sure I post more art in 2013!

http://twitter.com/shivathedog Kristine

I’m surprise you are thinking of a re-design as I personally love the look of your site. Maybe it’s just my passion for the colour purple but I always smile when I come by.

Your struggles are very similar to mine. If it helps any, I find the posts easiest for me to write, and the ones others seem to enjoy the most, are the ones where I just talk about something that happened to me. Telling a story, even about something that may seem mundane on the surface, can draw people in. I always love reading about people’s experiences and relationships with their dogs. It’s why I write and it’s why I joined this community in the first place.

But that’s what works for me and you may find you are more passionate about something else, which is fine. I think that’s the key, though, is enjoying what you are writing about. It comes off as much more authentic and people will naturally respond to that.

Good luck in the coming year! Thank you for all of your help in the last few years. My blog, quite literally, wouldn’t be the same without your help!

http://www.puplove.ca/ AJ

I think it’s the curse of the web designer. After a while, you’re sick of your own sites, haha – “bah, I can do better.” Everyone seems to like it though, so maybe I’ll leave it for a bit.

I had a blast working on your site, and I’m glad you like it!

http://twitter.com/MudiandtheMutt Julie Danbolt

Thanks for the comment on my blog:) Love the PBC, always discovering new blogs to follow.
http://twitter.com/JackieBouchard Jackie Bouchard

I love the look of your blog as it is! I also love the fetch Friday posts. You find the cutest things. I second Jodi’s comment – I would love to see more of your art! I only post 3 or 4 times a week, and something always comes to me – sometimes at the last minute, but I do also keep an idea file for when I need to come up with something. I jump on a lot of the hops because that gives you an idea to run with.
All the best with the blog and everything in 2013!
Pamela

I love your calling Jodi a life coach. I was thinking today that I know a lot about blogging and have lots of knowledge to share. But I have trouble motivating myself to do what I need to do.

I wonder if every blogger should find a life coach in the community who just tells us what to do and we do it.

So, at the risk of not knowing what I’m talking about, can I tell you what I heard in in your post? You sound so jazzed by the creative side of blogging–design and art, more than the writing. Maybe that’s ok.

You’ve been so helpful to so many bloggers. You’ve helped create distinctive websites that look like your work without all looking alike. And tech problems are the biggest thing most bloggers complain about.

I wonder if your blog wants to transition into something you occasionally post on while you build up a mailing list of bloggers desperate for design and tech advice. You could give away a few tip sheets or worksheets to build your mailing list and sell your services as a designer or advisor to other blogger.

Am I wrong? Because that’s what I saw you doing when I read your post.

Good luck finding your way. Whatever you end up doing with Pup Love will be more exciting than anything you could possibly imagine.
Dogs N Pawz

Stopping by for the first time and I have to say that I really like the looks of your blog! I understand when you say you have a hard time finding things to write about! Sometimes I sit for hours just thinking about what to write but then I can also be such a procrastinator! Looking forward to visiting your blog more often!
http://twitter.com/wantmorepuppies Pup Fan

Other A.J. here…

I adore the design of your blog, so add me to the list of commenters who do! I think I’d have to agree with your life coach as well – given how amazing the design here is and how talented you are, showcasing your work here would be pretty cool. Maybe you could start slow – give yourself one day a week to showcase some design-related content and see how that works? If it doesn’t work for you, no harm done – if it does, maybe it will give you some ideas going forward.

I agree with Pamela too – perhaps you could tackle blogging and design issues in a way that would help other bloggers?

Whatever you decide to do, I’ll be following along. I’m a big fan!
http://twitter.com/TheFurMom Kimberly Gauthier

Hi AJ – this is my first time on your site and I loved reading about your blog. I’m amazed at how many people have been blogging for so longer. I just finished my first year as a pet blogger.

I just did a video on YouTube about where I find inspiration. It’s all over the place. My blog is scheduled out by 30+ days, because I keep tripping over ideas. My short list is…

I live with 3 dogs
Other dog owners
Other pet bloggers
Groups and forums
Dog magazines/books (health, breed, behavior, training)
Local news

Best of luck in 2013!!!
http://twitter.com/DesmondTheDog Life With Desmond

Here I am commenting a million years later, but I’m commenting to say that I struggle with being a slacker as well, so…yeah…

For me, it’s less about not having topics to write about–I have a whole list of posts I started or ideas stored away–and more about not having time. My blog started as something fun for me to do and now it is more of something I feel like I have to keep up with in order to keep readers and if there are no readers, what is the point of having a blog? But life is busy. Work is crazy busy. It’s very hard to fit in writing my own posts, let alone getting around to everyone else’s.

I’m really glad you got around to mine though, as I think we’ll be able to work something out in regards to the redesign of LWD. And I appreciate all your efforts!

Your Dog Obedience Instructor certificate, is it from ABC?