How to make sense of blogging challenges

So here we are…the last day of the 30-day blogging challenge.  I’m excited to reflect and see if it helped me grow as a blogger.  I (we) made it 30 days straight – YIPPEE!

As I look at the last question of the challenge, I’m wondering…what the heck?  Why did I bring up stats again?  We already discussed stats on Day 26!

Jeez…that was just a few days ago, so why revisit the topic?

Let’s see…I’m guessing I was intending to look back to see if after this experience had I done better at embracing my own writing style, had I recommitted to my efforts, and had that in turn proven to grow followers or likes to my posts?

Oh, my, that’s probably it?  It has helped, but I’m not entirely sure why or if it did at all?

The thing is, right before the challenge I was so distraught with my blog and all my scatteredness (if that’s a word) that I needed to re-focus and get back on track.  And thank goodness for that choice to do so.  I believe the challenge helped me stay focused for 30 days straight!

Now what, though?  The challenge is done and how do I make sense out of what I learned about blogging and myself in the process?

What are my top 3 takeaways about a 30-day blog challenge?

1. Challenges take time and commitment.  If you can stick with ’em, you’ll overcome a major roadblock for being a successful blogger.  If you can’t find the time to do a challenge, then you have to do one of two things.  Focus more, or un-focus more to space the number of days between posts to fit your life, that way you’ll avoid the fear of failure when you don’t write so it doesn’t make you cave and quit.  Pick a schedule and stick with it.
2. Post titles make a difference in getting anyone to read your posts.  The days when I used “how to” or “don’t worry” or “imperfection” struck a chord with readers.
3. Always ask a question or two of your readers at the end of your post – doing so provides them the opportunity to interact with you!

My top 3 ‘thank goodness I learned these things’ takeaways?

1. The challenge helped me look up to other bloggers more.  I’ve been paying attention to the number of bloggers out there trying to get noticed.  It’s tough being a blogger.  And their kindness in saying, “I get it, I struggle with that too” made me feel not so alone.
2. To be a blogger it is important to be yourself and to stay true to your own intents of your blog.  When you get sidetracked by trying to keep up with random prompts, just waiting for them to appear so you have something to write about for the day, you lose yourself and your blog’s focus.  Unless that is what you do want to do.  Then, by all means, rock it and give it lots of energy.
3. Have fun – when you make blogging a chore, your blog will reflect the negativity, and that does not help with growth!

As bloggers, we’re all just hanging on by a wire some days.  It can be lonely, or it can be less lonely by finding other bloggers to share the journey.  That makes it worthwhile and fun, too.

Overall, I’m thankful for what I learned in this challenge.  It has been interesting to write replies to the prompts and read replies shared by others for the challenge.  I also get it that not everyone has the time or desire to participate in 30-day challenges.

Lastly, I admit I’m no expert on blogging.  Advice like that is better left to the pros like Jordan and Cristian at the Art of Blogging.  If you haven’t checked out their blog, it’s a great resource for growing your blog.

After 30-days of studying my blog, the days when I was faithful to my own writing style were the days I felt the best about my post(s).  I consistently felt throughout the challenge that the thing that works the best or at least provides the greatest level of sanity in the blogging world is that a blogger should be an authentic writer.

Never give up.  And most importantly, be true to yourself.  Write from your heart, in your own voice, and about what you believe in. – Louise Brown

When we share our own voice, that is the key to finding your way to a successful blog.  Paying attention to stats doesn’t help them grow.   Followers come and go, it’s just part of the process.  The days when you feel all alone are great days to discover what’s truly important to you in your (blogging) life.

 

Growth does come by being friendly to others while you remain authentic to yourself.  That’s how you’ll stand out in the crowd of others vying for the same spot on the wire.

Special kudos to Anita, thank you for being a newbie WordPress follower of the 30-day challenge.  I’m so happy we connected here in the blogosphere!  You did awesome with the challenge.  I hope you’ve met many fun bloggers and prompt challenges to participate in.  Thank you to all the quiet followers of the challenge who popped in and out during the month, your thoughts and comments added to the fun I had with it!

Post Inspiration – #MyBlogMyWritingStyle 30-day blogging challenge (rules here) word prompt of the day – Stats, and the question of the day “Do you watch your stats or do you ignore them, why or why not?” & Lens-Artists – Look Up

To make it easy for anyone to see what was shared or written for each day, here’s a recap with links to each day’s post.

Recap of the 30-days:

Day 1 – Lost (and challenge instructions) – How to find your writing style.

Day 2 – Favorite – What is your favorite part of blogging?

Day 3 – Fondest – What is your fondest post you’ve written so far?

Day 4 – First – Describe the day you did your first post.

Day 5 – Start – Why did you start blogging?

Day 6 – Skip – What does it feel like when you skip a day or so blogging?

Day 7 – Obstacles – What obstacles have you overcome since starting blogging?

Day 8 – Boss – Who is the boss of your blog?

Day 9 – World – If I could be a world-traveling blogger I would go to…

Day 10 – Surprise – What surprises you about blogging? 

Day 11 – Peace – Describe how blogging gives you a sense of peace.

Day 12 – Photography – Do you use photographs for your blog and why or why not?

Day 13 – Lonely – How do you deal with the lonely feelings while blogging?

Day 14 – Friendship – Write a post to thank the blogger who was your first friend.

Day 15 – Surreal – What did the day feel like when you felt surreal about blogging?

Day 16 – Wishes – Describe what you wish you could do with your blog

Day 17 – Topics – How do you find topics to write about?

Day 18 – Prompts – What prompts you to keep blogging?

Day 19 – Challenges – What challenges you about blogging?

Day 20 – Best – What is the best tip you’ve come across for new bloggers?

Day 21 – Garbage – What does the day feel like when you think you wrote a garbage post?

Day 22 – Getting back on track – How do you get back on track when you’ve gotten off course? 

Day 23 – Remembering – Do you enjoy writing about the past and remembering something special?

Day 24 – Love – What do you love about blogging?

Day 25 – Holding pattern – How to recognize you’re in a holding pattern when it comes to blogging?  

Day 26 – Monitor – Do you monitor or do you ignore your stats?

Day 27 – Followers – What is your favorite way to gain followers?

Day 28 – Fresh – How do you keep your blog fresh? 

Day 29 – Favorite Reads – Share 3 of your favorite blogs you read, and why?

Day 30 – Stats – Do you watch your stats or do you ignore them – why or why not?  Yes, and no, and not so much as I once did – it isn’t worth the worry, it is way more fun to connect with readers and other bloggers!  Happy blogging all!

PS – So now…I’m looking for the next challenge, share away if you know of one for October?!  Do you like challenges, why or why not?  Thank you for sharing this 30-day challenge with me, I appreciate hearing all your thoughts!