9th Annual Pet Blogger Challenge

Ever year Amy Burkert of the Go Pet Friendly blog hosts the Annual Pet Blogger Challenge.  It's a Blog hop, where all kinds of pet blogs link together, to help people discover more about the blogs they already read, or to discover completely new blogs.  We missed the last couple years, but we are excited to once again join the Annual Pet Blogger Challenge!  So let's get started -


1. For those who may be visiting your blog for the first time, how long have you been blogging and what is your main topic?

We have been blogging for 7 years this coming May.  Our blog is about collies, but also includes product reviews, book reviews and dog treat recipes.  (plus, a little of this and that!)

2. What was your proudest blogging moment of 2018?

I think my proudest moment of 2018 was when I continued our new "Versatile Collies" series.  I'm very excited to showcase this amazing breed, and grateful to our friends who wrote these posts.

3. What was the biggest blogging challenge you faced in 2018, and how did/will you tackle it?

My biggest challenge, which has been a challenge throughout all the years we have been blogging, is carving out time each week to create new posts.  I have been working 60 hour work weeks for years, and competing at dog shows with my collies on weekends, so free time is hard to come by.

4. Which of your 2018 blog posts was your favorite and why? (Please include a link.)

I think one of my favorites was the post that I wrote about one our collies from our 2016 litter, Doing What He Loves.  It shows how collies are more than capable of performing the tasks they were originally bred for, and how much they love it!

5. Which of your 2018 posts was most popular with your audience? Why do you think it does so well?

I shared an older post, that has always been popular, and that was the most viewed post in 2018.  I think people are naturally curious about all the different coat colors the collies come in, so when they search online, my post pops up.  A Coat Of a Different Color  But my next popular post would have to be Herding With Your collie, which was written by Michael Vorkapich, of the Agile Dog Blog.

6. Did you implemented a new series, feature, or practice on your blog in 2018 that you’re enjoying?

I started the Versatile Collie series in June of 2017, and then restarted it in 2018.  I really love this series, and I am in the process of choosing the next post.

7. As the social media landscape changes, how are you promoting your blog posts and connecting with new readers?

I do not promote my blog enough, but I do utilize Twitter and Instagram, and I'm starting to use Pinterest as well.

8. Looking forward to 2019, if you accomplish only one thing through your blog, what do you hope it is?

I want to go back to making my posts a little more personal, so our readers get to know our collies better and learn more about the breed.

9. What steps are you planning to take to ensure you reach your goal?

I'm looking for more guest bloggers, and creating a list of interesting topics to share.  Plus, we hope to have some very exciting news to share in about a week or so!

10. Where I could use some help …

I would love suggestions for topics our readers would like covered.

2016 Pet Blogger Challenge

Lad

We are joining the 6th annual Pet Blogger Challenge, hosted by Go Pet Friendly.  It's the perfect way to get to know other Bloggers and get useful feedback about your own blog.  For those of you who do not blog, this post may not be very interesting, so we included lots of pictures!  BOL

Here are the questions for the 2016 Pet Blogger Challenge:

1. How long have you been blogging? And, for anyone who is visiting for the first time, please give a quick description of the subject of your blog.

Our collie blog was started in May 2012, so we have been blogging about 3 ½ years.  Our blog has featured a few different themes, some of which have been discontinued, some we still write about. We post pictures of our collies, talk about exciting events in their lives.  We have also written about the rich history of collies in America, which is something I would like to return to in 2016.  We do product reviews, both ‘written” by our collies and by our cats.   In the past we tried posting interesting recipes for creating homemade dog treats, and those posts seemed to garner some interest, so we might try to post about some new recipes in 2016.  We also featured collies in rescue that needed homes, which is also something I want to return to in 2016.  And one new subject which I am enjoying writing about is reviewing dog themed books and movies.  As a dog lover, I am always looking for new books and movies featuring dogs in general, and collies in particular, so I am guessing others do as well.

Angelo and Jazzy

2. What is the one thing that you accomplished during 2015, either on your blog or because of it, that made you most proud?

 

 

This one is hard to answer, because 2015 was not the best year for us.  And we also were not very active bloggers in 2015.  (But that is not going to be the case for 2016!)

Chloe

3. Which of your blog posts was your favorite this year and why? (Please include a link.) 

 

Our favorite post would to be this one: http://collie222.blogspot.com/2015/08/sunnybank-revisted.html?m=0  It’s a favorite because the subject is something very dear to our hearts, Sunnybank and the collies who lived there.  Many people discovered their love of collies through the books written by Albert Payson Terhune in the early 1900’s.  His stories all featured his beloved collies and his home, Sunnybank.  The main portion of the estate called Sunnybank still exists today, but it is now a park.

Puppy Love - my daughter and our first collie, Lad

4. A common theme from last year’s challenge was that many of us wanted to increase the size of our audiences. Whether or not we intend to monetize our blogs, it seems we’d all like to reach more people. It feels good to know that we’re connecting with others, sharing a laugh or supporting a cause, and it’s motivating to see those numbers grow! What is one thing you’ve done in the past year that has brought more traffic to your blog?

 

 

Unfortunately, we haven’t figured out what we can do to inspire more readers and also to encourage more people to comment on our posts.  I think one thing we will focus on in 2016 is posting more consistently, which should help.  But I am at a loss on how to get people to comment.  I have some posts with over 100 views, but only 3 comments.  The numbers just don't match and I am not sure why.



Lad and my daughter

5. Which of your blog posts got the most traffic this year? Why do you think it was so popular? (Please include a link.)
 

Surprisingly, the post that received the most traffic was our post about another blogger.  I’m not sure what that tells me about our posts.  You can find it here:   http://collie222.blogspot.com/2015/01/pet-blogger-gift-exchange.html?m=1

Chloe are sweet old, golden girl

6. What is one blog that you read religiously – other than your own – and what makes you such a devoted reader? (Please include a link.)

 

 

Well, there is actually more than one.  But we really enjoy reading The Three Little Pugs blog.  We find them adorable, and the blog is charming.  www.stellroselong.blogspot.com  We also love visiting Kim 's blog, Life At Golden Pines.  She runs a rescue for senior dogs who have been abandoned.

Darling Darla

7. What resources do you rely on to enhance your technical, writing, photography, social media, or other skills that improve your blog?
 

Resources?  What resources?  Do people have resources that I don't know about?

Seriously though, we do use photobucket for our pictures, because it provides an easy way to store and share our pictures on the blog.

Mojo, my first dog.  She was my best friend for almost 15 years.

8. What is the best piece of advice you can offer other bloggers?
 

Post often, it doesn’t have to be every day, but I have found that the more you post the more often people will return to see what you have written next.  This is something we need to work on….



Mojo

9. What is your vision for your blog in 2016? Do you have specific goals?
 

As I said before, my goal for 2016 is going to be consistency, and hopefully through that consistency we can add a few more followers.

Mariah, camping with us at a dog show in Maine.

10. You have the attention of the pet blogging community – is there one blogging challenge you’d like help with, or one aspect of your blog that you’d like input on?
 

Yes!  We would love ideas for topics you would like us to cover in 2016!



Mariah and my daughter, at a dog show, 11 years ago.

Thanks for visiting!  All of the dogs featured in this post have passed away, and since I wrote this on "Throwback Thursday" they were all on my mind.  They were each very special to us, so we wanted to share them with you.

Fourth Annual Pet Blogger Challenge

It’s time for the Fourth Annual Pet Blogger Challenge, hosted by our friends Amy Burkett from Go Pet Friendly and  Edie Jarolim from Will My Dog Hate Me.  All pet bloggers are invited to join in and take a few minutes to encourage, motivate, and support each other. Let’s celebrate the successes of 2013, share what we’ve learned this year, and outline our visions for our blogs in 2014! Are you ready? Let’s go!

1. How long have you been blogging? Please tell us why you started blogging, and, for anyone stopping by for the first time, give us a quick description of what your blog is about.

I started my blog in May 2012.  So we are still a relatively new blog.  I write about my collies and do a lot of picture posts about our adventures living with our five beautiful collies. Occasionally, I will post a recipe, or write about canine health related topics.  And you will even find posts about the history of the collie breed in general, and my own collies in particular.

2. Name one thing about your blog, or one blogging goal that you accomplished during 2013, that made you most proud.

We had a rather difficult year, because of a variety of circumstances, and we had to take a break from blogging for a couple months.  But I am very happy that I have returned and started blogging again, as I was afraid I might not return as other bloggers have disappeared in the past...

3. When you look at the post you wrote for last year’s Pet Blogger Challenge, or just think back over the past year, what about blogging has changed the most for you?

I think the one thing that has changed is that I have met and friended a lot of other bloggers this past year.    When I first started the collie blog it was just something I did for myself, for fun.  And now I come to blogville to keep in touch with all the wonderful bloggers we have met online.

4. What lessons have you learned this year – from other blogs, or through your own experience – that could help us all with our own sites?

I’m not sure I have any advice to help others with their sites, as I am still learning through trial and error.  But I have learned that pet bloggers are some of the most compassionate people around, and will be there to support you through any difficulties.

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

I need ideas for more topics to write about! Help!

5. What have you found to be the best ways to bring more traffic to your blog, other than by writing great content?

Participating in blog hops, commenting on other blogs, and visiting and new blogs.  The more blogs you follow, and the more you interact with other bloggers, the more likely they will be to stop by your blog from time to time!

6. How much time to do you spend publicizing your blog, and do you think you should spend more or less in the coming year?

I don’t publicize my blog, in fact very few people in my "real" life even know about my blog.  This is something I share with other bloggers, as many of the people in my life would not get it!

7. How do you gauge whether or not what you’re writing is appealing to your audience?

I guess I judge that by how many comments I receive.  But it isn’t something I focus on, as I’m mainly writing the posts for fun.

How do you know when it’s time to let go of a feature or theme that you’ve been writing about for a while?

This hasn’t come up yet.

8. When you’re visiting other blogs, what inspires you to comment on a post rather than just reading and moving on?

If the blog has touched my emotions, or made me smile, then I will stop and comment. 

9. Do you do product reviews and/or giveaways?

Yes, I have one product review to do, and I hope to eventually be asked to do more and begin doing giveaways.

If not, is this something you’d like to do more of? What hurdle is getting in your way?

Well, because of our need to take a break the review was delayed.  The only hurdle is getting more followers, because we won’t be asked to do reviews until we are reaching a larger audience.

10. When writer’s block strikes and you’re feeling dog-tired, how do you recharge?

When I am not sure what to write about I will usually just do a picture post, or I will check out what other bloggers are writing about.  However, if nothing inspires me, I just won’t post. 

11. Have you ever taken a break from your blog? How did that go?

I took a break this year after my 17 year old niece was killed.  I just didn’t have it in me to blog for a while after that.

Have you ever thought about quitting your blog altogether? What makes you stay?

No, even when I don’t post, I enjoy reading other bloggers post too much to quit!

12. What goals do you have for your blog in 2014?

My goals are to do at least one new product review, hold at least one give-away, make 10 new blogging friends, boost my followers from 60 to 75 and to participate in more blog hops!

Good luck to all the new bloggers, and if I haven’t discovered your blog yet, stop by and introduce yourself!  The collies and I love meeting new friends!

Pet Blogger Challenge!

1. When did you begin your blog?
May 2012

2. What was your original purpose for starting a blog?
I originally started the blog to share and record the research I was doing into the history of the collie breed in general, and my own collies in particular.  It evolved from there.

3. Is your current purpose the same?  If not, what’s different?
No, now I share everything from dog health issues, dog recipes, pictures and stories of my life with my collies.

4. How often do you post?
It depends on the week, and what I have to say!  Some weeks I post daily, some weeks it just once a week!

5. Do you blog on a schedule or as the spirit moves you?
Definitely "as the spirit moves me!" 
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 have enough schedules in my life!  This is something I am doing just for my love of dogs.  I think a topic is post-worthy when it is something that interests me, or if it's something I am passionate about...

6. How much time do you spend writing your blog per week?
Completely depends on the topic!
How much time visiting other blogs?
I spend 10 - 12 hours a week reading my friends blogs.

7. How do you measure the success of a post and of your blog in general (comments, shares, traffic)?
I think the best way to measure the success of a post, is by how many comments you have and those comments are positive.
Do you look strictly at the numbers, or do you have a way of assessing the quality of those interactions?
see above

8. If you could ask the pet blogging community for help with one issue you’re having with your blog, what would it be?
What can I do to interest more people in following me?

9. What goals do you have for your blog in 2013?
I would to return to researching and writing more posts about the history of the collie breed.

Go Pet Friendly is hosting this event, so if you want to join the hop visit their blog! :)

This is a Blog Hop!