I just completed my first Blogathon. What a fun, productive and exhausting experience it was! Kudos to Kathleen for organizing such a fabulous event!
For me, this event represented an opportunity to set aside a few days to focus on tasks I’ve needed to do for quite some time but have been putting off, either due to lack of time or lack of desire (sludging through back posts? ugh!) What I did not anticipate was all of the fun I would have meeting other bloggers via the wonderful activities that Kathleen built into the event – or the depth of the educational opportunities via the quality of the mini-challenges!
My final task for this event is to share what I accomplished this weekend. Well, 54 hours later, here is what I’ve done:
1. Improve Site Functionality – Completed
- Backed Up My Computer and Blog
- Upgraded to WordPress 3.4 and Catalyst 1.5.1
- Upgraded to Broken Link Checker 1.5.5 and Jetpack 1.4.1
- Ran Google Speed Tests; Increased Score 33 Points
- Installed Six New WordPress Plugins
- Updated 80 Posts (moved photos to WP; updated/removed bad links)
- Set Up System For Inventorying Posts
2. Improve Site Navigation – In Progress
- Began To Redesign Sidebar
- Created Site Map – Link Is On Footer
- Added Pinterest Plugin To Sidebar Featuring Pins From Select Boards
- Begin To Streamline Site Map Categories
- Began To Build My Navigation Bar
3. Improve Search Engine Optimzation (SEO) – In Progress
- Researched and Optimized 80 Posts For SEO
- Read Info On Site-Level SEO For Future Implementation
4. Participate In Special Blogathon Bash Activities – Completed
- Completed Seven Mini-Challenges (see list below)
- Attended Two Twitter Parties
- Participating in the Rocks and Roses Blog Evaluation
5. Mini Challenges And Other Activities – Completed
During the blogathon, I wrote three posts and completed seven mini-challenges:
- Boost Your Blog Design With No Budget
- Create A Favicon For Your Blog
- Do Follow vs No-Follow
- How To Write A Better Tweet On Twitter
- Get Your SEO Started
- Improve Your Alexa Rank
- Make Twitter Work For Your Blog
I will be working through the remaining challenges in the weeks to come. All of the bloggers who took the time to create the mini-challenges did an outstanding job! If you are looking for some fabulous information on how to improve your blogging skills, visit the Mini-Challenges list!
If you missed out on this event – or were on the fence about whether to participate – I would highly encourage you to join us in the future!
WINTER BLOGATHON DATES
January 25 through 28, 2013
I hope to see you there!
Hi! I’m stopping by to “Make Your Morning!” This post is a good reminder for me. I need to do several of the things that you’ve checked off your list. There are a lot of good tools for WordPress sites, but I don’t see a lot of tips for Blogger sites. Hmm…maybe I should consider moving.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks so much for making my morning – you truly did (had NO idea I was featured until just now!)
I just stopped by your blog and left you a comment re: moving to WordPress – feel free to drop me a line anytime! 🙂
Congrats on all of your accomplishments! I’m here to Make Your Morning! Sharing the love! I can’t wait to discover more in your blog!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks so much for stopping by and truly making my morning! I don’t see a blog link to stop by and visit you, but have a wonderful week and hope to see you again soon! 🙂
I am impressed–seriously, go you for working this hard! I only had a chance to read through a couple of these links, but learned stuff already 🙂
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks for stopping by – I’m so glad you are visiting the links! You can learn so much just by visiting everyone (and you meet some awesome bloggers in the process!)
I hope to share more of the things I learned this weekend either here, on Twitter, or on G+… I am still recovering from the weekend!
woah you’ve been hard at work! i’ll try it too 🙂 found you through blog hop, following
stopping by from the alexa hop. sounds like a ton of work–what exactly is a blogathon?
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Hi Jessica
The Biannual Blogathon Bash is an event occuring twice a year where bloggers set aside a chunk of time in a 3 day period to work on things related to their blogs! You can work on whatever they like – and can participate in special activities, mini challenges, twitter parties – and have the opportunity to win prizes! The link to the main site is in my post if you’d like to stop by – there is a lot of great info about blogging there as well as a place to sign up for updates if you are interested in the next event.
This was my first time participating and it was a fabulous event! I would highly recommend it and plan on participating in the future! 🙂
P.S. I chose to do a lot of heavy duty work that I had been putting off for this event, but others did “fun” stuff and some mainly participated in the challenges! You can do as much or as little as you want to – so don’t let my list scare you away! 🙂
So glad I caught this post!
Come by from the hop! Congrats on a great score!
Candy
SweepstakesMama Team
I will be poking around – your links to your posts sound like something I need. I’m wanting to improve my blog – sounds like I came to the right place. Hopping over from Miscellany Monday. Blessings from Zagreb. – A Little R & R http://jukiczr.blogspot.com
Wow! Great job. I have to do several of those items, but where to find the time?
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
That’s the beauty of the blogathon – you make the time for those important tasks you otherwise never find the time to do! 🙂
The next one is in January – set aside those dates now!
Sorry I missed this! Going to so put the dates for the other on my calendar! Where do I sign up???
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Just posted the answer with the link to the site – so glad you’ll be joining the next blogathon Mindy! 🙂
This sounds really cool! How can we find out more information for the next one?
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Hi Mindy,
The full information for the blogathons are at this website:
http://biannualblogathonbash.com
According to the site, the sign-ups for the next blogathon should open around Christmastime. The best way to stay in the loop is to sign up on that site for their e-mail updates. I will also post the info here when I sign up! 🙂
Thanks so much for the info!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
You’re very welcome! 🙂
54 hours are you series? Did you get ANY sleep or eat or anything? Wow. Thank you so much for joining in the blogathon, you were great and it was nice to get to know you. The blog looks great and I’m in awe that you got that much done!
That was supposed to say serious LOL. I do know how to spell it.
Twitter: RaisingSkaters
says:
Wow! You got a LOT done during the blogathon! I was exhausted at the end, and I don’t think I accomplished nearly as much as you did. I love how much I learned, though, and I’m having lots of fun using my new skills. And it was great to get some of my old posts updated! 🙂
Omy where have I been? This is so exciting; exactly what I have had on my mind for weeks-cleaning up fine tuning my blog but so much of what I am reading sounds like it may be OVER MY HEAD technically. I want to work toward being able to submit my blog for a blogger award I saw advertised.
My thinking is that I should CONTINUE with what I know and work my way up/out lol..whichever!
What would you suggest?
Jonell
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Sounds like a plan – just emailed you with a little more info – look forward to seeing you at the Jan Blogathon! 🙂