As we approach the end of the 2018 A to Z Challenge, I'm sure many of you, particularly newer bloggers, are asking, "well, what do I do now?"
When I did my first challenge in 2012, I got to the end of April, was proud of what I did, then went back to what was then my normal blog schedule, i.e. posting whenever I felt like it. The readers I had accumulated over that month would still drop by, but not all the time, and even when I had written what I considered to be a fantastic post, maybe they'd show up, maybe not. Of course, I wasn't a terribly regular visitor, either, so I guess it was to be expected.
The point is, you've built up some momentum here. You've made some new blogging buddies, you've found some interesting blogs, and you've gotten into the habit of writing on your blog regularly, if you haven't been already. Between now and the start of next year's challenge, you have eleven months to do more of the same.
The daily link spreadsheets will still be on Google Docs, and so will the initial list and the theme reveal list. Take some time on a regular basis, maybe once a week, maybe once a month, to comb through those lists, look for blogs you didn't visit during the challenge and visit them. Keep making new friends and learning new things.
If you haven't been in the habit of blogging regularly, pick one day a week (or even every other week) and write and publish a post. If your readers know you're posting every Friday, they'll swing by your blog on Friday just to see what you have to say. When you have that going well, you might consider adding a second day, or a third. You don't have to blog everyday like I do, but the trick is to be consistent.
And, by all means, plan on doing the After-Challenge Survey on May 3 and your Reflections post the week of May 7. The survey is your opportunity to tell us what you thought about this year's Challenge, and the Reflections post gives you the chance to tell your readers how you think it went for you. We'll have more on both soon, so stay tuned!
If you wish to include a direct link to your blog post of this day's letter, please click:
https://goo.gl/forms/CDOa2v3K4Oq2uJ5o2
If you wish to visit other blogs in this bloghop challenge who have incorporated today's letter into their current post, please click:
Click here for the MASTER LIST of all participants who signed up for the #AtoZchallenge 2018!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nd9634nZWf1FmHFZ6ofKxBiIwGPWqkct9T9H5ugDQBA/edit?usp=sharing
13 comments:
https://ladyleemanilablog.wordpress.com/2018/04/26/w-is-for-wrapped-refrain-form-no-2/
Great tips, John. Last year the A-Z was the first time I had ever blogged regularly. After April, I published every Monday. What I did not do was continue visiting the blogs I found during the Challenge. This year, I will do that. Thanks!
Emily In Ecuador | Workout on Puerto Lopez beach, Ecuador
P.S. The Facebook W post does not seem to be up yet.
It's been a turbulent season in my life, and I've been finding it tricky to answer comments or visit others as much or often as I'd like.
I'm very grateful for the spreadsheet, because I'll be using it throughout the year to find and visit other bloggers. For now, I'm happy to be able to get to most of the posts more or less on time, since I had very little time for planning.
Shan
W for "W leg raise"
Great advice John. You are so dead on. After April I fall off...a lot! Am vowing to do a once a week post to stay "connected". The challenge really gets the juices flowing, but we tucker out after so many days. I have word docs with ideas that come to me all during the month so I'm ready for the next round. I'll plan on referring to them for ongoing posts this year. Thanks to all you guys & gals who "run" the challenge.
Pulp Paper & Pigment-My Fiber Art Blog
The Music of David Bowie - W is for "Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud"
W is for WhatsApp groups - Types and How to manage them?
If you are tired of their constant buzzing, this one is a must read WhatsApp Groups
W for Why ...
http://bpradeepnair.blogspot.in/2018/04/why.html
Good points, John. I've now done the A to Z Challenge five times - if I get my last two posts done - and in the past, my routine had fallen back to erratic. Now is the time to choose a more sensible schedule, as suggested. Once a week now seems feasible - with a few bonus posts like the IWSG monthly thoughts. That gives me six days to write one post, when I've been doing three (or more) in six days.
https://rolandclarke.com/2018/04/26/w-is-for-witcher/
I post regularly anyway, though not on a specific day of the week, around twice or three times a week. But thanks for the advice! I’ve followed some blogs that looked interesting to me and have had three new follows. To be honest, I have had trouble with the spreadsheet, so I’ve visited the blogs of some commenters on blogs I was following.
my posting schedule for this round of the challenge (my second time participating) has been a game of playing catch-up... but right now i am all caught up (whew)
Playing catch up again as Uncle Tom meets the Very Hungry Caterpillar in the Willows
W for waterbed:
https://imagery77.blogspot.my/2018/04/waterbed-pillows-array-of-bedspreads-w.html
Hank
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