The A-Z Blogging Challenge has been a learning experience. Dipping my toes in the blogosphere only days before the challenge kicked off, I had no idea what I was getting into. I started this blog and one on WordPress at the same time - as an experiment, to learn about both platforms. I fully expected to spend more time learning how to work within the templates than on the actual blogging. I planned to quietly blog under the radar until I found my footing. Then, and only then, did I plan to get serious about what I would write. I didn't think up cool names for my blogs, whether I should niche or go general, or any of the other smart stuff I would normally do. Nope, these blogs were only for me.
Then a friend learned about the A-Z Challenge and started (virtually) talking it up. With naive enthusiasm, I signed up BOTH BLOGS. Whatever was I thinking?! I didn't even know how to blog and I signed up to post on 2 blogs every day of the week (except Sunday) for a month? Oh, the folly of inexperience.
It's been good. Through this challenge I've learned:
- how to schedule a post on Blogger and WordPress
- how friendly and supporting this blogging community is
- how to remove a captcha code requirement
- how creative and smart you people are
- how to add buttons, gadgets and other cool stuff to blogs
- that you can't monitize basic WordPress
- how to use google analytics
- that you can't use google analytics on WordPress
- that it's hard to write 2 posts per day and keep up with other writing requirements and a family and other regular stuff...
- that I've got a lot more to learn but I've gotten a good start
- that I've met super people and discovered excellent blogs to follow
- oh yeah, and that I love blogging
It's been a real pleasure blogging with you and I hope we stay in touch.
On a less sappy note, I'm happily accepting Z ideas in the comments section! :)
I have had so much fun reading blogs and getting to know everyone better. This was a great challenge!
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed this experience and other than scurrying to find the time to be a good reading/commenting blog neighbor, I haven't found it all stress-producing. Yay!
ReplyDeleteI have two Z topics in mind. One is pretty decent and the other will be quick and kind of pitiful, but since I'm joining in on the Z-A round, I'm just happy to have two.
Maybe you could write about getting some z's once the A-Z's are done. zzzzzzzzz...
I’m A-Z Blogging and my “Y” post is right here.
Great Y post! I second your Yay!! This has been such a great experience though, and I'm so glad I signed up.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to continuing to read your blogs! :)
I for one am relieved that tomorrow is the last letter. My brain needs a break! Send some of those Z ideas my way too. Lol.
ReplyDeleteWe had the same Y for Yay, Langley! Thanks for visiting my blog, hope we can keep in contact. You've learned FAR more about blogging than I have.
ReplyDeleteOh big yay from me too. I cannot believe you did two blogs!
ReplyDeleteI've had so much fun, I'm doing it all again next month :)
ReplyDeleteIt's been a great experience. Now I need to snooze!
ReplyDeleteWagging Tales - Blog for Writers
This challenge has taken more of my time than I expected, but it has also been extremely worthwhile. I have met some great people, I have thoroughly enjoyed the sense of community, and I have learned some neat things too. It has been a pleasure to stop by, and also see your posts on my site!! Best to you. K (http://kbalbify.com/2011/04/y-is-for-yesterday-atozblogging/)
ReplyDeleteI've spent more time in this A to Z Challenge reading others' blogs than writing my own--and it's been great! Such a wide variety of topics and bloggers. So glad I didn't miss out on any of it.
ReplyDeleteWow, I didn't even realize you were new to blogging - that should tell you something right there! ;) Congrats on making it all the way to Y!
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed reading both of your blogs, Langley, and look forward to reading more from you. :)
ReplyDeleteI've done my Z so I'm finished! Yay! It's been a great experience, hasn't it? And, it's true, we've learned so much along the way. Keep in touch!
ReplyDeleteSue