Pet Blogger Challenge 2015

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Keeping it Fun With Doga

For several years now I've been participating in the Pet Blogger Challenge, created and hosted by Amy at Go Pet Friendly. Today's answers to her list of questions take a very different approach to my prior years' versions. Having been dealt a fresh, yet unwelcome hand, I'm on a new track to focus more on my readers and less on my bank account. Bottom line; this seems to be taking some of the stress off of me, while I work to heal myself in other ways. Hope these answers are helpful to someone out there. Here goes:

1. How long have you been blogging? All Things Dog Blog was launched as an experiment in 2009, a spinoff of an organic living blog I started prior to this one. When All Things Dog Blog took off several months later, I decided to make it my primary focus in 2010.

2. Tell us one thing that you accomplished on your blog during 2014 that made you proud. Working with a professional yoga instructor, I developed a set of short, instructional yoga videos designed to help beginners learn simple yoga poses while engaging their dogs in joining in with them to form a stronger bond. Currently I am expanding the poses by sharing modifications to ease each of them. You'll find links to all of these posts at my Doga page.

3. What lessons have you learned this year – from other blogs, or through your own experience – that could help us all with our own blogs?  Balance is needed in life! While I don't regret pouring 12 hours a day for the past 4 years into this website, I'm now seeing that I've created a situation that is hard to course-correct. Intertia has me involved in a daily routine of blog management. I now am working slowly at redesigning my days to incorporate more time for things like yoga, doga, cooking, walking and camping with hubs and my dogs.

4. What have you found to be the most successful way to bring traffic to your blog, other than by writing great content? Create truly UNIQUE content. Event Barkers' Twitter Parties and exclusive Doga instructional series bring an unprecedented batch of unique content to All Things Dog Blog. We're trying to help our readers find new and relaxing ways to bond with their dogs, stay in shape, and win prizes. Our Fido's Freebie Friday giveaway linky is also beneficial for our readers to find all of your giveaways. 

5. What was your most popular blog post this year? Did it surprise you that it was your most popular? Surprisingly, it was 8 Things I Learned from Practicing Doga. This post is now in my top 3 of all time. Who knew?!!!

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Bonding, Stretching and Working on Balance

6. What was your favorite blog post to write this year? No great surprise here. It was the same post: 8 Things I Learned from Practicing Doga. The inherent lesson here is that when we do what we are passionate about, our words are more compelling to our readers.

7. Has your policy on product reviews and/or giveaways changed this year? While I am slowing up a bit on product reviews, I'm requiring better giveaways when I do these. By better, I mean that I don't run one without a minimum number of winners, or a more substantial prize. I want it to be worth my readers time to enter my giveaways.

If you do reviews, what do you find works best, and what doesn’t work at all? I do require a giveaway in order to run a review, and I always pre-check the product to assure that I'll have a largely positive message. In other words, I don't waste my readers' time with negative reviews. I take a pass on products that I don't like and hand select my reviews carefully.

8. What’s your best piece of advice for other bloggers?  If you're in this to make even a part time income, you'll need to do something seriously different in order to make a go of it. Think outside the box to create a site that offers something no one else has; then find a way to create it. Invest reasonably in your site if you plan to make it a long term, income-producing blog, while keeping in mind that what you offer must be desirable by the pet-owning public. Measure that interest and match it to your need for growth. By using surveys, you may be able to quantify interest in a specific segment of your writing that will help you bring a sponsor onboard. Finally, if you're trying to monetize your blog, you should be behaving like a professional. Enough said.

9. What goals do you have for your blog in 2015?  All Things Dog Blog is good therapy for me as I move through some troubling health issues this year. I need something to focus my energies on, and this is where my focus remains: (1) Doga is good for me and my dogs, so we'll continue to share this journey with our readers who would like to work out at in the privacy of their own home and bond with their dogs while they enjoy their practice. (2) Event Barkers Twitter Parties continue to be a big hit. I'm proud to be a founding partner and happy to have expanded my partnership with Paris to include a new associate, Diane Silver of ToDogWithLove.com. We look forward to seeing this venture continue to grow and prosper. (3) Finally, I'll continue to write about what I set out to share when I first began this site--tips on dog care that help to maintain a healthy lifestyle for both you and Fido. This includes training, nutrition, lifestyle articles, physical activities and more.

10. If you could ask the pet blogging community for help with one challenge you’re having with your blog, what would it be? Great question!  I'll gladly offer a phone conference consultation to the person with the best answer to my dilemma: As I continue to develop my Doga series, I need to zero in on ways to help my readers get past their body image issues and worries about not being able to accomplish a particular pose in the way it is photographed. I'm trying to get the message across that yoga is a journey, not a destination. The goals are simple: (1)  Gain strength and flexibility through incorporating a regular yoga practice into your lifestyle, and (2) Include your dog into your practice to build your bond with him. By making it fun for you and your dog, you're more likely to continue to work at your yoga practice frequently, while continuing to bond more deeply with your dog. It's a Win-Win! The comment link is open; I invite your thoughts and ideas.

A Day in the Life of a Pet Blogger

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Homecomings from Conferences are the Best!

Absence definitely makes the heart grow fonder, as the saying goes. With more conferences and travel to visit sponsors this month, I'm increasingly aware of my bonding time with the dogs. But the real topic of today's post is in answer to a reader question. What do I do with my days?

Wow. I’m thinking of all the variations on this theme and getting totally bowled over by my thoughts. I’m going to have to set all the what-ifs and coulda-woulda-shoulda’s aside and just give you a peek into my workdays. 

Early morning walks with the dogs are my serenity. It’s truly the only peaceful time of my day when nothing enters my thoughts  save for my effort to think like a dog and figure out what each of the boys is focusing on.  I play a game with myself. I like to return home with a story in my head about Tanner’s thoughts about the ducks or Oliver’s opinion of the poodle’s new outfit. Silly, I know. But it’s a nice diversion from the challenges of the remainder of my day. Call it my meditation; it relaxes my mind.

My workdays start with a quick post check and then on to blog emails. This is the scariest part of my day, so I have to knock it out right after my morning latte, when my energy is surging. Between the requests to help upstarts and the offers to write advertising that masquerade as free posts, I always find myself with at least one good laugh. A few nicely presented proposals come in each week to temper my opinion of the folks in the pet industry; there are a few that ought to be giving lessons. Seriously; they are so good at what they do that I want to send them off to visit some of their peers for mentoring. Hey! Maybe there’s a business idea in there somewhere?

Speaking of business, that’s my next focus. Gotta get the tough stuff under my belt before the afternoon Fetch game and social media time. Proposals, conference calls, and those discussions about how to do things with sponsors. Event Barkers has got me back in the driver’s seat where I was for many years as a business person, so I’m feeling pretty comfortable there. I tried the retirement thing but found my days needed more challenge.

Oops! I suppose there needs to be a niche in my day somewhere for writing posts. It’s funny; writing posts is something I have no problem with doing. No writers block here. I keep a schedule/calendar of my posts and plan ahead to some extent. I like to watch out for variety as well as assure space for various features that I pre-arrange such as our Ask the Vet column or product reviews. These are the dogs’ favorite days; when I break out the camera and new products their ears perk up and they seem to know we’re going into training and trial mode. Either way, it means a few treats for them and that’s great motivation for some fun photo opps, or the bloopers reel—LOL! You know; those pics of your dog when you’re intending to get their pearly whites, and instead you capture a photo of them licking their, uh, let’s move on.

By lunchtime I’m itching to get writing. All those ideas that woke me up in the middle of the night have withered and I want to get something down as a start for that next post on, let’s say, Pet Projects: Helping Seniors Keep Their Dogs.

Before I get far though, I’ve still got some technical stuff to do. Check in on renewals, memberships, followers, DMs, Facebook messages, reader email, and the plumbing. By that I refer to all the sites I pay big bucks to for assistance with tasks like giveaways, bloghops, statistics and such--dull stuff that needs my attention in a timely manner.

After lunch, fetch and lizard tag on the screened porch outside, the boys nap while I attempt to get some writing done. I write best when the house is quiet--all humans are gone and pups are snoozing. Strategies like playtime before writing work well for me.

The remainder of the afternoon--if anything is left--is spent on social media and followups. It seems that the latter gets more of my attention these days. For fun, I have found myself hooked on Pinterest. Anyone else?

Blogpaws Bound: Packing Time

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Sorry Boys...

It's time to Sharpen the Saw, as Stephen Covey would put it. His 7 Habits for Highly Effective People has had a tremendous effect on my life. If only I could master that fourth quadrant, I'd be so much better off. Sigh; there will always be fires to put out.

Oliver and I are off to Blogpaws--a pet blogging conference--to meet other bloggers, visit with pet brand representatives, attend breakout sessions on various topics and network. When the work gets to be too much for Oliver, he'll have access to an all day daycare just for the furry members of the entourage. There he'll have an opportunity to play with Snoopy, Dexter, Rocco, Pepper and dozens of other bloggers' dogs who will join us to learn more about what we do and how to do it better--for YOU!

Oliver and I are busy packing and preparing. Tanner and Jacque will enjoy a vacation from photo shoots, product reviews and all manner of other silliness that Mom often puts them through. They'll get walks with their Daddy and their girl and playtime at the park, so not to worry. No unhappy puppies here. They don't know it yet, but they'll be getting some VIP visitors :)

Back to packing now. Oliver supervised the preparation of his Natural Balance food for the trip, and has patiently watched as I filled my suitcase with things he certainly thinks are not necessary. I did, however, make sure we brought his health certificate, bowls, leash, harness, bed, crate and a few other essentials. He packs light. Good boy Oliver!

The First Aid kit, a spill-proof water bowl, and a couple of favorite chew toys, are in the back of the car along with his seatbelt and safety harness for travel. A cooler includes water, stuffed Kongs and a few snacks. Can you think of anything he still needs to bring?

Pet Blogger Challenge 2012

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Looking back over last year's Challenge for All Things Dog Blog, I anticipated a drowsy, incoherent answer to many of the questions. I had just returned from a 30+ hour trip home from Thailand when I realized the deadline was imminent. To say I wrote the Challenge in less than 30 minutes may sound ridiculous, but it is true.  So I was pleasantly surprised to reread it and see that I didn't come off as a complete drunk. Let's move on to this year's version:

1. My Pet Blog Challenges! is my post from 2011. 
2. What do you consider the most important goals you set out in last year's post? Networking, increasing my postings, and getting involved in some blog hops.
3. Have you made progress toward those goals, or have your goals changed over the past year? Happily, I have made some progress. Global Pet Expo 2011, Blogpaws 2011 and Barkworld 2011 were all on my agenda this year, allowing me to get out and meet more of the people in our industry. I have a long way to go, but the journey has commenced. Postings are daily and often I manage multiple posts, although not daily. I continue to be amazed at those who can do more without staff! Participating in blog hops has been fun, yet sometimes disorienting. I have to remember not to let them rule my schedule and planning for my own blog and my goals for it. Fido's Freebie Friday giveaway blog hop, co-hosted with Doggies and Stuff, highlights pet products and pet lover items. It has grown slowly, and hopefully will continue to do so. This is a wonderful way for bloggers to show off their pet-related giveaways and prizes of all sorts.
4. Has your opinion of blogging on a schedule or as the spirit moves you changed? Which are you doing now? Do you still worry about lost traffic, momentum, etc? I continue to follow a schedule as a general rule, but sometimes have a change up when needed. New features and the schedule itself are, to some extent, designed to help with traffic issues. I've also learned to use the slower days to my advantage.
5. Are you generating income from your blog? Has this changed since last year? Income from the blog has grown markedly, allowing me to get help with repetitive tasks. It feels good to be one of those small businesses that is providing a part time job to the lagging economy.
6. If you are generating income, how (e.g. sponsor ads, affiliate relationships, spokesperson opportunities)? All of the examples listed here are in play. More are in the works.
7. If not currently, do you hope to in the future--and how? By sticking to my niche I hope to grow my opportunities to be of service to brands that I believe in and increase event promotion planning that began in late 2011. New ideas are in development and I am excited about growing this service for Charity fundraising, as well. Super Dog Sunday is a charity photo contest and blog hop that will benefit Petfinder. Dogtipper is joining me in this effort, and all proceeds will go to the Petfinder Foundation.
8. Have your likes and dislikes about blogging changed since last year? My answers to #7 last year on this topic were not very clear; jet lag was definitely taking hold. Although I enjoy the occasional post at 5 Minutes for Fido (in Tanner and Oliver's voice), I have learned that this is not my forte'. I suppose their silliness will remain a small part of my blogging efforts. As for my desire to protect dog parks from closing and work to build more, I am frustrated by a lack of inspiration on how to move forward. Time is a huge issue here. Perhaps I have too many irons in the fire and should put this project on the back burner until my intense growth spurt plateaus and I am more easily able to take on another project. This is likely what will transpire for now.
9. Overall, are you pleased with the progress you made in 2011? When I reflect on the progress I have made in 2011 I cannot help but be thankful for good luck and some good advice. When I first started out following tips from an author in another genre, my methods may not always have been met with a smile. I learn and grow, and cannot be more pleased with the six-fold growth in my traffic since this time last year. The relationships I have with loyal readers makes it all so very worth it! Sometimes I have to pinch myself when I recall that I started this fledgling as nothing more than a way to give my days a lighter side. It's funny how things work out sometimes.
10. How do you see your blog changing/growing in 2012? After hitting the #1 spot at Technorati's Pet Blog category, I've learned that holding that spot is nearly impossible. Staying in the top 10 for several months has been a complete surprise. However, I also learned that it is that growth of content and relevance that appears to be a factor in my meager success. Each new feature I have added to the blog has helped it along, and this is how I plan to continue my growth, by adding features and services that fit my niche. This year I'll continue to develop a Twitter Party plan that I can grow with. This new venture, EventBarkers, with Dogtipper, has been fun and challenging, giving me new hope for the future. Next year, who knows?!