Mama asked if she could borrow the blog today and since we are off to Madi's Box Pawty over at Sarge's we decided that maybe JUST THIS ONCE she could have a turn........Go ahead Mama!
Thanks guys, have fun at the party and make sure to MIND YOUR MANNERS while you are at Sarge's!!
Today I am taking part in the 5th Annual Pet Bloggers Challenge!
1. How long have you been blogging? And, for anyone stopping by for the first time, please give us a quick description of what your blog is about.
I have been blogging on and off since 2009 about the antics of a multi-dog household centering around our female Lhasa Dory.
2. Tell us one thing that you accomplished on your blog during 2014 that made you proud.
My biggest accomplishment of 2014 was that I actually published a blog every day. I also joined BlogPaws this year, another step forward!
My biggest accomplishment of 2014 was that I actually published a blog every day. I also joined BlogPaws this year, another step forward!
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?
The main lesson I learned this year was be active in a pet blogging community. Whether it be BlogPaws, Blogville or a group of blogging friends, I can't tell you how helpful it is to have a community of friends, mentors and colleagues to turn to with any questions and concerns you may have.
The main lesson I learned this year was be active in a pet blogging community. Whether it be BlogPaws, Blogville or a group of blogging friends, I can't tell you how helpful it is to have a community of friends, mentors and colleagues to turn to with any questions and concerns you may have.
4. What have you found to be the most successful way to bring traffic to your blog, other than by writing great content?
Although Facebook has helped get traffic to the blog, I have found maintaining friendships, visiting new blogs and commenting brings the most traffic to Dory's Backyard.
Although Facebook has helped get traffic to the blog, I have found maintaining friendships, visiting new blogs and commenting brings the most traffic to Dory's Backyard.
5. What was your most popular blog post this year? Did it surprise you that it was your most popular?
Dory's Birthday Party/Christmas Gala was our most popular post which is great because it is the post that I enjoyed putting together the most!
Dory's Birthday Party/Christmas Gala was our most popular post which is great because it is the post that I enjoyed putting together the most!
6. What was your favorite blog post to write this year?
See above :-)
See above :-)
7. Has your policy on product reviews and/or giveaways changed this year?
This is the first year I did reviews, I'm still learning and trying to find a "niche".
This is the first year I did reviews, I'm still learning and trying to find a "niche".
8. What’s your best piece of advice for other bloggers?
Don't forget to have fun, blogging shouldn't be a chore. Although it is "work", if you don't enjoy what you're doing it shows :-).
Don't forget to have fun, blogging shouldn't be a chore. Although it is "work", if you don't enjoy what you're doing it shows :-).
9. What goals do you have for your blog in 2015?
In 2015 I hope to be more active in both Blogville and Blog Paws.
In 2015 I hope to be more active in both Blogville and Blog Paws.
10. If you could ask the pet blogging community for help with one challenge you’re having with your blog, what would it be?
How do you handle your social media?? I am not sure about the social etiquette or how best to share our posts.
How do you handle your social media?? I am not sure about the social etiquette or how best to share our posts.
Crikey now my Mum's real worried. There's social etiquette in Blogville??????? She reckons I must have broken EVERY rule in the book and then some. Fair dinkum ..... social etiquette???? CRIKEY!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI luffs your blog Dory, so glad to have found such a great furfriend.
ReplyDeleteBut like Charlie, I'm not sure I nose about the social etiquette side, oophs!
Loves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx
I so agree with you, it shouldn't be a pesky chore n to write , it should be fun and a thing we like to do :o)
ReplyDeleteEasy Rider
Well we found you through other bloggers and are happy we did! BlogPaws is a great help and full of wonderful bloggers. The community is the best resource out there!
ReplyDeleteI started in 09 also and my pet blog only gets a post if i get a new pic of Jake and Baby. my main blog is where i post photos and tell stories of my Mad Snapping Habits.. i come to your blog each day because i like to look at all your adorable faces...
ReplyDeleteWow, I had such a fun time at your PJ party last night! I didn't think we'd ever get to sleep with so much fun going on, but I did get enough napping done. Thanks bunches for hosting that. OMD Madi will love these boxes! See around the pawty today, my furiends.
ReplyDeleteGrr and Woof,
Sarge, Box Bash Host
Congrats on posting every day, that's quite an accomplishment.
ReplyDeletePosting everyday is a big thing. Keep having fun with it all.
ReplyDeleteI (Frankie Furter) started MY blog in OCT. '08... so we have been furends fur a very long time...
ReplyDeleteYou are sooooo right about the commenting... you will not get ships IN if you don't send Ships Out... That is an OLD Family saying on this hill.
You have ALWAYS had a Grand Blog... one that everyone WANTS to Visit..
You bring your readers FUN and Beauty... and you are a GREAT FUREND to Everyone.
I do think that the OTHER forms of Social Media (like FaceBark) have taken some of our furends away.
It USED to be NORMAL to have 25 to 40 Comments EVERY DAY. Some days as many as 60. That has really Dropped off.. Back in the day... I did an AVERAGE for one month... and it was 39.
DEAR DORY, BILBO, ARTY AND JAKEY
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU FOR ATTENDING MY BOX BASH TODAY
HUGS MADI YOUR BFFF
Love to get to read a bit about Mom!
ReplyDeleteYep! We're totally into the "having fun" part of blogging. Isn't that what it's all about?!?!
ReplyDeleteYours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher
PS: I LOVE the box!!!!!!!!
That is so inspiring that you managed to post every single day!! We would love to reach that mark eventually!!!
ReplyDeleteSocial media can be very tricky because there are so many different platforms all with different rules of etiquette! One of the biggest pieces of advice I can give is to spend a lot of time interacting with others and building relationships. If you mix in your "promotion" with these genuine interactions they will be much better received! Social media can be fun and bring in some good traffic but it can also be distracting!!
It's so very nice to "meet" all of you! What a great blog, and wonderful photos! Keep up the good work! I'll definitely be back to read more this year!
ReplyDeleteWe don't know what joining Blog Paws means. Maybe we need to check this out. We know one day we would love to go to the convention but it is many green papers!
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Hari Om
ReplyDeleteDory.... err sorry, Dory's mum! ... what you offer in the backyard is a simple and wonderful delight; the doglets are full of love and laughter and I adore visiting. As you will see on an upcoming post at My Place, I stick within Google/Blogger. Quality versus quantity for me. Interesting you mention 'etiquette'. I have had a commenter tell me that I have good 'e' but am not sure what that means exactly; I am just me. The person I am comes out on the page and in comments. People pick up on sincerity and consistency. You have that. As you say, blog because you want to. ... this is turning into a post - I'll stop now!!! Hugs (waggles to the pawtiers)YAM xx
Wow, posting every day for a year is incredible - congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI think the easiest way to approach social media is to think of it as a conversation. No one enjoys conversations with people who only talk about themselves, so it's important to mix things up. On my Facebook page, I share things I think my audience will like (article, pictures, videos, etc.) Based on the response, I can see what's popular and my friends tend to like pictures of Ty and Buster. So, probably 75% of my posts are my dogs or my posts, and 25% are other things I found interesting and want to share. I ask questions, invite people to share their knowledge, and respond to their comments just like we're talking.
Twitter is more of a broadcast service, but I'm still careful not to be sending out stuff about myself all the time. There, about 25% are links to my stuff and 75% are links to other people's posts or articles. So, the etiquette is pretty similar to talking to someone in person - I hope that helps!
Thanks for joining the Challenge, and have a wonderful 2015!
We cannot believe that you have posted EVERY day! Wow! Im not sure how you do it, but I am amazed. We love reading about the adventures of the "backyard" crew. We can't wait to see what 2015 brings for you!
ReplyDeleteWe are all having a great time at the box bash. It was interesting reading your mom's answers to those questions.
ReplyDeleteHi Y'all!
ReplyDeleteSo glad the gang went to the party and let you take over for the day.
Y'all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog
We love your blog and are glad you keep going!
ReplyDeleteDory and the gang are just adorable. I mean, SO cute. I enjoy reading and look forward to reading more in 2015. :-) You are doing a great job!
ReplyDeleteEveryday??! Holy Cow Patties!!! I can't get Ma off her arse to post a few times a week lately!!! (maybe you can put a burr under her saddle? ☺)
ReplyDeleteGreat job gurlfuriend!!!
Hey, see you at the pawty!!!!!
Kisses,
Ruby ♥
All very great answers! I'm glad we are friends!
ReplyDeleteMonty and Harlow
Wow, I'm joining the party of people amazed you posted every day! That's awesome.
ReplyDeleteMy longest streak last year was 47 days and I'm known for writing quite a lot. So wow!
And Amy gave you perfect advice about social media. I couldn't add a thing to her suggestions.
Wow, everyday was a huge achievement! Mum was pleased she almost posted once a month. BOL!
ReplyDelete~Lickies, Ludo!
I love your tip on remembering to have fun with blogging. I started my blog just for fun, and as I grew it did feel a little more like a chore than it should have. I think we get so wrapped up in attracting more and more readers that sometimes we forget that this is our passion and to have fun with it as well!
ReplyDeleteThis has been such a fabulous challenge! I absolutely love hearing about how others blog and their goals and tips too!
Thanks so much for your comment on my blog BTW and I truly appreciate your tips!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Nice to meet you and good for you for joining BlogPaws. I had been blogging about a year when I joined and it was the single best thing I did to improve the quality of my blog.
ReplyDeleteHi! It's great to meet you, and I can't believe I didn't know about you before! Love what you say about having fun. As for social media etiquette - I think it depends on which platform; they each seem to have their own set of "rules". But you know, "be yourself and have fun" is probably tops on the list, no matter which one!
ReplyDeleteEvery day is hugely impressive!! I thought my goal of 4x/week was good... gulp! Good for you!! BlogPaws has been hugely valuable for me - I've gotten so much out of it in terms of skills, of course, but also in networking and friendships. Hope to meet you in Nashville!
ReplyDeleteI think social media can easily become a full-time job. For me I try to focus on just one or two. I never 'got' twitter, so I use triberr and go in and scheduled reposts and that is usually about all. I'm going to be focusing on Facebook and hopefully after Blog Paws Pinterest. My suggestion would be to focus on just one or two, otherwise you'll make yourself nuts. :-)
ReplyDeleteAmen to being a part of a community. The BlogPaws Community changed me for the better and got me on the road to success. Nice getting to know you better.
ReplyDeleteI'm still trying to figure out social media. Since I haven't been blogging much the past year I've mostly been sharing other bloggers and organizations posts and updates. In general I try not to inundate people with too much of my own content. Best of luck to you this year!
ReplyDelete