Bloggiesta is BACK! I got so much accomplished and had so much fun last time that I decided that I must participate again. Bloggiesta is hosted by Danielle @ There’s a Book and Suey @ It’s All About Books. It’s from September 28th through 30th and it’s all about working on your blog. In her post, Danielle says that:
If you decide to participate in the Fall 2012 edition you can expect:
- to spend time that weekend (as much or as little as your schedule allows) working on your blog
- to create a to do list to share on your blog and link up with other participants
- to hopefully participant in several mini challenges and learn something new
- to connect with other participants through blog hopping or twitter
- to make new blogging friends!
- to come away at the end of the three days with a spiffed up blog!
For more information or for instructions on how to sign up, visit the sign up post.
Here is what I want to accomplish:
- Update Links page — DONE(ISH)
- Delete Author Links page — DONE
- Update About Me page — DONE
- Move appearances to about me page — DONE
- Clean up bookish posts page — DONE
- Update Review Policy to reflect that we’re not accepting review requests — DONE
- Cross posts reviews to Goodreads (also updated old reviews with my onabookbender.wordpress.com/ to onabookbender.com address) — DONE
- Update old reviews with enjoyment scale — DONE
- Clean up review, Top Off Tuesday, CR, and Who am I stalking? templates — DONE
- Fix broken links — DONE
- Schedule Top Off Tuesday posts through December — DONE
- Draft Clock Rewinder posts through December — DONE
- Update Features page — DONE
- Clean out Google reader subscriptions — DONE
- Make one centralized list of discussion post ideas (a discussion topic page, maybe?) — DONE
- Clean out categories — DONE
- Reorganize categories with nesting — DONE
- Reorganize drop down menu — DONE
- Look into plugins for mobile devices — DONE
- Update Reviews page — DONE
- Create joint review template — DONE
Wrap-Up
For this Bloggiesta, I…
- accomplished everything on my list. (YAY!)
- attended two Twitter chats, but only jailed myself once. (This is also an accomplishment.)
- failed at blog hopping and commenting. (This is always my problem.)
- didn’t fully participate in any of the mini-challenges. (I’m kinda lame.) (But I do have my eye on the using Microsoft Access to track books challenge for the near future.)
- came up with a challenge idea for next Bloggiesta: seeing your blog through your readers’ eyes. Basically, you would log out of your blog, and poke around your site to see how easy it is to do and find things as a reader. So, you’d comment, search for reviews or contact information, and so on. It might be a fun challenge to do with a partner. Give them a specific review or post to find, and then see how long it takes them to find it. The point of the challenge would be to assess how easy it is to navigate and use your own site.
I’m looking forward to the next Bloggiesta!
Hannah @ Once Upon A Time September 6, 2012 at 3:43 am
Oh nooo! I saw this and I was like, “YAY! I can do this one!” But.. the new World of Warcrack expansion comes out on the 25th and chances are I won’t be around much for a handful of weeks. Ahem. I might sign up anyway and see what I can squeeze in.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 6, 2012 at 9:44 am
Dooo eet.
Kristilyn (Reading in Winter) September 6, 2012 at 7:48 am
That’s it. I’m signing up. I don’t care if hubs is home.
YOU HAVE CONVINCED ME!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 6, 2012 at 9:44 am
*finger guns*
Jenny September 6, 2012 at 9:32 am
Oh man, I need to do so many of the things on your list as well. I haven’t updated my reviews page in months, I need to add a ton of review links in. I tried so hard to do it as I posted a review, but I’m lazy and after I’m done commenting each day I don’t want to look at the blog anymore:) I really need to cross post my reviews too. *sigh* Maybe I should sign up for this… :)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 6, 2012 at 9:50 am
Honestly, if Kelly didn’t harass me almost every week to update my review page, it would never get done.
Bloggiesta is a lot of fun, though. The bonus is that everyone else is working on their blogs, so it’s like one big party. (hence the name, lol)
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal September 6, 2012 at 9:38 am
I’m too lazy to actually sign up and commit myself but I’ll totally work on my blog that weekend anyway. Is that weird? Ehh, I don’t care. I’m a rebel. I’m doing it my way!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 6, 2012 at 9:52 am
You want all the benefits and none of the commitment. I get it.
Also, I’ll probably be bugging you about my mini-challenge (if I host one), so it will be like you’re really officially participating anyway.
Rummanah September 6, 2012 at 10:49 am
I try really hard to work on my blog on the weekends, but after working two jobs and really having one day off it goes to the wayside. The things you listed, however, makes me realize that I really do need to do this. I’m going to sign up. Thanks for the kick in the butt to get me moving and for the wake up call, Amanda!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 6, 2012 at 11:30 am
I think if you only have one day off, it really messes with how much energy you have to devote to your blog on a weekly basis. I participated in the spring Bloggiesta, though, when I was in the middle of a busy semester, and I ended up getting a lot accomplished. I was glad I signed up. I hope you end up feeling that way, too. :)
Logan September 6, 2012 at 12:02 pm
Thanks for letting me know! I need to do this…desperately.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 6, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Yay! :)
Smash Attack September 6, 2012 at 1:01 pm
WIN! I’m looking forward to your awesome progress!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 6, 2012 at 1:12 pm
I saw that you’re hosting a mini-challenge, I’m going to look forward to that! :)
Smash Attack September 6, 2012 at 1:39 pm
freaking out just a little!!!!!!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 6, 2012 at 1:39 pm
I’m freaking out a little, too. I’m going to be sharing my organizational skillz.
Tanya Patrice September 7, 2012 at 6:20 am
I’m signing up too – haven’t made a list of what I’m doing yet though, and definitely inspired looking through yours.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 7, 2012 at 8:55 am
Yay! :) I’m a chronic list maker, so I usually start my list early.
Felicia September 7, 2012 at 8:03 am
I can’t wait! My list is small but they are a huge time-takers :)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 7, 2012 at 8:56 am
It’s not the size of the list that counts…. wait. I am trying to resist the urge of making that comment dirty.
Felicia September 7, 2012 at 8:57 am
Now my mind went directly to the gutter :)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 7, 2012 at 8:59 am
My mind never leaves. Oh hey, Felicia, nice of you to join me and Kelly here in the gutter. ;)
Felicia September 7, 2012 at 9:01 am
I think I am permanently there now :)
Small Review September 7, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Oh gosh, it feels like Bloggiesta JUST happened. Where is the time going?! Good luck with your goals! I have a feeling you will totally OWN this challenge! :)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 7, 2012 at 10:03 pm
I don’t know, but I’d like time to stop–or at least slow down–time’s progress. And, thanks! I’m hoping to get ahead with blogging stuff this time around. :)
Kristin @myparahangover September 7, 2012 at 10:10 pm
I’m all over this!!! Thanks for the heads up, twice now!!!! You’ll totally kick ass and take names like you did last time!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 7, 2012 at 10:12 pm
Nah, we’re in this together! And if there’s Twitter chats, you can help me get into Twitter jail?
Mel@thedailyprophecy September 9, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Oh, great list! I’m going to think about some things I want to change. It will be so much fun! ^^
My Bloggiesta.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 29, 2012 at 10:41 am
Thanks, Mel! Good luck!
Laurel-Rain Snow September 28, 2012 at 8:45 am
Wow! I’m very impressed by your list, and by your blog. Have fun…and I hope you accomplish a lot.
Here’s MY BLOGGIESTA STARTING LINE POST
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 29, 2012 at 10:41 am
Thank you! :) Good luck to you, too!
Alexia561 September 28, 2012 at 7:40 pm
Great list! And you’ve already crossed off a few too. Whoa, I need to get this party started! Hope you have a great weekend and enjoy Bloggiesta!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 29, 2012 at 10:41 am
Thanks, Alexia! Good luck getting everything accomplished! :)
Kelsey September 29, 2012 at 10:37 am
Good job on getting so much done on your list so far! Keep up the good work *cheers you on*
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 29, 2012 at 10:39 am
Ahh! Your comment reminded me to cross more of the list. I’ve been keeping a paper list so I don’t have to keep checking this post. :)
Maria September 29, 2012 at 7:38 pm
Wait, do you seriously have almost your entire list checked off?! You’re my Bloggiesta hero! I’m going to pout for a moment, take a restorative gulp of wine, and then get back at it. You’ve inspired me ;)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 30, 2012 at 12:51 am
Yes, you have indeed read that correctly. :) I find that wine has many restorative properties. I hope you did en up getting a lot accomplished tonight!
Hollie @ Music, Books and Tea October 1, 2012 at 4:07 pm
Oh wow, congratulations on completing so much! And well done for only getting put in twitter jail once! :D
Amanda @ On a Book Bender October 1, 2012 at 4:21 pm
Thanks, Hollie! It’s nice to know that I can participate in a Twitter chat without going overboard and landing myself in jail. :)