2020 Challenges: September Update | Jo Linsdell

2020 Challenges: September Update

 

2020 Challenges: September Update


2020 Challenges: September Update

September was a better month. Not great, but better. 




The Blog Audit Challenge 2020

This is a challenge I created aimed at improving our blogs. You can find full details here in case you missed the introduction post. 

Before I jump into talking about my progress with the September tasks I wanted to share some good news with you all. September saw the highest number of views to my site since it's creation. I'm thrilled with the results. I hope you're noticing an increase in your own traffic too. 

I'd also like to point out that I'm actually posting less to my site than I have in the past too so don't think it's connected to putting out more content. It's not. It's about putting out the right content and leveraging it to get the best results. 

Now on to the September goals. The focus was to do with developing readership.

Task 1: Optimise your comment system

I'm already happy with my comment system so didn't actually need to make any changes for this one.

Task 2: Make sure you reply to all comments

This is one of those tasks that is easy for comments on recent posts but can get tricky for older posts. With new posts I get a notification when someone leaves a comment and so it's super easy to click through and reply. This doesn't happen for older posts. For those I need to go through and approve them. These tend to be where spammers try to post and so it can be quite time consuming going through them all.  Unfortunately this can mean that it takes me a while to reply to the genuine comments left of those posts. I've started going through the list once a week now to try and keep it more under control and make sure the genuine commenters get a reply. 

3. SEO comments

I'm usually quite good at SEO in my comments both on my own site and others. When you've had some experience with copy writing it comes naturally after a while. The hardest part of doing it is making the comments unique. I often find that readers will leave similar comments on a post. I want to try to give each person a personalised reply. Sometimes this is easier said than done. 

The Audiobook Challenge

This challenge is was created by Eline from Lovely Audiobooks. I'm doing it as a year long challenge. 

Last month I told you I downloaded my first audiobook ever from Net Galley. Well I listened to it! Finally making progress with this challenge again. That said, I don't particularly like the Net Galley app. Maybe I'm just too used to Audible? If anyone has any thoughts about this I'd love to hear from you. 

The Audiobook Challenge 2020 Progress Report




Audiobooks listened to in September:
  • Dear Girl by Anji Mayrock

The A to Z Reading Challenge

Next up is the A to Z Reading Challenge

Better progress with this challenge too.

A to Z Reading Challenge 2020 Progress Report


Books read this month:

R- Reality Girl by Jessica Hildreth


Armed with a Bingo

I'm also doing the Armed with a Bingo challenge.


Armed with a Bingo Challenge 2020 Progress Report


Books read this month:
  • Dear Girl by Anji Mayrock (Poetry Collection)
  • Reality Girl by Jessica Hildreth (Book of your choice)

2020 Challenges: September Update


10 comments

  1. I have seen a slight improvement in my blog traffic. I am not a fan of Netgalley's audio app,

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    1. That's great! I'm glad you're starting to see some increase in your blog traffic. Way to go!
      I think it's great that Net Galley has branched out to include audiobooks in their selection. I do think the app could be improved though. I also think they need a wider selection of audiobooks available. Currently the choice is very limited.

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  2. Great post. I've gotten behind over these last few months with replying to comments. I think between having a house full of people 24/7 and never having much time for my blogging that something had to give. Hubby goes back to work next month so I'm hoping to play catch up then.

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    1. I know what you mean. This year it's been hard getting anything done. Since my kids went back to school (even if both on reduced hours) I've at least managed to catch up a bit. Fingers crossed for you next month.

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  3. Oh my... I will have to get started on this challenge again (did the first three months and then got seriously sidetracked) .. kudos on the greater traffic.. and I need to work harder on replying to comments on my blog

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    1. You're welcome to catch up with the Blog Audit Challenge any time. A lot of the tasks are on going ones.
      Thanks. I was thrilled to see such an improvement in the traffic to my site. Hopefully it will continue in that direct.
      Keeping up with replying to comments is something a lot of bloggers struggle with. As I went through checking comments on my posts as part of the September challenges I was horrified at how long ago some people had commented on posts and I still hadn't replied. Luckily there weren't many but still I hate to think I missed them. It can be tricky to catch them on older posts where people try to post spam. The real comments can get lost in the mix.

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  4. Excellent challenges! I am doing A to Z next year.

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    1. I've tried to do the A to Z reading challenge several times over the years and it's always fun... Although I don't think I've ever managed to complete it. I am doing better with it this year though so hopefully I'll get them all by the end of the year. Will next year be your first time doing the challenge?

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  5. Great update for the challenges you are doing.

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    1. Thanks. I'm enjoying the challenges a lot this year and I'm pleased with the results so far. Reading has been hard this year with everything that is 2020 but these challenges are helping to keep me motivated. I've also been lucky enough to pick some really good books to read this year.

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