Bloggiesta Mini-Challenge

Google Alert Mini-Challenge

This mini-challenge is pretty simple. Using one of the tasks from the 31 Days to Building a Better Blog, we will be creating Google Alerts. I use Google Alerts frequently in my job to keep up on trends in the industry. I have to admit that I don't use them in blogging, but I definitely will be starting some! Head on over to ProBlogger and read the instructions on setting up a useful Google Alert.

When you are finished, post a comment in the comments section to win some fabulous prizes! Make sure you've been over to Maw Books Blog to sign up for the Bloggiesta! Ole!

Bloggiesta Wrap Up

I had a productive weekend of blog maintaince. Taking the weekend was totally worth it. I feel like my site reflects a lot more of who I am and has a much cleaner look. Here's the run down of the weekend.

Friday:

• Designed background
• Designed Header
• Attempted to upload header
• Added Tweeple, cleaned up google reader
• Planned future posts
• Brainstormed meme and award ideas

Total Hours: 6


Today:

• Uploaded new site design including header and background. I think it looks fabulous!
• Fixed all sidebars and links
  
• Created and uploaded new Favicon
• Created a gravatar account
• Did a web grader analysis. Then, implemented changes
• Helped out with technical stuff on Twitter
• Read through comments and started responding through email.
• Updated Goodreads
• Made comments on social networking sites.
  

Goals: Will be updated 6/21 am

• 10/10 New Subscribers (Thanks everyone! I've got 35 total. Not bad for one month of blogging)
• 20/15 New Comments (This isn't counting the mini-challenge, btw)
• 1/10 Backup Posts

Total Time: 10 hours

Mini Challenges Completed:

Rebecca at The Book Lady's Blog: Cleaning up Google Reader
Trish at Hey Lady! Whatcha Reading?: Creating Favicons and Gravatars
Michelle at Galley Smith: Correctly Using Anchor Text
Ruth at Bookish Ruth: Grading Your Website

Comments Left: Probably about 10. I will do follow-up comments later, promise

Tweets Sent: Hundreds. I'll have to count another time, lol.

TOTAL Hours: 16

My favorite part of the Bloggiesta was getting that formatting change done. Now, I've got to do some updating on my other book challenges, and most importantly, get some reading done!

Bloggiesta!

I spend hours on my blog every night. I know it may not look like it, but I am constantly tweeking links, pictures, blogs, lists, and everything in between. It's all part of starting up a new blog, I guess. I'm also participating in the 31 Days to Building a Better Blog at ProBlogger. It's a fantastic program. So, Maw Book Blog is hosting a 24-hour book blog maintainance event, which coinsides perfectly with all the work I was planning to do on my 31 Days to Building a Better Blog.  Thanks Natasha!

Edited to Add: This is open to anyone with a blog, no matter the topic!
Edited *again* to add: I have been so dutifully informed that it is next weekend, not this weekend. Either way, I'll be participating.

Tasks:

• Create new blog template
• Create Favicon
• Fix all links, and sidebars
• Add another sidebar
• Create backup posts
• Brainstorm ideas for challenges and giveaways
• Develop a pitch for publishers when requesting ARC's
• Finish the 31 Days to Building a Better Blog 

Goals:

• Increase subscribers by 10
• 15 new comments
• 10 back up posts
• More user-friendly blog