Editor’s note: Lots of people start blogging by writing posts on whatever pops into their head. To really grow a blog, though, you need focus. Participating in The WordCount Blogathon helped Catholic issues blogger Don Gonzalez do just that – with fantastic results. Read how. — Michelle Rafter
***
This is my third year participating in the WordCount Blogathon. The first year, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing, nor did I know what to expect from committing to write every day for a month. I learned so much that first year, and even more in the second. Participating in the Blogathon has helped me focus my blog, increase my readership and network with other writers.
Here’s what I learned:
Focus
Before I participated in the Blogathon, my personal blog was an outlet for random writing of whatever interesting thing popped into my head. Potential readers wouldn’t have known what to expect because I was not writing with a particular focus.
In the Blogathon, I noticed that most of the other bloggers wrote about a particular subject or area of interest. At the end of my first Blogathon, I decided to scrap the personal blog and develop a second blog that I’d started, Joe Catholic. Up to that time, I had viewed Joe Catholic as a resource for a Catholic men’s group I had started by the same name. By casting my net into deeper waters (Luke 5:4) with the blog, I was able to expand the reach of our lay apostolate. I also discovered that I could still write about some of my other interests, but through the lens of living out my Catholic faith in ordinary circumstances.
If You Write It, They Will Read
Since my first Blogathon, readership of Joe Catholic has increased exponentially. Before the Blogathon, I averaged 100 views per month. I now average more than twice that per day. Compared to other blogs, that may not seem like much. But I continue to see steady growth as I write consistently.
I attribute this growth to a couple of things I learned. For starters, I learned that I have to post consistently so readers can depend on me to have something interesting for them to come back to. Now that I have successfully completed two Blogathons, the idea of writing at least every other day is not nearly as daunting as it once was. I don’t always adhere to this schedule and when I don’t, I see a drop in visitors.
In addition to learning to write regularly, I picked up some smart ways to promote posts and the blog. I discovered that it’s important to write a SEO-friendly, descriptive title and use keywords or tags effectively. I also learned how to use social media such as Facebook, Reddit, StumpleUpon and Twitter to increase traffic to my blog. I’ve also started using Google+ as well.
Network
One of the unforeseen benefits of my participation in the Blogathon has been the relationships I developed with other bloggers. I still regularly follow some of the other bloggers, such as Tia Bach’s blog. If memory serves me correctly, Tia was one of the first Blogathon bloggers to comment on one of my posts with words of encouragement and affirmation.
In addition to the mutual support and encouragement I received from other bloggers, we shared ideas and resources. Through this networking, I learned how to add widgets to my blog and other tips and tricks. Another Blogathon blogger even suggested the topic that I now write about.
Have Fun – and Have a Plan
The Blogathon is not just for beginners. It also is a nice way for a seasoned veteran to jumpstart his or her writing. My advice to anyone thinking about participating in the Blogathon is to have fun and plot out a plan. The theme days are a whole lot of fun and help get those creative juices flowing.
Best of all, you won’t be alone: everyone is very supportive and willing to help others succeed and learn.
Don Gonzalez writes at Joe Catholic and on Facebook. A resident of Carrollton, Texas, Gonzalez is working on a masters in theological studies at Ave Maria University.