Blogging 201 Days 1 and 2

I’ve been blogging now for 2 years and I admit that for most of that time I have been blogging blindly. The time has come to be more organised about it. I need a strategy.
So this month I have signed up for Blogging 201 which is all about Branding and Growth.
It started yesterday and here’s what I have figured out so far.

CommaDay 1  Monday 14th September
Dream Big and Set 3 Goals

  • I am creating a beautiful, inspiring and useful gardening blog. It is a resource for gardeners both new and experienced.
  • I am developing my blog into a website so that it is like a magazine and full of interest.
  • I am building a reputation as an expert in Country Gardens. I am connecting with people around the world to develop a community of like minded readers.
  • Most of all I want my blog to inspire readers to have a go at growing some beautiful plants because it’s so easy and rewarding.

Why am I doing this? There are so many benefits to growing your own flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables. We all know that gardens are good for wildlife and I believe that gardening makes you happy and healthy. You can see a more detailed explanation about why I feel compelled to blog in Blogging 101

Verbena-CommasMy Short Term Goals
Goal 1

I am developing a strategy to organise my thoughts and ideas.
I have a list of posts I’d like to write and there will be feedback from readers who have questions.
These will be built into my weekly schedule.
I am setting up an editorial plan for the rest of this year from 16th September – 31st December 2015.

Goal 2

The articles I write all have some connection to Country Gardens.
After all I’m the country garden expert!
Posts vary in length from quick short posts with just a couple of photos to illustrate the point to longer articles with detailed explanations. I am establishing a regular schedule and a weekly feature entitled How to Grow…

Goal 3

I am working on building relationships with people around the world.
I am developing my readership by connecting with other bloggers and finding ways to reach out to non-blogging readers too.
I am joining in with existing link parties and I’m also creating my own.

 

Day 2  Tuesday 15th September
Audit Your Brand

I have been working on my blog to try to get the look I want for it ever since I started blogging. I have a very clear picture in my mind of how I want it to look and more importantly to function. From 2nd August this year and for the time being Goran is my theme of choice.

But please don’t think I am sitting here twiddling my thumbs. Oh no! Today I have added a contact page to my website (in case readers would prefer to approach me directly rather than via commenting on a blog post.) and you can see it in the footer.

Ideally I’d like my blog to show readers that I know what I’m talking about, and that I am friendly and approachable too.

Love GillianI would love to know what your thoughts are on my website/blog.
Specifically I’d like to know what messages this site conveys to you.
Your suggestions for changes and improvements are most welcome.

Thanks for reading, liking and commenting. Gillian :)

14 thoughts on “Blogging 201 Days 1 and 2

  1. I love your blog! I can come and visit here and enjoy your garden…such beautiful colors. Thank you for sharing. I am amazed as to how you capture so many butterflies so perfectly on the flowers.

    1. Thanks very much for visiting MaryLou. I appreciate your comments. Do you think readers would like to know more about how I get the pictures?

  2. I enjoy your blog very much. It is just lovely and very refreshing with your beautiful photos. I am also taking this course to improve my personal blog. I find this very helpful. Have a wonderful rest of the day.

  3. Good luck with 201. I enjoyed it when I did it some time ago. I think I could do with a refresher, so maybe reading your responses will help. Overall you blog comes across as a happy place with lovely photos. Your love of your plants shines through. Enjoy the course.

  4. Gillian, as you know I am a big fan of your blog! It has fantastic pictures and is presented very well. Last year I took 201 and learned so much! Annette and I teamed up as partners and her input to my blog has been invaluable and we have kept in touch and I consider her my friend. You have several categories and I think your interests and knowledge would draw many people to your blog. One thing I have tried to do, is remember who I am writing for and why I blog. It is for two people! So I’m very comfortable with my blog and thrilled that anyone else has found it interesting!

    1. Thanks very much Cady. I must admit that I do tend to write about what interests me. It’s hard to know what readers want to hear about isn’t it? I know a lot about design and construction which I’ve hardly touched on, propagation, designing with plants and now photography too. Perhaps I should do a couple of Polls and ask them!

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