I’m participating in the Pet Blogger Challenge 2017, organized by Go Pet Friendly. As part of the challenge, I’m answering a series of questions about my blog.
Q: When did you start your blog and, for anyone who is just seeing it for first time, please provide a description of your site. Would you say your blog focuses more on sharing stories with your readers, or providing a resource for your audience?
I started the blog in December 2016. I provide a mix of tips, humor, “pup-torials,” and personal stories about dogs. Although I have a mix of content that varies from personal stories to advice, I try to include guidance and tools in everything I write.
Q: What was your proudest blogging moment of 2016?
Buying my domain and starting the blog!
Q: Which of your blog posts was your favorite this year and why? (Please include a link.)
Probably the post that I wrote in first person from an aging dog’s point of view: https://21pupstreet.com/2016/12/20/letter-from-an-aging-dog/
It has significance for me, as I drew from experiences I’m having with my boyfriend’s 17-year-old dog and my mature 9-year-old dog.
Q: Year after year, one goal that we all seem to share is that we want to reach more people. What one tool did you use or action did you take this year that had the most impact on increasing traffic to your blog?
After starting my blog, I immediately started a Facebook page and invested in a $30 ad campaign, where I picked up about 85 subscribers. A lot of my current traffic comes from Facebook, so I think this was a wise investment to start.
Q: Which of your blog posts got the most traffic this year? (Please include a link.) Have you noticed any themes across your most popular posts?
My Dogs Have Issues But I’m Not a Terrible Owner and Spa Day: Treat Your Pup to an Elegant Doggie Bath. Since I’m new at this, I haven’t yet noticed any trends, but I have gotten a lot of feedback on the personal stories.
Q: What blog do you find most inspirational and how has it influenced your blog? (Please include a link.)
Funny enough, I really like what a friend of mine is doing at her crafting/kids blog: seevanessacraft.com. I modeled my doggie spa day after some of what she does. I also like news sites like The Dogington Post and have done a few guest posts there.
Q: What is one thing your readers don’t know about you or your pets that would surprise them?
My dogs and I have similar personalities – we’re all quite shy with strangers.
Also, in addition to blogging about dogs, I’m a freelance journalist focusing on wildlife and conservation.
Q: What is something you’ve learned this year that could help other bloggers?
Just do it. I was a little scared to start my blog, and I’m still figuring out the direction, but I’m excited and ready to meet any challenges that come my way in 2017.
Q: What would you like to accomplish on your blog in 2017?
I’d like to grow my blog to the point where I can start monetizing a bit.
Q: Now it’s your turn! You have the attention of the pet blogging community – is there a question you’d like answered, or an aspect of your blog that you’d like input on?
What is the one thing you wish you knew in your first year as a pet blogger?
21 Pup Street 
I participated for the first time this year too – It’s been interesting reading all the different answers and great to see another person with under a year joining in 🙂
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Thanks for visiting and reaching out! Your site looks great. 🙂
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Congrats on taking the leap and starting your blog! This is my first visit and I look forward to reading some of your past posts. The titles are all pretty intriguing – especially My Dog Has Issues But I am not a terrible Owner.
In terms of your question, I think it is really important to find like-minded bloggers and form friendships and collaborations. Visit and read as many other blogs as you can to build friendships, find inspiration, etc. A great way to discover other dog blogs is to participate in the BlogPaws Wordness Wednesday BlogHop. Go at your own pace, find your own voice, and try not to compare yourselves to others. I look forward to reading some of your other posts.
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Thanks so much for visiting and for leaving a thoughtful comment! I’ll definitely take your advice. I’m so excited that a community like Blog Paws exists and I look forward to meeting other pet bloggers!
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Buying a domain and starting a blog are some huge steps! Congratulations! If there was one thing I did that probably helped me more than anything else during my first year and that was pay for a beginner course on blogging. In my case paying for a course was much better than free because I made sure and got the most out of everything from taking action after every unit, participating in forums, meeting fellow bloggers, interacting with the experts, and reading all the bonus resources. If the course were free I don’t think I would have gotten the most out of the training. Good luck to you in 2017!
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Thanks so much for visiting and taking the time to give great advice!
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Congratulations on starting your blog and thanks for joining the Challenge, Tina! I hope that 2017 is a great year for you. What I wish I knew in my first year of blogging was not to take it so seriously. This Challenge originated from a post titled “Bullied By My Blog,” so that gives you an idea of where I was after my first year of blogging! It took me a while to relax into my own schedule, find my voice, and connect with my audience. It’s a process, so be patient and enjoy the ride. Good luck!
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Thank you for the insight and for the challenge! Patience is something I’m working on! Hehe.:)
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Welcome to the blogging community! When I think back to my first year as a blogger, I wish I knew the following:
1) Take the time to find your voice.
2) Use other bloggers for inspiration, but don’t feel like you HAVE to do everything they do (blog hops, product reviews, giveaways, etc.)
3) Don’t obsess about the numbers, it takes away from the fun you’re having.
4) Think about the content you’re putting out there – will it be valuable when you’re ready to monetize? Last year, I deleted over 300 blog posts that weren’t serving my blog and it was a minor nightmare.
5) Take breaks and enjoy life; that’s where inspiration for blog posts come from 🙂
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Thanks for visiting, Kimberly. And thank you so much for the input!
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