Monday, January 10, 2011

Pet Blogger Challenge

I decided to participate in a Pet Blogger Challenge brought to you by the blog Will My Dog Hate Me? to talk about...well the challenges of pet blogging. The idea is for a lot of pet bloggers to chat (via blog posts of course) about their blogs, share--and of course drive traffic! It was a great exercise in thinking about why I sit here day after day blogging to you, dear readers. The answers to the questions helped me understand better just what I am aiming to do by publishing this here blog, hope you enjoy my thoughts...

1. When did you begin your blog?
I began The Other Winnie Cooper blog in September, 2010.
2. What was your original purpose for starting a blog?
I had been thinking about starting a blog about my love for animals with my shih-tzu, Winnie Cooper as the star, but I didn’t want it to be too cutesy or self-serving. So I decided to broaden the scope to all things animal/pet related that interest me and my pet family. So far this has included fundraising for animal shelters, pit bull education, reviews of pet related products that I like and of course, a lot of cute photos of Winnie Cooper! The ultimate goal is to be interesting, so that I continue to be interested in blogging as well as hopefully adding something fun and interesting to the internets and pet blogging community.
3. Is your current purpose the same?
My goal has been to keep it fun and not too much of chore (for me or my readers!). I think the blog has captured some of that spirit.
4. Do you blog on a schedule or as the spirit moves you?
I started out thinking I would put together a very specific calendar of topics and schedule when I would post…but I have found that it’s been easier to be creative on the fly and post when the spirit moves me. So far “traffic” has not been an issue, it’s a new blog and I am just happy that my Mom and boyfriend read it!
5. Are you generating income from your blog?
No, not even a little! I am excited to see what some other pet bloggers say in answer to this question. I would love to grow into a place where the blog has a greater impact, and I could generate income and donate a percentage to my favorite animal shelters.
6. What do you like most about blogging in general and your blog in particular (bragging is good!)?
The thing I like the most is being able to express my love and adoration for my pets. Simply put, I am crazy about them and it’s nice to be able to shout it from the roof tops, so to speak. I think the strength of the blog is in the sense of humor and compassion I try to bring to the writing and the photo captions. I’ve always wanted to be a writer, I think I have finally found the right thing to write about…”write what you know?” Definitely!
7. What do you like least?
I am not overjoyed at the template from blogger, but I am trying to decide when I should spiff it up with a custom look. The design and technical aspects are challenging for me, writing is definitely more interesting to me.
8. How do you see your blog changing or growing in 2011?
My goal is to get out into the real world (as opposed to the virtual world) and volunteer, interview, and generally be a part of my local animal/ pet care community so I can communicate it all back to my readers. I hope that will interest folks and the blog will grow accordingly.

So what do you all think about this? What would you like to see on The Other Winnie Cooper in 2011? What do you like best? and least (feel free, I can take it!)?

23 comments:

  1. Nice to meet you! I know what you mean about not loving the Blogger template. I'm not sure I'm skilled enough to figure anything else out! :)

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  2. We are stopping by from the challenge.

    It is very nice to meet you Winnie Cooper!
    We enjoyed reading your Q & A's

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  3. Good morning! I enjoyed reading more about your blog. Kudos on getting your mom to read...I have to encourage (okay, guilt) my mom into reading! Luckily the hubster reads daily :)

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  4. It's great to meet you! Thanks for participating in the challenge. I'm glad you enjoyed it and I hope you have fun reading the other bloggers' posts.

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  5. Hi! We took the Pet Blogger Challenge too! We have seen a lot of people saying they don't like the Blogger template. We like it OK because it is a iittle easier for us than the other ones... but some people can do a lot more with blogs than we can!

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  6. Hi, nice to meet you from the Pet Blogger Challenge. I'd say the thing I'd like to see most on your blog is more pictures of that adorable Winnie! What a cutie pie!

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  7. Thanks for all the comments and encouragement today! I can't wait to get home from work and read all the other posts!

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  8. Glad to find you through the Challenge list. I love Shih-Tzu's and Winnie is adorable!

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  9. Hi Winnie!!

    You are the first "other Winnie" I've met since starting blogging and it was really kind of you to pop by my blog and say 'hi'. I'm following you back right now.

    I think your blog looks really nice. I like the colour scheme and I'm going to look forward to finding out more about Shih-Tzus.

    Lock and licks, Winnie

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  10. Wow, looking at your archives, you are amazingly prolific! I guess it helps to have a lap dog that doesn't beg for long walkies!

    I hope you meet your goals to do more in the dog community. Talk about great inspiration for more posts!

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  11. @Pamela, thank you for the kind words! It's true, Winnie does not need long walks, my other dog is a pit bull, but she's nearly 13 years old, so long walks are a thing of the past(sadly)! Glad you enjoyed some posts from the archive. I post when the "spirit moves me" which apparently is often.

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  12. Thanks for sharing your blogging goals and challenges. I can already tell I love your sense of humor. And kudos for venturing out into the real world. While local and online communities serve a terrific purpose, I find involvement with both tremendously rewarding!

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  13. Hey, I just read on another blog that you are from Vermont. Where in Vermont? I'm a Vermonster too. I grew up in South Burlington. Although sadly now I live in NY. But I come back and visit often!

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  14. Just thought I'd stop by and say "hello" as I wind my way through the challenge posts. Glad you played along so we could meet.

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  15. @Peggy, We are in the Burlington. Vermontsters represent!

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  16. I think those are absolutely fantastic goals! Great to meet you! :)

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  17. Thanks for coming by and introducing yourself to the pet blogging community. Winnie is (almost) too cute for words.

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  18. It sounds like Winnie and CindyLu are two peas in a pod! lol I look forward to your "getting out there" - whatever you choose to do, it'll be great reading about it!

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  19. Stopping by from the Pet Blogger Challenge ... enjoyed your Q&A! Love your goal for the new year and look forward to reading about your efforts!

    -Chandra at Daley's Dog Years

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  20. @Shauna, Edie, fearfuldogs, CindyLu and Chandra--Thanks for stopping by!

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  21. Your love for your pets really shines through! It's contagious.

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  22. You're definitely bringing the cuteness, and also a lot of sass and humor in the captions. Also really like your idea for birthday donations to help animal causes!

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I'd love to know what you think! Thanks.