The 30 Day Blog Challenge was not on my radar when I started this blog. In fact, I was such a newbie that I had only a few posts on the site. But this challenge has helped me understand several things about blogging and consistency – and also helped me understand better what is of interest and what isn’t here. I thought I’d share some insights I’ve gained over this past month, just in case you want to participate in the next 30 Day Blog Challenge.

1. Don’t expect people to read your posts. Ah ego. It is a bit stinging when you work hard on a post, it gets published and then . . . crickets. No comments, nothing, nada. <sigh> Get over it.
2. What you think is important might not be to your audience.
3. Shorter posts are easy, but well-written and researched posts tend to be more favorably received.
4. It pays to pay attention to what’s going on in the world. This helps inform your blogging.
5. Reading other people’s blogs is a good idea, but don’t use their words for your sole source of inspiration (and for heaven’s sake, don’t use their words verbatim!)
6. Don’t stress about what to write. Your muse will arrive in time.
7. Plan ahead, if possible, so you have at least your topics outlined for the month. That helps you avoid #6.
8. Don’t be afraid to broach controversial subjects. If you lose readers, they weren’t yours to begin with.
9. Unless your blog is a personal one anyway, limit your personal revelations. However, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through.
10. If you miss a day, don’t get discouraged. Get back on that horse.
11. If you do get comments on a post, thank the people who took the time to write to you. Even if the comment is negative, at least you know people are reading. Thanking them appropriately keeps them coming back.
12. Don’t be surprised if that great and unique topic idea you blogged about yesterday was blogged about by others yesterday, too. Innocent but identical idea inspiration seems to hit several people at once.
    
13. And finally, have fun! Too much pressure takes the fun away. Never lose sight of having fun.

A big thanks to Dr. Jeanette Cates, the person in charge of this challenge. I can’t imagine the amount of work this added to her day, but she’s to be commended for taking it on. Thanks to Connie Ragen Green for starting this program originally.

Thanks to all the readers who’ve taken the time to read my words and comment on them. I’ve learned a lot from you, and I’m grateful you’re out there.

Now that the challenge is over, I’ll be inviting select people to contribute to this blog as guest posters. I do believe in the power of collaboration – plus, I may be smart, but I don’t know everything. (Shocking, I know.)