BlogTober Blogging Challenge Advice

The ultimate blogging challenge, BlogTober is here and I can hardly believe it! Just yesterday we were talking Budgeting Summer Euro Vacations and today it’s all about Fall Blogging! Yikes AND Yahoo!!

Most seasoned bloggers know exactly what to expect during this time of the year. On the other hand, you may be scratching your head. And that’s perfectly okay.

So what’s BlogTober? It’s the Rolls Royce of blogging challenges. Bloggers around the world publish fresh content to their blogs every day during the month of October – hence, Blog-Tober.

Yes, I know – that sounds insane! I get it! But, relax. With a little planning, it can be quite cathartic and even stressless!

BlogTober Backstory

Last year, I signed up for my first blogging challenge: BlogMas. It was a euphoric mix of frenzy and excitement as I created 25 days of fresh content to post during the month of December, Christmas time – in other words, Blog-Mas! Click here to see the final result.

And what did I gain?

• I made new friends
• Created new content
• Drove new traffic to my web-page

It was an odd combination of a rough / win-win-win. And, is why we’re here today. I’m ready to try my luck this year with October’s BlogTober. Consequently, we will be doing this togther! What can go wrong?

Pro tip: Creating daily fresh content is a huge commitment. The best piece of advice I can give you is: take a deep breath! It’ll take some planning to pull this off – but, you’ve got me. I’m here to help you! And if you miss a day, we won’t tell a soul 😉

BlogTober Planning

Just like anything else in life, planning is the key to success.

Of course, you didn’t just show up at the DMV for your driver’s permit – you planned, first. Similarly, you didn’t suddenly go live with your blog – you planned. This is no different.

There are 31 days in October. Follow these quick 5 steps to creating content and you’ll be ready to post tonight!

• Consider your niche, jot down 10 short posts that speak to your blogging expertise
• Invite 10 bloggers to guest post
• Create a “Fall Q&A” and tag your favorite 5 bloggers
• Answer the question: what are my favorite 9 things about the Fall and now you have 9 blog topics
• Write a BlogTober introductory post right away!

Voilà! You now 31 days of content planned out! Congrats!

Pro tip: If you hit a “blogging creative wall” – Google “BlogTober” for some quick inspiration. My friend Lauren Duclos from BossGirlBloggers has come up with more than 70 blog post ideas! Click here to check those out.

BlogTober Intro Writing

Writing an introductory post is the quickest way to overcome those initial blogging nerves and start the BlogTober writing process. Just remember, you’re a blogger because you love to write. And sharing your gift is an added bonus.

Your intro post should be simple. Begin with explaining to your readers:

• What BlogTober is
• Why you’re participating in this wonderful blogging challenge
• What they can expect

Pro tip: In my very first BlogMas post last year, I was where you are today. Click here for some quick motivation and feel free to follow my lead, I’ll consider it a compliment. Or email me your questions. Am always happy to help!

BlogTober: Creating Content

If you break down the 31 day posting process into 5 steps or segments, creating content for 31 days feels less daunting. It’ll feel achievable. And it certainly is, trust me.

• Niche related: Pick ideas that go hand in hand with who you are as a blogger and run with it! And do they have to be “Fall-ish” related? Not at all! Above all, just keep it simple: quality over quantity!
• Fall related: What are those special things you love about the Fall? The smells? The food? The movies? For example, create lists, give advice.
• Collaborate with your virtual tribe. In other words, offer other bloggers the opportunity to guest post on your blog. It’ll be a creative way to fill in content and help with your SEO rating: cross-posting/external links: you mention them on your blog, link back to their’s and vice versus.
• Q&A posts: So, much fun! Basically, you post a few fun facts about yourself and tag other bloggers. It’s a great way to get to know your community and another fun way to increase your SEO. Click here for an example.

Pro tip: If writing and posting daily scares the life out of you… don’t worry! What I do is pick 2 days a week to write and then schedule those post to go live at a later date. I don’t sit down every day for 31 days and write. You can though if this is your full-time gig.

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I know today is already “BlogTober” Day 1 – but, you’ve got this! In short, follow my advice and you’ll feel like a pro in no time! So, what do you think? Are you going to do this? Comment below. Let me know if I can help!