Golden Happy to participate in the 4th Annual Pet Blogger Challenge sponsored by Go Pet Friendly. Golden Excited as this is our first time to join in. It is also an opportunity to share more about Golden Woofs to our readers especially to our new followers/readers.
(questions below answered by Sugar’s mom, Rosalyn)
1. How long have you been blogging? Please tell us why you started blogging, and, for anyone stopping by for the first time, give us a quick description of what your blog is about.
I started blogging 2 months after Sugar’s 7th Barkday, October 10, 2008. Sugar has given me inspiration and thought a blog would help me share her life and adventures. Did not know much about blogging. I was very eager to learn and did not become actively involved till mid year of 2010. The year 2011 was when our blog evolve into different pet related areas. We started doing product reviews and our Tasty Tuesday posts. Also, at the end of 2011, I moved our blog from blogger to WP. It was a scary thing to do but happy I did it, including the theme re-design. 2012 was our Golden Adventure blogging year. Last year, our blog actively participated on different social media platforms.
2. Name one thing about your blog, or one blogging goal that you accomplished during 2013, that made you most proud.
2013 was a good year even though I did not set any blog goals. I accomplished unexpected sponsors for my blog. After attending BlogPaws, it inspired me to re-create how Sugar and I do product reviews. I added a visual video product review. Sugar also landed her first product modeling ad job.
I am also proud of the 2 blog hops I created, This Moment See Beautiful and Scoop That Poop.
3. When you look at the post you wrote for last year’s Pet Blogger Challenge, or just think back over the past year, what about blogging has changed the most for you?
Last year, I participated actively in social media. July 2013, I created a Golden Woofs FB Page which has become an extension of our blog. Instagram has been our favorite, as I love taking photos of Sugar.
4. What lessons have you learned this year – from other blogs, or through your own experience – that could help us all with our own sites?
Be Yourself. Enjoy and have FUN Blogging. Don’t write a post to please others. Do not be consumed on what topics to write and how to monetized your blog.
Lastly, dog blogging friends are great supporters and we appreciate it very much. A Special Big Golden Shout out to our long time blog friends/followers.
If you could ask the pet blogging community for help with one challenge you’re having with your blog, what would it be?
I wish there was more TIME in a day … I need more time. It would allow me to visit/comment on other blog. So many wonderful blogs to read but too little time in the day to visit/comment. Home/work takes priority.
5. What have you found to be the best ways to bring more traffic to your blog, other than by writing great content?
Visiting and commenting on other blogs is always the best way, bringing old/new readers.
Honestly, I was not concerned about blog reader traffic until last year when product brands asked for blog stats. I have google analytics and wp stats installed on our blog but never checked until mid year last year. Realized that most traffic from our blog comes from Pinterest. Must be my blog photographs that bring new readers to our blog.
Joining hops are fun and it has been helpful in engaging with other bloggers.
6. How much time to do you spend publicizing your blog, and do you think you should spend more or less in the coming year?
I feel I spend a lot of time. I write my post the day before. I blame social media for taking a lot of time. I plan to spend less time this year by being more organized. How? still in the process in figuring it out. My priority is to be able to comment on blogs I regularly read/follow.
7. How do you gauge whether or not what you’re writing is appealing to your audience?
From comments and blog stats (which I only casually check out of curiosity and/or if asked).The popularity of social media sharing has been helpful and brought new readers to our blog.
How do you know when it’s time to let go of a feature or theme that you’ve been writing about for a while?
Just have to gauge it through readers engagement. As always, I use my best judgment if the topic and/or theme needs to end.
8. When you’re visiting other blogs, what inspires you to comment on a post rather than just reading and moving on?
There are regular blogs I always visit and comment no matter the post topic. For other blogs, it depends if the post trigger a similar experience and/or it was helpful/insightful. Sometimes, there are posts that are a bit overwhelming and hard to find words to comment.
9. Do you do product reviews and/or giveaways?
Yes and I’ve been very selective on what products to review. I only accept products that are useful and appropriate for Sugar. I receive tons of emails for product reviews and had to say no to many of them. Product reviews are time consuming too, especially since I added a visual Sugar video review. I feel that I spend lots of time preparing for a product review and would appreciate getting compensated for our hard work.
10. When writer’s block strikes and you’re feeling dog-tired, how do you recharge?
I get lots of idea topics in my mind. Sugar provides clarity and inspiration. It is very important for me to spend quality time with Sugar.We usually go for a long nature walk.
11. Have you ever taken a break from your blog? How did that go?
I always take a holiday and spring/summer break. It might not be obvious as we take only a few days off and we are semi active with other social media.
I find that it is very important to take a blog break.
12. What goals do you have for your blog in 2014?
The year 2014 came so quickly. Truthfully, I have not set any blog goals … just keep on blogging and continue to share Sugar’s Golden LOVE ♥
I enjoyed this interview. It’s always fun to get to know your fellow bloggers a bit better.
Lovely to ‘meet’ you Rosalyn 🙂 As a relatively new and still relatively random reader it’s great to learn what makes you and your blog tick. I’m hoping to get time to join in this hop but I really struggle with wanting/needing more hours in the day too 🙂 Hugs to Sugar!
Looking forward to reading more of your golden posts this year.
Your blog was among the first I discovered (way back in 2009) and followed. Since then it’s only gotten better and remains one of my favorites. Best wishes to you and Sugar in all you do this year!
I remember always noting how your blog changed and evolved. I’m not as brave – I’m not sure I want to attempt the jump to WP. However, I do hope to go to BlogPaws.
Monty and Harlow
I agree with you, I wish I had more time for blogging. Why we can’t have days with 87 hours? I’m looking forward to read a lot of golden posts :o)
Enjoyed reading this and learning more about you! Love following Sugar and her adventures.
~Rebecca & Teach
I always wish I had more time to visit/read other blogs! Nice to read about your blog experience.
Your blog is the first I found and for me will always be one of the best. The See Beautiful hop is my favorite hop by far. Interesting interview and I agree, not enough time to visit everyone and comment, just doing the best I can.
You and I started our blogs in the same Month and Year.
WE love YOUR See Beautiful and Scoop the Poop. Bravo on BOTH of those ideas.
We kind of MISS seeing POSTS about the wonderful Collar Tags and such that you make. I still have the one you used to PRACTICE with… and then sent to ME… and Ernie is STILL wearing the one that Sarge had you make for him.
We have been GOOD furends for SO long. You make us PROUD to call you a FUREND.
WE think you are one of the KINDEST and most GENEROUS citizen Blogville has. You help EVERYBUDDY with anythingy and EVERYTHINGY.
Sugar CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ON YOUR HARD WORK AND AMAZING BLOG! You know I have been a long time follower and LOVE YOU! When you find the secret to the “time” issue, will you please let me know????!!!!! LOVE YOU TODAY AND ALWAYS!!
I may not be the follower who has been around the longest but you know I Golden LOVE visiting you every day. You are such a TERRIERIFIC friend! Thank you for all the advice you have shared, thank you for letting us be a part of Scoop That Poop and See Beautiful and thank you for being one of my best followers!
*BIGGEST Cairn cuddles*
Oz
I’ve had a blog for a few years and didn’t get more serious until BlogPaws 2013, which is where I met you. I’m still amazed at your being able to post almost every day and always post new ides and new adventures of Sugar. I have learned so much about and Sugar from this post. I’m also grateful for the photography tips.
Look forward to seeing you at BlogPaws 2014 in Vegas.
I’m so glad to learn more about you and Sugar. I hope she is feeling better and able to get her bark back. Hoping 2014 is a healthy and amazing year for you and your gorgeous Sugar!
You and Sugar do an awesome job! Your photos and videos are amazing. We are not fans of video, but there are two bloggers where we always watch the videos and you are one of them! I’m trying to get Mom to work on her video editing. She is improving but has a long way to go. You are great on instagram, but how in the world do you get all the hashtags on your posts? Mom says that she refuses to type all of them every time she posts a photo. Is there something we are missing that would be s short cut?
I love this hop! I did my post on Friday about it! What a great way to learn about other people’s blogging world and their acheivments . I really enjoyed learning about your today :))
((Husky hugz))
“Love is being owned by a husky”
I see now how far you have come since I first started following you. You do amazing work and Sugar doesn’t hurt either! Sandra & Dolly
Sharing Sugar’s Golden Love…..we think that’s the best!
XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy
It is always hard to find time and we too have problems with fitting it all in and thus we can’t use much of the social media that is available. We always love the fact that each visit is different and we can never predict what we will find and we like that. It keeps things fresh. Have many more happy years blogging Sugar and mum. Hope Sugar is doing well. We think of her. Have a super Saturday.
best wishes Molly
I like your answer to number 4. And I agree that more bloggers should be getting compensated for the great work they do from companies! I can see why Pinterest is a big traffic bringer to your blog. You have very “pin-friendly” images.
Oh, I LOVES your bloggie Sugar!! I especially loves your tricks and your Moms delish recipes! yeah, MAYBE one day my Ma will actually MAKE something for me!!! hint, hint….
Anyhu, lovely interview!!
Kisses,
Ruby ♥
Beautiful interview and great insite. You do such a great job at your blog.
Hey Sugar running late here. Lots of bad weather and torndowarnings all around us today.
We loved reading your post today.
We met you just about at the beginning of your blog and YOU AND MOM HAVE INSPIRED US EACH DAY
HUGS
MADI YOUR BFFF
We absolutely love your blog, Sugar! You always have such great information and you’re such a beautiful girl!
Love ya lots♥
Mitch and Molly
I wish there was more time in a day too! I need to get more organized too, but I’m not sure how, haha.
Instagram is our favorite too! 🙂
It was great reading this and learning more about you two and the blog. We love reading your blog. 🙂
You should get paid for your endorsements. I’m only just beginning to understand how difficult reviews can be. and you do some great reviews. I love the blog hops, although I participated more int he Scoop that Poop than in the See Beautiful. I like to see the See Beautiful posts, but don’t know if I can match it. BTW, I think you make the most beautiful model.
Sugar….
Oh, I love these posts!! They are so much fun to read!! 😉
Prior to starting my main Blog, Beautifully Unique, I was computer illiterate. I knew absolutely nothing about the Internet or how to operate it. Now I do!! 😉
“What lessons have you learned this year – from other blogs, or through your own experience – that could help us all with our own sites? Be Yourself. Enjoy and have FUN Blogging. Don’t write a post to please others. Do not be consumed on what topics to write and how to monetized your blog.”. Great answer, Friend!! 😉
I have never concerned myself over Blog reader traffic. Comments on the other hand….? I live for those!! 😉
I experience Writer’s Block. But, to me, it is fleeting. See, I am blessed to possess a crazy never-shuts-down head!! That being mentioned. I am never, ever, ever out of stories or subject ideas . My biggest issue? Having far too many stories or subject ideas and choosing only one!! 😉
–Raelyn and Rose
We just LOVE reading your blog and Sugar’s photos are AMAZING!!! Can’t believe we started blogging back in March of 2007. Much has changed since then!! We will remain your biggest fans!! xo Chloe and LadyBug
“Sugar provides clarity and inspiration.”
This is exactly how I feel about Moses – going on a nice long walk melts away stress or clears cobwebs, but also provides lots of blogging inspiration.
Great advice here for fellow bloggers! Thanks for participating in this!
This was one of the first blogs I followed when we started 3 years ago. You are a positive inspiration to many out here.
Thanks Rosalyn for the wonderful insight! What a great interview! I am learning so much from bloggers like you and that sweet Golden girl Sugar!
I especially like your answer in Q #4. I came to that conclusion after getting overwhelmed by all the do’s and don’t’s of blogging. I am going to so by the “if it isn’t fun, don’t do it” school of thought. I love your blog and have followed for quite awhile now. Sugar is such a sweetheart!
Great post Rosalyn! It’s great that you keep your goal of blogging to have FUN and not write for other people as the main reason for your writing.
I already spend WAY to much of my day on blogging activities and don’t even come close to reading all of the blogs that I want to. I know my blogger friends face the same dilemma. I rely on Twitter to keep in touch with the blogs I can’t visit and know that my blogger friends are dong what they can to keep in touch with me.
I enjoyed reading your challenge answers. I especially liked you answer to #4. I could steal that one. 🙂 Looking forward to this year. 🙂
“Be Yourself. Enjoy and have FUN Blogging. Don’t write a post to please others” – this is perfect and I totally agree. This is what keeps me plugging away at blogging.
I’ve very much enjoyed following your blog this past year.