It’s time to go on Paws’ Pet Blogger’s Journey 2021, as this year is a crossroad of whether I continue and how I continue down the blogging street or take a detour to find another way to help cats.
I am participating in the annual “Pet Bloggers Journey” hosted by the blog Puppy in Training. Myself and several other pet bloggers answer the same 10 questions about our blogging goals and struggles! My answers are below; however, I incorporated the questions into the article.
You guessed it; I write about cats. I began my blog about 10 years ago, with a tagline Paws for Reflection. While that is not a bad name, it does not really say much of what I am about. Also, when you put in a research for Paws for Reflection, versus BJ Bangs, I only come up once.
Paws’ Pet Blogger’s Journey 2021, Power up with Cat Tourism
For the past few years, I have struggled with that re-identification and re-branding. I liked #Get Your Cat Fix; however, it is too intertwined with cat overpopulation, a subject of which I care about deeply. I am leaning towards Paws News for Cat Lovers with a focus on cat tourism, cat events, cat news, and all those fun things cats like to do. That’s why we’re thinking about taking the Pet Blogger’s Journey 2021 and powering up with cat tourism. At Paws, we also talk about why cats are so good for us hoomans.
We thank PuppyTraining.com for hosting this exciting journey, and look forward to meeting other bloggers and helping them with their journey in 2021.
Last year, I had goals to do a lot with my blog, but with COVID 19, I went into a tailspin, as life seemed to change from one day to the next. Also, with three elections last year (I am the Town Clerk in the town where I live – a very part time job that became more as the months went on) I didn’t stick with a plan.
I can’t say I am proud of anything that made me most proud in 2020. I liked my popular posts. I did engage in some online learning, but nothing that made me proud.
- Virtual Museum Tours for Cat Lovers
- Poland’s Cat Museum Ideal for Cat Lovers
- Feline Leukemia no longer a death sentence to shelter cats
- And Will I Meet My Cats on the Rainbow Bridge?
I think people are looking for info they might not find somewhere else. They also are looking for posts that address issues that impact their lives. As for the tourism articles, everyone is interested in some new place that focuses on cats, whether you can visit in person or not.
Taking the Paws’ Pet Blogger’s Journey 2021 and powering up with cat tourism is a place I plan to focus, and brand. With travel restrictions, though, it has been hard to focus as who knows what will still be around by mid to end 2021.
The biggest blogging challenge I faced in 2020 was inertia – not moving, and as we have rounded the clock into 2021, I am tackling it head-on. Inertia only makes me more frustrated. If I am going to blog, I plan on being successful, and it takes time. I have the time. I have posted my goals on my refrigerator, and I look at them often. They help keep me focused. Focus is key with me. I tend to go in several different directions and spin my wheels like a hamster going round and round. By posting my goals, I do something, or many things, each day, that is helping me get there. For example, learn video and improve my photographic skills. They are all part of the blogging plan.
Another thing I have learned is the importance of planning. Without a plan, the ideas get tangled together and nothing gets accomplished.
For 2021, my top three goals are:
- Grow my audience and email list
- Entrench myself in the cat tourism and event niche, but also expand to include articles on cat news, cat health and why cats are good for us.
- Use more video in my blog posts
- And write a couple of e-books and at least one book (not totally blogging related)
In a perfect world, where do you see yourself and your blog a year from now is a tough question. I would like enough subscribers so I could make money from affiliate marketing. I would like to be known as an expert in cat tourism and events, as well as have my Cat Tourism book completed. I also would like to partner with a travel agency to offer a few trips to cat tourism locations, such as Italy and Japan. Additionally, I would like to get some sponsorships from products or places that would benefit from being connected with cat tourism.
I also would like an opportunity to visit many of these super cool places and events without shelling out tons of money, which I do not have.
If I had $1,000 to spend on my blog, I would spend it on incremental design improvements as well as help with coding for Google Analytics and FTC Compliance. The time I spend spinning my wheels on trying to make my blog look better (changed themes, etc.) I could get tons of stuff done. Right now, I have turned away from this, even though I know my blog should look better. But if I spend my time on this, I will end up in a quagmire, and be back where I was spinning my wheels on the hamster wheel. As with other blog, writing related issues, I haven’t had any luck in working with a third party.
The one skill I would like to improve in 2021 is shooting better video and video editing. I tell myself the more you do, the easier it will get, and the better you will be. If I could create better video, I would also be able to do zoom or Facebook Live interviews with cat tourism related subjects, and then transcribe those interviews to be on my blog.
If you could ask the pet blogging community with help with one challenge you are having on your blog, what would it be? I am not sure one thing. I have just connected with a fellow cat writer, and we are now accountability partners. I think that will be a help. Redesigning my blog is huge, but that is way too much to ask. Perhaps help with Google Analytics, placing code, and being sure I am compliant would be a possibility. Another thought would be suggestions on how not to brand so that I am cat inclusive on my blog. Also, come over and subscribe to my email list, and download my FREE Comprehensive Guide to Cats Kneading & Scratching. This is a huge issue for cat people. Don’t wait too long, as I will be converting this guide into an E-Book.
Readers and others on the Pet Blogging Journey, 2021, what do you think about the changed name? Would you be interested in learning more about cat tourism? What do you like to see in blogs? Please comment, and sign up for our free Comprehensive Guide to Cats Kneading & Scratching. If you have friends who are cat guardians, please share the link with them.
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