How I tripled my blog readership while I wasn't able to write new blog posts

Follow my blog with Bloglovin Monday was my first week back to the blog in many months. While I did post once in March, I actually wrote it in December so technically I haven't blogged since February and even then it was only once.

But I'm going to let you all in on a secret, I actually tripled my blog readership monthly (February, March & April)  without writing a single post. In fact, I had my second highest month ever in March.

At first, I thought it would be dumb to share this, but then I realized others may get in a similar situation and find they aren't able to post as often so in case you ever find yourself fall into this category I will share a couple of things I did.

First, I went through and found some of my more popular blog posts on a range of topics.

Second, I took the date markers off my blog (and if you just looked, yes I put it back up this week.)

Third, I took about 1-2 minutes a week and shared them on social media during peak reading hours for the topic type.

Fourth, well that's it! I didn't have time for anything else. I just attempted to be diligent at this for at least once a week. (I don't need to tell you what topics I picked if you read my blog or my About Me page, you know what type of content I post!)

Hint, it helped to have a lot of shareable content to choose from. Of course, I have been blogging for officially 6 years as of last month (YAY) so that helped in the content factor.

To new eyes, if it's the first time seeing something it is new and it doesn't matter when it was posted as long as it didn't appear to be something dated, so that was how I chose my content. No personal story posts, or race recaps, I chose stuff that wouldn't matter when it was shared.

Will it work for everyone? I can't say, but if you have some quality content beyond the fun day in the life stuff that isn't as datable as when it was written then it's definitely a more likely possibility.

Are all those new page views new blog followers? Probably not, but maybe a few will stick around! I noticed page views on the specific topics I shared, other similar posts also increased in page views around that time.

(I use Google Analytics, if you don't I highly recommend it. It's fast and easy to see who is coming to your blog, what they are liking, how long they actually spend reading it and where they go after. Best part it is FREE!)

A funny thing happened 

While I did this, my Twitter followers passed the 9,000 mark. Which was really cool and very exciting to notice the other day. I didn't really do anything different there, so I can't say why I increased over 1,000 in followers in a couple months time. But I'm taking a wild guess it was some of those new visitors to my blog checking out the content I was sharing?? Beyond that, who knows! But I sure appreciate them and I hope they'll continue to enjoy what I share!

That's it!

Seriously, I literally only took 1-2 minutes a week to do this, and my page views are nearly triple now than what they were when I was blogging frequently.  Additionally, because of this, I have been able to take part in many social media campaigns which have helped provide me with enough income to cover my food while I have been here at college.

So if you ever find yourself in a blogging break that cannot be helped, I highly recommend taking a minute to share some of your older more informative popular posts!

Happy Blogging Friends!!!

A Reflection

This year has been an incredible year full of firsts, mending, and great adventures.
I thought I'd write a post to share a bit of a reflection on some of the highlights of this year.

GOING BACK TO SCHOOL
This was a huge thing for me to quit my jobs and put the company I own on hold to go back and finish my goal and finally get my degree.

I am only one semester done, but I worked hard and stuck with it. So much so that I pulled off straight A's and have a 4.0. I know, crazy! I'm still shocked I was able to pull that off! I am really enjoying the experience and I am actually learning quite a bit too, go figure, LOL
I am so much so enjoying my 3-week break right now, but I am also looking forward to a couple of weeks when my next semester begins!

BLOGGING NOT SO MUCH
So years ago (2011), yes I have had this blog for longer than some stick with blogging. I set a goal to always post at least once a week, and try to mostly maintain a 2-3 post a week schedule.
I have for the most part kept to that since 2012, well that was until this year.
Blogging had to take a back burner, and even though it was hard at times (like an addiction) I had to force myself to work on other priorities than the blog itself.

However, I thankfully have not let it go. I still actually live (well eat) off the income my blog and social media accounts provide me with. Yup, that is how I am paying for my meals these days, LOL
I've seen many great blogging friends come and go through the years. Sadly more go than keep it up. It always saddens me when bloggers have to leave entirely especially when I have enjoyed their blogs so much. But I get it, life should always come first.
I am not ready to let this blog go, while you may see less of me, I am going to continue to figure out ways to keep it up!

FINALLY HEALED
Anyone who's read my blog over the (almost) past four years may know a little of what I have been going through. With the tendon injuries I acquired from a work injury back in January 2013. It's been years of mending and recovery, physical therapy, setbacks, flare-ups and other injuries because of the injured tendons. I won't go into more details on that, but I am happy to announce it appears I have nearly 100% recovered from this work injury!
What did it?
Changing my lifestyle entirely, my routines pretty much everything when I quit my jobs, moved away and went back to school that is what healed me.
It may sound funny, but it's true that is actually what did it, what helped me finish healing and the reason I am able to get back to being so active and running and enjoying an adventurous lifestyle again!
For that I will always be thankful for the idea to go back to school and change my lifestyle entirely, it fixed what no amount of doctors or PT could!

READING
I set a Goodreads goal to read 52 novels this year. Earlier this year I was way ahead of schedule and I love to read so I was sure I'd hit it and then some.
Yeah, not so much. I will probably finish a couple books shy of my goal. I'm halfway through book 49 right now.
But I've read over 18,000 pages this year, and that is in part to many of the books being heck of long, LOL So I won't hit the 52 book goal, but pagewise I well outdid even last years pages.

ADVENTURE
Last spring my sister and I set out on a fun adventure to hike so many of the trails that we haven't done that were only 20-30 minutes from our front doors. While we didn't do as many as we would have liked, (she got pregnant, LOL) We did do many and had a lot of fun seeing the different trails along the Wasatch Mountains.
I also summited Butterfield Peak this year, that was something I have wanted to do for a while, heck of a climb and I did it sick too, LOL
I continued with those adventures when I moved south, I have thoroughly enjoyed hiking and getting out and enjoying the desert again.

RUNNING
Well, I only ran 1 race this year and it 5k that I decided to do last minute, so I don't really count it as getting back into racing since distance running is more my thing. But it was fun to be in a race again even if I did only run it for fun not to race.

I had to pull out of the fall marathon I entered because I wasn't trained well enough for it, I volunteered instead. I learned volunteers are awesome and there is a big difference between a participant and a volunteer and rarely they are mixed much. Most volunteers have zero desire to run and think runners are inspiring but insane.  I'm not much of a volunteer, I'm a participant and there is nothing wrong with that!

However, I did build up a great base as I've been getting back into it. I've really enjoyed running new trails and places in the new area I live.

What this year has taught me is this. I don't have to run a race to enjoy running. I don't have to get a medal to feel accomplishment and success. Those things can be great, but when you run purely because you just love it and your goals are subject to whatever mood your in that day when you put on the shoes and head out the door. There is almost even more gratification than any pronounced finish line can give me.
I will eventually get back to marathons, don't get me wrong I absolutely love the thrill of them. But until then I am thankful for this opportunity to learn and get to know myself better, to train just to train for fun, to run any distance I want because I want to, not because I have to. It's been interesting and I'm glad I had to experience this!

Well, I've had a fantastic year, and I've only shared 6 of the subjects with you. I can tell you this, I cannot wait for 2017, it's going to be epic in so many ways both little and big!


What is your favorite memory or reflection of 2016?

Weekly Update

Last week I mentioned a marathon lottery I entered. I GOT IN! YAY!  Now I just need to get serious about getting my butt back in shape. No biggie right, LOL oh boy do I have my work cut out for me, but I can’t think of any better work to do!

As many of you know, I am an after the fact blogger, so I will share where and when after the race. But I will say it's a fall marathon.

On a side note: A friend email me last week curious why I was an after the fact blogger. I don’t think I have mentioned my reason why, for over 4 years. So I’ll share it in case anyone else is curious.

Truth is, when I first started blogging back in 2011 I read a gal’s blog about risks and safety precautions for bloggers. One of her tips was to become an after the fact blogger. So I adopted the behavior for myself and haven’t second guessed it since. While at times I would love to share upcoming things. When you’re a single gal like me, it’s just safer to not let the world know where you’re gonna be until after.

Back to the running front, depending on how training goes during the summer, I’ve also got 4 other marathons on my radar for this fall and early winter. But I am not going to enter any others until last minute if things are going good and I decide I can train my body well enough to do them.

THE DREADED EVENING RUN SWITCH

Due to a new job, I’ve begun my switch over to evening runs. Ughhhh I hate it!!!

I’ve been a morning runner for gosh let’s just say many years and I’ve loved it! I dislike having any food at all in my stomach when I run and running in the evenings now poses a little problem with that.

So, I have two options; I can get up at 5am and run before I go into work. Or I can skip lunch, or eat a very small lunch at 10am and hope it gets out of my system before my 6pm run, then eat a late dinner. I don’t really like either option. But right now it’s too dark at 5am to even think about it, so for now guess it’s going to mean early lunches.

In case you’re wondering, I prefer distance running and all training on an empty stomach. It teaches my body to burn stored fuels and give me an edge come marathon time! For those of you who train same as me, you know exactly what I mean and the increased benefits from it and why I am not interested after so many years to switching back.

ADJUSTING TO WORK PLACE SITTING

Granted long periods of standing for me through the past three years, have been the absolute worst on my body and caused me so many problems. I’ve learned I need a little of both, and not one thing for too long.

My new job has a bit more sitting than I thought it would. It’s been seriously hard on my back and murder on my tailbone. So I attempt to take frequent breaks. My tailbone feels permanently bruised this week.

My sister who also broke hers a while back swears that 100 squats a day strengthens the buttocks and helps her to be able to sit for more than an hour at a time. So I am going to give this a try, at this point I am willing to try anything, LOL (In case you didn’t read my blog a few years back, I broke my tailbone in a skydiving landing accident, and it’s never been the same since. That said I would not take back that awesome plane jump for anything!)

On the plus side, 100 squats a day, could do wonders for my dairy aire, so it’s one of those maybe a double bonus things. Ha ha.

WEEKENDS OFFLINE, GONNA KEEP IT UP!

I’ve decided even though I am going to be doing fewer weddings each month now. I am going to continue with my very little to none on the Friday-Sunday blogging. I adopted that behavior about a year ago. I think having a balance of how much online time I have in my life is important. So it’s a practice I am going to keep continuing with.

IF YOU WERE WONDERING 

WORK INJURY HEALING UPDATES

A few mention they were wondering where I was with the work injury and my back issues. So in case you were wondering, here is an update. 

My tendon injuries I got 3 years ago from a work injury and then prolonged by originally visiting a Dr. who put me into the wrong brace and gave incorrect medical advice. Well I still have them. The swelling is a bit better these days.

I can tell there is a lot of bursitis in it, and as long as I don’t rest too much I can keep that at bay. Also long as I don’t stand for long periods I can keep the tendon issue at bay. Occasionally I will be found sleeping at night with my med boot on to correct a little damage. However, I have a good system for it and I haven’t had a major flare up in a couple of months and I consider this a good sign.

On the plus side, running has never bothered either of these things much, so I see absolutely no reason right now to prolong my comeback to marathons!

5 Ways to Network with Other Bloggers and Grow Your Blog

If you're interested in growing your blog. Eventually you may to learn some of the best ways to do it.
For some, these tips may seem redundant. But there are many bloggers out there, who have had blogs for years and still wonder why they can't get people to come and visit their blogs.

The saying, if you build it, they will come. Doesn't always ring true in blogging. The truth is, if you create it, and put the hard work into building it up, then they might come!

So today, I want to share 5 ways you can network with other bloggers, and help grow your blog.

Find other blogs that interest you and comment on them.

I am not talking about a quick "Great Post" type of comment. I am talking a thoughtful, show them you actually took the time to read their post type of comment. Ask them questions in your comment, show them your interested and engaged in what they have to say.

Some bloggers do try to visit every single blogger who visit their blog. However, not all do. Larger and huge blogs likely will never return your comment. Even smaller bloggers, may not be interested in growing their blog and networking. If you have left 4-5 comments on different posts on their blog, and you don't see they have ever reciprocated. Chances are they may never. So you can either just read their blog for the fun of it, or move onto a blogger who is interested in networking.

Pin Images, and Share their post on social media.

This is one thing that almost every blogger would love others to know and understand. If you like something a blogger writes, why would you not want to share it with others?
You would want someone else to do the same for you too, correct?
So if you have that extra 10 seconds or less to share someones blog post, then do it!
They will notice, and if you do it for them, they are going to be far more likely to do the same for you! After a while, they will take notice of you, you may even find a new blog follower and friend yourself from it too.

Join a Weekly Link up or a Blog Hop.

A great way to get to know other bloggers who are interested in networking is to join a link up and actually participate in it.
I wrote a post on blog link up etiquette HERE that you should definitely read if you aren't sure what they are or how to participate in them.

When you participate in link ups correctly, you will not only be visiting other blogs, but they will be visiting yours. At the end of one day, you may already have found a few more interesting blogs to follow yourself, and likely someone else is thinking the same thing about yours too.

Click to Tweet and Share a Little Twitter Love

5 Ways to Network with other bloggers and #GrowYourBlog http://goo.gl/dydKlA #bloggersunite @runwybridlplanr

Interact with them on social media.

Sometimes getting to know a blogger just on their blog alone can be a little difficult. Try following them on their social media channels (they might even do the same and follow you back.) But interact with them. Drop them a "like" or if you have the time, leave them a quick comment on their social mention or pictures.

It helps if you use your social media that is related to your blog. If possible you want to have your social media links match your blog name, or as close as possible.  This way, other bloggers know who you are. Eventually, they will pick up that you care what they have to say or post and your chances of their networking back with you will increase significantly.

Put together your own blog tribe.

What is a blog tribe? A group of like minded bloggers that have common interests and common goals. You work together occasionally on projects, run ideas off each other. As well as a group that is interested in helping each other out collaborating efforts to grow your blogs.

It will take a while to get to this point. Because you won't want to pick bloggers at random. Likely these will be bloggers you have followed, and also follow you and you've noticed great friendships developed between you and them. It could be something officially between you all, or something unsaid. But knowing that you have a small group that you can turn to any time you need help with something, or need to push out posts or projects your working on. Those are the types of things, besides wonderfully great friendships that can come out of finding a blog tribe. Not only that, but if your hoping to have a successful blog, a blog tribe really could be consider essential to finding success.

Why I Host Blog Hops, What Do I Get Out of Them?

Why I host blog hops, and do I get anything out of them? If I am in conversation with someone about the subject they often do come up.  So I figured why not just tell you my exact reasons and give everyone the answers.

It all started when I first started blogging, I was more of what you'd call a personal/journal type blogger at first. I mostly only wrote posts after each marathon so my friends and family no matter their location, could check out what I am up to and keep tabs on me and my goal progress.

Sure, I had this huge background in online advertising and marketing as well as website building. You would have thought that would also fall true into blogging. While some did, not everything I knew prepared me for what needed to be done to grow a blog.

Why? Well frankly I didn't know exactly how to go about finding other blogs out there that had similar interests. I also had this weird assumption that all bloggers were personal journal type bloggers.

I'll skip all the details of how I discovered other bloggers. But let's just say, once upon a time it started to happen.


A lot of how I built my blog was by trial and error. I always say if I started blogging now, I would do things SO much differently.
But I can't start over, at least not with this blog.


Through all that trial and error, I started realizing what worked and what didn't. I quickly discovered blogging alone, without any networking or blogging friends, was very boring. But with blogging friends, it really does become an incredible experience.
I also learned its not exactly possible to take a small blog and grow it without networking.

So I told myself if I ever built my blog up enough, I would share my knowledge and help others.

Clearly I don't have the biggest blog out there. I still have a long ways to go from where I have dreams to take it. But I do have a fairly decent combined reach of over 12K, which isn't too shabby. So the time came, I decided to give back a little and help others who may be like I was, when I was still trying to figure it all out.

I've met bloggers who have joined in these hops I host who've told me they'd been blogging for years, and never had any idea how to get anyone to read their blog.

After participating one of my hops, my hope is bloggers walk away from the experience with a little more knowledge on what they can do going forward to get people to come to their blogs. Not only that, but those who play by the rules of the hop walk away from it finding a few new relationships from it. If kept up they even can become long term followers.

I do not do these for financial gain.

Several bloggers have asked me why I do not charge a small fee to participate. I'll be honest, I have considered it in the past. Especially when it's pretty obvious a few bloggers who have joined were in it entirely for their own benefit, with no intention of playing by the rules and giving back to others with my (Comment for a Comment Rule System.)  It's possible, charging may weed out a few of those. (Of course that is also the beauty of being the host. I can disapprove any of those types from joining in future hops.)

Additionally, I won't lie, these do take a considerable amount of my time. Which is why I only intend on ever hosting these twice a year in February & Oct/Nov. I do the Giveaway hops during other times of the year, because they take considerably less time to put together.

But honestly I do these to help bloggers as well as for the fun experience of it all. So no, I do not require or accept financial payment to host these.

Instead I enjoy hearing about other success, I enjoy hearing about the fun they have during them. I myself also always seem to find a few new awesome bloggers to follow with them too. Honestly, those reasons are payment enough!

If you're wondering why I picked today of all days to share this post. Well truth is, this evening will be my first Community Blogging Event or maybe it would be better put Beginners Blogging Class.

I've done presentations in small groups with people I know before. But this will be my first with mostly complete strangers in my community and I am a little excited about it. (I'm sure the nerves will kick in about 10 minutes before it's to start, ha ha.)
I look at it as another fun way for me to help others by sharing my online background and what I have learned as a blogger. It's a really fun hobby, I enjoy sharing that fun part with others.

Additionally, the February blog hops are starting soon, and I am excited to meet the new participants and get to know some awesome new bloggers.

If you have ever read my blogs mission statement (At the bottom of my About Me page.) Then this line from it will sound familiar. I believe not everything you do, should be about yourself.

That is exactly why, I host blog hops, and that is what I get out of them. I probably should have said that at the beginning and spared you all the reading, ha ha.

Blogging Year in Review

Do you look back at your blogging year in review? I've actually been doing just that over the past few weeks. As I check on things and have started making my plans for 2016, I have been jotting down some information and numbers so I can make sure I am continuing to move in the right direction providing what my readers want and like as well as the direction I want to take my blog.

My most popular post in both 2015 and of all time.

The only post I've created that has actually gone in what some would call viral (but I don't call it that for some reason.). Still received at times weekly/daily page views that outdo most my current posts. Its a post I wrote back in 2011 when I first started blogging and had no clue what blogging really was about or what I was doing.
Funny thing about this post, it only has 138 words and 3 pictures, and it only has that many words because about a year and a half ago I went in and added about a hundred words to see if it would pick up even more traffic since it was already getting. It worked, and why I haven't added to it , fixed it up more, etc... is beyond me. (Maybe a must do for 2016, LOL.)

The post is called Royal Blue Wedding. If you want a laugh, check it out and I bet you will be like, HOW can this post still get a few hundred page views each week and sometimes more than that?
Yup, go figure. Actually I think I know why it does so well, but I will keep that secret, LOL

What have I learned about blogging this year? 

#1 Sometimes the posts I create and think will do the best, rarely are. But the ones I am skeptical on or the ones I don't think will do as well, quite often are the ones that seem to get the most page views.

#2 No matter what, it's best to always stay true to yourself, and do not try to be something you are not.

#3 Posts with more than one image, (good quality) do much better than posts with one or no images.

#4 You never know where blogging may take you. I never would have imagined in January that I would be asked to get paid to teach community blogging classes. I never would have guessed that some of my most popular posts, are teaching about blogging basics. I also never would have expected so many locals and twitter followers as well as people who read my blog would send me emails throughout the year asking me if I had a book out about blogging, and if not if I would create one. (FYI: I don't...yet:)

#5 Friendships in the blogging world are the BEST part about it. I know a lot of people blog to journal for themselves and that is totally fine. But if you are blogging to share and connect these online friendships you make with other bloggers can at times just totally make your day!

My most popular posts I created and published in 2015. 

I was only going to list 10, but I had 4 posts that tied in page views so we are going to go with the TOP CONTENT 12 MOST VIEWED POSTS.
(I will admit my giveaway posts and blog hop posts have received thousands more page views than any of the below. But thousands of people come to a blog to enter a giveaway only, it doesn't always mean they return. Which is the only reason I am not including those on this list.  

However for those wondering where they would fit in, if I did include them my entire top 10 would all be Giveaway posts, and Blog Hop sign up posts.)

#1 - You Can Be a Friendly Blog Stalker Too

#2 - How to Grow Your Social Media Influence

#3 - What Becoming a Runner Does To You

#4 - What Every Runner Should Know

#5 - How to Add Mileage and Become a Distance Runner

#6 - How to Bring an Old Post to New Life

#7 - Funny Questions Runners Ask

#8 - How To Make Sure You Don't Ruin a Race For Others

#9 - How Comments Help Grow Your Blog

#10 - Hiking Catherine Pass

#11 - Who is Runaway Bridal Planner and Do I Really Want to Know Her?

#12 - How to Bring an Old Post to New Life

If your wondering, the only ones I predicted would do well on the above list are #1, #2 & #8. The rest were all a surprise that they did so well.  Although I did spend a considerable higher amount of time to polish up #11 so I hoped it would do well. That one is pretty new, so it may have time still to work it's way up a little more on the list.

My favorite post I created this year.

By far was the one I wrote a few weeks ago called Who is Runaway Bridal Planner and Do I Really Want to Know Her?
I spent a few weeks creating that post little by little. In fact I am considering making it my new About Me Page. It took so long because I formulated all of my favorite quotes into some of my favorite pictures I have taken from my travels.  Additionally, I opened up and introduced the real me, more than I ever have before. In return putting it out there who I am and what I am like, with my true personality, sarcasm and all. By far the most I have exposed myself, and at the same time the most fun I have had creating a post ever. If you haven't checked it out, and you want to know why I am the way I am or who I am, check it out!

Blogging goals for 2015 and how I did with them.

I had a few goals this year, and some worked, some didn't get done or completely finished. But that is the beauty of blogging goals, they can always be a work in progress.

#1 - Goal, build social media influence following to over 10,000.
How did I do? I made it, I have just a little shy of 11,000 right now. It's been hard work, but a fun goal to work on too.

#2 - Host a Grow Your Blog Hop.
How did I do? Well I hosted my first one back in February and all things considered it went pretty well and those who participated fully still email me letting me know how much it helped them and how because of it they have been able to maintain it even after. I hosted a 2nd and 3rd one Oct/Nov and in my opinion those went even better as far as participation. However, because they were shorter (Only 2 weeks vs. the 1 month the first one was.) I asked around and it looks like the retention isn't quite as much as the first time I did it. Basically attributed to the shorter time, less time to get to know bloggers and establish actual relationships with them. But overall, I have been given great feedback and several bloggers who participated told me the hops have been some of the best things they have done this year for their blog. So ya, that makes me happy to hear because lets face it, they are a lot of work on my part. But worth it, if others appreciate it!

#3 Post at least 3 times each week, excluding summer vacation and Holiday weeks.
How did I do? Pretty well, all the way up until the end of November early December when I got sick, and hurt my back and didn't have it in me to keep it up more than once a week.  But life happens so I am going to overall consider this a success!

#4 Maintain a monthly blog income each month of the year.
How did I do? Very well, I averaged between $150-$875 each month. December is still going, and I won't have my final numbers for the year for a couple more weeks. But December might end up being my highest month since May, so this is excellent news. Happy New Year to Me!

#5 Build my blog tribe, the blogs I follow on a daily/weekly basis.
How did I do, I have to admit I follow some amazing bloggers. They really do create some great content, inspire me with their lives and I thoroughly look forward to reading their posts and seeing the new things they come up with and reading about their achievements.  I enjoy watching us all grow together, even if we may all have different goals and different ways to grow our blogs.
Truth is, I read more blogs than I actually comment on. (Some blogs there is just no point in commenting because they could careless, but if I like what they write I still come back for more.)

When I started the year, I had a great group I followed. But life happens and about half the wonderful people I followed decided life needed to take precedence and they quit blogging.  I don't blame them a bit, I totally understand. I would choose life over blogging too, if it comes to it.

This year I was always on look out for great new blogs to follow. I used my own hops to reach out and find new bloggers. I don't like to follow blogs that are exactly the same as the next, I am just as versatile in what I like in reading blogs as I am with adventure in my own life. New bloggers, Experienced Bloggers I enjoy both. I run my blog alone, so obviously I only have so much time to spend daily visiting other bloggers, so yes I do look for quality, difference, great interesting inspirational fun people and bloggers who enjoy interaction.

So yes, it's been a successful year, I follow some amazing people who I like to call a blog tribe of sorts, and they don't need to be mentioned all by name because they know who they are because I leave comments (sometimes way too lengthy, LOL) on a constant basis, and I seriously enjoy having them in my life. If 2016 becomes my running year again, I can't tell you how much I look forward to meeting up with some of them at different races around the country!

#6 - Go self hosted.
Ya, this didn't happen. A couple of reasons, but lack of time was the biggest factor. I am going to push this goal to next year. On the plus side, I did switch to the Disqus comment system and it has made a world of difference on blog comment interaction and my blogs SEO. It may not be the most perfect comment system, but for those on blogger like me who want to monetize their blogs it really is one of the best choices

#7 - Do less paid reviews on products I may not use again.
In 2013-2014 I would do paid reviews for products that at the time I thought were great. But in retrospect, they weren't things I was using before and after I used them I found I didn't try to use many of them again.  Oh sure a few were fabulous, ones I use(d) and still do. Those are the only types of posts I wanted to do reviews on this year, and have to say I did succeed in this. I won't lie, it was hard turning down some easy money on what are likely great products. But this year I wanted to build a higher creditability with my audience and I couldn't do that if I kept on the track I was in previous years.

#8 - Create better images to go with my posts
I struggled with this earlier this year, I just hadn't found the best way to create images. Let's face it, images take additional time to create, and sometimes as much time as writing a post. But they can be worth more than the post when done correctly.
My images may not be the best out there, but if you compare the past 3 months to my past I think you would notice a 80% improvement rate! I took a few online classes to gain a better education on this subject and they are paying off. I do think I will continue to get better at this. What do you think, have you noticed a difference on my blog on this?

So, this is probably a bit too long of a post. But it really is fun to look back and see what has gone on with the blog and what goals have been made, which ones didn't.
Before I end this nearly a novel of a post, let me share:

My current goals set for 2016

I do have several, and a few still undecided or in the making. But a few things you can expect next year, as I hope to move forward; going self hosted, start a new inspirational fitness series, work on getting a few weeks to a month of posts created in advance, keep on being true to who I am. Begin a new post format and set out on every bloggers dream attempt to see if I can make a post go viral. (I do believe even if it is chance, it's possible!)

What are some of your blogging goals (if you make them) that you are most proud about?
What is a goal in 2016 you have for your own blog, if you blog.

Advice on a Class I will Be Teaching

Are you ready for Christmas? 
This past week, I sat down and made a list of everything I needed to do. Then Monday/Tuesday I set time aside to do everything and now I am officially ready. YAY ME!

I literally got ALL my Holiday shopping done in 20 minutes flat, thanks to Amazon! 
I gave 5 minutes of searching per person on my list and if I hadn't decided on anything for them in 5 minutes, they got the last thing I looked at.  I know sounds, slightly non personal. But seriously, I found some awesome gifts that way.

I actually took some tips from my new friend Rachel McMichael's Blog, she shared a few weeks ago about planning. I made me some lists and goal lists for the week, and wahoo they all got done as well as one that I had been putting off for over a year! Guess, I have hit that point in my life that I need a list to motivate me more than just knowing it needs to be done.  But hey, whatever works right!

This morning I have my Dr. Appt about my back. 
I wasn't going to tell you all this, but I am seriously worried about it. I cannot sit or stand in the same position for more than 2 minutes before I am in excruciating pain. I can't walk around much, definitely bending is out, no lifting. I almost cannot even stand up straight anymore, I have this pathetic leaning thing going on. And I officially cringe at the thought of having to get out of bed in the morning and have the pain start. (I know I sound 90 years old, and not a healthy 90.)
Pretty much the only thing I can do that makes it feel better is putting heat on it and laying on my side.

I have an incredibly high amount of pain tolerance, always have (think that's what makes me so perfectly fit for running a marathon, lol.) but that tolerance is reaching its limits, I definitely need help! Wish me luck and if you're a praying person, I'd be incredibly thankful for a prayer that the Dr's can get this figured out quick for me.

Finally writing again.
When I first started this blog, I would share this next bit of info quite frequently, but this past year I have allowed my writing to take a back burner to the rest of life.

So some of you may or may not know, a few years ago I wrote an Adult Historical Fiction Romance based during the Vietnam War. I got so busy and never got around to seeing if I could get a publisher to like it enough to give me a chance and publish it. I am finally getting on that, and I am going to get it ready to go.

I've also got a few other books in progress. One particular YA that I have started working on the past few weeks a little.

I've been asked by so many local friends to write a beginners book to blogging, which I haven't really done, but I have been compiling stuff for it. Which I will tell you more about in the next section, but since I will be teaching blogging classes, it may be in my best interest to finally get around to.
One thing that is definitely not going to get put off any longer is my love and dream of becoming a published book author, so time to get moving on that!

Last, if you're a blogger I would love your advice.
I have been asked by the County I live in to teach a introduction to blogging/beginners blogging/all the things you need/like to know to begin blogging etc... class in February.
It will be held in a conference room at one of the county libraries. I will share more information on it, soon in case any of you locally may like to attend.

But I need a title for the class, and a short catch phrase (call to action) to grab attention for the advertisement on it that will be going out.  I could let their marketing team do it, but then again they know nothing about blogging. So I asked to title it all myself, well myself with the help of some of you:)

So my creative blogging friends throw your thinking cap on, and if you have any ideas for me, I'd love to hear them!

If it goes well, I may be doing more of these. The best part is, I am actually getting paid as a public speaker to do this:) Just another great way blogging is the fun gift that has been so generous to me this year!

So that's pretty much it! 
I will quickly mention, the time off since September I have been taking for my foot/ankle work injury I believe is paying off, I've seen significant healing. If it wasn't for my back, I'd be out walking/running right now to know for sure. I am bound and determined to make 2016 my comeback year. I know what you're thinking, I said that about 2015. But when first you don't succeed, try try again, right!

Oh, I have a giveaway going on that started today as well.  Click on the Mid Winters Hop image on my sidebar for a chance to win a great prize.


If your a follower of mine, you probably know I don't believe in being politically correct, and I never will.  
So I would like to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas, and may you and your families experience the true meaning behind it, and share that meaning with others this week!

I am linking up with HoHo Runs and Mississippididdlin today for their Weekly Wrap!

Are you ready for Christmas? What is your favorite Christmas Tradition?

Do you have any ideas I could use as a title for the blog class I will be teaching? Or a catch phrase for it?

Breaking All My Rules

I almost made it an entire year, without messing up any of my blogging goals this year.  Of course with only 1 month to go, I blow it for like 3 weeks straight.
If you are a regular follower of mine, you likely noticed my huge absence the past three weeks.

Without going into it too much detail, I hurt my back really bad.  Then I caught the 72 hour flu, right after that an upper respiratory cold, and a couple of days ago caught yet another cold.

So obviously, I don't have much on the exciting news front to report.  Although last night, my pothead neighbor provided me with a little excitement  (well technically he is just staying with my real neighbors).  I doubt I ever mentioned pothead before, but lately he has been quite obvious with his drug deals right out in front of my house.  People would pull up to the side of his house and double honk, and he would come running out to meet them.

(On a side note, can I just say most the people who came were surprisingly normal looking, with nice cars. Just goes to show you just never can know people, even the clean cut ones can have drug issues!)

Well, of course I provided my own amusement at his expense. Often when I would come home late, I would do a quick stop honk twice before driving around the neighborhood coming in a different direction (so he wouldn't know it was me).  Truthfully, I only started doing it when it got cold out. When it was snowing or raining, was always a plus! The thought of him running out freezing to or to get cold and wet and arrive at no drug/money exchange, oddly amuses me, LOL
Let's be honest, just thinking about all the times I did it now has me laughing.

Well guess his supplier (my guess) may have caught up to him not paying and pothead gets himself shot last night as he was leaving his house (he's apparently going to be fine). So ya, that provided some interesting window watching late last night.  I feel bad for my one neighbor their garage is all shot up, from the stay bullet holes but other than that thankfully no one innocent was hurt.
Despite what you are currently thinking, I actually live in a really great neighborhood, minus a few, and that is one of the few.  On the plus side, the kid would be stupid to ever come home, so I think he will no longer be a problem, yay!

Although, I did have to suck it up and push the illness aside and get ready for a Harry Potter Yule Ball, that I decorated for on Friday. (Ya, oddly lots of adults love to get dressed up to go to these things, 750 to be exact... crazy how many "geeks" as they call themselves (their words) are out there.)
But all in all, it went okay and looked really nice when we were done. I also tried out a new crew member and she was fabulous, pretty excited about using her in the future!
The above picture was one of the backdrops we did at one end of the ballroom, I love how it turned out! I will have pictures of the rest, I'll share another time. One of the photographers there loved it so much they took some professional ones for me of it, and will send them later this week, so sweet of them!

I should mention I did very little lifting and carrying things at this event to save whats left of my back.  My dad literally had to sit me down beforehand and say, you pay your people to help you at these events, let them do all the hard work and lifting, don't you dare. Don't ask why but I am so not easily able to not do the hard work to, but I did manage to resist. Of course it was mostly because I literally lift a few too many things and I am crying in excruciating pain and can no longer move, so that helped me make them do most of it for me. I just did the fun parts lol.

I have finally gotten back into reading again, and am enjoying a good book right now.  Think I'll even throw a review up later this week, maybe even offer another giveaway as well.

I am a several weeks now addicted to the Vampire Diaries (did I ever tell you that?) So my friend Rebecca over at Press On and Run (She doesn't even know this.) is to blame for my addiction.
About a month or so ago she was raving about a show called The Originals on her blog.  I happened to have nothing to do that night so thought I'd check it out, but first a show called Vampire Diaries came on, and it looked great so I went on Netflix and decided to watch the first episode while I waited for The Originals to come on.
Well short version, never saw The Originals, I became addicted to Vampire Diaries and a few nights a week before I go to bed, I enjoy catching an episode even if I can't get to it until near midnight, LOL. Good news is, there is lots of seasons, bad news is there is lots of seasons. But I am absolutely addicted, and oh ya if Vampires looked like Damon (pic below) on the show, I'd totally want me one of them... so hot!!!

Ya, so that is literally and sadly how my past few weeks have gone... a whole lot of nothing but being sick in bed mostly, and wondering why my back refuses to get any better on it's own. (Dr. visit is coming, just as soon as I am in the mood (over these colds) to make the appt.)
I don't even want to begin to think how even more out of shape this has all made me... but I am sure one day it will hit me.

On a side note, I haven't even started Christmas shopping, or sending out Christmas cards. I am terribly behind, and have lots and lots to catch up on this week.  Not to mention a butt load of linen laundry from Friday's event that I have put off all weekend...

Are you ready for Christmas or behind like me?
Have you ever had to break all your blogging goals, because life gets in the way? (I should feel guilty about it, but I don't. Terrible, I know!)

I am linking up with HoHo Runs and Mississippididdlin today for their Weekly Wrap!

How To Know if Your Blog is a Hobby or a Business

Unless you're a business owner, and your blog is an extension of your business website. I think most take up blogging because we think it might be a fun hobby.  After we start building up a few blogger relationships, it becomes a really fun hobby.

It's also a great outlet, where we can talk about things we love and enjoy.  We can let things out and not drive our close friends and family crazy hearing about all the things we are passionate about all the time.  Not only that but we learn and grow, and we in return teach others and help them learn and grow as people and bloggers.

Eventually we start seeing other bloggers getting paid to do things, or cool products or free race entry fee's. It doesn't take long before small business and start ups will start contacting us asking us if we want to try things out for reviews, or run giveaways.  One day, we decide to accept one one of these offers. Which is where the topic of this post comes into play.

How do you know if your blog is a hobby or a business?

This is a subject so many bloggers actually get wrong for themselves. There are so many hobby bloggers out there, who are in fact running a small business and probably don't even know it and it could come back and bite them in the butt one day.

So if you want to know where you fall , here are 3 questions to ask yourself.

Do you ever accept product in return for a review?
Do you ever accept money in return for a review or guest post?
Do you sell a product or service on your blog?
Do you run ads on your blog?

If you answered YES to ANY of these, then your blog is a business.

If you answered NO to ALL then you are still a hobby blogger.

I know what some of you are thinking, how can receiving a product or a free race entry mean my blog is a business, not just a hobby?  I'm going to give you a little insight into this.

So many think that blogging is just a hobby and trying things out, trying different products are an extension of that hobby.  They don't realize if you accept ANY product ANY free thing to write a post on, you are accepting that as payment for that service.

Yes, product and free things given to you in return for your review are in fact payment!  If you are making a profit, even by product only.  Additionally, you can sure as bet the IRS considers this a business!

Those business who send you those things, write those things off on their taxes and note that they sent them to you.

Do you need to set it up as a business and obtain a Tax ID # and all that jazz?

Maybe, maybe not.  That is only a decision you can make after speaking to an accountant regarding your own specific situation.

If you are doing this a couple of times a year, you may be fine to declare it on your own personal taxes.  If you are receiving free product, you will list and declare the product value.

However, if you are thinking of making it a steady thing.  If you are working with ad agencies and companies whether you are receiving payment, or receiving product frequently, you should consider speaking to an accountant, mostly for your own protection.

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Is my Blog a Hobby or a Business? http://goo.gl/DSM774 @runwybridlplanr #workfromhome #blogging #business #hobby

The great news for business bloggers!

You also get to declare some things on your taxes as well.  Some examples:

* Monthly Hosting Fee's & domain name fees.
* Any purchases you made for your blog.
* Paid blog conferences/workshops.
* Your camera, your computer.
* Software, purchased images.
* Paypal fees.
* Postage fee's (for sending out giveaway prizes.)
* Supplies you used to help create the posts and tutorials for your blog: Ex. ingredients for recipe's, DIY projects...
There are more things, you'd just have to look at your own situation and make that determination.

Yes, I did ask my own accountant if I could count race entry fee's:)
While you can, you have to be very careful, are you making enough revenue off your blog and your race recaps and paid race promotions that the IRS would consider your running these races as part of your business.  If the money you are making, out does the cost for the races and you have formulated it into your blog's business plan, then you might be able to.
But if you start doing it, and it's not legit, be prepared to possibly be audited!  Before doing this, I highly recommend you seek advice from a professional accountant!

Should you be filing taxes on your blog this year?  

Well that is a question you should ask your accountant, I am not a professional to give you any sort of advice on what you should or shouldn't be doing.

Let them guide you and help you determine what is required by you!

My hope is you will now have a better understanding of the difference between a business blogger and a hobby blogger.
Can you go back and forth between the two? Of course!  Each year is a different year so if this year you turned into a business by accident, then next year you will know what you need to do, to stay a hobby blogger.

I hope this was helpful for some of you who come across this post!

How to blog when you don't have time to blog

For those who enjoy running and operating a blog, with the hopes to grow it.  We sometimes find ourselves strapped for time.
Maybe there are days or a week where we only have a few minutes a day online, but not enough time to put together a quality post.  Since quality is better than quantity there is really no point to throwing something together quickly for the sake of a post.

Instead, why not take advantage of your great and previous hard work!

I'm going to give you one of my blog tips, that helps keep my page views up.  At times brings new unique visitors to my blog on days/weeks I cannot write an actual post.  Best part is, it only takes me about 2-5 minutes a day to do it.

To do this, you will want to use your social media accounts ( Facebook or Twitter work best.)  But those who have their strongest numbers come from Pinterest they could easily do this there as well.

For myself I find Twitter works much better for me when I do this.  So I am going to use Twitter for the rest of my example.

Go back though your Blogging History and find a tweet that you sent out about one of your popular previous posts through the years.
(Or pre-save tweets to your most popular posts on a file on your phone, to use later if you want to try this.)
When you have a minute, go in and copy a previous tweet or social mention and paste it into a new tweet, and post it live.  Make sure to use great #hashtags

Or take a few seconds longer and create a new tweet and attach a link to your post to it, with some great hash tags.


In fact if you have a couple of minutes, do this with a few of your posts, I do about 1-4 at a time.  Not more than that, so it doesn't look like I am over tweeting during that hour.

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How to Blog When You Don't Have Time to Blog http://goo.gl/Z7PaJI #fitfluential #workfromhome #blogging

(While your at it, take a few seconds to favorite or re-tweet other people you follow, it's always great to do a little networking, because when people see you taking notice of them, they are more likely to take notice of you.)

You could actually do this 6-8 times a day, even if it's the same tweet (just change it a little so it will allow you to retweet.)  Or any time you have a free few minutes pick a new tweet to bring back to life and drive more traffic to your blog.
The best part about using previous tweets, you already have all your hash tags, URL's so it's literally a quick copy and past and DONE!


I know, how simple is that!  I find that when I don't have time to post, it's the easiest and simplest thing to do, that takes hardly no time at all.


What I find is, my page views increase significantly when I do this.

However, don't expect to see lots of comments or any and don't be disappointed about that.  These viewers are not necessarily your normal blog followers, these are those who you're grabbing their quick interest based on your topic or "Call to Action" words you use.  At times I even find they are great re-tweeters too!

Remember, when it comes down to growing your blog, generally page views and time spent on your site mean more to potential advertisers than comments.

If you don't utilize social media, your missing out on a lot of potential viewers.  Which is why I highly recommend growing your social media influence in the ways you prefer best, and the ways that have in the past brought the most traffic to your blog!

Want tips on how to grow your social media, catch out my tip post HERE.

So there you go, that is my quick blogging tip this month!  I hope if you don't already, you will give it a try!  I really find it works fabulously!

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Grow Your Blog with This Quick Simple Tip: http://goo.gl/Z7PaJI @Runwybridlplanr #workfromhome #blogging

The first Thursday of each month, I post blogging tips, to help others grow their blogs.  I enjoy sharing what I have learned to help others grow as well.  If you'd like to check out previous posts, visit my Grow Your Blog Page Here.


Do you already do this when you don't have time to blog?  
Or is this something you hadn't thought of before, and plan to give a try?

Stat's, Updates and Total Randomness

Life was a little slower this past week, I was finally able to catch up on a few things.  As for blogging, I was able to knock off the first 10 things on my to-do list and even though my list still has several more dozen on it, its definitely a start!  Additionally, I have the rest of my October posts (minus my Monday update posts) all created and ready to run for the month!

Which is awesome because it means, more time I can spend visiting other blogs!  I have a goal, to get most of November's posts created by Mid October... we shall see if that happens:)

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to take care of a couple of nephews and a niece while their parents are out of town.  We had ton's of fun, I love playing with those kids it always makes me feel young again:)  We had a slumber party and watched old Disney movies from my childhood, they loved them just as much as I hoped.  Apple Dumpling Gang, Blackbeards Ghost... Great times!
Ya, we are totally stretched out and relaxing in our camping trailer and maybe ate too many goodies!


A sweet friend returned from a spur of the moment trip to Paris, and brought me these beautiful coasters.  Aren't they pretty!  I think this is the first thing I own from Paris:)

OCTOBER GOALS & NUMBERS

So this is the first Monday of the month with my new series where I share my September goals, and how I did as well as my revenue numbers.  So here it goes:

Compared to my August numbers, my page views are back on their climb to pre-summer, which I think has helped me achieve a few things this month.  You can read about my September stats HERE.

Income earned: $159. Since my goal was $150, I did make it, just barely:)  I haven't been working on a whole lot of campaigns, but I do plan to increase this in the coming months.
My October goal: $200.

Twitter: Ended the month with 6,483 followers.  My goal was to hit 6,500, so yes I did miss this goal a little.  However, I did start the month with barely over 6,000 so overall I find this to be highly successful!  Why am I working on twitter?  Well Twitter is my #2 source of traffic second to Google. Because of this, it's a no brainier that I should work on growing this!
My October goal: 7,000 followers.

Instagram: I ended the month with 1,461 followers. Since I started the month with 1,306 followers this was a pretty good growth! Even though I did have a goal to hit 1,600.  So no, I didn't hit the goal, not even close.
Instagram is something I want to build to obtain some higher revenue advertising opportunities.
For me Instagram is the hardest to grow, but I have been discovering some new things that help so hopefully implementing them more, it will help it's growth.
My October goal: 1,550 followers.

My 3 Top Posts (per page views) in September

Fall into Fitness Giveaway Hop
Runners Etiquette, How to Not Ruin a Race For Others
Funny Questions Runners Ask

_______________________

Random About Me

It's been a while since I have done one of those, total random facts about me.  So today I decided to share a little.  I am always completely honest, so ya laugh on some if you have to!  I am usually the first to admit, I am occasionally weird and have my "dork" moments.

* I love the 2015 Disney Cinderella movie, I finally got my copy and ya I have watched it twice, it's just so cute!

* I have a goal this month to not spend more than $200 on myself, this includes eating out, clothing, movies, stuff with friends, spend on nieces and nephews.  Why? Because lately, I have been spending 5X's that, and lets face it, money would be better spent on trips and vacations!

* I collect key chains from everywhere I visit (I have several hundred displayed.)
But I oddly don't have an actual key chain with my keys, LOL  I have a rock climbing hook holding them together instead:)

* I am trying to cut down on how many times I wash my hair.  I know dumb, but I was washing it 1-2 times a day before.  I can now go 2-3 days thanks to dry shampoo:)  I wouldn't be going 3 days if I was working out, LOL promise!  On the plus side, as someone who has fine straight hair, after a few days with the dry shampoo, my hair looks super thick and luscious:)  LOL

* I went shopping the other day and bought 2 complete outfits for $97.  It was the first time I used all those mobile coupons that companies keep sending me in their weekly email blasts.  I need to take advantage of those more often!

* I will never leave my home or business if I have to pee, even a little.  I once was in a car accident, just before my friends and I left I decided I had to go to the bathroom, but I would just go when I got to the restaurant. After the accident, I had to be strapped down for hours while they determined if my neck was broke, and I had to pee the entire time.  It was awful, I don't even remember the pain from the accident, just having to pee, LOL  So ya now I never make that mistake before I leave anywhere:)

* If it is, "that time of the month" with the lovely painful "cramps" my girlfriends and I know, it's sort of an unwritten rule, that any of us can cancel plans at the last minute to lay around at home with a heating pad, Pepsi and painkillers instead:) and no one takes any offense to it, because we all, get it!

* I am enjoying Fear The Walking Dead, almost as much as I like The Walking Dead:)

* I no longer have the purple in my hair, I went back to my natural dark brown:)  But it was a fun month while it lasted!

* I want to go hang gliding or para gliding.  I was watching them fly off the mountain nearby me the other day, and it got me to wondering why I haven't done it yet!  It might be too late in the year, but I am really thinking if not this year, next spring!

*  I am itching to take a road trip!  Sure gas prices here are nowhere near as low as most of the rest of you get.  We are still around $2.69, but regardless I want to take a road trip.  Now all I have to do is find a way to fit one in:)

* I'm trying to cut out how much Pepsi I am drinking.  (I know I go through phases and have said this in the past.) But I have gotten up to 2 a day again, and this is not good!  I'd like to get back down to 1 a week!

* At work if people ask me if I watch any reality shows, I will lie and say I don't even if I do:)

* I wear running shoes with dress pants.  I know, the shame!  My sisters won't be seen around me when I do.  But because of the Achilles work injury I have had, it's has been a necessary thing to do.  But the oddest thing, it no longer bothers me to do it.  (I did buy an all black pair of Asics, not that it makes it any better.)

* I have never ran in one of those cute running skirts yet.  But I really want to get one!

* I would love it if someone called me up to go drive race cars around a track or out on the salt flats.  I would LOVE to go as fast as they'd let me!  That would be an awesome date!

* If I am not in the mood, I will put my phone on silent and leave it that way for an entire day, not bothering to look at it until the next day.  I know, not very business great, but that is what voicemail is for right! I should say I don't do this often, but maybe once or twice a month.
However, I am also known for not looking at my phone for 4-6 hours at a time, if I get busy!  My friends and family hate that I do that when they want to get a hold of me:)

* I am going harness my sewing skills and attempt a DIY project and make a Mermaid tail for my niece for her birthday in November.  It will be one that you can really swim in.  So many kids have them, but they are like $120+, and I have discovered I can get the Monofin, and the wetsuit fabric I need for it all for under $35 and I found the pattern/project details on Pinterest, and it looks only moderately hard.
The only problem, I am going to be jealous, and it's going to be hard not to make myself one, LOL They look way fun!

* I had fun watching the Supermoon and Eclipse last Sunday.  Here are a few pictures I took, while I was playing around with my camera while watching.

Okay, that is probably enough from me right now.


Tell me something random about you.
Do you set monthly blogging goals for yourself?

I am linking up with HoHo Runs and Mississippididdlin today for their Weekly Wrap!