9th Annual Pet Blogger Challenge

It's time for the Annual Pet Blogger Challenge, hosted by GoPetFriendly.com. This year marks the 9th annual challenge. I always enjoy reflecting on the past year and seeing what I can do to improve the blog. I hope you enjoy reading my answers. 

For those who may be visiting your blog for the first time, how long have you been blogging and what is your main topic?
It’s hard to believe, but I’ve been blogging for four years now. Time sure does fly. My main topic, of course, is cats. But the main focus of the blog is what I have in my timeline: Advocacy, Education, and Entertainment. We want cats to be able to live the best life possible with their pet parents.

What was your proudest blogging moment of 2018?
My proudest moment was being chosen as an Ambassador for the BlogPaws conference, and being a finalist in two categories. I had been working hard the previous year to be recognized, and my hard work paid off. I also won a Certificate of Excellence in the Cat Writers' Association communications contest. 

Another moment I’m proud of is partnering with Helen Woodward Animal Center to co-host their first ever blog hop for Remember Me Thursday. 

What was the biggest blogging challenge you faced in 2018, and how did/will you tackle it?
My biggest challenge was posting consistently. Life was very busy in 2018, which prevented me from writing about many topics I had in mind. I did manage to post at least once weekly to at least keep the blog active. 

Which of your 2018 blog posts was your favorite and why? (Please include a link.)
Oh, this is a hard one. The post I wrote about the Paws to Read program at Tabby’s Place is definitely one of my favorites. I had such a good time watching the kids read to the cats and watch some amazing bonding happen. I also enjoyed writing this post on cruelty free products.  Supporting cruelty-free brands is important to me and I like to encourage others to do the same. 

Which of your 2018 posts was most popular with your audience? Why do you think it does so well?
The top post of 2018 was  Five Ways to Get Your Cat to Drink More Water.  I think it did well because it was educational and informative. And it also included a giveaway for a popular product. 

Did you implement a new series, feature, or practice on your blog in 2018 that you’re enjoying?
In 2018 I launched my new series, Lola on the Road. I visit cat cafes around the country and write about them. I’m having such a good time meeting so many cat lovers and wonderful people who do wonderful things for cats. 

As the social media landscape changes, how are you promoting your blog posts and connecting with new readers?
This is something I need to improve upon. I do promote each post on Twitter and Pinterest, and try to get Instagram in as well. My challenge with his is that it’s time consuming to make a particular graphic for each platform. 

Looking forward to 2019, if you accomplish only one thing through your blog, what do you hope it is?
I’d like to continue to make connections with brands and do more sponsored posts. And of course, continue to write about animal rescue and advocacy. I'd also like to figure out how to grow my audience. 

What steps are you planning to take to ensure you reach your goal?
I’m attending Global Pet Expo this year to meet brands. My Lola on the Road series will continue, and I’ll try to visit as many shelters as possible. 


Now it’s your turn! How can we help? Is there an area where you could use some advice, or an aspect of your blog that you’d like input on? Share it here, and we’ll answer you in comments!What would you like to see more of on the blog in 2019? What are some of the posts you've liked the best? 

Dawn