Oh my gosh! My world has been a whirlwind since my Pet Blogger Challenge post went LIVE on the 10th! Wholly cow!!
BTW, did you read my post? Pet Blogger Challenge 2013!
Just WOW!
I am amazed that there are now currently over 100 entries on the Challenge link up! I have been reading, commenting, and subscribing since the 10th, as well as trying to reply back to those who have been so super awesomely kind to comment on my blog challenge post.
I have met some amazing people (mostly women); seen some beautiful furbaby pics (not just dogs); seen a lot of different blog themes and blogging platforms; and learned a few things here and there. Thank you again to Amy of GoPetFriendly.com for hosting this awesome Pet Blogger Challenge! What better way to connect with like-minded people! Superb Amy!
Now, I’d like to take a minute to share with you some things I’ve learned, and btw, this just isn’t on pet blogs. These are things I will also use and remember on my other blog, My Girly Parts AND may be helpful to you as a seasoned or newbie blogger.
CAPTCHA (especially on Blogger/Blogspot blogs) is your WORST enemy! Why? A lot of people have a very difficult time entering the Captcha figures. Don’t believe me? Check out my Guest Post on Mayura4Ever, Are You Scaring Away Commenters?. Just don’t read my blog, read all the comments by mostly seasoned bloggers. After that, come back and let me know if you’ll continue to use Captcha on your blog.
Bloggers want to know HOW to get more traffic. In my few years of blogging and reading tons of blogs about this, I have learned to:
1. Make sure you have SHARE buttons on your blog posts! When at all possible, be sure to add your @Twittername to your Share button so that when your post is shared, it will add your Twitter name and you will get both recognized for the post plus be able to gain more followers. Check out my friend Lisa’s post on Inspire to Thrive, My Pet Peeve on Using Share Buttons on Your Blog.
2. Don’t put your eggs all in one basket. Meaning don’t simply rely on your blog posts to get across your message. Join other social networks to promote your own blog. My favorites are Twitter, Facebook Blog Page, Google+, and Triberr. There are many more, as well as blog networks like DogTripper.com which has a Pet Blog Directory, as well as Pet Blogs United. And there are tons more for non-pet related networks.
3. Connect with other bloggers. How? Do a blog search on a topic (ie., pit bulls). Tons of links will come up including blogs. Read the blogs, Subscribe to them, and most of all COMMENT! A lot of bloggers will return a visit to a Commenters blog! Personally, if a link if left, I will definitely make a visit. This is wear the plugin CommentLuv does wonders.
4. Join a Blog Hop. YES! These things can be tedious at times but you will connect with so many bloggers! Go ahead! Just Do It already!
5. There are a gazillion other ways, but these are what I have found most useful.
Did I mention CAPTCHA? Get rid of it!
You may find some bloggers that will not reply to a Comment you left. This is a peeve of mine. If I take the time to leave a Comment on a bloggers post, not just a “Nice post” comment, but one that engages the blog author, I expect a reply. You may find, you won’t always get that. Some blog authors get so many comments they can not keep up. Others you’ll find never reply to anyone comments. On my blog, you will always get a response back so PLEASE Comment. I am listening almost 24/7. 
Big one here! Make you blog readable! I have visited some blogs and I can’t even read the post because the font is too tiny, too bold; or too fancy. I don’t care if you type all lowercase, but don’t type all UPPERCASE. That’s SHOUTING imo and I won’t continue to read.
CAPTCHA!
Make sure all your links work. If you’re sharing your Social Network Icons, make sure they work! Be sure to have an RSS fee and an Email Subscription highly visible. A lot of bloggers prefer one of these. Facebook pages make it easy to follow along as well, as well as Twitter.
Don’t feel pressured to try to keep up with the more seasoned bloggers. You know who they are. The ones who get a gazillion comments, when you get like 5 or 10? Don’t sweat it! Not everyone can be Big Taters. I previously did a post called Small Taters and Big Taters. It may give you peace of mind.
Lastly, Blog for Yourself. If you are sharing a journal type blog, blog your heart out. Be Yourself. Don’t try to be anything but YOU. Know the Facts. If you are blogging about a specific subject, know all the facts and cite them. As much as possible, use your own pictures. Just because there are a gazillion pictures on the net, don’t think you can just snag it and use it. You might find yourself with a law suit.
Most of all………………… HAVE FUN!
I’m going to stop right there because I could probably go on and on forever and a day……………
DON’T FORGET CAPTCHA!
hehe Sorry, just had to. Anyway…………………….. these are all tips from my very own personal experiences. I’m not an expert on the subject matter, I simply wanted to share my own insight. Other bloggers can share their tips with you. Others may not have liked my tips.
Take from this post, what you will.
My tips may work for you, it may not. (Remember, I’m small taters.)
Any more suggestions you’d like to add to my list? Please Comment below.
On a more personal note, I’d like to thank all who have supported Pibbles & Me and continue to support us as well as all those who participating in the Pet Blogger Challenge and took the time to leave us some wonderful comments and compliments on our post. It’s people/bloggers like you and the encouragement you share, that keeps bloggers like me…………..continuing to share our story. Ya’ll totally rock and deserve a round of applause! Much love to you from Titan and myself. Muwah!
About Bren
That was truly an amazing blog hop, wasn’t it?? I’m with you regarding CAPTCHA . .half the time I struggle to get the letters right! I use AKISMET on my blog and it blocks most of the spam. Most recently I signed up for DISQUS and that seems to have helped too, plus it makes it much easier to respond to comments (which I am not always the best at . .but I try!!) Great advice
Julie recently posted…Pet Bloggers Challenge 2013
Absolutely Julie! I still have so many more to read on comment on!
I’m with ya on the Captcha and if it’s on my mobile, forget it. It’s hopeless. Akismet is fabulous! I use it too. Disqus is a pretty good platform, especially for non-Wordpress users (Blogger, Tumblr). The one thing I found with Disqus though, on some android browsers, it’s not friendly. It won’t allow you to comment. Disqus really needs to fix that issue imo. Thanks so much for sharing with us!
Yes, that was an amazing Blog Hop! Completely agree with you about the CAPTCHA. Surely everyone hates that. Still getting the hang of Twitter and Triberr is a complete mystery, so far, but, they have been sharing my posts, so, will do my best to figure it out.
Thanks for the great advice. Sharing wherever possible. I have found that as far as post views go, Stumbleupon brings in a lot and the blog hops are fun.
Have a great Sunday!
Debbie recently posted…“MOMMY! MAKE IT STOP!”
Here’s you’re comment Debbie!
The key word today is CAPTCHA . I hate blogs that have it and I have a few blogs in my reader that have them and after the 2nd try they don’t get a comment. I love blog hops and need to join more. What I aim to do this year is every week I will find 2 new blogs to visit and comment on them. I find most of my blogs through other blogs that I frequent.
Kita recently posted…Convo with the Dr.
I’m so with you gf! I hate it. If I truly love the post and really want to share, I’ll try to stumble through the Captcha. However, I’m not always successful at it. :/ I think you have a good plan for 2013. Blog hops can be fun and get traffic to your blog and allow you meet new and interesting people. I might have a couple on both blogs in 2013. Just need to gear myself up for it! Thanks, as always, Kita!
Great tips, most of which I try to follow. Some blogs that I follow have Captcha and I always feel like nicely telling them that people hate Captcha but then wonder if that’s really my place? lol… Idk. The one thing I hate about blogger right now is that you can’t see replies to comments unless you subscribe to them (and I don’t want tons of comment emails) or go back and check to see if you got a reply (which I don’t have time for). I’m interested in commentluv but really know nothing about it.
Ann Paws recently posted…Show Dog Toys from Kidz Entertainment Inc.
Twitter: mypawsitivepet
Good morning Ann and thank you! I, obviously from my post above, would mention it to them depending on my relationship with that person. They really may benefit from a “friend” telling them about it imo. Oh YES! Good one on the blogger comments! UGH! Your Subscribe and then get all those blasted emails from everyone else’s post! (Don’t know how I missed that one cause I’m always cursing about it!) CommentLuv is superduper fabulous however I don’t think it’s available on blogger … or maybe it is? Not sure but I tell ya, it’s fabulous to be able to leave a comment and leave a post link for the host blogger to go read! Like I’m gonna do on yours!
Thanks Ann!
Hey Brenda,
Wonderful CAPTCHA… Ah no no… CATCH UP dear
You have got right attitued on blogging and it sure need to spread out. Well, don’t need to worry about number of comments ’cause sometimes thry could be just spammy comments too. But I’ve heard from some of my readers that they just afraid tto comment. First they just need to start doing it, right Brenda?
I’e been using CAPTCHA and you are the one who changed my attitude towards it
Sometimes you may never know about the harm it does until someone points it out dear. I’ve been saved 
No matter what, blogging is to enjoy in my opinion
Not to pressure ourselves or so. I’m really glad you have found many folks on pet challenge Brenda 
Now 2013 gonna rock and roll. See, sometimes you just need to take a simple action to change the attitude and make wonders 
Thanks again for your awesome experience and advice contributed for my blog dear
I can see many people make use of it, and still and will be.
Have a fabulous weekend Brenda
Cheers…
Mayura recently posted…How to Schedule Your Social Media Updates with Buffer
Twitter: MayuraDeSilva
Hey Mayura! YES! We’ve had these discussions before! It’s not always # of comments because you can get some pretty “silly” and/or spammy comments. We all appreciate comments and I do believe they make us work that much harder on producing yet another fabulous post. However, you’re right. People are sometimes afraid to comment or maybe they really don’t have something to add. There are a lot of “lurkers” or “readers” on the net and that’s how they like it.
You know as well as I do, blogging should be fun, even if you are trying to make money off it. IMO if it gets to the put that is a drag or seems like a chore, it’s time to take a break, regroup, and get back in focus. Heck, I’ve already done that a couple time!
I think I’ve finally learned.
Thanks as always for your unconditional support Mayura! Have a fab weekend!
I’m with you. I hate those things! [Captcha]
I can understand the reason for them but boy, maybe somebody should come up with something better … I think petMD has a reasonable alternative, they have simple math questions. At least one can SEE IT! Not that I like math, or that math likes me.
On the other hand, there is spam. That sucks too. What is a blogger to do …
I do like the “Confirm you’re a human” thingy … though some spam seems to be done manually. Who knows. Gotta live with some of these evils, I guess.
Jana Rade recently posted…Show Off Your Dog’s Waistline: Cardiff
Twitter: DawgBlogger
Hi Jade! Whoa! I just checked out your CommentLuv post! I soooo need to take a pic of Titan’s waistline!
haha I’ve seen those math captcha’s and they do work well, however, on blogger, it gives you some really crazy ones! It used to be just letters. Now it’s letters and a pic with either letters or numbers. My 44 year old eyes have issues with those! hehe
Personally, I think there are so many options out there for spam catchers that a person wouldn’t have to use that gosh awful Captcha. But that’s just me. Believe me, when I first started on Blogger, I used it! ACK!
Thanks for sharing sweets!
Hello Brenda this is a topic I know so well even tho I never use -captcha, for any of my blogs. I don’t see why people would even use this method because there are so many other ways to stop spam on your blog, I’m with Julie, I use the same methods that she does and my blog is spam FREE, not to mention that using CAPTCHA drives your readers and anyone new away. Thanks so much for sharing this article Brenda.
RobG recently posted…How-to Engage online And Build Readership
Morning Rob! I think people use it because either they are new to blog and they don’t know how horrid it is OR no one has given them other alternatives (Aksimet, GASP, Disqus, IntenseDebate, LiveFyre). I hope they more blog posts we do about Captcha and they circulate the blogosphere, the more people will take notice and ditch it! I hate to think about how many readers/subscribers I scared away in the beginning because I was using it.
smh… I was such a noob!
Thanks Rob!
Great advice Brenda. I’m amazed even some seasoned bloggers don’t have their share buttons set up correctly. And yes captcha is a royal pain in the neck to go through. You go GF on this challenge, you can do it! Thanks for the mention too
Lisa recently posted…Would You Give Your Arm Up For Your Blog?
Twitter: lisapatb
Hi Lisa!! Hey, how’d you like that lil “plug” to you blog? hehe I just had too! Didn’t you do a post on having your eggs all in one basket? I couldn’t find it cause I wanted to link to that one too. Oh well…… I see so many bloggers using share buttons, that HAVE the capability of adding in their @TwitterName, and they don’t have it. When I share a post, I try to remember to add it, if I know theirs, but am I going to far trying to promote them? I don’t know. I’ve been telling some bloggers to add it or fix em or what not. If I can’t share a post I like, it really peeves me off.
hehe Happy Caturday!
Great advice on the captcha thingy, I absolutely hate those, if the people who created them would only make them legible then maybe they wouldn’t be horrific. thanks for the advice, you’re a wealth of information.
Grndma Chris recently posted…Is Preserving The Past History?
Thanks Chris! Hope you’ll be sure to pass it along. Those things are a bit pain in the butt! Ugh….. glad I have learned some things are the past couple years that I can share along to others.
I’m there with you on the Captcha! Can’t stand it. And social networking is definitely key to our success. I connected with a blogger over on LinkedIn who says social networking doesn’t work – what wasn’t working was her promotion system. I felt bad, because I couldn’t convince her otherwise – but it’s a learning process for us all and it took me a long time to develop how to best share (which includes connecting and discussion too) my blog posts. I bet she’ll get there too.
Have a lovely weekend
Kimberly, The Fur Mom recently posted…Dog Lovers, Lets Resolve to Solve and Keep Dogs Out of Animal Shelters
Twitter: TheFurMom
Thanks Kimberly! What? Social Networking doesn’t work? Oh my… probably good a laptop or desktop screen was between you and her huh? hehe I would have lost it with her. Seriously? Between people sharing other blog posts, promoting, tweeting, sharing your own… oh my… what a silly person. It does take time and I’ll admit, I was so frustrated for more than a year until I finally figured a lil bit of it. Whatever I’m doing now, seems to be working and I’m thankful for all the support I get from everyone. Thank you so much for stopping by! Happy weekend!
Great post Brenda! You’ve given me some great ideas!
I’m sooo with you u on the CAPTCHA! I visited a blog yesterday that used it (ALOT of blogs, actually!) and when I had to try a third time to put the sequence in I nearly abandoned the mission – all this to leave a comment! Sheesh!
Thank you!
Coralee recently posted…On Life and Animals: Lessons From My Father
Hi Coralee! I glad that me sharing my lil bits of cents here can help others or at least, give them something to think about. Captcha is my worst nightmare though. Ugh, I like you will try a few times but not always successful. It’s really sad. Good luck!! BTW, love that last post you did! Very touching
Hi Bren; Could have sworn I left a comment earlier, but, I guess there was a glitsch. Anyway…….
Yes, that was the best blog hop I’ve participated in, so far. Will definitely do it again next year! As for the CAPTCHA, I think it’s safe to say that EVERYBODY hates it. Primarily on Blogger, isn’t it? Great advice with the social media sharing. Have to admit that I haven’t totally mastered Twitter yet and Triberr is still a big mystery, although I joined some time ago and see that they do share many of my posts on Twitter. Must make a point to figure it out. Stumbleupon is a good way to get more view, I’ve found, but otherwise no engagement. Google+ sure seems to be catching fire and am doing my best to get a handle on it. Completely agree about blogging for yourself. That is first and foremost. Have a great Sunday!
Debbie recently posted…“MOMMY! MAKE IT STOP!”
haha you did Debbie but it’s under Julie’s comment at the top.
Oh yeah, I’m in next year as well. I’ve met a lot of fabulous people with beautiful furchildren and awesome blogs! My reader is overflowing now. Oh my, how do I keep up? hehe I’ve seen Captcha on all platforms but on blogger, imo, it’s the worst. I just don’t get it. The letters, numbers, signs just are very legible and with my contacts in, I have above 20/20 vision. It’s a shame.
Yes, Twitter is my first LOVE network. My facebook page is growing fast thanks to the Challenge! Woohoo! I need to be more active there. Triberr, I’m still learning to however, as long as I’m sharing theirs and they are sharing mine, I’m good to go. It’s an amazing system there. I like Google+ too! I have to limit my networks however because there simply isn’t enough time in the day. Thankfully for smartphones, I can do some while at work, taking a break, lunch, or in the bathroom. Whoops! Did I just tell on myself
haha
Keep up the good work Debbie and I’ll be hopping by soon!
I am so glad you really stressed that CAPTCHA is the route of all blogging evil. I hate those things with a burning firey passion! They also seem to just destroy comments. I dont have a blog of my own yet but when people I follow have turned on CAPTCHAS there are noticable less people chatting underneath the post!
I have even started using a CAPTCHA bypass program called RUMOLA to make my internet life less stressful and eye straining! It reads the CAPTCHAs for you and then fills them in so you dont have to bother, amazing!
I am starting a natural history blog soon and will be sure to follow your great advice! Thanks for defending the pit bull too, it is so sad to see them always being demonised. I live in the UK and our staffordshire bull terrier is getting the same reputation but it is the owners who are at fault.
PS. If you want to try the CAPTCHA bypass program you can get it at skipinput.com
Thanks Alicia. Never hear of Rumola but interesting concept. However, I’m not adding programs to my computers so I can add comments. Bloggers need to make it as easy as possible for others to make “legitimate” comments and put the smack down on the “spammers”. Thanks for the heads up though and sharing it with us.
Hi Bren
You have summed it up, I think everyone hates CAPTCHA it just turns people off leaving a comment!
Social share buttons are a must, I like Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and the new kid on the block is Pinterest, that is becoming very big (I need to jump n that bandwagon now!) Sometimes there is not enough hours in the day but with a daily planner I manage to fit the most important tasks in
Thanks for sharing, have a great day!
Pauline
Pauline recently posted…How To Get More Comments On Your Blog
Hi Pauline! I’m with you on the Share buttons and not having enough hours in the day. I’ve had to limit my networks due to other priorities such as my full-time job, family, and demanding pittie.
But I’ve been managing thus far. I think the biggest help is other bloggers sharing the love. When I stumble upon a good post, I’ll share to all my networks and to my fb page in hopes others may visit there and enjoy the post.
Thank you for stopping by and Happy Monday!
Hi, Bren,
this is my first comment on your blog. I am coming from Google+ where Mayura shared your blog post. I had a pit bull. His name was Nico. He died. I love animals. In my country, there are a lot of strays. I used to keep in my purse something to give to any dog i meet (or cat).
Great tips for socializing and building authority. I did not like this capture anyway.
Is there a community that works on the protection of Pit Bulls from bully people, that use the poor things for fights? May be you have it here. I have to research it more. I like the spirit of your blog. Enjoy your day!
Margarita recently posted…How To Start Your Business Year With A Bang
Hi Margarita and welcome to Pibbles & Me! Glad to meet a former pibbles owner and sorry that he has passed on. From your first comments, seems to me you are animal lover so you’re alright in my book!
There are several communities (pit bull advocates) that speak out against animal cruelty and do everything within their power to promote awareness and education for the breed. However, in most states, animal cruelty charges are like a slap on the wrist. In a lot of states and cities, pit bulls are banned simply because of their looks. It’s my mission to help spread awareness and educate via my story with my own rescue, Titan.
Glad to have you stop by and share with us! Have a blessed day.
This is one of the best posts I’ve ever read…I totally agree with you on CAPTCHA…sometimes, when faced with using it I just give up…But better, I’ve learned so much…I visited Lisa’s blog and learned how to format my twitter share button…and i’ve gone ahead and added the RSS feed widget (hope i did that one right) I have learned so much from this Thank you!
Gizmo ( recently posted…SHOW OFF YOUR DOG’S WAIST–Almost Wordless Wednesday
Twitter: GizmoGeodog
Yeah! I’m glad you like it and it’s helped you!
RSS feed is a biggy for me because I follow all my blogs by it, if I can. I don’t like using email subscriptions. The twitter share button with you @name is awesome because you can see how many times it’s RT’d and by whom, plus, it’s easy for someone else who sees the tweet to follow you. Again, glad it was helpful to you and thank you for stopping by! BTW, Gizmo is still a STUD! 
Bren – I’m so glad you enjoyed the Pet Blogger Challenge and got so much out of it! I simply love this hop because I learn so much and it sparks my creativity. This is a great summary, and that CAPTCHA … how do you really feel about it? BOL!
Hi Amy! I really did! I’m actually going to go back through them and read a few more posts and add em to my reader! Fabulous job! Oh btw, CAPTCHA sux! O.o