call to writers Archives - Leaf and Steel

In this post I’m going to talk all about Blogtober! Blogtober is a writing challenge guaranteed to leave you feeling a sense of accomplishment and a collection of published posts.

I did #Blogtober2021 and I am definitely doing #Blogtober2022!

If you’re looking for a way to improve your writing and get consistent blogging, Blogtober is your ticket!

What is Blogtober?

There are endless amounts of writing challenges out there. Seriously, there is a challenge to fit any niche or bloggers “needs”.

Blogtober is very, very simple. All you have to do is publish a post a day for a month.

See this explanation from Tea and Cake for the Soul,

Blogtober is where bloggers from all over the world publish a post every day during the month of October. They also link up with other bloggers who are also taking part to share the love.

How do I participate in Blogtober?

If you have a blog, a little extra time, and a calendar, then you’re all set for Blogtober! Add a little enthusiasm and discipline and you’re good to go!

What are the Blogtober rules?

The only rule for Blogtober is to hit ‘publish’ every day during the month of October.

It’s the internet – there are no rules. Maybe your way of participating in this challenge means you take weekends “off” or try to post every other day in October. Adjust it to what’s realistic for your schedule. I have found that much like waking up early or meditating, the best effects are felt when writing is practiced every day.

My Results from Last Year

Listen, adding 31 blog posts to my repertoire was no small feat. To date, it’s my best month for views and for added posts. Of course, this meant that I had an uptick in ad and affiliate revenue, which is an added bonus!

If you are looking at making a profit from your blog than Blogtober can be a helpful tool – consumers spend the most money at the end of the year!

The biggest benefit I got from Blogtober 2021 was discipline. I woke up early and stayed up late and I got the job done. Up until I got super sick in January and lost my momentum, I was very consistent with posting on my blog.

You want to know why?

I had built habits that made writing every day a no-brainer. I had my routine: wake up early, make coffee, change, brush teeth, drink coffee, light a candle, write. I wrote until my daughter woke up and then would usually write again at nap time or after she went to bed.

It had become as natural as drinking a cup of coffee or brushing my teeth.

Looking back, it was one of the most peaceful times in my recent life. I was spending time everyday doing something that I loved.

It apparently takes an average of 66 days for a new habit to become automatic. While that may be true, after 31 days I felt like daily writing was an instinctive part of my day.

How I prepare for Blogtober

Find a calendar you like. Be it pen and paper, an app, or your phone. I like Google Calendar the best. I have different color labels for posts in different stages, like “published”, “scheduled” and “hope to post”. I like that I can pull it up on any computer and there aren’t any bells and whistles.

Brainstorm ideas. You don’t have to wait until October to let inspiration come to you. Start collecting ideas now! A great place to look for inspiration is Pinterest. Another thing I do is I’ll look back at posts from this time last year and see if I can make an updated version or if I’ve changed my view on a subject.

Connect with other bloggers doing Blogtober. This is a great way to keep up your momentum and get some encouragement.

Turn to your favorite blogs. If you have a blog, chances are you love to read blogs too. Head over to your favorite blogs for inspiration and motivation.

Set themes for different days of the week. 31 posts is a lot. If you didn’t plan posts beforehand, you can feel burned out pretty quickly. Last year I did “Fall Friday Favorites” where I did a weekly roundup of my favorite things. I actually really enjoyed the series and it gave me an “anchor” throughout the week where I had a set format and I could just plug in information.

Schedule posts. Okay, maybe this bends the “rules” a little bit, as it doesn’t lend itself to building the habit of writing every day. However, I know I will be saving some scheduled posts in my “back pocket”. I’m human and I take care of a tiny human (and a very needy puppy) and I know that there will be at least 1 out of 31 days that taking care of them and taking care of myself will come before my blog. That’s why I have no qualms about pre-writing a little content!

Stock photos. If you use stock photos, find a bunch of them now. Save them in a little folder on your desktop. Future you will thank me. I like to use Pexels.

Set good habits now. You don’t have to wait until the first of October to become someone who blogs everyday. Start waking up early or finding the time today to work towards your goals!

Have you done Blogtober before? If so, what were your results?

Are you planning on participating in Blogtober this year?

Let me know below!