Be a Better Blogger in just 30 Days
Recently I began to feel that my blogging has been slipping. By that, I mean that I haven’t been giving it much attention, and have been more prone to letting little things slide. For example, I know that the images in my Twitter badge aren’t showing up right and I haven’t done anything about it. Nor have I added a Plurk badge, which is way overdue. My Blogroll is stale, I’ve gotten lazy about linking to other sites, and so on… SO, it’s time to do a full makeover, top to bottom. With that in mind, I pulled up a link that I had bookmarked about a year ago that I had always intended to try out for myself. It was Pro-Blogger’s, 31 Days to Building a Better Blog. Some of the tips fit me, some of them didn’t. However, I always thought about spinning my own version of it, specifically for teacher/educator bloggers. After mentioning it on both Twitter and Plurk and getting some very positive responses, I decided to move forward with the idea.
I’ve sketched out 30 ideas for Being a Better Blogger. These are not tips like “Make it personal” or “Focus on quality”, these are ideas for doing things to improve your blog and address all the little details people generally forget about, ignore, or never knew to do in the first place. Every day I will post a new tip/challenge for you to try. Whether you’re a new blogger or tenured, I encourage you to join along with me and use the month of November to be a better blogger.
This is a personal challenge, so whether you follow one tip or all thirty is entirely up to you. I’ve created a badge (as seen above) to let people know that you’re participating in the challenge and will provide you a means to embed it in and link it up soon.
If you’d like to join in, leave a comment below so we can follow you back and help support you in your endeavors!
The challenge begins on Saturday November 1st!
- Day 13: Declutter Your Sidebar Part 2
- Why I *heart* Plurk
- Day 30: Choose Your Own Adventure
- Day 3: Write a thank you note
- Day 11: Introduce Yourself to Another Blogger
Mike Maddaloni - The Hot Iron
10/23/2008
Hi Steve – I’m game -looking forward to your first post on it next Saturday.
mp/m
Mike Maddaloni – The Hot Iron´s most recent blog post.. Wordless Wednesday – Pumpkin Totem Pole at Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm, Homer Glen, IL
Neil Winton
10/23/2008
Count me in!
I too have been lax in keeping things up-to-date, and in posting everything I have been thinking about.
What I have done is built up a mass of ‘draft’ posts that I should probably delete and start afresh!
Neil Winton´s most recent blog post.. Blog Action Day 08: Free Rice
Nancy
10/23/2008
WooHoo! This just might be the ‘kicker’ I need to get into the ‘blogging’ frame of mind. I’m one of those, ‘I came, I created, I stopped’ type of bloggers. Mind you, I’m not at a loss for ideas (in fact, the pile of post-its and audio files on posts I want to develop abound), I just needed a ‘challenge’ to do so. I’ve always said that I love my PPLN and stick with them because they ‘push’ me to try new things…and here’s yet another example of that.
Nancy´s most recent blog post.. THE Best Teeny, Tiny Gadget
Heather Dowd
10/23/2008
I am great at the ‘draft’ posts too Neil! I also had bookmarked the “31 days to a better blog” post, but that’s it. Bookmarked and forgotten. Perhaps this is the time to move beyond the bookmark. Thanks teach42!
Julie Squires
10/23/2008
What a great idea! I need to recapture my passion for writing and maintaining my blog. I look forward to following your tips.
Julie Squires´s most recent blog post.. In a Flap about my Frappr!
Kate Tabor
10/23/2008
Marking my calendar – Things do need a kick start on my blog, too. Thanks.
Kate Tabor´s most recent blog post.. On the Duty of Civil Disobedience
Michelle Baldwin
10/23/2008
I’m really excited about this! My blog becomes neglected when I’m busy at work, so this is the motivation I need. Great idea!
Count me in… assuming my blog is accessible again by November 1. Edublogs is experiencing growing pains and my blog is down now. 
Michelle Baldwin´s most recent blog post.. A Call for Must Reads
Michael Walker
10/23/2008
Steve,
I’m very excited about this idea and will be sharing it with blogging students and teachers in Edina.
Michael Walker´s most recent blog post.. Reading at Edina High School
Heather Hurley
10/23/2008
Hi Steve,
I’m excited to try a few tips to make my blogs a little better.
[...] Dembo has decided to put together a ‘Be a Better Blogger in Just 30 Days’ challenge and I would STRONGLY encourage all the NY STAR DENers to participate. If you’ve [...]
Selena Ward
10/23/2008
I look forward to being a better blogger.
Selena Ward´s most recent blog post.. Does it matter who is in charge?
Tek Zeno
10/23/2008
I want to be a better blogger! 
Tek Zeno´s most recent blog post.. Interactive Builds Presentation
Jamie Tubbs
10/23/2008
I’m in! I’ve really let up on the blogging the past couple years so this challenge should help me get back on track.
Jamie Tubbs´s most recent blog post.. Another Mindtool Resource
Sinclair
10/23/2008
Lazy blogger reporting for the challenge!
Sinclair´s most recent blog post.. learning through play
Sue Waters
10/23/2008
Good luck Steve. As a survivor of the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog I suggest you start getting into training now. Some extra workouts with the Wii should help.
When we did the 31 Day Project we did it as a team — you can check out what we gained here on my blog and here is a summary of the tasks — may make it easier for you. You might also like to grab some ideas from our Comment Challenge as well.
PS It’s totally worth the effort and you make lots of great connections.
Sue Waters´s most recent blog post.. The Love Twitter Meme
Brenda Muench
10/23/2008
I’m game and I’ll see if I can drag a few of my buddies in with me!
Brenda Muench´s most recent blog post.. Quote of the Day
sylvia martinez
10/23/2008
Do I have to use that pen?
sylvia martinez´s most recent blog post.. GenYES Students Shine in California
Pam Nielson
10/23/2008
I’d like to give this a try. I’ve been reading blogs for several years, so I know how valuable blogging can be in one’s own professional development.
Pam Nielson´s most recent blog post.. Creating Your Own Avatar
Michelle Krill
10/23/2008
Count me in.
Michelle Krill´s most recent blog post.. Sites to See 10/23/2008
Martha Thornburgh
10/23/2008
I’ll give it a go. Have two blogs I need to work on.
Martha Thornburgh´s most recent blog post.. End Hunger… Pass it On
computer problems
10/24/2008
me too waiting for some new awesome tips
computer problems´s most recent blog post.. How to Direct Connect Two Computers
Melissa Rollosson
10/24/2008
Just what I need – I am the occasional, infrequent poster. Not only that, I am adding “Be a Better Blogger” to the Web 2.0 class I am currently teaching. Maybe there will be some ideas to help my beginning bloggers.
Melissa Rollosson´s most recent blog post.. Maybe?
Lee Kolbert
10/24/2008
Glad to see this idea come around again. I attempted to participate in Sue Waters’ challenge (which was awesome) but the procrastinator in me never did keep up. And, so my blog suffers…
I’m in!
~Lee
Lee Kolbert´s most recent blog post.. Who Needs An Opinion?
Aaron Smith
10/24/2008
Sounds like fun – I’m in.
Mike Curtin
10/24/2008
Sounds great. I’ve been lax lately and just getting back into it. This sounds like just what I need right now. Thanks!
Mike Curtin´s most recent blog post.. Professional Development: Act II
Jeanne Gross
10/24/2008
I’d like to give it a try… I’ve been lurking for an awfully long time…
Thanks.
Christine Southard
10/26/2008
Hi Steve! You rock! I will attempt to be a better blogger on my personal blog and the NY DEN blog. However, everyone should remember that commenting is an important part of being a better blogger. So I hope you remind your readers to get out there on the www and leave a comment on the bloggers that they connect with. Leaving a comment and your blog URL helps to broaden your online PLN (public learning network). I’m always looking for tech savvy sped teachers who are trying new ways to differentiate instruction. If those educators don’t blog, they can always leave a comment on my blog so I know that they’re out there. Happy blogging.
Christine Southard´s most recent blog post.. Freedom Machines Assignment
Lisa Thumann
10/26/2008
I always love a good challenge. I’m in.
Lisa Thumann´s most recent blog post.. What’s Your “P” in PLN Stand For?
Linda704
10/26/2008
Love this idea! I’ve been feeling the same about my blog and protopage!
Heather Bailie
10/26/2008
Always up for a challenge and keen to find inspiration. Thanks for this, looking forward to starting.
Heather Bailie´s most recent blog post.. Utterli…brilliant!
Jen Dorman (Cliotech)
10/26/2008
I’m in. I have been letting Diigo do a lot of my blogging recently . . . am ready for something to challenge my blogging skills. Thanks for initiating this, Steve.
Jen Dorman (Cliotech)´s most recent blog post.. Websites I Found Interesting – Diigo 10/26/2008
TJ Shay
10/26/2008
Steve,
Count me in! I have bursts of inspiration, but have trouble blogging often. This will be just the challenge I need.
TJ Shay´s most recent blog post.. The Story on the ‘Doggy Box’
Jenny
10/26/2008
I’m in. We’ll see if I can keep it up, but it’s a worthy challenge.
Jenny´s most recent blog post.. Thoughts on being Back in First Grade
Chris Wherley
10/26/2008
Steve, Thanks for setting this up. It should be a great experience for all of us. I appreciate you and others that go above and beyond in helping others.
Chris Wherley´s most recent blog post.. Using MyPlick.com for podcast
Jeff Smith
10/26/2008
OK, I’m in. I really need to do something about my last few blog posts which were just a lot of “coming soon, check back later” and no real reason to actually check back. Thanks for the (virtual) kick in the pants.
Nedra
10/26/2008
I’ll give the challenge a try. I’ve been guilty of neglecting my blog since school started.
Nedra´s most recent blog post.. Staying Focused
Lynne H
10/26/2008
Mahalo for doing this Steve. It’s exactly what I need.
Samantha M
10/26/2008
I am new to blogging and I was going to look for a lot of support from my PLN. This will be great for me. Thanks so much for doing this!
Carol Daunt Skyring
10/26/2008
Yep – I need this too Steve. Thx for getting it together.
Carol Daunt Skyring´s most recent blog post.. Megaconference Jr 2009
Borborigmus (Vyt)
10/26/2008
I was going to procrastinate but I put it off.
Borborigmus (Vyt)´s most recent blog post.. Web 2.0 Attention Deficit Disorder Epidemic Strikes Educators!
Suzi Dafnnis
10/27/2008
Hi there, Starting a blog this week. Have been a ‘witness’ for a while and finally ‘biting the bullet’. Count me in. I’ll have two posts up by 2 November.
Josh
10/27/2008
Well, it can’t make me any worse, can it? I’m in.
Josh´s most recent blog post.. K-12 Online Conference
Larry
10/27/2008
I look forward to reading the suggestions. I already know that I need to add focus to my 3 month old blog, but there are other ideas on the 31 Days site that would help as well. I look forward to reading your suggestions as well, since I have enjoyed my first 90 days of blogging.
Larry´s most recent blog post.. From An Abomination To An Obama Nation
kmulford
10/27/2008
Steve! Thank you! I need this so badly! In my new job, I recently created 60 new 5th/6th grade student bloggers (maybe about 20 of which will continue once they leave me this week) but really rather pathetically left my own professional blog to rot on the vine. What should have been a marvelous “teach by example opportunity” was neglected as I tended to the tiny details of my new position (which encompasses lab teaching, tech integration in others’ rooms, and library management). Nonetheless, I am determined to make my blog, Onionskin, rise out of the ashes and soar again. I have so many thoughts and reflections after this first quarter with students. Perhaps now that I am doing this with a second (much larger) group, I will have the ability to reflect well on the process. At any rate, your challenge is EXACTLY what I need to get going on this. Structure, support, and friendly faces. Count me in, and thanks for being there “just in time”!!!!
kmulford´s most recent blog post.. Testing a Voki
Chasunci
10/28/2008
What a great idea! I’m in for 30.
Chasunci´s most recent blog post.. Uploading Your .swf (flash) Files
Karen Montgomery
10/29/2008
Count me in! I can’t wait!
Karen Montgomery´s most recent blog post.. Professional Development Workshops and Trainings
Karen Montgomery
10/29/2008
Count me in!
Karen Montgomery´s most recent blog post.. It’s A Web 2.0 Evolution
Chris Prout
10/29/2008
This challenge may make blogging more of a habit than it is now. Plus November is a lot less busy than September or October have been.
Chris Prout´s most recent blog post.. Shhhhh…. There’s a Ninja in the Classroom
Jen Turney
10/29/2008
Okay, I’m all about it. Maybe this will inspire me to actually post on my work blog!
Jen Turney´s most recent blog post.. Cool stuff I learned about today
Paul V8
10/29/2008
Can I still do this and teach full-time,take an online class, and be a good husband and have time and energy to be a great dad? I don’t know, but I’ll be trying. I’ll need help with wordpress and badges and everything on the backside of blogging; think you can help with that?
I’m v8 on twitter.
Peace
Paul V8´s most recent blog post.. Reflection for today, for life
John Evans
10/29/2008
Hi Steve,
Looking forward to the tips and motivation. My blogging has been way too sporadic. Group motivation will be welcome!
Thanks
John
John Evans´s most recent blog post.. It’s Here! It’s Really Here!
klmontgomery
10/29/2008
I plan to be a better blogger in 30 days http://tinyurl.com/6m8v37.
Chris Prout
10/29/2008
I am also going to try and be a better blogger http://tinyurl.com/6m8v37
Susan
10/29/2008
Hi Steve – I am in! Looking forward to some inspiration! Thanks – Susan
Susan´s most recent blog post.. Welcome Back – Why Arts Matter…
wonderwillow
10/29/2008
Yay!!! Just what I needed. This’ll be like that old adage that you’ll get more benefits if you go to the gym with a buddy, which is pretty much the only way I go to the gym. Thanks for the kick-start!
wonderwillow´s most recent blog post.. Paris tweets- Day One
Mindelei Wuori
10/29/2008
Alright. I’m in. Life is busy and I’ve seriously been neglecting my blog…but I will give this a try. Here’s to making all of us better bloggers!!
Mindelei
N Hill
10/29/2008
I need some serious help in the blogging area. I’m in! I hope that I can improve!!
N Hill´s most recent blog post.. The Teacher From Hell
Brad Fountain
10/29/2008
I am all for it!! I think I need a support group so maybe this will help.
Vinnie Vrotny
10/29/2008
I can use a refresh
Vinnie Vrotny´s most recent blog post.. K12 Online Conference Starts Today
[...] Be a Better Blogger in just 30 Days – Teach42 [...]
Colette Cassinelli
10/30/2008
Wow Steve – looks like you have motivated a lot of people to become better bloggers!
Your timing is perfect. I am just about to launch my blogging project with my students in one week. This will get me geared up.
If anyone needs some creative student ideas – check out my reflection at http://edtechvision.org/?p=169
Colette Cassinelli´s most recent blog post.. Tech Tip Tuesday – Google Forms and Spreadsheets
Colette Cassinelli
10/30/2008
Steve Dembo challenges you to be a better blogger in just 30 days … are you in? http://is.gd/57oL
Marie
10/30/2008
Great thanks, will eagerly follow …
Marie´s most recent blog post.. Discover something new to do with Google
Natalie
10/30/2008
I’m a new blogger and look forward to learning from you and all the other great blogger who have already responded. How exciting!
Natalie´s most recent blog post.. What Exactly is Rigor in the 21st Century Classroom?
Ben Grey
10/30/2008
Steve,
I’m throwing my proverbial hat into the virtual ring. Looking forward to the challenge, and I hope all the winners get a nice, big “I Love Steve Dembo” button in the end. It can be an “I (heart) Steve Dembo” button as well, if need be. Thanks for putting this together, and I have my fingers quite literally crossed I’ll make it at least until day 19.
Ben Grey´s most recent blog post.. Building Better Backchannels
Mamzelle
10/31/2008
Steve,
Great! Just what I need!
Being a Better Blogger | meL's Word
10/31/2008
[...] in a blog rut. Beginning tomorrow and running the month of November, he is running a challenge – Be a Better Blogger in just 30 Days - 30 days of tips and ideas to becoming a better blogger. I thought I would give it a try, see [...]
Jim McGuire
10/31/2008
I will give it a try. 31 Days … was a help, so I am anxious to see your ideas. Thanks for your effort!
Jim McGuire´s most recent blog post.. Keitha Lane, Real American Hero
[...] by lthumann on November 1, 2008 Today is day 1 of Steve Dembo’s 30 Days to Being a Better Blogger challenge. I’ve decided that I will give it a go. According the comments left on his blog, [...]
Sara (VanAbel) Beauchamp
11/1/2008
Today is the day…and I’m going to try to keep up…challenges are good for increased focus!
[...] Dembo has issued a challenge 30 days to being a better blogger. I have been neglecting my blog of late and hope to participate in this challenge. Today is Day [...]
Brian C. Smith
11/2/2008
Steve, thanks for addressing this. The timeliness is right on as I have several groups diving into blogging coming soon. Making over my blog will help me lead by example and help me revisit my site on a daily basis.
Looking forward to it.
Brian C. Smith´s most recent blog post.. Students Wanted
Mike Heidelberg
11/2/2008
I can’t wait to get started!
Mike Heidelberg´s most recent blog post.. Writing for the Wastepaper Basket
RJ Stangherlin
11/2/2008
Hi, Steve,
Count me in and I’ll catch up. Need to hone skills.
RJ Stangherlin´s most recent blog post.. What’s in a VoiceThread?
Heidi Van Riper
11/3/2008
This is perfect timing for me! I have just gotten brave enough to start a blog, so I am up for learning as much as possible!
Heidi Van Riper´s most recent blog post.. Portfolio Project- Update #2
Jarrett Dooley
11/3/2008
A little bit late, but you can count me in! Looking forward to getting things up-to-date and having more traffic.
David LaMorte
11/3/2008
As always I am behind the times. I just put up my first post in my 30 days project and I’m excited to take part in it with you and my fellow subscribers!
http://davidlamorte.com/?p=178
David LaMorte´s most recent blog post.. 30 Days To Being a Better Blogger
Gina
11/5/2008
I am trying to get in touch withMike Maddaloni…..to talk w him about the summer of ‘77 – me and his bro Vinny…lol….found him on this blog…and was talking w Eddie Halpin…i would love to talk w you….This is really about a Reunion of sorts…still have the NAVY ring he gave me of yours too….get intouch w EDDIE H…..He has the info….Peace- GINA/ from 77 -
Gina
11/5/2008
btw, if it’s the right Mike Maddaloni, you will remember – ‘77 – the Bungalows……go to gigibeejo@aol.com, and u can see my profile & recent photos…still look pretty much the same, thankfully….looking to speak with Vinny….if it’s the wrong Mike Maddaloni – my sincere apologies…..
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Abby
11/7/2008
I’m in! I’ve been meaning to get going again with my blog and this will be good motivation.
Abby´s most recent blog post.. Michelle Rhee’s Plan for Teacher Pay and Tenure
[...] opportunity arises. There are many people out there following along with Steve Dembo’s ‘30 days to being a better blogger‘ and day three’s instructions are to thank someone who’s helped [...]
Lorraine
11/11/2008
Steve, Is it too late to hop on board. I have been neglecting my blog as well but it is already day 11. Let me know!
Lorraine´s most recent blog post.. Transforming Our Classrooms – Reflections
Gerald Aungst
11/16/2008
Oops, trying again. Just found http://tinyurl.com/6m8v37 … 15 days too late. Trying to catch up anyway! 
[...] past 27 days, many of us have been participating in Steve Dembo’s 30 Days to Being a Better Blogger Challenge. Each day we have been faced with a new blog-related challenge from Teach42. I’ll admit that [...]
[...] Choose Your Own Adventure Add Thirty challenges in thirty days. It all sounded so simple when we first got started. I never would have expected that there would be multiple days when I’m typing furiously at [...]
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Brad Ovenell-Carter
2/20/2009
#northernvoice09 New bloggers I can highly recommend Steve Dembo’s 30 days to better blogging http://bit.ly/11tB2G
kate
2/20/2009
be a better blogger in just 30 days! http://tinyurl.com/6m8v37 #northernvoice09
Brad Ovenell-Carter
2/20/2009
@everydaylife That’s Steve Dembo 30 Days to Being a Better Blogger http://bit.ly/11tB2G
Kevin
4/13/2009
Maybe time for another challenge. I missed the last one. I’m doing the Problogger one now and I like the idea of a teacher specific challenge. It’s the last part of the school year and I’m thinking about next school year and what I’ll do differently.
30D2BBB « Got Social?
8/31/2009
[...] http://www.teach42.com/2008/10/23/be-a-better-blogger-in-just-30-days/ I’m going to give the 30 days to being a better blogger (30d2bbb) a [...]
Alltop
10/24/2009
Be a Better Blogger in just 30 Days – Teach42 http://bit.ly/AynHY
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