It’s that time again! Natasha at Maw Books Blog has scheduled another Bloggiesta for this coming weekend, January 8 – 10, 2010. What is Bloggiesta, you ask? It’s a community-wide event for those who choose to dedicate some time to blog housekeeping, marking things off the “to do” list and perhaps making a few cosmetic changes with your blog theme or navigation.
All the details and lots of great ideas are in the Bloggiesta intro post at Maw Books. Click over to see some items you might considering tackling this weekend, and to add your name as an official Bloggiesta party participant.
I switched to a 3-column theme over the holidays, but I still have a lot of clean up to do. It’s like moving into a new house – you think you’re done unpacking, and you find one more box … or discover that the furniture doesn’t fit the way you envisioned it. With that in mind, here are some of the things I’m going to look at during Bloggiesta; I’ll have a fuller list in my “starting line” post on Friday:
- organize sidebars (challenge buttons, buttons for vendors, review sites, literacy organizations, etc.)
- change bullets in sidebar widgets to solid circles
- make sure vendor links in sidebar are correct/working
- decide on literary charity to benefit from link income in 2010
- soul-search if I want to re-establish affiliate relationship with A..zon
- add blue line/bar after footer in blog post
- add more obvious link to open comments for reading/writing
- add tab/page for giveaways
- add tab/page for challenges
- add BTR player for interview w/Nicole on That’s How I Blog
- test adding ’most popular posts’ widget
- switch from ShareThis to Sociable for social bookmarking/sharing
- add related post links to most-viewed posts (may have to do this manually; I’m not always happy with the auto-suggests)
- contact/follow-up invitations for people to guest blog for Spotlight on Bookstores
- rss and email subscribe buttons should be in color (even without hover)
- plan/prep a few posts for Weekend Cooking
- fix italics issue – a word styled with italics runs into the next (non-italicized) word in preview/post
I hope you can join Bloggiesta for some or all of the weekend. It will be great to dedicate time to making these improvements, and to having feedback from others who are working on similar goals.
I always feel like I can find stuff to work on with my blog. I love your new blog look … so much cleaner!
Great post and great goals. I’m looking forward to this event too. In fact, I’m hosting a mini-challenge.
Good luck with all of your goals! What time should I be there for the margaritas?
I would love to add tabs to my blog – but just not sure I will have time this weekend. I definitely plan to write the 3 reviews that are waiting in the wings.
I LOVE the new 3 column format — very neat and crisp!
I hope you enjoy the margaritas and guacamole — lots of them!
This will be my first bloggiesta. My blog is in dire need of some TLC!
I’m with Julie – may you have many margaritas and don’t forget the chips and cheese!
And if you get done with your bloggiesta work early, I’d love for you to redo my blog too! :–)
You should have at least three margaritas when you are doing this! With lots of chips and salsa! I actually organized quite a bit on New Year’s Day. I’d love to put tabs in, but I’m waiting for someone to hold my hand because I suck at that stuff, and I’m scared. I’ve got an insanely busy weekend ahead of me, so I probably will just watch from afar!
I am way too much of a newbie to the blogsphere to make to do lists about my blog, but I’m sure I’d learn a lot just by tuning in sometime. You changed your format ? I guess I do notice things shifted from right to left
Forgive me, I can’t keep up ! Love the word bloogiesta.
I need to write up a to-do list for Bloggiesta… besides what I’m going to cook and snack on, lol, already got that list.
You’ve got a lot on the agenda. If gaucamole and margaritas are involved, I might have to get in on this
Jenners – I can always find things to do, too. I’m hoping Bloggiesta will help me stay focused.
Beth F – I’ll look forward to seeing what you have up your sleeve.
Kathy – they may have to be in NY in May
Molly – thanks for the feedback (I don’t know how to add tabs in Blogger, so I’m no help to you)
Julie, rhapsody, and Sandy – I sense a Snack Cake rebellion here!
Stephanie – it’s my first one, too! I’m expecting a surge of communal energy.
Kristine – we’ll plan an outing to discuss all things bloggish. Or to just chat …
KoolAid Mom – I’m doing this #gameondiet, so the margaritas and guac will be only in my head
I’ll be snacking on cheesesticks and celery.
Lisa – tune in Monday to see what I actually got accomplished. Aim high, right?
Is that fiesta music I hear?
Don’t know if I can you, but I’ll definitely try
Margaritas and guacamole?!? I don’t think this activity is game on compliant.
Hey! I gave your blog the “One Lovely Blog Award” on my blog! I’d love it if you’d take a look!
I really need this weekend to get caught up!!
Good luck to you! I think I’ll participate in the Bloggiesta this weekend, I’ve got a few blog cleanup jobs I’ve been postponing since last year!
Whoo hooo!!!!!! Let’s get this party started!
I like the 3 column format..I especially like the “reactions to my ramblings” with the latest comments posted. do you get many hits from the “take a survey” ad that scrolls down with the reader? —
I watched the movie Julie and Julia and was thinking of you. It was about the evolution of a blog… it was such a cute chick-flick!