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Book Blogger Organization Challenge: Winter/Spring 2015

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Welcome to the Book Blogger Organization Challenge!

I’ve been blogging for about two and a half years now and I always try to keep my blog and blogging life as organized as I can, but sometimes it’s just a LOT to take in all at once. I’m always a big fan of Bloggiesta and using that time to get more organized but depending on what weekends it falls on, I can’t always participate due to my schedule and I have SO many things that I need to work on that I just can’t quite do it all in one weekend. So the more I thought about it, the more I thought it would work well for a six month-long challenge!

To just say “get more organized in 2015” is still pretty overwhelming. I’m sure a lot of us want to work on some specific things but if you’re anything like me, you’ll start to work on updating reviews then somehow end up working on Goodreads and then before you know it, you’re just rearranging your books on your bookcase again which is not even what you meant to do. (Trust me. This has happened MANY times.) Instead of just saying, “Pledge to organize more in 2015”, I wanted to break it down month-by-month and even week-by-week if you so desire! There’s a lot to try to cover regarding “blog maintenance” and to focus on a year even seems overwhelming so I thought six months would be nice! Each month in the challenge will have a different focus with the last month revisiting everything you’ve done so far in the year.

EDITED 12/16: The more I thought about this challenge and how different it will be for everyone, the more I just want to throw in my two cents here for everyone looking to get organized this year — take it from someone who loves to stick their hand into way too many cookie jars — Being organized is NOT about planning every single thing. Being organized is about having a game plan, trying to stay ahead or things (or catch up on things) but NOT overscheduling yourself or stressing yourself out! There are too many times I (for example) tried to plan out my exact TBR or gave myself a strict reading schedule and that not only didn’t work and made me feel like I “failed” but it also discouraged me in many ways. So yes, getting organized does require a little extra work, but it should really be more about figuring the ways you can set yourself up for success and not about scheduling every single little thing. Capisce?

Let’s kick it off with January so you can get a feel for the challenge!

JANUARY 2015 ORGANIZATION CHALLENGE

JANUARY’S THEME: Reading challenges, scheduling, & resolutions

January is the month of resolutions and I know I don’t usually end up keeping many of mine because once the month is over and that resolutions post is written, I never look at it again. It’s also the time when we’re most gung-ho about year-long challenges! Year-long challenges tend to check in monthly but somehow I usually end up dropping all plans for challenges by spring because I’ve over-scheduled myself (even during the year I promised I wouldn’t do that), so I think January is a great time to make some goals and then make up a schedule to keep them! It’s also the time of year when a lot people star to think about the “big picture” of their blog when making resolutions so here’s what January will focus on:

  • Planning 2015 challenges
    • Research which 2015 challenges you’d like to take part in. See below for some ones that I’ve found and if you know of any more, leave them in the comments!
    • Pick a few specific books to read each month. I know some people mood readers and can’t PLAN which books to read (totally me) but last year I picked a few ARCs that I wanted to read in a specific month (or books for other challenges/read alongs, etc) and then I was able to read them within that month but any time I was in the mood for them instead of “read by X” date (which usually made me NOT want to read them).
    • Schedule challenge intro posts!
  • Picking 2015 resolutions
    • Think about what you want to do with your blog in the year to come. (Or even the next few months) Do you have a “big picture”? Anything specific you’ve been meaning to do? (Add a new feature? Finally switch to self-hosted? Add a co-blogger? Try new genres?)
    • Make a list and pin it up somewhere you’ll see pretty often (fridge, office, wall, etc) so it won’t fall by the wayside.
    • Make a Goodreads shelf! Have some books you know you want to read in 2015? Make a list on Goodreads (or a physical list) with new or older reads that you want to read this year.
    • Schedule resolution post!
  • Find a buddy!
    • Work better with motivation? Find a blog maintenance buddy & work on things at the same time!
    • Need someone to help you through some reads? Been meaning to read some big books but are intimidated by them? Grab a friend to do an informal read along!
  • Make plans to read and write!
    • Not everyone does well planning ahead or writing things down with a specific schedule… but if you’re one of those people (or want to try) now’s the time to look for a nice planner. Treat yourself with a nice one and maybe even fun pens or stickers to help keep you motivated to keep track and also stay on track! Pen and paper not your style? Trying using Google Calendars or Wunderlist! (Also super easy to move things around!)
    • Are you someone like me who has a limited amount of time to read or write? Try to pick a day/time to work on blog things or to read. Make a plan so your parents/sig other/friends will know you’re busy and you can schedule around it.

2015 READING CHALLENGES

105 Challenge (hosted by ReadWriteLove28) // Around the World Reading Challenge (hosted by All About Books) // Authors A-Z Reading Challenge (hosted by Samantha Lin) // Book Blog Discussion Challenge (hosted by Feed Your Fiction Addition and It Starts at Midnight) // Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge (hosted by The Book Vixen) // Debut Author Challenge (hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl) // Dive Into Diversity (hosted by Rather Be Reading and Reading Wishes) // Full House Reading Challenge (hosted by Book Date) // Library Challenge (hosted by Book Journey) // Out-do Yourself Reading Challenge (hosted by The Book Vixen) // Pre-Printing Press Challenge (hosted by All Booked Up) // Put the Library on Hold (hosted by The Emerald City Book Reviews) // The Re-Read Challenge (hosted by So Obsessed With and Belle of the Literati) // Reading Challenge Addict (hosted by Reading Challenge Addict) // Reading England (hosted by Behold the Stars) // Reading Road Trip (hosted by She’s Got Books on her Mind) // Series a Month Challenge (hosted by Love at First Page) // TBR Pile Challenge (hosted by Roof Beam Reader) // TBR Reduction Extreme (hosted by All About Books)

Many others listed at You, Me, and a Cup of Tea and a Pinterest board from The Book Vixen!

 

CHALLENGE “RULES”

I put rules in quotes because really, there are no “rules” to follow. This is titled as a challenge, but it’s more of a way to consistently keep organized. The guidelines are simply this: follow the month’s theme and work on what you can. Not everyone will need each bullet point. Some people will think of more things to add under the theme. (Leave a comment if you think of some so I can update the post!) Work on anything related within the given month. There is no “failing” in this challenge. If you’ve done anything to work on your blog, you’re a success!

  • The Blog Organization Challenge will run from January 1st to June 30th. If all goes well, we’ll start all over in July (blog maintenance is constant!) and even add more things to work on because I know I won’t think of everything as we go along.
  • Participants can join in at any time! It’s never too late to join. I have a linky for sign-ups below (no sign-up post is required but feel free to spread the word that you’re joining in!) and do whatever you can each month. Everyone is bound to have a busier day/week/month so just do what you can when you can! And don’t forget to grab the button!
  • Feel free to make your own “mini-challenges”! I won’t be officially hosting any mini-challenges but if you have a discussion, how-to, or mini-challenge (past, present, or future), send me the link and I’ll include it in appropriate month’s post!
  • Want to chat about it on social media? Use the hashtag #BlogOrganization! Find a buddy, grab some ideas, get motivation, ask questions… Sky’s the limit!

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 Grab the button!

 CHALLENGE SCHEDULE

Want to see what the upcoming months have in store? Here’s a general outline of what we’ll be focusing on each month!

  • JANUARY: Reading challenges & resolutions
    • Picking challenges, making resolutions, scheduling, forming plans, picking reading/blogging buddies,
  • FEBRUARY: Blog maintenance
    • Updating old reviews, pages, layouts, features/memes, contact info
    • Clean up images, broken links
    • SEOs
  • MARCH: Social Media + Review Ooutlets
    • Update social media accounts: bios, who you follow, delete old accounts you won’t use, resolve to use some accounts more
    • Organize Goodreads shelves: duplicate copies, version of books, creating shelves, removing shelves
    • Cross-posting
  • APRIL: Graphics, HTML, CSS, Plug-ins
    • Update graphics for posts/memes/events, update button, update header
    • Learn Photoshop/Gimp/PicMonkey
    • Brush up or try to learn simple HTML and CSS (for layouts, fonts, etc). Take this month to delve into the scary world of coding! (Or at least teach yourself one new thing!)
  • MAY: Book clean-up + spring cleaning!
    • Culling shelves, giveaways, donations, giving back borrowed books
    • Reading books you were given as gifts, ARC catch up
    • Rearranging shelves, updating Goodreads again, giving back borrowed books
    • More cross-posting & cleaning up GR shelves
  • JUNE: Freebie
    • Recapping what you’ve organized, focus on biggest area of need, review TBR list

Hope you’ll join me for the Book Blogger Organization Challenge! If you have any 2015 Challenge links, ideas for blog maintenance, previous organization posts/mini-challenges, or anything else you may deem appropriate for this challenge, please message me or leave them in the comments!

Hi, I'm Brittany!
Hi, I'm Brittany!

I'm an avid reader, candle-maker, and audiobook lover! Here you'll find book reviews, fun blog posts, and my other loves of photography & craft beer!

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80 thoughts on “Book Blogger Organization Challenge: Winter/Spring 2015”

  1. Bridgett

    I am new to reading challenges, but have used your post to find a bunch of them. I hope that I can join in for 2016 when these ones are over. I have started a challenge of my own, and would like to share it with you and anyone else who has an interest. Perhaps you can add it to your links above? I would be so appreciative. 🙂 It is “The Tudor Reading Challenge.” I am taking sign ups for 2016. http://tudor-reading-challenge.blogspot.com/

  2. Angelica

    Trust me to find this fantastic challenge just before it finishes 🙁 Will be subscribing so if you start this up again I can join in 🙂 This is like an extended #Bloggiesta, love it!

  3. BooksChatter

    Late in joining, but I have been doing this since January as I am a new blogger and have all to do!!!!!
    Look forward to joining again in July!

  4. TopianGirl

    This is an awesome challenge and I am having so much fun with it. I would like to share a helpful tool that I used when learning to read css/html… her name is Ro Little. She is a blog designer who has created a series of videos to help you with your blog or even making a blog. It is called How to design a Blog. She walks you through everything with simple and easy steps. Using both Blogger and WordPress, she will help you understand the world of css and html. She helped me out so much I actually bought a membership even through most of her videos are free and setting up a blog is all explained. I recommend her to every blogger, weather it is book blogging, movie blogging, video gaming, fashion, whatever. just check her out.

    Just thought all would appreciated the suggestion. And come visit my site for other helpful tools, tips, and tricks. Topian Books.

    -Thanks, Topian Girl

  6. Laura

    Thanks for sharing Create With Joy!

    I started the year with the best intentions and now I know I have over committed and am struggling for balance.

  8. Belle @ Fangirling Misses

    I’m starting grade 11 this year…..so this is exactly the challenge I need!! Yayyy!! *wipes brow* I really need to start organising and scheduling posts so I’m very excited with this challenge! I think it’ll be extremely helpful 😀
    –B

  10. Marsha

    I am so glad (and grateful) that I saw this button while doing Teaser Tuesday this week. And clicked on it. 🙂

    This is the year I vowed to take my blog from a fun, do it when the mood hits kind of blog to one that totally rocks. I am fully engaged in taking my blog to the next level. This challenge feels like it was made with me in mind.

    So yes! I am so in!

    Thanks for doing this.

  11. Brian

    I am so grateful for this challenge even if I am a bit late with signing up for it. If I’m more organized then maybe I’ll actually remember to keep everything moving and up to date. Now just to find some creative ideas for the later months for me to make everything look new and exciting.

  12. Juli

    What a neat idea! I’m actually working this year to organize our home and make life less chaotic for our family…..so perfect to also work to get my blog up and running in an organized fashion. 🙂 Love it!

  14. The Avid Reader

    I love this! I was a terrible blogger the last two years… first I was working a bunch of PT jobs while going to grad school, and then I was frantically applying for ALL THE JOBS. In my spare time I was just to burnt out to consistently dedicate time to the blog. But! I’m finished with school, and I got a full time job in October, so things are starting to settle down. I think a challenge like this is just what I need to dive back into blogging and make some good habits right at the start of the year!

  18. Alexandra

    I love that you’re doing this — I just wrote up my blog resolutions for 2015 and being more organized was one of them! This is the perfect challenge to keep my “in line” and organized in the new year.

  24. Lisa

    Thanks for organizing this event. I’m a new blogger, and I’m looking forward to learning so much more from this experience!

  25. Tina

    This is a really great idea! I’ve really wanted to organize my blog, update it, add more content, etc for quite a while. This past year was so busy for me since I got married too! But I’m really going to try to stick to a schedule a little more. I’m really bad at picking too many challenges, hosting too many tours and agreeing to review too many books. I just need to take a step back and remember why I started blogging in the first place – I just love to read and share my thoughts about the books I’ve read! 🙂 Great idea and can’t wait to participate!

    Tina @ Pages of Comfort

    1. Brittany Post author

      Yay, thanks Tina!!! It’s hard when you want to be a part of EVERYTHING! I had to get used to saying no just for my own sanity! Hope the challenge helps 🙂 🙂

  26. AlyssaZ

    LOVE this idea! And the two challenges I am already signing up for are on your list! Re-Read with So Obsessed and Library Challenge with Book Journey

  28. Maxine @ Maximum Reads

    This is such an awesome challenge!!! As a newer blogger I could really use this. As a high school student my organization is crazy right now. I could really use a buddy to help motivate me! Anyone else in need?

    1. Brittany Post author

      OH YAY! Welcome to the book blogging world 😀 Do you have a Twitter account? I can spread the word and see if someone needs a buddy!

  30. Lola

    Not sure yet if I will be joining, but I wanted to say I really like this idea and how you have a specific focus for each month. February and March have some topics I really should be doing, like the cleaning up of old layouts and cleanign up my social media accounts and who I follow. I started changing my old review banners to the new one, but eventually stopped.

    1. Brittany Post author

      Thanks, Lola! It’s totally low-key so feel free to join in at any time! It’s all about setting yourself up for success and not stressing yourself out 😉

    1. Brittany Post author

      YAY! That is an awesome challenge! I just added it to the links and thank you so much for joining in on mine 😀

  33. Betty

    Alright…. I love this…. and as much as I struggle to stick with challenges or tbr lists… i’m REALLY going to try to do this, even if i follow it loosely. I think it’ll really help! We are moving next week… hopefully by early january we’ll start to feel settled in… perfect time to freshen up my blog routine!

    1. Brittany Post author

      Oh YAY thanks for joining in! I really hope the challenge helps!!!
      Will do about the link 🙂

  36. Ciara @ Ciara Reads Books

    Oh, this is SUCH a good challenge! 🙂 I’m definitely jumping on board with this one! I signed up for a few reading challenges last year and found it hard to stick to them, so for 2015 I think I’m going to maybe pick one reading challenge and stick to it. At the moment I really like like the sound of the re-read challenge as there are so many books (particularly books I read as a child/teen) that I would love to go back to again.

  37. Quinn @ Quinn's Book Nook

    I love the idea of organization! But I’ll often make a plan and then . . . just never follow through with it. Something that has really helped me is to have a planner. I’ve used online calendars, but those never worked for me. So I actually have a paper planner, and although I do use it somewhat to stay on top of what I’m posting when, I also use it to make to-do lists and that has helped me soooo much!

    I really like you sixth month challenge! Being organized makes you feel so much better.

    1. Brittany Post author

      Thanks, Quinn! I do the same thing. I tend to make plans and then just get too busy for them. I’m hoping spreading things out over the next coming months will help! 🙂

  38. Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction

    I love this idea. I need help being organized but I’m so intimidated by the idea. I dropped challenges long ago because I felt they added stress to an already chaotic life. I’m going to keep this in mind and see if it could help jolt me into actually doing something about my unorganized blogging life.

    1. Brittany Post author

      Thank you!! I totally understand blog organization and updating being intimidating! Hope you’ll join in at some point in time 🙂 It’s totally low-pressure to hopefully feel less threatening! I know I usually end up starting and then feel overwhelmed! If you join in, hope this helps! 🙂

  40. Rebecca @ Reading Wishes

    Such a cool idea! I’m a go with the flow kind of blogger and tend to fly by the seat of my pants. It’s not often I schedule posts, but I do like to try and keep organised. Even if that never really goes to plan… I’m still deciding on which challenges I might take part in, but I’ll definitely keep this in mind. As for 2015 challenges, I may or may not be organising something… 🙂 Good luck with the challenge and I hope it goes well for you to host it all year round!

    1. Brittany Post author

      Thanks, Rebecca! I know, I usually fly by the seat of my pants too… and somehow I never get things done! Haha.
      Thanks for keeping this in mind! 😀 If you do join in, I hope it helps!!!

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