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Pet Blogger Challenge 2016

Tales from the Backroad Posted on by

Pet Blogger Challenge 2016

This will be my fifth time participating in the Pet Blogger Challenge. Some of you new readers may be wondering why I’m doing a Pet Blogger Challenge. When I started this blog 5 years ago, it was Roxy the traveling dog and was definitely more of a pet blog. I re-branded in 2014 to Tales from the back road because I wanted to stretch my creative wings more. But my roots are in the pet blogging world, and I love this challenge that my friend Amy from Go Pet Friendly does.

So here goes. My answers to the questions that Amy came up with this year.

1. How long have you been blogging? And, for anyone who is visiting for the first time, please give a quick description of the subject of your blog.

 I’m approaching my 5 year mark later this month. I blog about our full time traveling life, our art, and the dogs who share that world with us.

Me and the dogs

2. What is the one thing that you accomplished during 2015, either on your blog or because of it, that made you most proud?

I think I improved my photography this year. A photographer I know says we have to find our photographic voice. You have to find what makes your work unique to you. I think I’m getting there, and this year was a good progress year towards that.

3. Which of your blog posts was your favorite this year and why? (Please include a link.)

Wow, to narrow this down to one is tough. I would have to say “Dear Summer, I love you.” It’s especially good right now because we are running towards summer, so I’ll get to tell her hi.

4. A common theme from last year’s challenge was that many of us wanted to increase the size of our audiences. Whether or not we intend to monetize our blogs, it seems we’d all like to reach more people. It feels good to know that we’re connecting with others, sharing a laugh or supporting a cause, and it’s motivating to see those numbers grow! What is one thing you’ve done in the past year that has brought more traffic to your blog?

I have been more engaged on my blogs facebook page. This has brought more readers to the blog, and more engaged readers which is always good. I have also written more SEO friendly content and have gotten more traffic from google.

5. Which of your blog posts got the most traffic this year? Why do you think it was so popular? (Please include a link.)

My review of the Sleepypod Clickit Sport harness had the most traffic. I think more and more people are realizing how important it is to keep their dogs safe while they travel. Car accidents can be just as deadly for dogs as people and the proper restraints can make all the difference.

Review of the sleepypod clickit sport. Traveling with dogs

6. What is one blog that you read religiously – other than your own – and what makes you such a devoted reader? (Please include a link.)

In Flow. Otto Von Munchow is a professional photographer who has great advice, and tips on photography. His blog posts are always well written, informative, and make me think about my photography, and art in general.

7. What resources do you rely on to enhance your technical, writing, photography, social media, or other skills that improve your blog?

Adobe Photoshop, and Lightroom. I would be lost without the ability to edit, size, and watermark all my photos so easily.

8. What is the best piece of advice you can offer other bloggers?

Stay true to yourself. I know that is like a cliche in the blog world, but it’s true. I have talked to bloggers who have gone through, or are going through what I did 2 years ago. You have to write what you want to write, but also what your readers want to hear. Hopefully, those two things are the same. All writers write what interests them, but reaching those people who are interested too, is what it’s all about.

9. What is your vision for your blog in 2016? Do you have specific goals?

To keep it fun, for me and my readers. I enjoy taking my community along for the ride, and I want them to be having a good time too. I want to bring interesting, and fun content to Tales from the back road so everyone enjoys it.

10. You have the attention of the pet blogging community – is there one blogging challenge you’d like help with, or one aspect of your blog that you’d like input on?

Actually, I just want to know what my readers want to hear about. What interests you guys, what do you like about the blog, what do you not like? Is there something you would like to see more of, or less of?

Click to see what everyone else is doing with the Pet Blogger Challenge.
Join the Pet Blogger Challenge Jan 9th, 10th and 11th

Comments

Pet Blogger Challenge 2016 — 36 Comments

  1. Congratulations on re-branding the blog! The photography looks great. I actually signed up for a photography class this semester. :) I’m reading your harness review as we speak. As far as things I like to read on the blog, I’m always a fan of product reviews especially when they’re timely (we’re looking for a new harness). Good luck to your and the blog in 2016!

      • I’ll have to check them out. I’ve seen they’re doing a lot of testing on harnesses to make sure they are safe during accidents.

  2. Dearest Mary, Roxy and Torrey! I love that photo of the three of you looking up into the horizon of promise. That is such a great photo and it would be fun to see that photo edited in several styles! I also love what you shared about the photographer’s comment to you: TO FIND YOUR VOICE. How true, how absolutely true. This same concept is very important in POETRY as well. For the last several years that I’ve been following you, I can’t help but put photography and poetry in the same basket. To do both, you have to OBSERVE. To do both, you have to FOCUS and also edit like crazy to take out the unnecessary NOISE in the background. Different angles are important to see an object or space differently, and both artists need to unearth the forgotten, the hidden, the mundane, and elevate them to new shapes and values.

    No matter what the art, we need to express and make sense of what we experience. Have fun finding the magical in every day life dear Mary!

    • Anita I love that you are such a part of my blog now. You are like my greatest cheerleader. I also like that I was an inspiration for you to delve into photography more, because you are excellent at it!

      • Oh I love your blog Mary, and the adventures you take us on? How could I not want to hop on board! Thank you so much because a compliment on my photos from you is highly treasured. ENJOY YOUR DAY!

  3. your photos are breathtaking sometimes and I love it to see things with your eyes… there are so much special little things we often can’t see till they meet you and your cam. Thanks for great photos and the interesting stories you can tell with pictures :o)

  5. Your rebranding was such a great idea. We love the variety on your blog, yet we always know what types of things we will find here. It is a perfect mix in our opinion. We can sense you love what you do which makes is fun to visit your blog.

  6. I also love the variety on your blog, the stunning photographs, and we love following along with your travels. I wouldn’t change a thing!

      • Yes, I was going to email you this morning to tell you I got it. I love it!! It’s supposed to be next year’s Christmas gift for my friend, but I don’t know if I can wait until then to give it to her! Plus I was tempted to keep it for myself! :)

  7. I very much like hearing your tales about Torrey and Roxy and LOVE it when you share what you’ve done yo improve your photos. I enjoy your creative spirit.

  8. I’ve been blogging for over 5 years and I’m about to reach my thousandth post; I post on Seattle, Washington state, and the Pacific Northwest. I love to know a bit about what is going on and sharing that out to the world.

  9. I’ve really enjoyed watching your growth as a photographer so keep it coming. Pictures of the dogs are always nice. But even when Roxy and Torrey are getting a break from modeling (and I know Torrey will be taking it easy for a while), I really enjoy your photographic eye.

  10. I think you have come a loooong way from when you started. The switch to focusing (no pun intended) on photography was a good one. Your photos are just superb. I would like to see more of the furbabies though! Otherwise, your blog is amazing!

  11. I think you HAVE made great progress in your photography. I love hearing about your adventures and the unique places you find and visit but I also love your photos. You have such an eye for seeing beauty in things that other people would probably miss. I know that every time I visit this blog I will see something beautiful, whether it be a dog, wild life or scenery, whatever it is, it will be amazing.

  12. HI – I am new to your blog, but will definitely sign up as a follower. I love the idea of traveling (and making art) full time. Looking forward to following along on your adventures.

  14. Your photography is always inspiring and it drives me to work on doing a better job with my own photos. My favorite blogs are ones that I can learn something from and there’s always something of value here, whether it’s a good tip or an inspiring photo!

  15. I think that the best advice you gave was “be true to yourself”. I find that some blogs are trying to attract commercial interest and bigger audiences… and they end up boring me to tears because they no longer are true to themselves! I know that you are – and that’s a big part of why I like your blog.

  16. I get tired of all the ads and promotions too, I would rather talk about what we are doing. And I think people like that too, so thanks tons.

  17. Hello Mary!
    Love that you travel with your dogs too! I look forward to reading your blog more to learn about traveling on the road!

  18. I love following your blog mostly because you’re my friend and I get to see what you’re up to that way. I also appreciate your posts sharing what it’s like to live full time in and RV because, as you know, I might talk hubby into a prolonged stint in one :)

  19. Your photography takes my breath away, Mary, and it just keeps getting better and better! The way you rebranded your blog to be more true to yourself is absolutely one of the smartest things I’ve seen a pet blogger do. It takes a lot of courage to do something like that, and I think it’s be a huge success for you. And I LOVED your review of the Sleepypod harnesses – it’s so important to help people understand that it’s important to buckle up their pets to keep them safe.

    Thanks so much for participating in the Challenge again this year – the only thing better than reading about what you’re doing is parking next to you and hanging out in person!

  20. I love your advice to other bloggers and I think it’s spot on. I have so much enjoyed watching you evolve into an amazing photographer over the years! So many of your pictures take my breath away!

  21. We have been following your blog pretty much since I started blogging and even with all of your changes we are still here. It’s because of your beautiful photos, the dogs and your creativity. We have seen your photography skills improve along the way and are continually amazed at them.

  22. We have been following your blog pretty much since I started blogging and even with all of your changes we are still here. It’s because of your beautiful photos, the dogs and your creativity. We have seen your photography skills improve along the way and are continually amazed at them.

  23. Interesting that you broadened out your blog and changed the name for much the same reasons I did it and at about the same time too. I gave a big sigh when I saw Photoshop and Lightroom as your editing tools. I always used (free) PicMonkey but it has stopped working on Safari so I’m trying to justify the expense and effort of getting/learning those. Love your blog just as it is and your photography also.

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