I’m taking the Pet Blogger Challenge! January 10 2012

Little Otter sitting pretty.

I found this blog challenge yesterday; just a day before the event. I am still in the middle of creating content and editing this blog, I’m feeling pretty timid about sharing this with others. But what the hey, I would really love the feedback and this just seems like the right thing to do. This blog is not entirely pet focused, but we do really love our pets and discovering holistic ways to care for them. So, I feel this is still appropriately placed.

Here it goes. I hope you enjoy perusing my answers to the Second Annual Pet Blogger Challenge.

1. When did you begin your blog? I have had a few small blogs, here and there, throughout the last few years. My boyfriend and I have been posting at our art and travel site, FindBetterWays for the last two years. For Christmas we bought a few more domains and I decided to create a site with my sister. So to answer the question, I have only be working on this project for a little over a week or so. My sister, Danielle, jumped on board 2 or 3 days ago.
2. What was your original purpose for starting a blog? My sister and I have had a few random blogs together over the years. They weren’t really focused but they were beautiful. We have so many wonderful friends, ideas and passions; we need a place to share them with the world. Danielle lives in Florida and I live in California. This is our way of teaching each other new DIY projects about sustainable choices, upcycling, growing, natural pet care and such. We have a lot of deep interests and a lot of content to produce. We are just getting started!
3. Is your current purpose the same? Well, since we just started out, yes. Our purpose is still the same. We would love any advice or critiques about our blog so far. We are still working on the theme, colors and adding more content. What do you like? What don’t you care for?
If not, what’s different?
If so, how do you feel you’ve met your goals? It had been a long term goal for my sister and I to embark on a business venture together. By simply beginning this journey together, we have accomplished a huge goal of ours’.

4. Do you blog on a schedule or as the spirit moves you? So far, we are pretty much consistently writing, editing, crafting, taking photographs or cooking. The spirit seems to always be moving!
If the former, how often — and what techniques do you use to stick to it? I am writing on a lot of different platforms at least 3 or 4 hours on most days; today I easily spent 8 hours working away. I like to create lists, videos, beautiful photos and collages to keep things interesting and fun! We both write about our loves and passions. It is easy to keep motivated if the topics are meaningful to you. I am sure are we add more posts and are happy with the amount of content in the site; we will slow down and develop some kind of a loose schedule.
If the latter, do you worry about… well, whatever you might worry about (e.g. losing traffic, losing momentum)? Not yet.
5. Are you generating income from your blog? I am seeing improved income on my previous blogs and sites. We have not started monetizing this site yet, since it is so new. This challenge is actually the first time I will be sharing this site with someone besides a close friend, ever.
If so, how (e.g. sponsor ads, affiliate relationships, spokesperson opportunities)?
If not currently, do you hope to in the future — and how? My sister and I still have to figure out the details. I have ads and use affiliate programs with other platforms; but I really just started getting serious about understanding these things.
6. What do you like most about blogging in general and your blog in particular (bragging is good!)? I love getting to see all of the brilliant ideas in the world! Creative platforms like this really inspire me to create any personal reality that I desire. I absolutely love cooking for myself, my boyfriend, our dog, our friends, anyone. I love teaching people about nourishing food and sharing my recipes. Blogging allows me to showcase that, our collected travel photographs and artwork.
7. What do you like least? I’m still pretty excited about this and can’t really think of anything I actually dislike. Except, maybe, feeling like this is the onset of a serious addiction.
8. How do you see your blog changing/growing in 2012? I think this year will be amazing for us. We are both working very hard at this and have so much to share! The growth will be huge; that is for sure.