Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Blog Improvement Project: Revisiting Goals

So what have I done with Young Readers since January 5th and January 6th? New header. New background. From two columns to three.

My original goals:

To determine once and for all which direction I want Young Readers to take. Should I keep this one separate from Becky's Book Reviews?

To be more consistent in blogging. To have twenty posts per month at least.

To try to give equal time to books reviewed for this site.

To create/maintain a blogroll for this site.

To feature more books by baby reviewers.
How have I done?

Well, I decided to keep going with Young Readers. To not merge with Becky's Book Reviews. I may revisit this again in the future. But I don't see this changing any time soon.

Have I had twenty posts per month? Sometimes. January, February and March saw over thirty posts each. April was my slowest month. May I bounced back a bit. And June needs some work. I need to review some more books this month if I want to get my totals up. But generally speaking, I'm happy that I've been able to devote some time to this blog.

Am I leading a more balanced life? Am I able to give time to reading and reviewing picture books, board books, and early readers? Yes and no. I've started reading picture books as they arrive. Not always. But on good days I do. So I may read it a time or two and review it within those first few days. So that's encouraging. But not always possible. I would LOVE to be able to sit down with a stack of picture books one day a week, read them all, and start writing reviews. Perhaps writing reviews and scheduling them to post ahead of time. Doing a week or two at a time so that I don't have to worry with doing it day by day.

How is my blog roll doing? I haven't maintained it. I think I probably spent some time in January or February getting it going. But I haven't added anything to it recently. So it might could use some help.

Baby Reviewers. I love Snugglebug. And he has been reviewing for the blog twice a month (approximately). Of course, my having reviews depends on his mama's schedule. And I definitely understand when she's not able to have reviews to send my way.

Formulating new goals:

  • to choose one day per week to sit and review picture books
  • to schedule posts for Young Readers in advance
  • to continue trying to be consistent in posting twenty-or-so posts per month
  • to continue having guest posts by baby reviewers
  • to perhaps refine my blog roll or create a special blog roll for bloggers specializing in children's books versus young adult books



© Becky Laney of Young Readers

5 comments:

Lynn said...

Just a quick note to say we're happy to guest post sometime. My son is 19 months old, and I include his impression of every book we read on my blog. Feel free to email me (from my profile).

BookChook said...

My first visit to Young Readers Becky, and I love the "look" of this site. Just read several reviews and naturally I want them all!

I also really like the idea of the baby reviewers.

Tif Sweeney said...

I am so glad that you decided to keep this blog up and going! I have always enjoyed it and love your recommendations for new books! And, I love that you are always trying to improve!

By the way, I have passed an award on to you. Check out my post on my blog: http://tiftalksbooks.blogspot.com/2009/06/lemonade-award.html

Sherrie said...

Hi!
My first time to your blog. I really like this one! I never knew there was someone out there that reviewed kids books! I work with kids in a before and after school program. So I am always looking for good books. Have a great day!!

Sherrie
http://sherriesbooks.blogspot.com/2009/06/blog-improvement-2009-week-12mid-year.html

Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness) said...

I think scheduling reviews ahead of time would be a great idea. I've never sat down and spent a ton of time doing blog content in a row, except for Bloggiesta last weekend, and I found that I really love that. I might start trying something similar -- have one afternoon where I write a bunch of posts, then just revise them before I post throughout the week.