Every January, a wonderful group of pet bloggers gathers and answers a set of blog-related questions together. This is a fun project I did yearly with Riley and James.
Our dogs, Joy the (8 year old) Puppy and Luna Lovegood
Here is this year's set of questions and my answers for FinchDVM...
When did you start your blog and, for anyone who is just seeing it for first time, please provide a description of your site. Would you say your blog focuses more on sharing stories with your readers, or providing a resource for your audience?
I started this daily blog, FinchDVM in September 2015 after blogging since 2006 on my veterinary site, Riley and James. My brother Dave created both sites for me.
This blog was meant to be a continuation of stories from Riley and James, but ended up with a much different feel. I still love it though. Now I post once a day where there it was very random, sometimes only every three months or so.
One fun thing about FinchDVM is that most of the pictures are processed with a red-green color blindness filter to make them similar to how a dog or cat would see them.
Here is a picture in full color.
Here is the same picture in dog and cat vision. The reds are washed out, and the greens would be too. The yellows and blues are about the same. I've noticed that the colors OF dogs and cats (blacks, browns, tans and whites) are unchanged which I found interesting. Do you like the subtle message of the picture? haha!
This is more of a story sharing site, but I try to include some pet care tips as well.
What was your proudest blogging moment of 2016?
I realized I really had posted every day and that this is sustainable.
Which of your blog posts was your favorite this year and why? (Please include a link.)
TOFU'S FIRST STEPS is one of my favorite blog posts from 2016, because it is such a happy one. Tofu is the baby Husky from Taysia Blue Rescue with me in my profile picture that my friend Becky took of us. He is now full-grown and completely healthy and in a wonderful loving home. I love him so much.
Tofu and me
Year after year, one goal that we all seem to share is that we want to reach more people. What one tool did you use or action did you take this year that had the most impact on increasing traffic to your blog?
Daily blogging has helped the most in reaching more people.
Which of your blog posts got the most traffic this year? (Please include a link.) Have you noticed any themes across your most popular posts?
I can track traffic patterns over the past year, but only see popular posts from the past month or so. The most popular recent post is JOJO'S STORY about a sweet Chihuahua mix we treated.
It seems happy posts about individual pets are the most popular stories. They are also fun to write.
What blog do you find most inspirational and how has it influenced your blog? (Please include a link.)
These are wonderful blogs written by wonderful veterinarians. Through the years, these vets and their teams have shown me that this can be done and done well. I admire them both so much.
Critical Care DVM is a blog by a friend here in Omaha, Dr. Chris Byers, who is double boarded in internal medicine and emergency and critical care. His website is very well done and easy to read. It is tailored to pet parents, but I learn so much from him.
Others I love - YOURS :) and Dr. Grumpy who is a human neurologist (I mean...a human who sees humans).
What is one thing your readers don’t know about you or your pets that would surprise them?
I don't know! I am kind of an open book, super private in real life, but I will write anything!
My human family, Amanda, me, Abby and Russ
What is something you’ve learned this year that could help other bloggers?
Remember this is for fun, this is for you and your readers. Details beyond that are counter-productive if they add stress to your life.
What would you like to accomplish on your blog in 2017?
I would like to reach more people, post content that encourages and uplifts and heals (even if it seems like it's about random things like mostly dead plants). I would like to keep enjoying this outlet and share that joy with all of you.
Now it’s your turn! You have the attention of the pet blogging community – is there a question you’d like answered, or an aspect of your blog that you’d like input on?
It is just good to reconnect with all of you :) Here's to a great 2017.
