Apr 4, 2014 / Beginner

New Blog Challenges Start April 15!

NOTE: The sign-up form is now closed, but all Blogging U. assignments are published publicly here on The Daily Post — feel free to jump in!

If you’re just getting your blog off the ground, or saw our Zero to Hero challenge in January and wished you’d thrown your hat into the ring, today’s your lucky day: another round of Blogging 101: Zero to Hero gets started on Tuesday, April 15th.

Looking for something more advanced? Blogging 201: Branding, Growth and Traffic starts the same day (201-level challenges on writing/photography and theme tailoring start in early summer)!

Read on to learn more about each challenge and sign up to participate.

Blogging 101: Zero to Hero

What is Zero to Hero? Thirty days of digestible blogging assignments that get you from “What’s a blog?” to a blog that you’re excited to publish — and others are excited to read. At the end of Day 30, you’ll have:

  • A half-dozen (or more) published posts, and a handful of draft posts to get you through your next 30 days.
  • A customized theme, with widgets to draw new readers in and highlight your favorite reads.
  • A (small but growing) audience.
  • An understanding of the blogging community, blog etiquette, and how to build a readership of your own.

We can’t guarantee instant viral mayhem (if only!), but you’ll have a jump-start on all the basics for successful blogging.

Blogging 201: Branding, Growth, and Traffic

Branding, Growth, and Traffic assumes a few things about your blog: you know what you want your blog to be, you’ve got a handle on publishing basics, and you’re ready to take your site to the masses. This is a 14-day challenge that will help you:

  • Define your blog’s brand and make sure it’s effective and consistent.
  • Build your audience both within WordPress.com, and without.
  • Understand and use your blog’s stats to grow your traffic.
  • Make the most of your existing posts, to bring them ongoing attention.

We’ll help you focus your brand and explore different ways to boost your internet infamy. At the end of the two weeks, you’ll have some new readers, new tools, and a to-do list you’re excited to attack.

If you’re participating in either challenge, you’ll also have access to The Commons, a private, conversation-focused site where you can chat with other participants, share works-in-progress for feedback, and more (there will be separate sites for 101 and 201 bloggers). Staff will be on hand there to answer questions, give feedback, direct you to more resources, and keep the conversation flowing.

Get ready to blog!

Show Comments

330 Comments

Comments are closed.

Close Comments

Comments

  1. I just started my blog today and I’m excited that challenges like this exist so we have an opportunity to grow and develop a sense of community! I can’t wait to start!

    Like

    1. Yup, got it!

      I’d recommend not doing both; the build on one another, and 201 assumes that you have a handle on the kinds of things we cover in 101.

      Like

  8. I want to sign up for the 101. I tried to and I am not sure if it went through. I received a weird message. I am just checking to make sure it went through.

    Like

    1. The form is in the body of the post; just fill it in an click “submit.” If you get a blank page with a “0,” don’t worry — it went through, the form is just misbehaving.

      Like

  18. Wow, just signed up and can’t wait for the 15th April to arrive. Very excited about the challenge and what it will teach me so that I can become a better blogger and attract more followers.

    Like

  22. Another reason to celebrate April 15th (besides taxes being officially done!): learning more about how to effectively use available blog tools in WordPress.

    Like

  24. I am grateful, to the Daily Post, and WordPress team, for organizing the blogging challenge series, starting on 15th April, 2014.
    I could realize a lot of blogging, and writing goal, through the tutorial, community, and blog activity, on the WordPress.com platform.
    I think the course, will bring more clarity to my problems.
    Thank you all.

    Like

  29. Reblogged this on The Flibberatic Skreebles and commented:
    For anybody who missed the original Blogging 101: Zero to Hero in January, its running again in April – and for anybody who wants to continue to the next level, Blogging 201 kicks off at the same time!

    I have to say that I am very much looking forward to this!

    Like

    1. The form doesn’t send confirmations, but you’re all set. Everyone who signed up will get an email a few days before the start with more details and instructions for the Commons.

      Like