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!

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    1. There will be a new assignment each day. In 101, sometimes you’ll be posting, sometimes engaging with other bloggers, sometimes tailoring your theme or exploring a new feature — a variety of things to give you a solid grounding.

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      1. We’re planning a few different 201-level challenges with different foci, so one of those will probably launch just after 101. However, the plan is to make all the courses available via email, so you can start them whenever you’d like.

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  8. Signed up for the 101 and I’m really looking forward to using the Easter Holidays for learning more on how to use features and making my blog more interesting to others 🙂 Thanks for the possibility! 🙂

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