Dec 17, 2015 / Blogging U.

Blogging U.: Onward and Upward to 2016!

With 40,000 Blogging U. “grads” in 2015, we’re looking forward to an even bigger and better 2016! And we’re starting, as always, with Blogging 101.

Ready to register for January’s Blogging 101 course? Head here!

Over 40,000 of you registered for one (or more!) Blogging U. courses in 2015, and it was a privilege to support you, watch your blogs blossom, and see the rich network of relationships you made with one another! Blogging is half what you create yourself and half community, and the Blogging U. community is a beautiful one — but don’t take our word for it, take yours.

You’ve made new friends:

I was having a nice quiet time writing a few posts a week, keeping to myself, and my world has exploded with so many different people whose blogs I read. Let me tell you all, you’re inspiring and amazing people!
– Just Consider It, Writing 101: Finding Everyday Inspiration

You’ve given lonely blogs a fresh start:

My quiet and unloved blog has life, a new theme, a new brand, and me feeling increasingly confident about both my writing and my interacting with other bloggers… Priceless! This opportunity to be here with you all has proven invaluable.
– The UK’s Transitions Mentor, Blogging 101: Zero to Hero

You’ve found your missing inspiration:

There was magic about this course, and I felt free and alive and inspired. It allowed me to challenge myself, to write about things that mattered most to me, and meet people on the same track — the ever-supporting poetic tribe.
– Randomly Abstract, Writing 201: Poetry

You’ve picked up new fans:

I went from having 50-ish views total on most posts to 100+ views within two days of publishing. It’s nice to have people read what I write and to know how to reach people who want to read it!
– 3rd Culture Wife, Blogging 101: Zero to Hero

You’ve given as much support as you’ve gotten:

Being on both ends of helping and discussion has been energizing. My blog looks completely different, a few new sites got added to my followed pool, and my perspective on my blog has shifted in a good way.
– Japan Can(ada) Mix, Blogging 201: Branding and Growth

Thanks for joining us, and for engaging with your blogs and one another so thoughtfully — kudos.

blogging 101 badgeBlogging 101: Zero to Hero returns in January!

Blogging 101 is our foundational, get-started course: three weeks of bite-size blogging assignments that take you from “Blog?” to “Blog!” January’s course runs from Monday, January 4 through Friday, January 22.

Every weekday, you’ll get a new assignment to help you publish a post, customize your blog, or engage with the blogging community. Whether you’re just getting started or want to revive a dormant blog, we’ll help you build good blogging habits and blogger connections that will keep you going over the long haul. As in all Blogging U. courses, you’ll also have access to a private site, The Commons, where you can connect with other participants, share your work, and get support from WordPress.com Editors and Happiness Engineers. And of course, it’s completely free.

Ready to sign up? Head to the registration form.

Coming up in 2016

We’ll offer all our most popular courses — Blogging 101 and 201, and Writing 101 — multiple times throughout 2016. For shutterbugs, we’re excited to bring back Photo 101: A Photo a Day, including a version with all-new prompts. Writers can deepen their crafts with Writing 201: Finding Your Story, a workshop-style course to help you focus and self-edit your work.

We’ve also got some new courses in the works: Websites 101 for those of you trying to create a more traditional/business website, Blogging 301: Advanced Customization for folks ready to explore the world of custom CSS, Photo 201: Food for all the budding food and lifestyle bloggers, and more! As always, we’ll announce them here, and you can always see what’s coming up and register on the main Blogging U. page.

Here’s to better blogging in 2016!

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  4. I’m for sure signing up for more classes! Thanks to ya’ll my blog is reaching more folks and I’m getting better at producing better content. Can not thank you enough 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

  10. These classes allow you to connect with other bloggers during the creative process, not just react to a finished piece. That is a valuable tool.

    As writers, we are often stranded on our own little island. It’s a nice island, but we are stranded nonetheless. Thank you for sending some priceless jetsam my way. 🙂

    Blogging 101, Writing 101 Alum – Thorsaurus

    Liked by 2 people

  14. Hi. I’m taking Blogging 201; the assignments and tips are great! They will help me as I continue to blog, customize it, and engage with others.
    Will the Blogging 201, it’s “Commons,” and the Happiness Engineers involved in this course, be available/open through this weekend, for the next week, or another extra period of time?; to, for example, allow those involved to catch up on assignments (eg: even hosting).

    Liked by 1 person

    1. All Blogging U. sites stay open for one week after the final course assignment. After that, posting and commenting turns off, but the site remains available as an archive, for you to refer back to.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. In the past, do the majority of people who register and go through the course also stay involved during that extra week? So if I try to communicate and want them to see what I post in the “Commons,” Reader, and the community.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. There’s definitely a drop-off, but there are always people around posting through that week.

        You can submit events to be listed on The Daily post at any time; the submission form is always available.

        (Going forward, you might want to ask questions like these on your course Commons, so other participants can benefit from the answers!)

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Also, if I want to submit my Event (that I host) for approval (to post it), do I need to do this before this Saturday, or do I have a few more days to submit the Event for approval?

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Hi, this is my first blog which I have had since August. I am looking to become a better blogger and would appreciate some constructive criticism. Thanks 🙂
    -fibit

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Really looking forward to Websites 101 and Blogging 301! With several courses on photos, is there any chance we could get a course on audio? There are several of us whose blogs/sites have an audio – not image – focus. (No pun intended.) 🙂

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  19. Yes all of this sounds great! I’m so happy these opportunities are available. I would have been blogging blind without it! I’m an active student on becoming better!

    Liked by 2 people

  22. Blogging 101 really helped me get started, but I’ve a long ways to go. I am interested in the sound of your proposed Websites 101 since a business website is my ultimate goal (I seem to be straying from the original idea and want to get back on track) I do hope you offer it before my craft show schedule kicks in so that I have time to concentrate on taking it. Meanwhile I am enjoying reading a variety of blogs and slowly adding to my own.Thanks for the help so far.

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  23. I created a twitter account. Any advice on how that works? It confuses me but I’d like to utilize it to promote.

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  26. Thanks so much for Blogging U. I honestly learned so much, gained inspiration from my new followers who I ‘met’ at Blogging U and will probably return to Blogging U again in the future for added revitalisation when I have the time next year. Merry Christmas all!

    Liked by 1 person

  30. Just created my blog and I look forward to spreading happiness and positive thoughts! You can check positivitysparkles.com if interested ! I love forward to 2015 ending with a bang and having 2016 be the best year yet! Good luck to all you fabulous bloggers out there!! Keep doing what you do best !

    Liked by 1 person