BLOGIVERSARY: Celebrating 1 year of Rebecca Alasdair!
Say what now? It’s already been one whole year since I officially launched this website and thus Rebecca Alasdair was born?! I suppose that old cliché is true: time really does fly when you’re having fun!
Since it was my actual birthday two days ago [side note: this was kind of annoying since I had to go and update my age on all my profiles 😒], and it’s my blog birthday today, I’m in quite the festive mood. So, to celebrate these dual anniversaries, I have decided to do two Things!
Thing 1: Website Makeover
Yes, I’m going to give my website a makeover! I’m still mighty happy with the theme I’m using (Arcade), but I think there are a couple of things I can do to spruce it up a bit. Plus, it gives me a chance to upgrade my CSS and HTML skills, which were non-existent a year ago and are less-so-non-existent today!
The makeover will be a gradual process, because I don’t have enough time or expertise to do it all in one hit. I updated my About and Contact pages the other week, but the main effort for this week and next is renewing the format of the pages for my writing projects. Check out the new page for my YA WIP Holding Up the Sky!!
~ HOLDING UP THE SKY ~
Thing 2: Throwback Tuesday
I know the hashtag is normally #ThrowbackThursday, but today is a Tuesday, so…yeah. Anyway. The second thing I’d like to do to celebrate my first birthday (hehehe) is to take a look back over the last 12 months to see what I’ve achieved. I’m a big believer in the value of self reflection. So, here it goes!
WORDPRESS BLOG
When I originally set up my website, I was of the mind that I would not be blogging regularly—that the “blog” function would be used for news and announcements and nothing more. Well, it took me all of a few weeks to change my mind!!
Blogging is way harder and way more rewarding than I ever suspected. It often takes me AGES to put together my posts, but I learn something new every time. Most importantly, it helps connect me with the broader writing/reading community, and those interactions are PRICELESS!
Here is a selection of some of my most popular posts over the last 12 months. Thank you to everyone and anyone who has engaged with them or any of my other posts, but especially to those who contribute regularly. I really appreciate it ❤
~ MY FIRST POST ~
~ MOST VIEWS ~
~ MOST LIKES ~
~ MOST COMMENTS ~
~ MOST REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS ~
A massive thanks to anyone who has viewed, liked, or commented on this blog…and especially to my 3 most regular contributors:
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all that I’ve learned about blogging in the last year, I’m fairly sure I’ve learned more about the finer workings of social media. Today marks 12 months (officially) on each platform (except Instagram, which I’ve only had for ~5 months), and in that time I have discovered the following:
- Twitter | is a great medium for connecting with other writers and discussing writerly things (especially through “games”), but due to its overwhelming business/professional use is perhaps less visible to readers
- Instagram | is fantastic for engaging readers and the bookish community (and is HIGHLY addictive), but is less flexible for holding conversations with other writers
- Facebook | is one of the best methods for communicating with people who know me personally, but lacks visibility to the broader public, especially since Pages can’t join and get involved in Groups
- Google+ | is the least popular platform but is still quite useful as it allows users to join interest groups and can readily facilitate in-depth discussions
Below is a selection of the most popular posts I’ve made on each of my social media accounts. If you’re a writer/reader and I don’t follow you already, feel free to post a link to your own profiles in the comments and I’ll check them out 😊
~ TWITTER ~
Followers: 455
Most Popular Post: I got pretty excited when I learned Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda was getting turned into a movie. Turns out lots of people appreciated that excitement!!
~ INSTAGRAM ~
Followers: 130
Most Popular Most: While on layover in Singapore Airport in June, I was thrilled to see A Thousand Perfect Notes already on the shelves! I snapped this picture and people seemed to love it ❤
~ FACEBOOK ~
Followers: 52
Most Popular Post: Most of my Facebook followers are family and friends, and they sure were excited when I finished the first draft of my fantasy novel Old Blood earlier this year!
~ GOOGLE+ ~
Followers: 4
Most Popular Post: I posted this on a writing group/forum after editing Chapter 1 of Holding Up the Sky, and it prompted some interesting discussion!
https://plus.google.com/111227611984806867866/posts/CGksLW8D1B5
GOODREADS
As many of us do, I LOVE GOODREADS!! I could—and often do—spend hours browsing through books and lists and reviews, and I find it an overall fantastic tool for tracking progress and maintaining a proper TBR list.
But I haven’t really got involved on Goodreads beyond that. I wrote a few reviews last year (you can read them here), but I’m not really into reviewing books and would prefer to spend my time writing and working on my blog.
However, I would like to make some more “friends”, because I like seeing what others are reading and how our opinions compare. So here is a visual of all the books I’ve read in the last 12 months! If we have (or even if we don’t) have similar tastes, let me know and I’ll definitely give you a follow!!
~ BOOKS I’VE READ SINCE AUGUST 2017 ~
Thanks for bearing with me in my excitement! As always, I’m open to any questions, feedback, advice and/or stories of your own, so the comments below are OPEN. Good luck on your own writing/reading journey, and I hope to see you back this time next year 😊
Thank you for reading! How long have you been blogging? What progress have you made and lessons have you learned?
Rebecca Alasdair
No Comments
Sally
Happy anniversary! I have loved reading all your blogs and following all your posts in the last year. Looking forward to the next year….and the next……And by the way, the update looks fab 🙂💙
Rebecca Alasdair
Thank you!! I’m glad you’ve been enjoying my posts! It can be tricky to change page formats etc sometimes but the hard work is definitely worth it 😊
brightblueballoon
Congratulations, that’s awesome 👏
Rebecca Alasdair
Thank you so much ❤
Sara D. W. Pegram
Awesome! Congratulations!
I just started blogging about three (?) weeks ago, so I’m just a bit behind you. 😉
Rebecca Alasdair
Welcome to the blogging life!! The time will fly, believe me. Thanks for reading and best of luck 😊
Andrew McDowell
Congratulations! Happy Anniversary!
Rebecca Alasdair
Thanks Andrew 😊
Andrew McDowell
You’re welcome!
Lorraine Ambers
Congratulations 🎉🎈 Here’s to another wonderful blogging year. 😍
Rebecca Alasdair
Thank you! I’m looking forward to it!!
Abigail Lennah @ Story-Eyed
So many people are celebrating their blogiversary! Happy one year of blogging, Rebecca! I can relate to coding– having the freedom to code and customize your site without being restrained by the original coding of the template! Also, you hit the pros and cons of social media pretty spot on. I’m going to check out some of your older popular posts, but I’m excited to see what your second year of blogging brings!
xoxo Abigail Lennah
Rebecca Alasdair
Thanks Abigail!! The coding stuff is a challenge, but a fun one, and it’s SO EXCITING when you finally get it right! And thanks for your message on Goodreads – request accepted 😊
Ari
Happy Blogiversary! That is an awesome post and awww I love visiting your blog and being one of your commenter/contributor
Wow you have read a lot!
You have done so awesomely for just one year, I am so jealous! I just passed my 5th Blogiversary last month. Feels like everything has just flown!
Here’s to many more years of blogging, Rebecca 😀
Rebecca Alasdair
Thanks Ari 😊 I’ve really enjoyed blogging and look forward to the coming year! Congrats on your 5 years too – WHOA!
Ari
lol thanks, 5 years came on so fast. I can’t remember where the time went 😀
Clara's Comfort Zone
yay! congrats ❤️
Rebecca Alasdair
Thank you!! 😊
Madeline Bartson
Congratulations on one year and happy belated birthday! *throws confetti* I’m so glad you found fun in blogging! Also, you’ve read a ton of books since 2017. There’s so much to be proud of. 🙂
Rebecca Alasdair
Thank you!! It does look like a lot of books when all lined up like that, doesn’t it? Reading is one thing I definitely don’t skip out on, even if it means missing sleep!!! I ❤ BOOKS
Marie
Ahhhh congratulations on one year of blogging, that’s fantastic. Isn’t it amazing how many books you discover and amazing friends you make while blogging? I know I love that 🙂 Here’s to many more years of blogging, reading and fun 🙂 <3 <3
Rebecca Alasdair
Thank you Marie!! I have learned so many things and discovered so many books since I started blogging, and that’s the whole point!! 😊😊😊
Simon
Well done on one year you’ve done so much! Have you considered adding Pinterest to your social media arsenal, apparently it’s the way to get lots of views.
Thanks for the follow btw 😀
Rebecca Alasdair
Pinterest is next on my list to look into!! As I’ve learned with Instagram, anything that involves pictures is very popular – and SO ADDICTIVE! I just have to find some time to get things set up on my Pinterest account. Thanks for the suggestion and you’re welcome for the follow 😊😊😊
Simon
If your need help or even someone to set things up for you look up pickledy pins on Facebook or Twitter.
It is addictive I’m afraid but I’m told it can yield great results. 😀
Bryan Fagan
This is such a fun place you have created. It is a wonderful way to wake up in the morning. You are good at it and you clearly love it. I hope you continue. You are such a talent.
Rebecca Alasdair
Thank you so much Bryan, I’m glad you’re enjoying it!! It’s hard work, but it’s definitely worth the effort when it allows me to connect with other likeminded reader-writer types ❤