"Post Every Day In May" Challenge
Ever since I saw @traciyork, @fionasfavourites and other blogging pals try to write a Hive post every day in April, I was struck with a bout of "FOMO" (Fear Of Missing Out)! Particularly with @hivebuzz reigniting my addiction in a big way to earn these badges!
So I decided to join in a month later in May and coined this challenge "Post Every Day In May" and tried to come up with an original daily post each day specifically for Hive. It was NOT easy at all but with tomorrow's post already spoken for with my 2020 km Challenge for Alzheimer's Society May Report, today will be the last time I fill my blog with a bit more "off the cuff content" here at Havey HQ for a while.
Reflection
I definitely went out of my comfort zone a few times this month with some examples being the selfies on yesterday's post or trying out "Ask the Hive" for the first time, general ramblings about Emanate (which could shape up to be crypto's answer to Spotify in the coming years), or even how Hive has changed where I'll focus my posting with an honest review. Add to that, sharing new works in progress with inspiration from Spyro the Dragon that ended up winning a Creative Coin contest (thank you!!), which is something I haven't done for a very long time as I usually like sharing the finished product only!
SO much has happened!
Some of you also joined me on the first Platform Project live shows where myself and DJ Pi tried out doing a digital "back-to-back" livestream (which we're happy to say was a success)! A couple of new music releases, one of which ended up on the trending page with @tygertyger and we were blown away with the support that got, so thank you everyone for your epic comments!
I posted that blog from my WordPress site (so couldn't set her as a beneficiary) but sent @tygertyger the liquid post payout in HBD (50%) after the post paid out because it's a team effort and she played her part beautifully:
Cream of the Crop?
But the most inspiring thing that happened didn't actually come from me... it came from @livinguktaiwan and ALL of you who got involved with her "Adopt A Tree" Fundraiser to go alongside the 2,020 km by Hiking/Running Challenge I'm doing for Alzheimer's Society. An amazing £85 was raised from donations, which I personally matched, and currently raised over £200 for the year so far - so thank you!
You will find out how I am doing in tomorrow's post 😃
Long Posts vs Short Posts
I know some of my posts have probably been a mixed bag of short vs long posts this past month and as I've experienced a vast array of content over the last 2 and a bit years here on Hive, I've realised that actually, word count on a post is kinda irrelevant.
Really, I believe it's how well you engage the people reading your post, keeping their attention and of course, interact in the comments and build friendships. I noticed interaction was a bit higher on the shorter posts and on the posts where I asked a question in the title (and miraculously the selfie one!) but at the same time, I've had some great engagement with 2,000+ word posts in the past too - it was just damn near impossible to write long tales of adventure with this Post A Day Challenge!
I know there are differing opinions of "quality content" but for me, if you have an active comment section then you're definitely on the right path and Hive is definitely more active (at least for me).
Moving Forward
I'll be looking forward to not feeling the pressure of posting every day and will probably be taking things a bit more slowly to give me a chance to recharge the batteries/recover from burnout and read/comment more on your posts. I do like just casually browsing and that's one thing this whole month's experience has taught me, something I missed actually although I have loved joking with you all in the comments haha!
Posting wise, probably looking at minimum of one post per week instead, maximum of 3 but we'll see! One thing's for sure, travel posts will be coming back!
So, How About You?
How often are you posting? Do you think daily is too much/not enough? Do you prefer reading short form or long form posts? Do you like writing short form or long form?
Let me know in the comments!
As always, take it easy!
Nicky
A post a day!! No wonder I seem to see you on my feed a lot more this month!
The Adopt a Tree was a big success because of all the kind donors, it wouldn't have been possible without them. I'm just happy that they, and you, allowed me to indulge in my little project.
Yeah don't worry, I won't be polluting your feed as much going forward haha! It'll be nice to consume and chill next month and beyond!
Well you played your part in creating the Adopt A Tree too so thank you for that. It gave me the motivation to get through a few more kms this month and I have something exciting to share tomorrow about the 2,020km challenge 😊
First, posting everyday is the hardest thing for me. Although, i intend to do it this june but right now i an having writer's block already.
Long posts are good if they are engaging bit how many people were willing? I read long post because i want to engage more. I prefer short interesting posts. Long forms make readers like me interested in reading
Yeah it really is a tough challenge and I've had some kind of "hangover" the last couple of days from it. I wish you luck with the challenge in June. It's a good way to get the regular post payouts coming but also gets your name out a bit more but I'm an introvert and sometimes need to be in the background a bit more to recharge! My advice would be to get involved with some contests that ask you to write a post about a specific topic so it takes away that side of having to think of things yourself every day!
I think we have similar ideas about post length and it doesn't matter so much as long as you can keep your posts interesting and engaging for whoever your audience is. Some like longer posts to read with a coffee, some like a quickfire post.