Bloggiesta Mini-Challenge: It’s Not Cheating
January 7th, 2010 by the1stdaughter
I’m so excited to have the opportunity to host a Mini-Challenge for the 2nd Edition Bloggiesta put together by Natasha of Maw Books.
My blog was relatively new when I initially hosted this mini-challenge. But even then I knew how important it was to keep a back-up “cheat sheet” for all the little bits of random information that can pile up before your very eyes. When I started out, my intention was to write reviews and do a few features, but oh how they can pile up when you get bogged down with the “little things”. And I’m not talking about doing the dishes or watching the kids, although those I can’t really control. But here’s something you can control: A CHEAT SHEET!
Your assignment: Create a cheat sheet for your blog.
Your cheat sheet could contain url’s, links, and html code or it could just be a template that you use every time you want to write a review. It’s also a good idea to have one available as a text file on your computer and another as a Google Doc so you can access it online if needed. The great thing about having it set up this way is that it’s searchable. If you want to refer someone to a book review or a post that you wrote a year ago, you don’t have to search your blog every single time you’re looking for the URL. Rather, you can just do a CTRL-F in your cheat sheet and have the URL in seconds. I’ve created a “mock cheat sheet” of some simple headings you can use to get started, but I suggest starting your own page just for your site. Use tabs you already have set up in your blog as an easy guide and list any documentation under each heading.
Here are a few questions to think about when creating a cheat sheet:
- Are there URL’s that you are constantly looking for? (Authors, publishers, archives, etc.)
- Links that you are continually referencing? (Affiliate relationships, photo sharing sites, meme links, etc.)
- Do you use the same format every time you post a review? Would it help to have a form/template ready to go?
- What happens if you lose content, a side bar or my about page? Can you throw together a new page or would it be easier to have the code saved somewhere?
- Do you have a template for author interviews or features you’d like to be more easily accessible?
I’m sure there are a lot of other questions you could think of when putting your own cheat sheet together. If you think of any or have any other tips let us know! I’d personally love more help on the subject, as someone whose fairly new and wants to get ahead of the game.
Natasha has some wonderful prizes for those of you who participate in these challenges so once you’ve put together your cheat sheet come back and let me know how it went in the comments. You have until the end of Bloggiesta to complete this mini-challenge and report.
When you’re done here make sure to check out the other mini-challenges new this go-around as well as the challenges of the past Bloggiesta events!
Enjoy the Bloggiesta festivities and ‘Ole’!
Posted in Book Events, Reading Challenges | 72 Comments »
Thanks for the great idea of the cheat sheet…I only started blogging 4 months ago and am still trying to get a system for all the posts I do. This will be so helpful!
Kristin recently posted..Book Tour, Giveaway, & Review: The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen
Done! I made a *cheat sheet* full of my meme posts and review posting. Thanks!!
Kate recently posted..On My Wishlist (2)
I just finished creating five documents of my formats for my weekly meme’s. This is fantastic and I just never set aside time to do it before.
Thanks for the great mini-challenge!
Lydia Presley recently posted..Book Blogger Hop – June 11 – 14
Wow, yet another great idea that I never thought of, especially the links for memes and the review format. I have worked one up – thanks so much!
Tracee recently posted..Bloggiesta Mini Challenge – RSS
I never thought of doing this before. It beats editing post and select all to copy paste lol Should have thought of this one before
Lisa recently posted..30 days of me: Your favorite television program
Great tip! I created a cheat sheet for all the meme’s I participate in. It should definitely save me some time
I just created my cheat sheet!! Woot woot!!
Thanks for hosting this!!
♥ Vanessa ♥
Book ♥ Soulmates
[...] host a mini-challenge myself. So make sure to check them out and do some sprucing up of your own. Bloggiesta Mini-Challenge: It’s Not Cheating, for those of you in need of a “back-up” list, it’s perfect! And for those of you in need of [...]
I’ve done a little bit of this, but one of my goals for Bloggiesta was to make my system cleaner and more complete. I now have separate text files for each post type template so that I can copy and paste HTML easily; I’ve also created templates on my blog so I can just select them and be ready to go. I created a new document as well to store my links I use often. I really like the idea of putting that online, so I’m off to do that now!
Erin recently posted..My First Bloggiesta
[...] It’s Not Cheating @ There’s A Book [...]
I’m not sure if this counts as a “cheat sheet” but hoping you think so. I have a mail folder entitled “Blog Memes” where for each meme I participate in ex: A Bit Of Me. I have the HTML button code, hosted by (BLOGGER’S NAME) from (name of Blog) with URL. Directions from site. Copy entire template and then paste onto New Post and just fill in that day’s answer. I have a separate one for each meme I participate in.
Got a nice little cheat sheet started based on your helpful info and suggestions. Thank you so much for sharing!!!
Alisha S. recently posted..Bloggiesta 2011- Lets do it!
I made myself a couple of templates for my different types of reviews – so that I may just fill them in when I am writing and save myself some time.
Heather recently posted..My First Bloggiesta!
I wanted to get more serious with my reviewing, before it was whenever I felt like it, and each review looked different, some had pictures, some didn’t, some linked back to goodreads others didn’t sometimes there was a blub other times just me posting quick thoughts….nothing consistent. 2 weekends ago I went in to each review (i’m still a newbie, so it took awhile but not my whole life lol) and edited them to all have the same element. This challenge has prompted me to take that idea and make a cheap sheet/template with the info I need and the way I set it up, so I can stop copying the post before and inserting the new info LOL
Melissa recently posted..Confessions of a Book Horder
Wuhuu!! I love this one the most.. I have written cheat sheet of for reviews and memes.. I have never thought of making ons for “back-ups for side bars. That’s a very handy tip. since, I tend to do reviews away from home and sometimes cutting pasting by digging through an old post is a hassle. This is easier =D I like! Thanks!
OK. Did a cheat sheet for the Thursday Thirteen meme. Now to upload it to Google Docs!
Nicola O. recently posted..Bloggiest 2010 – Almost Done
[...] (@trishheylady) Anchor text. – Michelle from GalleySmith (@galleysmith) Making a cheat sheet– Danielle from There’s a Book (@the1stdaughter) blog copyright– Pam from Bookalicio.us (@bookaliciouspam) On vanity alerts. – [...]
[...] we’d all love to blog faster. Using a cheat sheet is just one idea of how to save time. – Danielle from There’s a Book [...]
I down loaded your sheet and printed out your column because I think there is gold in them thar hills. I just need a pic-axe and shovel because I’m not quite sure where to begin.
Judith Westerfield recently posted..Reasons Dogs Bite Their Ownersby Max