Darren Rowse, aka ProBlogger, recently challenged bloggers to a seven link challenge post – linking to seven posts that fit into seven themes, which mostly relate to your blog. This seemed more like a fun exercise instead of a challenge, and I welcomed the opportunity to dive back through my almost three year’s worth of posts. So here goes…
1. Your first post. I originally used Blogger for my blog before I moved my posts over to WordPress earlier this year. I wrote my very first post on Aug. 19, 2007, and it was titled Who Knew? I basically say that I finally gave in to blogging and can’t believe how social media obsessed I’ve become in the short amount of time that I’d been out of college. My how my blog writing has matured! I went from rambling about everything and anything to focusing on six main themes.
2. A post you enjoyed writing the most. This one is a tie because I couldn’t decide between Collaborate With Metro Detroit’s Creatives at Tweetea and Five Important Lessons Learned at My First PR Job. The Tweetea post marks the beginning of me becoming heavily involved in my local interactive community. I remember how happy I was when I came home from my first Tweetea because I met some amazing people and knew this group would grow to be a staple in the community. The post about my first PR job was nostalgic for me because it was an opportunity to reflect on what I learned during my first three years at a PR agency. I distinctly remember enjoying the experience of writing both of these posts.
3. A post which had great discussion. One thing I want to work on as my blog continues to grow and evolve is writing posts that elicit more discussion. A guest post from Tweetea founder Hubert Sawyers about why it’s NOT a race to the finish generated a great discussion about each person being responsible for his/her community and its condition.
4. A post on someone else’s blog you wish you had written. The Sex and the City Guide to Blogging on Copyblogger. The title itself is fantastic, and the copy is gushing with creative quips. Most importantly, it’s full of great advice about blogging.
5. A post with a title you are proud of. Detroit Takes off its “Motor City” Title and Tries on “Fashion City” During First Ever Fashion in Detroit Event. Yeah, yeah. So it’s a tad long. But I like the play on words with “tries on” a new title because it’s about a fashion event…that was very fun and successful! I originally wrote this post as a guest blogger for Positive Detroit.
6. A post you wish more people had read. One Last Wish for Happiness. This post is about an 11-year-old boy named Adrian who was terminally ill with leukemia. His last wish was to have people send him greeting cards because they make him happy. I know Adrian received a ton of cards, but I wish I could have reached more people in my community with this post.
7. Your most visited post ever. My Exciting News and Why I’m Grateful For Pure Michigan is a more recent post about my experience getting engaged in Glen Arbor, Mich. Our trip there is a result of me wanting to stay and travel in Michigan thanks to the Pure Michigan campaign.
I’ve come a long way in three years. I can’t see myself ever blogging for the sake of making money or gaining hundreds of thousands of subscribers, but my days of blogging are nowhere close to being over.
Now it’s your turn! For more inspiration, check out Becks Davis’ post about the seven link challenge over on Detroit Moxie. Again, look at this more from the perspective of an opportunity to review your growth as a blogger versus an intimidating challenge.
If you’ve already done your part and wrote a post about the seven link challenge (or read one that you really like), please feel free to share in the comments.