2 weeks after I first launched BloggingTips I posted a self review, a quick post about the direction I wanted the blog to go. It’s been about 4 months since that review so I think it’s as good a time as any to have a look at how the blog has faired and what I hope to achieve in the future 
One of the biggest problems that I faced when I started this blog was time, or more specifically lack thereof. Since I cut my travels short time is no longer a major issue for me but since I’d like to travel some more it’s something I may have to deal with in the future.
Authors
I have been very pleased with the quality of posts from guest authors so far, particularly with Mani from Daily SEO Blog who has been posting every week. Truth be told, at this stage I had hoped that the blog would have more full time authors and that is something I will be looking to correct over the next few months. From the very start of this project I have planned on developing the blog into a multi author site and by the end of the year I hope that we have 4 or 5 more authors to join mysellf and Mani.
Blog Design
I am content with the current design of the blog. It isn’t the best blog design out there but it’s unique and does what I need it to do. As I have said in the past, I’m not the world’s best designer so within the next 6 months or so I will be looking to get a professional design for both the blog and the forums.
The mascot will probably be dropped from the header with the new design changes. I still like the mascot but since I’m hoping that Blogging Tips develops into a multi author blog less emphasis should be placed on myself in the site header
Forums
The forums were added in April 2007 however it’s only in the last few weeks they have started to get busier. This months $200 referral competition should help encourage a few more sign ups.
The forums are going to be a big part of Blogging Tips in the future, not only will we all be able to help each other with problems but it will help inspire authors for posts too. Its a win win situation, the blog will drive discussions in the forums an forum posts will give authors ideas to write about.
Blog Content
I still believe that there are a lot of topics that aren’t being covered by blogging advice sites, particularly with respect to the technical side of things. When I was writing technical related posts some readers were not too happy yet its the technical side of things which new bloggers struggle with. Therefore I hope we continue to cover these topics.
Please note however that I’m not suggesting Blogging Tips is going to be targeted exclusively towards new bloggers. I hope that there is something for everyone at this blog.
Site Traffic
Subscribers and traffic continue to increase every month. It’s not something I’m overly concerned about at the moment, if the quality of articles remains the same traffic and readers should continue to rise Obviously I will still be monitoring traffic stats etc but my focus will remain on writing good posts.
Summary
I think it’s important to reflect on how your blog has progressed from time to time. It’s a good excuse to give yourself a pat on the back and a kick up the ass at the same time.
If there is anything you want to see covered here in posts or if you have a complain, criticism or suggestion please let me know.
On a side note, it’s my birthday tomorrow so there may only be 1 post a day over the weekend. It’s my big brothers birthday on Monday so i’ll be out most of the weekend, apologies in advance for not being able to reply to emails. I’ll do my best to be sober for Monday morning 
Kevin, First of all Advance Happy Birthday. Where's the treat and party?
And coming to your blog and content, you have been providing a great content past few months and that too consistently. Thanks for the content you provide here. Hope you also make money with this blog and especially earn tons of readers every day. Congrats.
And don't forget the treat?
Kev – time just flew by eh?
There's one more thing that I haven't told you why bloggingtips is dear to me. I came across Bloggingtips last April and joined as co-blogger in May(with the Top 5 mistakes post, which collected many links and comments).
I got my baby boy in April too
. So there's something special about BT. 
Note:Please don't drop the header. I'm sure many of the readers will second me.
Mani
Hi Kevin,
Happy Birthday for tomorrow.
I would be interested in reading about article writing and submission, in particular your personal experiences of it and the effect it had on blog traffic.
I would also be interested in reading a post about how you plan/or don't plan your blog long term(like a business plan) – eg. Within 2 months I plan to have x visitors, X articles, marketing plan – initial and long term (I realise that you won't want to give all your secrets away
but a generic outline). Basically – turning a blog into a business.
I enjoy reading, keep up the useful articles
Have a good weekend. – A well earned break.
Ramkarthik – Thanks Ram. A treat, what did you have in mind?
Mani – Thats awesome. I wasn't aware of that. With regards to the header, if the blog had say 10 regular authors I don't think it would make sense to have an image of just me. Perhaps we would have to have lots of mascots!!
Tara – Thanks Tara. Can you clarify what you mean by article submission. Are you referring to writing for my own blog or writing for article directories where everyone can use them.
With regards to a long term goal, I want the blog to develop into a multi author blog, I want the forums to continue to grow and I want readers to increase. As for turning all of this into a business, the important thing to remember is baby steps. Plans change and so does my goals so It's best to make short term plans. Even making sure you write enough good articles for that week is a good enough goal in my opinion.
The way I see it, content should be the main focus in any blog. However a change of design, promotions and whatnot can all go a long way to encourage people to read your content. I suppose you could say that when any blog starts making a few hundred dollars its a business. I have tried to run the site like a business from the start (advertising etc) and when the blog makes money I will be able to use the revenue to drive the blog forward in all areas.
As I said though, one step at a time
Hi Kevin
I meant writing for article directories – where everyone can use your article – I would be interested in reading a post about whether this can improve traffic.
Thanks
OK, got you. Well I've only submitted 3 myself but it was for my other forums, not a blog. However, I'm sure I could write about my experience with it.
Infact, if you search for my name its the 3rd result in Google. See here. Thats the 3 articles I wrote specifically for those sites
Hi Kevin,
I read your excellent blog everyday, and think you do a great job!
One of the ways you can increase activity on your forum would be to bridge the comments to your forum. That way people leave comments in the forum instead of the blog, and are more likely to continue to browse the forum. I've got a little plugin for wordpress that does this fairly well if you are interested..
Mike
Kevin, you can't get me a dinner or such things because I live very far from your country. Maybe treat in the form of best content(you are already producig best but still continue with it). Also give us all great advices at the forum.
I have considered adding a few guest authors but I'm not real sure how to go about approaching a fellow blogger to ask them. Any suggestions Kevin?
All of the guest authors here have either replied to an email I've sent them about it or have seen Blogging Tips write for us page.
A dedicated info page about writing for your blog helps a lot in my opinion
Mike from Buxr – I've seen some sites do this and I'm of two minds about it. Whilst it does drive more traffic to the forum, it means that the discussion is in a different place from the original article.
hey kevin your doing a great job with this site I've got it bookmarked
I dont see any problem with the blog design, it looks cool; You might want to work in the sidebar a little
The header is one of feature of this site; If you still want to change it, you could probably remove some "cash" from the background and add mascots of the other authors
Planning seems to be a huge key in any sort of business venture development (blog, internet, or brick and mortor) that sooo many people fail to due. Part of the planning is this review process, and I really should do it more often with my personal web properties.
Happy Advance Birthday Kevin and hope you'll have a great one!
I think that self reviews are more than necessary; they are crucial to staying on track. Plus, I like reading them!!
It's always good to take the time to reflect on what you're doing, and think about how you can make things better.