Friday 13 March 2015

Blogging and me.




Blogging saved me from myself and from slowly going insane in a heap of sleep deprivation, nappies and tantrums.

** THANK GODNESS FOR THE BLOGMOSPHERE **

But it hasn't all been plane sailing for this blogger! I wanted to highlight some of the problems I had as a newbie blogger and how I over come them.

1) Blogger templates, designs, jargon and codes.
I set up a blog on blogger and it was pages of codes and HTML's and blogger terminology and there was little ole me like what the hell?! Allot of it is trial and error, press buttons, change fonts etc and have a play around. But some things involved reading up and researching. I found an amazing blogger who helped me no end, Potty Mouthed Mummy and her Newbie Classes there you can find everything the newbie blogger needs to know and its all in easy to understand formants. Even for the novice blogger there is something new to learn.

2) Who to follow?! -
Twitter has been my blogging life line. I have found lots of inspiring and talented bloggers, who I follow religiously. I found them all so supportive and reassuring. It is like a big blogging community. The first person I followed and learnt the blogging ways from, was the very lovely and talented Brummy mummy of 2 she tells you as it is, and I like that! when your having a shitter of a day, as us mums often do, her Don't beat yourself up guide's make for a good read. I follow lots of bloggers on Bloglovin and I spend hours reading and commenting on their blog posts, here is my fav bloggers Love to the Bloggers

3) How to get your posts out there and seen
This is still a work in progress for me, I'm still learning new ways to get my post out there. Currently twitter is my best point of call, I tweet my posts to, Tots100, Britmums, Mumsnet and Netmums in the hope for a RT and a little recognition. I have been on the front page of Mumsnet with my post School discos 2015 style but I haven't yet charted in the tots100 (this is my goal
 for 2015) I also link up to lots of linkies every week, I'm kind of obsessed! My favourites at the moment: My Linky page I love linking up my posts and reading and commenting on others. The lovely You Baby Me Mummy does two great linkies and also has this brilliant guide: Bloggers guide to linkys

4) Keep Motivated and keep your writing mojo going
This is a perfect example of where I need to take my own advice. I find it a struggle juggling, working / kids /illnesses / child-care / housework / relationships and obviously my blogging. some weeks I don't stay on top of it all and something has to give. I am getting better at planning and organising my blogging which is helping me stick at it. I'm one of those people that have to do it properly if I'm going to do it, I cant do things half heartedly. The biggest problem I have is having the worst memory in the history of the world, literally I am terrible. I'll think up great post idea's but before I've had chance to write them down something will come up, like the babies nappy and its gone, just like that! This frustrates me no end. I've always had this incredible urge to write, sometimes I have nothing to write but I just feel this need to write! weird isn't it?! This is why some of my posts are me just rambling about nothing in particular. My inspiration and all time favourite blogger is Hannah Gale she has done lots of motivational and inspiring posts.

5) Be brutally honest, be yourself - The good the bad and the ugly.
Sometimes I take this a little too far, I may come across like I don't like my children very much or I'm a hysterical mess. But that's just me blogging through it all, I don't only blog the good times and I don't pretend life is all sweetness and cuddles all of the time. Being a mother is hard bloody graft, that's the truth and for lots of us it doesn't come naturally or easy. But it is very rewarding and extremely worth while. My blog reflects all of this and all of my personality. I think blogs should be a reflection of you and your life - The good, the bad and the ugly. Not everyone will like you, but that's life. You cant be everyone's cup of tea, but I stopped trying to please others a long time ago, who has time for that anyway!! This blogger Hurrah For Gin is my perfect example.

6) Enjoy what you do or don't do it at all.
I do it because I love it, I love writing and I love blogs. I don't do it to make money or for anyone else's benefit, my blog is for me.

I have met some lovely ladies who I can relate to and who are all in the same boat as me. So thank you to all of you.

Here are some of those lovely ladies and their blogs:
Misunderstood Mummy
The Unmumsy Mum
Mummy In Training

7) Last of all don't take it too seriously.
Don't let your blog stress you or bring you down. Comments are lovely to read and they make you feel good that someone has taken the time to read your post and leave a comment, but every now and then you will get a negative comment or someone won't agree with you. That's fine, that's life. You have to be prepared to take the rough with the smooth, take on board the criticism and then shake it off. Don't take it personally or to heart. Basically read it then just get over it. Accept you cant agree with everyone.

Blogging should bring out the best in you, if it doesn't don't do it.  

The Dad Network

Mama and More

Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com
Super Busy Mum

14 comments:

  1. Thank you so so much for your lovely words and mention, that's so lovely! Glad my classes have helped xx

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  2. Thank you so much for mentioning me. Thats lovely of you. Great post too! Xx

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  3. Thanks for mentioning my post and linkies xx

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  4. Great post especially useful for someone like me who is just starting out.

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  5. Thank you, It can be quite tricky starting out, glad you found my post useful x

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  6. Blogging helped me too. It's amazing how typing on the computer and sharing your thoughts with strangers (who grow to become friends) can make such a difference to one's life! :)

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  7. Great post and really useful, particularly agree with the last line. Thanks for sharing it and for linking up #bigfatlinky.

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  8. Great post that will be really useful for newbie bloggers. It's always nice to read these from people who have been through it. I've been blogging for more than 3 years but have only just started taking it a bit more seriously. You've linked to some fabulous bloggers here! Lovely to find your blog on #AllAboutYou, look forward to reading more of your posts! :)

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  9. Yep, I'm a newbie in the blogging world and its definitely helping my sanity when stuck home all day with a needy 6 month old. I'm struggling with getting the word out about my blog and getting traffic and sponsorship etc. I'll check out some of the blogs you mention that I dont already follow! I love reading blogs :)

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  10. Great post, I think the last line sums things up perfectly =)

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  11. Yes, yes, yes! Love this post. Glad I found you via the #WeekendBlogHop!

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