#SummerBlogSocial ~ 10 Things for a New Blogger to Remember

I'm three months in. As far as advice to others, I don't have a whole lot. Unless the others happen to the same position I'm in. So I'm writing advice that was the most helpful to me, or I've picked up in my vast experience...

1. Be consistent. Don't post multiple times in one week and then let it sit for months. Set a goal to post once a week, 3 times a week, once a day, something. Stick to it.

2. Break it up. Short paragraphs. A big block of text is annoying and hard to read.

3. Pictures! Use them! Don't over use them! At least one picture a post, but keep photo-only posts limited, I want to hear what you have to say, not just see it!

4. Keep your page focused on your post. A ton of ads or flashy buttons draw attention away from YOU. Also music...just don't.

5. SPELL CHECK

6. Proofread - Conversational speech is ok, but keep an eye on your grammar. (I need to listen to myself on this one a little more.)

7. SOCIAL MEDIA - Twitter, Facebook, Google+, StumbleUpon, whatever...but don't only use it for blog promo. Build relationships, talk to people; if they get to know you, then they're more likely to read what you write and come back for more.

8. Decide if you want to be big or just for friends and
 family. Building a big blog takes time and more time. If you can't spend daily chunks it'll still grow, but more slowly than someone who can devote 3, 4 or 8 hours a day to it.

9. Check the news, add sections on Google news, or sparks on Google+, get alerts about certain keywords. Address what's going on in the world as it applies to you. Stay current.

10. Be yourself. Don't try to write what you think others want to here. It took me a bit just to let the posts flow, I edit them for grammar (most of the time) and spelling, but I try not to change the tone. It needs to sound like you, the real you. If someone doesn't like it, you didn't need them hanging around anyway.

Check out Will Work 4 Followers; going big, fast, secrets revealed...or just some other good ideas and tips!

Anything I forgot or you want to add, the comment box is just down there \/

Share your thoughts and come join me on Google+, Facebook, and/or Twitter!

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This post is part of #SummerBlogSocial 2011 hosted by Liz and Jessica and is a response to Prompt 2, "If a real life friend approached you and said, “I want to start a blog. Can you give me a list of helpful tips?“, what 10 (or more) things would you tell your friend?"

#SummerBlogSocial ~ Up Sell or Sell Out?

I mentioned yesterday that I'd eventually like to sell ad space. But I'm not sure what I do until then. I'm not even really sure where to start.

I've heard of becoming an affiliate. I know a bit, but not much about AdWords. I don't know if either is for me. Or if anything is.

Do I build up my page and then just approach companies? Or do I need to have some sort of stats that show how likely my readers are to click on ads?

My biggest hold up with advertising is that I don't want to sell out. I don't want just any ad popping up on my page. I don't want to send someone to a company that I don't have experience with; or a company I don't trust.[

For example: I would not want an ad for Medela on my site, I have a few issues with them. Lansinoh and Ameda on the other hand I have experience with and I trust, so no problem there. Hygiea I would consider, but I'd like some first hand experience with them before I could justify putting their ad on my page. How much say do I get in what goes up if I'm not approaching a specific company

I also don't want to cover my page up with stuff. I like a clean look and, in my opinion, ads can really junk up a page fast. On the other hand, I would like to eventually make a little money for my time effort.

I'm just beginning to think about this and haven't even really gotten into the research yet, but I'd appreciate any advice or tips. How has using ads helped or hurt you? What do wish you had known or done differently?


Share your thoughts and come join me on Google+, Facebook, and/or Twitter!
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This post is part of #SummerBlogSocial 2011 hosted by Liz and Jessica and is a response to Prompt 6, "Tell us about an element or two of your blog or social media presence that you are unsure of and would like opinions on."

#SummerBlogSocial ~ When I Grow Up...

When I was just a little blog, I asked the others, What will I be? Will I have sponsors? Will you contribute? Here's what they said to me.... (Modified lyrics to this song.)

Yes, I butcher songs, but as I was reading prompts for the #SummerBlogSocial, this one stuck out. Where do I see myself in 6 months to a year? Or, what do you want to be when your blog grows up?

This is something I've been pondering a lot in recent weeks. I got my start in cloth diapers, but I'm not enough of an addict to be strong in that niche. That I'll talk about parenting is a given, how could I not? Breastfeeding, also a given, especially since I'm planning to start work on becoming a La Leche Leader soon. Marriage? That's one that I didn't really plan on, until a post that was supposed to be about discipline morphed into one about healthy fighting.

I'm only really 2 months old, my 3 month birthday is in a week or so. And I feel like a teenager. I see what I might become, but I'm not sure exactly how to get there. I don't quite know who I am yet. Maybe that's the song, "Que sera, sera. Whatever will be will be."

But my dream? My plan? My goal?

In 6 months I'd like to double my readership. I'd like my blogging to be mature enough with enough (k)clout, that I can confidently approach some companies about reviewing products. I'd like to set up a Q&A day during the week and actually have some Q's to A!

At a year I'd love to be at the point where I can sell some ad space to trusted companies, and be sponsored by others. I'd like to be known for articles, essays, advice from a real mom to real moms. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, parenting, marriage while wrangling kids. I know that I might not have always have information or experience to answer every question, so I'd like to have a variety of contributors that I trust to handle those types questions for me.

Is that too much to hope for? Too much to try for while raising two boys? Maybe...but I've never made a habit of doing things the easy way!

Share your thoughts here and then come join me on Google+, Facebook, and/or Twitter!

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This post is part of #SummerBlogSocial 2011 hosted by Liz and Jessica and is a response to the prompt, Where do you see your blog in 6 months? How about a year from now?