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Mom’s Guide to Blogging

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My first blog was called “Bee Does Books” ( Bee is my nick
name). It was hosted on Geocities. Anyone remember Geocities?

Back then
it was cutting edge. I think it was the first blog site around before
it was even called “blogging”. At the time, it was really fascinating
to find out who else was reading the same books as me and their take on
it.  I was in awe of the virtual connection I felt with like minded
strangers. Fast forward 10 years later,… I started blogging
about being a new mom. It was hugely healing for me because I had
postpartum depression and writing was my therapy.

leighblogging.jpg

By the time my
son was four I become totally addicted to blogging and started to think
perhaps a business could be born from blogging. Not a new idea by this
time (it was 2009 and social media and blogging was was booming). This
was a lot more difficult then I thought it would be.

Any mom who has started a business will tell you the
same thing- the work life balance thing is not easy even when you are
working from home. For one, your kids don’t understand why your face is
always stuck to your laptop.

There is
a big plus to working for yourself – you have the control. You can set
your own hours and work late at night and be available the next day to
go on your kid’s field trip but of course you will be exhausted. I am
tired all the time. I put 100% effort into this and the rewards are
real but they come at a cost. I have not exercised much in months, I
haven’t read a book for pleasure in a long time.

However,
blogging is an amazing creative outlet. As most moms know… it is is
really hard to ever feel like you have accomplished much when you are
at home. You clean your house only to see it get messy five
minutes later. Your blog keeps track of your progress. You feel
accomplished. I think that is the reason why so many moms are drawn to
blogging.

Here are my top three tips to get started:

  1. Write about something you love and have fun doing it. It makes it easier to stay dedicated.
  2. Connect with potential readers through social media sites like Youtube, Facebook and Twitter and blog directories like Loaded Web.
  3. Write often and label your posts so you appear in search results.

 I encourage moms to find their passion and take the
time to explore it. You may feel guilty at times if it takes away from
your family time but the plus side to this is when you find something
to be passionate about you feel empowered and happier in all aspects of
your life – which makes you a happier mom.

Comments

  1. Pat Clark says

    Leigh, I just read the following lines in a great novel by Douglas Kennedy entitled “Leaving the World” and I’m sure they’ll be meaningful to all the Moms out there who are balancing home, work, and children and having to make decisions that affect all aspects of their lives — “Fear is the one and only thing that will keep you from achieving all that you want to achieve, or living the life you deserve. And the truly insidious thing about fear is – it’s completely self perpetuated. We create the dread that clogs up our lives”. Truer words were never spoken!

  2. Dad says

    Hi Leigh, you are a tough little cookie to fit blogging into your busy schedule. i don’t know how you do it, but as it gives you pleasure and purpose, keep up the good work! Love to Leigh the Urban blogger from Dad the Rural Logger

  4. Jill says

    Hi Leigh! Way to keep going!! As Moms we are always multi-tasking and finding the time to write is difficult. My daughter finally received her own computer this birthday and now she can spend time on her computer, just like Mom! … which leaves me time to write or read your blog! All the best …

  6. Jen says

    Great blog post! I love blogging about my kids, my photography, and anything interesting I come across in my life!

  7. Siobhan Blessing says

    You are a force of nature, Leigh! It’s very inspiring to read how you got started in this all-consuming world of blogging. You will definitely inspire others to pursue what they feel most passionate about.