I’ve been blogging since July 22, so like, what… 25 days!?!? How is that possible?! It feels so much longer because I’ve been doing so much and having tons of fun in the process. I’ve always been a fairly good writer. English was my strongest subject in high school, and I almost considered tacking on an English minor to my Spanish degree in college. Thus far, I’ve really enjoyed my new blogging hobby which focuses on my two most favorite things in the whole wide world: being a mommy and Pinterest. However, like all newbies, I felt extremely overwhelmed when I started blogging. I actually was “outed” early thanks to my mom bragging about my pillowcase post on Facebook. I started off feeling like everyone does…like I just gave birth to a baby and hadn’t even bought diapers yet.
First of all, take a deep breath if you feel this way. You are not alone. There are literally hundreds of thousands of bloggers who have “been there, done that” when it comes to the “first day jitters.” So just like many of your children are embarking on a new school year and are preparing themselves for success, I am going to give you a list of things you can do to organize yourself and your new blog for your blogging success.
1) Follow the Rules
All good teachers begin their school year by establishing rules and expectations for their students. Right off the bat, I gave myself some rules and expectations for blogging. I committed to blogging everyday about pins I’ve tried on Pinterest, and for the most part, I’ve followed those rules. By building that foundation you set for your blog, you will feel less overwhelmed and more secure in fostering the success of your blog. Make the rules and stick to them.
2) Make New Friends
Making friends is essential to your child’s success in school. Children who feel out of place and alone at school are more likely to drop out and give up. Don’t drop out, connect. Social media is the life line for blogs. Without it, they can’t survive. Connect to other bloggers and family and friends through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Google+. Don’t have these accounts, create them and link them to your blog. Also find a Bloggers Club, Like MomBloggersClub.com, to connect to those with similar interests and blogs. Read other blogs and comment. Be sociable and link other posts to your blog. Also participate in Blog Hops and Linky Parties.
3) Shop for School Supplies
A prepared student is a more successful student. There is nothing more annoying to a teacher than a student who comes to class with their papers crammed in a book, without their homework or a pencil. So organize yourself. I bought a cheap 3-ring notebook to house my daily agenda, calendar, and blog planning sheets. I also keep my instructions for any pins and shopping lists in the folder. I record my Blog Hops that I participate in as well as my blog contacts I make. I keep track of my views, visitors, followers, and likes from my blog and social media. I plan ahead and make sure I know what I am doing that day. That way I don’t feel I have to accomplish everything in one day. Organization is important. Readers like a blogger that has a game plan.
4) Have Fun
If you don’t love it don’t do it. A person who finds blogging tedious will write in a way that makes that sentiment evident. If blogging becomes a chore, you will become a bore… See what I did there haha. Seriously, we all know that teacher who has been teaching so long and started hating it around year 5 but kept on chugging for the summer breaks… Back when teaching was actually a desirable profession. No one wants to take their classes because they have lost their zeal. The same thing will happen to your blog if you allow it to become a job and overshadow your passion. If you find it too much to post every day or week, reevaluate your expectations and take a step back. We all need a break once in a while. Enjoy blogging and let your love of your topic speak through your words. Even if you only have 3 readers including your mama and BFF, you will still bring a smile to their face and tear to their eye knowing you are writing about something you love.
Lauren is a mommy of twin four year olds and a stepmommy to a five year old. She lives with her children and fiance, who will become her husband next May, in North Carolina. She is also an Adult Secondary Education instructor at a community college. She spends her spare time watching sports, playing, reading, catching up on her DVR’d shows, Pinteresting, and crafting. Her blog is about her adventures on Pinterest, tried and tested by her children. She is inspired by all of those in her life and thanks God daily for the blessings he gives her.