On the #MWDD13 homework

LearnerBlogger, Wales, , ,

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Homework? I wasn’t expecting that – but there it is…use the lunch break not only for inhaling the cakes (lovely, by the way!) but also for doing a snippet on someone or something at #MWDD13.

So I grabbed Laura – here she is! Laura is the brains behind Political Style,  and gave a fab talk this morning on how to get your blog out there, ‘reaching the USA from Cardiff Bay’. And, since I’m new to this blogging lark, I took the opportunity to ask her some questions – for most of the talented ladies at Mostly Women Doing Digital they will be very basic questions – but they might be useful for anyone considering blogging, so here they are – somewhat paraphrased, sorry Laura!

Q Do you think you have to have an extremely specific topic, to make a successful blog? (I have been wondering about this because already, my young blog seems to leap around a lot between topics…)

A Not necessarily. Political Style is quite niche, and that’s one of the reasons that it has been picked up by other blogs (including the famous Mrs O, no less!) But, you can offer regular features or topics on say a weekly or biweekly basis, which help it to hang together, and give readers something to remember to come back for.

Q How do you manage your blog alongside full time work?

A I tend to research and write posts on the weekend, when I have more time, and then schedule them for the week ahead. That way if other stuff comes up, I don’t have to be worrying about missing out a day or so – because posts are scheduled to go out in any case.

Q What’s the blog etiquette on linking to other blogs? Should you ask them first?

A People will usually be happy to have links so there’s no real need to ask them beforehand, though I often email them to give them a heads up that I’ve mentioned them. With blogrolls, the way to get featured on other people’s rolls is to email them and ask if they will feature yours, in exchange for you including theirs – and this can be a great way to generate traffic – for instance I am quite proud of the fact I am one of just three blogs featured on Mrs O.

Q Should you/do you tweet every post?

A I don’t tweet every post – if it’s a ‘filler’ post for example, then I don’t tend to tweet it. If it is more of an article than a post, eg my post on Sheryl Sandberg’s book, then I’ll tweet it and often I’ll @message anyone mentioned too.

Q Any other advice?

A Bloggers are mostly helpful people! If you admire a blogger, get in touch – they’ll probably be happy to share advice and tips.

Laura, thank you for chatting to me – and for being my #MWDD13 homework!

On Mostly Women Doing Digital

LearnerBlogger, Wales, , ,

I’m really excited – and more than a little nervous today – because, despite the odds, I’m on my way to Mostly Women Doing Digital.

Excited because I am sure I am going to learn shedloads!! As you’d expect, I’m particularly interested in Kids And Our Digital Future by Sangeet Bhullar, and DIY Blog/Site SetUp And Design by Philippa Davies . I’m also hoping to learn some lessons which will be useful in my professional life from Public Life, Big Numbers and Social Media by  Helen Reynolds. And as my current contract is due to end in June, I’ll definitely be taking notes on How The Web Gave Me A Job , by Esther Nagle.

Nervous, because though I *think* I used to be quite sharp, I’m pretty sure my mental agility and capacity have been diminished somewhat by having kids. I’ve heard tell that you get it back eventually – well, I’ll keep you informed of any progress, but don’t hold your breath! Added to that, I am not great at events where I don’t know anyone. My lovely friend Tanya from BeachLifeEtc was planning to come along – so I was kind of planning to hide behind her sparkly confidence for the day. But she has been up all night dealing with poorly kids, bless her.

It totally crossed my mind to bail too, when I received Tan’s message. But – and I am quite proud of myself for this – I didn’t – I have taken myself in my hands (is that even a saying?) and I am on the train, caffeine fuelled, as we speak. Here goes! Wish me luck, I’ll let you know how I get on!

On getting back to normal!

Family, LearnerMother,

So – the minute i allow myself to relax in the knowledge that life is running smoothly, it all goes tits up.

The kids had brilliant parents evenings, the surprise trip to Legoland is all planned and booked, the 3yo has a sleepover with his Nanny while the big ones have their friends staying over tonight. AND I have negotiated a free Saturday to go to Mostly Women Doing Digital in Swansea.

Looking good, huh?

Well. Now there is snow – SNOW – forecast for Monday at Legoland. But that’s fine, we can cope with that, I think to myself – I will just fire up the cold/wet weather project plan.*

Then I get a call from my Mum. The 3 yo has projectile vomited. Ok, we can work with this. I’ll drive to Mums’s and stay there with him, in the (probably vain) hope that he doesn’t pass it on to the bigger ones, plus sleepover friends. I’m a bit gutted as I was actually quite looking forward to spending some time with them all – but still, there’ll be another time.

So I’m driving up to Mums’s when the car starts juddering, like proper, bone shaking juddering. Oh, I think. Flat tyre maybe? I’ll get off the motorway, pull in and check it out. But as I slow down on the slip road, the juddering stops and for a few relieved minutes, I think maybe the motorway surface was just more bumpy than I’d remembered. Then the burning smell starts. And every time I go above 50, we are back to juddering. And smelling of burning. FFS.

Hmmmm. A buggered car, a vomiting child, no trip to Swansea, and a snowy and probably vomity Legoland. Life’s back to normal!

*yes, there is one. I am that sad.