Tag Archives: blogging

On the #MWDD13 homework

LearnerBlogger, Wales, , ,

image

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 the MAD Blog Awards

LearnerBlogger, , ,

Just over a week has gone by since I decided to finally stop thinking about blogging and to start doing it. I’ve probably had a fairly typical first week in that I’ve changed my blog theme about 10 times, been caught swearing at wordpress by my kids about 100 times, and – of course – have become obsessed by the stats button. I’m sure with time, the obsession will fade – to be fair, you can only refresh the page so many times before you realise that your 15 page views 3 days ago is as good as this week’s going to get. And probably 14 of those were my mother checking up on me.

But it’s not only my own blog that has been occupying my time. Previously, I’ve dipped in and out of parent blogs via twitter – most often when I’ve had a crap day feeling like a crap Mum and I need to know that I am not alone in not having all the answers. But this week I’ve been doing some more active research – what makes a good parent blog? What makes people read and go back for more? What are the pitfalls? Should I identify my kids and what if people I know start reading? This last one particularly has been topical on Purplemum’s blog this week – and it’s something that’s occupying my mind quite a lot – a post for another day, perhaps.

Well, you know what my research has shown me? That there’s a shedload of good stuff out there. Like, really, really good. There’s funny stuff, useful stuff, what the feck can I do with them today stuff,  techie stuff , and stuff that is both heartrending and excellent – the list is endless. It’s like a massive lucky dip of parenting help, on hand whenever you need it.

And that’s why I’m going to be voting in the MAD Blog Awards. I figure that since I take advantage of the lucky dip, the least I can do is cast my vote…I’m off to do it RIGHT NOW!  Well, right after changing my theme again, and possibly checking my stats….