6 Months Blogging
Blogging

6 Months of Blogging

July 24, 2016 /

Well were did the time go, I’ve been blogging for just over 6-months now. That time has flown by. Looking back at my 3-months blog post has made me realise I should probably write a 6-month blog update.

In my 3-month blog post here’s what I said for my blog future:

I see the next steps for my blog being to go self hosted, hopefully set up a Linky, see increased traffic numbers, go to Britmums, write some product reviews, update the look of my blog and include more imagery, and hopefully continue blogging as much as I currently am when I return to work.

I’ve done all of that (yay, happy face).

Here’s my key highlights from blogging over the past 3-months:

  • Going self-hosted. This was a big step for me. I moved from the free WordPress account to being self-hosted, meaning I own my site and TSO Host now host my blog. Since I’ve gone self-hosted, I’ve seen more interested from companies wanting to work with me. By no means huge companies, but it’s progress.
  • Being invited to be co-host at #fortheloveofBLOG linky by the lovely Fi from A Mum Track Mind. It was pretty much after I released my 3-month blog post that Fi asked if I fancy joining the Linky bandwagon. And I couldn’t say no, Since we launched #fortheloveofBLOG 12 weeks ago we have overwhelmed by its success and the fab blog posts being linked up week after week.
  • Guest hosting #KCACOLS with Franca from A Moment with Franca. It was super hard work with loads of link-ups, I think it was the first week that she got over 100 link-ups. But it was fab experience to get a taster of running a Linky.
  • Attending #BML16 last month. When I first bought my ticket I was super nervous as my blog was only very new. However my nerves were calmed as lots of bloggers I had been chatting to at #tribalchat were going. I had a brilliant day, and learnt a lot. I’ve now booked my ticket to BlogFest which is held in London in November.
  • I written reviews on behalf of some brilliant companies offering fab products for your baby – Bobadeg Personalised Books, Bo & Bel Teething Jewellery, and My Little Piccolo baby food. Every time a new product lands on my doorstep I get a little bit excited. I love unwrapping it, and letting my little one explore it.
  • Twitter continues to be my main social platform, and I strongly believe it’s the best for promoting posts and chatting to other bloggers. I’ve also set up a Facebook page and converted my personal Pinterest account for The Pramshed. Both are in their early days and need a lot of work and content adding.
  • I’ve had posts published on #breastfeedingstores by My Petit Canard, and had my first regular post on Meet Other Mums.

So onto the stats, since my blog went live on 6 January 2016:

  • 5,610 views (this is a tricky one as it only takes into account view since my blog went hosted at the end of April. I’m tending to average about 2,500 views a month)
  • 3,212 Twitter followers
  • 86 blog posts published
  • 930 comments

I’m really proud of my blog so far. I’ve learnt a lot – not just about blogging, but also about myself too. At 3-months I was a novice blogger, with little blogging experience, but hard work and building a community is what has made my blog what it is today. Blogging is overwhelming, especially in the beginning when you’re trying to find your voice and style. However I always say your blog is what you make it, it can be as big or small as you like, don’t compare your blog to others. Your blog needs to speak from you, and be honest and personable to capture and engage your audience.

I’m really excited about the next 6 months blogging, and I hope that when I write my 1st Blog Anniversary post I can say the following:

  • I have a new theme, one that is stylish, simple, clean, premium and professional.
  • I have 5,000 Twitter followers.
  • I have grown Facebook to 100 Likes. I’ve set this one quite low, as I struggle to get more than 1 Like a day at the moment.
  • I have grown my Pinterest beyond being my personal account, but being more focused on boards for my blog.
  • I am blogging for a brand. I would love to work for a young and fun brand, aimed at the baby/child market.
  • I have some sort of blog success from attending BlogFest in November.
  • I am still co-hosting #fortheloveofBLOG linky with Fi from A Mum Track Mind.
  • I have found a balance between running a blog, and working full time.

That’s it, I hope these goal are all achievable. Find out how I get on by continuing to follow my journey, and reading my 1st Blog Anniversary post in January 2017 (sounds a long way off, but it’ll come round so fast).

Thanks for reading.

Claire x

Keep Calm and Carry On Linking Sunday
The Pramshed

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104 Comments

  • OddHogg

    July 24, 2016 at 11:12 pm Reply

    Oh wow I hadn’t realised you’d only been on the go 6 months! Any tips for a newbie like me are much appreciated – I’m trying to dive in but there’s so many bits and pieces

    • The Pramshed

      July 26, 2016 at 10:36 pm Reply

      I dived it too, there is so much to learn. Blogging can be really overwhelming at times, but take your time and don’t compare your blog to others. I started by joining lots of linky’s to try to get involved with the blogging community, as well as bloggers finding me. Make sure that the style and tone of voice is true to you. Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂 x

  • thefrenchiemummy

    July 30, 2016 at 10:31 pm Reply

    You achieved so much! I love your linky and I thought you have been blogging for way longer! Happy Anniversary #KCACOLS

  • Alex

    July 30, 2016 at 11:10 pm Reply

    Inspirational! I don’t know how you manage it all working full time too! (Do you wear your pants on top of your trousers??#super[wo]man)
    I’m enjoying the writing side but all the technical stuff really bogs me down sometimes. And as much as I love being sociable the social media side takes up so much time – honestly, I think you’re amazing! I need to google #tribalchat, never heard of that one! #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      July 31, 2016 at 2:55 pm Reply

      Ha ha! It’s hard work managing them both. I use my train journey to and from work to try and do blogging and commenting. The social media side is what takes time, especially the scheduling. Check out Mummy In A Tutu page she is the leader of the tribe, there is a Twitter chat every Tuesday at 8pm – 9pm. Join in if you can 🙂 x

    • The Pramshed

      July 31, 2016 at 2:51 pm Reply

      Thanks Emma! It’s been a fast 6 months, little did I know that I when I started it 6-months ago it would be where it is today. Still got a lot to do, and still enjoying it (that’s the most important thing). Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂 x

  • themotherhub

    July 31, 2016 at 9:48 am Reply

    Congrats ! It’s great what you have achieved. I agree that Twitter is best for engagement and promotion. Facebook seems so complicated . Here’s to the next six months ! #kcacols

    • The Pramshed

      July 31, 2016 at 2:50 pm Reply

      I’m still trying to use Facebook for my blog, and how to make it best work for me. I noticed a huge spike in traffic when I published my blog site on my personal Facebook page. Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂 x

  • Claire

    July 31, 2016 at 10:42 am Reply

    Wow! I had no idea you’d only been blogging six months! I hope my blog is half as successful as yours in 5 1/2 months time! X

    #kcacols

    • The Pramshed

      July 31, 2016 at 2:49 pm Reply

      Thank you lovely. I always find writing some goals is the way to achieving, and helping to create a focus for moving forward. Thanks so much for reading and commenting 🙂 x

  • Lex @ mumisthewordblog

    July 31, 2016 at 3:43 pm Reply

    You have achieved so much in six short months. I started blogging in October but I had to take a break in January until this week as life just gets in the way something. But you have really given me some motivation and inspiration. I hope your blog becomes everything you want it to be. It’s such a friendly, easy read 🙂 #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      August 1, 2016 at 10:22 pm Reply

      Great I’m glad that my post has helped you. I hope the next 6 months are good blogging wise, now that I’ve gone back to work it’s not getting so much attention. Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂 x

  • jeremy@thirstydaddy

    July 31, 2016 at 3:49 pm Reply

    Congrats on the milestone. I’m no expert, but those seem like pretty good numbers for six months. I’ve always amazed when people say that they get a lot of traffic from twitter. I think I may be twittering wrong. #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      August 1, 2016 at 10:21 pm Reply

      Thank you! I have no idea what counts as good or average traffic numbers. I get most through my Linky on Saturdays. I’m not one for checkign traffic figures, but I do get a little buzz when I hit record views for one day. Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂 x

  • tammymum

    August 1, 2016 at 12:32 pm Reply

    Ah happy 6 months Claire! Well done you’ve done really fab and met so many of your personal goals which is amazing. Hopefully (and no doubt you will) be saying the same come January and you reflect on your first year! Thanks so much for linking at #KCACOLS. Hope you can come back again next Sunday xx

    • The Pramshed

      August 2, 2016 at 6:09 am Reply

      Thanks Kate, yes it definitely worth writing some goals down to give you some focus. They could be small to start with like; I’m going to publish 2 posts a week. Good luck with blogging 🙂 x

  • beccaweatherall

    August 2, 2016 at 1:18 pm Reply

    Wow! I thought you had been blogging much longer than 6 months! I am only 2 months behind you and haven’t achieved half as much! Congratulations to you for achieving so much and all the best for the next 6 months! Thank you for sharing 🙂 I’m off to like your Facebook page now! 🙂 X

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  • Savannah

    August 3, 2016 at 5:09 pm Reply

    Wow! I had absolutely no idea your blog was so new! My blog is over a year old now, and I cannot say I have accomplished nearly the amount of mountains you’ve tackled. Way to go!! Perseverance and hard work is definitely paying off <3 I can't wait to see where these next six months take you! #KCACOLS

  • Natalie

    August 3, 2016 at 6:14 pm Reply

    Well done lovely! And happy 6 month anniversary. Good luck with your goals – i have just done some myself and it makes me feel so much more focused. #kcacols

  • Jenn

    August 4, 2016 at 3:40 am Reply

    6 months wow. I think I am at 4 and will be checking My numbers are no where near yours but they have begun to grow since discovering linkys. Best of luck with your future goals. #KCACOLS

  • Sarah@teammomlife

    August 4, 2016 at 2:53 pm Reply

    Happy 6 months lovely! You have done so much since your last update. I love your linky party congrats on co-hosting and all you have accomplished. Keep on rocking it. I think your blog is fabulous. #KCACOLS

  • Soppy mum (Sara)

    August 6, 2016 at 8:38 am Reply

    Happy 6 month anniversary. I am in my first month and still getting my head round it, it’s literally a whole new world! You’ve made me think about making myself some goals and I do love making a list! Thank you for your great blog and linky. (Hoping my autocorrect will soon stop changing linky to kinky as one day I’ll forget to change it!!!) #fortheloveofblog

    • The Pramshed

      August 8, 2016 at 10:52 pm Reply

      Thanks lovely, there is so much to learn with blogging, but just take your time. There is plenty of time. Ah yes my phone always changes it to Kinky ha ha! Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂 x

  • theirishbabyfairy

    August 6, 2016 at 9:04 am Reply

    Wow, you’ve achieved so much in your first 6 months! I’m just coming up to 3 months in a couple of weeks so must also evaluate where I’m at. I’m the opposite to you with social media – facebook is by far my biggest referral site and I struggle a bit on twitter! Getting there slowly though and only started instagram yesterday so much to learn! #ForTheLoveOfBLOG

  • Kat

    August 6, 2016 at 9:33 am Reply

    Wow! Some amazing achievements! It feels like I’ve known and visited your blog for much more than just a few months and you’ve done amazingly. Huge well done 😀 Can’t wait to hear about your blogversary and how you’ve done then too! #fortheloveofblog

  • Nursery Whines

    August 6, 2016 at 9:49 am Reply

    Happy half Blogiversary. Well done on all your achievements so far and also for being so brave as to lay down your goals in stone. I am sure you will achieve them all too. #fortheloveofBLOG

  • From Day Dot

    August 6, 2016 at 10:15 am Reply

    I can’t believe you’ve only been doing this for 6 months! Very inspiring to see everything you’ve achieved – all things I’d love for myself but don’t feel anywhere near it yet! Going self hosted is something I’m desperate to do but have no idea what I’m doing and everything I read makes it look so technical, but you’ve made it sound so simple and so worth it that I’m going to make sure I just get on with it!! Congrats on your 6 month anniversary, I look forward to seeing you reach all your goals for your first year! #fortheloveofBLOG x

    • The Pramshed

      August 8, 2016 at 10:47 pm Reply

      Thanks lovely for your wonderful comment. It’s really easy going self hosted, I signed up with TSO Host to move my free wordpress account to their servers, and the migrated all the blog content over for me. I pay £2.99 a month hosting which included the migration, and paid about £15.00 for my domain from 123reg. Do it, it’s worth it, you have so much more control over your blog and it’s features. Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂 x

    • The Pramshed

      August 8, 2016 at 10:44 pm Reply

      It’s hard sometimes, and sometimes I don’t have the energy or brain power for it, but other nights I do when I’ve had a hard day at work and need some release. Thanks for reading and commenting :)x

  • Amy

    August 6, 2016 at 11:23 am Reply

    Amazing success in such a short time. I’ve only had my blog for about 3 weeks, so it’s something for me to aspire to.
    #fortheloveofBLOG

  • alisonlonghurst

    August 6, 2016 at 11:44 am Reply

    Congrats! Well done on reaching (and setting!) targets. I love your linky, both you and Fi are very supportive. I can’t believe that you have only been going 6 months – the same as me! High five! Alison x #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Sonia

    August 6, 2016 at 3:47 pm Reply

    You are doing so well! I’d love to have the time to do more and increase my following. Hope you continue to achieve your goals and balance with work. I just need another day in the week, some extra arms and maybe the ability to blog in my sleep! Xx #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Manny - The Greenwich Mummy

    August 6, 2016 at 4:11 pm Reply

    Congratulations! You’ve done brilliantly – I never would’ve know your blog was so young! 🙂 Your stats are really good too… I’m still trying to find my balance between blogging and being mummy – having two definitely keeps me on my toes haha

    I also want to start self-hosting but so scared! I think I’ll wait til the end of the year when things should be a little less hectic at home. 🙂

    • The Pramshed

      August 8, 2016 at 10:18 pm Reply

      Don’t be scared to go self-hosted it’s really easy. I just went with TSO Host, and they transferred everything over in a matter of day, with no downtime on my old WordPress site. You’ll find the balance, I’m now trying to find the balance between blogging and work 🙂 x

  • Tim

    August 6, 2016 at 7:16 pm Reply

    Well done, Claire – you’ve achieved a lot in six months already and your 1-year goals seem sensible. I’ve always found part of the joy of blogging (nine years on …) is that you’re always learning and finding new directions to go in. For me the last year has all been about setting up the podcast and, er, writing and singing parodies (or what passes for singing with my dodgy voice). It’s always good to have something to aim at. Good luck for the next six months! #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      August 8, 2016 at 10:14 pm Reply

      Wow 9 years! That’s crazy, but you’re right it’s great to have something to aim for. Now I have Pretty in Pink in my head again thinking back to the performance at BML. You’ve got a great blog too Tim 🙂 x

  • Karen - Twicemicrowaved tea

    August 6, 2016 at 8:35 pm Reply

    Wow, I can’t believe you’ve only been blogging for 6 months! And I can’t believe you manage to do so much while also working full time. I’m new to blogging and find it hard to make time to write, but this post gives me hope that if I put my mind to it, it can be done! Thank you! #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Jane Taylor Maflingo

    August 7, 2016 at 8:33 am Reply

    Claire, you’ve achieved so much in the last 6 months! I still can’t get my head around how new your blog is because it feels so substantial and established. I’m so excited that you’ll be at BlogFest too! I need to book a ticket soon. Can we have one day when we all go BlogFest and one day when we all just hole up in a nice cafe or pub somewhere and talk ALL DAY!!

    I need to set some goals…My main one has been trying to figure out why comment luv doesnt like me…I’ve tried everything and absorbed hours of my life trying to solve it. I may need to ask you lovely people to let me stick a link in my comment…But I dont know if that would just make it go in the bin?

    Did you say you were going to change your theme? I’m thinking of doing that because although mine looks ok, its really resource heavy and slow and I wonder if the theme is whats causing my comment luv issues. I’m scared about messing everything up!

    Anyway, back to YOU! You’re doing a great job and I look forward to seeing your updates. #Fortheloveofblog

    • The Pramshed

      August 8, 2016 at 10:07 pm Reply

      Wow really long and lovely comment Jane! Are you going to BlogFest, please can you book a ticket? I think that your comment luv does work, I’ll take a look at it. I just downloaded the plugin and it just sorted itself out. Can you try and deactivate it and then reinstall? Yes I need to change my theme, I always want to do it on a Friday night but I’m too scared to mess my blog up before the Linky goes live. It’s just finding the time to do it. I need to get it sorted. Don’t be scared about messing it up, blogging is trial and error….go for it! 🙂 x

  • wendy

    August 8, 2016 at 4:08 pm Reply

    Wow, you’ve achieved so much I’m just 6months! I really thought had been blogging longer. I think you’re doing a fab job..I love your blog. Hope your next 6months are just as successful xx #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Cal at Family Makes

    August 9, 2016 at 7:28 pm Reply

    Wow congratulations – you’ve achieved so much in such a short time! I’m so delighted for you, although it makes me feel bad that I’m only a month or so behind you and haven’t achieved nearly as much! #FortheloveofBLOG

  • Topsy Turvy Tribe

    August 10, 2016 at 8:09 am Reply

    Wow you’ve done so much in 6 months, you seem to be so crazy organised! I bet your kitchen cupboards are really tidy with all the labels facing forward 🙂 Ha! Well done, We’ve only been going a month so can only dream that we can achieve as much as you in 6 months time #FortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      August 10, 2016 at 10:17 pm Reply

      I wish……they are jammed full, and just getting something out is a battle without everything else falling out. I have nearly smashed a jar of cayenne pepper on my baby’s head once. Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂 x

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