Why I started blogging
There are millions of blogs in the world and people start blogging for many different reasons. There are photography blogs, sport blogs, wildlife blogs, and cookery blogs. The list is endless and can go on forever. People start blogging because they have a passion for something, and want to share their experiences. Or, they’re doing it as a way to capture something for themselves, and have their little piece of the internet. I know that there are thousands of parenting bloggers, who have all set up their blog for a particular reason, but today I’m sharing with you why I started blogging.
I started blogging in January 2016 and my blog has been going for 17 months now. From an idea I had whilst on my many laps around the park trying to get my daughter to sleep is now a fully fledged reality. I set up my blog as a way to capture life with my daughter, sort of like an online diary. But, also I wanted to do something with brain, and use my skills that I had gained in my career and education to do something. At the time I was six months into maternity leave, with six months remaining before I went back to work, and it felt like a perfect time.
So, on a cold and dark night in January, I sat down with my husband and I quickly set up my blog on the free WordPress platform. It was really easy to do and my first post was launched, I think we spent longer trying to work out my blog name. I sat and waited for something to happen. Nothing happened. Where were the crowds of people queuing up to read my blog?
From then on in it was a quick and steep learning curve. I learnt that it is all about promotion. I set up my social channels starting with Twitter. I followed other bloggers, chatted to other bloggers, and promoted my posts. I only set up Facebook and Instagram when I was about 6 months in. Firstly because I didn’t really want another Facebook or Instagram account to be managing other than my own, and secondly because I didn’t know how I could use them with blog. Now I love these channels, they are my favourites. I’ve found them to be great for engagement and having the ability to communicate. Twitter is great, but my engagement levels are lower.
And then brands started knocking at my door. When I started blogging I had no idea that this would happen. This was when it really got exciting, and the two brands I started working with fairly quickly in my blogging career were My Little Piccolo and Bo & Bel. Both of these brands matched my blog really well, as it was at a time when my daughter was weaning and when she was teething. I loved receiving a parcel that is addressed to The Pramshed coming through my letterbox.
Not only has blogging allowed me to work with brands, I have also met some fantastic people. I’ve attended events, collaborated with other bloggers on my guest series, and ran a linky with A Mum Track Mind. It has been a whirlwind, and it has also given me the confidence to know that there are so many opportunities out there, and to take those opportunities.
Sometimes I think people think I’m mad when I say that I’m a parenting blogger. But I really enjoy it. I enjoy having my own thing, and working on it when I want. That’s what’s important is that you enjoy it, understand the value of it and what you want to gain from your blog.
My motto when it comes to blogging is “just do it”. If you’re thinking about starting a blog then “just do it”. Like I said I had no idea what I was doing when I set up my blog, I learnt as I went along, and leaned on others for support. You will find your feet, and your voice, but it takes time. I often think that blogging is what you make of it. So if you put a lot in, you will get a lot out. If it becomes too overwhelming, you can step away from it, as the blog is always there.
So that’s why I set-up my blog, which was on a bit of a whim really, but it has led me onto so many new things which I am really excited about.
If you’re thinking about starting blogging I would love to hear from you, and if you have any questions then I’m always available to ask.
Claire x
2 Comments
oldhouseintheshires
When did you go self hosted out of interest? Im getting a bit frustrated now after 6 months with the fact that I cant get the plugins I owuld like but Im a bit scared to be honest! Hope you dont mind me asking!
The Pramshed
It’s so easy to do. I did mine through TSO Host, they literally did everything for me, and my site was hardly down or hardly broken afterwards. Do it! I went self hosted on April last year and not looked back since x