Posts Tagged "advice"

The best blogging advice I ever received

Posted by cafebebemama on Sep 26, 2011 in Blogging, BritMums Blogging Prompt | 16 comments

This week, BritMums has issued not ONE but TWO blogging prompts. One is a personal prompt (If I wouldn’t be judged too harshly I would say _________ out loud!) and one is a blogging prompt (The best blog advice I have ever received is_________.)

I know exactly what I would say for the personal prompt but I have to decide if I’m feeling brave enough. It very well may turn into a rant and we all know what happens when I rant!

So let’s give the blogging prompt a go: “The best blogging advice I ever received”. I’ll break it down into two mantras for you which have a lot to do with each other. Ready, steady…

Don’t worry about Stats/Rankings: If you are a remotely competitive person and have higher aspirations for your blog, steer clear of rankings and stats monitoring. There’s nothing wrong with either of them, however, if you can’t maintain a sensible head about them and find yourself in the doldrums because your blog dropped 20 rankings or your stats counter looks like a peaky mountain range, then you simply must take yourself away from that place. You will end up trying too hard, taking away too much time from your life to remedy the situation and potentially not achieve much in the end.

Moving up rankings is tricky business. It takes effort and perseverance to make sure you are ticking all of the boxes. If you can be mature about it and shrug off any slips, dips and bumps, then by all means, give it your all. If you get cross, start checking out the “competition” and spending the majority of your day online, then it’s time to back off. You will be much happier in the end and your blog will flourish as a result.

Step away from the laptop: This is actually my own advice (which I need to take more often as well) from last week’s post, Not now dear, I’m blogging. You cannot possibly blog well if you’re focusing too much on the end result. I would hazard a guess that a majority of Mummy bloggers are perfectionists and are exceptionally keen to move their blog forward. However, there are so many more important things in life, including your sanity. Turn the laptop off, set yourself parameters as to when you will blog and when you will shut down and be happy about it. It is a good thing, trust me. I’m even considering proposing a week of “Silent Blogging” where the only thing I post is a photo. No words, just images of our life/week. It might help to get the creative juices flowing in a different direction.

What is the best blogging advice you have ever received? Do you find it hard (as I do) to step away from the laptop? Could you change something about your daily/weekly blogging routine to make it more positive and healthy? I’d love to hear your advice as well!

Blogging-That time of the month

Posted by cafebebemama on Apr 7, 2011 in Blogging | 20 comments

It’s that time of the month in the Parent Blogging world. That time of the month when the blog rankings are published. That time of the month when a gaggle of bloggers start stressing and straining about where they might land on this index or that index. That time of the month when bloggers start doubting themselves as bloggers, writers, human beings. That time of the month when they consider jacking it all in and taking up Fishing Blogging.

This makes me so sad. Do you know why this makes me sad? Because no one should measure their worth, value and talent based on a table. No one should be trying to orchestrate their blogging to influence rankings or improve their status. Now this is easy to say, especially from a blogger who has been around for nearly two years now. However, I have been in that very place that so many bloggers are today and I’d like to share a few nuggets that I have learned along the way which now make me a much happier blogger.

• Being signed up for an index may seem like a necessary means to an end and yes, it does help you to gain exposure and a wider audience potentially. However, with the ever changing face of blogging these days, the more inclusive blogging community, Linky’s, weekly challenges, blogging carnivals, blog hops and memes, it’s becoming much easier to gain your own foothold without having to be on any particular ranking system. Yes, it takes effort to gain an audience, build a following, generate comments and accumulate followers but do not EVER feel that you have to register for an index in order to accomplish these things.
• Determine your USP (unique selling point) and also what your end goal is. Be completely honest with yourself. If your ultimate goal is to make it as high up the “big” rankings as you can, have PR’s filling your inbox with requests & invitations, be bombarded with deliveries of the latest, greatest baby/toddler/tech items which you have to test, review and report on, then yes, by all means, torture yourself every month. I would say that there is a small percentage of bloggers for whom this is their goal. And that’s fine. The blogging world takes all kinds. But if that is your goal, do your studying, do your research, make your blog into an SEO-friendly, all-singing-all-dancing wonder of a thing and prepare yourself mentally for the monthly worry about where you’ll be. You’ll have to give up a LOT of personal time to make this happen and network and bust your bum to give 100+% to your blog but it can happen. Hopefully your family, other half and sanity will not be left in the dust in the process.
• Every PR agency out there has a different way of searching for and utilising bloggers. Yes, they look occasionally at rankings and indecies to have a launch pad into the blogging world. Yes, they are interested in bloggers who have decent traffic, influence and engagement. I have spoken to PR’s about the blogging world (yes, I’ve been asked to train PR’s) and assured them that it’s not always the best method to continually pitch to the top 20 bloggers on given rankings. Getting to know bloggers, finding a fit that works for the product/client/brand is the key. If you have a keen interest in working with PR’s, brands and having opportunities to attend events and launches, take your own creative genius and approach them yourself. There’s nothing wrong with a little self-promotion. PR’s are usually happy to field questions and suggestions and are often pleased to find that they can work WITH bloggers on a campaign. There’s nothing wrong with taking matters into your own hands and making it happen for yourself if this is the path you choose.
• Stats and numbers have value and importance but should not send you into a tailspin. They represent the state of play on your blog. They do not communicate the loveliness of you as an individual, the creativitiy of you as a writer or the worth of you as a person. Google Analytics is probably the most widely used vehicle for measuring traffic and stats on your blog and if PR’s/Brands ask for anything, this will provide you with the necessary numbers to give them. I have GA set up on my blog and yes, it gives me a monthly (even daily) report of everything under the sun with regard to my blog. I DO NOT look at my GA stats unless I am asked something specifically about them. They’re interesting to look at and they provide a pretty graph that has a lot of peaks and valleys but they do not bring me happiness so I do not look at them. Do not waste your time pouring over these reports and lines and pie-charts. They will cause you to dip into that place that no one needs to go into. Classify GA or other stats reports as a Necessary Evil that help you fill in the blanks when asked. Otherwise, ignore them.
• If these monthly rankings cause you to drop into the pits of despair, consider SERIOUSLY taking yourself off of them. Go back to WHY DO YOU BLOG? If it’s to gain fame and fortune, then suck it up and lay yourself out there for the flaying and don’t whinge about it. It will be a tough road to hoe but if that’s your path then you’ll have to make some sacrifices to get there. If your reason for blogging is for you, your family, a bit of a part-time job/hobby, then don’t worry about the rankings. Take yourself off, breathe easier, release the tension in your shoulders and enjoy the blogging. It’s a lovely place to be when you’re not worried about winning a popularity contest. And it’s a lot nicer to sit back and watch all the bitching and moaning and know you’re far happier and better off each month.

There’s some rather wordy advice from a blogger who’s “been there, done that, bought the t-shirt”. I am not registered for THAT BIG index that everyone else is talking about right now but I do happen to be registered with Wikio. I am not concerned about where I fall on rankings because I’m more concerned about my reputation as a blogger and a writer. I want to be liked and well-thought of. Numbers on a chart don’t give you that sort of feedback in my humble opinion. I hope those of you who have been so upset by the publishing of certain rankings this month will consider my advice for the future and hopefully be happier for it.

Do You Take Yourself Too Seriously?

Posted by cafebebemama on Oct 7, 2010 in Blogger Love | 6 comments

I received some invaluable advice from a friend the other day which applies to all bloggers and anyone who puts themselves “out there”. I thought I would share it with you while I try to find the shop where I can get a thicker skin.

“I read somewhere quite recently that to make it in an industry where others critique you, the only way to survive (emotionally, spiritually, etc.) is learn how to grow thick skin, learn to not take yourself too seriously, and be your own voice of reason/advocate.”

As I have real difficulty with the “grow a thick skin” part of the advice, I’m focusing on “not taking myself too seriously” and “be my own voice of reason”. I am a mum. I am a blogger. I am a mummy blogger. I am a writer. I am enjoying what I’m doing. I’m trying to make a difference with campaigns like the Pampers Big Kiss but I’m not going to solve the world’s ills with my blog or my writing.

If you’re starting out in blogging, perhaps you might want to consider those three nuggets of advice? While we’re out here, not taking ourselves too seriously, maybe we could also consider being adults and more professional in how we work, whether it’s for pay or in-kind. I don’t see Fishing Bloggers behaving unprofessionally and trying to stir the waters (ha…stir the waters…fish…water…ha).

One day the PR pitches will become more of a novelty than an expectation. One day the trend of using parent bloggers to review products, attend events and write about their experiences will become out of fashion. One day Fishing Bloggers may be the “IT GIRL” (or is it “It Fish”). Until then maybe parent bloggers can enjoy the perks, write about their experiences and act like grown ups.

What’s Stopping Me?

Posted by cafebebemama on Apr 27, 2010 in Motherhood | 27 comments

Today started out so well…a visit to the physio for new exercises to help my Mummy Tummy, a great walk with our best mates & play time for the girls in the garden under the Spring sun.  Then we came home.  I should have stayed out!  Little Miss wouldn’t go to sleep and she desperately needed it.  2 episodes of “Show Me Show Me” (thank God for BT Vision recordings) later and she still wasn’t asleep!  I was reduced to rocking her to sleep again after a bit of screaming (her…not me) and then I had quiet.

Where it all went wrong was with my email accounts and my blog.  I’m having my usual wobble…wondering where the visitors are and wondering if I’m good enough.  I’m trying to expand my freelance writing “career” and am working with some amazing people and PR companies but THEY TAKE FOREVER TO RETURN EMAILS!  I know, I know…who am I?  A stay-at-home-mummy who plays in the sandbox, makes slightly interesting meals and spends the day speaking to a nearly-2-year old.  I’m no high-flying client with needs and demands.  I’m no FREELANCE JOURNALIST with connections and power.  I’m just me.  But I’d really like to have a return email please and thank you so I can get along with my plans for world domination.

I’d like to take my freelance writing career further.  I’d like to work with PR’s and companies on blogs and posts which will promote their products and causes.  I’d like to be PAID for my work.  Is that too much to ask?  I need some advice…what is stopping me?  Am I too sensitive?  Don’t answer that, I might cry!  Am I not a good enough writer?  Am I not ruthless enough?  Do I not have the right connections?  Do I need to get a better laptop?  (GOD YES!)  I would love some advice from other freelancers and writers who have been able to MAKE IT.  Shall I give you my career goals so you can help me better?  OK then…

• Cafe Bebe- I always want to keep my lovely blog.  It’s my second baby…I spend a LOT of time on it and love it dearly even if not everyone else loves it the same.  I’d love for someone to want to advertise on it and pay me to do so.  Bidding is now open!
• Freelance Writing- I want to continue my Expat Magazine contributions (FREE) and my Parenting Page contribution to our local, monthly glossy mag (PAID).  I want to continue my sporadic reviewing for MadeForMums which has given me a great deal of experience writing reviews (PAID).  I would LOVE to continue to work with various PR companies to support clients of theirs through sponsored posts and/or special blogs.  I would LOVE to work with these PR’s to help them learn about Parent Bloggers and what we like/want/need.  I would LOVE to contribute to parenting magazine blogs.  I would LOVE to pitch stories to national parenting magazines and be commissioned to write them.  Of course, all of these things would be PAID.
• Now if I could just have a little bit of childcare to accompany all of these things then I could really get there!

I need advice on the items above.  What do you recommend?  How do I make these dreams a reality?  What’s stopping me?  What action can I take?  Do I have what it takes?  I would greatly appreciate any freelance/blogging advice that you’d like to share.  When I’m writing my memoires, I’ll be sure to thank you in the foreward!

Running for Mummies-Advice from an Olympic Champion

Posted by cafebebemama on Apr 14, 2010 in Guest Bloggers, Mummy Tummy Begone | 2 comments

Cafe Bebe welcomes back Rachael Moore in another brilliant Running for Mummies post…heeeerrrre’s Rachael…

Thanks to my friends at Lucozade Sport today on CafeBebe we have some fab tips from Olympic runner, Liz Yelling.
As a mother to a baby girl, Liz knows what it’s like trying to juggle childcare and fitness training, so she’s come up with some great ideas to make life a bit easier.
My children are all older now (10, 8, 5 and 3) so during term time, being a marathonmummy isn’t such a challenge. But I can remember the days of struggling to get out the door and never having a moment to myself, so I really identified with a lot of these tips.

Running for Mummies with Liz Yelling

1. If you’re getting back into running make sure you take your time. Start by alternating walking with running at a nice slow pace. Be patient, you’ll soon build up your stamina. Remember no one is wonder woman!

2. Consistency is key: getting out the door regularly (3-5 times per week) even if it’s just for 15 minutes helps you establish a routine. Regular running means you are more likely to see improvements in your fitness.

3. Be flexible and adaptable: As a mum, you will encounter many barriers to your running, making it easy to miss the odd run here and there. Go with the flow and be creative about creating opportunities to run. Racing your children in the park or getting out of the car 1 mile earlier on a family journey home and running the last leg.

4. Get the support of your family and friends. Ask your family and husband to look after your children so you can run. Link up with friends to create a running club so babysitting duties can be easily shared.

5. Make sure you have healthy snacks to hand (such and fruit, nuts and vegetable sticks). Being a mum means you are often rushed of your feet and feeling hungry. At these times it’s easy to grab a packet of crisps or some chocolate for a quick fix. By stocking up the cupboards with healthy snacks you can grab and go (and still allow for the occasional treat).

6. Get the kids involved! Take the kids to the park and race them, it’s a great way to include interval training into your regime and it also allows you time to spend quality time with the kids. If you are training for a race, get the kids to make banners for race day so they feel involved.

Some great ideas there to get you out there and running!

Next week on Running for Mummies I’ll be talking about my preparation for the Virgin London Marathon. (Eek!)