What’s Something New & Awesome that You’ve Done for Your Blog This Year?

April 26, 2012 By 10 Comments

Welcome to the Momcomm Mashup! What’s that mean? Every so often, I post a question on my Facebook page. Leave your answer and your blog URL and I’ll take as many responses as possible and roll them into a post like this one! Featured peeps get a backlink. while you get tons of awesome responses from your peers. You are curious, right?

The question this time around was:

What’s something new & awesome that you’ve done for your blog this year?

Here’s what some of you answered:

Lori from Lori Does Maryland:
Am using it more to promote things I believe in and care about!!!

Tamara from Fitnitchick:
I finally moved to self-hosted! I had a professional do it for me and now love both the look and the functionality.

Elaine from The Laine List:
Just today I added a feminism page, because I need to get back to my roots!

Sarah from Spoon Fed Baby:
I started a Making Mommy Monthly Series where I give myself monthly challenges. This month: ab workouts every day!

Ashley from It’s Fitting:
Since last year was the year of the redesign (THANK GOD because it was desperately needed), this year I’ve focused more on content, SEO and SOCIAL MEDIA. Sad that I wasn’t doing all that before, especially after blogging for 4 years (without anyone really knowing about it besides me). And the best part? My decision to post all of my pictures… my hobby and LOVE.

Traci from Walk Simply:
Reorganizing to layout and adding new functionality.

Audra from Rediscovering Domesticity:

I have started using Rafflecopter for any giveaways and using Bufferapp for automating social media! I also tweaked the design quite a bit thanks to my blog critique! You rock!

Chrysta from Live and Love Work:

‎2012 is my year for guest posts. I have guest posted twice on other great blogs, and published 2 guest posts on my blog!

Elle N. Em from Cleverly Changing:

2012 has been my year of Marketing. I always had content, I just needed to focus on building my readership and this year the focus has been to find readers and connect with them. I looking forward to an awesome blogging future!

Mom’s Small Victories:

Moving from free blogger to self hosted on wordpress and got my talented Superhubbys artwork in my blog header. Happy with the new design so far and working on moving all the posts over. Also added new pages for book reviews and recipe reviews. awesomeness in progress :)

Jenn from PDX Momma:

I finally purchased Genesis and a child theme that I can easily customize. Looks much cleaner and I am not stuck trying to be a graphic/web designer! Love it!

Jacki from Dare 2 Dream Dare 2 Do:

I ditched my old blog and started a brand new one to better capture where I am and where I hope to go. In the process, I invested more through a FB course and your Content Brew. Can’t get out what you don’t put in.

My Life and Kids:

I switched to WordPress, started hosting a weekly link-up and launched a community in Blog Frog. It’s been a BIG year! :)

Lisa from Franny Bolsa:

I started to write in my voice and my voice alone.

Jamie from Chosen Chaos:

I got rid of the pressure I was putting on myself and am doing things how and when I want. Which has given me more time to enjoy the whole process. Taking your Content Brew class is helping me focus and prioritize so I’m getting more done in less time.

Colleen from Mommie Daze:

I started writing about what interests me instead of trying to second guess what people want me to write about.

Sarah from Checklist Mommy:

I decided to link my Mommy-blog (ChecklistMommy.com) to my Writer/Editor blog (SKLevy.com) as the first step in my “I’m a WRITER who happens to ALSO MOMMY-BLOG” career re-focus. I also started networking more, writing guest blogs more, and ACTUALLY HANDING OUT CARDS to people I meet — everywhere! Found a new reader on the STREET yesterday who took my card and already contacted me for twin-Mom advice … so there you go. 2012 is the year of the THIS IS A CAREER, DAMN IT! push ;)

Hollywood Housewife:

I changed out my “About Me” pictures. Not only were they old, they didn’t really represent me anymore. My new About Me pictures fit me and my blog so much better.

Danielle from Verity Mom:

I started making video cartoons of stick figures to tell my stories. They are by far my favorite thing to do, but tricky to get done without the toddler coloring all over them:)

Alissa from Clever Compass:

Completely rebranded, tightened my focus, started commenting and guest posting more and stopped posting daily.

Adriel from The Mommyhood Memos:

I took onboard all of Momcomm’s advice from my blog critique and am loving it! The most important thing I did from her advice was to install Yoast for SEO. I’m now optimizing my posts as I write them and I’m slowly working my way back to optimize old posts! I’ve also started to make “pinable” images for posts that might be relevant on Pinterest and am seeing more traffic derived that way as well.

So tell me… What’s something new & awesome that you’ve done for your blog this year?

Be sure to like my Facebook page if you want to participate in the next Mashup. Woohoo!

Filed Under: Momcomm Mashup

Where in Your House (or Outside of It) Do You Spend the Most Time Blogging?

February 16, 2012 By 9 Comments

Welcome to the Momcomm Mashup! What’s that mean? Once or twice a month, I post a question on my Facebook page. Leave your answer and your blog URL and I’ll take as many responses as possible and roll them into a post like this one! Featured peeps get a backlink. while you get tons of awesome responses from your peers. You are curious, right?

The question this time around was:

Where in your house (or outside of it) do you spend the most time blogging and why?

Here’s what some of you answered:

Emily from emylibef:

My bed. With wine.

 

Sherri from Clara’s Closet:

On my back deck, overlooking the pacific ocean. In a jacket this time of the year.

 

Bridget from Top of the Mountain Photography:

Kitchen table (with wine)!

 

Katie from Powered by Hummus:

I usually sit on my couch and write off and on while watching TV. There’s good lighting, a side table and my printer by my couch.

 

Suzanne from The Wineabe:

I have a floating pad of paper and a pen…when the thoughts come to me, I grab it and write.{most often in my kitchen as I’m opening a bottle of wine} Then I type it up anywhere the kids are not…when I can go unnoticed for a few minutes! {my room, the office, on the sofa, hiding in my closet…} It is a process…but eventually I get something typed and out into bloggy world! Ahh…the things we do.

 

Amanda from Better is Little:

The Den

 

Shell from Things I Can’t Say:

On my couch, for sure. I can be close to my boys who play in the family room or toy room. And it’s comfortable! Though one of these days, I want an office!

 

Kristen from Celebrate Every Day with Me:

At my kitchen table or on the couch (while watching tv in background) . . . they are just the most convenient places to be around kids or in the evening to enjoy a little tv once they’re in bed.

 

Carolyn from This Talk Ain’t Cheap:

I blog sitting with my laptop in bed. It’s the most comfortable spot in my house and I write better when I’m relaxed. Sitting at my desk makes me think of everything else I have to do and I get too distracted to write.

 

Lisa from Lisa Yates Design:

In my loft in our cabin. I have all my sewing & craft stuff up. All my magazines and sewing books. My nook, my dolls, and the favorite of all, my material! So that is the place in the house that I am the most at peace in. I find that when I write up there my content is more focused!

 

Stephanie from The Animals Have Escaped:  

I use my Mac Laptop while sitting on my bed with CNN in background.

 

Amanda from MarocMama:

Most time spent blogging is in my recliner at night after the kids are in bed. My dream is to have a desk and workspace in a room just for me with all kinds of creative inspiration around. One day!

 

Kathryn from Singing through the Rain:

On my couch. I can watch my son or watch tv. It’s also the most comfortable except for the bed.

 

Allison from A Few Sprinkles Short:

I usually blog at my desk – in my living room. Well, not usually. Only. Unless, by chance, I am at my in-laws house or somewhere else. Then it’s whereever the laptop lands. Why? Because it’s the only space in my house big enough for the giant desk. And because even though I have a laptop I can move around anywhere I want, it stays at my desk. I guess I’m not that exciting…

 

Christine from More than Mommies:

On the couch. I would love to switch it up a bit but the battery on my laptop is fried…so I remain tethered there. SOMETIMES I stretch the cord to the kitchen table! :)

 

Susan from Wild Life in the Woods:

I mostly blog at my desk in the homeschool room, because that’s where the computer is, and I can be available to grade papers and answer questions.

 

Leslie from Motherhood in Mexico:

I do almost all of my blogging on my tiny computer desk right next to my bed. But…I do most of my writing in a notebook when I’m watching my Hubby’s shop, which is right next door to our house.

 

Laura from Hollywood Housewife:

I have a beautiful home office with funky wallpaper and a fireplace. It’s the only place in the house that is mine and mine alone, and I treasure every square inch!

 

Jamee from A New Kind of Normal:

I do most of my blogging in bed using our laptop or tablet. I would loooove to create my own space (desk, etc) just for blogging and writing.

 

So tell me… Where in your house (or outside of it) do you spend the most time blogging and why??

Be sure to like my Facebook page if you want to participate in the next Mashup. Woohoo!
 

 

Filed Under: Momcomm Mashup

How Did Your Blog Get Its Name?

November 17, 2011 By 26 Comments

Psst… I’m over at SITS Girls today for another blog critique so stop by!

Welcome to the Momcomm Mashup! Once or twice a month, I post a question on my Facebook page then take as many responses as possible and roll them into a post like this one! Featured peeps get a backlink, while you get tons of awesome responses from your peers. You are curious, right?

The question this time around was:

How Did Your Blog Get Its Name?

Thought you’d be curious as to my blog naming answers too so let me share!

Adventuroo sort of came to me. I wanted to have something outdoorsy/adventure related but all the names I wanted were taken. I started writing down adventure words and words that sounded kid-like (sprout, roo, wee, kid). I gave up and then hours later I’m like “a-HA! I’ll call it Adventuroo.” Turns out everything happens for a reason because I couldn’t see myself writing under any of my original blog name ideas!

As for Momcomm. I first came up with Momunication but it was too long and didn’t QUITE sit well with me. I wanted the idea of marketing communication to come across somehow since that’s my background. I was asking hubby what he thought and he said, “What about shortening it to Momcomm?” And I knew it was perfect because it played off marcom, which is what the industry calls marketing communication. Brilliant!

Now for some of your responses (by the way I just LOVE reading these… so much variety!):

Kelli from Momma Needs a Beer:
Momma Needs a Beer is a phrase I would occasionally say in the midst of one of *those* days. Like… today! HA! I started my blog on a whim, and that was honestly the first blog-title that popped into my head, and I haven’t looked back!

Hanan from Lilac City Momma:

I live in the Lilac City and I’m a mom, pretty easy huh =P

Nicole from Arrows Sent Forth:

Not long after having our son, my husband and I came across the quote, “You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth,” from Kahlil Gibran. It summed up our parenting style so well, and particularly why we choose to travel as a family. Since that’s what I blog about, Arrows Sent Forth was born.

Audra from Rediscovering Domesticity:

I knew I wanted to not just do a deal/coupon blog – to do something deeper. I thought about it and prayed about it. I woke up one morning with Rediscovering Domesticity stuck in my head. It stuck!

Jill from Sublime Dream:

I started out as a big sublime fan in jr. High and as I grew up I realized just how much I loved the WORD sublime and it’s meaning. It soon became my moniker for everything- sublime life. It was my reminder to live my life in a way that brought me that sublime feeling. With my blog, the sublime life was taken. And in a grateful twist of fate, I thought of Sublime Dream. Motherhood was always a dream for me, one I once hadn’t thought I’d ever reach.

Finding sublimity in life to me has always been about viewing the good and bad times as a whole big picture and bring able to admire the beauty in it.

I primarily blog about parenting a child with Autism, my own ADHD, and thoughts on those subjects. So to me, my blog is a perfect fit with Sublime dream.

Caitlin from Pacifier in My Pocket:

I wanted to start a blog, but was waiting for the right name. One day I was walking down the hall in my office and found a pacifier in the pocket of my dress pants. It just kind of summed up life as a working Mom to me.

Kristin from Little Mama Jama:

Our pregnancy came as a surprise, as hubby and I were only 23 and had just started grad school. Between being young and quite short in stature, I came up with the “Little.” The “Mama Jama” part came from the song, “She’s a Bad Mama Jama” by Carl Carlton. :)

Rebecca from Because I’m the Mommy:

Because I’m the Mommy was something I heard other parents say to their children and I never wanted to be THAT parent. I never wanted to be a SAHM. That phrase incorporated everything I didn’t want to be–it explained my utter dissatisfaction with where my journey had taken me. The blog has been my way of finding my new identity and finding peace with my new journey.

Robin from Farewell, Stranger:

It started with a Twitter brainstorm with Kris from Pretty All True. Then I started looking at song titles and really liked “Goodbye Stranger” by Supertramp, because my blog started off as my experience with postpartum depression and I didn’t like who I had become as a result. Problem was that song is about a one-night stand or drug addiction (depending on your perspective), so my husband suggested “farewell” instead. And thus Farewell, Stranger was born.

Melissa from Growing Up Geeky:

I am a former math-lete and my husband is an oboe-playing organic chemist. Our kids won’t have a chance at being cool. Simple as that ;)

Jamee from A New Kind of Normal:

I was at a Women of Faith conference and was truly inspired by one of the speakers. She said that sometimes things happen in life and you cannot go back to the way things were. Instead you must find a new kind of normal. Ever since I was diagnosed, I have been on the search to find my new normal hence the name of my blog “A New Kind of Normal”

Nykki from Another Day in Paradise:

I heard this song a long time ago, and it just seems to fit mommy life perfect for us! Talks about everything going wrong or breaking but it’s “just another day in paradise” :)

Shannon from Baby Shmizz:

My nickname in college was Shizzle, and consequently my husband Mike became Mizzle. When my middle sister was in college, she started calling our apartment Hotel Shmizz (she used to use it as a halfway point when she was driving back and forth to home, and would often stay the night). So naturally, when Mike and I were TTC, we nicknamed our phantom baby “Baby Shmizz” and when I decided to start a blog, I thought it was a unique and catchy name.

Amy from Occupation: Mommy:

I had just had my third child when I started my blog, Occupation: Mommy, and I had spent a lot of time filling out forms for doctors and my oldest’s kindergarten. As a stay-at-home mom, I felt like I was more than a housekeeper. Being a mommy is my career right now, and my blog is where I embrace motherhood, encourage mommies, and evade laundry (until the pile threatens to overtake the house).

Janine from Janmary- Welcome to My World:

My blog is Janmary – Welcome to My World – something I say frequently to my husband if he is commenting (complaining!) about something to do with the home or the kids (homeworks forgotten, lost shoes) and I say “tell me about it! Welcome to my world :)  (The Janmary was my first online forum name, and it just kind of stuck!)

Lindsey from OutsideMom.com:

Truth be told I wanted “Outdoor”Mom dot com, but that URL was taken (not that it’s ever actually been used!). OutsideMom.com was the next best thing. It describes the blog perfectly, a Mom who lives for being outside.

Michelle from Fun on a Dime:

At the time in my life I was finding myself frustrated with the feeling like we couldn’t have fun unless we spent $, whether it was to buy stuff to make or to go out and do something. I looked at all these sites that promoted creativeness, but they were doing it on their own and I often wondered where their kids were when they were off creating. I wished for a site that promoted families spending time together with inexpensive activities…thus, my personal challenge was born. “I challenged myself to try something new to do, that could be free or cost a little, involve my family and do it twice a week. I started posting to keep myself accountable and now have Fun On a Dime

Erin from A Book for My Daughter:

For me, naming my blog was a lot like naming my children—it’s name has taken on a life of it’s own without me fully realizing the impact of it’s identity. My blog was inspired by my daughter who had asked me to write down the advice I often give her, so it seemed logical to name it “A Book for My Daughter.”

Sherrene from The Sugar Tree:

I had already given a name to my decorated sugar cookie hobby just because I really liked it (and ST are both my and husband’s initials!) so when I decided to blog about my cookie adventures I just used the same name so it matched and people that wanted to see my cookies could find it easily.

Michele from Mommy Forward:

I named my blog Mommy Forward after my desire to move my life forward and take better care of myself.

Leslie from Motherhood in Mexico:

My blog’s title was part of the tagline I used before my blog had an official name. After I had been blogging for a year, I figured it was time to get a custom domain and Motherhood in Mexico was the perfect description of my blog. :)

Amber from Click Pray Love:

I just changed my name from Amber’s Articles to @clickpraylove. Once I began considering a permanent domain I asked some friends for input. Courtney of Click It Up a Notch suggested Click.Pray.Love. to focus on the things I blog most about: my photography hobby, my faith in Christ, my love for my family (which includes a whole host of things–children’s activities, recipes, vacations, etc.)

Alison from Embrace Struggle:

I pulled the name “Embrace the Struggle” from the chorus of an El Debarge song called “Joyful.” I just love the part that goes: “I’ve learned to embrace the struggle whether I lose or I win!” It speaks to the reality that we are going to face struggles, so why not embrace them! God will get us through them.

Helena from WP for Moms:

WP for Moms is a shortened version of WordPress For Mommies (which I thought would work well because it sounded like WordPress for Dummies). I wasn’t allowed to use the full name “WordPress” in my URL so I shortened it.

Deb from Home Life Simplified:

My blog name has double meaning it is “home life” simplified as I talk about parenting, household management, routines and systems (personal productivity), but also “home” + “life” simplified as I have a larger goal of simplifying life – changing our mindset, letting go of perfectionism, finding positivity through gratitude, making choices based on your own family’s values rather than what anyone else says or does (including your own parents)

So tell me… How Did Your Blog Get Its Name??

If you answered on my Facebook page after my comment saying I had enough answers, I’d love for you to enter it below, too.

Be sure to like my Facebook page if you want to participate in the next Mashup. Woohoo!

Filed Under: Momcomm Mashup Tagged With: ,

What’s One Thing that Surprised You about Going to a Blog Conference?

October 27, 2011 By 9 Comments

Welcome to the Momcomm Mashup! What’s that mean? Once or twice a month, I post a question on my Facebook page. Leave your answer and your blog URL and I’ll take as many responses as possible and roll them into a post like this one! Featured peeps get a backlink. while you get tons of awesome responses from your peers. You are curious, right?

The question this time around was in honor of Bloggy Boot Camp Atlanta:

What’s One Thing that Surprised You about Going to a Blog Conference?

Here’s what some of you answered:

Erin from A Parenting Production:
Given that I’m an extrovert, I was pretty surprised at how uncomfortable and alone I felt at times. It’s always good to have a buddy.

Jackie from With Just a Bit of Magic:
I’ve only been to two conferences and they were both on the small side but what surprised me most of all was that some people actually knew who I was before meeting them in person! I loved it! I felt like I “made it”!

Sharon from Mom of 6:
I was surprised at how warm and welcoming everyone was at my first Bloggy Boot Camp! I went to the conference alone, not knowing anybody, and many attendees showed up in groups or pairs… but I found that as long as I was brave enough to walk up to someone or a group and introduce myself- everyone was willing to make room for another person in their conversation. And everyone was so willing to talk about what their blogging successes and challenges were… I learned alot just from meeting people!

Bernice from Living the Balanced Life:

How wonderful, yet exhausting they can be! You are taking in so much info, meeting so many new faces for hours and hours! Be sure to take care of yourself before and after and try to rest!

Keisha from Captured Footprints:

I was surprised by the great information that attendees can actually apply. Also, the fact that attendees {veterans and newbie} were willing to answer questions and squash concerns.

Janine from JanMary:

I was suprised about how much I learned, how friendly everyone was (even the rockstar bloggers like you!!!), I was surprised at how you all pronounce “niche” – (like nitch – here we say it like neesh!!) and I was surprised at how much I want to go to another one!!! Finally surprised at how clean my house was when I came home – I should leave them more often!

Jamee from A New Kind of Normal:

As an introvert, I was really surprised with how comfortable I felt! I think I talked more this weekend than I have in 2 years! It was definitely perfect for my first conference!

Alexandria from Before the Baby Wakes:
Given that I’m an extrovert, I was pretty surprised at how uncomfortable and alone I felt at times. It’s always good to have a buddy.

Rachel from And Then, She {Snapped}:
I went to BBC in Seattle and was surprised by my own behavior…I pretended to be outgoing the entire day!

Christina from The Frugal Homemaker and Centsible Savings:
Went to my first blog conference this past weekend BBCATL I was surprised at how comfortable I felt! I knew no one and am not usually one to venture out like that by myself, but everyone was very friendly and willing to introduce themselves. I learned so much not only from the speaker but from the host and the people at my tables throughout the table too. Although I knew I would learn a lot, I think was suprised at how much I came away with! :)

Suzanne from Pretty Swell:
How many amazing women are blogging! I went to my first BlogHer conference last year, and the number of people there was staggering. And inspiring.

Erin from A Book for My Daughter:
I went to the BlogHer Writers conference last Friday. Besides the incredible speakers and abundance of relevant information, I was surprised to meet so many women who were so willing to take the time to share their personal advice about writing and blogging.

Karen from In the Kitchen with KP:
Attending BBCAtl I was surprised to find so many great bloggers in my own area (Atl) that I didn’t know were out there! Can’t wait to continue connecting with everyone.

Dianna from The Kennedy Adventures:
I’ve been to two Bloggy Boot Camps (Baltimore and Philly) and was blown over by how genuinely NICE everyone is!

Goddess from Carpool Goddess:
I went to Bloggy Boot Camp last spring. Everyone one so nice and very excited to meet one another. I can’t wait until Vegas next year!

So tell me… What’s one thing that surprised You about going to a blog conference?

Be sure to like my Facebook page if you want to participate in the next Mashup. Woohoo!

Filed Under: Momcomm Mashup

What’s Been Your Proudest Moment in Blogging?

September 22, 2011 By 21 Comments

Welcome to the Momcomm Mashup! What’s that mean? Once or twice a month, I post a question on my Facebook page. Leave your answer and your blog URL and I’ll take as many responses as possible and roll them into a post like this one! Featured peeps get a backlink. while you get tons of awesome responses from your peers. You are curious, right?

The question this time around was:

What’s been your proudest moment in blogging?

Here’s what some of you answered (I love the variety here. You all should be proud indeed!):

Kim from Coffee Pot Chronicles:

Being able to survive the ups and downs of all of it without throwing in the towel. =)

 

Sophie from Sophie Playle:

Getting onto the first page of Google for the search ‘Critiquing Service.’

 

Eve from Beautiful Spit Up:

Reaching the one year milestone. I think I can officially call myself a blogger!

 

Kimberly from Sexy Chicken Was Here:

Being asked to guest post on a successful blog.

 

Sharon from Mom of 6:

My proudest moment in blogging? Can I have more than one? I am always so proud and happy when I receive a comment from a reader that tells me that something I wrote has helped them as a Mom in some way- that’s always HUGE for me. It’s why I blog! The 2nd proud moment was when I was selected as a finalist to be a speaker at SITS Girls Bloggy Boot Camp!

 

Amy from Baby Baby Lemon:

When someone I just met at the Newbie Breakfast at BlogHer said “Oh, I know you from twitter.”

 

Michelle from Fun on a Dime:

A random email I get from a reader that states something like, “even though I hardly make comments, I wanted to let you know we love your activities that we do. Keep up the good work.”

 

Darlene from Life on the Franco Farm:

My proudest moment in blogging: I wrote an article titled, “6 Things I Would Have to Believe Before Resuming Vaccinations.” It came from my heart, was heavily cited, and resonated with parents more than I ever dreamed. It had 6,000 shares on FB in one day, and is still the number one article on my blog. What made me proudest was the fact that it was a substantial article, written to challenge the status quo and make people think. Mission accomplished.

 

Traci from Walk Simply:

Remaining consistent with my posts and posting at least twice a week.

 

Jennifer from Momma Made It Look Easy:

When Jill (aka Scary Mommy) recognized me at Blogher.

 

Rachel from And Then She {Snapped}:

When Shauna Glenn commented on one of my posts!

 

Alexia from Babies and Bacon:

My proudest blogging moment was when I came forward about having a miscarriage. In a matter of hours friends, family members, blogging friends and complete strangers began sharing their stories with me. I felt like I had shined a light on this silent sisterhood of miscarriage survivors and it made me feel like I wasn’t alone in grief.

 

Tamara from Mom RN:

I’ve had several but most recently is being asked to speak at Blog World & New Media Expo in L.A. in November about podcasting for parent bloggers.

 

Laura from JourneyChic:

When I got a complimentary and very thoughtful comment from Greg Lawrence, VP of Creative Affairs at Calico Corners. As a total amateur, it was so rewarding to hear from someone high up in the industry. Plus, it proved that my SEO in that post totally worked, because he found it!

 

Beth from OMG Yummy:

When I wrote about my Grandma’s baking & why her children didn’t learn to bake as well and received RTs from many leading bloggers and the most heartfelt comments/conversation from people hoping to pass on their grandma’s legacy as well.

 

Michele from Mommy Forward:

Being chosen to blog for Women of Faith.

 

Jamie from My Chosen Chaos:

So far it’s been the winner of lovelinks via @freefringes.

 

Alaina from Telecommuting Mommies and The Maestro Mom:

Getting an email from a stay-at-home Mom telling me she got a job because of my blog, how many work-from-home scams she had fallen for and that she was about to have to go back to work and put the kids in daycare just to barely make ends meet.

 

Rebecca from Because I’m the Mommy:

My proudest moment has been inspiring other women in my real life community to find their voices and begin blogging for themselves.

 

Chrissy from Life as a CEO:

My proudest moment was when a reader emailed me to tell me that I encouraged them to tackle their own anxiety disorder & get the help they needed by being so open about my own on my blog!

 

Anna from My Life and Kids:

When someone other than my mom started reading it!

 

Keisha from Captured Footprints:

My proudest moment is when I finished designing my new blog and received my first comment!! It was like I hit the lottery!

 

Are these great answers or what? So tell me… What’s been your proudest moment in blogging?

Be sure to like my Facebook page if you want to participate in the next Mashup. Woohoo!

Filed Under: Momcomm Mashup

What Has Surprised You about Blogging?

August 25, 2011 By 13 Comments

Welcome to the Momcomm Mashup! What’s that mean? Once or twice a month, I post a question on my Facebook page. Leave your answer and your blog URL and I’ll take as many responses as possible and roll them into a post like this one! Featured peeps get a backlink. while you get tons of awesome responses from your peers. You are curious, right?

The question this time around was:

What has surprised you about blogging?

Here’s what some of you answered:

Carpool Goddess:
I had no idea how much fun and addicting blogging would be. My site is under construction, so for now I’m only on FB.

Jennifer from Frugal Front Porch:

The biggest surprise: how much time I spend on it from writing & managing my own to reading other people’s blogs to learning about how to improve my own blog. It can suck me in all day if I let it! :)

Jamee from New Kind of Normal:

I had no idea how many cool friends I would make! Like real i-could-totally-spill-my-guts-to friends!

Erin from A Book for My Daughter:

I had always wanted to write SOMETHING, but I honestly didn’t know if I could do it. The feedback about my writing ability has surprised me, energized me, and completely altered my perception of myself. It has been a gift.

Robin from Farewell Stranger:

How many different opportunities there are – link-ups, memes, prompts, etc. So many great ways to stretch those creative muscles.

Carri from Mommy’s Little Monster Blake:

How many brilliant, supportive women there are.

Nicole from Arrows Sent Forth:

Two things:
1.) That I would actually make friends and network through this medium (I had assumed you just blog in isolation prior to starting my own!) and how much time is spent on things other than actually writing posts (Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, linking up, commenting on other sites, attending conferences, etc.)

Kristin from Kadbury Is… Thinking Out Loud:

I am constantly surprised that people want to read the junk… I mean {fabulous stuff} that I write about. If, on the off chance that I look at stats and see high numbers, will think to myself, ‘who are these people? That was the worst thing I’ve ever written, and… they loved it! They’re eating it up! I ought to write {fabulous stuff} junk like this more often…’ Although I jest, that is still the thing I’m most surprised about.

Jennifer from Momma Made It Look Easy:

That by sharing my stories I would learn that I’m not alone. We are all going through something and by telling what it is we can find others to share our burden with.

Alexia from Babies to Bacon:

It allows amazes me that I feel like I know all these different women and children so well, just from reading their blogs despite never having met in real life. It’s like having a huge extended support system all across the country!

Laura from Hollywood Housewife:

How much time it actually takes! The beat bloggers make it look so easy, but it’s very time consuming to make and promote a quality blog.

Rebecca from Because I’m a Mommy:

Is it wrong to say that it always surprises me that people are actually reading my blog?

Dianna from The Kennedy Adventures:

That I would learn SO much, connect with other women, and CRAVE writing!

Jennifer from Just Jennifer:

So many things have surprised me! How much I love my blog, like it’s a piece of me, the connections I’m making with other bloggers and, like Jennifer Clark said, how much time I can spend reading, writing, tweeting, commenting.

Kristi from The Robot Mommy and Nuts and Bolts in the Kitchen:

How many rad people blog and how many wanna be blogging friends with me…..despite my crazy behavior….or maybe because of it :)

Classic Mommy:

I’m surprised at all of the opportunities that I have received simply from writing about my challenges and adventures in parenting. I am starting a new job writing for a tech company, and can do it all from home! Yeah! I’m also surprised at the support that us women give to each other from the blogging community. Meeting other bloggers and reading about their struggles has encouraged and inspired me at the times that I’ve needed it most.

Judy from Coffee Jitters:

I never expected to make so many friends through blogging ♥

 

Tell me, what’s surprised YOU about blogging?

Be sure to like my Facebook page if you want to participate in the next Mashup. Plus you’ll get a sample PDF of my new DIY Blog Critique eBook. Woohoo!

Filed Under: Momcomm Mashup Tagged With:

If You Had $500 to Spend on Your Blogging, What Would You Spend It On?

July 14, 2011 By 14 Comments

Welcome to the Momcomm Mashup! What’s that mean? Once or twice a month, I post a question on my Facebook page. Leave your answer and your blog URL and I’ll take as many responses as possible and roll them into a post like this one! Featured peeps get a backlink. while you get tons of awesome responses from your peers. You are curious, right?

The question this time around was:

If you had $500 to spend on your blogging, what’d you’d spend it on?

Here’s what some of you answered:

Erica from Mrs. Day:
I’d spend it on a professional logo.

Ryan from The Woven Moments:
A new laptop. Or a blogging course.

Michele from The Bona Fide Life:
Absolutely a conference!

Karen from Random Thoughts From a Suburban Mom:
A conference like BlogHer or Evo. I’ve been writing for awhile but have only recently become an affiliate, and would like to learn how to maximize income potential while stating true to my “voice.”

Tiffany from Snarky Momma:
I need a professional to code my site to my specifications. I could probably do it myself, but am sure I would break it first. I’d like something more magazine-style rather than chronological. That way when I’m feeling not-so-bloggy, evergreen content is still easy to sort through.

Kimberly from Sexy Chicken Was Here:
Original artwork for a logo/title and advanced blogging software.

Rachel from And Then, She Snapped:
I would spend it on a blog conference. Such great opportunities there to meet new blogger friends.

Fun on a Dime:
I would spend it on basics like hosting and those little things that add up. And then the rest on education to learn more about what I can do to improve!

Vi from Confessions of a Vi3tBabe:
Oh, what I wouldn’t give for this! I’d spend it on FINALLY transferring from Blogger to WordPress, hosting, a new blog design, some Bloggy business cards, and possibly a giveaway for my fantastic followers =)

Alexandria from Before the Baby Wakes:
I’d spend it on advertisement. I’ve spent a few bucks here & there & when I do it is SUPER helpful.

Jamee from A New Kind of Normal:
I’m torn between my own laptop and a blogging conference! I need both!

Eve from Beautiful Spit-Up:
I’d spend it on a blog conference, like BlogHer or Type A! I had such an amazing time at BBCBOS, I’d love to meet more bloggers and learn even more about the business of blogging.

Erin from Tales from a Marketing Mama:
I think I would do a conference too. Although I am in the throws of total blog overhaul – moving to WordPress and redesign.

Sarah from The Fence:
I’d spend it on a complete face lift for my bloggy space. And there are a few things I’d like to learn to tweak myself organizationally.

Jennifer from Momma Made It Look Easy:
Right now? Something to do with BlogHer. I’m going in August and an extra $500 would be awesome.

Judy from Coffee Jitters:
I would definitely go to BlogHer. I’ve been wanting to go since the first one. I recently attended a smaller blog conference, Bloggy Boot Camp, here in Seattle, and I must say that the opportunity to interact and network with other bloggers, face to face, was worth so much more than I paid.

Laura from Hollywood Housewife:
I would take a hands-on photography course. I feel like that’s a weak spot on my blog and those that have good photos just look so much better and make a powerful first impression.

Lindsey from Outside Mom:
I would buy TIME! Time to sit down and strategize, brainstorm, write and get more organized. Because I have a day job and two kids free time is hard to come by. Ideally the $500 would allow me to take a few days off work and head up to a cabin for my own personal blogging retreat. I would hike (that’s when I do my best thinking), write, hike, think, eat, sit in a hammock, think, write, eat etc… I know I would come back with a better vision for my blog. Wow, I need to do this!

Jacki from The Raven’s Spell:
Attending a blog conference. Really, it is hard to narrow down because there is so much you could spend that money on, but blog conferences will always be the last thing I invest in because they can be so expensive and feel indulgent to me.

Brynn from Using My Words:
I would definitely spend it on a great camera! I’m in desperate need of one and I love photography. Great photos make such an impact on a blog. A picture is worth a thousand words! So true.

Calamity Queen:
I would do a few things: hire my blog designer to do a little more work for me; pay for an ad on a large-ish blog, and buy several goodies for giveaways for my readers!

Nicole from The Gloss Girls:
Blog design and BABYSITTER to play with kids so I can spend some time writing!!!!!!!

Kelli from Mommy, Where Are You:
Photography. It’s my greatest (blog) weakness at this time. I find myself drawn to all the photos of bloggers and their families when I’m reading posts and perusing sites so I know it’s really important for success.

So tell me… what would you spend it on?

Be sure to like my Facebook page if you want to participate in the next Mashup. Woohoo!

Filed Under: Momcomm Mashup Tagged With: ,

If You Could Start Your Blog Over, What’s One Thing You’d Change?

June 2, 2011 By 15 Comments

Welcome to the very first Momcomm Mashup! What’s that mean? Once or twice a month, I’ll post a question on my Facebook page. Leave your answer and your blog URL and I’ll take 10-15 of the responses and roll them into a post like this one!

The question this time around was:

If you could start your blog all over again knowing what you know now, what’s the biggest thing you would change?

Here’s what some of you answered:

Mrs. Monologues from Mrs. Monologues:
I actually just did this about two weeks ago! I had a blog that was great and had about 1200 followers, but I was so unhappy. When I started the blog I only wanted to write fluff, but after time people see it only as a happy go lucky blog and if I tried to write anything else outside of that I would get a negative response. I wanted to be able to write for me, not for someone else. Isn’t that why we all blog? So I decided to make the other blog private and start my new blog as Mrs. Monologues. It is now a place where I write about what I want both the good and the bad. Where fluff pieces of just posting to post no longer happen. I am so happy about having my new platform.

Kim from Coffee Pot Chronicles:
I’d pay more attention to design and consider honing in a bit more on a niche. I think I’ve done well regardless but I can see how it could be better.

Jamie from All My Loose Ends:
I’d have worked harder on design as well as finding a way to fit my tag line and blog direction (I don’t feel as though I have a niche) into the name of the blog. Love the name. Love how it defines my life. Don’t love how it relates to how I blog.

Jill from Prairie Homestead:
I think I would try to name it something that is more all-inclusive. Although my current name (The Prairie Homestead) seemed like a good idea at the time, I’m afraid that it might deter some readers who live in the city, etc, even though my blog is geared towards homesteaders of all kinds.

Jenny from So Very Me:
I’d never start that whole review blog crap… and I’d get rid of my ads. *nods*

Jen from Life with Levi:
I would reconsider my blog name & URL – Life With Levi is awesome and all, but what if I have another child down the road?

Andrea from Lil Kid Things:
I would start it on WordPress and never look back!

Jill from Suburban Socialites:
Given the chance to start over, I would have definitely started on WordPress from the very beginning, and I would have planned out my vision and niche better from the start. As it stands, my grand plan for the site has grown and changed quite a bit through the years. Suggestions and ideas welcomed!

Lindsay from Lindsay Blogs:
I wouldn’t have just jumped in head first. I would have read other blogs and found out what makes a successful blog tick before I just dove in and started with the “see what works” method.

Jamee from A New Kind of Normal:
I would have started out with the expectation that someone else was going to read it so that I would pay more attention to my writing. My earliest posts are almost comical how bad they are! I should have put more thought into it instead of just jumping on the bandwagon and having to later figure out what it is I really want to do.

Alissa from Have Stroller Will Travel:
I would have chosen a shorter URL. It’s just too long to type out and to have anywhere…too long. Also, would have set up a plan first, figured out where I wanted to go with it, done some research on platforms, etc.

Jenni from Single Mom Who Am I:
I would have had someone professionally setup my blog, instead of winging it all myself. The design is okay, but could be better (when I have the time, I plan on working on it more). I also would have never abandoned a previously started blog, that had a good following. I lost some followers in the change over, and I’ve had a hard time gaining back a following. However, after the change over I do feel like my blog is serving more of a purpose – for a while a lost sight of who I was writing for.

Cee from Kid Things:
I’ve been blogging since the late 90′s, before it was called blogging, but I’ve gone through countless URLs/domains, so what I wish I would have done is just pick a place and stick with it. I’ve lost so many entries and written down memories over those years.

So tell me… what would you change?

Be sure to like my Facebook page if you want to participate in the next Mashup. Woohoo!

Filed Under: Momcomm Mashup Tagged With: , ,

To the Top