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Theta Mom®

Redefining Motherhood

The 8 Rules of Blogging

One year ago today I clicked the word publish on this blog. At that very moment Theta Mom was born but never did I imagine how this Mission would resonate with so many and how a true Community would form with the same principles.

Today, I am sharing some posts that directly relate to my blogging experience over the last twelve months. I hope you gain some insight and find inspiration as you read through them. I certainly don’t have all of the answers as I am still learning and navigating my way through this thing called blogging, but what I can offer is what I have learned thus far.

So here are my ‘8 Rules of Blogging’ I’ve come to live by:

1. Set some blog standards. Make some privacy decisions that are right for YOU. Decide whether to share names, other personal information, photos, etc. and make sure it is at your discretion and comfort level. Forget what everyone else is doing – it’s YOUR blog. You call the shots so make your own rules that work for you and live by them.

2. Focus on writing compelling content, creating a clean blog design and integrating social media to get return blog followers. Many followers will come and go but you want to build a readership that will stick around for the long haul.

3. Build your following through the power of social media. Get yourself out there! You could have the most gorgeous blog design and amazing content but if nobody knows you exist, the blog following will not be established. Get active and stay active through various social media platforms that work for you. Network, engage in conversation and continuously put yourself out there.

4. Blogging takes a lot of time, dedication and hard work. You need to balance blogging with the rest of your life or you will quickly land in bloggy burnout. I was on this very road and if I didn’t put my blogging in check I most certainly would have burnt out. Forget the guilt, stress and pressure ‘to keep up’ and remember why you started blogging in the first place.

5. If you choose to perform reviews and giveaways on your blog be sure you know who you are working with. Do your homework on each company and don’t accept every pitch that comes your way. By being very selective with whom you work with will actually make you more marketable.

6. Don’t measure your blog worth in numbers because that’s all they are – a bunch of numbers. Measure your success in rich content and the connections that you make along the way. When you write a post you are most proud of, that is true validation.

7. No matter how successful you are at blogging you will receive some negative comments and not everyone will like you. In fact, some will continue to carry on conversations about you elsewhere. Don’t ever let this get you down. It’s their issue NOT yours. Be confident in what you do and continue to rise above the nonsense because in the end that’s all the negativity is – nonsense.

8. Above all else, blog with a purpose. Find your niche, know who you are and blog to your heart’s content. As long as you stay true to yourself and maintain authenticity in this process your readers couldn’t ask for anything more.

And to my readers, a very special thank you – for making my first full year in the blogosphere such an amazing experience. This blog wouldn’t be all that it is without the support of this readership. I adore each and every comment, subscription, tweet and email.

More than you know.

Comments

  2. Congrats on your 1 year anniversary! I can’t believe you accomplished so much in so little time. Thanks for the tips, but I’ve struggled with finding my niche. I feel so eclectic -writing blog? divorce blog? mommy blog? I don’t know where I fit in!
    .-= Vivianne´s last blog ..A New View and an Epiphany =-.

    Reply

  4. Really fantastic post here, and so true. . . I needed this today, for so many reasons! (#6 and #8, specifically)

    Thanks, again! (And Congratulations for putting something out there in blogland that SO MANY people respect … you should be so proud of what you have done! This Theta Mom commmunity is amazing, thanks to you!)
    .-= Leanne´s last blog ..Obsessions =-.

    Reply

    • Thank you SO MUCH for that awesome comment Leanne – this community shows that the mission set forth here is resonating with women – and for that alone, I am so grateful!
      .-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..Happy Weekend =-.

      Reply

  12. Well I’m new to blogging, but I think I definitely needed to read what you wrote “The 8 Rules of Blogging.” Yup, I’m definitely addicted, and I’m almost certain my cats would die of hunger if I don’t come up for air…but it’s so much fun!
    Thank you for the advice,
    Sandra
    .-= Sandra´s last blog ..First Timer =-.

    Reply

  19. First time here!
    Love what you are doing and really enjoyed this post. Especially #1. I am new to the world of blogging, and I look around and see all of these seemingly well read blogs and that’s great, but really not me. You are correct, it’s my blog so I get to decide what is right! I feel like one small person with one big mission, and you reminded me of that.
    .-= Amy Sullivan´s last blog ..Random Ski Lift Guy =-.

    Reply

  25. Heather,
    I just wanted to stop by to congratulate you on an incredible year and an incredible community you have built. I have been visiting the other posts describing why they are Theta moms, and every one is unique and individual, like the moms that we all are. Your work is inspiring, top quality, and compelling. Here’s to your second year and beyond.

    Sincerely yours,
    Sarah Baron
    Anonymous8

    Reply

    • Sarah,
      Your comment means so much! Thank you! I agree, the posts were compelling and so telling of how this mission has truly resonated with so many…it was a wonderful way to bring this all full circle for me.

      I look forward to next year and beyond with you as well! Thanks for reading and sharing this awesome comment.
      .-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..Happy Weekend =-.

      Reply

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