How to blog

If you like the sound of blogging (people tend to love or hate the idea), here are a few things you might want to consider before you begin:

Things to think about before you start.

• Although many people start out wanting to blog anonymously (because they want the freedom to say what they like without offending friends or family), it is almost impossible to remain anonymous. Your name will rarely be more than a few clicks away.
• Blogging can seem like the perfect opportunity for a little light revenge or venting of the spleen in relation to one's ex, say. This is rarely dignified and could result in legal issues, embarrassment and unnecessary animosity. (Better to save those rants for a more private diary!)
  
  
• Assume that the person you don'tt want to read your blog (your ex? Your in-laws? Your child? Your mum?) will one day find it. It is probably best to take this into account from the start. 
  
  
• Even if you delete things from your blog, it can still be retrieved by anyone who is keen to do so. 
  
  
• Think very carefully about revealing any details about yourself and your children, including photos. (You really don't know who will read your blog. You should ensure that you are not exposing yourself and your children to danger). Everyone has to make their own choice, but my advice would be: no real names; no recognizable photos; no clues as to where you live. 
  
  
• Blogging can become addictive. Don’t neglect your ‘non-virtual’ family, friends and work just because your ‘virtual friends’ seem to like you more!

How to Blog

• Read other people’s blogs, and find some you love. (A good starting place is the Tots 100 list compiled by Who’s the mummy?
  
  
• Decide what your blog is about (life is too big to fit in a blog – it helps to be specific and focused). It could be about the chewy bits you find in your life of single parenthood, others are about being a new mum, a single dad, potty training, making things, cooking…you name it.
• Focus on an aspect of your life or interests that you feel passionately about, write about something that really interests you.
  
  
• Decide on a name for your blog. (Spend time on this. Make sure it is unique - google it to make sure no one else is using it. Make it catchy and something you are happy to live with.)
  
  
• Choose a platform. Blogger is free and very easy to use. Other platforms include Wordpress or TypePad.
  
  
• Sign up to your chosen platform
  
  
• Write your first post. (Often easier to do this is in a word document first, then cut and paste into blog page – it gives you more time to edit and more time to think about words of wisdom you are sending out into the world!)
  
  
• Press the publish button.  Welcome to the world of blogging!
  
  
• Bounce around the blogosphere and leave comments on blogs you like, – it’s a way of inviting others to visit your blog. (Read To blog or not to blog? before you do).
  
  
• Join British Mummy Bloggers BMB (It’s for Dads too!). It’s free and it’s a great way to connect with lots of other bloggers – new and experienced. In addition BMB has lots of discussion groups you can join, such as: new to blogging; product reviews; single parenting; parenting teenagers; how to get people to visit your blog. It’s a great place to find information, help and assistance.
  
  
• Lastly, step away from the computer and reconnect with real life!

Other stuff to read about blogging:

For other accounts of the why and how to blog read: A Modern Mother’s complete guide to starting a mummy blog or Who’s the mummy? on How to be a mummy blogger. 

If you want more of the techy stuff, take a peek at DavePress’ 8 tips for beginner bloggers.

If you want to know more about blogging parents generally, here’s what The Telegraph and The Independent have to say.