Hola chicos, I have been blogging for 2 months now. It took me a lot of time to feel brave enough to have the courage to start this blog and of course find the time to commit to it.
I must admit that it has been very hard so far. It is a lot of work and means many late nights for me. I have in some occasions been up until 4am in an effort to get things done which means having literally only 2 hours of sleep because my little one wakes up around 6am. Yes it is damn hard being a blogger and also a vlogger (I have a YouTube channel too). I still feel that I need more hours during the day to reach my daily goals. I hope this changes one day and I manage to get much more organised with my posts. I guess getting to that point takes time and of course lots of practice.
The blogging community is very supportive which is very nice. There are lots of tips and helpful posts that I have found that have saved me a lot of time which I’m really grateful for. There is so much to learn and it seems like there is always something new everyday. The commitment of having a blog is huge and some of these things require an investment, here is a list of just some of the things I needed to resolve:
- What platform should I choose?
- Will it be self hosted or not?
- What theme do I want for my blog?
- How would I like my blog to look?
- What plugins and widgets will I use?
- How can I insert/link my social media accounts?
- How do I write my first post?
- How do I add photos and images?
- How do I create and set up a feature image?
- How do I layout my homepage?
- How do I show sharing buttons?
- How do I allow adverts in my blog?
- How do I add badges like Tots1OO, Klout, etc?
- How will my blog look on different types of devices (mobile, tablet, desktop, etc),
- How do I setup email subscriptions for my blog?
After this you need to promote your posts by sharing your work through linky parties and using the various social media channels to drive traffic to your posts and videos. Social engagement is a really important aspect and a good amount of time needs to be committed to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Visiting and commenting on other blogs posts is really important also as it increases your profile in the community and will hopefully bring some traffic back to you too.
This is a job that demands constant attention. You always want to do more and more. Your goals grow by the day. I’m still learning new things daily which I hope will help to make my blog known by others. Being a blogger, you have to be involved with everything, such as dealing with the administrative part of the job, producing the content as well as promoting it. Wow, I’m already tired just writing this down LOL. You have to be extremely organised in order to succeed in this world. I still don’t understand how other bloggers find the time to write more than one post per day! I can hardly do 3 posts per week! This is a learning process for me and something that I’m desperate to improve. I hope I can do one post per day and schedule them with anticipation. This is my next goal.
I will try to do an update of how I’m doing with my blog every 3 months which is a fair amount of time to be able to achieve something new. At the moment there is still a lot to do. Another thing that I have seen a lot through this community is the friendship that bloggers have developed between each other. For me this is still too soon to get to that point but certainly there are some nice people around. I’m shy at the beginning and it is not easy to approach people but I’m working on it and will try to interact much more with other bloggers. I know this is really important as you can share information and get an opinion of your blog and your posts. I hope next time that I discuss this topic, I can say that I have made a number of friends already. It would be very nice 😉
Thanks for stopping by,
Love you all ❤️
Franca 💋
I would love to by a Breville toaster 🙂
I’d buy Blu-rays
Books! Always books!
Love this! I would certainly agree that blogging takes a lot of time, just just thinking, planning and writing/filming posts but all the contact and building relationships too. Great giveaway, I think if I won it would be books!
Thank you Kayleigh! I can tell you are a blogger too 😉 Thanks for commenting my post and for entering this giveaway!! Good luck, xx
I would buy a felting kit! I have recently learned how to felt and am addicted!
I’d love to buy some natural/organic skincare and cosmetics x
Probs some new books
07817090118
I have my eye on an actifry! I would put it towards that 🙂
I would put it towarda a food mixer that I am saving up for.
I think I would use it for presents for others … or maybe save it for a rainy day!
If I was lucky enough to be chosen as the winner, I would buy my Mum a new book – she loves historical murder mysteries especially by Susanna Gregory and C J Sansom 😀
sleeping bag
I would buy some trainers for my daughter for school.
I have no idea how you cope on 2 hours sleep I would collapse into a puddle, but I agree it takes a lot more of my time than I thought it would. Good luck and thank you for the competition x
I’m starting to get better with my times now. I’m trying to do that less and less otherwise I’ll certainly collapsed! Blogging is hard work but I love it! 🙂 Thank you for commenting Laura!! x
I WOULD BUY CD’S
Jewellery and books!
I would get me a nice personal planner and some washi tape. I’m obsessed with planner videos on YouTube at the moment and want to give it a go x
I would put it towards a camera
It’d go on new trainers.
I would put towards a steam cleaner, Ive always wanted one but this would be an ideal opportunity
I would buy a new pair of trainers
I’d buy some xmas gifts
Would buy my 10 month old something new 🙂
I will put it towards some photography books for college 🙂
Franca, you are doing AMAZINGLY well, and as your children get older you do get more time to yourself, but you also miss having little ones around, so enjoy them. In amongst all the time you give to everything/everyone else, make sure you leave some time for you. Not only does it help you & your children, but it also really recharges the batteries, even if it’s something as simple as a nice long walk.
Re the blog, it’s fantastic… be proud of yourself, you deserve to be. Thanks so much for a thoughtful and a generous giveaway, it is very much appreciated. If I did win it, I’d treat myself to some books, there are so many I have picked up, loved the look of and then put down. Fingers crossed!!!!!
Huge thanks once again and wishing you loads of luck with all your endeavours, although it seems you are doing pretty well already 🙂 xxx
Thank you so much Sara for your comment and advice! It is really nice to read comments likes yours. It gives me more energy to keep going. Thank you so much too for entering in our giveaway! Good luck! 🙂 xx
I would buy some books for my baby girl.
A treat toy for my son 🙂
I’m saving up for a new music system by topping up my Amazon Account so it would go towards that
Hemsley + Hemsley Spiralizer . i always wanted one
I would like to buy my baby boy a new gro bag and probably some toys 🙂
I would put it towards toys for my little ones birthday
I would save it towards christmas…. what is it 15 Fridays away???? 😉
I would get some books
I would buy e-books
I would put it towards a fitbit
I would buy some lovely new picture frames for all of the summer pics of my little ones.
PS – don’t be so hard on yourself – you’re doing really well. It’s so difficult to get anything done when you have little ones to look after. xx
Thank you so much for you comment and advice Alix. I know things are never easy with kids. Will try to relax a little bit more for now on. Thank you for entering into our giveaway. Good Luck, 🙂
I would treat myself to some books
books- I love books
I would buy some picture board books for my little Grandson
I would love to buy new shoes 🙂
A bottle of perfume that I am struggling to find anywhere else, but it is available on Amazon.
I would use it buy Frozen party supplies for my daughters upcoming 4th birthday
I think I would put it towards some books 🙂
I’d buy some new tshirts!
I need a new keyboard.
i would buy some gifts for my sons bday something thomas and friends xx thanks fabgiveaway and really cute video in the rafflecopter x
I’m glad you like the video!! Made me happy to know that you watched it!! Thanks for entering into our giveaway. Good Luck, 🙂 xx
Some new books
I would buy books
I will either put it towards Christmas presents or buy books
I would put it toward my sons birthday presents x
I would put it towards new school shoes for both my boys
I would by a really nice dog bed for my dog who is expecting puppies soon.
Lovely post. I have blogging for a year and a bit but still feel like a newbie, I am shy too and find it hard to start converstions through social media etc. I look forward to reading your update in three months time and wish you all the luck in your blogging/vlogging journey!
Becky-LittleOandme xx
#Momsterslink
Thank you so much Becky for your comment! It is nice to know that there are some bloggers out there that feel the same way than me. We should join forces LOL. Thanks for stopping by from #momsterslink, 🙂 xx
I only started blogging this week and taking things slowly at the moment. Great post, thanks
Thank you Bethany. It is a good idea to take thinks slow. Good luck with your blog too! 😉 xx
Most probably lego for grandson
Great post, there is loads to think about isn’t there! I don’t know if this will make you feel better or worse, but six months in I still often find myself writing posts at 4am lol! #momsterslink
Debbie
I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one crazy out there staying until silly hours!! Thanks so much for sharing this post, I really appreciate that! 🙂 xx
Hi Franca, I am a newish blogger too and also find it hard finding the time to raise my profile, especially with a 7mth old who needs all my time.
I’d buy something nice for the house as we’d like to decorate.
Nice post – Lisa x
It is nice to hear that I’m not alone with this feeling. I guess finding time is the hardest for all of us but we do our best because we love it right? 😉 Thank you for entering this giveaway and I wish you good luck!! xxx
There are a few books I have my eye on that this would seriously be useful in purchasing xx
Blogging is hard work, it seems to have a habit from turning from a hobby into something more – least mine has anyway and hubby thinks I am having an affair with my laptop… I am sure it will get easier the longer we keep at it. Thank you for running such a great giveaway 🙂 I would probably buy something for myself instead of Monkey for a change! xx #Momsterslink
Your are right about blogging turning from a hobby into something more. It is because we all love it so much even though it is such a hard work! I hope things get easier too. Thank you so much for commenting and for entering into this giveaway. I wish you good luck! 😉 xx
a game for my son x
Some barbecue utensils
I would like to buy the Game of Thrones Boxset x
Books – my wishlist is long and my purse is small 😀
My wife is constantly finding household items to buy on Amazon, so it would go towards those….
I’m going to buy a very special birthday for my wife with the vouchers. I don’t want to say what it is though — she might be reading!
I’d by myself some much needed new walking shoes, thanks for the giveaway.
you are welcome! Thanks for entering into this giveway, xx
maybe a kindle
i would put it towards xmas presents.
Blogging takes an enormous amount of time and anyone who reaches out to me and asks me about what they need to do to get into it I tell them that they must think about whether or not they want or have the time to commit to it. People don’t understand blogging until they have actually done SERIOUS blogging. Thank you for sharing this with #momsterslink. I love your blog and hope you continue with it.
You are absolutely right! It demand a long time and you need to be serious about it!! Thanks for commenting and hosting Trista! 🙂 xx
I think I’d treat myself and son to some new coloring books as we’ve recently starting doing this together in the evenings and Amazon has some amazing ones.
what a wonderful blog you have here well done xx
Thank you so much lovely!! xx
i would treat my son as its his 18th soon
I’d stock up on supplies for my return to university in September!
Great post!
Thank you so much Janet! xx
It takes AGES doesn’t it?! Writing, taking pictures, editing, designing, posting, commenting, filming, more editing!! The list is endless — anyone who things blogging is an easy job should try it for a week!! 🙂 Thanks so much for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday — hope to see you again next week! x
Caro | http://www.thetwinklediaries.co.uk
Exactly!!1 So much to do! It is not easy at all!! xx
I would get some new knives with it.
l would buy myself some books
Probably a few DVDs!
Both my children are avid readers so it would have to be books I think 🙂
I’d save it ready for Christmas x
We could really do with a new kettle so I would use it to get that x
Something for the baby I am expecting in october
Baby stuff!
I’d put it towards a birthday present for my husband.
I would put it towards a Lego Demolition set for my son
Some plates and cutlery
Birthday and Christmas presents for my ever increasing family
I’d put it towards birthdays and Christmas! Well done on the blog – I wouldn’t have guessed it was only two months old!
Aww thank you Rachel! What a nice comment! 🙂 xx
Shoes! Obviously haha
I would either put it towards a fitbit or buy some Rainbow Magic books for our little girl 🙂
Start my xmas shopping x
i would buy some books for my kindle 🙂
Books! Always books!
I have 3 kids to buy for xmas so i would put it towards one of their many gifts
I would probably buy some books.
Books – I always need more of those!!!
I’d put it towards a new lens for my camera
Some new books and DVDs
id buy books and music
Buy my grandson the teddy he has his heart set on. He’s lost his favourite one, so it would make him so happy.
Lots of good books ready for winter 🙂
New trainers
I would by Big Hero 6 dvd for my children (and maybe one or two others for them)
I would buy something for the home maybe some new lampshades. Real excited stuff lol!
Would have to be toys to start off my Christmas shopping
I’d put it towards a Kindle. I cant fir anymore books on the shelves and its about time I became more tech aware!
I need to get a sat nav!
Probably some books and maybe a Pop Vinyl for my collection
i would buy a couple of books that I have my eye on
What an amazing prize! I would put it towards buying some new tiles for our bathroom!
Thank you lovely!! Glad you like the prize!!! 🙂 xx
I would buy a safety shoes for work.
a cheap android tablet for my uncle – he is nearly 70 and really wants one but i dont want to buy him something mega expensive as he may end up not using it much
Buy a dress for an upcoming dinner.
I’d buy a new kettle. Thanks
I’d like to get some epsom salts and coconut oil to make my own scrub to ease my psoriasis.
I would love to treat myself to some new books.
A new kettle
Some cute shoes for Mum 🙂
A new memory card for my camera 🙂 Would love to have a spare!
Some books from my wishlist!
I would buy something for my grandson – I love to spoil him x
Great video! I’d buy books.
AWW Thank you Susan!! So happy you like the video!! 🙂 xx
i will buy a new vinyl record.
ID BUY MYSELF SOME ADULT COLOURING BOOKS AND PENS, AND ‘HOME’ ON DVD FOR MY LITTLE GIRL XX
A 3DS game 🙂
Some toys for my little granddaughter
Some new cooking items for my kitchen, measuring jugs etc
Towards christmas and birthday presents
something for my little man 😀
Dylon I am in dyeing frenzy.
Thomas the tank engine bedding for my grandson
I would buy a much needed new keyboard for my PC 🙂
Some stationery supplies for my university course
Some Julia Donaldson books for my daughter 🙂 x
Some wall art for BabaBumpNo3’s nursery #9WeeksandCounting
I’d put it towards Christmas shopping 🙂
Flash Memory Cards.
There are several CDs on my shopping list
I’m desperate to get a new electric hand whisk as my current model is struggling to keep up with the cooking! Lovely giveaway and I enjoy using the gleam app.
Thank you Julie!! I’m glad you like the giveaway and the gleam app!! 🙂 xx
I would buy new cushions for our lounge…