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A UK Pregnancy, Parenting and Lifestyle Blog
September 14, 2016

How to start a blog

I’ve been getting a lot of questions through recently about how I started my blog, so I thought it might be a good idea to write a post with some tips and pointers for anyone thinking about starting their own!

how to start a blog

Choose a name with longevity

I decided to change mine after about a year of blogging and it was an absolute nightmare getting everything switched over. Think of something that will represent you for years and years to come. Share it with a few close people for advice but not too many people. Too many opinions are usually counterproductive!

Choose your hosting platform wisely

I started on Blogger but once I got more serious about blogging I wanted to go self hosted, which meant I had to switch to WordPress. It was a bit of a pain getting it all switched over and I do still find WordPress harder to work with than Blogger. There are lots and lots of very successful blogs on Blogger so just go with the one that you feel most comfortable with. Keep in mind that Blogger is more basic and doesn’t have as much scope for web developers to code it to your specific wants in the future. If you want your own domain name, that’s easy enough to do as well and also a great idea. I’m with GoDaddy.

Choose a template design that reflects your personality

There are so many free templates out there that look great or you can pick up a reasonably priced one on Etsy. Chances are you will change your mind on your design at some point and want to freshen it up. A nice, clean, responsive design that works on all devices is the best way to go. If you’re getting really serious there are lots of designers and and illustrators out there that can custom design things for you. Again Etsy is good for finding those sorts of services, or Instagram.

Set up separate social media accounts

It’s easier to have separate social media accounts, from your personal ones, for your blog. It looks more professional and is much easier to manage. It’s often a good idea to have the same profile picture for them all as well because it makes you easier to find.

Engage in the blogging community

Whether it’s a beauty, fashion, parenting, lifestyle or anything in between blog you are thinking of starting, one of the best things you can do, to get yourself out there, is to engage in your blogging community. Us lot in the ‘parenting community’ are a very friendly bunch and are always happy to help each other out, whether it’s through a retweet or a linky etc.

Post regular content

In the beginning, it’s often quite a good idea to post your content on specific days so people know when to expect something new to read. It also gives you something to work towards and you’ll quickly have some established content on your site which will look good to those stumbling across your blog.

Don’t compare yourself to others, but do take inspiration

There is no point comparing yourself to others, We all have our own style and that’s the beauty of blogging – it’s open to everyone. It is a great idea to take inspiration from other blogs that you love though. Be sure to follow all your faves and engage on their sites and social media accounts…but don’t link dump. Nobody likes link dumping!

And the most important one…

Enjoy it

You can make a living from blogging (although I work full time and just supplement my income with what I earn through blogging and YouTube) but it shouldn’t be all about that. You should be doing it because you genuinely love and enjoy it. It shows through your writing when you genuinely enjoy what you are talking about so people will be more likely to engage with your content.

Hope that helps. I’m thinking of doing some more posts in this series, such as tips on starting a YouTube channel, tips on blog photography etc so just let me know if there’s anything specific you would like to know from me.

I can’t promise I’ll be a big help, but I’ll try my best!

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Kisses and cuddles with my faves 💖💫 Kisses and cuddles with my faves 💖💫
‘Each of us as citizens, has a role to play in c ‘Each of us as citizens, has a role to play in creating a better world for our children.’ - Nelson Mandela ❤️
It’s not enough though, is it? We’ve always h It’s not enough though, is it?

We’ve always had diverse toys in our house (not enough, but I’m working on it ❤️), but when questioned ‘why do you buy your kids Black dolls?’, I’ve faltered and answered incorrectly. I would respond saying ‘because that’s the doll Isla liked the best. What does it matter? We’re all human’, rather than questioning why that person is questioning it in the first place.

In a massive learning curve this week, where I am actively trying to become an anti-racist ally, not just anti-racist/non racist in general, I have found so many shortcomings in my effort to educate my kids and in my own attitudes towards race. But this isn’t about me. So here are some resources I’d like to share on top of the ones shared in my stories.

Some books to read:
Me and White Supremacy - Layla F. Saad.
Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race - Reni Eddo-Lodge.
How to argue with a racist - Adam Rutherford.
Brit(ish) - Afua Hirsch.
White Fragility - Robin Diangelo.
I Am Not Your Baby Mother - Candice Brathwaite.
So You Want to Talk About Race - Ijeoma Oluo.

Diverse kids books:
Anti Racist Baby - X. Kendi.
Riley Can Be Anything -Davina Hamilton.
Look Up - Nathan Bryon.
Mae Among The Stars - Roda Ahmed.
The Mega Magic Hair Swap - Rochelle Humes.
Let’s Talk About Race - Julius Lester.
Welcome To Our World - Moira Butterfield and Harriet Lynas.
This Book Is Antiracist - Tiffany Jewell.
The Extraordinary Gardener - Sam Boughton.
Let The Children March - Monica Clark-Robinson.
Ruby’s Worry - Tom Percival.
A Kids Book About Racism - Jelani Memory.

Some things to watch:
When They See Us.
13th.
Who Killed Malcom X.
Time: The Kalief Browder Story.
Explained: The Racial Wealth Gap.
Dear White People.
I am Not Your Negro.

My to do list:
- Sign more petitions.
- Donate to more causes.
- Listen to podcasts and share.
- Encourage changes in the school curriculum so that my children, and their classmates, get a better, much more rounded and diverse education.
- Call things out.
- Have honest/open conversations.
- Share content.
- To keep educating myself, whilst never expecting others to do it for me.

It’s just a starting point.

Thanks for listening x
Black Lives Matter. I can never pretend to unders Black Lives Matter.

I can never pretend to understand, but I will always stand.

I’ve been on a huge learning curve this week and have, shamefully, come to the realisation, which I should have a long time ago, that it’s not enough to just not be racist. We must also be actively anti-racist and do everything in our power to ensure our children are too.

Today is a day to stop, listen, support, educate ourselves, donate, sign petitions, take action in any way we can, big and small, to make sure that everyone knows we stand with our fellow humans, family and friends. But we can’t just do this today. We must do it each and every day going forward ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻
And breathe! First day without both my babies for And breathe! First day without both my babies for the first time in 10 weeks today and it couldn’t have gone better. Both had wonderful days and were full of stories when they got home. I said over on stories last night, which got an incredible response so thank you to everyone who reached out, that I am completely comfortable with my choice to send the kids back to school and nursery but would never, ever judge anyone who felt different. We are all in different boats in this storm we’ve found ourselves in and what works for my family, might not work for yours. I have deliberately stayed out of the ‘are you sending your kids back or not?’ debate as it started to feel like another toxic discussion, in the media and on social media, that was resulting in yet another parenting divide.
I could have had the kids in this whole time, under key worker provision, but tried my best to hang on till the phased reopenings that I hoped would happen when they did. They were what I was aiming towards. Don’t get me wrong, I have LOVED having the kids at home together for such a sustained period, we have made lots of memories and learnt so much more about each other, but mixed in with the nature of my job and the fact that @thisdadalife is deployed and so I’m on my own with minimal support, I couldn’t have gone on much longer.
When I got in from dropping them off today, and as I went upstairs to work at my desk, I literally collapsed on the stairs and almost cried in relief. Relief that we made it through, as dramatic as that sounds. I don’t think I realised the toll it was taking mentally as I was constantly running on adrenaline.
I am so happy to get a bit more balance back and to, most importantly, feel like a better mum again. Not a snappy trying to juggle it all 24/7 with no break mum.
If you sent your kids back today, whether you wanted to or not, I’m with you and support you.
If you have kept them home in your bubble for longer, I’m with you and support you.
If you’re still unsure what to do and are undecided, I am with you and support you.
Nobody knows the full extent of someone else’s circumstances and we have to stop and realise that before we judge anyone else ❤️
Ibiza vibes in Puerto Gardeno today 😂☀️😅 Ibiza vibes in Puerto Gardeno today 😂☀️😅
This is the first year in YEARS that I have felt ok wearing a bikini. And I feel like it’s more down to how strong I feel, rather than how I look. Whatever it is, I hope it continues ❤️
On another note, how tanned does the @filterbymollymae fake tan make you look! 🙌🏻
(Both bikini and cover up are from last year).
#losingmyboobstho #youwinsomeyoulosesomehaha
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