Blogging

3 months blogging: What have I learnt?

Since last week I have been blogging for 3 months, gosh that has gone quickly! My blog went live on the 6th January 2016, and my experience of blogging has totally exceeded my expectations. From what started as just an idea whilst on one of my many walks in the park, has now turned into a part time job alongside looking after a little one.

Here’s some of my blogging stats:

  • 38 blog posts published including this one.
  • 2116 total views, 662 visitors (this is low and needs a lot of improvement).
  • 521 comments, I try to reply to all comments, so I have had about 260 comments.
  • 1,779 Twitter followers at the time of writing this post (13th April 2016, 8.41pm)

I kind of dived straight into blogging, firstly by setting up my blog in WordPress, then writing my first post and setting up my Twitter account. I then hit publish, started promoting it on Twitter and following other bloggers. Maybe I did this the wrong way round, and should have started my Twitter account first before publishing my first post, to build up my followers (I don’t think it has done me much harm launching them both at the same time). At the time of pressing publish I had no idea what a Linky was, or really what I wanted out of my blog. I only knew that I wanted a platform where I could keep a diary of life with my little one.

In my first 3 months of blogging, here’s what I have learnt:

Blogging Community

There are so many lovely fellow parenting bloggers who are more than happy to help if you have a blogging question or need some blogging support. I really enjoy interacting on Twitter, and love it when I receive a comment on one of my blog posts (don’t we all). Here’s what I’ve learnt about the parenting blogger community:

  • It is all about sharing the blogging love. I love getting a comment on my blog posts, knowing that someone has taken the time to read and comment on my blog.
  • If you read a blog post you love, give it a retweet on Twitter, Your fellow bloggers will love you for this.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask other bloggers for advice, they are such a friendly bunch and more than happy to help.
  • At first my stats were really low, and they still are, but it isn’t always about stats, it’s about doing something you enjoy and engaging with a fab community.
  • I have joined #tribalchat set up by Katie @mummyintutu who holds a blog chat every Tuesday at 8pm for an hour, I’m also part of her DM group chat on Twitter which is great for bouncing blog ideas around, asking questions or just for moral support.

WordPress

I did a little research (by little, I mean hardly anything) before setting up my blog on what platform to use – WordPress or Blogger. I decided to use WordPress, generally because Google told me that WordPress was slightly better and easier to use. I’m using a free plan at the moment, and still not 100% up to speed with its functionality, but I have a few learnings.

  • The widget sidebar menu is where most functionality lives, here badges, your Twitter feed, latest comments, and follow links can be added. There are so many add-ons in the sidebar it is worth spending time having a play round.
  • I should have added the WordPress Follow Me button and Email Subscribe button when my blog went live, I didn’t realise that this was missing until a few weeks ago and since adding this I have seen my followers increase.
  • I’m amazed that the platform is fairly low tech, I expected it to require some more HTML input than it does. Thankfully, it is straightforward to use, even for a Digital Project Manager like myself who has never used WordPress before (I still have a lot to learn).
  • I still need to learn how to use the Menu functionality, I want to add more Sub Headers, but every time I try to update it, through tired eyes, it never works. I’m sure I’m missing something really obvious.

Twitter

I love using Twitter, I find it such a valuable tool for chatting to other bloggers, promoting your posts and linked up posts, sharing other blogger’s posts, and retweeting blog posts. I really enjoyed reading Becky @ Cuddle Fairy Twitter Etiquette blog post, and since then I’ve been trying to stick to some key rules:

  • If I have commented on a blog post, I will retweet their Twitter post, or share their blog post on Twitter.
  • I retweet a Twitter post if I am mentioned, and always reply, even if it’s just a thank you.
  • I try to like all Twitter posts where I am mentioned.

Linkys

In my first week of blogging, I stumbled across fellow bloggers on Twitter linking up their posts. My first thought was what the hell is a Linky? I quickly did some research and realised that a Linky is fab way of sharing your blog post, reading other blog posts and getting to know other bloggers. My key learnings with Linkys are:

Parenting Blogging Sites

There are great sites to register your blog to see how you rank in the blogger league, these are Tots100 and Parent Blogger Leaderboard. Every month an algorithm is run on your site based on number of visits, which calculates where you feature in the blogging league.

I have learnt a great deal since starting blogging, I really didn’t have any idea what I would be letting myself in for when I started blogging. I love it, it is strangely addictive. Sometimes it can feel quite overwhelming with blog posts to write and publish, Linky’s to join, Twitter chat to be involved in, but I tell myself that my blog is always there, it can be as busy or quiet as I want it to be. It’s great that I can fit it around my little one, but it’s not a priority – my little one, my husband and house all come first.

I see the next steps for my blog being to go self hosted, hopefully set up a Linky, see increased traffic numbers, go to Britmums, write some product reviews, update the look of my blog and include more imagery, and hopefully continue blogging as much as I currently am when I return to work.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading, I would love to hear what you have learnt from blogging.

Claire x

Keep Calm and Carry On Linking Sunday

Keep Calm and Carry On Linking Sunday

142 Comments

  • 2teens1preteen

    Oh I love this post – you’ve achieved so much in 3 months – just imagine where you will be in another 3 months. I’m only 4 months in to blogging and I was nodding my head the whole way through reading much to my husband’s amusement! I love it too though and you’re so right about the blogging community – so welcoming – and tribal chat – what a find?! I’ve still a ridiculous amount to learn though but I reckon we can do it! X

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you! It’s amazing to think we’ve achieved so much in such a short space of time, and there is so much more to do and learn. Tribal Chat is ace, I feel like I’ve learnt so much just being part of the group. I can’t believe you’re only 4 months in, your blog is fab. Thanks for reading and commenting. Claire x

  • letyourlightshinemummy

    Wow, you have done so much, I started at the end of January and have no where near those numbers. Like you though I think I should of set up my twitter and facebook page first then started the blog, but I was determined to start in January. As time goes on, I am also changing how often I blog, I didn’t want to blog that often initially, but I’m finding it quite addictive. There is a lot for me to learn, but your post is really encouraging. Well done x

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you, blogging is very addictive isn’t it. I’ve been trying to have a week off this week as we’re on holiday, but I’m sat here writing posts and reading comments 🙂 I don’t think there is any harm in setting up your social media accounts at the same time as your blog at all. I have learnt that your blog is viewed a lot more when tweeting and posting up to Linky’s, but I’ve also learnt to try not to be too overwhelmed with that as sometimes there is just not the time to be working on the blog and Twitter all the time. Twitter can take up so much time! Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Claire x

  • Educating Roversi

    I cannot believe you’ve only been blogging three months! You’ve achieved so much! Thanks for the tip off about subscribe button, I’ve not done that coz I wasn’t sure how. I will sort it tomorrow #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you! I can’t believe it either it has gone so quickly. I had no idea about the subscribe button, but it was so easy to sort out. Thanks for your lovely comments Becky. Claire x

  • Motherhood IRL

    “At first my stats were really low, and they still are, but it isn’t always about stats, it’s about doing something you enjoy and engaging with a fab community.”

    This is so true for me too. And I think you’re doing amazingly! I love you blog, although I’m ashamed to say that so often I have to read and run – I will get better! #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you for your lovely comment Davina, I think it’s important not to get too hung on stats especially in the beginning. Blogging is about doing what you love, and for me keeping a diary of life with my little one. Thank you for reading and commenting. Claire x

  • Nadia - ScandiMummy

    You’ve achieved so much in 3 months. And these are great tips for anyone starting out. I think we all have a lot to learn. I learn new things every day and that’s what I loved about blogging. My first blogging birthday is coming up next month 🙂 Thank you for co-hosting #KCACOLS

    Nadia – ScandiMummy x

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you so much for your lovely comment Nadia. I agree with you that blogging is a continuous learning experience, and I love that. Happy first blog birthday to you!! Claire x

    • The Pramshed

      Tribalchat is brilliant for support and bouncing blogging ideas around, the group is fantastic. It gives me motivation to keep learning and improving my blog! Thank you Claudia for your lovely comment and reading my blog post. Claire x

    • The Pramshed

      Yay, welcome to the world of blogging, we are a friendly bunch, so don’t be afraid to ask any questions etc….Thank you Kayla for commenting and reading my blog post. Claire x

  • twotinyhands

    Yay the tribesters! We are all so new! Learning quickly and going full speed. I love WordPress, I went straight in to hosted but know what I’m doing so it seemed natural! I like you am desperate to make my blog better but I’m concentrating on the little one too! I should remember to tweet posts I read more often! Mental note to do this. Have fun co-hosting #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you Karen for your lovely comment, tribalchat is a fab way to meet other bloggers, share and bounce ideas around. I love how blogging is a continuous learning curve, I enjoy the challenge. I need to bite the bullet and go self-hosted, which I’m sure will be time consuming, and as you say little one comes first. Claire x

  • Coombe Mill

    Wow that’s a lot to learn and take on board in three months, I’m sure it took me longer. Well done on a great start to blogging #KCACOLS

  • Helen

    Congratulations on a storming first 3 months – here’s to the next! Love your logo. I really enjoyed this post, I’m only a few weeks ‘older’ than you and loving it. I’m working more at the mo so have had to slow my blog production pace recently, but I really miss it when I can’t get to my laptop! Onwards and upwards xx Helen, http://www.gumdropsandthebear,com #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      Thanks Helen for your lovely comment and for reading my blog post. It has been a really enjoyable 3 months, a steep learning curve, but I like the challenge. I know what you mean about not being able to get the laptop, I’m on maternity leave and still struggle. I can’t believe you’re only a few weeks older, your blog is fab. Keep up the good work. Claire x

  • baddadu

    I’ve been going for two months now and to be honest it sometimes feels like I’m talking to no-one when I write stuff (apart from my mum!) People have said a blog needs about six months to bed in – seems like you’re ahead of the game!

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you for your lovely comment, and for reading my blog post. I’ve found that promoting your post and chatting to other bloggers has really helped. Your blog is fab, they all take a while to get off the ground – keep going 🙂 Claire x

  • Savannah (@HowHesRaised)

    Wow, it’s hard to even tell your blog is only 3 months old! You’ve done so well (:
    The cool thing about blogging, at least as far as I’ve seen, is that you can always see ways to improve and change things, and making things just a little better. I’m the kind of person who gets bored with something if there’s nothing to improve on, so that works out just fine for me!
    Can’t wait to see where these next three months bring you <3 #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you so much for your lovely comment, I’m looking forward to seeing where my blog is in the next 3 months. I love how with blogging there is always something to learn or change, to keep me on my toes. Claire x

  • Katy (@hotpinkwellies)

    Congratulations on reaching 3 months! I’ve just reached 6 months but in many ways I’m at about the same stage as you (my first 3 months were just spent blogging for me, with very little promotion, so it took me a while to get into the community side of things). I think you’ve done so well in such a short space of time – if it makes you feel any better, my traffic is also pretty low, I find it staggering when I read about some people’s traffic! Here’s to the rest of your first year! #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you Katy for your lovely comment, yes some people have really high traffic numbers and not been blogging for long at all, it makes me wonder how they do it. Happy 6 month blog anniversary to you! Claire x

  • mommyslittleprincesses

    Sounds like you’re doing just fab Claire as you have accomplished so much in a short space of time. Well done hon.xx #KCACOLS

  • wendy

    Wow, you have done so much in just 3 months. I have been blogging just over a year and still feel like I’m learning new things all the time. Good luck with all your future blogging goals, I’m sure you’ll smash them 🙂 xx #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you Wendy for your lovely comment. There is always something new to learn when it comes to blogging isn’t there – technology doesn’t wait for no one 🙂 Claire x

  • babiesbiscuitsandbooze

    Claire this is awesome, you started a bit before me and you’re doing so well!! I think the rest will come in time, it’s hard when you’ve got a little one to dedicate the man-hours that seem to require to really promote a blog!! I don’t even look at stats or leaderboards at all yet because I know how rubbish they’d be. Reading this has made me think I should start tweeting other people’s posts more often though. Anyway I’m over at #KCACOLS for the first time because of you, so you’re obviously doing lots of things right 😉 Well done for co-hosting. Ellen xx

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you for your lovely comment Ellen, and your first visit to #KCACOLS. I try not to look at stats, as in the early days it’s about finding your feet. It is difficult to dedicate enough time when there’s a little one that is priority. I only tweet out other posts, when I’ve commented on them, but not all the time, sometimes I forget. Your blog is fab by the way. Claire x

  • whitecamellias

    Great post Claire! Who have certainly accomplished lots in only 3 months blogging. I agree about setting up tweeter before going live. Even though my blog went live end of November I didn’t have a twitter account or facebook until maybe 2 months ago!!!!! Huge mistake I think. I think I became aware of linkys around that time too. So I really wish I did some more research before I started blogging. x

    #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      Thanks Pat for your lovely comment, I think that blogging is a learning experience, I don’t think that there is any right or wrong way, at the end of the day your blog and social media accounts are live. Keep up the good work 🙂 Claire x

  • Sarah - To Maternity and Beyond

    Wow that’s so impressive for only 3 months! I think just throwing yourself into it the way you did is the right way to do it, I faffed about for months, umming and ahhing whether to make my blog ‘public’, losing motivation and then finding it again, generally just dabbling for a while. I do find it hard to keep up with all the social media and promotion side of blogging – sometimes I feel it takes so much time it takes me away from actually writing new posts. I guess the whole thing is a learning curve and you just have to find a balance and what works for you. I love the goals you’ve set for yourself, that’s a really good idea. #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      Thanks Sarah for your lovely comment, it’s interesting to hear how other’s have set up their blog and their approach. I don’t think that there is any right or wrong way, the early days are all about finding your feet, and at the end of it you have a blog. I agree with you on promoting, sometimes I spend so much time on Twitter that it has taken time away from my blog. Finding a balance is key, that fits with your lifestyle and little one(s). Claire x

  • veronica lee

    Congrats for achieving so much in just 3 months! You do have a fabulous blog. I have been blogging for almost 8 years and I find that there’s still so much to learn! I love the bloggy pallies I’ve connected with. Yayyyyy for linkies!

    #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you Veronica for your lovely comment, and for reading my post. Wow that is a long time for blogging, you must have learnt so much and met so many lovely people. Linky’s are fab, I love them. Claire x

  • rachelbustin blog (@RachelBustin)

    I honestly thought you have been blogging longer than 3 months! Well done on your stats so far they are excellent! I have been blogging for a year now, but only properly since being on maternity leave. It was hard to keep up with a full time job before so I only used to post once or twice a week. Things I have learnt – there is always something on your blog to improve on! You never stop learning! xx

    #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you so much Rachel for your lovely comment. I’m hoping that when I return to work, I can keep up with the blogging. I agree you never stop learning, there is always something new, technology doesn’t wait. Claire x

  • G

    Wow, you’ve done an amazing job in just 3 months! I have been going since about October and finally getting my head around all the social media side of it and wordpress can be my friend or i find it frustrating! its all a learning curve and our linkys are pretty much the same. I have a linky love post in my drafts im hoping to get out later today, its very similar to yours, so I’ll mention you as great minds think a like hey! im now following you too, keep up the fab work 🙂 #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you Georgina for your lovely comment. I agree with you about WP, it is easy and other functionality is hard to get to grips with – I still can’t figure out the header! Ooh the Linky love post sounds brill, I’ll keep and eye out for your post. Keep up the fab work too. Claire x

      • G

        Thanks! WordPress seems to work fine and then will freak out on me just as I’m doing my last edits, drives me nuts. I am still working on the linky post but it shouldn’t be long! X

  • bridiebythesea

    Really loved reading this – I’m still in the early stages too and have really appreciated your comments on my blog. I agree, the community on Twitter is amazing and I can’t believe I started this not knowing what a linky was too! It is a bit tricky timing wise when the little ones are ill or life just takes over, but I’m finding sometimes it’s good to take a couple of days out to enjoy everything and then there is more to blog about when I return 🙂 Keep up the great work, you’ve done so amazingly in only 3 months (to be honest reading your blog before I thought you’d been writing for a lot longer) and I always enjoy reading your posts xx

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you Bridget for your lovely comment and for reading my blog post. It’s funny how we throw ourselves into things, but I think that sometimes it’s the best way to learn – learning on the job. It’s good to have a blog and social media break every now and again, to take stock and return afresh, otherwise you can get a bit blogged out. Claire x

  • Baby Anon

    Congrats on 3 months of blogging. Some great advice, particularly around wordpress (I’m not very technically minded) it’s true too that you get to ‘meet’ some very nice people through blogging x

  • motherhermit25

    Wow you have done a lot in 3 months! I’ve been blogging for just under 2 weeks and I totally agree with it being addictive! Some great advice here- thank you for sharing! Xx #KCACOLS

  • Squirmy Popple

    I can’t believe you’ve only been blogging for three months! I didn’t have a clue about how to use linkies/Twitter until a few months ago, so you’re way ahead of the curve. I agree that the best thing about blogging is the supportive community – people are always willing to answer questions and promote each other’s work. You’re doing a fab job – keep it up! #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you Katie Popple for your lovely comment. Don’t worry about not knowing about Linky’s or Twitter, blogging is an on the job learning experience. The community is fab for support, and bouncing around ideas, and finding ways to improve your blog. Claire x

  • min1980

    Congratulations on your 3 month blogaversary. I am a bit of an old-timer, having first started blogging in 2008 when it was a very different game, but I’m not sure if I have much in the way of expertise to offer, as I guess in its current form, I have only really been blogging publicly on my current blog since last summer so less than a year, and it always astonishes me how much more quickly than me other people seem to grow their blogs! Congrats on your success so far. #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you Min for you lovely comment and for reading my post. I can’t believe you’ve been blogging for 8 years, you must have learnt so much! Your blog is fab by the way, keep up the good work. Claire x

  • islandliving365

    I think you are doing amazing! I think we also started our blogs on the same day so something must have been in the water that day 🙂 You have achieved so much already so I can’t wait to see what you achieve in the next three months #KCACOLS

  • Mrs C

    That’s a whole lot of learning in three months – I think I was still clueless after a year of feeling-my-way in the dark. We all write for our own reasons and as long as that love for it is still there, it’s all good! Happy 3 month-aversary! Mrs C xx

  • chocolatepages

    I can’t believe how much you have learnt in such a short time! I’ve been blogging (as a weekend hobby mainly) for 2 years, and I still have loads to learn, especially the techy part of my blog – side bars etc. But its great fun. Thanks for a great post, full of tips. I might just go and have a look at some of the linkys you mentioned.
    Amanda. #kcacols

  • Azaria Lynch (@beingMrsLynch)

    I have been blogging since July last year and I have learnt so much already and I am definitely still learning. I am really hoping to increase my stats and get posts up more regularly and that is a goal I am working towards.

    Keep up the good work!
    Azaria #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      Thanks Azaria for your lovely comment, and for reading my post. There is always something new to learn. I’m sure that you will meet your goals and increase your stats, but remember that it’s not always about the stats. Good luck! Claire x

  • Carol Cameleon

    Aha, you’ve go the blogging bug! It is sooo addictive isn’t it?! I’ve been blogging in earnest for a couple of years now and like you, started out on wordpress.com. Since I’ve been self-hosted, I’ve never looked back and in the past month or so, my blog has totally picked up. My goal is to make turn it into my job sooner rather than later 🙂 Thanks for co-hosting #kcacols

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you Carol for your lovely comment. It is so addictive, so much so that I really need to go to bed and I’m sat here blogging away! I really need to go self-hosted, I’m sure it will open some doors, I just need to find the time to go it. Good luck with turning blogging into your job, I’ll be following you to see how you go. Claire x

  • ljdove23

    Wow you’ve achieved so much in three months! I am coming up to my one year blog-iversary and am feeling like I am just about getting to grips with it all! It’s hard work but a great output for all of the weird and wonderful thoughts in my head! #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you Laura for your lovely comment and for reading my blog post. Well done on coming up to 1 year, that’s amazing! It is such hard work, that comes in peaks and troughs, just when you think you’ve got it something new comes along. Claire x

  • rightroyalmother

    This is a great read – I have also been blogging for 3.5 months and have become totally addicted. And also definitely with you on the relief factor of WordPress being pretty low tech! I am so hopeless at things like badge generation and understanding CSS that it has to be really simple or I won’t (can’t) do it 🙂 The community – and the linky brigade in particular – are just amazing. I don’t think I’d be nearly as ‘into’ blogging as I am without such lovely bloggers being just a tweet away. I love your look and blog: it’s stylish and honest. Thanks for being co-host (and go you – it seems so grown up and brave/scary to me!) #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      Same here I completely agree that I don’t think I would be as motivated as I am if it wasn’t for the fantastic blogging community. I can’t believe you’ve only been blogging for 3.5 months, I actually thought it was longer. Claire x

      • rightroyalmother

        Started as a New Year’s Resolution … got a bit carried away with it as was only supposed to blog weekly but as you say, the community sort of spurs you on. And there’s so much to learn! Seriously, thank you for posting – I didn’t know about the twitter etiquette post and have just read it in full (thanks CuddleFairy too!) Have a lovely evening and long may we enjoy this distraction from child rearing! xx

  • Kerry

    It’s such a learning curve isn’t it! I feel I’ve learnt a lot in 3 months, but there’s so much more! Good luck with everything, I think you’re doing fab x

  • reimerandruby

    Wow! You’ve done really well for 3 months… I’m almost a year blogging but still not engaging much, part of it is I’m working and have not a lot of time with blog, I’m just taking it slowly! Anyway, Thanks for your sharing the things you’ve learned, it’s very informative and useful. #KCACOLS

  • Paranoid Working Parent

    Reading as part of #KCACOLS – my first attempt at engaging with the linky world! You are so right with what you say, and I still haven’t added a subscribe email or follow me buttons – I don’t think…had better check!
    I probably haven’t got very good etiquette so this post has made me rethink and try and be a bit more conscious of actively responding to others and promoting their tweets etc. I’m way behind you in the stats but you’ve given me some good ideas and you’re going great guns. Well Done! 🙂

  • Kat

    You’ve done really well in the few months you’ve been blogging. It took me two and a half years to even look at my stats and start growing my blog and reaching more people! Here’s to many more months of happy blogging! #kcacols

  • tammymum

    Go team tribe! I’m with you I did zero research before starting, wrote a post hit publish and worked the rest out from there, been playing catch up ever since. I think you’ve done fab in 3 months and have such a presence already so good on you. #KCACOLS xxx

  • Allyson Greene

    Congrats on 3 months blogging! I am only 1 month in and have to say Iearned a few things just reading this post! The rest I completely understand! Keep up the great work! #KCACOLS

  • thesingleswan

    Wow, your stats are amazing. Well done. I am very very impressed. I have been blogging for a year now. In fact it is almost a year today and my stats aren’t nearly as impressive as yours. I hope your success continues. You deserve it. Loads of love Pen xx #KCACOLS

  • My Petit Canard

    Claire this is such a great post! Its amaxzing how much you’ve learnt in such a short space of time, it really doesnt feel like youre as new a blogger as you are :-). I’ve loved reading your posts and seeing you go from strength to strength each month and its always great to chat to you on twitter every now and then 🙂 Even for a blogger a few years in some of these things never change and are always a challenge! Emily #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      Thanks Emily for your lovely comments. I sometimes can’t believe I’ve only been blogging for 3 months, it seems like a lot longer. I’ve learnt so much from all you established blogging lot around me. Claire x

  • mummydaddymia

    Well done on such a successful 3 months! It took me a lot longer to get to where you are! I didn’t know what linkys were until I had been blogging for about 6 months but I absolutely love them now! 🙂

    #KCACOLS

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you for your lovely comment, Linkys are still really new to me, I love joining them and reading other posts, they are a fab way to meet other bloggers aren’t they. Claire x

  • tassiedad

    Great advice. Twitter is a great way to get your posts shared and interact with the community. Keep it up, your numbers will improve. Thanks for sharing #KCACOLS

  • theparentingjungle

    You are awesome honey and seem so frigging together for only being on the scene 3 months…on the scene can I say that..I have been tired 5 years I dont know what is acceptable speech any more. I am totally with you on wordpress. Got the Widgets down…have no clue about all the rest in the dashboard…Its on my face upto this list with a glass of wine!I think your stats sound fab, I barely have any comments! We love reading your blog xxx #kcacols

  • Sara Skillington

    Wow – you have achieved so much in such a short space of time! I have learned pretty similar things to you. I love the blogging community. Good luck for the next 3 months, although I am sure you don’t need it 🙂 #KCACOLS

  • cherylbarry

    Well done Claire for doing so brilliantly in just 3 months! I’ve been going for just over a year and I’m probably about the same as you (much lower twitter followers!) because I had to pretty much abandon the blog last year with lots going on in the family. Some great tips on etiquette! Thanks for sharing and well done on co-hosting #KCACOLS xx

  • mummyhereandthere

    Great list and you will grow more and more. You already made huge leaps and I remember trying to work out what the heck all the linky business is all about but now can’t live without them X #kcacols

  • agentspitback

    You have done so well! I totally agree with much of what you have written. The biggest thing I have come to enjoy the most is the blogging community. I am amazed at the incredible blogging friends I have made! Continue blogging and I will be following your journey! #KCACOLS

  • mommymuddling

    Great lessons you shared here! I have a very new blog, too. It’s slow going for sure. I try to remain focused on what this means for me personally and not on the numbers, but it’s hard to refrain. I do hope one day my blog will come of age and get noticed but until then (or if not) I will enjoy the process. It is an amazing community…all of these beautiful bloggers like yourself! Great post!!! #KCACOLS

  • Someone's Mum

    Well done you. We started at almost exactly the same time and these are all the things I learned about too! This will be a really useful post for anyone starting out like we were! 🙂 #KCACOLS

  • Suburban Mum

    You have done so well in three months – well done! I have to say I didn’t realise you’d only been blogging since Jan – it really doesn’t come across!

    The blogging community is fantastic isn’t it and very supportive!

    I’m so happy to be co-hosting #KCACOLS with you this week. It’s been an amazing week for link ups so far and I think that’s been down to you! xx

  • DomesticatedMomster

    Sounds like you are moving right along with your blogging. I too use WordPress and love it but knew absolutely nothing when I started. I also run a linky every Thurs-Sun #momsterslink if you would ever like to check it out. It’s a small community but makes it nice with the commenting. Thanks for hostessing #KCACOLS

  • jenieveve

    Congratulations on achieving your three-month milestone as a blogger, you have achieved a lot! There are some great tips here on how to get the most out of blogging, I’ll definitely be referring back to these as I would really like to grow my blog further. #KCACOLS

  • fairyqueen

    Well done for your first 3 months! I’m similar, started in Feb this year and loving the vibe and the freedom it gives me. I like the tips you’ve included, really good. I’m just finishing up my tales of a newbie blogger part 2 post. I love the linkys, great platform for getting stuff out there. I have to time manage better between writing posts and reading and commenting on others. I want to keep my hobby fun not be bogged down by it so I need to have a good think about how I do that.

    mainy – myrealfairy

    #KCACOLS

  • Clare

    It sounds like you have had a fab first 3 months! Those stats aren’t bad so well done you! Your twitter followers is definitely impressive for three months in! Lots of lessons learnt, it is a never ending learning journey that’s for sure! Good luck with the next few months and beyond! Your blog is fab so I hope you continue to enjoy it #KCACOLS xx

  • nipperandtyke

    It sounds like you have achieved a great deal. Blogging is such a lovely pastime, but it does eat up all your time! It also changes the way you live! You find yourself taking photos of everything you do just in case you decide to blog about it 😀 I hope you achieve your goals.
    x Alice
    #kcacols

  • firstooth

    It may only be three months but wow I’m really impressed with what you’ve achieved! The comments and followers are something to be proud of, it shows how great you are as a blogger already. It’s crazy how quickly you can hit the ground running with blogging isn’t it. And I thought the exact same about linkys. Wth is a linky?! But they’re fab thanks for hosting x

  • TiredHappyMummy

    This is a great post, well done on the stats and thank you for some tips.

    I have been writing work ‘blogs’ for years (more news stories really that are called blogs) and blogs that are just aimed at family to keep up to date with our travels and event. But, in the few weeks I’ve been writing my mummy blog I’m finding a whole new world I didn’t know existed. I’m loving the super friendly community and learning so much, although I’m still trying to get my head around Linkys!

  • thebritishmaple

    This is a lovely read! Thank you for posting. I too am a new blogger and would love to increase my stats.

    It’s a daunting world for my sleep-deprived little mind but it’s good to know there are other newbies who are successful! I can’t wait to read more of your posts and will definitely join your linky!

  • carolcliffe

    I just had to read about your first 3 months, as I’m 3 months in now and finding it all a bit overwhelming! You’ve really inspired me (or maybe scared me?!!) by being so successful. Well done you!

  • HAYLEY

    This is such a great post and really quite inspiring for a newbie blogger like myself. I’ve only been blogging for a couple of weeks and have no clear direction of where my blog is heading, I’m just going to keep posting because I genuinely enjoy it and see where things go. I’ve been researching linkys today and have a banging headache – I’m totally clueless and have so much to learn! You’ve got yourself a fab blog so keep doing what you’re doing…if I’m doing half as well as you are doing in three months time I will be a happy little blogger!

    xx

  • Dave

    Great to read this post as my wife & I started our blog in October. I also struggle with WordPress menus!! Hoping to crack that in the new year and get a logo too. Your logo is v nice and looks professional too

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