Join the Conversation: Build a Blog!

by Mindi Pruitt

Life with three small boys can be crazy: from displaying their latest artwork on our walls, taking their clothes off as soon as they walk through the door and throwing on pajamas, to the occasional use of the bathroom in places that are probably not socially acceptable and thinking, “at least they are potty trained.”

So, who cares? That is where my blog comes in. I have documented our day to day life for the past few years without the hassle of having to buy scrapbooking supplies. It makes my hectic life less stressful and the best part of it all is that I can print it out at any time and have an all-in-one scrapbook.

People write blogs for many different reasons. Blogs can be used to keep family and friends updated, to raise awareness about a disease or illness, or to honor the life of a loved one that has passed away. Megan Marshall, a Texarkana native and author of www.inthiswonderfullife.com, documents her journey from married life, to losing a child to a congenital heart defect, and now her busy life with twins. She says, “I’ve met some amazing people and had tremendous support during wonderful times in my life as well as the very hard times.” The blogging community is full of compassion and is a great source to use if you find yourself faced with a similar situation. With the rise of home design websites and those that house ideas from party planning to coordinating outfits like Pinterest, blogs have flourished. For those like me who get overwhelmed just by thinking about narrowing down the endless amount of ideas, many creative people have started blogs to devote their time in helping others do just this. I have used many different blogs to help me in the planning of the boys’ birthday parties, from the Bear Hunt party to our latest Dr. Seuss celebration. Want to make the perfect dessert for the party? Recipe blogs are everywhere.

Before you consider starting a blog, here are a few helpful hints. Think of a name for your blog and make sure it’s readable; the easier it is to spell, the more traffic you will get. Clever names attract attention, so be creative! Follow other blogs and link them to your blog. There is no limit on how many you can follow or link to, and this will get your blog out there for others to see. Keep your updates frequent. Some people blog daily, some people blog every few days, and some blog even less than that. Figure out what works in your life. Remember that once you start a blog, unless you make it private, anyone in the world can see what you are putting out there. Try to keep some anonymity.

Want to make some extra money? Advertisers will pay you to be on your blog, especially if you have a lot of daily traffic on it. Most importantly, have fun with your entries. I often think of song titles and that’s how I create the names of my posts. I’ve done Flashback Friday as a way to incorporate old pictures and memories that happened before I started the blog. Your blog can be comical or serious. There is really no limit on what you can do. Blogging is such an easy and creative outlet for so many, including me. The next time your two year old decides that he can go to the bathroom wherever he is, public place or not, rest assured someone will blog about the same situation. Happy blogging!