Blogging

The Steps to Sitting Pretty This Time Next Year With Your Blog

I’m so mad right now.

It’s hard to look beyond now when it comes to growing your blog. You try different strategies and you have to wait it out to see if it actually works or doesn’t.

The Steps to Sitting Pretty This Time Next Year On Your Blog

I just peeked at my Google Analtyics and it ain’t pretty. And I know the exact reason why.

I’m doing less.

I’m posting less.

Pinning less.

Promoting less.

Ouch.

Writing that hurts.

My blog isn’t considered “new” anymore and now I’m schlepped off with the rest of the thousands of other blogs trying to get your attention.

And I’m mad at myself.

Yes, I’m a mom to twins that are three and a half and just want to play and go do an activity every day. Yes, I’m also a freelance writer and I’ve gotten 50% more work this month than the entire summer.

And yes, I lost my mo-jo and I’m having a hard time getting the motivation to actually write. But the funny thing is, I LOVE blogging. I LOVE writing on Twins Mommy and I LOVE connecting with my audience.

When I told my husband my stats, he told me,

It will grow. This time next year you’ll be sitting pretty.

Yes. He made me see the big picture of why I’m blogging in the first place.

Before you get into the nitty gritty of this post, if you’re reading this and don’t have a blog, but want to start one, I have an easy step-by-step tutorial on how to start a blog using SiteGround!

Thinking Day By Day Instead of Phase By Phase

I still get caught up in thinking about my blog day by day. Every day I’m focusing on content creation, newsletters, promoting, marketing, and the thousand other things I do for Twins Mommy.

Do you do that also?

For a lot of us it’s all about the numbers. And it makes sense. You need more traffic and more subscribers if you want to monetize your blog.

You need comments and shares to grow a loyal following. So, it’s no wonder that many of us start thinking about our blog’s status on a day to day basis.

Instead, we should be focusing on our blog as phases.

The first phase is growth. This is where all the planning and organization is set.

The second phase is monetization. This is where the marketing and funnels come into play.

The third phase is continuing both phases. This is where you strengthen your process.

Right now I’m still in phase one mostly, but I’m dipping my toe in phase two. Maybe I’m going at it a bit too fast?

It Takes Time to Grow Your Blog

Melyssa Griffin didn’t start making six figures a month from her blog three years ago. Pinch of Yum didn’t become the powerhouse food blog that is today when it first started.

So, why would you think your blog has to explode in four months – or, six months for me? It takes time to really grow your blog.

Don’t count on getting a pin to be viral or having one of your posts picked up by an influencer. If you’re ready to hunker down and grow your blog so that you’re sitting pretty this time next year, find out what I plan on doing.

1. Create Engaging Posts

One thing that comes easy for me is creating blog posts that are engaging. They have a lot of comments and shares. But, an engaging post is more than just writing a super long post that’s for your target audience.

You have to format your post correctly.

This means creating a lot of white space when you write. For some thing, reading online is not like reading the newspaper or your Game of Thrones book.

Your blog post needs to make it easy for your readers to actually read your post and not skim it (even though most of us do). To curb that, you can:

  • Use subheadings – besides breaking up your post and making it easy for your readers to know what they are reading, it helps with SEO.
  • Bold words and phrases – this helps keep your readers focused on the important things in your post.
  • Use bullet and numbered lists – break your content with lists. It just makes it flow better.
  • Use images – again, to break up your post and make it easier to read.
  • Keep your paragraphs short – like one sentence short.

To make your blog post stand out and more engaging, start taking more time to find the perfect headline and hook for your post.

Your headline is suppose to make a user stop, become interested and click. Your hook is what will get a user to read the next sentence. And so on and so on.

What’s great about having your own blog is that you can practice all of this on your blog. It doesn’t matter how “bad” your posts are in the beginning; it just matters that you write consistently and learn the skills to write effectively.

For me, I started with creating two blog posts a week.

I decided to stop that around summer time, but because of my stats, I know this is hurting my blog. But, I don’t have time to write two GREAT blog posts.

I’d rather put out good stuff once a week then mediocre twice a week.

So, for now, if I can post twice a week I will. If not, I’ll stick to once a week.

2. Blog Comment

Sigh.

I’m so bad at this.

I LOVE visiting other blogs and reading their posts.

I have a list of 27 blogs I want to comment every week, but it just never seems to work out.

Screen Shot 2016-09-22 at 5.11.05 PM

I have a lot of good intentions, but it takes dedicated time to read each blog post and give an insightful comment (not just a, hey, great post! I’m sharing it now, type of comment).

But, in order to really grow my blog I have to be invested in outreach and blog commenting is a form of outreach.

The more I comment on these blogs, the more traffic I’ll bring back to my blog and the bigger my following will be. It’s just a fact.

So, hopefully I can keep myself accountable and at least comment on 5 blogs a week.

3. Continue to Make Content Upgrades

Okay.

I haven’t made a content upgrade since July.

I’m relying on my lead magnet to grow my list. And even though it is helping me, I could do better. My stretch goal for this blog is to generate 10k subscribers in my first year.

So, far I’m not even close. I’m 8091 shy.

But, that’s just a stretch goal. I’m still growing my list, and content upgrades are by far the best strategy to grow your email list.

Why?

Because they are targeted.

A visitor reads a post on how how you’re growing your blog  and there’s a freebie to grab a checklist to grow your blog. They are more likely to grab that freebie after reading a post about it.

But, my excuse is I have no time at the moment. I’m glad I have a lead magnet that’s high converting, however. My goal is to still create content upgrades and show my readers how to make it with MailChimp (crossing my fingers I get it done).

Is There Any Way to Speed This Up?

If I don’t have time to do all this to grow my blog, is there a way to speed this up? Probably, but it’s unlikely it’ll happen. You could get a backlink on a high authority website.

Or, a pin goes viral and suddenly you have 50,000 pageviews (and last month it barely reached 4,000 pageviews).

I’m sure there are other faster ways to generate more traffic to your blog, but those two are pretty fast in my opinion. For the rest of us mom bloggers, we must keep our head down and blog away!

Because in a year, we’ll be sittin’ pretty. And who doesn’t like to get all dolled up? 🙂

Over to you – how do you keep up with blogging on your mom blog?

Leave a Reply

88 Comments

Thank you for the tips. It can be really frustrating – as I’m sure you are aware – already being so busy with life and having to worry about traffic to our blogs! You are giving some really solid advice here and tangible ways to implement them too! It’s hard when you have content that you know is helpful and meaningful, but marketing/promotion gets in your way! I’m looking forward to implementing these strategies in my blog in the next few days/weeks.Reply to Kelly
Thank you Elna! I love your blog very much and always wonder how you manage your blogs and kids.You are really great.Hats off to you.Thanks for inpiring blog posts.I am blogging from 2-3 years but have not accomplised much as I have to.But now I am learning to make a plan and work according to it.One week before I was depressed that I am not making any progress,I am not getting any outcome from my blog,I am not feeling to write blog post,etc ,but by reading your blog posts I got confidence.I am searching for a perfect schedule for busy moms(As I am a busy mom and want to help other busy moms by sharing resources.)Reply to Smita
I love posts like this because it reminds me that we all start small. I have been blogging for about a year and a half, only deciding in the last 6-ish months to do this for real (not hobby blogging anymore). I’ve been working on branding and monetizing and about a bazillion other things but type of post helps me. It helps me stop and remember that it takes time. I’m not in this for a month or two. I’m in it for real. I’ll be “sitting pretty” next year. Thanks for sharing!Reply to Megan
Elna, I started my blog in June and I am struggling for sure. Ive had writers block and have had many days of ignoring it because I just do not know what else to do. Reading your posts has given me lots of new notes to jot down in my notebook I keep beside my laptop of things I should be doing or trying to do to better my blog and increase traffic. Thank you so much for all you do to help us new bloggers stay with it and work harder to do what we set out to do! I will continue to follow you!Reply to Kelli
Hey Kelli! Thank you so much for your wonderful comment! The first year of blogging is all about LEARNING an ABSORBING…you are doing it! Good for you! And I can’t wait until I see you sitting pretty with your blog next year!Reply to Elna
I love reading your posts Elna, you’re always so upbeat and relatable! I’ve been running my blog for a year and I’d say I’m still in phase 1 – some days it frustrating but I love every second of it! Thank you for keeping us all inspired 🙂 xReply to Laura
Hey Laura! You’ll get to phase two!! Thank you so much. Yes, I wrote this post during a down time. It’s hard to compare yourself to other bloggers that started at the same time as you and in the same niche as you. I had to learn the hard way to carve my own path and keep my head down! My time came a year later as my hubby told me 🙂Reply to Elna
Well im just six months in and just now really found my own “formula” for how to write (have to write my posts out on paper first) and how I am going to monetize. Almost gave up a few hundred times but I really had an epiphany this week and I am feeling great in my future of blogging. You have to ride your highs and find inspiration in your lows. Thanks for everything Elna! 🙂Reply to Angelina
Hi Angelina, Yay! I’m so glad you didn’t give up. Blogging is an amazing journey! Take your time and find your own footing in this!Reply to Elna
Thank you so much for sharing Elna. Its nice to know that I’m not the only one struggling with time management in getting my blog up and running. Constantly overwhelmed and don’t know where to start or continue to get my foundations right for a successful blog as there is so much to do. There are so many things I need to do and have so much to learn but have no time to do it (chasing around a 15 mo and nap when he naps cause I’m THAT tired). Your words of encouragement has given me hope and continue the hard slog so I will one day follow in your footsteps of being a successful blogger and freelance writer. Again, thank you! xReply to Anh
Hi Anh! That’s great to hear. Yes, it is very challenging at times. I wrote that post a year ago and while I am a thousand times better in my business than that point, I still struggle with imposter syndrome, challenging myself and putting myself out there! Blogging is a journey and it’s difficult but the rewards are so worth it! You can do it!Reply to Elna
Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge Elna. I started blogging recently, something I have been thinking about for some time. I’m really big on research and your posts have been providing just the direction I need. I’m now in the phase of creating a cold calling list using places like twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn. Gonna try visiting local businesses as well *fingers crossed* Thanks again, info definitely needed?Reply to Brittany
Hi Brittany! You’re welcome! I’m so glad this post helped you! I like your service based blog! Good luck on the cold calls!Reply to Elna
Hi Elna! Thank you for this post! It was very encouraging and insightful. I just recently started my blog and to be honest, It’s so overwhelming. I feel like the second I’ve sufficiently completed one task, there’s a million others that need to get done, and all of them are absolutely necessary in order to drive traffic. Do you have any particular mental checklist to help yourself feel like you’ve got it all together? I feel like I’m holding a giant basket of eggs and trying to figure where to place them all but there are so many that they just keep falling out. I know I’m just overwhelmed and all good things take time. Let me know your thoughts! Best of wishes to you!Reply to Joahnna
Hi Johanna! I know what you mean. Now add creating a course into the mix! It’s crazy. I think you’re doing the right thing by taking it one step at a time. I do have a blog checklist on the side bar that you can download. It gives you a checklist of things you need to have or do for your blog to grow! I hope that helps!Reply to Elna
Elna- when you say you are committing to commenting on 5 blogs per week, is that 5 posts on 5 blogs? I am seriously struggling with finding time to comment on other blogs. It’s on my to-do list daily but I never get around to doing it. I know I need too, but I’m finding it difficult. I think 5 a week would be doable though. If it were just 5 posts per week. Thoughts?Reply to Heather
Hi Heather, Yes, it’s just 5 posts a week. I’m doing okay with that but I know there are some weeks when I can only comment on 1 or 2 posts a week. As long as you can do it every week then that’s a start, right?Reply to Elna
Dang girl! That’s a lot of commenting! I’m afraid I’m definitely failing on that one. But I’m glad I found this post because I feel like I’m twiddling my thumbs a bit in the blogging world right now. While it seems like everyone is doing better than me, I know that there are a lot of people who just wish they could be as far along! You’re doing fab!Reply to Chantal
Hey Chantal! Thanks girl! I’m still struggling though. It does take a lot of time to get your blog up and running and since I have a lot of projects, it’s becoming harder and harder for sure! I just have to go in the slow lane and work my way slowly!Reply to Elna
Hi Elna, This was such an honest post. I loved it. You’re doing great. Traffic will come with time. I have been slacking a little bit. I’m trying to get my butt into gear. Trying to kick things up for the holiday season. My secret goal all along was to hit $4K per month by Christmas. Hope I can get there. I’m trying to do more guest posting and commenting. I’ve wanted to do a 30 posts in 30 days challenge for a long time too. Sounds crazy, right? I’m gonna try it one of these days. Keep up the good work girly.Reply to Jenn
Hey Jenn, Thank you so much. Yes, my traffic is already picking up, but then again, I’m posting more content 🙂 That’s cray-cray! 30 posts in 30 days. No way. Maybe when I’m a full-time blogger or something, but for now, I have my client posts, newsletters and personal blog posts to write. I average around 20 posts a month.Reply to Elna
Wow Elna, Thank you so much for sharing all of this. My blog only went live a couple of days ago, I have skimmed through a couple of ebooks and read countless blogs in the last few days, but yours is just so easy to read and understand and the only one I’ve had the urge to comment on! It’s just like having a chat with you. 🙂 I’m a homeschool mum so I’m hoping I find the time to keep on top of it all. Thank you again, truly appreciate it. 🙂 Now I just discovered what comment luv is too. 😉Reply to Julie
Hey Julie! So happy to hear you just started your blog. Awesome! And thanks for following me. I’m glad to hear my blogs are engaging and easy to read 🙂Reply to Elna
Hi Elna! I love that you share the personal, behind the scenes, feelings about blogging. Don’t feel discouraged, I think you are doing a wonderful job! I love your blog and all of the information you provide. It’s been really helpful to me as a brand-new blogger (I launched today! yay!). I think your husband is right that the following will come– and that’s what I’m hoping for myself too. 🙂 I’m not a mom-blogger yet, because I don’t have kids yet, but I guess a mom-blogger is what I aspire to be. Thank you so much!!Reply to Heather
Hey Heather! I don’t judge! You can read my blog even if you’re NOT a mom 😛 Anyways, thanks so much. Yes, I’m almost out of my funk. Now I have to write my blog growth update for this blog! Yikes!Reply to Elna
This month I struggled to get even 1 post a week. I had some health issues that made everything hard. I’m working on a plan to ROCK October and get my numbers back up. I really want my blog to grow. Thanks for the list of blogs. I really don’t follow many and this list seems amazing.Reply to Samantha
Hey Samantha! Yeah, I know what you mean. It’s hard to get the motivation when your numbers suck. And well, my numbers suck royally. Oh well, I’m a freelance writer and a mom first. Twins Mommy is my passion blog and I can only focus on it so much in a day.Reply to Elna
Love this! Totally in a slump, but I think I am trying to grow AND monetize my blog at the same time. And I royally suck at the commenting thing (but I have good intentions!)Reply to Lauren
Hey Lauren, I know! I’m the same. I’m not really trying to monetize my blog, but I do have affiliate links so, if they generate some money, that’s great. Commenting is hard when I have twin 3.5 year old’s running around screaming!Reply to Elna
Hey Elna, What do you mean “You don’t have time?” LOL I feel your pain. My blog growth doesn’t go as I plan but I feasibly just don’t have the time to invest. I mean, the time I really need to really make a difference. Maybe someday, right? Keep doing watcha doing girl! BReply to Bren
Hey Bren! LOL. Yes, can you believe I have no time to blog? Go figure 😛Reply to Elna
Elna, It’s these honest posts that makes me love everything about you and your blog. When you’re doing it all on your own it can definitely be hard to maintain the higest level of productivity, especially when your blog is growing because then you just add more things to the list to do. The one thing I make sure never falls off is promoting. You don’t need to write every day or every week, but once you stop promoting and reaching out to your mailing list, then you lose a connection with your audience and sometimes that can be hard to get back. It’s definitely hard to look into the future because we want that success now and we can only relate to the present. Our future self is like a stranger we will never meet. My biggest problem is often when I encounter a little bit of success. For some reason it makes me go on cruise control instead of doubling down and pushing harder. I guess I like my breaks. Either way, at least you’re acknowledging what you want to work on and I’m sure you’re going to push forward with it. Thanks again for writing such an honest post.Reply to Scrivs
Hey Scrivs, I can relate to your problem of becoming complacent with you’re succeeding. I sometimes do that with my freelance writing biz. I’m doing good, making good money and oops, not promoting my posts, not guest posting and not networking. I gotta remember to always keep hustlin’ Thanks for stopping by!Reply to Elna
I’m with you! Let’s prepare to sit pretty. And I also am trying to nail down my commenting on other blogs strategy/schedule because I truly want to support them in the manners that matter most for them. Great post once again!Reply to Natasha
Hey Natasha! Yeah, I’m so happy that I was able to comment on several blogs today! Yay! Thanks for commenting!Reply to Elna
I love this article (and your site in general). It’s so hard not to get bogged down by your daily numbers, but I always try to think of the bigger picture, and that every new post added is potential new visitors…so to keep plugging along! So glad that other people are in the same boat!Reply to Aly
Hey Aly, What a cute site you have! I just popped over and pinned your Halloween costume post. So cute! Anyways, thanks for the support. For me, I have a hard time thinking of the bigger picture, but then that’s what my husband is here for 🙂Reply to Elna
Thanks! I’m right there with you!Reply to Robin
Hey Robin! Thanks so much! Happy to know there are others out there struggling too!Reply to Elna
This could not have come at a more perfect time! My blog has been slow lately and it’s because I’ve picked up more freelance writing and because my family has spent the last several months at doctors appointments (over 50 in the last 3 months). It’s been crazy, and my blog has suffered which is especially discouraging since I’m working to make it an income source for my family. But this is a phase, and I will be able to get back to blogging better soon.Reply to Hannah
Hey Hannah! Hang in there 🙂 I’m sorry to hear for crazy months at the doctors. Last November our family had the Noro Virus and it was literally the WORST thing that has happened to us. My husband STILL has some effects from that virus. It’s not pretty at all. Yeah, prioritize the work that makes you the most income (if it’s freelance writing then do that first) before doing any personal projects like your blog. Good luck!Reply to Elna
I’ve been blogging for almost two years and focused most of my first year on creating engaging content and the branding of the blog and social channels. Can you say work?! Now in the second year, I’m jumping into the legal protection of everything and it’s so much work that just like you I was posting less and engaging less. But I love all of your tips. I really like how you’re such a go-getter and even being super busy you seem to be doing really well. Gonna try my best to implement some of this cuz it can’t hurt and will most likely be really good!!Reply to Danielle
Hey Danielle! Yeah, growing your blog is hard work. There are many days when I want to throw in the towel, but it’s a love/hate thing. I really do love blogging and I’m hoping a year from now I’ll have more time for all of this (this is when the twins go to school!).Reply to Elna
I really enjoyed this!!! Glad to see Im not alone… I had several times when this would happen, and I hate it! xoxo Ileana Novelstyle BlogReply to Ileana
Hey Elna, it’s scary how close some of these points hit home with me 😮 I totally lost my mojo in a big way this month, though I have some suspicions it *MIGHT* be related to the number of free webinars I was hitting up and all that psychological copywriting magic suckerpunching me in the pain points. Ouch. I’ve been really bad with blog commenting… yours is about the only one I get to on a regular basis. And, I also haven’t made any new content upgrades in a while. I really want to work more on that, particularly more”PHAT BONUSES” like you and Kasey talked about in your last webinar. But. Time. Argh!Reply to Cath
Hey Cath! You are amazing! You are doing so awesome with everything I wouldn’t worry too much. Love your blog and I eagerly await your new post! Yeah, psychological copywriting gets the best of us! Thanks for making my blog the ONLY one you comment on 🙂 I feel special. I have all these awesome things that I want to do with TwinsMommy – more webinars, my giveaway and my mompreneur planner launch…grr…I just don’t have the time because I’m also updating my freelance writing course and well, that makes me money…and that takes priority right now 🙂 TwinsMommy must wait a bit longer.Reply to Elna
Hey Elna, I totally know how you feel, and that’s why I often feel like giving up when it comes to blogging. But I haven’t yet. I feel like this EVERY DAY. I just want to know you’re not alone! I’ve started a new blog with great intentions, then pretty much abandoned it… even though it’s still there. I have ignored my author site completely. I’ve focused on client work and my own personal projects. I’m still doing that. Thankfully, I have many people willing to submit guest posts to me, and that is the only reason Wording Well has been so successful. Geez. Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging and freelancing! LOL Talk soon, LorraineReply to Lorraine
Hey Lorraine! Yeah, it’s hard to maintain more than one blog. I struggle every day. I actually like your new site and sorry to hear it’s on the back burner. But, you got to do what’s best for you, right? Miss our Starbucks chats!Reply to Elna
Great post! I am still new to the blogging business, with two kids at home. And you speak my soul. It often isn’t easy to make all ends meet, and I don’t mean money wise just simple time wise. There are days where I wish I had Hermionies Time turner and could be at more but one place at the same time. You have some great tipps, a big thanks for them!Reply to Pat
Ha! You mentioning Hermionie put a smile on my face! Ha.. Love Harry Potter (haven’t read the newest book/screenplay). I’m glad you could relate to this. There are days when I have no energy to do anything! Taking care of twins, prepping dinner, doing laundry, cleaning and more cleaning and then at the end of the day, write for my clients, write on my blog and check social media and email! It’s a lot for sure!Reply to Elna
This is such a great thing to keep in mind! My blog is a few months old and my audience is still pretty tiny but I have to remind myself that it takes time! A lot can happen in a year!Reply to Ilona
Hey Ilona! That’s right. I forget at times when I’m knee-deep in my content marketing for my blogs! I have to stop and think of the end goal to get me focused.Reply to Elna
I really need to work on my content upgrade/email list. One day…Reply to Emily
I love this!! I just launched my blog last week, and will definitely take these tips to heart over the next few weeks, months, years, haha.Reply to Tyane
Hi Tyane! Thanks so much. So happy to hear you found some great tips with this post. Sitting pretty a year from now means doing all the work right now, eh?Reply to Elna
Guess today is ‘slump day’, ha ha! I’ve been feeling it too and that darned comparison thief…I have to learn to stop looking around and focus on what’s ahead and running my own race, realizing that it might look a lot different than what’s going on around me. And you know what? That’s okay. If we were all the same, how boring would the world be, right? As always, great post Elna!Reply to Kimi
Hey Kimi! I like that viewpoint! If we were all the same, blogging would be boring! And yes, comparing yourself to others will sabotage your success but it sure is darn hard not to!Reply to Elna
Well I use a lot of the info I have learned from you Elna! 😀 (FB groups, group pin boards) I am just starting to really blog but agree the time involved it a lot more than I assumed. I timed myself…2 hours at least to write, edit, link things. What is helping me now is knowing that I love blogging so I am able to justify in my head finally delegating somethings I don’t love (like inventory updates & bookkeeping) to my in store employees. I may even teach them some social media sharing to schedule for me while they have down time between customers.Reply to Jessica
Hi Jessica! That’s a great solution. Outsourcing and delegating has also helped me free up some time. I recently hired a copyeditor (another mommy blogger) and he’s awesome. I’m also thinking about hiring a VA in the future so I’m always keeping my eye on finding other bloggers to help me out. Blogging is fun. I LOVE it, but it is time consuming. And now that my twins are really growing up, they don’t want me checking my email or working during the day. It’s parks and bubbles and bike rides for me!Reply to Elna
Loooved reading this post! 🙂 I went through a huuuge slump over the summer where I literally did nothing on my blog for about two months. Ugh. Horrible. Then it was too overwhelming to get back into it again … but, I did – finally – just this month. It takes up all of my time, but I’m committed and giving it my all for a while. It’s so addicting, right? Always something I want to change up on my site, or add, or write about. Never enough time.Reply to NYG
Hey, I’m right there with ya. I felt the same way. Even though I did write on both my blogs, I didn’t write on my usual schedule. My course sales suffered because I wasn’t pumping out content for my ElnaCain blog. I never knew how reliant my course sales are in regards to my content marketing. It just shows how important your blog is for getting you some money!Reply to Elna
I tend to get caught up in the numbers too. It’s the most concrete way to know how well your blog is doing, so I think it’s something a lot of us struggle with. I am working on engaging content and leaving comments on other blogs, but I am struggling with building my list. It’s only my second month of focusing on it, but I only have 38 subscribers so far. I must get some content upgrades going!Reply to Kecia
Hey Kecia! Yeah you’re right. If you want to see the health of your blog you have to look at the numbers. But just like losing weight, you can’t check the scale every day and expect results! Yes, content upgrades will totally help with building your list! Also, assessing your lead magnet too!Reply to Elna
I fell ya! These last few weeks with my the two older kids in school have been a renaissance for me. It feels amazing to have some quiet during the day. Although I don’t get any time to myself (baby only naps on me) I feel like I can at least focus on something for more than one minute. It will get easier as the kids get older….as long as a new baby doesn’t come along 😉Reply to Emma
Hi Emma! Ha I can see the picture now! Yeah, I know it will get easier and quieter (wow! I can’t believe how noisy it is at my house). Thanks for stopping by!Reply to Elna
I have decent traffic, my issue is my time is so divided. I work in 20 minute bursts. I wish I could stay up late into the night working on all my future projects, but I don’t have the energy. I might take some time off in November to work on the website.Reply to Liz
Hey Liz! I hear ya! I know what you mean. Time is a big issue and I have to spend most of my time at home with my twins. They are getting older and want to do things like play dates and library programs. Blogging and freelance writing have given me the opportunity to do these things with my kids so I shouldn’t feel guilty about neglecting my blog so much. Thanks for stopping by!Reply to Elna
I’m still in the planning and organizing stages, but this post has made me stop and think about my blog in a different way. I can apply this as well to my freelance writing career. Your post as always is full of information and insight..keep it up!Reply to Cat
Hey Cat! Wow! I’m so happy I was able to give you some insight into your blog growth. Sometimes I never know if I’m hitting a nerve with my posts. I want to help other bloggers and especially mom bloggers, but at the same time I don’t want to give them false hope. My blog is established now and it’s time to really sit and pump out quality content. Yes, pinning and marketing is important, but if you don’t’ have the content to promote, then you can’t market your blog as effectively. My freelance writing blog suffered too during this whole “losing my mo-jo to write” phase. I barely wrote two posts over the summer and my traffic suffered (as well as my sales to my course). So I know the power of content marketing!Reply to Elna
Hey Elna I am so glad that I found your blog (via pinterest) 🙂 I have a food blog since february. And sometimes it is so frustrating because my blog doesn’t grow. But I love it so much and I really need to focus more on “blog-marketing”. And I learn so much from you. So thank you very much!Reply to Ramona
Hi Ramona! So happy you found me on Pinterest! Yay! One of the things I did was change up my scheduling and pin less and I was worried I’m not reaching anyone. And even though my numbers are dropping, I’m happy to hear I am reaching new people! Yeah, blog marketing is a whole new beast eh? I wouldn’t worry too much about your food blog. If you invest in the marketing side you’ll have no problem generating traffic.Reply to Elna
I’m right there with you on this one! My numbers aren’t pretty right now and I have no one to blame but myself. I’m slowly regaining focus and momentum and it was so nice to hear that I’m not the only one going through this! Thanks for sharing. 🙂Reply to Pam
Hey Pam, Yeah I’m so happy you found this post inspirational and hopefully informational too! I know a lot of other mama bloggers are feeling the same way. I just have to get my head out of the day to day of growing this blog and think about the bigger picture!Reply to Elna
Great and thoughtful post, Elna. As someone who is completely new to blogging, I can only imagine I will start to feel the pressure as the days and months go by. It is truly amazing how much actual work goes into blogging. People who don’t blog have no real idea of the sheer amount of time, effort, learning, and knowledge goes into a blog.Reply to Avonelle
Hey Avonelle! Thanks so much for your support. I didn’t want this to be a pity party really. I just wanted to convey to new bloggers that it’s dang hard to grow your blog and don’t think because others make it look easy, it is. And if you’re a mom, it can be challenging. I’m doing my best and I’m excited to grow this blog. I have a lot of awesomeness for my baby here and I can’t wait to unveil it.Reply to Elna
You’re right that it can be challenging as a parent. My kids are teenagers now, so it’s easier for me to find time than it is for parents of younger children. I don’t know how you do it!Reply to Avonelle
I love this! I’ve been feeling in a slump lately, both because I’m not getting as much done as I want too and because I’ve fallen into the trap of comparing myself to others. (Those pins about bloggers who made 40k a year in their first year of blogging make me feel so inadequate if I’m not careful!). It’s reassuring to know that I’m not alone in the struggle to balance work/life/a 3.5 year old. Tell your hubs thanks for the reminder to focus on the long game and try to just relax and appreciate the phase I’m in. ?Reply to Emily
Hey Emily! I know right? I fall into that trap of comparing others ALL.THE.TIME. I’m like, how did they whip up a course with a 3 month old blog and a kid to take care of? I know I shouldn’t compare, but I’m like, wh-what? I’ll let my hubs know his words of wisdom is helping more than just me 🙂 Ha, he’d like that.Reply to Elna
Hey lady, I work-at-home as a freelance writer and homeschool my 10-year and 3-year old plus, take care of the 19-month old … and write my blog (I just started it on Sept 1). I’m totally right there with ya! Tell ya what, you keep writing these awesome posts and check-ins … and I will keep following and replying with my progress along with you! Cause no matter how big you think your blog should be … it’s HUGE to me!! Thanks Mama!! ?Reply to Marie
Marie! Wow! That just put a big smile on my face 🙂 I’m humbled by all that you do. I could never homeschool AND do what I’m doing. NEVER!! ha… I’ll do my best to keep on blogging and I look forward to your comments.Reply to Elna
You’ll get over this hump. Like you say, phase by phase. Thank you so much for the tip on commenting. I started my blog a few weeks ago, and do not have ONE comment yet. But hopefully, like Zig Ziglar says “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.” I never comment here, but I read I think every email from you, and your site is my go to for blogging. Keep it up Elna. 🙂Reply to Neyssa
Neyssa, you have one now! Love your blog!Reply to Avonelle
Hey Neyssa! Thanks for commenting finally 🙂 So happy to know you read every email from me! I never know if people enjoy my emails. I don’t always want to sent a broadcast and just tell everyone my latest post, but I’m so proud of my post 🙂 Ha.. Happy to hear this is your go to for blogging tips.Reply to Elna
Hey Elna, I really love everything that you do. To be honest I haven’t even started a blog because it all just seems so overwhelming at the moment! I don’t know how you do it quite frankly! I’m mostly focused on jump starting my freelancing with the intention of starting a blog once I get my head on straight. I look forward to seeing you ‘sitting pretty’ in a year’s time 🙂Reply to Aisha
Hey Aisha! Thanks. I don’t know how I do it either 😉 I think your plan is awesome. I would start with freelancing first to start monetizing your site and then add a blog later on!Reply to Elna
Great ideas.thanksReply to mavis