Do you want to start a mom blog? I was on mat leave with Harper when I started writing. That was 4 years ago now. Time flies! I never thought it would evolve to where it is today. I’m still learning as I go and there’s still so much more I want to do with ‘No Tummy Mommy’. I’m hoping new ideas come to me while on my upcoming mat leave with baby #2.

For those of you who are considering starting a blog or more specifically a mom blog, but not sure if you should, then hopefully this post will help you make up your mind. Read on for some of the simple tips I’ve learned along the way that might make starting your journey to becoming a mom blogger that much smoother.

The World Wide Web is Waiting for You!

Starting my blog gave me a good creative outlet; I was on mat leave and there were some lonely moments of cabin fever. Truthfully, getting the baby wrapped up to go out only to have to rush back for nap time was exhausting and a lot of work at the time. Writing really helped me cope with this new chapter in my life.

You may feel silly at first just writing for an audience you might not have just yet, but regardless there’s something very therapeutic about it. Don’t be scared – go for it!

What Would You Even Call Your Blog?

I sat for days going through books and magazines trying to get ideas. I spent countless hours jotting down names I liked to describe the content I wanted to write about. Nothing really resonated with me. In fact, I started with the blog name Mother Dragon (since Harper was born in the year of the dragon). I really wasn’t sold on the name, so I spoke to friends and family and asked them to give me words that describe my passion, me as a person and my life as a whole. It was actually my brother who joked with me calling me “no tummy mommy” after having my daughter. It made me laugh and I liked it, so it stuck. Simply put, that’s how the name was born.

The point I’m trying to make here is that whatever name you choose, first figure out what your blog will be about. Ask yourself questions like:

What am I passionate about when it comes to motherhood?
What gets me excited?
What do I want to share with other mamas (or the world for that matter)?

Once you sort that out, the name of your blog will stem from this, as will the domain name. Your next step is to then get web hosting and finally, decide on the look and feel of your site. There are hundreds of ‘Themes” out there – many of which are free and beautiful! Listen, I love to write, but I am no web designer! I asked a friend to help me out in this department. If you’re good at this stuff, sites such as Wix and Squarespace make it quite easy to do it yourself. Save a buck and get your DIY game on.

Find Your Authentic Voice

Now that you’re all set up, it’s time to get writing. Find your authentic voice and with that, share your story.

When you start to write, think about how sharing your message might help other mothers. Consider questions your mommy friends have asked you and solutions you have provided them. Remember challenges you faced and how you overcame them. There ain’t no hood like Motherhood and believe me, there are moms out there who have probably been in your shoes before and will thank you for sharing your perspective.

Write. Tell. Repeat.

It’s natural to worry that no one will ever read your blog, but this is where you gotta put in a little work. You simply just have to start telling people about it. Your friends. Your family. Your coworkers. People will come to read your blog and if you are providing value and they like you and your authentic voice, they will be back. They will probably tell a friend or two to check out your blog too.

What I found really helped to put myself out there was to do guest posts for mom blogs that I follow and admire, like The Rebel Mama, Not So Mumsy and Lot 801 to name a few. Reach out to mom bloggers you like and offer to write an article on their site because your content might just be relevant to their readers too.

Don’t forget to work the social media angle. For example, use your Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to spread the word of your blog. Engage with your readers/followers and make it clear what value you are bringing to the table. Be consistent, but don’t kill yourself. You don’t have to post every week, but publishing new content will definitely work wonders for the growth of your blog.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Never underestimate the power of pictures. Make sure your blog posts have quality and clear images to support your content. Interestingly enough, a lot of people are attracted to a blog merely based on good photos, so don’t skimp on photography. It also helps to break up the copy, which is way easier on the eyes and makes for simple readability. PS – I am not a professional photographer, but I do like pretty pictures and will invest in hiring one from time to time to capture the right shot!

Other Important Things To Consider When Starting a Blog

Ask and You Shall Receive. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback. Your friends and readers will tell you the real deal to help you improve your content and help you deliver more value going forward.
Don’t Give a F. Fear will often hold us back from doing a lot of things and now you just have to get over yourself and start that blog. Write and then write some more. Don’t give up and don’t care what people think! Reality is, there will always be haters and you can’t let them stop you.
Proofread and Edit. If you’re not so confident with your grammar, spelling or punctuation, have a friend review your work before you hit publish.
“No One is Truer Than You”. I have mentioned finding your ‘authentic voice’ a couple of times because nothing beats keepin’ it real. Write your blog post like you are telling a story to your bestie over a glass of mommy juice. People will love you for who YOU are and no one else.

Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe

I hope that this post has convinced you a little bit more to start that blog you’ve always wanted to start. Sure, I am still figuring it out as I go, but I believe if I keep having fun with it the right people will continue to follow along!

Trisha xo

Should You Start a 'Mom Blog'? YES!