For some time now I’ve wanted to pull together the information I have gathered about blogging into a usable resource for others. It’s been one of the many, many things on my ‘to-do’ list. Finally, it’s here in this little 46 page book called “How To Start A Blog”.

 

As you might imagine from the title, the book covers all the basics for those who have been thinking about starting a blog and as well as for those who are new to blogging and want to cover off the basics. It includes chapters on…

What Is A Blog?
Tips For Naming Your Blog
Blogger vs WordPress: Which Platform Is Best For You?
Setting Up Your Blog
5 Things Every Blog Needs
Finding Readers
Tips & Tricks For Successful Blogging
How To Make Your Blog PR Friendly

I’m excited and insanely nervous! Thankfully, I’ve shared it with some trusted bloggy friends who’ve had some very kind things to say about it…

“Louisa Claire’s Ebook is the perfect guide to starting up a blog, including why you should and how to go about it. Filled with lots of must-have information, I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to get started blogging. Veronica Foale, Sleepless Nights.”

“Although I’ve been blogging on various platforms for over four years, Louisa’s e-book helped me understand some of the little things I never knew about blogging. Everyone who wants to start a blog should read this first. It is very well written and explains things in a simple step by step way.” Toushka Lee from Toushka Lee

“Louisa’s eBook is a must have guide for someone thinking about starting their own blog. The step by step guide covers everything you need to know from starting your blog to finding readers to getting on the PR radar. I’ve been doing this blogging thing for over 6 years now and there were even a few things in that eBook that were helpful to me.” Tina Gray, Tina Gray {dot} Me.

“I wish I had been able to read Louisa’s ebook How to Start a Blog when I first started blogging… or even after I’d been blogging for a while. It’s full of down to earth, useful advice for all kinds of bloggers in an easy to read style.” Kate from Picklebums

The ebook will be available next week for the introductory price of $8.00 however, if you’d like to secure a copy before then you can pre-order now and receive a further 15% discount by using the code Pre12! This discount will end on Tuesday 1st May, middnight.

 

If you’re new to blogging or thinking of getting started then this ebook has been written just for you. I hope you find it helpful and that your blogging journey is as wonderful as mine has been!

Incoming search terms:

• how to start a blog ebook
• ebook start a blog
• is there a fee to start an ebook
• start a blog ebook

1. Speak the truth. Always. 

2. Wear nice underwear. 

3. Be kind. 

4. Wear lipstick. 

5. Smile. 

6. Accept that things change, people change and friendships change. It’s not you, it’s just time. 

7. Spend time with people who love you and believe in you. 

8. Look for the best in people. 

9. Say yes more often than you say no. 

10. Don’t do drugs. 

11. Don’t drink too much. 

12. Travel. Even if you only ever go as far as the next suburb, take the time to meet people who are different to you and you see the world differently. 

13. Seek God. 

14. Clean out your wardrobe – get rid of the clothes that don’t fit you, that you never wear, that you make you feel frumpy/uncomfortable, that provide you with an excuse to feel down about yourself. 

15. Give yourself time to re-fill your wardrobe – it doesn’t have to happen overnight. 

16. Exercise 

17. Spend time with your friends. 

18. Watch less television. 

19. Get up before anyone else in the house and enjoy the dawn rising, the quiet and the chance to start the day on your own terms. 

20. Take the stairs. 

21. Laugh often. 

22. Be generous. 

23. Support a charity. 

24. Take regular holidays – they don’t have to be fancy, they just have to be a real chance to connect with your family or friends. 

25. Leave your smart phone at home. 

26. Get enough sleep. 

27. Seek joy. 

28. Speaking kindly. 

29. Ask yourself regularly “how am I making a difference to my community/world/family”. 

30. Sponsor a child. 

31. Sing. 

32. Don’t let misunderstandings undo years of friendship. 

33. Don’t believe the Hollywood picture of love. Love is passion and beauty and fun, but it’s so much more than a feeling – it’s a choice, a commitment to keep choosing, to listen, to connect, to stay in touch with each other. 

34. Grief isn’t fleeting, learn to accept the grief you carry and hold it as an important part of you, but don’t let it define you. 

35. Look for ways to learn – read books, blogs, magazines. Listen to the radio, news, podcast. Soak up knowledge. 

36. Don’t be arrogant. You are not always right. 

37. Be willing to let it go, even if you know you are right. Sometimes, often even, being in relationship is more important than being right and having no relationship. 

38. Hug your family. Often. 

39. See the best in people, look for things to celebrate not pull down. 

40. Celebrate other people’s success, even when it stings. 

41. Always assume the best, not worst about another person or situation. 

42. Stop reading women’s magazines. 

43. Forgive yourself your mistakes. 

44. Stop lying to yourself, you don’t do yourself or anyone else any favours. 

45. Let go of the plans you have for how your life is “supposed to be” – life is just way too interesting for that. 

46. Listen to your children, really listen to them. Be the parent that makes their child believe they have something of value to offer the world. 

47. Save. 

48. Don’t be afraid to spend some money – invest in yourself, your family, your future. 

49. Pray. 

50. Don’t compare yourself to someone else – we all have our insecurities, yours may be different from theirs, but they have them too. 

51. Wear proper shoes – your feet will thank you as you get older. 52. Own your mistakes. Apologise.
 

Does this resonate with you? How do you live your best life?  

Incoming search terms:

• how to live your best life
• ways to live your best life
• best ways to live life
• best way to live your life
• good way to live life

The blogosphere is awash with Kidspot Ford Territory Top 50: Feel The Difference Posts, all entries into a competition that will send one lucky blogger to BlogHer12 in New York later this year. I’ve read so many beautiful stories this past week; stories that have inspired and moved me, stories of strength and courage and laughter…oh, the laughter! Bloggers are incredible, in case you didn’t already know.

I almost decided not to write this post. How can I possibly compete with these amazing 49 bloggers?! And yet here I am, with absolutely no expectation that my blog will make the final 5, but celebrating the fundamental truth about blogging: this is my journey, my place, my difference ~ it’s my own beautiful celebration of life and while this may be a competition, blogging itself is not. My journey may have been simple, but it’s been mine and I’m thankful for that every single day.

This blog began over 5 years ago as a place where I shared the most random and strange things. In a time before “aussie mummy bloggers” and facebook fan pages, when I did silly things like photograph the coffee I bought each morning. Miraculously, though my posts were random, and let’s be honest, often poorly written and about uninteresting topics, kind people commented. And I caught the bug.

I used to be terribly embarrassed about those early posts and the number of posts about our pre-kids “baby”, Rumple…but since he’s no longer with us I’m so grateful for the memories. But why be embarrassed? This blog has given me so much. Over the years I’ve learnt ‘how’ to blog; my writing has changed, my life has changed and this blog has trundled every step of it alongside me me.

Memories, stories, pictures, prayers, hopes, homes, dreams, sorrows, grief, laughter, babies, love. Oh so much love.

What would my life look like if I’d never started this blog? I shudder to think… life without the friendships, the support, the kindness that has spilled into my life over the years. I’ve never thought to imagine it until right in this moment in time. Loss; that’s the word that comes to mind when I think of life without such kindness, without those friendships.

There is no real difference between us bloggers; some of us have more readers, some of us more “likes”, some of us share recipes, others inspire with images, some of us are fashionistas, some of us authors, some of us are susie-homemakers, others domestic disasters. But we are all bloggers. We are all building communities, sharing ourselves with virtual strangers and watching with awe and amazement as those strangers become our beautiful friends.

To every blogger who stumbles across this page…and to the many who will never see it – I raise a glass to you tonight! Here’s cheers to blogging.

This post is my entry into the Kidspot Top 50 competition which will see one lucky blogger head over to New York for BlogHer2012. There is also $5000 up for grabs to one lucky person who votes in the competition – so to cast your vote for one or all of the amazing bloggers on this list head over to Kidspot.

One of the highlights of the recent Digital Parents Blogging Conference was the photobooth at the dinner. As you can see I had so much fun with some of my bloggy buds. Top-Bottom, Left-Right we have Claire from Clairey Hewitt, Nathalie from Easy Peasy Kids, Kelly from Be A Fun Mum, Joy from World Vision, Caz from The Truth About Mummy and Kellie from Three Lil Princesses.

It was a hoot! If you want to see what the other bloggers got up to you can explore the hundreds of super fun pics over here.

Have you joined the photobooth craze? Love it or hate it??

 

It’s been quiet around here, have you noticed?

My body has been saying “slow down” and as seems to happen with me, when I need to slow down blogging is one of the first things to go. Writing posts that are going to be meaningful and engaging is also really emotionally draining and so there are seasons where things need to go a bit slower. This is one of those seasons…

The blog might be a bit more light-hearted than usual (read: a bit superficial) and it may be bit quiet for a while… Bear with me, my body is talking and I need to listen.

Do you listen to your body? What do you do when you need to slow down?

 

 

We’ve been quiet, but busy. Life is full, wonderful and marvellous and yet….

There are so many people and places in need across the word – today is Easter Sunday and I invite you to make a change to another Australian in the simplest way of all – just donate a smile.

 

For every picture you share with the Colgate Smiles gallery, Colgate will donate $1 to The Smith Family. It’s so simple, it’s ridiculous.

I’m the Colgate Smiles online ambassador, and proud to support such a great cause!

 

 
Have you been moved to support a cause of late? Tell me about it….