Littlemummy.Com

Workshop 2 - From Here to Autonomy

Do you have any tips for turning your blog into a full-time career? Are you interested in “blogging for a living?”

Yes I am interested in blogging for a living, but no, unfortunately I don’t have any tips. This is something I am trying to work out at the moment. If I succeed I will be sure to tell all

How can you use a blog to drive traffic to another website or business venture?

If the blog is compelling enough, targeting the correct audience and has the appropriate links, this should happen naturally.

*Just wanted to say thanks to Shannon for hosting BlogHer in Spirit 2006, where do we sign for next year?!

Workshop 1 - Identity and Obligation

How do you decide what aspects of your identity you will reveal in your blog: culture, sexual orientation, political ideology, religion?

I don’t really consider it too much. I go with the flow and write what I want. Most of my posts tend not to be personal in nature - but then my blog isn’t my life story either. I do, however, believe that you need to give a bit of yourself to your blog or it may seem impersonal.

How do you feel about using your name? Your childrens’ name?

Again, I don’t really consider it too much. I use all our real names but I don’t post anything that would be detrimental ie anything acutely embarrassing or anything about jobs etc.. Plus of course my readership isn’t massive, if it were maybe I would feel differently.

If you blog about race, religion etc… or even a personally difficult time of your life - do you feel it opens you (and your family) up to attack and/or do you feel it is a wonderful way to promote acceptance and diversity?

I expect everything that is said on the blog to stay on the blog, so, no I don’t think it opens my family up to attack. I may receive a few scathing comments and nasty links but hey, that’s blogging you have to take the rough with the smooth. Thankfully I haven’t come under attack yet - probably not controversial enough

Workshop 2

Do you use any ad networks or affiliate programs to make money from your blog?

Yes. I use a number of programs predominantly in the directory. Adsense, Cafepress, Amazon, Affiliate Future. And no, as yet, I haven’t exactly made my fortune. It’s early days though

How about traffic-swapping ads? Are they worth the real estate on your blog?

I did it on my blogspot blog but I don’t do it now. I think there are better ways to drive up traffic, like good content, regular posting, and commenting on other blogs.

Share what you know about ad placement. What’s the best spot?

Well if you believe the experts the best spot is the banner above the first post and within the posts themselves. As you can see I don’t utilise either of these other than affiliates at the bottom of posts.

Have you made money writing for other blogs?

No. I did consider applying for BloggingBaby but I decided to concentrate my efforts here

Any other ideas for making money from your blog?

Sell (your) blog branded stuff through cafepress.

Write an ebook and sell it.

Make products and handicrafts to sell.

Sell the content (www.scoopt.com)

For those of you who don’t know BlogHer is a huge conference in California for all female bloggers. Unfortunately due to lack of funds I am not there, and I’m not alone. Phat Mommy has launched ‘BlogHer in Spirit’ which gives everyone a chance to take part in the discussion workshops that are at BlogHer.

Workshop 1 - Audience Building

What service/software do you use to track your site’s traffic?

I use Blogbeat which was recommended to me by my webmaster (Dave). It’s easy to use and gives all the stats you need. Feedburner have acquired Blogbeat just recently, which they plan to integrate into their own stats service so hopefully it remains as helpful as it is now. If only I could stop checking so often I might get a few more posts together!

What’s been your most successful tool in generating more traffic to your blog?

Commenting on other blogs, networking and entering carnivals.

What do you know about syndication and subscriptions?

Well I have an account with feedburner and anyone can subscribe for updates by email. Does that count?