So You Want to Be a Blogger...

So, you want to be a blogger.
So, you want to be a blogger?
So, you want to be a blogger!!!!

Blogging wasn't something I knew much about when I started just over two years ago. I wanted a way to share what I was doing with the children, who at the time were 2.5 yrs old and 14 mths old. And I also wanted a way to keep record for myself of what we were accomplishing, especially important as a homeschool family. I am not sure where I heard about blogging. But I thought it sounded promising. But how to start? I discovered there were different blogging providers or platforms. I picked Blogger because it seemed simple enough for my limited computer know-how. I was right, it was simple to set up my blog.

But then I started writing posts and realized...no one was reading them. No one knew I existed. I wasn't sure what to do. I discovered the importance of finding like minded bloggers and, better yet, like minded bloggers with blog hop linkys. And I discovered the importance of not just linking up a post, but visiting other blogs that are linked up, reading the post and leaving a comment.  One way I found these linkys was by seeing the buttons on bloggers sidebars. In order to spread the word bloggers create buttons that link back to their blogs, usually to the specific posts for the hop or meme. I found several great preschool/homeschool blog hops to link up with on a weekly basis. I found new bloggy friends, was able to find great new ideas to use with my children and shared my own ideas with others.

Joining daily blog hops helped me gain followers as well. I did notice some bloggers are just interested in the numbers, while others really want people to come and read there blogs. I fall somewhere in between. I want to find blogs to read that are of interest to me. I definitely would prefer to have followers who are going to read my blog and find it of interest. I mean, that was one of the reasons I started blogging. However, I have also decided to do some reviews and giveaways and for these I do need to increase my numbers. I have since learned the importance of sharing on Twitter and Facebook, and just recently Google+, plus the importance of Klout and Alexa. I'm sure there are others, but I am still learning.

One more note, it is important to have a well organized blog layout to make it more inviting for prospective readers. I know there are some blogs I visit that are more difficult to navigate. Not surprisingly I don't find myself going back to those blogs as often, if at all. I am hoping others find my blog inviting and would like to stay awhile and get to know me.