BBC3CR

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How to start up your own parent blog and why you want to!

Posted on by MummyWhisperer

I went to chat with the deliciously ditzy Sophie Sulehria on the last bank holiday at BBC3 Counties Radio about how I got into blogging.

Have a listen to her, I really hope that BBC3CR give her a permanent slot soon, as she has a great warm air about her that just makes you smile.  Plus at the moment their schedule is ALL MEN (tut tut BBC3CR!!):

 

I am REALLY passionate about blogging, because it can be:

1) Cathartic

2) A great support community

3) Fab diary of your children’s younger years

4) A way to learn new skills

5) Gets you to read interesting, educational and funny blogs

6) Possibly even a way to earn money or get treats for the family

 

I think that it can be magic for people, as long as they don’t go into it with pre-concieved ideas of what they are going to get from it.  You don’t have to do it the way I have, where it has taken over my life, it can just be a once a week/month quick post.  Just start writing about whatever is going on with you and then change as your interests change.

Remember blogs posts are:

1) Short and pithy.

2) Pictures are great.

3) Have lots of white space.

4) Always have a WHITE background, not black with white writing.

5) You don’t have to be a writer or have any qualifications to do it

 

I didn’t realise I could write, or would enjoy it.  There are hints right from my child hood that it is ‘what I’m meant to be doing’, but it took a while for me to notice – doh!  I’ve been a geek, and a tree-hugger, but now due to my blog I’m an ‘author‘ too.  Loads of people I’ve met have found a new career through blogging, not necessarily to become a writer, but maybe a new interest or a career in PR, social media or even radio!

It’s free to start, just go to blogger or wordpress.com (my fave).  Pick a name, but first make sure no one else has got the same blog name (i.e. google for the ” blog”).  Your blog can be totally honest, partially (my choice) or completely anonymous if you prefer.

There can be some downsides of course!

1) It is highly addictive (unplug frequently)

2) The technical/social media stuff can be overwhelming (just take it one step at a time)

3) Blogging can be competitive and bitchy (ignore, ignore, ignore!)

4) One sign of success is getting trolls (doesn’t happen until you are really successful normally).

 

St Albans is the blogging capital of the UK and there are loads of bloggers in Herts, Beds and Bucks, so if you are local you will find lots of people to help you out – just come and make contact with us on twitter and start reading our blogs and commenting and we will reciprocate.  It’s like normal relationship, you don’t become best friends straight away, but you do get closer as time goes by; I have some fab friends online now a days, many of whom I have met face to face (I’ve been blogging for 4 years).

Another place to find blogs is on awards list.  As it would happen I’ve been short listed for a Brilliance in blogging award and could do with a vote, meanwhile you can check out the other fab blogs (but remember it’s me you are voting for!!!).

 

If you are a new blog, or are in Herts, Beds and Bucks and what to meet fellow bloggers, remember to add a comment below.

Got any questions about starting a blog?  I’m happy to help.

My First BBC Radio Interview with My Daddy Cooks

Posted on by MummyWhisperer

 

I was in total geeks heaven; my first radio interview with Nick Coffer on BBC 3 Counties.  There were dials, buttons, screens, computers, flashing things, headphones; it was amazing.  I’d been on blogtalk radio before and interviewed by phone for local independent radio, but here I was being interviewed on BBC Radio, and I realised that I’d made a big decision – I love radio studios!

The great My Daddy Cooks who normally has a show on the weekend on BBC Three Counties, had taken on one of the Bank Holiday Christmas shows and really kindly asked me along.  I admit to being scared sh**less, and desperately writing notes in the waiting room as his introduction talked me up more and more and I panicked about not being able to remember how to talk, let alone anything else.  But he was a star.  How someone can talk so fast, press so many buttons, and keep guiding me to talk more/less, louder/quieter, quicker/slower, I don’t know, but he must be a natural at it.

So here it is…..

Want to know how many kisses I do?

Or the first time I’ve really talked honestly about how badly 2011 started for me?

What about my 6 tips for being a contented parent?

Or how I lost 2 stone in weight without diets or going to the gym?

Here is the link, incase you aren’t able to listen to it straight from this blog.

Lisa on BBC3CR

Big thank you’s to BBC3CR, Nick and the big hairy northern one who had to look after a couple of sick kids while I did the interview.  How do you think I did?  Be kind, remember it was my first ‘proper’ radio show!