How to start a Mommy Blog 101

November 10, 3:18 PMIrving Stay-at-Home Moms ExaminerLynley Phillips

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Gone are the days of mommies jotting down a few lines in the baby book about what cute things Jr. did at the breakfast table that morning. In the age of technology, moms are turning to the Internet as their outlet for journaling about cute kid stories, discussing household tips and generating ideas for business ventures.

Mommy blogging has found a solid place on the Internet, with an approximate 19.2 percent of the on-line population being composed of Mommy bloggers (according to the research firm Neilson On-line). Who are these mommy bloggers and why has blogging become such an outlet for moms? "Mommy bloggers" are a variety of moms using the Internet to field their voice, writing about a host of topics. These are not merely bored housewives, but informed and connected women with something to say. Blogging provides a soapbox of sorts and connects moms with others around the world.

The popularity of blogging can leave many non-bloggers wondering how they too can establish their own on-line soapbox. Before rushing in and starting a blog, take time to consider the tips below that can help create a fun and interesting on-line journal.

1. Find a voice. Mommy blogs do not merely discuss the ins and outs of diapering a child and feeding a family. Mommy bloggers cover a variety of topics from parenting to saving money to political issues. In order to establish a blog others want to read (readership is one of the goals of a blog), one must first decide the voice that will be used. Draft a few blog posts, attempting to focus the writing on topics or subjects of personal interest.
2. Select a blog hosting site. The Internet is crawling with a variety of sites that will host a blog, many free of charge. Blogger and WordPress are two of the most popular and user-friendly blog providers. Examining a detailed comparison chart of these two hosts can aide in deciding between the two.
3. Choose a name. Give the name of a blog careful consideration. Before simply deciding on "Jo's Journal" attempt to think of a creative title that will prick the curiosity of potential readers, wanting them to  peruse the content of the blog.
4. Consider design. Blogs come in a variety of designs, from simple free templates to expensive intricate designs. Take time to contemplate the look desired before jumping in feet first to a blog design. Remember that others will be reading the blog and attempt to make the site user-friendly and pleasing to the eye. The best thing about blog designs is that there is an array of possibilities, meaning that everyone can find something to match their personal taste.
5. Write...then write some more. The best way to enhance one's writing abilities is to practice. Establish a goal for the blog, attempting to generate a particular number of posts each week. Although such an exercise, as with any exercise, can be difficult at first, it will eventually become easier with time.
6. Promote the blog. As mentioned earlier, one of the reasons for penning a blog is to gain readership and experience feedback via comments. List the blog at specific blog directories that match the content, leave comments on other blogs and tweet about recent posts.

Do you have a mommy blog? Leave a comment telling why you choose to blog and a link to your site.