An ‘About Page’ is often one of the first a reader visits and one of the first a blogger writes. However, over time too many get neglected and become out of date. Not ideal when they can play a big part in how we make a first impression. So how can you go about updating your ‘About Page’ to reflect where you are now and lead your readers into your blog?

About Page or Start Here?

Before you dive in, it’s worth taking a minute to think about whether your blog would benefit from something like a ‘Start Here’ page rather than an ‘About Me’ page. It’s really a matter of preference. Both will cover much the same topics but the focus will be slightly different. You can see the PBN ‘Start Here’ page here as an example. As a rule of thumb readers would probably expect an ‘About Me’ on a personal blog to get to know you and your story better. Whereas a ‘Start Here’ page may suit more fact based sites, focusing on telling readers what they will find and guiding them to your main topics.

Questions to ask

It can be tricky to ‘big ourselves up’ but remember this is your opportunity to explain to a new reader why they have come to the right place. So don’t be shy. Read through your current ‘About Me’ page and then ask yourself:

• Is it up to date factually?
• Does it include at least one image, ideally of you by yourself or with your family?
• Does it describe what your blog does for people?
• Can it explain why you’re the right person to write it?
• Does it mention and link to some of your key content?
• Does it tell people how to contact you (or link to your contact page)?

Tone is important too

Finally, have a think about the tone of the page. Does it match the rest of your blog, be it friendly, funny, enthusiastic, thoughtful? It’s easy to become overly formal when talking about yourself. Then you lose the ‘voice’ you’ve been cultivating in the rest of your writing. Writing in the 3rd person, for example, can sound a little stilted. Breaking that personal connection with your readers.

We’d love to see your revamped about pages when your done. So leave us link in a comment below or tweet it to us @pbloggernews so we can take a look.

The post How to polish your blog’s ‘About Page’ appeared first on Parent Blogger News.

Many people make New Year’s Resolutions but I think January is more a time for hibernating on the sofa with hot chocolate and something good on the TV. For me an April Spring Clean is the way to go. When the weather starts perking up, the bulbs are flowering and the kids head back to school after the Easter holiday I always get a surge of enthusiasm for blogging, tidying, exercising and just life in general.

This year I’ll be sharing my annual blog blitz with PBN readers, taking you through a bit of a blog MOT. We all know that writing your posts is only half the story when it comes to blogging but it’s easy to forget those little jobs that keep everything running smoothly and let you really make the most of the opportunities blogging brings. When did you last update your media kit? Have you checked your records on Webmaster Tools recently?

Sign up for the PBN Big Clean 2016 below and starting on Monday 18^th April (so we can all get the kids off to school and recover from the Easter hols a little!) you’ll get:

• 10 daily emails each talking you through a task that will help keep your blog spick and span
• Downloadable worksheets (don’t worry, nothing too strenuous)
• Printable checklists
• Links to helpful resources
• Lots of encouragement from a team of sparkle-clad cheerleaders (ok, not strictly true but working together is a great way to stay motivated!)

Sound good? Just register your email address below before 18th April and wait for the daily tasks to drop into your inbox. I can’t wait to get started!

Once you’ve subscribed why not let other bloggers know you’re taking part with a tweet? The more the merrier!

I’m afraid Big Clean 2016 has now started so you can no longer sign up. I’f you’d like to know when we next run a course like this make sure you subscribe to our newsletter via the widget in the sidebar and you’ll be the first to know what’s coming up on PBN.

The post Join the PBN ‘Big Clean 2016’ appeared first on Parent Blogger News.

Great to have you here, Annette. Why don’t you start by telling us a bit about the Co-op?

The Co-op is a household name in the UK. Most people know us from our Food stores as we have one in every postcode area, but we also have Funeralcare, Insurance, Legal Services and, one that many people don’t know about, Co-op Electrical. We are local and diverse but one thing that resonates are our brand values, as we were recently voted the most ethical and responsible brand in the UK in a YouGov survey.

How have you been working with bloggers?

We work with bloggers and influencers to help share the great news and stories about our products and services. We do this by offering unique and exciting experiences giving them insight and access to parts of the Co-op customers don’t really see (sometimes we just send them our delicious food!). Our annual Christmas Blogger Event was the first of its kind in the northwest, and we’re building from there as bloggers form a crucial part of our ongoing engagement with online influencers.

What do you look for when choosing bloggers to work with?

This depends hugely on the objectives of our individual projects – we could be looking for a  a blogger with a very well established blog or an online influencer with an engaged social community of their own. We look for blogs that really strike a chord with their audience. However sometimes it’s the bloggers that choose us and we’re open to offers from bloggers looking to work with the Co-op on their own projects. The aim for all involved is to create something that is engaging and authentic.

What plans do you have for working with bloggers in 2016?

There are lots of campaigns coming up, across all of our business areas. Food and Electrical are the easy ones – everyone has to eat and have something to cook on, but we sometimes struggle to find quality blogs that deal with more serious issues like why it’s important to write a Will, the emotional and financial benefit of pre-planning a funeral, probate and how home insurance is calculated.

How should bloggers get in contact if they’d like to be involved?

In 2016, we’re starting to work more closely with the bloggers on our list. We sent an update to registered bloggers this month and this is something we’re looking to do on a more regular basis. Each update will even feature a blogger spotlight to highlight the great work we’re doing together. To sign up to the opt-in list visit  http://on.coop/1yHhNPF or if you’d like to pitch an idea for how we could collaborate then drop us a line via the form below.

Thanks Annette, we’ll look forward to seeing what your team have up their sleeves, oh and did we mention how much we love your bakewell tarts? #justsaying

The post Brand Chat – The Co-operative appeared first on Parent Blogger News.

Thanks for joining us, Joy. How did you get started on Instagram?

It was a while ago that I started using Instagram by just downloading the app and following a few bloggers. To be honest, I can’t even remember why now but was probably due to Annie Spratt if I recall correctly. I didn’t really start using it like I do now until much later on when I really started getting into LEGO photography. I just remember watching my first “popular” picture clock up to 118 likes before my eyes and it was such an amazing feeling (although now I realise that is hardly any likes at all!) but right from the beginning I knew it was all about community. I wrote this post on Instagram Tips back in 2014.

I love my new lenses #yellow #mtwic #macro #flowet #emmet #thelegomovie #awesome #love #lego #legophotography #legojoy #Pinkoddy

A photo posted by Pinkoddy (@pinkoddy) on Jun 26, 2014 at 8:42am PDT

What do you enjoy most about IG?

I enjoy the social interaction. Other platforms just feel like link dumps now and IG feels like home, whether it is just sharing some happiness or a genuine question about improving my health and well-being. A community with people checking on one another to see that we are ok, and what we are up to. It feels like micro-blogging that people actually can fit into their very busy lives.

Do you see IG as a way to promote your blog or as a stand alone platform?

I guess I don’t see it as either, which in itself sounds rather random I guess. My blog and social media platforms are all intertwined. But no I don’t add pictures to promote my blog as a general rule (not unless it is something I am reviewing and have agreed to – like this one in advance of my yoga retreat with Mark Warner – and then I will state that on the picture). I occasionally promote my IG on my blog however, or add the IG feed into a post.

Live on the blog details about how I am going to learn #Yoga on a nice @mwholidays #retreat Image courtesy of Mark Warner. I am going there to do a review and the trip has been subsidised. Any questions I may need to think of then please let me know. #yogaretreat #yogapose #yogagirl #markwarnermum

A photo posted by Pinkoddy (@pinkoddy) on Feb 19, 2016 at 6:04am PST

How have you gone about gaining followers?

I try to find people with similar interests, whether that is running, nature, or general well-being for example. I follow people, like their photos, join in with hashtags. I have tried some of the follow for follow groups on Facebook in the past very short term but they weren’t for me as the new followers didn’t really seem to be engaged with what my feed is about.

Which pictures do you find gain the most likes and do you specifically try to select shots that will be popular?

I guess that I do seem to have found myself being more drawn to nature shots and then getting more likes on them. Having said that though, I think it is about the community as my most popular shots are the ones that have a story attached about how I am feeling at that time (like this recent image) or something I have accomplished. I don’t try and select shots that will be popular as personally that is not for me, although I suppose I don’t put pictures up that I wouldn’t click like on myself if I saw them in my feed.

17 years ago today that my mom died from a minor, routine operation that went wrong. At only 20 years old I had to make the decision to turn off her life support machine. She was a good woman, always there for everyone. So kind and considerate. Her death was, and still is, felt by many. They say you live on in the stories of others and that it isn't what you did for others but how you made them feel – my mom made everyone feel important. She will live on in the hearts and stories of others for a long long time. #loss #memories #remembrance #anniversary #flowersofinstagram #fleur #floral #flowers #pink #pinkflowers

A photo posted by Pinkoddy (@pinkoddy) on Feb 20, 2016 at 12:20am PST

You get lots of comments on your pictures. How have you encouraged that interaction?

I think that is just because I am being natural. I do try and respond back like you would any friend. As I say for me it is about a like-minded community, so if someone has answered a question I asked on running, for instance, chances are they might have something else in their feed that I might like to comment on too.

If you had to pick just one, what would be your top tip for IG success?

Authenticity, be yourself. Ignore any advice that you have to do this or that because you would be surprised at the variety of people on Instagram all using it differently. You just have to find the ones you fit with.

Pinkoddy is a Gloucestershire blogger just living life: Trying to take care of her own health and well-being to ensure that she is in a better place to look after her husband and four sons. You can also find her on twitter, facebook, linkedin, youtube & pinterest.

The post Instagram Masterclass – Joy from Pink Oddy appeared first on Parent Blogger News.

Siobhan Freegard set up ChannelMum after selling Netmums three years ago. She is confident that vlogging has a big role to play in the future of blogging. She described the ChannelMum concept as ‘the next generation of parenting sites’.

Freegard says, “We know the way we consume information is changing. The rise of YouTube shows how much we’ve embraced video as people now want to ‘show not tell’. The powerful vlogging movement has revolutionised the way consumers get their information. Our own research at ChannelMum shows 60 per cent of mums want information direct from other mothers, not brands, websites or official sources. While online videos are now the most trusted format for millennial mums, with 35 per cent trusting it above any other media source.”

“What we’re doing at ChannelMum is giving busy new mums a quick, simple and easy resource. They can check out ‘how to’ videos on the go on their phones and get advice, tips and information direct from other mums. With over 100 Vloggers already part of the team, we have parents at every stage of the journey. They’ve been though – and are going through – almost every scenario you’ll ever need advice on.”

The ChannelMum website shows a stream of videos from all the vloggers currently signed up in chronological order as well having a listing of vloggers by name. Their YouTube channel shows a curated selection of vlogs under various subject headings from Family Recipes to Labour & Birth.

Ultimately, ChannelMum will also help vloggers monetise their channels by working with brands, much as the current blogging networks do for traditional bloggers. But Freegard advises brands looking to advertise on the platform to be “prepared to relinquish control because you can’t give mum vloggers a script but when you get it right it gives you really powerful advocacy”.

So if you’re interested in linking up your YouTube channel to the ChannelMum stream you can apply on the site (here). As long as your channel is over three months old and you vlog at least three times a month. If you’re new to vlogging you will also find some useful tips on how to plan, produce and promote your vlogs. If you’ve already signed up, we’d love to hear how you’ve got on so far. Do leave us a comment on your experiences with ChannelMum below.

For more blogging and vlogging tips check out the PBN Pinterest account . Don’t forget to subscribe to the PBN newsletter to stay up to date with all the news (plus you’ll be able to download our free pre- and post-publication checklist to make sure your making the most of each post).

The post Could you be a ChannelMum vlogger? appeared first on Parent Blogger News.

With so many blogging conferences to choose from this year (check out our conference round up) we’re going to focus on one a month to find out a bit more about them. This month we’re starting with a chat with Laura Seaton, the brains behind Blog On. One of only a few blogging conferences held outside of London, Blog On will return to Manchester this year on 1st May.

Thanks for joining us Laura. Why don’t you start by telling us a bit about Blog On?

Blog On has been running since 2012 in Manchester and is aimed at bloggers from all genres. It has a very friendly atmosphere so is perfect for those starting out or for those who may feel lost or intimidated by the bigger events. Blog On always has lots of breaks to encourage networking as we understand that catching up with friends or making new ones is just as important as learning a new skill.

What inspired you to set it up?

I love blog conferences and try to go to as many as possible but I noticed lots of comments from people who either didn’t want to travel to London or who found the concept of being with so many people terrifying. There were also lots of bloggers in my local area of Manchester who wanted to see an event run up here so I accepted the challenge. One of the main focuses for Blog On has always been to get bloggers and brands to work well together so I always wanted to have a brand area where I could introduce the attendees to brands that I had worked with and who appreciated bloggers whilst at the same time showing bloggers how to work with brands in a professional manner. Blog On has grown way past that now and focuses on all the skills we need as bloggers, whether that is SEO, Pinterest, Vlogging, Photography or content marketing the list is endless and my biggest struggle every year is choosing which sessions to put on.

What have been your highlights from previous years?

The Blog On Goody bags have always been a highlight but the biggest achievement was trending on twitter the day Princess Charlotte was born last year. Having the Scummy Mummies perform the Keynote at BlogOnWin last October had to be the funniest thing I have ever seen at a conference and I am looking forward to welcoming them back to Manchester this year. My own personal highlight is how many companies now approach me to be involved in the event rather than me chasing them and this year we have some brilliant companies running some of the sessions including Pinterest and Channel Mum.

What can we expect from this year’s event?

Blog On this year will offer a larger variety of sessions to enable the attendees to have more choice on what they want to learn. It will also be the first year that we will have a Craft Den although we have played host to Black Sheep Wool previously we are taking this one step further this year. As usual we will have a gorgeous cake, lots of yummy food and some amazing brands to interact with as well as the best goody bags full of products from companies who would love to build relationships with bloggers.

Sounds good, hey? Tickets are £40 and I have it on good authority that there aren’t many left so, if you want to go, head over to the Blog On website before they’re all snapped up. 

The post Conference Focus – Blog On appeared first on Parent Blogger News.

For those of us who work from home, a blogging conference can be the highlight of the year. A chance to meet up with other bloggers we normally only chat to virtually, learn something new, make more contacts with brands and PRs, even get the inside scoop on ‘the next big thing’ and most importantly, leave with a renewed sense of enthusiasm and dozens of ideas for where to take your blog next.

Even with all that in common each conference has its own unique character so it’s always worth giving some thought to what you want to get out of an event when deciding which one to attend. Do you want one that’s specifically for parent bloggers? Are you looking to learn, socialise or network with brands? Here’s a round up of what 2016’s conferences should hold to help you choose.

Blognix Retreat – 27/28th February, Northamptonshire – from £195 (including accommodation, dinner and breakfast)

Blognix took a break in 2015 but is now back for 2016 with a focus on intermediate and advanced blogging skills combining business with creativity and wellness. You’ll have a chance to enjoy the spa or some yoga as well as attending sessions. Taking a holistic approach to blogging, talks range from ‘Accounting for Creatives’ to ‘Self-care for Success’.

Blog On – 1st May, Manchester – £40

Blog On is one of the newer conferences, medium sized and a fairly informal affair with a low ticket price, aimed at parent or family lifestyle blogs. The sessions tend to have a more interactive ’round table’ format with lots of opportunity to ask questions. The brands involved are all actively looking to engage with bloggers and you’ll have plenty of time to meet them and talk about how you might work together. Blog On is also known for their massive goodie bags. You’ll find loads in there to share and write about after the event.

Blogcamp – 21st May, Birmingham – Free

The Tots100 team usually put on a couple of Blogcamp events each year. The first in 2016 will be a return to Birmingham. Always a comparatively small event, tickets tend to go quickly, but you can add yourself to the waiting list if you miss out. Usually only one or two sponsoring brands are involved with the focus being on the teaching sessions which tend to cover a wide variety of topics, both technical and creative. Don’t expect freebies and goodie bags but then the tickets are free. The agenda is not normally available before the day so you won’t know exactly what you’re getting but that’s quite in keeping with the relaxed fun atmosphere that keeps even old hands coming back year after year.

Blogtacular – 18th June, London – £160

Another new kid on the block, Blogtacular is all about creativity, design and inspiration more than the technical and business aspects of blogging and is aimed at a variety of blog niches, particularly lifestyle, interiors, beauty and photography. As well as the day itself it also includes a ‘photo walk’ the day before.

Britmums Live – 25th June, London – £79.99

The size and breadth of BML which includes the Brilliance in Blogging (BiBs) Award ceremony really makes it the daddy of them all. You’re guaranteed big name brands and a great range of different conference sessions. This year’s change to a long day format still leaves plenty of time for socialising. The sheer size of the event could make it a bit overwhelming for newer bloggers attending on their own but the ‘Britmums Butterflies’ are on hand to give everyone a warm welcome.

Funfest – 10th September, Northamptonshire – £39.99

Specifically aimed at parent blogs and reviewers, Funfest combines conference sessions in the morning with more of a brand exhibition in the afternoon with a strong focus on toys and preschool products. It is a particularly ‘family friendly’ event with up to 3 kids welcome to come along for free with each adult ticket.

Blogstock – Sept? London – £TBC

Spread over a weekend, it’s outdoor location with sessions in tipis and marquees makes Blogstock more festival than conference while still covering everything you’d expect in terms of content for bloggers of all types. A 2016 event hasn’t yet been confirmed but it would be a welcome bit of variety for the blogging calendar.

Mumsnet Blogfest – November? London – £TBC

Blogfest is known particularly for it’s interesting and occasionally controversial panel discussions. One of the larger events with a good range of different sessions, many of which look at the wider social context in which we blog as well as the practicalities. This is the blogging conference for you if you’re looking for some top class speakers from the worlds of media or politics and a thought provoking day.

The post Blogging Conferences 2016 appeared first on Parent Blogger News.