Being a stay-at-home mom is a rewarding but often challenging role. The days can be long, and the tasks never-ending. While our hearts are filled with love for our little ones, it’s essential to remember that self-care is equally important. One therapeutic outlet that many stay-at-home moms have turned to is blogging. In this post, we’ll explore how blogging can be a source of support, personal growth, and empowerment for moms like us.
Read more30 January Lifestyle Blog Prompts
If you’re in need of winter blog post inspo, I’ve put together a list of 30 January lifestyle writing prompts.
I’m big on New Year’s resolutions, and I always include my blog in my list of dreams for the next year. The most important part of blogging is actually sitting down and writing. That’s where I usually fall short. I wait for inspiration to find me, instead of seeking it out!
Writer’s block, distractions, and a lack of direction are usually what slow me down.
That’s why this list will come in handy in January 2024!
Read moreNovember Themed Blog Prompts
Hey there, fellow creators and wordsmiths! As November sweeps in with its cozy vibes and golden hues, it’s the perfect time to infuse your blog with the spirit of the season. In our latest post, “November Themed Blog Prompts,” we’re serving up a hearty helping of inspiration to fuel your creativity. From embracing autumnal musings to exploring gratitude-themed content, let’s dive into a world of writing prompts designed to make your blog shine this November. Get ready to ignite your creativity and capture the essence of this magical time of year!
Read more30 Thanksgiving Themed Blog Prompts
As the leaves turn golden and the air carries the crisp scent of autumn, it’s that time of year again when we gather with loved ones to give thanks and celebrate the blessings in our lives.
Thanksgiving offers a unique opportunity for bloggers to tap into the spirit of gratitude and share their insights, stories, and creativity with their readers. In this blog post, we present you with a bountiful harvest of 30 Thanksgiving-themed blog prompts, designed to spark your creativity and engage your audience throughout the season.
Whether you’re a food enthusiast, a lifestyle blogger, a parenting expert, or anything in between, these prompts are tailored to align with your niche and help you craft meaningful and enjoyable content.
Read more31 October Themed Blog Prompts
As bloggers, we’re always on the hunt for inspiration and ideas that resonate with our audience, but when October rolls around, there’s a unique energy in the air. The crisp autumn breeze, the anticipation of Halloween, and the vibrant fall foliage create a perfect backdrop for creativity to flourish.
In this blog post, we’re delving into a treasure trove of 31 October-themed blog prompts, carefully curated to ignite your creativity and engage your readers throughout the month.
I wanted to share 31 October themed blog prompts to celebrate my favorite month!
Read moreOvercoming Writer’s Block During Blogtober
As a busy stay-at-home mom and an active blogger, every moment counts. There’s no room for fluff or wasted time in the daily juggle of parenting and crafting compelling content. So, when Blogtober comes around, and you’re committed to churning out fresh, engaging posts day after day, hitting that wall of writer’s block is the last thing you can afford.
In this no-nonsense guide, we’re diving straight into the tactics and strategies to conquer writer’s block head-on. No fancy intros, no beating around the bush—just practical solutions to keep your Blogtober momentum going strong.
Let’s get started.
Read moreBlogtober Prompts and Content Ideas for 2023
Welcome to “Blogtober Prompts and Content Ideas for 2023,” where we’re diving straight into the heart of Blogtober with a no-nonsense guide to fuel your creativity. If you’re a seasoned blogger or a newbie looking to tackle the challenge of daily blogging in October, you’ve come to the right place.
In this post, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive list of prompts and content ideas to make your Blogtober journey a breeze. No fluff, no fuss—let’s get those creative juices flowing and conquer Blogtober like pros.
Read moreHow I Find Time to Blog as a Busy SAHM
Welcome to Leaf and Steel! I’m a busy stay-at-home mom with a lively toddler named Baby M. Juggling diapers, meals, pets, and playdates fills my days, but so does my passion for blogging. Today, I’m here to share my no-nonsense approach to finding precious moments in the midst of motherhood’s chaos, and how I turn them into productive blogging hours.
Let’s dive into practical strategies that allow me to pursue my passion and fulfill my SAHM duties without the fluff. If you’re a fellow SAHM blogger seeking time-management solutions, read on for insights that can help you reclaim your creative space.
Read moreDoes Blogtober Hurt SEO?
You might have heard of Blogtober, where bloggers post every day of October. It’s a fun autumn writing challenge. You might also wonder if Blogtober hurts SEO? There is a lot of debate whether posting on your blog every day will lead to more website traffic.
If you’re also a lifestyle blogger looking to grow your audience, stick around to see if you should participate in #Blogtober23
Read moreHow to Prepare for Blogtober 2022
In this post I’m going to talk all about Blogtober! Blogtober is a writing challenge guaranteed to leave you feeling a sense of accomplishment and a collection of published posts.
I did #Blogtober2021 and I am definitely doing #Blogtober2022!
If you’re looking for a way to improve your writing and get consistent blogging, Blogtober is your ticket!
What is Blogtober?
There are endless amounts of writing challenges out there. Seriously, there is a challenge to fit any niche or bloggers “needs”.
Blogtober is very, very simple. All you have to do is publish a post a day for a month.
See this explanation from Tea and Cake for the Soul,
Blogtober is where bloggers from all over the world publish a post every day during the month of October. They also link up with other bloggers who are also taking part to share the love.
How do I participate in Blogtober?
If you have a blog, a little extra time, and a calendar, then you’re all set for Blogtober! Add a little enthusiasm and discipline and you’re good to go!
What are the Blogtober rules?
The only rule for Blogtober is to hit ‘publish’ every day during the month of October.
It’s the internet – there are no rules. Maybe your way of participating in this challenge means you take weekends “off” or try to post every other day in October. Adjust it to what’s realistic for your schedule. I have found that much like waking up early or meditating, the best effects are felt when writing is practiced every day.
My Results from Last Year
Listen, adding 31 blog posts to my repertoire was no small feat. To date, it’s my best month for views and for added posts. Of course, this meant that I had an uptick in ad and affiliate revenue, which is an added bonus!
If you are looking at making a profit from your blog than Blogtober can be a helpful tool – consumers spend the most money at the end of the year!
The biggest benefit I got from Blogtober 2021 was discipline. I woke up early and stayed up late and I got the job done. Up until I got super sick in January and lost my momentum, I was very consistent with posting on my blog.
You want to know why?
I had built habits that made writing every day a no-brainer. I had my routine: wake up early, make coffee, change, brush teeth, drink coffee, light a candle, write. I wrote until my daughter woke up and then would usually write again at nap time or after she went to bed.
It had become as natural as drinking a cup of coffee or brushing my teeth.
Looking back, it was one of the most peaceful times in my recent life. I was spending time everyday doing something that I loved.
It apparently takes an average of 66 days for a new habit to become automatic. While that may be true, after 31 days I felt like daily writing was an instinctive part of my day.
How I prepare for Blogtober
Find a calendar you like. Be it pen and paper, an app, or your phone. I like Google Calendar the best. I have different color labels for posts in different stages, like “published”, “scheduled” and “hope to post”. I like that I can pull it up on any computer and there aren’t any bells and whistles.
Brainstorm ideas. You don’t have to wait until October to let inspiration come to you. Start collecting ideas now! A great place to look for inspiration is Pinterest. Another thing I do is I’ll look back at posts from this time last year and see if I can make an updated version or if I’ve changed my view on a subject.
Connect with other bloggers doing Blogtober. This is a great way to keep up your momentum and get some encouragement.
Turn to your favorite blogs. If you have a blog, chances are you love to read blogs too. Head over to your favorite blogs for inspiration and motivation.
Set themes for different days of the week. 31 posts is a lot. If you didn’t plan posts beforehand, you can feel burned out pretty quickly. Last year I did “Fall Friday Favorites” where I did a weekly roundup of my favorite things. I actually really enjoyed the series and it gave me an “anchor” throughout the week where I had a set format and I could just plug in information.
Schedule posts. Okay, maybe this bends the “rules” a little bit, as it doesn’t lend itself to building the habit of writing every day. However, I know I will be saving some scheduled posts in my “back pocket”. I’m human and I take care of a tiny human (and a very needy puppy) and I know that there will be at least 1 out of 31 days that taking care of them and taking care of myself will come before my blog. That’s why I have no qualms about pre-writing a little content!
Stock photos. If you use stock photos, find a bunch of them now. Save them in a little folder on your desktop. Future you will thank me. I like to use Pexels.
Set good habits now. You don’t have to wait until the first of October to become someone who blogs everyday. Start waking up early or finding the time today to work towards your goals!
Have you done Blogtober before? If so, what were your results?
Are you planning on participating in Blogtober this year?
Let me know below!
O.
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If you are interested in guest posting on Leaf and Steel, please check out our Guest Post page for guidelines!
