My local church congregation cleans its own church building. Last week, as I was cleaning a door jam, I was thinking back on my life and all the times I’ve had to clean. Bedrooms, home, cars, etc.
That’s when I started thinking about my Mother. Naturally. She’s the queen of cleaning. Dust bunnies scream in terror in mention of her name.
That’s when I was struck with a simply realization...
Without even knowing it she’s taught me about blogging my entire life. Literally.
“Clean your room!”
“Christian, clean up your room! When was the last time you picked up your clothes? Did I stutter, when I told you to pick everything up today?” screamed Mom. Well, actually, my Mother never screams. Correction there.
From the time we were toddlers until our “breakaway day,” we’ve been told to clean our rooms. I feel like this principle applies to blogging too.
You’ve got to get up and clean up that blog design! Remove all those 90′s hit counters and dancing graphics. They don’t exist any longer. Get out that broom and sweep out all the crud from under your bed. Or in this case, make sure you’re running a stable, current version of WordPress or existing blogging platform.
You don’t want the boogie monster (e.g. hackers) getting into your room.
“Christian. It’s important that you always treat women with respect.”
When a reader comes to your blog it’s much like going on that first date. First impressions are key.
This one was sure hammered into my mind over and over again. I’m a king at opening doors for the ladies. Thanks to my Mother’s training.
As bloggers we metaphorically “treat women with respect.” Except, in this case, women are our readers. When a reader comes to your blog it’s much like going on that first date. You’re sure the car is clean, you open doors on command, you speak with elegance to his/her mother and father. On our blogs we often do our best to treat comments and input with kindness, we thank, and we respect.
You never knew there was so many parallels, did you?!
“Don’t drink or do drugs!”
We all know the harm that comes from drinking and drugs.
Mother made sure of that.
As bloggers we also know the harm that comes from blackhat SEO techniques, spamming and genuine disinterest in others. Any of the aforementioned items poison your blog and will quickly leave you with an everlasting hangover. I’d stay well away. Listen to mother.
“Chew food with your mouth closed.”
Each blog post is a session at the dinner table; and you want to be sure you’ve got no food flying!
I’m good at this one. You won’t catch me eating like a slob. I know better. Thanks to Mom.
Bloggers often eat with their mouth open. Posts are improperly formatted, links are hyper-linked incorrectly and spelling has gone awry. Have you ever visited a blog and asked yourself, “Do you think they even read their own blog post?”
I often iterate, and will do so again now, the importance of reading your blog post before pressing the publish button. You want to make sure you’re put together, ready, set & polished.
Each blog post is a session at the dinner table; and you want to be sure you’ve got no food flying!
“Have fun and make friends!”
I remember the part in the movie, The Sandlot, when Scotty’s mom is telling him to go out and enjoy the summer. Have some fun, get in a little bit of trouble (not too much) and make some friends.
That’s your mother’s “call of action” for you today. Get out into the blogosphere and make some friends. Lasting friendships and connections. Let others know you’re there for them and are willing to help in any way. Whether that help comes in the form of comments, thoughts, guest posts or thank you notes; be sure to do it.
Now – go thank your Mother for teaching you about blogging. She deserves it. What did your mother teach you about blogging?
While you’re out thanking your Mother and learning more about blogging, I’d keep the momentum going by checking out BlogcastFM. The most ridiculously cool podcast out there – interviewing bloggers and showing how it’s done in a wide range of ways. You can visit one of the founders, Srinivas, over at his blog; The Skool of Life.
Just found BlogcastFM a few weeks ago, and thought I’d share the love. Have a great week!
Blogger, entrepreneur, digital marketing consultant and recording artist. I make money online and teach others how to do the same.
"You’re such a smart boy!" were his first accolades heard. So, it’s no wonder that this phrase became the title of his business, Smart Boy Designs.