Home is where you start from: Build a better blog day 4-spotlight on bloggers I admire

Friday, July 23, 2010

Build a better blog day 4-spotlight on bloggers I admire

Day 4 task for the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog challenge is to analyze a top blog in your blogging niche.

So, I thought hard about blogs on my reading list that are bigger, more successful- that have a good size audience and have sponsors or ads on their site. Two that came to mind are;

1) Spirit Bee

I enjoy Spirit Bee because her blog is a friendly, cheerful place. Bright colors, whimsical fonts and a cute theme cleverly tied together. Her faith is evident and forefront in her writing and sharing. Spirit Bee has been blogging many years- this makes her special, I've read that most blogs are abandoned before they are 2 years old.

She blogs in a natural way about her world, parenting/family are top subjects- and homeschooling is right up there with a huge, healthy amount of posts. Ahh- there's a lesson for me, if you consider yourself a homeschool blogger, then post about homeschooling. Aha!

I noticed also, that Spirit Bee is very generous with mentions, blogroll and that she does a bit of guest posting around- she has a post up at Blog Her right now- My Early Homeschool Journey

Go on over and visit, you know you want to... go on, I'll wait till you get back...

2) Meg at Tuckers Take Tennessee

Another blog I added to my favorite's list- and when this assignment came up, I thought of her, but could not remember the name of her blog. I gave a shout-out on twitter, looking for the pretty, blond, Southern homeschool blogger who had a welcome video on her sidebar.

Her site is very pleasing to look at, very well organized with many drop down menus. It is easy to navigate. Her welcome video caught my attention right away, it's a bit different- and her personality, sweet and memorable- was evident on it.

She has been blogging a little more than a year, and already has quite a following. She hasn't blogged about homeschooling much, yet- her children are still young. She has many giveaways, guest posters, reviews and crafts. There is a lot of interesting content for moms here. She also has started up a few Christian Women groups and memes. She is a busy, fun person- and shares her knowledge freely, as evident by the several, detailed tutorials on her site.

Her blog is a fun, bright place and her faith is also very evident, through her posts, memes, and Bible verses she shares about. Go visit Meg, too- you'll have fun. Promise.

If you can think of successful bloggers in my niche of family & homeschooling, please share in the comments!

Labels: 31days-blog

posted at 2:00 AM
10 comments

10 Comments:

At 2:49 AM, Susan said...: I also really love the writers and content at Heather's (Sprittibee's)homeschool site, http://hsbapost.com :)
At 8:04 AM, LJS said...: Jen,

Your post made me think. I am doing the challenge as well and came up with my pitch as "reflections on our first year of homeschooling" but your comment about a blog where the homeschooling is incidental and I realized that that would describe my blog. In my mind it is about homeschooling and how our family has adjusted to the change but as I read back over my posts, my blog is about my family changing. Homeschool is just a piece of the larger changes taking place. Thank you for helping me to see that I need to rethink if my blog is about "homeschooling" or a "family under construction"!
At 10:02 AM, Anonymous said...: These are great! I don't actually homeschool, but this summer have found wealth of information and ideas from homeschooling blogs while we're home for the summer. Thanks for two more recs!
At 11:04 AM, The Mom I Want To Be said...: 2 more great blogs to follow. Thanks!
I'm enjoying following your challenge. I decided that I didn't have the time to participate right now, but it's fun to follow others' progress :)
At 2:50 PM, LJS said...: I linked to you in my post today. You really have affected my thinking in terms of making my blog better. Thank you!

Jess
At 3:36 PM, Janettessage.blogspot.com said...: Thanks for sharing...I haven't figured out my blogging niche yet...and I am a homeschool mom, but don't blog on it...I will enjoy checking out your suggestions
At 3:49 PM, Hen Jen said...: Jessica,

thanks for your comment and for the link, I luvss link-love..!

I'm still thinking hard about my 'niche' too. My favorite daily reads are not actually about homeschooling, but about daily life..that is actually what I enjoy blogging about. I'm still thinking about why I am writing and who, mainly for?

so glad you took a moment to comment, thank you!
At 3:55 PM, Hen Jen said...: Meg,

so glad you stopped by, I loved stopping by your blog and reading your links post, you write wonderful, deep posts.

I think ever mom is a teaching mom! Have fun this summer!
At 3:59 PM, Hen Jen said...: Janette,

I'm not sure what my niche is either, I kind of like writing about many things. Lots to ponder...I did enjoy visiting around and looking to see what I could learn from what is 'working' or about what attracts me to other blogs.
At 6:58 PM, The Mom I Want To Be said...: Thanks for stopping by my blog today :)

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