Before vloggers were ever a thing, bloggers were the influencers to follow in cyberspace. These individuals poured their hearts out to their readers, gaining popularity and raking in ad and affiliate link money, among other income streams.
These days, vlogging on YouTube has dominated the attention of the public. Thatโs why itโs no wonder thereโs a popular notion going around that bloggers no longer matter and no one reads blogs anymore.
However, the numbers say otherwise. According to some estimates from SEO company Ahrefs, there are approximately 600 million blogs worldwide and 77 percent of Internet users still read blogs. Moreover, some of the most successful bloggers are moms talking about their lifestyles, experiences, and relationships.
Believe it or not, lifestyle and mommy blogs make an estimated USD 5,100 per month from their content, affiliate links, endorsement deals, merchandise, and more. They also account for 25 per cent of all new blogs published on different platforms.
In Singapore, moms are some of the most prolific internet users with 70 percent of them using the internet before bed and over 60 percent surfing the net on their break time. If youโre a stay-at-home mom in Singapore whoโs contemplating starting their own blog, this could be a valuable income-generating side hustle. Aside from the possible income, blogging allows you to have a venue to express yourself creatively. By sharing your personal knowledge and stories, you can form a community of like-minded moms who understand the challenges and rewards of motherhood.
Here are some suggestions on how to start your own mom blog:
Find Your Niche within the Mom Community
It goes without saying that the online community is quite vast, and with so many blogs already covering a lot of popular topics, you need to find a niche where you can stand out. It has to be one where you can shed fresh perspectives and share new ideas. This could be anything from parenting tips for children with special needs, healthy heirloom recipes for kids, or budget-friendly and kid-friendly DIY projects.
Choose a Blog Name That Reflects Your Niche
Your blog’s name is its identity and should resonate with your chosen niche and audience. While this part of the process is fun, you seriously need to think about a name that reflects the essence of your content. Moreover, it should be a name thatโs easy for readers to remember. A catchy and relevant blog name not only makes a great first impression but also helps in establishing your brand within the competitive blogosphere.
Build Your Blog on a User-Friendly Content Management System
For stay-at-home moms, simplicity is key since you donโt have the time to acquire a full suite of technical web development skills with your busy schedule. As such, choose a user-friendly content management system (CMS) that aligns with the technical abilities you already have.
Consider platforms like WordPress, Blogger, or Wix. They are known for their ease of use and provide a variety of customization options to suit your preferences. Onboarding a user-friendly CMS ensures a hassle-free blogging experience. In fact, you can even do your blogging while on the go. With a smartphone powered by the best mobile plans, Singapore mom bloggers can create their content and do admin work while waiting for their children at school, walking at the park, or having their me-time at a cafรฉ.
Consider Purchasing Your Own Domain Name
While you donโt necessarily need your own domain name to monetize your blog, investing in one adds a professional touch. Whatโs more, it not only enhances your credibility but also makes your blog easier to find.
Ideally, your domain name should be the same as your blog name. This reinforces your branding that you can carry over to your different social media platforms as well. However, with over a billion websites already online, chances are that your domain name may already be taken, especially if youโre registering under .com. As an alternative, consider registering your domain under .net or.org. Better yet, use a local top-level domain name, .sg, to signal that the blog is for Singaporean moms.
Strive to Write Longer Blog Posts
In the realm of blogging, quality often trumps quantity. While it’s important to be consistent with your posts, strive to create longer, more in-depth content. Longer blog posts not only contribute to better search engine visibility but also engage readers for a more extended period.
That said, make sure that your content is balanced. It should provide valuable information while maintaining a conversational and approachable tone.
Be Consistent about Posting New Blogs
In most cases, consistency is what separates a successful blog from an unprofitable one. Thatโs why itโs important to establish a realistic posting schedule that aligns with your routine as a stay-at-home mom. Whether it’s once a week or twice a month, setting clear expectations for your audience contributes to building a loyal readership.
Promote Your Blog Using Social Media
Social media can be a powerful tool for promoting your blog and connecting with a wider audience. Start by posting the links to your new blog articles on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Furthermore, you can engage your social media audience with short videos and graphics that relate to your current topic.
You can also leverage online communities like Facebook Groups where you can participate in discussions that are relevant to your niche. Not only will you be helping others by sharing your insights but you will also be able to establish a strong online presence.
Set Your Priorities as a Mom and as a Blogger
Balancing the roles of a mom and a blogger requires setting clear priorities. As a mom, your familyโs needs come first, so you should structure your blogging activities around your family’s schedule. Practice effective time management and realistic goal-setting to maintain this work-life balance without feeling overwhelmed.
Embrace Imperfection
In the world of blogging and motherhood, imperfections are inevitable and, more importantly, relatable. Let go of perfection in your writing, blog design, and your daily life. Accept that there will be times when things wonโt always go according to plan. You wonโt always have the time to make aesthetically pleasing lunch boxes, your house wonโt always be so immaculately clean, youโre bound to miss a few posting schedules, and youโre not going to please everyone with your content.ย
These imperfections make you humanโa normal mom with good and bad days. If anything, these are the kind of content that will draw other mothers. Thatโs because they need to feel that they are not alone. Someone else is undergoing what they are going through, and watching you overcome these same challenges gives them the motivation to overcome theirs.
Starting a blog as a stay-at-home mom in Singapore is exciting, but you can also expect some challenges along the way. With these practical tips for aspiring mom bloggers, you can hopefully achieve your goal of generating extra income for your familyโs needs. That being said, donโt lose the passion for creativity and self-expression in case your expectations are not met in your allotted time frame. Just keep on writing and sharing your stories, and eventually, other moms will find you and appreciate the work that you do.