Star Mum

Our Blogger Star Mum

Introducing our first ever star mum the lovely Ms Jo Middleton. Mum of two, a freelance journalist, an award-winning writer and blogger. Who Blogs about single parenting, dating, parenting, breastfeeding and issues affecting women.  If you are thinking of taking up blogging she is definitely the expert source to learn from. In this article she gives advice and shares tips on how to get started. She is available for any kind of work involving research, features, comment and commercial copywriting please see her contact details and blog link below.

I never meant to become a 'blogger'. It all happened a bit by accident.

I'd been working for a small charity for a few years, was bored, fancied a change, and thought to myself one day 'I know what, I'll be a freelance writer! How hard can that be?'

I do have a reputation for being a bit flighty.

So I quit my job, and started writing. Funnily enough, I wasn't inundated with work in the first few months, but I kept asking, and I kept writing, and gradually I began to establish an income. Before I had built up a portfolio of work though, writing a blog seemed like the perfect way to market myself, and to show would-be editors that yes, I could string a sentence together and yes, I did know where to put my apostrophes.

And here I am. Two and a half years later and lo and behold, people read my blog, and seem actually interested in what I have to say. And it has got me work, so all in all, a pretty good decision.

There are a few things though which have helped me to establish myself in what is undeniably a very crowded market place, so I thought I'd share a few tips:

• Get involved. If you're writing a blog about being a mum, bear in mind that there are thousands of other people doing exactly the same, and they all want readers and comments as much as you do! Read other blogs, leave replies, join forums – do whatever you can to get yourself out there and support other bloggers and you'll find them more than happy to return the favour.
• Keep it simple. Go for a blog design that is simple and elegant, and don't clutter it up with badges and ads. You can always develop the design later, but when you're starting out, it's good not to overcomplicate things. The same goes for your posts – keep them short and easy to read, as people have a much shorter attention span online.
• Write well. Sounds obvious doesn't it? You'd be surprised though. There is nothing more likely to make me click away from a blog than bad spelling and punctuation. Try to make every post the best you can. After all, you never know who might be reading – you might think it's just your mum, but maybe the editor of Mother & Baby has stopped by...

Jo Middleton

Marketing and Social Media Consultant

Slummy single mummy

Star Mum

Mumscentre is looking for inspiring star mums. If you are a mum in any profession and you feel you are good at what you do, why not share your expert knowledge with other mums by giving tips and advice.

Mumscentre will dedicate this page to you for a week to celebrate and show case your skills, business and profession because us mums deserve it and we don't get praised enough for it. So come on mummy lawyers, doctors, marketers, accountants, chefs, stay at home, entrepreneurs etc. share your knowledge and expertise.

You talk, we listen and you never know you might just change a life. Come on mums take the spot light and shine, you are a star!!!!!

Mum Name

Submit your mum to Star Mum's!

Contact us to submit a Star Mum