how to start a newsletter

When I set this topic for the SEO boot camp on Friday, I wasn't sure what I would write about. When Sunday morning rolled around, I suddenly started cleaning out my pantry (whether it was procrastination, or I thought I would write a pantry-cleaning-not-to, I'm not sure), but inspiration struck about an hour ago, and I've been trying to get a spewy boy to sleep since then (spending the weekend spewing the week of your fifth birthday is pretty hard to deal with, especially when nothing.comes.out. Oh, it's been a challenging weekend here!)

Back in July, when I was organising the recent pram and high chair giveaway, I had the crazy idea that I would do the giveaway via newsletter, drumming up subscriptions with a big prize. And the theory was good. But the size of the task scared the crap out of me, so in true Cate-style, I ignored it while we went away, and came home and lost my mind, and it was only as I was writing the actual review post that I remembered my grand plan.

Fortunately for me, Bec from Bloggers Bazaar had a random thought last week and acted on it, starting up a facebook group that I stumbled upon (my post about facebook groups was totally self-serving) and set the challenge to start a newsletter (which also just happens to be one of my goals for Clever Cookie School of Blog, which starts tomorrow!)

So, here are my top tips for starting a newsletter

• check out this post from Bec at Bloggers Bazaar. I'm pretty technically savvy, but I hate watching videos online, so these steps laid out one by one had me toggling between tabs and setting up my first list in no time.
• decide how often you'll send a newwsletter. I'm starting with once a month. It seems like a nice doable number.
• pick a date for the first issue. I'm going with September 15th. My wedding anniversary. Middle of the month.Only one week to procrastinate.
• JFDI. Michelle Bridges has a lot to answer for, but the sentiment behind this one rings in my ears constantly. Just do it. You can sign up for my newsletter here.

What do you like to read in newsletters? Do you have one?

what is inspiring you lately?

Having a bub who never read the normal breastfeeding manual means I spend hours sitting on the couch feeding her (unless dad is home, then she doesn't feed at all) My iPad makes it easy for me to browse pinterest, following my latest crazy idea whim, and pin it to look back on later.

With the Clever Cookie School of Blog starting on September 1st, I'm inspired to make plans for the future of this space, and learn from lots of fabulous bloggers.

I'm inspired to learn more about watercolours through this class from Balzer Designs

I'm inspired to fill out currently cards more often

I'm inspired by winter skies and autumn colours.

What's inspiring you lately?

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5 blogging resources I love

Over the years, I have purchased LOTS of blogging resources. And read HUNDREDS of posts about blogging (you can see almost 2000 of them on my pinterest board) But learning about blogging is still one of my favourite things to do.

In no particular order, here are 5 of my go-to resources

1. 365 writing prompts for bloggers & creatives - the best $US5 I ever spent. Read my review here.
2. * 31 days to Build a Better Blog - the first ProBlogger resource I purchased, and probably the best at breaking down all the ideas Click here to visit ProBlogger.
3. * Do-It-Yourself Blog Critique - a step-by-step guide to asking the tough questions about your look and purpose and content, and a whole bunch of stuff.
4. Blacksburg Belle - I'm a long-time fan of April and her blog
5. by Regina - I discovered by Regina via her awesome pinterest images, and love everything I read

This is only a super-small list (and it's taken me hours [between teething cuddles] to put this list together), but I hope it's given you a place to start looking.

* this post contains affiliate links

linking up with blue bird internet marketing

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working with kids at home

For the last couple of months, I've been working away with a friend, guiding small businesses and bloggers to better SEO and networking with each other. It all came about rather suddenly, and has been a huge learning curve for me, one that I have loved, that has spurred me on to try and find my "serious blogging" path {still looking for it}

Part of the process for me has been to come up with blogging topics that everyone can answer, giving them all experience writing, blogging and sharing slightly personal stories to boost their brands.

For the next 8 weeks, I'm going to be answering the questions alongside everyone else, and hosting a link up for all those posts to gather. If a topic interests you, please feel free to share your voice and link up, too.

For the purpose of this challenge, blogging is my work (because I don't do housework)

The view from my desk has changed lately. {but I'm still loving my bullet journal}

It's been hard to find a groove that works for both of us

Sophie is vey much mummy's girl

And I often end up dropping everything to spend my afternoons on the couch

Or else I end up looking at this sad face

An InLinkz Link-up