Posted on March 11, 2008 by Katy

Spending my days being a full time Mom, blogger, and so much more I have an incredible amount of time to just spend thinking.

What I have found to be a huge source of inspiration for my writing is my daughter, Zadey. I have, by far, the most incredible child and I’ll be the first to tell the world.

And in this post, I will… at least I will share with you the lessons that Zadey’s daily life has taught me about blogging.

Lesson 1: Know What You Want

Say what you mean and mean what you say. Make no mistake that if Zadey wants to drink juice she will not be settling for a cup of milk. Don’t accept what other’s feel is best for you. Be honest and express yourself in a way that’s right for you when writing your posts.

By showing your visitors who you are and what your goals are, you allow them to connect with you on some level. A connection is something will create long-lasting readers that return for their daily dose of you and your opinions. There is nothing more interesting in blogs than seeing the true person behind the words of every blog post that is made.

Lesson 2: Dance Like No One Is Watching

Zadey doesn’t care what decade she’s living in, her wild hair throwing Flash Dance routine across the living room proves that no one is going to change her ways. She’s got her form of expression and it’s to dance like no one is watching.

She’d love you forever if you just got up and danced with her. But it won’t change her mind about dancing in front of you if you won’t get up.

Be the dictator of your own process and when it comes to blogging, do first what is best for you. If you’re unable to post, that’s just the way it is. When the blog post that you’re proud of doesn’t get the comments you expected, don’t let it stop you from making the next post or bring down your spirits. While your points may have been good, there just wasn’t anything for your visitors to add to the conversation.

Remember, your blog is an expression of your ideas and thoughts. And unless you’re sharing factual news stories, it’s about you. Don’t let other people’s inability to dance with you stop you from dancing.

Lesson 3: Walk Your Own Way

Zadey spends most of her day on her tip toes, walking and prancing around the house, standing tall and moving at her own place.

Whether you’re jumping, skipping, or tip toeing along to your next destination, move at your own pace. In a fast paced blogging world, keep up at your own level. Sometimes, the best things come to those who are patient. Absorb what you are learning and share it on your blog in your own time. Don’t let the lesson of another blogger stop you from posting the same lesson on your own blog.

Know it, believe it, and walk at your own pace.

Lesson 4: Repetition Builds Knowledge

Just because we read the same 10 books every single day doesn’t mean we’ll change our books tomorrow. Repeating what you know in different formats of posts only enforces what your expertise in your niche or subject of choice. Feel free to revive dead posts with further elaboration and deep link within your posts to other posts that will give further detail and insight.

Adding information builds your knowledge, even when you’re repeating your own information. If you have read I’m Blogging That more than once, you know this is true by watching how many times I have used the word “networking.”

Be carefree and believe it!

Lesson 5: Alternative Communication

For Zadey, who’s just 2 ½ and learning to talk, she must find another means to communicate when her parents just are getting it.

Your readers don’t always have to get you and you don’t always have to get your readers. But take the time to connect with those who display interest in further communication.

I image that you seek validation when talking to someone, give your commentators the same. Reply to comments on your blog and engage your readers in conversation to openly express their opinions (within reason) in the comments of your posts. Doing so will encourage a community to form around the words of your posts and your visitors will feel so inclined to talk to each other.

Lesson 6: Inspect Every Toy

When Zadey is looking for Hey Bear (a teddy bear she has named herself), she doesn’t stop her search just by dumping out the toy box. She’ll inspect every single toy to ensure visually that she is not passing Hey Bear by! And when Hey Bear isn’t in the toy box, she’ll inspect every single room in the house to find him. Even if that means crawling under the table or behind the sofa.

Do the same with your networking sites! Visit forums and read posts that people have stopped talking in. Hit up all the different categories on a social bookmarking site! You never know when any piece of information, from any subject, will inspire you to write something. Go behind your niche to find interests in other topics that will spark creativity for you. There is a wealth of information out there on a variety of subjects… crawl under the table to connect your interests together under just one niche blog.

Lesson 7: Stay True

Watching Nickelodeon is not the same as watching Playhouse Disney. And when Little Einsteins or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is on in our house, there is nothing else in the world. She knows what she wants and she’s going to watch it, every single day. Keeping her faith that one day, Mickey’s helpers will come and help her too.

If you support a company, cause, or idea, give it your all with each post made on that subject. When you don’t care for the alike, make it be known. It is okay if your ideas are controversial or don’t always settle right for your readers. Standing by who you are will earn you more respect in the end.

Zadey’s Photo was taken by JCPenny Studios Feb. 22, 2008. Please do not save/use this image.