A new blog. There, I’ve said it. It’s what I want for Christmas. This is a nice blog, but there are a lot of other things I want to talk about that aren’t “business” related. So I believe I am going to keep going here, AND start another blog. But my fear is that somebody will laugh at what I have to say, or no one will comment, or any number of other reasons people don’t do things!

When I started my business several years ago someone asked me what my long term goals were for my business. And I quietly answered that one of my goals was to have a blog that a lot of people read every day. I hadn’t thought of that until recently, and I would really like to try and talk about some other things that are going on in my life. My plan is to start writing over “there” and get going and then come back and tell you about it. You won’t mind, will you? In the meantime, I’ll be chatting along right here and it will be just like always.

Here is my plan:

• Finalize the name of the blog and get the right URL.
• Create my blog with the Builder theme from ithemes.
• Start blogging.

I think that’s it. It’s mostly still in the uncongealed stage (like Jello), but I’d really like to get this baby up and going soon. Just wanted to tell you what is going on in my head these days. Now it’s like I’m committed.

My daughter is a blogger – a great blogger. And she writes just like she speaks, which is perfect for me because it’s just like talking to her on the phone. She still has that smart-alecky tone, and somehow manages to capture the interest of many people each day. So my blog post today is going to focus on what she is doing right that is capturing everyone’s attention.

1. She knows her target audience very well. Her blog is on Runner’s World.com, and since she is a runner, it talks a lot about running, training, and racing. She also talks about something else that runners like: food! What she talks about gets people commenting.

2. She is very personable and authentic. Her personality comes out loud and clear. She isn’t fake, and she let’s people see into her life just a little to let everyone know that she’s a real person. Your blog should reflect who you are. If you are inauthentic-that shows-and people will not be drawn to you.

3. She includes pictures whenever possible. Everyone loves to see photographs of what other people are seeing and doing. That makes the blog post much more compelling and entertaining.

4. She keeps the posts short. Most are only a few paragraphs. She says what needs to be said, throws in her “carrie-isms” and is done.

5. She gives comments on other blogs, and therefore, other bloggers comment on her posts. A normal day would have 15-20 comments on her post. That’s really great! You’ve gotta build that circle of blog support. Find blogs that have similar themes and/or audiences and become of part of their world. Comment (genuinely) and build relationships with other bloggers. They will reciprocate. That’s part of the cycle.

It makes me so proud to have a little blogger in the family!

Well, after several years of thinking about it, I have finally created my first blog. While I am busy customizing the look of the site, it seemed okay to start posting my thoughts. You will see lots of changes over the next few weeks as I decide how all this needs to come together. What won’t change is what I have to say. That’s really the point of the blog, isn’t it?

Over the next few days, weeks and months you will get a front row seat into what I am doing and thinking. And I will be looking for all of you in the comments. Those who know me well, know that I always have something to say (!), so hopefully the same will be true of my blog.  Since I started my own business I have been amazed at all the cool stuff available on the internet. You’ll be hearing a lot about that, too.

Well, it’s time to eat a little pizza, watch the Tour de France replay, and get some laundry done. I’m taking a mini-vacation tomorrow and need some clean clothes.