You are here: Home / Archives for Blogging & Social Media

ebook for beginning bloggers [FREE thru September 1st]

July 27, 2011 By 30 Comments

woman laptop ebook for beginning bloggers [FREE thru September 1st]Two years ago, I released an 85-page ebook titled “Bloggertunity: A Mom’s Guide to Blogging.” It’s an introduction to blogging in a casual, conversational tone.

The ebook covers how to:

  • Start a blog
  • Grow an audience
  • Create captivating content
  • Make money
  • Review products
  • Make a positive impact in the world
bloggertunity sidebar ebook for beginning bloggers [FREE thru September 1st]Because technology changes rapidly, some of the content is no longer cutting edge…and some of my opinions have changed (gasp! I know, right?). Still, the principles have remained the same and there are plenty of golden nuggets to grasp in its pages. Plus, I’ve updated the resource pages at the end.

Before I archive the book on September 1st, I want to give you a chance to get started with your own bloggertunity…FREE.

It’s easy – Like Metropolitan Mama on Facebook to get the free download code.

If you appreciate this resource and would like to see other free downloads, ebooks, and printables in the future…please consider supporting my work in one or more of the following ways.

  • Spread the word about my free ebook on your blog or on Facebook.
  • Follow me on Twitter.
  • Put my button on your sidebar [see my footer for the code].
  • Give my blog or my posts a +1 on Google.
  • Do a little dance and say that you love it.
Filed Under: Blogging & Social Media Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Girls Night Out with Colleen & Jo-Lynne

June 30, 2011 By 13 Comments

Last night, we laughed and talked a million miles a minute in Downtown Phoenixville.

girls night out phoenixville Girls Night Out with Colleen & Jo Lynne

We talked about twitter, facebook, family, friends, movies, poverty, passion, and how to make life work.

I love these girls. Colleen – with her business smarts, strong opinions, contagious smile, and impressive lungs (we went running yesterday at Valley Forge Park!). Jo-Lynne – with her obvious fashionability, her honest humor, her fun-loving personality, and her inspiring knowledge about whole foods.

Today, I gave them both a +K on Klout, acknowledging that they influence me. Klout is a fancy ranking tool that helps brands understand the key thought leaders in social media [see my score].

What’s your Klout score? Do you ever give your favorite bloggers a +K? (It’s a great way to support their writing and work!)

Filed Under: Blogging & Social Media Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Sometimes I think about changing my blog name

April 17, 2011 By 58 Comments
my workspace in the RV Sometimes I think about changing my blog name

my little workspace in the RV

Sometimes I think about changing my blog name.

For example, I’m not particularly “Metropolitan.” I don’t live in NYC or Los Angeles or even Chicago.

Furthermore, I’m not ONLY a mom. I am a woman, a writer, a creative, a communicator, a reader, a student, a photographer, a learner, a runner, an RVer, a random acts of kindness conveyor, a thinker, and a friend.

I started my blog at the climax of 2006, oblivious to the business prospects just around the corner…and then it exploded…and now here I am with “Metropolitan Mama.”

You have to admit. It has a nice ring to it. It’s easy to remember and it rolls off your tongue like silver.

But it’s also not exceptionally creative (it seems like everyone today has a blog that ends with mom or mama). Nor is it descriptive. Or…mature (Is that the right word?). I wonder if I am being taken seriously as “Metropolitan Mama.”

Sometimes I feel a little trapped by that title. Don’t get me wrong – motherhood shapes my life in a profound way. It has made me stronger, smarter, quicker to listen, and slower to speak. I write about mothering because it is an overarching theme of my life. (And I like it like that).

sweet sisters in the rv Sometimes I think about changing my blog name

blogging inspiration

I often tell Tim that my life will be a success if I have positive, close relationships with my children and if they become brave, bright, compassionate, and innovative adults who love God deeply. That would mean more to me than any professional accomplishment ever could.

That said, my scope of thinking extends beyond bouncing babies on my knee. I also want to write about books and politics, academia and non-profits, travel and religion, money and science. These topics weigh in my heart and are on my tongue.

I wonder: Do I put those thoughts here or will they stick out like a sore thumb? Do I start a second blog? Do I think up a new title that will also eventually expire with the winds of time? Do I just transition my blog to StephanieSheaffer.com and leave it at that?

I go back-and-forth about it.

If you were me, what would YOU do?

If you have a blog, do you ever think about changing the name?

Filed Under: Blogging & Social Media Tagged With: , , ,

Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2011

March 21, 2011 By 35 Comments

I spent the past three days at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration with my family in Orlando, FL. It’s a highly acclaimed conference that only a few hundred people get into every year. When I found out that I made it in, Tim & I decided to work it right into our Give Every Day route.

social media moms celebration opening night Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2011

We parked our 5th wheel at a campground and then drove our truck to the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (our stay was included in the very modest conference fee).

grand floridian resort and spa Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2011 grand floridian taking it easy Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2011 the beaches of the grand floridian Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2011 age two on the white sand beaches Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2011

Highlight #1: Meeting the spunky, smart, and super sweet Colleen. Our families spent several days exploring the parks together and our kids were instant best friends.

instant best friends Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2011

Highlight #2: Reconnecting with the generous + gracious Caryn, the vulnerable + entrepreneurial Janice, the stunning + down-to-earth Christine, the unpretentious + professional Michele, and the humble + powerful Jennifer. (You should definitely check out their blogs). I also enjoyed briefly meeting Audrey, Cathi, Amanda, Maria, Amy, and many others.

caryn stringer colleen padilla stephanie sheaffer janice croze Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2011

LEFT TO RIGHT: Caryn (Rockin' Mama), Colleen (Classy Mommy), Me (Metropolitan Mama), Janice (5 Minutes for Mom)

Highlight #3: Experiencing the magic of the parks with my best friend and the two most beautiful blondies you’ve ever seen.

Thanks to Leanne, Laura, and the whole Disney team for producing a classy event.

Thanks also to Darcie for being my go-to girl for Disney-related advice.

Do you have any questions about Disney World or the DSMM conference? I’m happy to answer.

Filed Under: Blogging & Social Media Tagged With: , , ,

(remember me?)

February 9, 2011 By 37 Comments

hilltop rv park ft stockton texas (remember me?)I’m a blogger.

But…I’m also an RVer (which means I’m sort of losing track of time as I spend days with my family) (which is kind of nice).

I just realized that today is Wednesday and I accidentally skipped Tuesday Tours last night. Actually, we were at a campground last night without WiFi. The wind was howling and the wind chill was -1 fahrenheit. (As an Arizona girl, I’m SO not used to that).

You can expect to see me around here more often this week. I have a million post ideas and I even have some giveaways planned. Best of all, I actually have a working internet connection here in Canyon Lake, Texas. Ya-hoo.

Just to be perfectly clear, Metropolitan Mama is here to stay. That said, you can also find both Tim & I blogging at Give Every Day.

Two Questions: Did you miss me (I missed you!)? What are your favorite travel games + activities for young children?

Filed Under: Blogging & Social Media Tagged With: , , , ,

social media and my kids’ privacy

January 20, 2011 By 49 Comments

a princess and her crown social media and my kids privacyI just uploaded photos to my Facebook profile for the first time ever (besides my profile pic).

Before I did, I resized them so they wouldn’t be huge (and steal-able).

You’ve probably also noticed that I re-size photos here on my blog. I also watermark them. And I don’t use my girls’ real names.

I can’t decide if I’m paranoid or playing it safe.

Often, I look at Erin’s STUNNING Flickr stream and I have a sudden urge to create one and to make it public, sharing the magic of our lives in full color and resolution.

Or I read Steph’s posts and feel connected to her kids because I know each of their faces and names (not in a weird way, just because I’ve been reading her blog for…hmmm…over four years now?).

I get frustrated when I write sometimes because I want to say my girls’ names instead of “my-4-year-old” or “my 1.5-year-old.” [Maybe I will reveal their names someday. I go back-and-forth.].

butterfly crown social media and my kids privacyI worry a little bit about “bad guys” (as my 4-year-old would say). I also worry a little bit that someone will steal my photos and put them on their blog or in an ad or in a magazine (because CLEARLY they’re the best-looking kids in the world).

Mostly, however, I worry about their privacy. I think about when they grow up. Will they be pleased to see these stories here and their photos splashed across the Internet for all the world to see? (I actually think the answer is “YES” because I would have loved it if my mom had chronicled my childhood – what a gift to be able to read her most intimate thoughts about motherhood, about life, about ME!).

Still, I don’t want to presume. I also am not sure if I would feel comfortable with someone being able to google my kid’s first and last name…and come up with a thousand images.

On the other hand, this is a BRAVE NEW WORLD. It seems like most everyone 20 and younger puts photos and videos and stories all over the web, freely (even un-flattering pictures). So perhaps my girls won’t mind at all. Maybe they’ll cherish my Flickr account. Maybe they’ll be glad I wrote about them (even with their real names), with discretion and tenderness.

Over four years of blogging and I still haven’t figured this out.

Do you upload photos to Facebook (If so, do you resize them)? Do you have a Flickr account (If so, is it public)? Do you use your kids real names on your blog (and what led you to that decision)?

Filed Under: Blogging & Social Media Tagged With: , , , ,

You affect me

January 10, 2011 By 42 Comments

real friends You affect me

I make Jo-Lynne‘s Chicken Enchiladas about every 2 weeks.

I might start drying my curly hair with a t-shirt, thanks to Gabrielle.

Whenever I see the Nestle label, I stop before I make a purchase because of Annie.

I know that Steph and Love have had an effect on my desire to have a big(ger) family.

When I had morning sickness, Donita brought me a Trader Joe’s bag of goodies.

When I had my second daughter, Vanessa sent me an embroidered dress with my daughter’s name across the chest.

When the going gets tough, I remember that Joy prays for me every day.

Social Media is a marvel, isn’t it?

Know this. YOU influence me – the products I buy, the recipes I cook, the books I read, and the parent I am.

Do you recognize anyone in the collage above? (I know I’ve forgotten quite a few of you).

Who influences/affects YOU in the blogosphere?

PICTURED ABOVE: Alysa, Amy, Arianne, Carrington, Darcie, Donita, Nell, Annie, Emily, Erin, Gabrielle, Jennifer, Jenny, Jes, Erin, Chelsea, Jo-Lynne, Kimberly, Kristen, Leigh, Love, Mandi, Michelle, Abby, Nini, Ruthy Ann, Sarah, Steph, Susan & Janice, Tsh, Vanessa, Jennifer, Dayna, Nicole, Madeline, Joy, Marcela, Becca, Caryn, Ann, Margie

Filed Under: Blogging & Social Media Tagged With: , , ,