Have You Been Blogging? If No, Time To Get Your Blogging Groove Back!

This crazy time has put more and more baby boomers online. Those of us who created blogs  many moons ago may have started blogging again. But so many of us have those blogs and got stuck in a rut. But now, more than ever, we should be sharing our voices, creations, ideas, griefs and joy.

Are you one of those baby boomers who blog? If yes, please share your last post as a comment to this post. And if you are a baby boomer with a blog that has not blogged the last 6 months or so, it is ok, still share your last post.

Even if you just write a few words to express how you have felt or experienced lately, it merits a blog post which may encouarge or empower someone else.

Lets get our blogging groove back!!!

When Baby Boomers Blog is it Just a Lot of BLAH, BLAH BLAH?

When Baby Boomers blog is it just a lot of BLAH, BLAH, BLAH? I say YES!!!

Look at my mnemonic for BLAH and let me know what you think.

B-Business

Many baby boomers I know blog about some aspect of their business. They share their success, failures and visions. Some may think that baby boomers are too old to think about new business goals or even starting a new business. But when I think about people like Dave Thomas, The Colonial of Kentucky Fried Chicken many online entrepreneurs I am convinced that age really is just a number.

L-Loves

Baby boomers often blog about their many “loves”. Their love of gardening, love of people, love of grandchildren, love, love, love.  I Love reading blogs that target a passion that oozes with creativity and charm. These blogs are often uninhibited and can touch every emotion we have. They also just make you feel good.

A-Action

Many baby boomers were involved in social action activities that reflected their convictions and beliefs. Today there are baby boomers  who blog with the purpose of moving us to social involvement beyond a passive philosophical discussion. These are powerful blogs that are infused with the momentum that social media platforms can provide.

H-Help

Do you want more resources on caregiving? Boomer blogs can help. Do you want to know how to navigate a job search after 50? Boomer Blogs can help. Do you want to know how to blog? Boomer blogs can help.

I find that baby boomer blogging is providing an almost infinite source of resources. Why? Because we just love to HELP.

So where does your blogging fit in the BLAH, BLAH, BLAH?

 

Pinterest, Blogging and Baby Boomers is it Booming?

This entry is part [part not set] of 2 in the series Pinterest, Blogging and Baby Boomer Blogging is it Booming?

Is Pinterest a booming social media site? Are baby boomers using Pinterest? Are baby boomer bloggers using  Pinterest? How are baby boomers and baby boomer bloggers using it? Well I have decided to explore these questions with this series of posts. Isn’t that what we baby boomers do so well?

A recent article on a marketing blog shows some of the traffic stats on Pinterest and predict that it only going to go higher. Read the article on Marketing Proofs published today!

Personally, I have decided to go deeper into my study of Pinterest.  Although I started an account and my hubby has to, I am exploring how others set up their boards and the kinds of things they pin. (Be sure to let us know if you are on Pinterest so we can follow.)

Ignite an excellent social media site in January provided a nice demographic breakdown of those pinning in Pinterest. They noted that many baby  boomers are, like others, pinning home improvement, craft and travel ideas. Read Ignite’s post.

From my preliminary work on Pinterest I am captivated by how many baby boomer and blogging boards on Pinterest. As a result I am not only having fun but fun learning. So, in the next couple of postings I will share some of the boards and pins I have found that are by or about baby boomers on Pinterest.

Meanwhile, those of you who are thinking about jumping into the sea of Pinterest but need to know the basics. I have a book I am currently reading that I am finding super helpful. If any  of you have other teaching aids and e-books on Pinterest please leave them in the comments.

Now if you want to get deeper into the marketing aspects you might want to read this one the book listed below by the same author. Actually, I am going to order it after I finish writing this post.

 

 

 

 

We’ve Come a Long Way Baby Boomers-Social Media Has Replaced the Water Cooler?

betty-at-water-cooler.jpg

Has social media replaced the water cooler? Some of you remember the live chats during the breaks in your work day? Many of us are working alone at our computers. When we have to ask questions we will check with an online friend or group. For example, I do Ebay, Amazon, Etsy and working on more. There are groups on Facebook, LinkedIn and others that offer support from others.  For example I have a piece of “possible Jade sculpture” that I picked up at a yard sale I posted a picture of it in one of my groups for feedback before I listed it.

Moments before I created this post I saw a posting on Facebook from an online friend, who I have never met in person, has had quite an influence on my blogging over the years. Her name is Beverly Mahone.  She is a baby boomer who has helped to unite other baby boomer women online. Recently she shared her new book with her online friends and even had a free download.

Now, you have to know that Beverly will not just promote her book but because she shares her skills she will provide information on HOW she promoted it because she is also a extraordinary journalist. She has created online communities for other women to share their expertise.

When I took a break from working this morning I saw an answer from another online couple to a question I had about Pinterest. This generous couple, Wesley N Laurlee saw one of my “pins” to an Ebay listing on Facebook and instant messaged me with some tips.

Now there are many other baby boomers that are “struttin” their stuff online. They are not just doing mindless gossip but sharing tips, expertise, help with caregiving plus more. We have come a long way baby boomers from that water cooler.

What are you doing online that you used to do around the water cooler?

Blogging Checklist Plugin-Was it Made for Baby Boomers?

I love checklists! I still try to multi-task but finding it more challenging. Even while I write this post my husband is testing a record before posting on Ebay. Then he decided to video the record playing on the speakers he is also posting on Ebay. He turns to me and says ” These speakers are as beautiful as my wife”. I was startled and got distracted from the downloading of the Blogging Checklist plugin and my thoughts on what I was going to post. In addition, I was also traumatized that he would use the video of my poor posture on the laptop and unplanned punk rock hairdo.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand. I am preparing for a blogging class with a local coalition group. I decided that I should add a checklist. In my research I came upon a really cool plugging with FIVE STARS called Blogging Checklist. Now, after you install the plugin it will live in your SETTINGS. (I am always looking for where to configure those plugins after I download them)

The plugin gives you great examples that you cut and paste into the in the dashboard.

Now you can add your own options by placing brackets around your choices. [sing a happy song]

Once you complete your checklist and finish your post those options are there for your next post. So, I am trying this out and if you do also let me know.

Meanwhile, the class I am teaching is for WordPress.com and I will need to give them an old fashion paper copy of this handy job aid for them to put by their computer. That is one of the good things about being a baby boomer, “You don’t forget the old way of doing things.” (I hope)

 

 

5 Pittsburgh Steeler and 5 Green Bay Packers Blogs for Boomer Bloggers

Are you planning to look at blogs about the two Superbowl giants Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers this week? If yes, I thought you would enjoy looking at some popular blogs dedicated to the teams. So I have listed five (5) blogs for each team and the current post. Perhaps it may give you ideas about doing your own fan blog.

In addition, be sure to post comments to these sites.  Not only does your opinion count but it is what we baby boomer bloggers have in abundance. Right?  In addition, hit that like button on Facebook, Digg it, Tweet it and all the other good social bookmarket and social network things we can do. Enjoy the game this weekend.

5 Pittsburgh Steeler Blogs and Latest Post

1. Behind The Steel Curtain

Is Flozell Adams More of a Steeler Than He Ever Was a Cowboy?

2. DC Steeler Nation

Team Rallying Around Flozell, Of All People

3. Steelers Depot

Flozell Adams Monday Press Conference Transcript Quotes Superbowl XLV

4. Pittsburgh Steelers Fanatic

Why Even Steelers Fans Love Mike McCarthy

5. Steelers Today

Polamalu Named AP Defensive Player of the Year

5 Green Bay Packer Blogs

1.  Packers Gab

Playmate Jaime Edmondson Showing Her Love For The Packers!

2. Acme Packing Blog

Packers Super Bowl Media Day – At Cowboys Stadium

3. Packer Chatters

Super Bowl XLV: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers, The Teams and Their Fans

4. The Packer Backer Blog

Packers: Jclombardi Guest On NY Sports Network

5.  My Official Green Bay Packer Blog

Rodgers vs Roethlisberger

Press Release: Top Bloggers Named by Boomer Diva Nation Organization

Take a few minutes out of your busy day to read this special press release “Top Bloggers Named by Boomer Diva Nation Organization!

Also note that this press release site is free and a great tool for your blogging messages in 2011.  The service also allows you to place the embed code for the press release directly in the html of your blog. How cool!

So, once again, read the press release “Top Bloggers Named by Boomer Diva Nation and visit those great baby boomer blogs written by boomer divas!

Baby Boomer Blogs That Motivate You to Blog-Baby Boomer Baloney

This entry is part [part not set] of 1 in the series Baby Boomer Blogs that Motivate You to Blog

Have you ever visited a blog that made you want to post to your own blog? Well, I have. And today I am encouraging you to visit a blog called Baby Boomer Baloney. Now, the main motivation for me is the fact that the author has a DAILY blog post.  His posts range from inspirational to insightful.

Do you know of other baby boomer blogs that motivate you to blog? Let me know.

Is Blogging on Labor Day Really Labor? 5 Types of Bloggers Say NO

There are, based on my observation, three types of bloggers that will blog on Labor Day.

Blogger Type #1

The Money Maker

Now this blogger has systems in place on their blogs. They have affiliates, ads, and articles that provide great content. They are blogging to send more traffic to their sites so that folks will buy and or promote their stuff. Even if they are on a cruise they probably set their blog to auto posting for the holiday. Not only do they make money in the sleep but while they are deep in conversation at a party.

Blogger Type 2

The Therapeutic Blogger

This blogger gets rid of stress by blogging. They may share the drama of the week and how it was resolved. Or they may rant about an injustice. In addition, they can vent their vibes about a current event.

Blogger Type #3

The Social Event Blogger

Before the day is over this blogger will share pictures and people connections about the happenings on this day. It could be a trip to the mall for sales or a great movie and dinner details.

Blogger Type #4

The Back To School Blogger

This blogger is sharing the excitement, extra duties, or encouragement for an upcoming school year. May include teachers who are setting up new blogs for the school year aimed at peers or students.

Blogger Type #5

The Caregiver Blogger

This blogger may share tips for other caregivers about resources or recent events related to caregiving. Since care giving seldom gets a holiday these bloggers rarely refrain from blogging when they can.

Regardless of the blog type many folks enjoy reading blogs on a Labor Day  as much as they enjoy watching the TV marathons.

Did I miss anyone?