Makingworkingmomswork Will be at the Philippine Blogging Awards 2015

I am so excited to be part of this year’s Philippine Blogging Awards. I got premium seats to be part of an awards show that will showcase the finest bloggers in the Philippines. Bloggys (Philippine Blogging Awards) is a nationwide blog awarding event in the Philippines. It’s that time again to recognize the most relevant and engaging blogs owned and written by Filipinos – From Luzon to Mindanao. To all readers, make your voice heard and put your favorite blogs up on top of this year’s stellar list.

This year will have an impressive roster of judges that will take on the challenge to find “the one” – to deliberate on the cream of the crop/best of the best… such as Donald Lim of ABS-CBN, Janette Toral of DigitalFilipino, John Nery of INQUIRER.net.

The Bloggys awards night will bring together a grand conclave where the entire blogging ecosystem will converge to network, establish relationships and leverage partnerships. So mark your calendars and vote for your favourite blogger before the Bloggys Awards Night on November 21, 2015 at SMX Convention Center, SM Aura Taguig.

September 1-30, 2015 – Nomination Stage

1.) Anyone can nominate their favorite blogs through the official nomination form located at http://bloggys.ph/nominate-a-blog/. Nominations will be accepted from September 1 to 30.

2.) The readers will receive a confirmation message that their nomination was successful. Don’t forget to to tweet your nominations using the hashtag #bloggys2015.

3.) The Awards Committee will screen, validate, and filter nominations as they come in.

 

Top Christian Mom Blogs and My First iTunes Podcast Interview!

The internet is swarming to the brim of all imaginable pages and resource links to help the nanays of our generation (it includes this writing working mom). And so, the only way you can prevent yourself from spending too many hours on the internet looking at perfect articles tailor-fit to your special mommy-needs, let me do the legwork for you and list down what for me, are the top 5 Christian Mom Blogs for the year. Please note that this ranking is based on my personal insights, according to my mommy-needs and not based on traffic, view or share rankings.

5. http://www.thesongsontheway.com/

The topics are perfect for those who have small kids/babies as author is a Christian mom to a baby daughter who writes for her blog and is writing for her first book. Topics are varied which covers breastfeeding and month on month baby milestones. I also like that the author is keeping a Thousand Thanks, she is currently on her 60^th thanks as of this writing. I would have loved to complete her 2015 Mom’s photo challenge. (pictured below).

4. http://womenlivingwell.org/

The page is aptly named, women living well and encourages all women in the world to find joy in God, in marriage, in parenting and in the home. The page currently has a series of blogs written to understand the Songs of Solomon focusing on keeping the intimacy in your marriage. She also has articles on choosing to have joy in the midst of mundane mommy tasks, what to do when your husband is not a Proverbs31 husband and glorifying God with your shopping list (yes, it is possible!). The author has countless years of leading Bible Studies and is the creator of SOAK Bible Study Method (Scripture, Observation, Application, Kneeling in Prayer).

3. http://www.beyondsilverandgold.com/

Perfect resource page for homeschooling moms in the Philippines, as author writes and shares about an endless list of homeschooling events that are open to everyone. It even has a review of DepEd’s Alternative Learning System and Family Discipleship, the page also covers mommy-friendly events such as Zumba Marathons and seasonal meet ups such as the Magical Easter. The main topic of Beyondsilverandgold.com is to provide inspiration for homeschool families, product reviews for homeschool materials, books, places and events. It gives more than a glimpse into a Filipino family’s homeschool journey. It is written by a Christian work-at-home, homeschooling mom who multi-tasks as a homeschool mom for twelve years, a blogger, a product reviewer, an event director and a life insurance agent. This blog’s mission is to encourage homeschooling and work-at-home moms as they pursue their family and personal goals. Michelle envisions this blog to be the go-to resource for homeschool families in the years to come.

2. http://www.ricaperalejo.ph/

Among the most viewed articles on the page are her birth delivery story, her wedding story, and mommy-friendly product reviews. This page gives us a glimpse of how the author juggles mommyhood, marriage, ministry and everything in between the interesting things she has to do week on week. It further encourages mommies like me to have that balance while ensuring not to miss the important milestones for family. Mrs. Bo surely has her readers learning with her and discovering God more in their mommyhood journey.

1. http://thammiesy.com/

The family category on her pages are full of lesson-filled points and valid questions mommies like me should be asking. The page has a big range of relevant mommy topics covered such as: Sex as a Discipline, marriage check, the oh-so-familiar mommy-guilt and even interesting analogies like Parenting the Smart Gilas Way and Lessons from the Goose Family. It also clues us in on what God is doing in our ministry as she tells us about what happened in the Arise Conference or the National Singles Getaway in Dubai.

All of these pages have one thing in common. They all write from their hearts. Mommies really need all the help they can get. Growing in mommyhood, afterall, means growing in our relationship with God, as we see His handprint on everything we have to be concern with daily.

Feel free to bookmark any of the pages listed above or this page. Tune in to Making Working Moms Work author’s first and upcoming podcast interview due out on 22^nd of August at http://www.workingmotherhood.com/podcasts/ (also available on iTunes)

Blogging 101 in Tagaytay

On August 16, 2015 at 9AM to 4PM, Pinoy Blogger Group will have a mini forum about Blogging at Paradizoo at Mendez Cavite then tour at Residence Inn, Tagaytay.

Paradizoo and Residence Inn are just two theme parks under Zoomanity Group of Yupangco Group of Companies headed by Robert Laurel Yupangco. I am so happy to be part as select bloggers will learn about the following to enhance more about writing skills

Responsible Blogging

Ethics in Blogging

How to get advertisers

Quality content Blogs are an amazing way to demonstrate expertise online, control message and build personal reputation and credibility as a writer. Being a blogger allows us to be journalists who make use of an online platform to tell a story. I am so happy to be meeting people through my blog pages, my pages allows me to clue people in on what I am passionate about. In the coming weeks, hoping to share with you what beauty God has created from the places I visited with my son and a team of friends.

Blogs allow you to easily tell stories, readers can interact with you and you can build relationships with them. Ministry has become bigger and every interaction allows you to show the same love from God you are receiving. Blogging allows you to differentiate yourself from others, too, showcase your personality and share information about yourself, and in my case, a product or an event review.

If you would like to be part of this or if you need more information, please contact TAG Media and PR at 09166299381 or send an email to gracenicolas@yahoo.com

Dreaming to be a Blogger? Read On!

If you were like me before I started writing and if you are someone who mulls over becoming a blogger, it is high time to think about the true, relevant questions you should be answering to set yourself up to becoming a blogger. After all, blogging is not as easy as it looks like and not as seamless as other jobs and may not be exempt from demand of time and careful thought. Ultimately, know why you want to write then plan how to achieve that goal with each writing you publish.

Some tough questions to ask:

Have you already got a niche in mind? How do you choose one from a long list of categories and topics you want to write about? While you are at it, think of the reader group you want to cater to. Remember, this will define your topics for a long, long time and if you mistakenly choose a topic you are not sure about, give it a month or two and you can run out of creativity or lose your passion in updating your page.  It is worthwhile to consider that the topic you choose should be something you can relate to, which will give you an extensive range of topics to write about. Case in point, it will be challenging if you choose to write about mommyhood when you are yourself single and addressing the mom groups on your pages. Do not miss the fact that you build up your credibility with an archive of interesting topics that allows your readers to interact, think and have take-aways from your articles.

Are you web-savvy? With this question, you do not need to be an expert but it helps to have an ability to widow your way around links, instructions and available platforms. There is a long list available with WordPress, Blogspot, Blogger. Most of these platforms are also linked with other social media tools, Instagram, Twitter,  Discus and may end up being profitable with affiliate programs or advertising. Most blogging communities almost always prefer to consider a certain number of months, similar niche and frequency of writing before approving memberships. Having a support group will be significantly helpful.

Re-tool your writing skills. It is an advantage if you enjoy writing but if you feel you have not enough experience in writing, look out for writing workshops and training to join. Workshops such as the one offered by Nizza Gueco can answer all your long-standing questions and apprehensions about writing. It also provides you a chance to have a long term job with Do it Write Solutions.

WHAT: Freelance Writing Workshop

WHEN: Saturday, May 23, 2015. 12nn – 6pm

WHERE: QC near Welcome Rotonda (details will be given to the attendees)

HOW MUCH: 1500 per slot. Refer to the poster for group discounts.

Usual rates

Learn about the usual rates for every writing job. Know that bidding too high won’t win you the job, bidding too low won’t either. Never commit that mistake again after this workshop.

Cover letter creation

When applying for the job. Your cover letter is your weapon, you have to penetrate through the client’s shield and make him realize you are the one for the job. Know what and what not to include in your cover letter.

Choosing the job

Learn about the jobs that are fit for you. Differentiate scams from legitimate ones.

Bidding for the job

Learn how to manipulate you bid in order to get the job.

Getting the job

Know what to do when you get the job. From accepting the offers and terms, to actually starting with the job.

Here are some of the inclusions of the workshop:

• Certificate
• Pastries and coffee buffet from Paulette’s Choclettes
• Writing tips from Nizza Gueco
• Writing activities
• a chance to have a long term job with Do It Write Solutions

If you are interested, please don’t hesitate to PM on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nizza.gueco

Or send an email to nizzagueco@yahoo.com