500 blog posts later…
So – from a thought of “why don’t we…” to Sarah’s “just do it”, plus knowing a strong core of willing women, we set about launching Birds on the Blog just as 2010 began. My job was to get it online, and of course WordPress is still perfect for this kind of collaborative blogging. We started off with a free design which worked for a while until we wanted more, a magazine style theme, and found what we wanted at StudioPress that we could then play with and bend to our design will sufficiently for further “on the blog” projects.
The hosting soon creaked under the attention so a move was in order to cope with the traffic. All good fun and keeping this blogmistress on her toes!
And that’s the easy part of it all… Another thing that Sarah is very good at is hunting down extra functions for WordPress – pushing for more and better – fancy plugins that sing and dance – she likes to test them out and explore! Thankfully I’ve set up for regular back-ups, though we’ve not needed to use them yet! Not all of what we wanted worked but Birds is none the less for that. And of course there are new toys features available all the time.
And what of you, dear readers? It seems that you love the astonishingly eclectic mix of topics we bring you – great business advice, insights into different cultures, some of our more controversial opinions, brilliant guest posts – and all this, within 7 months, attracted the attention of Forbes, listing us in the top women’s websites for 2010 – how cool is that?
What’s the point, some might ask (not usually women I must add – you just get it)? Offering a platform for women bloggers, one that does not have to be related to their business – yes, we are all business women, but sometimes we like to blog about other stuff without having to build our own. We’ve also encouraged new bloggers who have then gone on to join the team or who set up their own personal and/or business blogs.
Our proudest moment so far is that we support the education of two lovely girls in Uganda – now that is making a difference!
So what next? Well our brother site, Blokes on the Blog is ticking along gently, Africa on the Blog has taken off in a spectacular way, thanks to Ida, and September will see the launch of two new “on the blog” sites – one for grumpy old bloggers, and one for mums – the latter after many calls for such. Beyond that – well, you tell us – what do you want more of, different, less of?
Our first newsletter goes out tomorrow too – that will include a round up of the previous month, more on what’s coming up and some special offers from the Birds – so sign up now so you don’t miss it (over there on the right, please).
I think this milestone deserves cake – tuck in…
And here’s to the next 500, 5000, more….?
Babs
About BabsBabs runs The Blogmistress to help people use WordPress for their websites and/or blogs. Here on Birds however she lets loose on just about any subject other than WordPress! Follow her on twitter
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27 Responses to 500 blog posts later…
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Congratulations to you Babs, and particularly Sarah, for actually making this happen!
500 blogs, a Forbes mention, a number of satellite sites, a newsletter in the offing (yes, I've signed up – can't wait for the first one!) AND supporting the education of two beautiful little girls in Africa – all in a few months. You should be very proud. I'm very proud to be a tiny part of it.
Congratulations, team!
Twitter: evenbreak
What I find most amazing about BOTB is that it has the perfect balance of information and experiences of women who combine business with having a life … unlike so many women's sites which tend either to be about sex/fashion/makeup, hard business only, or how to wipe a baby's bum while filling in a tax return and cooking a gourmet meal at the same time. Congratulations BOTB on 500 terrific posts!
Twitter: SuzanStMaur
Congratulations all round, to the editor, blogmistress and all the authors! It's refreshing to read the different posts, and to see the responses. Well done
Congratulations to everyone – a lot of hard work, blood sweat and tears has gone into this, and it shows.
Well done most of all to Sarah and Babs – you've steered the ship fantastically and I'm glad you chose to have me aboard with you!
Twitter: nikkipilkington
It has been a lot of fun being part of this, and a big thank you to Sarah and Babs for all your efforts to make it that way
Ann
Congrats to everyone, esp. Sarah and Babs. Proud to be part of it (and scribbling away as we speak).
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Even though I'm on leave for a while with my day job, I've loved being involved with the Birds this year. What better way to grow than to learn from a bunch of talented, unique people?!
I want to especially say that without Sarah's vision and drive, none of this would have happened and I feel lucky to have met her while working with @bttradespace. She is truly 'the original social networker'.
As Arnie once said, “I'll be back…”
B
Congratulations to everyone involved – what a great project! And to Sarah and Babs particularly for their continued drive and inspiration – it's a privilege to be part of the team:)
Twitter: mykitchenstore
I'm not a very frequent visitor but I enjoyed writing my guest blog – on a topic unrelated to my business – and I love popping over to see what's going on.
Thanks to all of you who organise things and contribute regularly!
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Thank you as well Jane, for the fab first 'official' post that nicely set the tone for Birds on the Blog
and for sharing your acts of recklessness with us! as always, i am real lucky to have you all blogging here 
Wow what an accomplishment! I have discovered your fantastic site only today and will be checking in daily. Here's to your next 500!!
We can so sex fashion and make up Suze, it will just be on our terms like the best make up to wear in a fashionable sex position whilst doing business… ok… who fancies blogging that? no one? oh dear…
We do seem to have a very popular mix and I think it's because we have such a varied skillset here.
You are more than welcome to come back Majje and share the story of how you started ravenous kitchens, or another great blog that you wish to share with us.
Well I would certainly like to add to the list of congratulating the wonderful birds on the blog for writing such wonderful varied set of blogs. Congratulations and thanks also go to Babs and Sarah, for all of your hard work and for your exciting vision, that is sure to continue to grow and grow … I will be watching eagerly …
Twitter: NitaJoyDesigns
Congratulations and many thanks BOTB for consistently providing a great range of educational, entertaining and thought-provoking posts.
Congratulations to all the Birds and Guest bloggers! Superb team work Sarah and Babs
I shed a tear or two when this led to a fund to educate two beautiful Ugandan girls. You will never know the true value of your love and generosity!
I couldn't offer advice on the makeup part of that….
I couldn't offer advice on the makeup part of that….
When are you going to write one, Maggie?
When are you going to write one, Maggie?
Ah but we will Ida, one day they will be old enough to add a post of their own, their own thoughts and words and then we will know truly what we did here that day
Great that all that nagging from da Boss has worked so well for all involved!
I don't mean we're all suddenly rich through BOTB – that's not what it's about (though I'm sure none of us would reject the odd million quid…
)
Like many of the Birds here (I believe), I'm not a natural 'joiner' of clubs or organisations – I lasted one visit to Brownies and decided it wasn't for me – too organised…
I feel this is more like a club for, not exactly misfits but for those who like to choose who they play with, what games they join in and how often they want to play.
It can be lonely blogging on your own – here I get ideas from what other Birds write about and often have a lot more fun commenting on their posts than writing my own contributions. Though I might have to call on one or more Birds to sit on da Boss to keep her in one place long enough for me to do a proper interview with her…
She tried to get me to put one up after we'd had a conversation when she'd been Pepsimax-less for about 20 hours: Girls – I tell you, it was gibberish…
Ah well, onwards and upwards…
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
Late as always is me….! Everybody should be very proud of what has been achieved here in such a short time. I love the diversity of people and subject matter, and I love that the nagging of the Boss makes me sit down and write something every week when I've been thinking I ought to for about 2 years now…!
Congratulations to all and sundry.