Stay Connected: Start A Family Blog

You don’t have time to send e-mails, much less cards, letters and photos to keep your family in the loop. You can use Facebook, but why not create your own blog? It’s easy, fun and you can do it as an individual or a group.

To get started, check out some of the free blogging hosts, such as www.wordpress.com, www.livejournal.com or www.blogger.com. Each one has templates, instructions and features like custom privacy settings and ability to post from your mobile phone. You can upgrade to a paid account later, if you need advanced features.

Here are some keys to success from experienced bloggers:
 Keep posts short and to the point (300 words or less).
 Include lots of photos (make sure to size them correctly).
 Don’t use it to vent (unless it’s entertaining).
 Set a date in your calendar so it’s updated monthly (or weekly).

Another plus: You can even publish your blog as a book once a year!