Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

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Add 1004 Blog Subscribers in 26 Days – From Feedblitz to Mad Mimi

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

How to Add 1004 Blog Subscribers in 26 Days @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

You know what is better than analyzing blog stats? Learning how to add 1004 blog subscribers in 26 days with almost no cost, but with a rewarding payoff.

Is a Slow Start Really Necessary?

When I first started my blog (2 1/2 years ago), I looked at several newsletter providers or rather I should say email delivery providers. My top four choices at the time were Mad Mimi, Mail Chimp, Feedblitz and Mail Poet.

I chose feedblitz because sending out blog posts with a rss feed “newsletter type” format was not time consuming.

What do I mean by that? I need to explain first about what it means to be clear about your goal when you begin to blog.

The absolute number one goal is awesome content. Time is needed to find your voice and sharpen your focus. Did I mention that takes time?

Mommyhood alone makes finding the time to prepare a well written newsletter that bubbles with your personality and tips that you are burning to share seem like a super human feat.

Add homeschooling to the mix, and you almost feel defeated. I say almost because attitude is everything and a huge dose of  patience is key.

What I am saying is that when I first started, Feedblitz allowed me to send a newsletter type of post where I could share all my blog posts without having to take time to add them to my newsletter.

Check a few boxes of what I wanted to send in the feedblitz set up, add my header, and click send was the extent of what I wanted to do at the time. I didn’t have to recreate the blog posts like you do in a newsletter format with Mad Mimi.

In Mam Mimi, you add images and some text or all the text and prepare like a newsletter. Feedblitz used the images you already have on your blog and there is very little to no writing that I had to do.

This is important to understand when choosing how to communicate with your followers in the beginning days of blogging.

I needed time to focus on my blog (and homeschool first) and not prepare a newsletter right away. Getting my content to my followers and growing my list were my goals for the first two years. First things first.

See, I don’t believe that delivering a newsletter (content yes) to your followers is the first goal when you are a beginner blogging. You can’t do that and blog stunning content daily.

Oh, you could, but would it be as snazzy? Probably not.

Feedblitz (and yes it has a huge techie learning curve) had more bells and whistles than the other providers and I started off with their free trial period.

Their price scale for paying for subscribers was nice and slow in the beginning. The best part was that  I could pay for a year and get a discount and it locks in the present number of subscribers.

This means that if my subscribers increase and fall into another price bracket before the year is up, I am still paid up and not paying for those extra subscribers.

I could also send newsletters on demand. This means I could communicate with my followers about anything without or without having blogging content.

This allowed me to communicate with my followers in a more personal way when I needed to.

Also, by using feedblitz initially, I could focus on creating products in my shop.

Lesson 1 Learned: When you’re a beginner blogger, use the best email service with the most bells and whistles you can get and not the best newsletter service. You have to focus first on content, your blog goals and product.

However, the time came to move on to the second part of my blogging business goals, which are to increase followers rapidly, make money beyond just paying for blog expenses and sharing tips in my newsletters too.

I don’t want to wait for five years to do that.

Up Your Game

However, being a budget savvy blogger is also important.  I noticed how Feedblitz moves up significantly to a huge price bracket when you reach between 500o to 9,999 followers ,which is where I am right now. And having 5K followers is not near like having 10K followers. That is just too wide of a gap to pay one price.

Enter Mad Mimi.

I went back to the newsletter providers I had researched earlier to compare prices now that my subscribers are knocking on 9K.

Knowing now that I had successfully accomplished a huge techie learning curve with Feedblitz, I was ready for Mad Mimi.

My focus now is on sharing creative homeschooling tips in a newsletter while I add my blogging content that is now overflowing.

Did I mention that Mad Mimi is cheaper as well?

Mad Mimi costs $27.00 for 5,000 subscribers and $42.0o dollars for 10,000 subscribers. Feedblitz cost $75.00 for 5,000 to 9,999. See what I had noticed?

Mad Mimi has a price increase that goes up slowly, as it should, as you build your list instead of such a huge range in followers, which costs more with Feedblitz.

Not only that but Mad Mimi is super easy to use, beautiful and very user friendly for both blogger and follower. It makes sending my blog posts and a time worthy newsletter super simple too.

However, the other significant part of using Mad Mimi is that when I started using Mad Mimi, my subscribers have doubled for the day. I have gone from 20+ subscribers each day to 40+ and I  am working on tripling them now.

The other thing I am using is the free icegram which I brag about a lot. You can use one of their premade popups or create your own graphic, which I did. Mad Mimi and icegram have made for a great partnership with minimal cost.

Feedblitz just recently got web forms that you can create, but before that the web forms were poor quality. Though it didn’t affect my growing significantly, it did not contribute to it either.

Icegram allows me to show my personality and create a warm invitation to follow me.

Lesson 2 Learned: I trusted my gut instead of going with Mad Mimi, Mail Chip or even Mail Poet (which I like too) in the beginning. It’s important to change when you need to and more importantly your newsletter provider should help you grow rapidly. Too, it doesn’t have to cost a lot to grow your followers if you’re willing to stay flexible. And web forms are important and should be inviting and easy to use for both blogger and subscriber.

Now that I have added 1004 subscribers for the last 26 days and growing substantially each day by now using Mad Mimi, I hope these steps will help you to grow just as fast.

Do you have any questions?

Also, be sure to grab the beginner blog tips at my 5 Days of Homeschool Blogging Basics: Purpose, Plan, Performance, Persistence and Payoff.

I know you will love my Forever Blog Planner that I created much like my 7 Step Homeschool Planner. I know you would love it too because I help you step by step to choose the pages you want in your blog planner and and the best part is that you receive forever updates. Be sure to download the free printable from the planner set.

Forever Blog Planner Preview @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

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Also, check out the must-have book, iBlog Pro, by homeschool bloggers, I am proud to be a co-author.

iBlog Pro by iHomeschool Network

Hugs and love ya,

Tina Signature 2015c

Don’t forget to follow BOTH of my Pinterest accounts for more AWESOME pins.

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

 

Free Scope and Sequence Divider Page – Free 7 Step Homeschool Planner

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have pretty free scope and sequence divider pages for your homeschool planner. Grab other gorgeous planning pages on my Homeschool Planner and 7 Step Curriculum Planner page.

I am plain giddy about my new homeschool planner coming out because I am sharing several updates to it.

One update I have to tell you about is the new free scope and sequence divider page (three color options too) which is part of the free 7 Step Homeschool Planner.

Free Scope and Sequence Divider Page

It’s the small detailed things in my planner that make my heart go pitter patter. I know I am not the only weird one like that.

Curriculum Pages for Planner

And because I have been building my planner for so many years for you and for me, I also know when one of those small, but fun things are needed.

Let me explain. In putting together my newest planner (yes pictures are coming when I’m done), I noticed that on my scope and sequence section, I may not want a tabbed section just for it.

(By the way, you can grab the free editable tab top pages here on Step 6. Personalize It.)

Tab-Top-Picture-Planner

It depends on each year as to what I want.

For example, when homeschooling all three kids, I had a whole tabbed section separate just for my scope and sequence (you can print other scope and sequences here) because I printed two grade levels for each kid.

I print one grade for the grade my child is currently in and the other grade level was the year ahead so I could see what I was aiming for next or in some cases, work that my child was already doing.

So my preference then was to have a whole tabbed section.

HOMESCHOOL PLANNER FORMS

Some years, I would want different things within a tabbed section called “Goals or Planning”.

For example, this year I am homeschooling only one son now, but I want two grade levels in my planner. Also, under that same tabbed section, I want my high school planning pages.

The bottom line is that one side or page, which is the beginning of the scope and sequence was blank.

And since I have different things within that tabbed section, I decided to create a divider for the scope and sequence section to print on the blank side.

I think I may need some other divider pages within a tabbed section, but I am starting with this newest baby today. I have created the divider page in three different color choices and fonts.

Scope and Sequence Divider Page 3 color choices to grab at Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

You know I squeal for change and need my planner to be unique each year and so I need to change it constantly.

I hope you love the newest form and that it will help to refine your planner with those small, but love them detailed type of pages.

Scope and Sequence Divider Page

Also, if you want to start building your planner now, begin with the first step, which is the hardest, but I promise to make it easy for you.

7 Easy Steps – “Tons of Options & Pretty Color”

Step 1. Choose a Pretty Front/Back Cover

Step. 2. Choose Calendars/Appointment Keepers

Step 3. Choose Goals/Objectives

Step 4. Choose Lesson Planning Pages Right For You!

Step 5a. Choose Unique forms JUST for You! Not a kazillion other people

Step 5b. Choose MORE Unique Forms JUST for You!

Step 5c. Choose MORE MORE Unique Forms Just for You!

Step 6. Personalize It

Step 7. Bind it! Love it!

HOW TO GET THE FREE SCOPE AND SEQUENCE DIVIDER PAGES

Now, how to grab the freebie.  It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Don’t forget to follow BOTH of my Pinterest accounts for more AWESOME pins.

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

When Your Homeschooled Child is Interrogated (And How to Get Past It)

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

When Your Homeschooled Child is Interrogated (And How to Get Past It) @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Normally, we love to tell curious folks that we homeschool. Too, it’s okay for others to be concerned because we don’t want to be touchy and overly sensitive about our choice. However, it’s quite another thing when your homeschooled child is interrogated. After all, if somebody was curious and looking for information they wouldn’t be interrogating your child, right?

Today, in sharing when your homeschooled child is interrogated (and how to get past it) I hope to infuse you with a few points to help you stay one step ahead of a situation like that.

What are you looking for?

Too, having your child questioned by a family member, like a mother or mother in law, than by a total stranger is hard. Saying things like what does that sign say or what did you learn today to our children may give them the impression that your parenting and homeschooling should be judged.

In learning how to diffuse the situation, you have to decide what are you looking for. In other words, whether others affirm or condemn your choice, will it affect your decision to homeschool? Are you really seeking their approval?

In a close family, it’s normal to want the approval of family members, but reminding yourself that you will never ever please everybody is sobering.

It comes back to what are you looking for. Are you looking to give your child the best education you can possible give him or please family members? Ideally, we want both, but sometimes we can’t have that.

Having a determined mindset from the beginning helps you cope better with the situation because the go jump in the lake approach is probably not a good reply.

Next, I have learned through helping other homeschoolers that things only get worse if they are allowed to go on for a time.

For example, most parents feel pretty comfortable talking to their own adult child and know what they can say or not say, but to talk to the daughter in law or son in law can be different. Sometimes a mother in law feels at more liberty to speak her mind when it may not be solicited.

And don’t get me wrong, I am all ears for any pearls of wisdom that come from parents that have already successfully raised children, they should be honored.

However, in a family where the adult children are now raising their own children, it their sole responsibility to raise and homeschool them.

Suppressing the the situation is best done by the dad taking the lead if he is talking to his own mother.

Start off the conversation by saying questions to you about how the kids are homeschooled are always welcomed. However there is a difference in wanting to know how the children are progressing and passive aggressive type of comments to your children, which is setting an example for your children to undermine your authority.

Speaking parent to parent helps your mother or mother in law to take the problems to a parenting issue, which is what homeschooling really is all about. If she can see that she could be possibly undermining your authority in front of the kids, you could soften the situation.

Sometimes that does not work and there are times where the law has to be laid down. I have found that instead of saying we will not have anything to do with you, it is better to not take things to that level – yet.

Is Passive Aggressive Questioning Okay?

Instead, say that until the questioning stops or passive aggressive comments stop, your family will  not have a relationship with her. It is sad if a situation has to come to that end and hopefully, it will not.

Try to remember that most grandparents no doubt have a deep love for your kids and their doubts and disapproval come from there.

If it is a total stranger questioning your child, it is easier to just say that your decision is not up for debate or discussion and then change the subject.

Every situation is different when somebody starts questioning your child. On the one hand, a person may just be curious. On the other hand, if an adult has or had kids, they should know that the child should not be questioned about your parenting decision and that is not something to take lightly.

I try to be transparent about our homeschooling, always ready to give an answer for those interested in homeschooling because I want to inform and not automatically assert bad motives.

And finally, try to remember that if you are having a bad homeschool day share with somebody else who homeschools. Though it may be comfortable complaining to family members, if those family members are not supportive of  homeschooling, then you may be bringing more stress on yourself.

Even though family and friends may not understand that questioning your homeschooling goes directly to questioning your authority as a parent, try to cut them some slack and keep the focus on where it should be which is what is best for your child.

Has anybody ever interrogated your child? How did you do with it?

Also, look at these other tips and helps:

Hugs and love ya,

Also look at 3 Homeschooling Myths Debunked, and Should A Child Have a Choice to Return To Public School?

Check out these books too if you need to recharge your homeschooling conviction!

Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe
When Homeschooling Gets Tough: Practical Advice to Stay on Course
Homeschooling at the Speed of Life: Balancing Home, School, and Family in the Real World

Free 2016 to 2017 Year Round Homeschool Planning Form

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This is NOT a calendar, but a super helpful planning form! Grab your free 2016 to 2017 Year Round Homeschool Planning Checklist @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

I know it’s a crazy time of the year to put together my 7 step homeschool planner, but we moved back from overseas at a crazy time. Today, in sharing my free 2016 to 2017 year round homeschool planning form, I am excited to share the first color, which is powder puff for the next academic school year.

Also, keep in mind that my year round planning form doesn’t mean you have to school year round to use it. I have it set up year round because as homeschoolers we do seem, however, to be busy learning all year long.

Curriculum Pages for Planner

The academic year I follow is from July to June. The beauty of my planner is that you can make it at anytime of the year. So if you need to make your planner now, you can grab the previous school year planning form here.  Now you have the current academic year and with my newest form, you can plan for next academic year too.

The second thing I want to remind you of is that the year round planning form was not created as a calendar to note appointments.

I have a nice and large 2 page spread appointment keeper to add to your planner that is big enough to note appointments and field trips.

The form today is for planning your school year. I normally highlight or circle which weeks we will homeschool and then I track the days and weeks on this form.

And the best thing, I think anyway, is that I do several color choices and today is the first color choice for the next school year. I hope you like it.

Download the Powder Puff Color 2016 to 2017 Year Round School Planning Form.

Have you started creating your own Free 7 Step Homeschool Planner? There is NOT another like it since YOU create it with forms that I have here.

Your homeschool changes each year so should your planner.

Begin making your planner today!

{The only thing quick here are the steps because this free planner has grown to over 400 free downloads spread throughout the 7 easy steps. Grab your cup of caffeine, coffee!}

7 Easy Steps – “Tons of Options & Pretty Color”

Step 1. Choose a Pretty Front/Back Cover

Step. 2. Choose Calendars/Appointment Keepers

Step 3. Choose Goals/Objectives

Step 4. Choose Lesson Planning Pages Right For You!

Step 5a. Choose Unique forms JUST for You! Not a kazillion other people

Step 5b. Choose MORE Unique Forms JUST for You!

Step 5c. Choose MORE MORE Unique Forms Just for You!

Step 6. Personalize It

Step 7. Bind it! Love it!

Hugs and love ya,

Tina Signature 2015c

Don’t forget to follow BOTH of my Pinterest accounts for more AWESOME pins.

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

Linking up @ these places:
Thoughtful Spot|The Mommy Monday|Modest Monday|Homeschool Nook|Faith Filled Parenting|Inspire Me Monday|Frugal Friday|Tuesday Talk|Laugh & Learn|Turn It Up Tuesday|Let Kids Be Kids|Good Tips Tuesday|A Little Bird Told Me|Moms Library|A Little R & R|Hearts for Home|Weekend Roundup|Friday Free For All

Free Ancient Greece Can You Answer Minibook

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Free Ancient Greece true or false minibook @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

I am never ashamed to admit that sometimes we school upside down, sideways and sometimes backwards, but we always go forward. The free Ancient Greece Can You Answer Minibook that I am sharing today is an example of what I mean by the way we homeschool.

We love doing our unit studies and we add lapbooks in for enrichment as we plod along and study many different things. Sometimes we speed through them and sometimes not, like the Ancient Greece lapbook.

FREE ANCIENT GREECE LAPBOOKS

Since this is my third or fourth time around studying Ancient Greece, I have focused on hands-on activities with Tiny.

Be sure you grab the Free Ancient Greece Go Fish Game, Free 4 tab minibook, the Ancient Greece Pull tab book along with the hands on math, making a chariot, making baklava, grab a list of living history books, grab a great big list of Ancient Greece freebies and do a refraction activity.

Don’t forget to grab my first Ancient Greece lapbook here and Ancient Civilization here .(Minoan and Mycenaean civilization)

I luv my followers and make it special for them here when I can.

This freebie is a subscriber only freebie! This means you get access to the exclusive area for subscribers and can download this printable there after you follow my blog.

I would love for you to follow me and give me the opportunity to help you along in your homeschool journey.

Important: IF you are already an email reader, please read this below instead of emailing me right away.

Though I love your emails, it can take a while for me to answer you.

1.) If you are a daily email reader, the private link to the subscriber’s only page was sent to you immediately when you joined my blog. Look for that email in your inbox.

2.) If you are a weekly email reader, the link is sent to you at the bottom of EVERY newsletter. If you have been getting my blog posts, then check at the very bottom of one of my recent newsletters for the link.

Hugs and love ya,