Designer by day, dad by night. That’s the concept that helped Michael Smith launch his blog, Dadsigner . As visual design lead for AWeber, he hones his expertise to bring visual consistency to the brand. And he knows that the smallest of details can make a big difference.
Enter Dadsigner. After becoming a first-time parent 10 months ago, he found that many of the products aimed for infants were poorly designed and unattractive. His blog has become a resource for parents who seek out quality products, as well as photography and design tips, DIYs and personal anecdotes.
We talked to Michael about the inspiration behind his blog, how he grows his fanbase and tips for aspiring bloggers:
How did you come up with the name “Dadsigner?”
I wish I could claim the name as my own brainchild. I happened to see it mentioned on Twitter and thought it was brilliant. As I do with many ideas, I checked to see if the URL was available. I bought it immediately. I think I’ve owned it for much longer than I ever had a plan for.
Can you give a bit more backstory into the concept of your blog?
I knew there was a void in the “dad blogger” space. People were talking more so about parenting, rather than the best-of-the-best products for kids. Instead of having a playroom stocked full of shiny plastic toys (very overwhelming), what if we all bought fewer toys that are higher quality?
That’s the main premise for the blog, but I also had to throw in some fun with my satirical children’s book reviews that focus on art, construction and, most importantly, how many different voices you need to read the book well.
What methods are you using to grow your audience?
My blog is still in the early stages, so growth is slow, but steady. I’m using email to grow a list of avid fans, as well as running ad swaps with like-minded bloggers.
Are you using social media to connect with your audience?
Yes! I tweet @dadsigner and, per Chris Ducker’s advice, have a Facebook fan page.
How do you make time for blogging?
Being a new dad has definitely made it challenging. I created a backlog of topics to cover, and when I get free time, I make rough outlines for as many of these as possible. That way, when I sit down to write, I’m filling in the specifics and not figuring it all out at once.
What tips would you give to those who want to start their own blog?
- Buy a custom theme – Looks are important to me (I am a designer, after all).
- Plan ahead – Having a decent backlog of articles ready-to-go helps make the transition to consistent blogging easier.
- Be willing to commit – Finding your posting cadence is crucial. I’m committed to posting once a week, for now. As my blog grows, I plan on posting more frequently in the future.
This post is part of our monthly #AWeberLife Series, in which we showcase our company culture and Core Values. Want to join in on the fun? Visit AWeber.jobs to see all open positions and to apply.
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