Our April 2017 featured blogger is Dr Shahira from By Shahira. Dr. Shahira is a dentist by profession. Currently on a clinical break and is a stay-at-home mum to her 1 year old daughter. She is passionate about creative writing, her faith, dentistry and of late, attachment parenting and the likes.
When and why did you start blogging?
I started in January 2008 on Blogger with the only intention of honing my writing skills. I have always been a ‘Dear Diary’ kind of person growing up. So I wanted blogging to be the impetus to keep writing though I stopped journal-writing a long time ago.
In January 2014, I moved over to a new WordPress blog to explore the genre of creative writing. I met many like-minded writers and my blog had started gaining traction. Marriage, pregnancy and a job made me take a small break in between since I could not handle all responsibilities together.
Did anyone, in particular, inspire you to start blogging?
My sister had a very successful blog in 2006 and frankly that is how I got to know about the blogging world.
What’s the most challenging thing about being a blogger, a mother, a dentist and blogging?
Have you had any opportunities arise as a result of blogging?
I had the chance to work with a local baby brand and attended some events here in Doha. The best part about blogging is all the people I have met offline and online and the sharing of different ideas and collaborating on some projects. Also some of the bloggers from Muslimah Bloggers motivated me to send in my work as guest post and I got published in Sisters Magazine, Doha Family etc. It has been lovely seeing my work being published on bigger sites.
The networking has helped me professionally too.
Where do you see blogging in 5 years? Do you think you will still be blogging?
What are your future goals for you blog? Is there anything specific you are aiming for?
Also setting up an email list and working on an opt in.
Learning about photography and investing in a good camera or custom stock photography subscription
Being consistent and to stick to my editorial calendar. (Too many goals?!😆)
What advice and tips would you give to someone who may be thinking of starting a blog?
Be consistent. Be present. People will not have anything to come back to your blog if you do not have content. Over the course of 9 years blogging with 3 blogs (including the current one), that is what I learnt the most. Consistent posting with specific niche always brings in blog traffic.
Have an idea of who your target readers are will help a lot. It is easy to have ideas for blog post if you have found out your target readers and know their likes, dislikes, problems and have solutions for it.
If you are going self hosted – Have a reliable hosting!
Though blogging started as dear-diary online journals, it does not work that way any more unless you have a personal anecdote which people can relate to. Think of more what your readers would want when they visit your blog than sharing every day events. (Instagram is there for everyday sharing, I suppose!)
JazakAllah Khair to Dr Shahira for taking the time out to answer our questions. If you wish to connect with her further you can do so via:
- December 2020 Featured Blogger – Not Another Mum Pod - December 29, 2020
- Muslimah Bloggers Awards 2020 Winners - December 22, 2020
- Muslimah Bloggers Awards 2020 Nominees - November 19, 2020
