Mommy Blogging
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
There is quite a buzz these days about being a successful MommyBlogger (or Bloggin' Mama as I like to call myself). There seem to be two camps of noisy vocal Mom Bloggers.
There are those who whine about the fact that they don't get pitches from companies. They complain that they were not invited to Disney World, San Diego, or New Jersey. These same bloggers have accused those of us who do get free stuff, and go on all-expense paid trips, of "pimping our blogs," and "exploiting our children for personal gain." They've called us "Blog Whores," and "greedy," while secretly wishing they could do what we do.
Then there are many Blogging Moms who are asking the questions because they really want to know how we do what we do.
How do I create a successful and sought-after MommyBlog?These Mom Bloggers genuinely want to know.
How do I get these companies to send me free stuff?
What do I need to do to get the PR people to notice me?
How can I get on the invite list for free trips?
First off, I don't feel the need to defend why I blog, or that the reason why I participate in Wordless Wednesday is not to increase traffic. The voice that Mom's who blog have is HUGE, regardless of whether you write as an outlet, for the pure pleasure, to post pictures of your family or you write for the free stuff.... In the end, we're just moms who blog.
All of us. (Yes, even Dooce!)
We each bring a unique perspective to our readers.
Let me give you some examples...
- I have six children - My daily experiences, however, are quite different from those of my blogging buddy, Dawn, who also has six children. She is writing a book about her adventures.
- I homeschool, but my daily life is very different from that of my good friend, Melissa. She has all girls, and they are all beautiful and proper. Have you seen my family?
- I have a baby boy. My opinions about the clothes he wears, food he eats, and toys with which he plays differ from that of Shanda, who also has a baby Noah's age.
Now, I don't know the secrets to being a successful MommyBlogger. (In fact, if you can find someone who does, please let her know that I need to talk to her!) I do know that I work very hard, and spend
Consistent writing, quality content, having fun, and being in the right time at the place are all sure to help. I say be real, be yourself, write about what you know, and work hard. It might not hurt to email a few companies after you've written about their products, just to let them know you've blogged about them. Who knows they may come to you the next time they want to get the word out.
But, let the PR folks come to you... And they will, when you start writing about the things which they would like to promote. Ultimately, they look for the bloggers who have a wide range of different readers who all value your opinion about what you know best.
If you are still interested in finding out more about this genre of blogging, there are several Mommy Bloggers who have written wonderful posts about Mommy Blogging. Here are just a few...
- The Mommy Story How to be a Popular MommyBlogger
- Scribbit on ProBlogger Five Reasons Why Mom Blogs are the Blogs to Watch
- The Velveteen Mind MommyBloggers - The Resource
April 29, 2008 10:25 PM
I just stumbled (somehow) onto your blog and really appreciate this post. I just blog for personal reasons - but if you can help support your family by blogging - I say go for it girl!
Blessings,
Dee@boysrus
www.homeschoolblogger.com/boysrus
April 29, 2008 10:26 PM
Touché Christine. Great post! :)
April 29, 2008 10:59 PM
I too get tired of the whining from bloggers who say "where do you find the time?" and "It's not fair that you have time and I don't" because a lot of the issue is about timing and organization.
Oops, I've got a full post here it seems. Thanks for the mention-
April 30, 2008 1:58 AM
I blog to promote my business and to inspire. I talk about whatever is on my mind at that moment. I don't have a SET direction for my blog. As a designer a lot of artists are surprised when I promote them! Especially when they design items in the same category as me.
April 30, 2008 3:06 AM
I started my blog as a way to share information about my life with my friends and family. Now, my traditional friends and family don't even read my blog. Today its about interacting with other moms. Getting to know new people and having that support system for advice, laughter, etc. that we all need.
April 30, 2008 4:05 AM
great post, but of course nothing less is expected from you. I think, depending on the reasons one blogs, every blog is successful.
You are so right, however, in pointing out the diversity. A fellow blogger friend and I were just discussing that yesterday, actually!
April 30, 2008 5:30 AM
I love blogging and have found the free perks, reviews, trips, all a bit of a payoff for the hard work I've put into it. If ever blogging wasnt fun for me anymore or I felt like I couldn't truly be myself, then that is the day I'll sign off.
Until then I enjoy the community immensely- I honestly only read those blogs that I find positive and encouraging to others and always hope I can be an encouragement as well. If anyone wants to start doing reviews or has questions, I will gladly talk with them and pass their name on to the PR companies if they'd like! We're all in this togerther!
Steph
April 30, 2008 5:34 AM
P.S. I think we need to start a mission to ban the whining... Don't us Moms hear it enough from our kids already??
Steph
April 30, 2008 7:33 AM
As one of your resident PR flacks (Oh, and I soooo hate that word ;-)), I'm going to second your thoughts about letting the PR people come to you. The way that we "find" blogs is based almost solely on searches for specific products and implications of positive reaction to PR because as we've seen, it can be dangerous territory.
It's really nothing personal. There's no discrimination - it's just the right place, the right product and the right time. If a blogger wants to be contacted by PR, the best way to put it out there is just to state it on the blog with a badge or a line in the "About" page. It makes things easier for everyone.
That said, I'm pretty much an open book, so if anyone has any questions about how PR and bloggers interact from the PR side, just let me know!
melanie dot seasons at mslpr.com
-or-
melanie at fakeplasticnoodles.com
April 30, 2008 7:37 AM
My feeling on it is that no matter who gets to go on fun trips (and yes, I'm envious - but I'm also happy for those who get to go, and for the fact that companies are starting to reach out to mom bloggers in general!) or review great products, I see it that we're all in this together and should support each other, no matter what. :)
I blog for a lot of reasons - for myself, to stay in touch with friends and family, but most of all because of the awesome community that I've found and amazing bloggers that I've met.
April 30, 2008 9:27 AM
You said it, simply and succinctly. When I started blogging back in the dark ages (2003), I had no intention of meeting PR people and getting free stuff. I was just writing about what was happening in my life - mainly because writing is what I've always done (and I have a WGA card to prove that). It was a complete surprise when companies started coming to me.
I have no idea how to become an "A" list blogger. I do it because I have a compulsion to write and I enjoy the challenge of trying to make myself a better writer. AND I love the people I've met through blogging. I have more in common with my online friends than many of the people I know in the "real world" (for one thing, they all share my weird compulsion).
April 30, 2008 11:41 AM
It's a shame that the finger pointing and name calling is going on. I don't know what purpose any of that serves. *shakes head*
The bottom line is that if you write about what you know and enjoy it will show. If you're good at it people will eventually take notice.
Keep up the good work! :)
April 30, 2008 1:18 PM
Good point - each blog brings a different perspective, and so you should expect different blogs to have a different readership based on the content.
May 1, 2008 7:13 AM
I really like this post. I recently moved off of wordpress.com to my own domain and am having to rebuild all my incoming links. I want to start doing so advertising as well. At any rate, I have been wondering what makes a "good mommyblogger" and this article really helps, espeically with the links to the articles that Michelle and others wrote.
It is awesome that so many mommybloggers are being recognized by larger companies with these trips. It is good pr for the companies and it is an awesome reward for the bloggers who do put so much time and effort into their blogs.
No matter what the industry is, there will always be those who are jealous and want to take shots at those who succeed. You certainly should not have to defend your blog and I am glad you do not. Your blog speaks for itself. I enjoy it and others do as well!
May 1, 2008 5:47 PM
Personally I love what you are saying, although every reader looks for smething different in a site. It all just depends on what is going on at the moment. It does suck when Mom bloggers are afraid to come outright with things going on in fear they will hurt another blogger/s. It's like a fend for yourself/lets all stick together type thing.
In no way should anyone be envious of the trips some Moms get to go on. They didn't beg and plead to go, yet simply they they were invited. Get noticed and you will be envited as well!
May 13, 2008 10:30 AM
I've blogged about this topic. For me, it comes from a genuine desire to know it is done. I had no idea that it had gotten to the point of name calling and finger pointing like it has. I'd love to know the secret myself. I write every day, work hard, answer all my comments and emails, try to network, and I do it all in the middle of the night, forsaking sleep, from a little PC in the corner of basement. I don't even own a laptop or any type of PDA. I just really like doing it, and hope to be successful at it.