Standing Out in the Blogosphere

by Christine - From Dates to Diapers on May 4, 2012

Last weekend I had the great honor and privilege of speaking at the first ever Titus 2:1 Conference. Almost two years ago, my Twitter friend Cheryl had a vision and responded to God’s call to put together a blogging conference for Christian homeschool moms. After much praying, planning, and preparation she pulled together a wonderful conference!

Cheryl asked me quite some time ago to be a keynote at her conference and speak to these busy blogging women on the importance of connecting with brands and how to go about it. I have decided to share with you just a small portion of what I spoke about. I’ve edited my notes so as to appeal to a broader audience, but the key points are the same across the board.

8 Important Things To Do To Get Your Favorite Brands To Notice You

Find your niche – I know we’re all bloggers, but what can you add to your blogger title? For me focusing on “Big Family Fun” sets us apart from the norm. We are an anomaly to most. It’s okay to be eclectic and not box yourself in to a specific niche, but what is your voice saying? God created us all individually, with unique characteristics and interests. Focus on yours.

Be yourself – Authenticity is a must in blogging, as it is life. Be the same you online as you are offline. People can see through fake, so be sure you stay true to your voice and stay real.

Be personal and approachable – Are you active on Twitter and Facebook? Are you available to your friends and followers? Is your contact information in a prominent place on your blog? Respond to tweets, DMs, and messages. Build those online social relationships. You never know where a relationship may lead.

Get yourself out there – Go to blogging and social media conferences. (I’ll be at EVO and BlogHer this summer – Let me know if I should look for you!) Attend local tweetups and social media events. Seek out media opportunities. Make sure you are seen.

Invest time, attention, and money to your blog’s design – Pretty up your site and let it reflect who you are and what you love.

Be professional and stay away from drama – Carry yourself with confidence and always be prepared with business cards and an “elevator pitch.” Don’t be afraid to speak out, when in disagreement, but speak your mind in love and with grace and avoid the stuff that doesn’t matter.

Sing your own praises without being arrogant – Make yourself known. Putting together a kick-butt “About” page and media kit is uber important.

Don’t be afraid to make the first move – Write that pitch. Send that email. Make that phone call. Don’t ever believe the lie that you are not “big” enough.

It’s easy to feel like we are little fish in such a big sea of bloggers, but you can stand out!

What do you do to get your favorite brands and companies to notice you?

photo credit: Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com via photo pin cc

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Are You Interested in Being a Guest Blogger on From Dates to Diapers?

by Christine - From Dates to Diapers on July 22, 2011

I’m not sure if it’s due to the hot weather, having a baby in the house again after so long, or just plain bloggy burn-out, but I have no desire to write these days. It could possibly be because of the fact that we have been going through a lot lately as a family – a new business, sickness after sickness, big decisions, and the like. I’m truly hoping it’s a phase. Who knows. One of these days I may feel like writing about everything, but for now I’m asking for some help.

I would love to publish some of your thoughts, musings, rants, or beautiful pictures. Anything you’d like to send me, via the form below, will be considered for publication here on my little mom blog. You can write anonymously or include a mini bio, which will certainly be included if desired.

Take a look at some of my past posts to get a feel for the tone here at From Dates to Diapers, if you’re not sure about what to write about. I wish I could give you some ideas, but the lack of positive ones could be one of the reasons I don’t have a desire to write.

{sigh}

Can’t wait to see what you send me. My readers are just waiting to be blessed by you!

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Am I Selling Out?

by Christine - From Dates to Diapers on April 26, 2011

Why so many sponsored posts lately?

Although no one has actually asked me this this question, some of you may be wondering.

I actually asked myself this question as my brother and I were catching up the other day. He wanted to know how work was going and asked me about some of my recent sponsors. I replied that I felt bad that most of my posts lately were sponsored, simply because I felt like I was letting my readers down by not being more personal with my topics.

Does it make you feel like you’re selling out?

Jake didn’t ask the question to offend me. In fact, he apologized if I thought it sounded mean. Although I quickly became defensive, I wasn’t upset. I began spouting off excuses as to why I have been publishing mostly compensated posts…

We need the income that my space – my little mom blog – is providing, just so we can maintain even a semblance of life as we knew it before becoming a completely self-employed family.

I was without a computer for several weeks and fell miserably behind.

I just lost all of my photos that I was going to use in posts where I talked about family activities and events. And, I hate to publish a post with pictures.

you CAN make money from blogging without selling out

While some reasons are better than others, all of this is very true. But, there is another reason why there have been so many sponsored posts — I truly dig all of the companies and brands that I’ve talked about lately. But, more than that, I hope that the information I’m relaying to you is useful and fun.

I guess I think of a blogger who “sells out” as one who writes about anything and everything just because there is something in it for them. These bloggers accept items they know they will never use, simply because they can. They write about companies and brands even if they don’t truly like what they are getting paid to tout. They clutter their sites with useless information and tacky ads, and their houses with stuff, all the while compromising their honesty and authenticity.

We all know plenty of bloggers who are truly selling out. And, I can promise you that I am not one of them.

Talk back!

As a blogger, do you ever doubt yourself and begin to fear that you’re becoming a sell out? As a reader, what makes you feel like a blogger is selling out?

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Mom Bloggers and Big Brands

by Christine - From Dates to Diapers on November 14, 2009

I don’t make a habit of addressing articles in which I’ve been quoted, but I’m making an exception here. There is a story on the front page of Sunday’s Los Angeles Times – Blogging moms wooed by food firms – and I’ve allowed Ray to post his thoughts. Please weigh in and let us know what you think!

~~~~~

Do you think Tiger Woods’ endorsement of Nike or Buick diminishes his name or their brands because he’s paid millions of dollars to pitch them?

Is Kelly Ripa less credible on Live because she’s paid to promote Electrolux? Does that make Regis a better person?

Of course the answer is “No.” But oddly, when it comes to mommy bloggers offering a positive comment about a product after they’ve had a chance to visit a brand’s operation in Los Angeles or New York, some cry foul. They say moms have been compromised and aren’t to be believed.

But the truth is just the opposite.

Take my wife for example. Christine will only talk about products, brands or services that she enjoys and trusts personally. If she doesn’t like it or if it fails in some way, she won’t talk about it. In fact, she has put together boxes of products to donate to Goodwill after deciding not to endorse them for one reason or another. You’ve never heard anything about these products from her. That’s because she’s decided not to brand bash – this site is all about our family and what we like and enjoy, not what sucks. For that, she gets criticized by some.

Most mommy bloggers do not get paid to post their opinions on products (and my wife is no exception), however consider this – Wisk laundry detergent recently invited Christine, all expenses paid, to New York City for a couple of days so she could learn about their product. How fun would that have been? But since she’s sold on Tide (no offense to Wisk, which I’m sure has a good product) and she uses it on the bazillion loads of laundry our family churns out each week, she turned Wisk down. And this is only one such example.

Why is it that there seems to be one standard for mom bloggers and another for celebrities who endorse products? In my way of thinking, the mom’s are, if anything, more credible than the celebrities. Does Tiger really drive a Buick? Does Kelly Ripa really cook her own meals? Does Oprah really love Butt Paste?

I don’t know the answers to those questions, but I do know that real moms with real families blog and talk about the products they use and love.

One other thing to consider, just as celebrities wouldn’t associate their name with something dubious, neither would most mom bloggers. I know Christine certainly wouldn’t.

On a related note, I do have to say that sometimes I wish she would rip on some products that deserve to be criticized heavily… Think water bottle you’d take to drink at the gym and change nothing. Now give to the kid in the back seat, because you don’t want to stop to let him go to the bathroom. Do you think at some point that someone might get a mouthful of something unpleasant?

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