Mum bloggers: We have an opportunity, let’s take it
I have to admit to being a little flustered recently. All this talk around mumosphere about the British mum blogging community getting too competitive and too commercial. How the heck did this happen?
Money, or the misconception that money can be made from blogging, seems to be one of the drivers. Can I just clarify one thing: THERE IS NO REAL MONEY IN BLOGGING. Did you hear me? Unless you are Dooce, your blogging intake will not get near any tax threshold. I’ve been in the top 10 the past year and I’ve made barely enough to fuel my Cafe Nero coffee habit. I make 100x more as a marketing consultant (and it takes less time). There are occasional freebies, but really how useful is a coffee mug, a wall clock, or another naff plastic toy? Some are nice, but do you really want all that extra stuff in your house?
Erica wrote a good article about combating blog fatigue, and there’s an excellent post at Edenland about blogging for yourself. I highly recommend reading it. Eden gives some good suggestions and basically says to write whatever the heck you want. It’s your blog! Someone will listen.
As the founder of the largest online community of British parent bloggers, I feel a bit responsible. I gathered everyone in a room, and now the room is supercharged. What would be really nice is if we could point all that energy in a positive direction — such as a unified voice for mums, or for children that don’t have one, or a campaign to help shake the stigma of working mums.
People are listening ladies. We have an opportunity to do something good. Let’s take it.
Jane O'Neill | 20th Sep 11
The online space is a funny business. There is a misconception out there that people think they can just start a blog or website and the money comes rolling in. As with most things, they start with a passion and a love to do something. So long as what you are doing is fun and enjoyable and if the money comes rolling in, then it’s a bonus.
Expatwithkids | 27th Feb 11
Wow! I am impressed how much milage you got out of this one post. It shows how much this subject touches people. How many Mums are our there with enormous potential but had to put their careers on the back burner for children and family. Having to spread the time we have does not mean we need devide the energy we feel in to equal parts. Keep putting all the energy in a focus driven goal and you’ll achieve what it is you want with perserverance and patience.
Go for it girls!
Plan B | 5th Nov 09
Thank you! Great post. Really interesting links to blogs I hadn’t discovered. And a way to make me think, and yes, write my own blogpost on the same theme. (Have linked to yours. Hope that’s ok)
I especially agree with you about the community energy we could generate. Here we all are, intelligent creative women (and men). We could do something fantastic. Quite what currently escapes me, but count me in whatever it is!
Janine Clements | 3rd Nov 09
I have been really surprised about the negative comments I have been reading recently and various blogs about mummy blogs being too competitive or too commercial.
My thoughts on this are – so what! Firstly, competition is healthy, and secondly, if people do want to try to earn money from their blogs then why shouldn’t they. I’m not sure I agree there is no money to be made from blogging (although that might be the case right now).
Everyone’s reasons for blogging are different. I think people reading blogs will pick up straight if they think a blog is too commercial and move to another.
People who review products have also come in for criticism. I sometimes review products I like/dislike (one’s I have bought) because I want to help other mums. If I get asked to review a product, then I will, but I will give my HONEST opinion (I haven’t been asked as yet). So I do think the Bloggers with Integrity Campaign is a good one.
I just think people should be left to do what they want.
That’s me off my soapbox!
A Modern Mother | 2nd Nov 09
Iota — I’m trying to make the point that there is not much money to be made from blogging, so let’s not get all hyped up about it. People blog because of other reasons. Yes of course some freebies are nice, including some press trips. But I wouldn’t suggest anyone start blogging just because of these perks. They are few and far between.
Iota | 2nd Nov 09
Metropolitan Mum, you made me laugh.
Susanna, I think you’re right. There’s a huge energy in the world of mummy blogging, and it would be good to find it a specific cause from time to time. What about this UN initiative? That seems like something everyone could get behind. International, not linked to party politics, emotive. Seems ideal.
You say there isn’t money in blogging, but the freebies aren’t worth having. But I’ve noticed that there are an increasing number of trips for bloggers, and those surely are worth having? The rewards do seem to be getting higher as time goes on.
Andrea | 2nd Nov 09
Great post and surely it’s up to the individual blogger to post anything they want to. It’s totally personal, just so happens a few people read what you write. If you get a freebie here and there so what!! I started blogging as a way to grow my business…it worked…so I did make money from it in a round about sort of way. I now get the occasional offer to write reviews, but only pick things that are of genuine interest to me or my family and I love doing that.
A Modern Mother | 2nd Nov 09
There have been some excellent suggestions here, thanks. Keep them coming…
edenland | 2nd Nov 09
Thank you so much for the shout-out! I really appreciate it.
I think there is huge potential to “harness” some kind of blogging energy, use it for some good.
I’m off to look at the British online community you started, good on you!
Eden
Metropolitan Mum | 2nd Nov 09
What? No money in blogging? I’m out of here…
Alice Griffin | 2nd Nov 09
Ooooooo so inspiring! Yes, definitely think we should harness all this fabulous energy and direct it somewhere really worthwhile. I agree with Brit in Bosnia – maybe we should do something to celebrate the many diverse directions of all the fantastic mummy blogs. I guess we could open a ‘brainstorming’ discussion on BMB?
Helen | 2nd Nov 09
Supercharged mums on a mission – i like it!
On the note of making money – I’ve been working for a toy retailer doing some consultancy on their marketing channels and in their affiliate marketing program there are around 15 mummy bloggers who are cashing in and making in excess of £150 a month in commission and that’s just from 1 retailer! This is why I helped Affiliate Window in promoting their mummy blogger awards. firstly they are making it really easy for mums to plug in links which can make a decent commission (so none of this pennies from google adsense). Plus instead of just a normal prize draw for putting the links up the awards were a different way to recognise good blogs and blog posts. http://mumsjustlove.com/talk/?p=601. Sorry for the plug on Affiliate Window and Affiliate Marketing but I thought it was relevant to the thread.
Brit In Bosnia | 2nd Nov 09
I’ve been reading the debate about blogging with interest and am pleased that you have written this post. I don’t think any of us are going to get rich doing it. It is incredibly easy to see when bloggers who really enjoy their blog, and they are the blogs that people enjoy reading.
Regarding finding a theme or cause for us British Mummy bloggers to follow. Personally I think it might be a bit difficult to find one theme that everyone is interested in actively supporting. One of the joys of blogging is the total variety of blogs and bloggers out there. Maybe we should do something to celebrate diversity!
Julia | 1st Nov 09
Very well said. Im here, nor for money, fame, freebies or recognition. I do write for my girls, I love remembering things they used to do or say.
If I get some nice comments it is a bonus.
And yes, would be great if we all could focus on some constructive, positive stuff.
A Modern Mother | 1st Nov 09
I just want to set realistic expectations about making money from your blog. If you work really hard at it you can make some money, but it is not very much.
All you wonderful bloggers are a powerful, creative force. If we harness with a teensy bit of that power in a positive direction I think we could really make a difference.
And please, don’t let ever let us get to the push and shove Blogher conference stage.
Expat Mum | 1st Nov 09
I think if you want to try to make money from a blog, go for it. There’s no should or shouldn’t with a blog. It’s a lot of work and you’r right that hardly anyone makes any real money. The ugly side of it comes out in situations like the BlogHer conference in Chicago this summer where there were lots of marketing people with flashy freebies, and therefore lots of pushing and shoving. This upset a lot of people and the BlogHer women are looking at how to change this.
If we keep the culture of BMB as a great place for us bloggers to “meet” and share ideas, we shouldn’t have a problem. So far, my impression of BMB is just that – a great place with no overt trappings.
BMB could be a great voice to highlight problems and even to push politicians into action, but again, members should engage as and when they see fit.
CraftyCreative | 1st Nov 09
Yes, blogging for me is a professional requirement – every journo has one. I’m not expecting to make money directly, it’s more like a virtual business card.
Michelloui | 1st Nov 09
Refreshing an accurate!
Lindy | 1st Nov 09
Oh if only we were all Dooce!! I think those that are in it for the money will eventually fade away. I remember this debate when it was going through the US mom bloggers and here it is on this side. I’m just going to keep my head down and let it roll over me. I’m entirely too lazy and thankfully can support my latte habit doing what I do at the moment!
Hot Cross Mum | 1st Nov 09
Here, here! Positive thinking – love it. It’s all getting far too complicated and over-scrutinised. Let’s just enjoy our blogging for whatever it means to us individually, and come together as a unified force for the greater good. As they say here in Ireland (sometimes) – ‘Feck the begrudgers”.
Insomniac Mummy | 1st Nov 09
Amen to that, each to their own, live and let live and onwards and upwards.
Great post!
🙂
Liz@violetposy.co.uk | 1st Nov 09
Here, here!! A great positive post Susanna.
Aingeal | 1st Nov 09
Well said. Blogging for me is a way to vent, speak, yell, shout about all the good things and hassles in my day to day. If I can help another parent through this then great.
Potty Mummy | 1st Nov 09
Great post Susanna, and absolutely on the money (if you’ll pardon the pun!)
Rosie Scribble | 1st Nov 09
Brilliant, Susanna. People are listening, as you say, let’s make the most of this and make sure we give them a message they want to hear, that makes a difference somewhere in the world.
There has been quite a big debate this week about blogging and the blogoshere. Now it’s all been said lets all regroup and get on with what we do best – which is blog, and contribute to the really successful community that you have set up and which is a wonderful network to be part of.
Sarah Marshall | 1st Nov 09
I am one of the founders of The FEB Committee (joined up thinking for Families, Education and Business) which is a group of working parents with a professional interest in supporting the development of flexible working opportunities.
Our work has brought us into contact with many organisations all with interests in work life balance and flexible working opportunities and all producing loads of information, some relevant, and some not.
So as part of our ongoing efforts to influence policy for all The FEB Committee are initiating a special campaign called “My Choices”: 1 Week, 100 blogging Mums and 100 Blogging Dads, 100 Ways to Work Flexibly, 100 reviews. We would to offer you the chance to participate in it and get your “Work Life Balance / Flexible Working / Smarter Working” books and web site reviewed.
So what’s the plan? The idea is to have (at least) 200 bloggers, (100 mums & 100 dads) who blog on regular basis, simultaneously publish reviews of books, or web site of their choice which offer flexible working and or work life balance advice to individuals or organisations. We want to use the power of the internet and social media to promote and increase the awareness of work life balance opportunities, best practice guidelines and to identify gaps in the information available. We hope the magnitude of this initiative will help grab readers, policy makers and others’ attention and get them to think about and discuss the future of work life balance
Our campaign is in its initial stages and we would love to discuss our ideas with you. We hope to get bloggers into print!
@lollypopbooks on Twitter
or http://www.facebook.com/lollypopbooks
Brenda | 1st Nov 09
Well said, blogging should be something you do because you want to, it should not be viewed as an instant cash earner as it is not. If we can unite to help others less fortunate then brilliant.
Anna / Tiggsybabes | 1st Nov 09
Well said!
An awareness too that not all stay at home mothers are living on the benefit system. We just about manage to run 2 children, 2 adults, a dog, a cat, a hamster & mortgage on DH’s salary & I get so annoyed when I’m accused of living off the system.
We didn’t manage a holiday this year, but my MIL paid for us to go away with her to a haven campsite & my parents paid our flights to go & stay with them in the summer holidays. I also got grief about going away twice & how rich we must be. Ha ha!
I’ve made so many good parent friends from livejournal & facebook, so love blogging 🙂
angelsandurchinsblog | 1st Nov 09
Absolutely. Blogging is fun, a great way to meet other parents (even if only virtually), and find out about great stuff, from cupcakes to lighter-than-air buggies (I’ve just found an amazing Japanese one that folds up with one hand and stands up on its own when folded). I haven’t been doing it for long, but have loved the camaraderie, and insight into other lives. Mummy blogs are so varied, but most seem to share an honesty and openess. As Susanna says, it’s a huge opportunity for so many different causes. Now how to work out how to use blogging effectively. In the meantime, keeping laughing seems as good a reason as any!
Josie @Sleep is for the Weak | 1st Nov 09
Well said Susanna. The more I think of it, the more I think a lot of this IS about misplaced energy. I think we’re just all so in love with what we’re doing that it’s hard not to get a bit carried away sometimes.
I love this community and don’t want to see it broken. Onwards and upwards xxxxx
Liz (LivingwithKids) | 1st Nov 09
I really like the idea of becoming a unified voice for children that don’t have one, it seems completely appropriate. A campaign to shake the stigma of working mums that encourages employers to see us as fantastic assets to the workforce (rather than liabilities) would be good too. As far as being a unified voice for mums – well, we’d have to find some common ground.
As far as tax goes – everyone knows what their personal tax free allowance is. Once you go over this, you know you have to pay tax on your earnings, simple as. But as you point out, those bloggers who are in that situation are the exception, not the rule.
Amy | 1st Nov 09
A very inspiring post Susanna! And here’s to grabbing it with both hands!