If you’re a veteran mommy blogger yourself, I’m sure you know more than I do about this topic. However, the vast majority of my friends, family members and coworkers were unfamiliar with the world of mom blogs until discovering (okay, being begged to visit) This Mom Loves.
It is for the newbies that I wrote “The Mommy Blogs: Seven Things You Didn’t Know” (click link for article) for the latest issue of Peterborough, Northumberland and Lakeridge Kids.
Check it out, and let me know if you learn anything! For the pros out there, feel free to share any other facts I may have missed…and for the wonderful people in my life who have entered this world at my beckoning (beckoning, pleading, whatever!), be sure to ask if you have any more questions!
How exciting is that?!! I think that you did a fantastic job and I couldn't have said it better myself…no really I couldn't.
I'm new to blogging so I don't have anything to add to it except for the part where we can make some cash-o-la…when does that gravy train come in? Hee hee.
Hi Kate,
Thanks for a great article. I also have a question about how to make money and blog. We have subscribed to Google Adsense. How much time is involved in being a PR friendly blog? One of the "ladies" on our blog has been interested in product reviews as well. We ladies all work part time now and are wondering if jumping into the PR and review would put us over our heads.
Thanks for your input.
Cathy
Great question, Cathy! First of all, you can make a small amount of money using Google Adsense: ads are placed directly on your blog, and you are paid once you have earned a minimum amount, based on the number of times your visitors click on the ads.
As for the time commitment…I am honestly finding it hard to keep up with products I receive to review (especially books). My husband made a great point the other day by reminding me that Oprah doesn't review every book she receives. "Do you want to be a librarian, or do you want to be Oprah?" Well, neither, exactly… but leaning a little more towards Oprah.
I continue to become more confident about picking and choosing products to feature, but I do still feel a bit of guilt over the items that just don't make the cut.
While is can be very rewarding to work with various companies, it can also be annoying to rely on other people. For example, I have a post all drafted about a promotion a company is involved with, and have been waiting for WEEKS for a sample to arrive. (Problems with shipment, etc.) I'm really hoping it doesn't just end up being a waste of my time.
Lastly, I only have time to post about twice a week (I teach full time, and am also a freelance writer, so blogging is strictly a hobby), and when it's all PR stuff, I start to feel like I'm losing my core content, so I have to make a conscious effort to balance things.
I'm glad I got involved in the PR world, and now that my opportunities are increasing, I can be a lot pickier about what products are worth my time.
Great article. I already know all that but I'm glad to see the word getting out. I'd love that article in my local paper.
Wow! It does sound like a lot of work. Kate thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed reply. I am going to pass on the info to the other ladies and we can then decide.
Cathy