Mommy Blogging: The Digital Front Porch Swing

Women thrive in supportive communities. We create strong, life-long bonds through sharing our lives with each other. As modern life speeds by, we are forced to move away from those we love, we are so often lonely.

Moms are especially vulnerable. Those women who stay home and raise their children often feel isolated and intellectually unfulfilled.  We long for the intimacy of women with whom we can learn from and share our common struggles and joys.

Mommy Blogging is the new Digital Front Porch Swing.

Mommyblogging has only just begun. Come and sit on the front porch swing with me, let me tell you about our story.

We live in such exciting times, and I see a tipping point that is quickly approaching.  The New York Times, Businessweek, and Oprah all have taken notice and the world is paying attention.

The recent 2009 Social Media survey published in emarketer explained:

1. More than one-half (53%) of the US female Internet population of 79 million actively participated in some type of social media at least weekly. Of the female social media participants, 75% took part in social networking and 55% used blogs.

2. A survey by Razorfish and CafeMom found that Websites, referrals from friends and family, and information from search engines were the most common sources online moms used to make a purchasing decision. They were less likely to use TV, magazines, newspapers or radio to make their purchasing decisions.

3. Women are so enthusiastic about reading and writing blogs, they are stealing time from other media to spend more in the blogosphere and on social network sites.

Mom Bloggers have built a community in the virtual world that is based on sharing our lives, our stories and our hearts. Blogging is not only a hobby, it is a reminder to take a moment and look at our daily lives from a different perspective. We tell our stories in beautiful pictures and weave daily life into a digital masterpiece.

Our communities, once limited to our computers, have come together. Last February I co-hosted BlissDom, a conference built around the writers and readers of my magazine, Blissfully Domestic. The conference was brilliantly run by my fabulous co-host, Barbara Jones of One2Onenetwork. Three hundred women, most of whom had never met in person, squealed with delight as they hugged hello.

We brought our blackberries and our babies. We shared our knowledge and partied like bloggy rock stars.

Are these communties real? Yes. They are built on love and shared experiences. The most successful relationships are built on trust, and the online community world is no different.

Are these communities powerful? Yes. Moms have the power to make or break advertising campaigns. This piece in Mashable from Sarah Evans explains the debacle that was “motrin-gate” last year.

Are these communities influential? We have just begun to scratch the surface. The tip of the iceberg is in view, and over the next 3-5 years, the true impact and influence will become clear.

Growth and Change in the Mom Blogger Community

When the story of Mommyblogging is told we will look back at this time period as one of great evolution. As more women join the converation in their own way, we see the state of the Mommyblogging union is fluid and ever changing.

Mom Bloggers have many different styles. Some are gifted storytellers, some love to write controversial pieces, some focus on tips for home-keeping and hobbies and I am hear to say there is no wrong way for a woman to write. The audience is vast and there is room for all voices. As I said during the first Blissdom, “Blogging is not a zero sum game.”

MommyBlogging and Money

There is no substantial money in blogging. Blogging is a vehicle that can help other projects. Our blogs are our platforms to shine. Sure, Heather and Ree, are making tons of money. Some bloggers earn enough every month for coffee, some for a few groceries, but most do not earn a dime.

Penelope Trunk wrote one of the most honest, and painful posts, on this topic with, “Reality check: You’re not going to get make money from your blog.” She explains that blogging is a great career tool, but blogging for dollars? Not gonna happen.

What about Mommy Blogger Reviews?

The ongoing bruhaha in the Mommy Blogger community is all about reviews. As companies and PR representatives reach out to moms, there is a storm of tension on the horizon. Passive agressive comments and nasty posts addressing payment, popularity, and honesty are becoming common place in some circles. This saddens me because this behavior is not what we are about.

I am asked daily for advice from bloggers and PR representatives alike. In all honesty, I am navigating the landscape like everyone else. I learn as I go, and simply try be transparent.

Stephanie Smirnov, PR Mama, opened my eyes to so much in her brilliant piece called, “Bloggers, Brands & the New Publishing Paradigm.” It is required reading for everyone who seeks to understand all the dynamics at play.

“…some bloggers who approach product endorsement as an advertorial opportunity believe the endorsement carries a cash value. But remember that advertorial is an off-shoot of advertising and – crucial distinction – the marketer who pays for it in a magazine controls the content. And the resulting advertorial is clearly labelled as such, as dictated by the American Society of Magazine Editors.”

Reviews are not advertising. Legally, paying for a review is murky at best. Which is why the FTC is taking notice. PR Companies are developing strategies for blogger outreach that are quite successful.  Danielle Wiley, from Edelman, was recently interviewed in AdvertisingAge about her success with matching mom bloggers and companies.

What do I know for sure?

The Mommy Blogging community is vast and growing daily. Yes, there is room for everyone. When done with integrity there is no wrong way to do it, every woman can easily tell her story in her own way. We are in a period of fluidity and great uncertainity as our role in the 2.0 world gains prominence.

As I have said before countless times, I am the dancing monkey of the mommy blogging community. As the publisher of Blissfully Domestic and co-host of BlissDom, I view it as my responsibility to help navigate these waters with you.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts about the State of the Mommy Blogging Union. Learning together and from each other is the beauty of our community.

(image source)

(Blissdom Photography by Secret Agent Mama)