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Product Reviewers are Bloggers, too.

October 22, 2009 By Mom Spark 57 Comments

This issue has been boiling inside of me for a few months now, and was reconfirmed, again, when I attended the Type A Mom Conference town hall meeting, and heard the same conversation ignited.

Product reviewers.  Giveaways.  Apparently, it is a HUGE deal.

Product reviewers seem to be looked down upon, or considered the “bottom rung” of the blogging ladder.  Why?  Maybe because it doesn’t fit inside the blogger mold?  Some would even dare to say that review and giveaway bloggers are not real writers.  But, then, what is a real writer, and can bloggers only be real writers?

I think the underlying issue is that, to some, review and giveaway bloggers are not bloggers at all, so this raises a very important question-

What is the definition of a blogger? [Read more...]

Filed Under Amy, Blogging, Contributors, Help & Advice Tagged With blogger, bloggers, Blogging, levels, mom blogger status, mom bloggers, mom product reviewers, mommy bloggers, Nestle, product reviewers, product reviews, status

What is Your Mom Blogger Status?

August 20, 2009 By Mom Spark 132 Comments

011-3a[3]I’m curious.  Has anyone else seen a trend in the SAME mom bloggers who are being handpicked for special events, conference panels, or incredible business opportunities?  With the web overly saturated with so many fabulous mom bloggers, it seems that only a select few are being recognized over and over again.  Why is this happening?  This observation has me intrigued as to how one determines blogger status, and if that method is fair.

I am not a marketing or PR guru, so I do not know or understand the formula for figuring out one’s status or influence.  Maybe it is calculated by Twitter followers or subscribers.  Maybe it is based on years of experience, college degrees, or frankly, who you know.  I personally have nothing against the “high status” mom bloggers, and I think it is awesome that they get to share in these experiences.  My only qualm is why do companies and PR firms want to pick the same groups of bloggers?  Would it not be more effective to target a completely different pool of mom bloggers, each time, who have not previously worked with companies A, B, & C, and who do not have current obligations with those companies?  Would it not be smarter to tap into a new circle of bloggers that would soak up a special opportunity, and thus, put their heart into it more than, say, a blogger who has already been to 10 events that year?

Not all mom bloggers care to attend special events, summits or speak at conferences, but for those who do, how do they retrieve such opportunities?  What are the qualifications?  Maybe it is just a matter of speaking up and offering yourself, and if so, who do they approach?  I have spoken to several others who are also intrigued by this observation, and would like to know how to be among the chosen few.  So many of us offer unique talents and skills, and should not be excluded or quarantined because of our “status”. [Read more...]

Filed Under Amy, Blogging, Contributors, Help & Advice Tagged With bloggers, companies, conferences, events, marketing, mom bloggers, mommy blogger events, mommy bloggers, panels, popularity, PR

BlogHer ‘09, From My Perspective

July 28, 2009 By Mom Spark 51 Comments

I’m still trying to process the whole BlogHer weekend because, dude, it was a whirlwind. I arrived late on Wednesday, geared up and energized, then left early Sunday, totally drained, but motivated. I will only touch on the highlights of BlogHer because, seriously, there is just too much tell.  Don’t get too excited though, it’s still a novel.

blogher11-225x300NETWORKING. My main mission in attending BlogHer was networking with online friends and new contacts.  I went up to everyone I could, both big and small names, to tell them about myself and learn more about them.  I was not star-struck or intimated by anyone, because, seriously, in the grand scheme of life, they are just people, like me, who like to blog.  Lori, from @acowboyswife, told me at the Nikon party that someone was scared to approach her.  We both laughed and thought it was silly that anyone would be fearful of introducing themselves.  Soon after, at the next party, someone said the exact same thing to me, and I was shocked!  So, please, never be afraid to approach someone, no matter who they are!  On that note, there were a few who I could see as unapproachable, but I didn’t let it stop me.  I met so many wonderful women, and men, and I feel so grateful.

swag

SWAG.  I’m sure you have heard by now that there was all kinds of swag drama at BlogHer, and there was.  There was miscommunication about who would get swag, then people who were taking more than one bag, and blah, blah, blah.  It was quite comical and baffling at the behavior, really.  There were parties that myself and others were supposed to receive a bag of swag, and we didn’t.  It was too bad  that we didn’t, but my heart still kept beating, and that wasn’t why I paid close to $1000 to go to BlogHer anyway, because I could have bought better swag with that budget.  I WILL say that I agree with several others in that the parties with swag hand-outs needed a better system.  I suggest that these groups use single-file lines, and only give swag to those people who are on a strict RSVP list for that particular party.  Also, there must be enough bags for everyone at each party in order to avoid the pushing & shoving that I witnessed.  To place bags of goodies in the middle of the room for free for all, is not fair, or safe to people just trying to have a fun, relaxing time.  BowlHer did a GREAT job with their swag, in my opinion. (I’m assuming everyone got a bag there) [Read more...]

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Filed Under Amy, Blogging, Conferences & Events, Contributors, Holidays & Events Tagged With BlogHer, BlogHer 2009, conferences, mommy blogger conferences, mommy blogger events, mommy bloggers