It seems like this bloggy thing has really caught on in the mainstream public, which can be a good and bad thing. Being one of the first bloggers among my friends (and before I met Jen), I always had to explain exactly what I was doing with this “blogging thing.”
The downside is that many people have misconceptions about bloggers, particularly “mom bloggers.” So I wanted to write a guide to dispell some myths. Here goes:
10. Bloggers are anti-social. Actually, it’s just the opposite! As if we don’t have enough going on in our daily lives, we open up another whole world of interesting people all over the world and jump right in! We share our lives with hundreds of friends every day, in addition to our ‘real life’ friends. And surprisingly, we DO come out from behind our screens and get together! And if you have ever been to a blogger mixer or convention, we are anything but anti-social, you can’t get us to shut up!
9. Bloggers get free stuff. Well, technically, we sometimes get to sample products and services without paying money. However, we don’t get it for free. Most established bloggers have spent months, even years building up their blogs and online presence, spending hours each day- without pay- to perfect the craft. We buy domain names, graphic designs, and WordPress Themes, and if we don’t want to go into debt to hire someone, we spend hours learning how to do things ourselves. We are the writers, editors, publishers and ad department. Why are moms often really great at blogging? We’ve got the multitasking down to a science. Don’t forget, we usually have to write a review article or conduct/promote a giveaway, which we are glad to do for the chance to be a trend-setter. The bottom line: we work our butts off for our “free stuff.”
8. Most mom bloggers are only in it for the free stuff. We’ve already established the fact the we don’t really get free stuff. So how can we be in it for something we don’t really get?
7. Since bloggers get free samples, you can’t trust their recommendations. Well, think about it this way: do you have a friend that always recommends the worst movies? I do! (Don’t worry, it’s not you) Anyway, what do you say after the 10th bad movie he suggests? You stop listening to him. You don’t call him when you’re stumped at the video store. When he wants to have you over for his latest film-fest, you say NO! Bloggers are no different. We know that if we recommend bad stuff, people won’t trust us! And a blogger’s integrity and reader trust is really all she has. We don’t want to be known as the one who’ll hock the snake oil medicine.
On another note, say you’re passing by one of those shopping mall chinese eateries, and the guy is out there sampling the mushu pork. You hate it, and your friend comes over and says, “Hey, how is the Mushu Pork?” Are you going to say you like it just because you got it for free? Nonsense! It’s the same in the bloggy world!
6. Blogging can make you quick easy money. Yeah, and I have some ocean front property in Kansas to sell you! Musings From Me, and Donna from Way More Homemade both mentioned this in response to my Twitter query. While it’s true that a small number of bloggers make quite a bit of money, the vast majority of us are not going on the millionaire list anytime soon. Blogging is hard work, that requires innovation, networking, discipline, writing skill, graphics knowledge, tech knowledge. I am thankful, though, that through my blog I can help provide for my family! I never dreamed I would go from writing about my family, to publishing other websites and consulting in the marketplace. It’s a neat feeling!
5. Musings From Me also mentioned the myth that Bloggers go on exotic trips. While many bloggers go on fun trips and have great experiences, refer to number 9. It’s not really free, bloggers have worked to be in the position of influence and be included on destination campaigns. And really, it’s about connecting with other bloggers and spending time together. Most mom bloggers would meet in a cardboard box just to get to see each other. And we’d have a great time, too!
4. A blogger must have giveaways to attract readers. Astacia from Mamikaze brought this up on Twitter. My readership has actually grown since I decided to be more selective with reviews and giveaways. While a giveaway can temporarily boost traffic, you can actually create more reader loyalty with consistent content and networking.
3. Bloggers are really cool! OK, well, that one is actually true.
2. Bloggers are narscissistic. There may be a smidgen of truth to that one, in the fact that we like the spotlight. Or… you could say we believe we have a message and a calling to communicate with others. Otherwise why would we put purselves out there like this? But the real fact is that the best bloggers are generous in promoting others, commenting on others’ blogs and bringing people together. It’s not about you, but building relationships and community.
1. You fill in the blank! What blogging myths would you like to bust?
————————————————————
————————————————————
Here is the corresponding episode of “Get Real,” my weekly webcast on MomTV. Click here to see all the playbacks (click MENU>Play Movies)
Subscribe to Real Life
Follow Sarah on Twitter
 |
About Sarah Pinnix
"Mom Bloggers make money off their ads."
I think people think ad networks actually provide an income to mom bloggers.
Maybe two or three Mom blogs make enough to support a whole family, but that is it.
Success is about building friendships and a community of friends online and off.
That is what makes what we do so special and valuable.
[Reply]
Well said, Alli!
[Reply]
Great post and so timely. I agree with everything you wrote! Thanks for linking to me!
[Reply]
Wow, I didn't even realize that we were supposed to be anti-social!
Here's my myth to bust: "Since it takes time to blog, bloggers must be ignoring their homes and families."
Blogging is a hobby, just like sewing, scrapbooking, or a host of other things. People make time for their hobbies, and this is what we choose to do. For some it is also a home business, and businesses take time.
[Reply]
Just keep on shedding light on the myths girl! You're speaking the truth!
[Reply]
Myth: Mommy bloggers have it all together.
No, we don't. We don't always balance blogging and life well, we make mistakes, we feel like failures sometimes, we battle with humilty vs. confidence, and we sure as heck don't have a perfect house, perfect children, perfect relationships or perfect hair do's (where's my brush again?)!
[Reply]
Yes, of course we're cool
One mistake people make is that they lump all mom bloggers together. All mom bloggers are not the same. Their blogs and the content on them vary from blogger to blogger.
[Reply]
"Bloggers are fat and unhealthy"
Hey, people, you mean more fat and unhealthy than you at your desk job? Wait, gotta' run chase my kid…I'll argue with you later…
[Reply]
Excellent list, Sarah! I love your mushu pork analogy. It's perfect!!
(Thanks for linking up!! I'm honored!)
[Reply]
ps—totally agree with Dawn about blogging being a hobby!
[Reply]
"Bloggers are lazy slobs who blog because they have nothing better to do."
Um… if I had nothing else to do, I wouldn't have anything to blog about!
[Reply]
Nice list! I especially agree that we are NOT anti-social – blogging is just one avenue for our multi-social lives.
[Reply]
EXCELLENT POST! I'm going to link to this one.
"Bloggers Get Free Stuff" – Thank you for addressing this one! I have people who say, "Did you get that for free, too?" Now I hesitate to say yes because it's a lot of work writing reviews. It's obviously NOT free. We should just remind them, "There ain't nothing free in this world".
"A Blogger Must Have a Giveaway To Attract Readers" – I like your answer! I'm going to start being more selective with my giveaways. I may have gained a lot of readership since I started going all gung ho on the giveaways, but I'm starting to miss out on the FUN part of blogging, the reason I started in the first place! Because I love to connect with people and have a place to share my thoughts and the cool things I find online. It's all a balance thing…
[Reply]
Oh and as for another blogger myth to bust, how about that we neglect our families to blog! lol
[Reply]
I love what Dawn said. I've had several friends make the comment, "Oh, I'd never have time to blog." I'll stay off my soapbox, but let me just say that really irritates me and I'm glad you're busting these myths here, Sarah!
[Reply]
I have enjoyed being able to share my thought with those outside my family. It helps me to write out my feelings. I am not making Money. I am making friends, and a growing into a better me. Thanks for you thoughts.
[Reply]
Great list! I even subscribed. =]
[Reply]
I have one non-blogger friend that once said to me "if you're busy blogging about your life, then you're not living your life"
Huh? Then we would have nothing to blog about…
[Reply]
I started my blog for our families that live several states away. I have been able to get my side of the family to read it!!! I wonder if some of these myths (none of which apply as I am really small-time) keep them from it!
I know that I am grateful for all of the great mommy bloggers!
[Reply]
You brought up some really great points! Wouldn't it be nice if we were all millionaires going on exotic trips simply because we blogged? Now that would be a lot of fun!
[Reply]
What a fun, interesting list. Like many others, I started blogging to vent, share, and talk about my family.
[Reply]
I love this list Sarah! So true! Good point on the free stuff! I have received some "free" stuff, but always had to do something in return. Oh, and I've made…drumroll…0$ from my blog so far!!
Can you tell yet from my many comments that I am catching up on your blog – lol??
[Reply]
LOVE IT! Great post!
[Reply]