Is parent blogging becoming more and more competitive?

I am probably far too late on this and I will ignore the debating. Just thought I would link some of my fav blogs to read -

http://northernmum.wordpress.c...
http://hotcrossmum.blogspot.co...
http://www.thekingandeye.com/

Oh and visit mine to, seeing as you were talking about blogs form the heart. Mine is called Mummy From The Heart... (www.mdplife.blogspot.com) as that is what I do, wear my heart on my sleeve!
Mich x

The whole blogging world terrifies me, I started blogging recently after following http://www.itsamummyslife.com/ and realising that I wanted to do something similiar but in my own style. (BTW itsamummyslife is excellent) but I feel know like I have jumped into the deep end without my arm bands on, mainly my friends and family read my blog and I like that it amuses them. I wouldn't have the first idea on how to get advertising via blogging (although i never say never!) and i dont understand SEO. I have utter respect for all bloggers because god knows how everyone finds the time with the kids, work, life etc - so anytips please let me know! I think the blogging world exists as an outlet for anyone and everyone, if you dont want to read sponsored posts then click the x. if you do then just do! Anyway as one very new blogger on the block I would like to say hello, if anyone reading this wants me to advertise I am partial to diamonds and chanel, always happy to write about them. If anyone wants to drop by the blog and offer your thoughts please do www.northernmum.wordpress.com be lovely to have you over.....

Thanks for saying hello Jane. Lovely to meet you. I'll have a lookie over at your blog this week. As for having time, I can't help you with that one! I work full time, have two children, a hubby who works away all week and so my personal blog got dropped earlier this year - Didn't have time for it :(
I really enjoyed writing about silly stuff and doing all the memes and tags (In particular the Chubby Bunny competition in which my hubby shoved 20 big marshmallows into his mouth for a video blog!)
I'm going to try and find time to put another picture on Tara's gallery soon. I'll prob post on Mumable rather than reviving my old blog.
Enjoy - Its not a scary place, but if someone is nasty on your blog, I would say don't drop to their standards by rising to it and gobbing back :)

The so-called competition apparent within the blogging world has bypassed me completely, possibly because I don't have the time to be as involved in the 'community' aspect as some other bloggers. For me it's about writing. I like to experiment with different sorts of writing - some sad, some funny, some more journalistic writing. I do reviews for a number of reasons; I like writing them, I like the products, and they drive traffic to my site (a lot of people search for reviews of items before they buy) which hopefully translates into readers who will come back for some of the other content on my site. Reviews on someone else's site don't turn me off unless they are badly written, and ultimately I can choose not to read them. To be honest, I'm far more bored by the number of posts about 'why is blogging so cliquey/why is there so much bullying' (this is not a dig at any particular post, just that there have been an awful lot recently!)

Re anonymity, I write under a pseudonym and can't see why anyone would have a problem with this. I'd be very interested to hear if they do! I began as a true anonymous blogger but as I started engaging more with readers and with PR companies, and writing more for other places I need a persona so I adopted a pseudonym. Nowadays I far prefer her to me ;)

True blogging is not competitive. Those who like you and find common interests will stay loyal.

Now, if you're trying to keyword optimise your posts for the sake of the search engines, that is a totally different matter. Competition does matter.

Stay natural if you can.

I'm not sure what you mean by "making it", I write a few blogs one is a review and tips blog where I do write sponsored posts as well as reviews and I carry advertising and yes I make a good income from it. The great thing about blogs is that you can use them to write about whatever you want and if parents want to write reviews etc then personally I don't see the problem as long as they are 100% honest about a product or service they are testing. By our very nature we are competitive I don't see a problem in that but what I do hate is when people get nasty and vindictive in their comments or start bitching behind people's back. Sometimes competitiveness is replace by jealously, and that's where the trouble starts If I'm not invited to am event or sent a certain product I don't sulk and make people feel bad I just get on with my life, I am a grown up after all.

Gosh my emails are going crazy with disqus comments!!
Yes 'making it', basically what you are doing :) Making a good income from it. Congrats on your success, and thanks for the interesting points made.

I feel like I have had my head covered in sand. (Either that or I just choose to see the good stuff and not the bad stuff, don't know.)

Do I find there is a lot of competition in blogging? Yes I do if that means are there a gazillion other blogs out there as good or better than mine out there looking to attract many of the same readers. And the numbers of blogs are rapidly growing.

I think what may have been missing from this article is why people read or feel connected to a blog. For me it is the person behind the blog. Have I connected with the person themselve or with their reading (consistently)?

With people with whom I have that connection, I don't have a problem reading a review or sponsored post (as long as it is written well.) I can always choose not to read it as well.

I read a lot of blogs, and what I have noticed is that yes, there are a heck of a lot more reviews being written then there was about 6 months or so ago when I started blogging. I also think that a lot of bloggers are writing reviews for the same products and if I am truthful, that at times can get a bit tedious and a bit unspecial. (am tired and have lost my fancy words)

Again there is the question of why are you blogging and what you hope to achieve from it. If I am being honest, at some point I would like to directly or indirectly make some money from my blog. I am just not sure right now how, although I have a few ideas. I don't yet think the time is right for me just yet. I want to be a bit more established, sure of myself and sure of the direction i want to go. I do know that I would not take advertising for a product I did not love. I need to be authentic and passionate about the things I believe in and like.

As far as writing anonymously. One of my favorite bloggers http://morethanjustamother.blo... is anonymous and I have no issue with it. I know why she did it and I respect it. I also love her writing.

Sorry this was so long.

Don't be sorry! Thanks for your feedback. Great comments about why people read blogs.
Also well pointed about the same products saturating blogsphere.
And thanks for the anonymous blog link. :)

bloomin' fantastically, honest post, Susie :)

Thank you everyone for all your comments. It's been an interesting post.
Please feel free to continue leaving comments, especially the links to new and favourite blogs.
(I don't think we did get any feedback about anonymity!)

I decided to write a follow up to this post. If you would like to read it, you can find it here

http://www.mumable.com/2010/08...

I consider myself to be a daddy blogger, albeit a smarta**e one. I did take 30 pieces of silver once, and felt so much of a sell out that I have turned down all offers since. I think it's OK for people to do whatever they want, it just didn't sit that well with me. I'm sure if something out of the ordinary was offered to me I would jump at the chance though. My site is at http://goonerjamie.blogspot.co... if you fancy finding out about life from a stay at home Dad's perspective.

Thanks for visiting, this evening, I will return the favour :)
and thanks for your feedback.

I have no idea whether I am a real mummy blogger or not... my blog didn't set out to be a "mummy blog" I started it (in 2006) because in those days before Twitter and Facebook took over the world it was the "thing" that WAHM (work at home mums) did to help promote their business and provide other interesting information for their customers / target audience. How I write has probably changed from time to time as things have changed over time... I certainly don't get many comments, offered freebies (except for some very bizarre ones which I would have thought it obvious didn't fit on my blog), don't feel part of any particular group and to be honest feel a bit lost amongst them all! Anyway my blog is http://littlesheep-learning.bl... if anyone does fancy reading it!

You are book marked for reading :) x

Ignoring all the comments that have gone before, and returning to the question you asked, i dont think blogging in itself is any more or less competative than parenting is, but then, that can be a lot too! I'm not fussed by reviews and I think you build up a level of trust (or lack of)if someone reviews things often. If someone only ever shows all the positives and never has anything negative to say about any products, then I'm less inclined to trust their views cause few products are perfect.

My favourite blogs to read change all the time, but ones I revisit most often are:
www.redtedart.wordpress.com - Red Ted Art for craft ideas (I have a folder full for when my daughter is old enough)
www.babesabouttown.com - Babes About Town for fantastic info on what's going on in London (esp for child friendly things)
http://gardenmama.typepad.com/... - Garden Mama for being the kind of mother/woman I am in my dreams and am nothing like in reality
http://gentlemothering.blogspo... - Earth Mama for pretty much the same reason.

There's a host of 'mummy' or 'daddy' blogs I read too, but couldn't possibly list them all - there are over 100 in my greader. I also normally read a lot from my twitter feed and definitely loving the 'Daily' thing on twitter at the moment - I have two hashtags newsletters that come in to my inbox with daily updates on what's going on around Twitter (based on blogs, I guess).

They are:

http://paper.li/tag/breastfeed... for Breastfeeding news
http://paper.li/tag/blogladesh to follow what's happeneing with Blogladesh

would love to know what other people read/follow. I always have room for new great bloggers!

Thanks! I'm looking forward to publishing a list of blogs for other bloggers, tweeters and readers of Flying Start Magazine to read - more so, can;t wait to check them all out myself :) xx

In that case, I also love reading my own blog! LOL

I completely agree with you MadHouse. I love the debate that goes with blogging, and the fact that we can all voice different opinions without getting lynched. However, i have to admit to finding some of the conversation on this post more of an attack, than a "discussion". I have been glad not to be in the middle of it to be honest. Tone is so important when we are not conversing face to face.

M2M

I agree with you. Many people attack with comments rather than join in a healthy discussion. Discussions online should have attitude no different than if you were having a conversation with a member of public in the street, but thats just my opinion. :)

You know what. It doesn't matter does it - really! The beauty of blogging is that there are so many out there, that if you don't like what someone is doing, then that's easy, stop subscribing and find one you like.

It takes all sorts really, that's why best seller lists are made up of much more than just chic lit and parenting manuals.

The bigger the arena gets then it will start to splinter and people will form more close knit groups, this is inevitable. The thing is cyberspace is big enough for everyone and there is no reason why we can not be more tolerant of other people.

We should really live and let live, shouldn't we?

I do sponsored post, review posts and take advertising. Does that mean that when I blogged about my issues with my health and parenting that it wasn't worth reading - I hope not. People should stop judging books by their cover and start to live and let live.

I am all for healthy debate, right to reply etc, but I can not stand by whilst people like Maggy are scared to say what they think for fear of reprisals and being excluded. I think we should be concentrating on allowing people to have a voice and feel secure in the knowledge that their opinion is as valid as the next persons.

Lets cut the crap and start respecting each other a little bit more.

Well said, respect is much needed. And you are right, no it doesn't matter what you do with your blog. We were all just meant to have a discussion about blogging and if it's changed over the past months. Whether more people are reviewing or trying to make a 'business' out of their blog and looking at parent bloggers who keep their blogs for purely personal posts. Not once in our post did we say there was anything wrong with either. We were simply exploring the changes.
Of course reviews and sponsored posts doesn't mean a blog isn't worth reading. That's similar to saying our magazine isn't worth reading as it carries advertising.
However I think Maggie has a good point, maybe more newer bloggers are intimidated by other bloggers who are aggressive with their discussion attitudes in a fear they may be the victims of secret slagging on twitter and exclusion etc.
It is sad to see some people may feel this way, and maybe many people haven't commented on this post due to the feedback they may receive.
To be honest... I wouldn't bother if I'd have read some of the comments first.

Looks like the debate is raging but I would like to flag up my fav blogs seeing as you asked.
1. http://www.mochabeaniemummy.co...
2. http://maternal-dementia.com/
3. http://marypoppins-homesweetho...
4. http://www.nixdminx.com/
and of course I have to give a shout to my children and their fab blogs.
9 year old Sonny at http://www.totallysonny.com
8 year old Biba at http://www.bibasphotos.com

x

Ah thanks!
This is exactly what we wanted :)

I am sidestepping the debate waging in other comments and replying to one of your other question. Which are my favourite blogs...

Well, mine obviously, ahem http://www.rukakuusamo.com/not...
Vegemitevix http://vegemitevix.com/
Readily A Parent http://www.readilyaparent.com/
A Modern Military Mother http://amodernmilitarymother.c...
Very Bored In Catalunya http://www.veryboredincataluny...
Bloggertropolis http://bloggertropolis.blogspo...
I'll Think Of A title Later http://catep36.blogspot.com/
London City Mum http://www.londoncitymum.com/
From Marketing To Milk http://marketingtomilk.wordpre...

Shall stop there and try to refrain from copying and pasting the entire contents of my greader... lol

Brill, again a big thanks!
x

Ever the diplomat ;)
I have all of those bookmarked already - but I have to say I love LCM - her blog is FAB!!

There is a hearty discussion on BMB at the moment which is about creating an online persona and whether people should be upfront about who they are and what they are blogging about - touching on whether or not these blogs should be part of the parent blogging network. It's been an interesting discussion about what people want to read and what they think should be revealed.

Maybe this post is part of that discussion. Should a blog passing itself off as a parenting blog be full of reviews or do some people think that maybe some blogs haven't really got the balance quite right. Maybe some people have read this article and thought about readdressing the way in which they post and/or review. Maybe some people have stuck two fingers up at it and thought "what do you know?".

This is an interesting topic as I am a blogger and a PR and I feel its up to the individual what they chose to put on their blog. I don' think its up to anyone to judge, if they want to do competitions / reviews etc and combine that with personal posts who is to say this is wrong or side stepping from the heart of it. It doesn't make you any less genuine than a blog that just uses it to talk about their family.

Thanks for your comments. Its great to read comments from both parents who simply have personal blogs and PR bloggers.

There are a few people that have commented that they would never accept freebies. Are you really saying that if someone offered you a week's holiday for 4 to some luxury hotel in the Caribbean or somewhere similar if you did a review on it, you would say no???

Gosh no! We sent one of the Flying Start team on a holiday to Antigua last summer - obviously that was for the magazine, nothing to do with blogging... but turn it down... BIG NO!!! She had a fantastic time!

Er here's one very stressed out blogger who even writes about travel, who would happily accept a trip to Antigua. Pick Me! Waves wildly!!

Bugger. You beat me to it! LOL

I started blogging for me and my family and Baba's aunts and uncles. That is still the core thing, if people ask me to do reviews, or to talk about something if it is relevant to our home life and what we do ourselves I will do it. If it isn't I will say no.

People don't have to read all my posts and I don't do it for that at all I do it for me. I love reading other posts and I like reading reviews and stuff from people who are writing honest reviews who are parents and have children, they have really helped me sometimes.

But I really feel that it is everyones own space so let them do what they want.

Thanks for your response Kerry. I'm looking forward to reading all commenters blogs x

I think like anything in life, it has got competitive eventually we'll get so boring it will stop!

I do reviews and the odd giveaway on my blog. Mostly however it's me rambling on about my life as a mum to two and pregnant with my 3rd living in rural suburbia.

I do wonder if/when it will die down and what next big bandwagon is around the corner!

I'm very new to all this and maybe naive but I suppose I am a bit of a blogging idealist. I do think that blogging should be about freedom to write what you want. I personally would not accept freebies or payment because my blog is my own and free from corporate interference. I do get a bit bored of some of the review blogs. Real, honest pieces about life and parenthood are much more interesting to me. We get bombarded as parents by advertising as it is and blogging originally I suppose was immune to this. I suppose it is inevitable really that advertising will creep in. Freedom to write what you want will mean that some will go down this road. That is their choice and I respect that. I don't feel competitive because the only person I'm trying to impress is myself. My blog may not be successful on lists or popular but it makes me happy and I'm keeping it real!

There is so much I want to say and comment on this, but I dare not, in fear of getting "lynched" "poo pooed" or "excluded" by some of those in the established blogging network.

Which means that the competition is fierce and makes newbies feel very unwelcomed and unsupported (not by everyone I hasten to add).

There I have said.

Magg

Maggie, this really upsets me. We should be free to say and think what we want. I am all about respect and with that I am able to take criticisn aslong as it isnt personal. Everyone has there views and shouldnt feel they have to follow the herd. That is very sad indeed

All bloggers were newbies once. There are no rules except the ones you make for yourself. I love your blog by the way it's fantastic :)

Mother Funster/ TheMadhouse, thanks for your lovely replies ;-) I think I responded to Manda's post "instinctivey" and "emotionally"... the bloggy world is lovely on the whole, just the odd grumble, which you get in any community!!! Just weird, when you don't really know each other or misinterpret things!

M xx

A VERY interesting point to be made Magg, however don't feel threatened by established bloggers. They are just people like me and you! It's not good if 'newbies' are feeling locked out of a clique. Your blog is great. It's imaginative with some fantastic ideas. I love how you are also featuring guest posts too.

I keep pressing the wrong buttons...

Anyhow, thanks Manda ;-)

Lots and lots of lovely friendly and very supportive peeps out there and I always try and focus on those!!!!! Just every so often it does get a little emotive!

WHAT A DEBATE!!!! (lol)

Maggy

I think blogging has always been competitive, having a comments section does that, but at the end of the day, a blog is a personal corner of someone's world where they should be allowed to write about what they like. I'm not one for reviews and would rather not promote businesses on my blog (even though I have done it a couple of times) as I would rather think of my blog as my own personal space. I've never been offered a holiday in Florida or a selection of toys, nor have I been asked if I want £100 to promote a website. I have however, been sent a free gift once or twice for mentioning a website in my sidebar but I don't want my blog being overwhelmed by PR. We are all individuals and all worthy of being read in my opinion. I will say one thing though, and that is the amount of lists and ranks has definitely increased since I started blogging in May 2007; obviously the amount of bloggers has increased since then but parenting isn't a competition, it's a privilege and no matter where we rank on whatever list, if we deleted our blog we would soon become yesterday's chip paper.

Great comment "parenting isn't a competition, it's a privilege and no matter where we rank on whatever list, if we deleted our blog we would soon become yesterday's chip paper"

Well said that woman. It is exactly right that our blogs are own personal space and no one should judge anyone else for how they choose to use it.

This debate flares up over and over again, in fact at the beginning of the year, I wrote a post on the subject that I didn't get around to publishing (might have to revisit it!).

My thoughts on this are - so what?!? Firstly everyone blogs for different reasons. Secondly, of course it's competitive, competition is healthy (and can be quite exciting to find out if you're top 100 list or not!), and thirdly, if people do want to try to earn a bit of money from their blogs or get a bit of fame then why shouldn't they, if that's what they want to do?

Journalists earn money from writing, so why shouldn't bloggers, if they want to and can?
I'm a journalist so writing is my job. Blogging for me is more of a hobby, but if I could earn loads of money from it I would!

Fantastic response. Thanks :)

I actually agree with Sally's comments. I think this is a deliberately contentious post to generate comments, and that's fine, you're totally entitled. Just as I'm totally entitled to write reviews on LivingwithKids, share out all the fabulous freebies I get offered for review (toys, pushchairs etc) with my lovely panel of Mum testers (many of whom are bloggers), and go on free trips to places like Florida, Disneyland Paris and Switzerland, film screenings and so on just because I was invited to go. Why on earth would I have turned down those opportunities for my family - I'd have to be nuts. Is it interesting for other people to read about my experiences? Apparently, as the blog is doing rather well, yes. Although of course that's not all I write about on my blog - I write about my experiences and opinions too! And what I would say to anyone entering blogging thinking they'll get loads of freebies is - you gotta have the content and the stats. Yes I've been a journalist for over 20 years, there are a few other journalists whose blogs are doing well too, but I would say there are are maybe four times as many successful bloggers who are not journalists at all, and that for me is the beauty of blogging - a chance for everyone to showcase their writing ability and talent, as well as get things off their chest (very very important for mums, particularly those who are isolated). I like to think I have good relationships with all sorts of parent bloggers and I would never judge anyone for carrying ads or sponsorship or reviews on their blogs. I think we have to remember too that the last two years have been exceptionally difficult for many families, including many mummy bloggers I know, and if they've found a way to make money from blogging or get some nice products to review or days out and holidays then I don't think anyone should judge them for that. It's very easy if you're comfortably off to say 'Oh I'd never accept a freebie, my blog is the window to my soul' or whatever but many mums (and dads) are simply not in that position. That's the real world and we should all live in it. We should celebrate blogging as a new form of cottage industry for many women, in my opinion, and not judge anyone for the way they choose to run their blogs.

This post was created after I'd been absent from twitter/blogs for a few months. On my return I asked on Twitter "So what have I missed in my few months absence?". A number of followers (some I know and some I don't) mentioned that they felt blogging has taken this turn. Yes of course this post was written to create feedback. It was a topic brought to our attention. We'd like to hear more from general Parent bloggers too. (Yourself and Sally are more established in the parent blog circle). Sally read into this how she wanted to read into it. Different kinds of people interpret things in different ways. The one mention of reviews has been honed in on which is interesting!
We also asked about thought on anonymity, followers, competitiveness and wanted to find some favourite 'from the heart' parent blogs, maybe get them some new readers. But rather than people mainly posting links as we anticipated, It has created offense for whatever reason.
However as mentioned in the body of the post, blogging is what it is – a space on the World Wide Web where a personal opinion can be upheld and respected and possibly be the start of a healthy discussion. Thanks for your feedback x

It wasn't one mention of reviews though, was it? To quote you, what you actually said was:

'Recently it seems to have taken a turn. More parent bloggers are trying to ‘make it’ using their blogs; trying to use blogging to create or even replace an income. Stories of their little ones dwindle away and are replaced with reviews, sponsored posts and competitive eagerness to appear on a ranked list of top bloggers.

Parent blogging seems to have side-stepped away from the heart of blogging – a chance to air your thoughts, rant a bit, share parenting advice and tips or talk to the ‘bloggy world’ about stuff you may not talk to your ‘real life’ friends and family about.'

So I would think, reading that, that what you're actually doing is criticising those bloggers who take the other approach to blogging - the one you don't agree with. And my point was that no one should criticise anyone else for what they do with their blogs. As we've all said ad nauseum, if you don't like someone's blog, click away.

I also object to the phrases 'make it' (what on earth is wrong with a little ambition? If someone wants to make it as a writer and they get opportunities through blogging, I think that's brilliant.) And 'replace an income'. As I said in my previous comment, some parent bloggers don't have an income, which is why they start accepting ads and sponsored reviews in the first place. If their dream is to get to a stage where they're able to make enough to buy their weekly shopping or some clothes or pay off a credit card - why should anyone judge them for that?

Honestly this week I've heard about nasty comments being made about bloggers who are trying to do something for charity, now bloggers who try to make a living from blogging are being criticised. Really, what on earth has it got to do with anyone? Live and let live.

We weren't criticising anyone, we don't disagree with bloggers reviewing or making money from their blogs. We didn't once say this. We have simply brought up a subject currently in circulation to ask for others opinions. Thanks for your interesting attitude towards it. x

It was implied in your blog post. You also said that parent blogging seemed to have side-stepped away from the 'heart of blogging.' Who is to define what the heart of blogging is? It's different strokes for different folks, surely? You talk about finding 'real passionate parent bloggers'. Who's to say that a blogger who carries reviews or competitions or ads on their blog is any less passionate than a blogger who blogs about the contents of their child's nappy?

Oh Liz. You know exactly what we were meaning in our post and how the explanation of 'heart of blogging' should have been interpreted. You just want to make it look like something its not and are trying your BEST to turn it into an attack against the post or start some kind of argument.

No not at all - and I actually thought we were having a discussion, not an argument! I was simply wondering how you defined 'real passionate parent bloggers' and the 'heart of blogging.' I'm geniunely interested in your interpretation, as clearly I don't understand it. Because to me I don't think a parent blogger has to be evangelical about writing about parenting - they can write about all kinds of things, because whatever they write about they are still a parent; and as for the heart of blogging - I'm not even sure what that is, there are so many different kinds of wonderful parent blogs. That was my point, I'm sorry you didn't get that!

Heart of blogging interpretation was: Blogging from the heart about family and life in general. (the description of how it was to be interpreted was explained in the post right after the words heart of blogging-)
Real passionate means: expressing, showing, or marked by intense or strong feeling; emotional: passionate language.

Right, thanks for clearing that up. I'd say that most of the blogs I read on a regular basis qualify for that description, and all blogs, including my own of course, use their blogs as a place where a personal opinion can be upheld and respected - indeed my blog generates lots of healthy and respectful discussion. But the ones I would definitely recommend for the beauty of the writing are:

New Mummy http://www.mummynew.blogspot.c...
And one more means four... and 1 more http://and1moremeansfour.blogs...
Crystal Jigsaw http://www.crystaljigsaw.blogs...
Sticky Fingers http://www.stickyfingers1.blog...
Are We Nearly There Yet Mummy? http://www.arewenearlythereyet...

Jo Beaufoix http://www.jobeaufoix.com/

The best bit of advice i ever read was never to compare yourself with other blogs, or try and gauge how well you are doing using standard metrics. That is, if you are a blogger, and not a small business.

I am always a little bemused when i read on people's blogs that they are a "professional blogger" or "making living through blogging". I understand it might spin off other money-making avenues for writing, and making money that way. But really, how much longevity will you have as a "commercial blogger" being paid to review products, attend events etc. You could be dropped at any point by the commercial machine once their marketing department moves onto the next thing.

Having said that, I totally understand the attraction. Many mummy bloggers, by their very nature, will be in periods of transition where they are looking to alternative, more family-friendly opportunities. So if someone comes along and hands you free products or money, it's very difficult to say no.

I don't review products, but then again that is easily said. I've only been asked a handful of times. My content isn't quite family - friendly enough. But I like it that way. My blog was never intended to be that.

M2M (yes, anonymous, sort of!)
http://marketingtomilk.wordpre...

Thanks for your feedback looking from both angles. I've not read your blog before... I'll make a note to do so x

Would love to see you there.
There are some really good "newbie" blogs out there with very few readers.

M2Mx

I stop following and feel a pang of sadness when I see sponsored posts. If I wanted a view of parenting / life / blog subject corrupted by large corporations then I would watch and believe the family in the BT advert, or read a parenting magazine. Blogs were supposed to remove the tainted commercial aspect so commonly found in the 21st century! Reviews are only one step away, if a blog is full of reviews then I'll stop reading it.

As a reader it feels like the author is cashing in and selling out, how can the author be impartial? And can you trust what they say when they do find something they like?

As the author of a blog - I feel very protective of my little space to write my thoughts down. I don't know statistics, that's not why I started it (I think I have 4 people follow it - not sure you can even comment on it). I can't imagine letting anyone taint my little secure unit for my thoughts.

As for the products and the companies - I'm less likely to trust the review if the item has been given as a freebee.

Just my two pence worth!!

Thanks for your interesting comments. I don't get time to watch TV much, so haven't seen this BT advert that everyone is talking about! Also, have a read of our magazine!! lol
Again, I'll have a read of your blog. It's good to come across new bloggers this way.

Do I think parenting blogging is becoming competitive, yes. Very much so sadly. So many people are now blogging because they hear about the freebies and want a piece of it. Thus from the off are starting out for the wrong reasons. When you have big top bloggers getting free trips and expensive freebies left right and centre the ones under it become more competitive too. Its a sad cycle.

Thanks for your feedback. Always appreciated x

I'm relatively new to the world of parenting blogging and my site is a mish-mash, I have product reviews (not all 5/5's and I have some to put on that aren't either but I agree you have to be careful not to get sucked in, I think I'd be a bit wary about the credibility of a reviewer if they rated anything and everything as fantastic!), personal blogs/articles, some (great!) guest posts upcoming - yup a mish-mash. I don't compete with other blogs, I enjoy mine for what it is, a place to showcase my writing style, and that in itself has been hugely successful as it has earned me paid work on the back of it.
I love reading other people's opinions, their reviews, their experiences for the same reason I like reading books, it's a different point of view and a way to expeience things I would usually get to experience.
I have no idea whether the world of parent bloggers has become overtly competitive although I'm told it has, I prefer to concentrate instead of the huge pool of great, previously untapped writers there are now coming to the surface!

We know you like books! We published one of your book reviews on page 63 of the Spring edition from when I asked people to review favorite books. Great write up on a fab book :)
Now as I'm back again, I'll have to ask people to hunt down their favourite titles and write about some more!!
Good points. Thanks for your feedback x

I tend to be the people with the 'no readers- no care' attitude when I blog and however, I don't really like to be the middle man for a company particularly with the short readership I have even if I can make a couple of quid on it.

That being said, I like the idea of receiving something and having a couple of words about it to get something for free (for example, I have Asda prints that I got free from Asda after doing a post about them).

I love blogging about 'stuff' and have learnt that I shouldn't be upset if no-one comments on my posts. I know I'm getting readers from my stats, and some twitter comments are helpful in giving feedback about posts.
I'm too new to comment on how things have changed. I blog because I enjoy it, and I'm only a once or twice a week girl, mixing family stuff with business stuff, so not as 'into' it as others.
I only wish I had more time to read views and comments. Reviews aren't my 'thing', but discussions are.
PLUG - If anyone wants to guest post on my blog, I have a weekly guest spot. Sorry, couldn't help it.

Hey thats ok TJ!! Feel free to plug away!.. and thanks for your comments xx

Some relevant points here :) I think that blogging has to move with the times but it's easy to get swept into the "freebie market" - and I'm totally guilty of that myself, although I've reined myself in a little recently.

Blogging isn't as glamorous or as income-heavy as the media are making out. There are some very successful people out there but they all appear to have journalistic roots of some kind (that's a personal opinion) and having that knowledge of the media would help I think.

Yes there is nothing worse than reading badly written review after review by people who just want freebies! Some of the journalistic kinds do have some great blogs... but then there are some that really dont!

I dont think it is for most bloggers.. It's only competitive for those themselves that are in it for all they can get.. If you know what I mean? I do reviews and I have done a sponsored post before but I only do these things because they apply to me and my blog. I much enjoy writing posts about topics close to my heart , real issues and those everyday family moments.

Thanks for your feedback. I like the idea of how other parents can relate to real issues being written about in blogs. Reviews are great, but like you say, only interesting if you are interested in them!

Well, according to your definition since I go to sponsored events and earn money from advertising I'm not a 'real' blogger, so I shall slink off to my corner again :-(

LOL!

Really, though, bloggers have always done reviews. Some do them better than others. But I can't think of any blogs where 'tales of little ones' have disappeared to be replaced by reviews etc - it's just about finding a balance, and most bloggers do this, I reckon.

To imply that someone who sells an ad or earns £100 for writing about Andrex puppies or whatever is somehow 'less' of a blogger than someone who can afford to pass up the opportunity to make some money is pretty judgmental, I think. Perhaps I've misinterpreted you?

I don't think it's about being able to afford to pass up on the opportunity to make money, I'm not rolling in money, however there are ethics and morals and ideals and taking money or goods in return for a post does change the nature of the blog. I think an assumption about the impartiality and quality of a blog can be made on the information as to whether the site is sponsored (by freebies or by cash) or not.

Just my opinion as a reader of these blogs.

And I fully support and respect your choice to keep your blog commercial free. I have ethics and morals and I choose to accept advertising on my website. I don't review products or paid-for posts, or paid-for videos. That's my choice.

Some women make other choices and run commercial content within their blog. So long as those commercial relationships are transparent then I, as a reader, have the ability to make an informed choice of whether to read or not. If they're a good writer, and can present messages well and entertainingly, I'll tend to read regardless.

And actually, in some cases, it REALLY is about the difference between keeping a roof over your family's head and not. I'm fortunate not to have to make that choice, but I certainly wouldn't want to imply I had superior morals or ethics than anyone who didn't have the luxury of that choice.

We've seen conversations recently where people have been saying more parent bloggers are wanting to 'be someone' using their blogs - I wonder whether readers of these kinds of blogs think that the posts are as grabbing as others. (parents who just blog!) I remember reading one of your posts about Flee when I first started reading parent blogs. I was in hysterics and I visited your site on a regular basis after that because I enjoyed what I read. If you are a great writer, have a good balance and can make money using you blog because you have great stats, thats fab. Nickie mentioned above about journalistic backgrounds helping with certain bloggers. It possibly does, but whether it does or not doesn't change the kind of writer someone is! At the end of the day you can be well recognised as a journalist or in the pr world but have a pants collection of posts and poor style of writing!
Have you ever come across people stepping on other peoples toes or seen anything underhand in a fight of bloggy competition? Maybe witnessed cliques?

Honestly?

I'm not sure what your point is. You seem to be saying that 'real' parent bloggers are better because they don't write reviews, don't take ads and don't run sponsored posts. They also aren't using their blog to try and promote a business, or promote their writing skills, or to have the opportunity to try new products or experiences.

You're dismissing a vast majority of the blogging community there, aren't you?

I'd say there are good writers and bloggers, and less good writers and bloggers. A skilful writer can make a write-up of a blogging visit useful, entertaining and a seamless part of their blog. I'd like to think that's what I do - I don't review products or run sponsored posts because I can't make them interesting, but I do write about places Flea and I go together.

Actually I see it as positive that women have found a new avenue to achieve success in a way that works for them and their families. If you don't like it, as other commenters have said, don't read it!

I have first-hand experience of some pretty vicious bullying and harassment and I actually think posts like this, which judge women for their personal choices and try to impose an idea of what is and isn't 'acceptable' for women to do with their own blogs makes the problem worse.

It's really just a shame there isn't a little more support, tolerance and acceptance. What's wrong with live and let live?

Sally, your feedback has completely lost me... thrown me in fact! Bullying? Harrassment?!

You stated: "I have first-hand experience of some pretty vicious bullying and harassment and I actually think posts like this, which judge women for their personal choices and try to impose an idea of what is and isn't 'acceptable' for women to do with their own blogs makes the problem worse"
Have a read of our post again and then read your comment and see if you think that is relevant. Maybe you have misinterpreted the post/response completely.

Nickie hit the nail on the head below.

However, feedback is what we want!

I'm egotistical enough to have assumed you weren’t writing with my blog in my mind, because of course my blog is marvellously written and brilliantly entertaining, and it’s got Flea in it, so how could I not be brilliant? God, that’s such a shameful admission, isn’t it?
I’ve endured eight months of some pretty vicious bullying from individuals who think they have a divine right to say what I ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t’ do on my blog. So while I respect your opinion and I can totally see where you’re coming from, I’m just saddened to see a post about what a blog ‘should’ be, or what makes a ‘real’ blogger.
I can see you’ve edited the post somewhat since I first responded, though, so it’s hard to comment further. It’s actually an fair enough point you’re making – there are some bloggers who can make a review of a shower dispenser funny and interesting, and others who write endless reviews of freebies that are kinda dull, but I’m not going to criticise anyone for doing that if it makes them happy – because if there’s any SHOULD in blogging that’s it – you SHOULD do what works for you and makes you happy.
And here endeth the rant ;-)

Hi Sally.
No the post has not been edited at all. (Except when you pointed out that we'd used the word 'real' - missing out the word 'passionate'. Scroll down a little and you'll see the reply from 16 hours ago!!!!!)
Sorry to hear you have endured vicious bullying.

"... but I do write about places Flea and I go together... "

Not wanting to speak on behalf of Manda, but I read that's what she meant about YOUR blog, Sally - the seamless writing. That is a talent and it makes for enjoyable reading. There are some great blogs out there that possibly aren't getting the readership because they don't do reviews and don't know how to promote themselves.

I read this post as the flip side of what's been happening recently - wanting to find blogs that are there to be read but perhaps don't get the right promotion or bloggers who don't know how to promote their blogs - we can then direct them to forums and articles that can show them just how to do that.

Ah, just seen what you mean!! I think the word passionate was missing out of that maybe!! Not meaning 'real' as opposed to 'pretend' ha!

Ah, yes, that does change the meaning somewhat, doesn't it?

*now reads comment back and sounds like total mentalist*