What is a Mom Blogger?

Have you ever pondered the question: what is the definition of a blogger? While blogging has become more mainstream in the last few years, I often find people asking me “what is it that you do?” Sure there are superstars that blog like Gwyneth Paltrow with her site Goop or Perez Hilton who’s known for his celebrity gossip, but many people still wonder what is a mom blogger exactly.

A long time ago blogs were considered personal sites that moms used to journal. They would document little Bobby’s first steps with a few paragraphs and pictures that wouldn’t be anything sophisticated. However, blogging took a huge leap forward several years ago when brands were hit with the economy crisis and began seeking new methods to market their products. Brands saw this untapped potential of credible (and opinionated) moms. Because moms know best, right? 🙂

What we’re not

First, I want to begin with what we’re not. Often times in our line of work, we’ll hear things that make us cringe like “oh I need to learn how to blog so I can get free stuff too.” Oh my goodness, that can’t possibly be what society thinks of us! At least I hope not. There’s SO much more to us than that!

What is a mom blogger

Today I put together a graphic to provide a more detailed description of a mom blogger. While this isn’t every word that describes us, I think it provides a more detailed description of a blogger. Of course first and foremost we’re moms – and yes there are plenty of bloggers out there that are not moms – those would simply be termed blogger. Many mom bloggers have at least one child in the home that we tend to on a 24/7 basis, while working a full-time job: our website.

What do we do

Our tasks throughout the day consist of being an optimal wordsmith, photographer, social media influencer, multi-tasker and organizer. And that’s just covering the blog stuff! This graphic from salary.com provides even more insight into what a stay at home mom is worth. Blogging is not easy. Everything falls on our shoulders. We’re the accountant, creator, writer, designer, secretary, scheduler – we run the whole ship! We spend hours upon hours on details from the photography to the messaging. We invest in ourselves and our site. We are constantly growing and learning our craft.

For example, xx company hires My Boys and Their Toys to create a craft using their new paint line. I spend hours working on the craft – including step by step pictures. The campaign requires excellent photography, minimum wording, impeccable grammar (of course) and social media coverage. All of that work is turned into the company before receiving payment, which takes a minimum of 30-90 days to arrive. Yes, you read that right – no biweekly payments here.

Other times we work with PR agencies or media networks for opportunities that fit within our niche or reflect our own brand and style. Those opportunities can include twitter parties, giveaways, blog posts, social media coverage, travel opportunities and more. In this capacity we are advertising and using our network to grow that brand’s audience aka mom marketers. Like I said before – blogging is not easy. It takes time, devotion, knowledge, and self motivation.

Trust me – there’s nothing I’d rather do than be a mom and a blogger. They are my two greatest passions in life. I am truly blessed and won’t ever forget it! This year I added one more large thing to my plate – I’m a teacher. I chose to homeschool the boys this year. Holy moly did I not know what I was in for…but I’m up for the challenge and somehow managing it all. I couldn’t be prouder and more determined.

I truly hope this post has enlightened you on what it is to be a mom blogger and all that our job entails.

How would you describe a mom blogger?

Here’s a few more words I would add to the graphic, if I had room:

• Entrepreneur
• Wordsmith
• Content Creator
• Accountant
• Calendar Coordinator
• Inventory Taker
• Social Media Expert
• and Trusting