What a Mom Blogger Wants (and Needs)

March 31, 2009

By Erin Gifford
The Momfluencer

I read a great article in AdWeek yesterday on why big brands love mommy bloggers. And oh how they do. Big companies have come knocking with free products (everything from toys to snacks to books and so much more), free cruises and even free cars. I have three mommy blogger friends who got brand new cars to use for anywhere from a week to a year.

As a mom blogger myself, I’ve been privy to such benefits as well. It’s overwhelming at times. In fact, one of my fellow bloggers, Melissa at Consumer Queen, even put together a post on what bloggers want companies to know. Among the highlights, my blog is not an ad, don’t expect a review without sending a product and don’t just email me a press release.

I’d also add, take the time to read my blog to make sure my readers would be a good fit with your product and address me by my name in your pitch. My name is right there on my blog. It makes me feel like you’ve done your homework when you address me by name.

I like that bloggers like Melissa are putting these do’s and don’ts out there given the recent chatter around Google and the Federal Trade Commission potentially taking action against bloggers who mislead readers with thinly disguised ads. I’d hate to see the blogosphere get regulated in such a way, so the more mom bloggers can educate themselves on what’s okay and what’s not okay the better off we’ll all be for their efforts. Disclosure is the key.

I still remember getting my first pitch from a PR agency. We all like to feel wanted, and there’s no question that it’s exciting to be able to get something for free, especially when it’s something you really want. But at the end of the day, be true to yourself.

If the product doesn’t fit your readership turn it down, and be honest in your reviews. Just because you got something for free doesn’t mean you need to speak glowingly about it. Every day a new crop of moms starts a new blog and the more honest we can all be about the products we review and the companies we represent the better experiences we’ll all have as mom bloggers.

Erin Gifford runs Mom 2 Mom Media to help brands and products effectively reach and engage moms on the web. She also has a popular money-saving mom blog at Coupon Cravings. She's a former PR director and mom of three girls with one more on the way in August. Follow her on Twitter at Twitter.com/ErinGifford.

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