The past few weeks I’ve been getting repeated kicks in the rear reminding me “Where is your focus?“. I’ve lost it. Yes, I got caught up and totally 100% lost my focus and now I’ve got to get it back. So what did I get caught up in? Mommy Blogging Reviews.
I originally started my focus out to talk about healthy living, parenting, and turning our home into a green place to live on Dinker & Giggles. I then wanted to talk about my life and journey as a mom and business owner on my personal blog. I started out strong and focused with goals in mind. I was using tools from the affiliate programs I belonged to. I spoke about products and services that were dear to my heart and that I used and loved because I choose to on my own free will.
Then I started seeing all the wonderful places to join and network and even try free products in exchange for my words of recommendation. I’m not going to lie – it’s fun! It’s great receiving mail that isn’t a bill. However, when you get so caught up and start accepting things that have nothing to do with your focus then you have to realize you’ve gotten caught up! The first time I really was awoken to how caught up I had gotten was when I received a pacifier in the mail with a note thanking me for reviewing this.
Wait a minute! I’m very anti-pacifier – how did I get so caught up that I accepted a review for a pacifier?
I’m not saying that doing product reviews and being a mommy blogger is bad in no means. What I personally am trying to recognize is my original goals and how they need to grow with the new information I am learning. I want to be a profitable mommy blogger. I want to have content that is respected and not read just because there is a giveaway attached to it.
I don’t want to be caught up in the hype! If I’m reviewing a product it should be because I love it (and it meets the requirements of my focus and goals). I also need to accept that I’m worth more than a free product. My time and creative juices go into that review and I should get paid for it too.
So today’s Better Blog journey is all about stepping back and really looking at yourself, your blog, and your focus.
- Are you happy where you are going?
- Are you ready to say No?
- Are you ready to get your focus on and step out of the hype?
Let’s get back to basics and get focused together!
Wonderfully put! I see many mommy bloggers getting lost in the sauce of free stuff only to look up one day and see that they have a lot of things that can’t make them money.
I think that is many mommy bloggers need to take a look at why they started their blog in the first place and try to maintain that focus. Many start out with the intentions of being a Profitable Mommy Blogger and end up losing focus.
Oh boy, I hope I don’t get slapped for this one.
For you, you know that your bread needs to be buttered with more than FREE, and I am glad to see your focus back on track!
Amen sister! As a student of Alice Seba and Kelly McCausey, I’ve gotten that message for sure. I also appreciate how Alice talks about the importance of not getting caught up in the popularity game. I’m far less popular than some prominent mom bloggers, but I’m far more profitable… which is what it’s about for me. My goals are different, so I have to keep that in mind when I work.
Great topic.
I love what Carrie said:
“I also appreciate how Alice talks about the importance of not getting caught up in the popularity game. I’m far less popular than some prominent mom bloggers, but I’m far more profitable”
I am with her. I am by far not a “popular” mom blogger and I really don’t care to be. My focus is different and has to be because I have a lot of bread to butter. I enjoy what I do get free but my freebies are far and few between because I do not have time to review them.
Alaina, I think you really hit on something with this topic
I am just trying to break into Mommy Blogging reviews. Fortunately, since I have 2 blogs: a knitting/crafting blog and a mommy blog – I have 2 different outlets. And since I’m brand-spanking new – I’ve only reviewed 2 products on my mommy blog and some knitting books on my knitting blog. So, I’ve not really changed my focus or reviewed anything that I really didn’t already use and love. So what I enjoyed about your post is that is a great warning for newbies like myself trying to break into PR. I WANT to have relationships wth companies and networks – but I do not want to sell out. And I certainly don’t want my blogs to become one big place of advertising. I want to review products to reach out to other women consumers and let them know what I think it amazing. But I don’t want to get caught up in hype. Great post!
I agree, agree, agree!
If you factor the time it takes to do the reviews many of them are NOT profitable.
Carrie is my heroine!
Hey Girl! I am doing the same thing. I have gotten caught up in one hype and then another from the mommy blogging reviews to the vlogging and LiveTV shows. I’m getting back to basics, getting back to my passion and doing what I love. I believe you’re saying essentially that you’re doing the same. Good idea!
I read back through the comments and realize that it does have to do with your GOALS. I agree with Carrie here.