Why Mom Bloggers Matter

June 23, 2011 in Social Media with 4 Comments

I am attending my first mom/parent blogging conference, Type A Parent, in Asheville, NC. It is a bittersweet experience for me. Right before this same conference last year, my mom passed away following an all-too-quick battle with bladder cancer. So a flood of memories hit me on the drive from Charlotte.

But I’m thrilled to finally be here and meet some of the most influential moms (and a few dads) in blogging. There are over 350 people here, and there’s a lot of passion apparent in the sessions and among the participants.

In just a few short years, the phenomenon of “mommy blogging” has exploded. And in even shorter order, it has evolved beyond the somewhat disparaging “mommy” moniker to just plain mom bloggers…or even plainer, moms who happen to blog (as part of what they do). Fair warning when dealing with mom bloggers: drop the term mommy.

Another wise thing to do is giving moms the credibility and respect they deserve. Businesses certainly do: they realize moms have tremendous influence over household purchasing decisions. That’s why so many corporations have tried to reach out to mom bloggers–some successfully, others not so much–the last few years. As the saying goes, nothing’s worse than a woman scorned. On the other hand, women will evangelize on behalf of great companies that understand and support their role in society.

Surprisingly, I’ve heard some web/marketing “experts” look down on mom bloggers. This is not only short-sighted but insulting. There are a ton of very savvy women who are generating income and building followings both small and large. Again, smart companies haven taken notice. They are learning to honestly and intentionally gain trust with moms. These days, trust is an incendiary compound that can blow up anytime. Bad news travels fast and furiously. It takes work to develop rock-solid relationships that transcend the inevitable missteps.

Overall, moms as bloggers matter because moms matter. They juggle numerous responsibilities, many of which are tedious and thankless. Blogs (and social media) have given moms a wonderful opportunity to let their voices be heard beyond the household, neighborhood and local community level.

In the Web 2.0 era, moms still know best. So pay attention to their voices. And while you’re at it, tell your mom you love her. I know my mom would be proud of these enterprising women.

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  • http://twitter.com/yarby Jason Yarborough

    I think it’s incredible, the movement that’s being created amongst the mommy bloggers. It’s community at its finest. A community that knows and understands each other almost instantaneously. A community that understands and trusts each other? No wonder marketers are reaching out to them so frequently.

  • http://www.WebBusinessFreedom.com BrandonUttley

    Jason, you are right. More dads should attend these conferences to understand how big the movement really is. These women have a lot of clout (and these days…Klout!).

  • http://www.mommybknowsbest.com Jennifer Bullock

    Thanks for writing this Brandon, I think so often moms who blog are misunderstood. We really are trying to be able to be the parents we want to be but have a traditional career too. Some of us even have our degrees and I’m happy that I’m able to put it to use. I’m a better mom because I feel the worth of an outside the home job with the ability to be an available mom. It was great meeting you at the conference, glad you had such a good time, thanks for reaching out. Hope to see more of you in the Charlotte circles.

  • http://www.WebBusinessFreedom.com BrandonUttley

    Jen, I’m glad to see so many moms (and lots of dads also) using the Internet to work from home. It is still a revolutionary time from that perspective, where anyone has the chance to operate an online business, and do it inexpensively. I was very impressed at the ingenuity of many attendees at the conference.

    Good luck to you and see you around town!