On "Sunday Edition" on CBC there was a documentary on "Mommy Blogs." I had never heard the term "Mommy Blog" before.
The documentary went on to explain that women with children began blogging as away to support each other. Ideas of dealing with children were exchanged. Various products designed for children were discussed.
Gradually some of these blogs became used by advertisers. Products aimed at women and children were featured on some of the blogs. Many Moms joined in on this situation as it was a way to obtain some extra cash for the family. Moms were then persuaded to post positive things about various products. Of course, some of these people never saw a product they didn't like. One of these blogger now has about 100 000 hits a day!
Now large conventions take place for Mommy bloggers. A huge number of companies are there to display their products. Samples are given away in huge numbers. Hospitality suites are numerous. So the bloggers are wined and dined and the companies find more bloggers who will post for them. Some tape of one conference was played as a performer was singing to the group. As in most concerts this crowd of women were completely into the performance.
So who am I to say that the Mommy blogs are an eyesore to the blog world? I have bumped into the odd one of these blogs. You usually see that they have 2000-3000 followers and lots of advertising. So if you find one of these blogs that you find interesting, so be it. I for one, will try to avoid following blogs that have advertising.
I like the blogs I follow that have a genuine interest in people's day to day activities, exhibit excellent photography and artistic skills. If a blogger is able to combine some of these , it's just a much better blog!
I'm familiar with the term and the kind of blog it means, though I consider any blogger who focuses mainly on the aspect of child-rearing to be a mommy blogger.
ReplyDeleteI have very few blogs which I visit that do the advertising thing. If I like what a person has to say, I don't let their occasional or even frequent promotions deter me from visiting and commenting on their non-promotional posts. But for the most part, I'm like you. I'd rather just visit bloggers who are in it for the fun and enjoyment of it. Much like yours. :)
I have no interest in having giveaways or advertising on my blogs. They are a way for me to connect with like minded individuals. Most of my community are retired people, like us. :-)
ReplyDeleteGood point Hilary. We still have to look at a blog for what it has say and if it has something to say follow it.
ReplyDeleteI find that blogs with adds are hard to accept but Hilary has a good point that we should actually take the time to look at what the blog says.
ReplyDeleteI think that seniors have really taken to blogs and do a graet job.
Some of the blogs with decorating homes, recipes or fashion are very informative but the advs get in the way and makes it difficult to navigate :) But I love the ones without any promotions mostly those that are laid back, reflective, thought provoking and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThere certainly is valuable information on some of these blogs. However , when a blogger is given a product, it is their responsibility to write something positive about the product.
ReplyDeleteI don't like the ads, nor do I like the way google has snuck in their own type of advertising through out blogs. There never used to be the links attached to our words, if anyone knows how to disable this please let me know.
ReplyDeleteOoops, I am guilty of advertising, I have one small ad on the left hand side of my blog for a blogger book. I bought one last year and I LOVE it! It's like a high tech journal and putting the ad on the side of my blog helps me out, I remember where I ordered my book from. :-)
I wonder sometimes how much this internet has taken over our socialization. It's good for those who are isolated but do these mommy's who blog take the time to socialize with their children and interact with other mommy's and their wee ones? ... just a thought.
Have a great week Red!
Hello again, Red! There is a special award for your blog on mine. If you wish, please accept the award and pass it on to 5 other blogs that you appreciate. Cheers, Ruby!
ReplyDeleteI don't like the blogs with ads either..I find them distracting..and I usually don't leave comments on blogs that have word verification..it takes too much time...yours is one of the exceptions:)
ReplyDeleteFar side I thought I had word verification set. It's been working fine so I won't change it.
ReplyDeleteI heard that CBC show too! I have not put any ads on my own blog (other than to plug a book I illustrated, and my hubby's endeavours) and I like it that way. :) I have a couple of contests and a giveway, but it wasn't ad-related, just stuff I did for fun.
ReplyDeleteI just ignore blog ads and don't mind a few here and there, but if the blog is obviously commercial, I start to think of it as a commercial website and not a personal blog, and it is usually then less enjoyable for me to read!
Thanks knatolee for following my blog!
ReplyDeleteI agree that the blatantly commercial blogs are definitely a no go. I'm sure that I completely miss the odd ad. As you say a notice is quite acceptable.