“Mommy bloggers” – it seems every woman wants to be one these days. And why not? The platform is established -- and so is the audience.
One of my friends started blogging as soon as she found out she was pregnant. Granted her following still remains small, but who knows, if she keeps at it and the word gets around ... she may just be the next Pioneer Woman!
As a PR professional, I am keenly aware of the power mommy bloggers have to influence their readers on which stroller to buy and which brands to boycott (and support!). These women also give their audience a virtual friend who shares the ups and downs of parenthood, recipes and other necessities. I know that mommy bloggers, especially those who have established themselves in the blogosphere with a serious following, have reached a status that all bloggers, not just the mommy variety, aspire to. Countless mommy bloggers have reached the blogger definition of nirvana, i.e. when the public has: 1) bookmarked the blog; 2) begun following the blogger on Twitter; 3) fanned the blog/blogger on Facebook; and 4) sung the praises of said blogger, espousing the blog’s wisdom to all friends and coworkers.
As a mom, I admire these women and find it therapeutic to read their witty, funny, and sometimes heartbreaking posts. When I had my son three years ago, in those brief few months of maternity leave bliss and confusion, I found solace not only in daytime TV, but also in reading blogs written by fellow moms. Whether they were new moms, on their third child, it didn’t matter – they spoke to me (well not all, I certainly found some I disagreed with vehemently). But I understood their success, regardless of their philosophy. I continue to understand their importance and the role they play in our society, as a mom, as a PR professional and as a woman. And it's great to see our clients are recognizing their power, too.
Onward mommy bloggers!