For many years I had a blog for my shop. Boutique news, convention wrap-ups, costume stuff, etc. So I thought I knew what I was getting into with this new mommy blogger thing, but noooooo. Just like everything else that relates to parenting, I was wrong about the crazy world of The Mommy Blog.
Mom blogging is a different world
There are networks, tribes, pods, loops… and you have to learn to navigate through them. It’s easy to get sucked into the networking thing and then next thing you know all you are doing is posting and liking and commenting (instead of actual blogging) in exchange for the same on your stuff.
And these people aren’t necessarily interested in what you are actually posting. They’re only interested in the reciprocal like or comment or share. It’s all a big numbers game where people want tons views and followers so they can be seen as an “influencer.” The more influence you appear to have, the more likely you are to get paid for things and get more free stuff.
Is fake engagement worth the effort?
I lasted about ten seconds on an Instagram follow loop. And most of the follows I earned from that have already unfollowed me anyway so it was a total waste of time. It seems like Twitter has a never-ending supply of parent bloggers tweeting and retweeting every little thing. I’ve been pretty stingy with my blog follows, only following back the blogs that appear to have content I’m interested in reading on a regular basis.
I’ve been able to stay out of the mama drama for the most part. I participate in one Facebook group with a small group of blogging ladies that are pretty awesome. Our rules are relaxed and we haven’t had to do the dreaded Facebook ban on anyone.
I don’t plan on getting sucked into it since I don’t have the time to go leave fake likes and comments all day. And I prefer my readers to be real as well. So if you are reading this, liking and commenting, then thank you! I really enjoy reading the comments and knowing they aren’t just some reciprocal compulsion.
I still have a lot to learn in the business of mom blogging and blogging in general. My goal is to keep things fun and keep enjoying it and definitely Not get too obsessed with stats and shares and how many likes something gets. Of course I pay attention to that stuff! But really, it’s just exciting to be writing something people are actually reading. So again, thank you for being here!
Categories: Blogging, Mom Blog, Mom Life, Uncategorized
Geek Mamas 
This is great and so true! I will say the mommy bloggers who I have connected with are really great.
LikeLike
I agree, the ones I’ve actually connected with (and not just some loop/like thread thing) have all been really great!
LikeLike
When I started off I did those FB groups and it took all of my time. Now I don’t bother at all
I notices a real different between bloggers trying to be big bloggers and the amazing community you find on WordPress. That being said i have been shit at keeping up with all the WordPress blogs I love lately
LikeLike
I tried a few of the blogging Facebook groups too and found I prefer to find blogs and like/comment through my WordPress reader much better.
LikeLike
Thank you for this! I see so many mom bloggers on Instagram with thousands of likes and I’m baffled because the content leaves me a little meh. Quality over quantity and deeper connections I’m all for!
LikeLike
Yes! It’s crazy the way some of that stuff works. Seems every platform has a system for artificially jacking up their likes. I just didn’t see the point of it!
LikeLike
I am guilty of following too many blogs! Then I usually end up just checking out the first few that pop up in my WP reader. A lot of times I use my comments as a resource too, so I’ll go to that persons blog later and see what they are up too 😁
LikeLike
PS I actually tried to comment on your blog today but had trouble logging into the comments part on my phone 🙄
LikeLike
Interesting. I would have assumed it would be a lot calmer and sweeter because you are, in a way, leaning on each other.
I guess no matter the topic, monetized blogs can become more about the cut-throat than the sharing/connecting. That’s too bad.
LikeLike
Yeah it seems some of the blogs just become this monetized machine and any sense of the actual person behind it disappears. You have to seek out the ones that haven’t totally sold their soul lol
LikeLike
I tried one of those FB groups and oh my lord…such a headache and ultimately accomplished nothing.
LikeLike
Same! Except for our’s of course. Our FB group is awesome 😉
LikeLike
The exception to the rule 😁
LikeLike
This is why I call myself a blogging mom instead of a mom blogger. Motherhood is an insane cult. I mean exclusive group. I mean, seriously… I associate with interesting people regardless of whether they have procreated or not and I find it much more fulfilling. Getting involved in mom only groups just makes me run for the hills. I don’t understand them and it just feels like a headache and more work than any of us should have time for.
LikeLike
Exactly! Nobody has time for that 🙄 Except those crazy Mom bloggers who probably don’t sleep or have kids that nap for 3 hours and go to bed early.
LikeLike
The worst are the follow for follow. What’s the point of following someone if you’re not going to like their stuff or engage? Like in a truthful way. I started participating in those are first because I thought it would be a great way to get to know other fellow bloggers and get engaged with their stuff but quickly realized they were just looking to increase their numbers. If I leave a comment like an honest one asking a question of what they posted they don’t even answer back! Lol
LikeLike
Same here! And I’ve had the same one follow and unfollow me several times. What’s the point? I used to not pay attention to the unfollows but I actually got on of those apps for Instagram because mom bloggers seemed notorious for following then unfollowing. It’s a total numbers game.
LikeLike
Why is this so real? I’m new to the blogging world. But I journaled everyday, so I decided to share my stories and journal entries. Not to for any reason but for simple joy for myself and if others enjoy my writing and stories then that’s amazing. I’d have to say that although you didn’t mean to but by sharing this it gave me some advice and reminded me what is truly important when it comes to blogging.. Enjoyment.. and to stay away from fb groups!
LikeLike
It’s easy to get sucked in! In all my years of blogging I’ve never run across a group more focused on views/likes/comments and tricky ways to get them. But on the positive side, I’ve also never found a more supportive group of writers. 🙂
LikeLike
So true. I started blogging just to get thinks off my mind and keep my mind sharp. I just write bout what I know….and its my son.
LikeLike
Kids are endless sources for blog material!
LikeLike
I am new to the mom blog world! I didn’t even know about half that stuff you posted! I just feel the need to vent and release some laughter to more than just my small network of people!
LikeLike
That’s how it starts…then next thing you know you’re in a pod, a loop and a twitter party and have no time to actually blog anymore….lol. Just say no and stick to venting 😉
LikeLike
Yes! same here for me lol
LikeLike
Hi,
I am new to blogging and this is one of the first blogs I actually read all the way through. I just made my first posting today and decided to blog just to have an outlet and a hobby honestly. I enjoyed the read!
LikeLike
I started the same way- just a hobby and an outlet, and now I’m a Crazy Mommy Blogger! J/K lol. I’m not That crazy 😉
LikeLike
Well I hope to become a crazy mommy blogger as well lol
LikeLike
I just started a “mommy blog” today. I never imagined myself becoming a mommy blogger! I just hope to entertain people with humor and photography. Not really into the numbers game. I think that is why previous blog failed, I was too busy worrying about the stats than about my content-plus the content subject was so BORING. LOL Best of luck to your mommy blogging adventures and thanks for keeping it real!
LikeLike
I just fell into it myself! Lol. I’ve always kind of struggled with the term too, so lately I’ve been calling myself a “parenting and lifestyle blogger”. It’s a euphemism for mommy blog 😂
LikeLike