Comments on: Thoughts on Australian ‘mummyblogging’/'mommyblogging’

By: katef

katef — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:07:37 +0000

It’s an interesting topic…. I’ve read Us ‘Mom bloggers’ being given cars to review and wondered if that would ever filter through to us over here. So far the only thing I’ve been asked to review is a laxative… um… er… I guess that sums up my blog! LOL

By: Susan @ ReadingUpsideDown

Susan @ ReadingUpsideDown — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:23:58 +0000

Thanks for this interesting post, Karen.

I share two blogs with a friend (Meredith). One, Reading Upside Down, is a book blog. I do receive review copies of books, which I guess is similar to receiving products to review. I also review books that I already own and books that I borrow from my local library.

The other blog, Oh the Thinks you can Think, is a personal blog.

Both Meredith and I are at home full time. We are fortunate that we each have a husband who is able to provide enough income that we can make this choice, although we have both had to make numerous sacrifices to remain within the limitations of being a one income family.

I have browsed a few of the pay-to-blog formats. While the idea of earning money from blogging appeals to me quite a lot (actually earning some extra money appeals to me enormously), I don’t really feel comfortable with any of the formats. When I visit blogs that have embedded links for products and businesses I always feel a little edgy about how sincere or natural the writing is. I wouldn’t want people to get that impression from our blogs.

I do write for an online magazine where I earn a percentage of ad-click revenue. These posts are written in third person and never reflect anything personal.

I guess my ideal would be to gain freelance writing opportunities separate to my blogging. I love receiving the ARC books and feel that they give me the opportunity to review books and authors I wouldn’t otherwise have easy access to, but don’t really want to venture into the realms of comissioned blog posts or product reviews.

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:20:06 +0000

I’m sorry you had a bad experience Trish

By: Trish

Trish — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:06:10 +0000

I recently did my first ever product review and I wont be doing another one. It was a complete waste of my time. None of the posts that reviewed the product range were commented on by any of my regular readers, and I didn’t experience any spike in reader numbers. The PR agency have been sporadic in keeping in touch with me and promises regarding link-backs from their product website have not been kept. I will not do it again, but if I ever get my name on the Top 100 list I might consider adding an advertising banner or sidebar.

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:09:31 +0000

Rachel – Yes, Paid posts are also popular – I believe – as they often get traffic targeted by some means to those particular posts? (I’ve never done them for reasons you said – except once for charity)

Jen – Sounds like you’ve thought about it though and worked out a system. That sounds encouraging.

Mistress B – Your last sentence sounds like you’ve got a nice philosopht. If you were going to write the rant, you must send me the link

Stacie- Yes, I once did something similar. Its a bit embarrassing, isn’t it? Hope you aren’t confused for too long.

By: Stacie

Stacie — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:54:08 +0000

I don’t really know how I feel. I love doing the product reviews. I have my first giveaway up and am rather discouraged that no one is really signing up. I haven’t blogged for money as I didn’t think it would be worth it and it would take away the fun. I love blogging and meeting new people. I guess maybe you can say I am confused by it.

By: Mistress B

Mistress B — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 03:03:53 +0000

I have some serious objections to the policy of the Howard government in regards to devaluing the work of mothers in the home. I feel very blessed that my husband earns enough that we are not subject to those rules and have the freedom to make a choice. I have many friends who don’t and it really disgusts me the lack of compassion, understanding, flexibility and fairness that is shown to these women….. but that’s a rant for another place

I’ve accepted a few free products but on the understanding that I would write a review IF I wanted to and would not guarantee that it would be positive. I haven’t had any for a while though but I think that had more to do with changing to self hosted so dropping in some of the lists. But for me it’s been a bit of fun, I don’t blog with the intention of making money so any that does show up is a bonus!

By: jen

jen — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:53:25 +0000

I’ve setup a reviews/giveaways section on my blog because I started getting these PR emails. I also removed the ads from that section that would have clashed with these reviews. I’ve got some free stuff out of it and I’ve given away stuff but it certainly hasn’t meant a huge boost in traffic or readership for me. I do notice that people do find my reviews via search terms so the long-term effects for marketers are probably pretty good for some products.

Some things haven’t worked out. For instance, I wrote a blog post for another blog and I think mine was the first and the last blog post for that blog. The idea was there but the execution wasn’t. So you’ve gotta be careful you only do what you can and don’t bust a gut for hardly any reward for yourself.

By: Rachel Hills

Rachel Hills — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:47:30 +0000

Yeah, those MEAA rates are deliciously, but ridiculously high. 83c/word would be good enough (I’ve only worked for one Australian publication that pays more than that rate – most pay around 50c, publications not affiliated with a big company often less), but over $800 for any piece of writing less than 1000 words? We’re dreaming.

I’ve heard that a lot of these “pay for post” deals can actually pay very well (as well as corporate writing, even), but I also worry that they exploit the relationship built up between blogger and reader, particularly in the case of personal blogs. Obviously any paid posts would need to be marked as such.