Today’s guest post is presented by Mary Lauren, author of the blog My 3 Little Birds. She’s sharing some insight today that is perfect blog fodder. Until I began working as a social media consultant, I didn’t realize the magnitude of the millions of other blogs out there that went beyond the scope of your average “Mommy Blog.” Apparently, Mary Lauren knows this as well and shares some sage advice:
“Mom Blogger.”
I had no idea how loaded these words were when I started my own blog.
Sure, I’m a mom, and a blogger, so I’m a Mom Blogger. But starting out, it wasn’t that simple. I’d come to learn that some bloggers have a real and legitimate issue with being put into that category. If you’re like me, the Mom Blogger label doesn’t bother you at all. I’m happy to be a part of this sisterhood, and if you’re inclined to put us all into one group, then so be it.
This isn’t a post about bloggy politics, or the pros and cons of being labeled a Mom Blogger.
The issue I’m addressing on Theta Mom® today is our tendency of limiting our networks to those that are similar to our own blogs. Since we’re all part of the Theta Mom Community, I think it’s a safe bet that most of us are moms who blog. And how many who are pigeon-holed into the “Mom Blogger” category are guilty of networking exclusively with Mom Blogs, perhaps even without realizing it?
This isn’t unique to the blogosphere. We do it in our everyday lives, too. How many times have you been in a new situation, such as a new job, and gravitated toward others who you saw as being similar to yourself? We do this for good reason; we’re more likely to have things in common with those who, well, we have things in common with. But the blogosphere is so diverse and varied and I think we’re doing ourselves a disservice by not thinking outside the Mommy Blogger box.
I’m not saying that valuable relationships can’t be made among other bloggers who are also moms. But I’m encouraging you – particularly those of you who are new at blogging or who want to expand your network to consider a few things:
1. Take a look at the other bloggers in your tribe (and by this I mean the blogs you read and comment on regularly, connect with on Twitter and Facebook and turn to with questions or advice, and who do all of those things in return). How diverse is this group? How did you come to find each other?
2. In addition to great places like Theta Mom®, network in places that aren’t exclusive to “Mom Bloggers.” My blog has an emphasis on writing, so I joined an online writer’s workshop and found some great bloggers that way, many of whom aren’t moms. Are you a photographer? Do you blog about home improvement, food, or have some other niche? Focus on the niche instead of the label…and you may be surprised at the networking relationships that develop.
3. Why not actively support some different types of blogs yourself? I’ve heard from several bloggers who are outside of the moms-who-blog group that it can be hard to break into the closely-knit circle of moms. I’m sure they’re not being snubbed intentionally, but let’s support bloggers who may be feeling alienated.
One of the great surprises when I took a leap of faith and started my blog was the community I’d come to be part of. For me, my tribe looks a little different than what I would have expected. Call it a dysfunctional family if you like…but one thing’s certain; if I had limited my clan to only so-called Mommy Bloggers I’d be the one who was missing out.
Whether you consider yourself a “Mom Blogger” or a “Blogger Who Happens to be a Mom” I think that you, too, could benefit from thinking about how to add to your network.
What are your thoughts? Have you considered stepping out of the “Mommy Blogger” box?
If YOU would like to guest post at Theta Mom® I am currently accepting submissions. Full details can be found on the Network page.
I’m not sure if I consider myself a “mom blogger” or a “blogger who happens to be a mom.” I admit, most of the blogs I read tend to be “mom” blogs, but through some of the Memes I participate in, some non-mom bloggers have found me and I’ve started reading them back. I’ve got a few fellow teacher bloggers now as well as a few single gals who are not moms, but I do need to diversify my reading more.
Definitely something for me to think about as I continue on this journey. I must admit, most of my blog doesn’t relate to being a mommy…..probably more about marriage and being a wife, at least right now. I do think over time I will change some things but not sure what direction. I do appreciate your point of reaching out to a more diverse audience. Thanks for the insight!
Great post! I’m not a mom, but I do see how a lot of communities in the blog world are very exclusive and can be hard to break into. I don’t think people mean to do it, like you say but because they are so tight in some places it can be hard to come in “late.” I’ve found in blogging and in life that when I open my mind to being friends with someone who’s current life experience is different than mine, I’m usually surprised #1- how much we actually have in common (I have a friend from work who is 14 years older than me, and has 2 elementary aged kids- though I didn’t know her, I think she was exactly like me 14 years ago!) #2- how much more I can learn from them than someone exactly like me right now. Thanks for this important post!
Very interesting. I actually started blogging to get away from “just being a Mom” and because I wanted to talk/write about things besides dirty diapers. Yet somehow most of the blogs I am hooked in with are mom blogs even though I don’t talk about Mom stuff all that much.
I am branching out to blogs/bloggers who have nothing to do with kids, and my life seems so much bigger. I’m now a book reviewer/copy editor for a new blog (bookshelfbombshells.com) and joined a local women’s blogging networking group (only one other woman even had a kid!).
There is a big world out there outside of the ‘Mommy Blogger’ box and I can’t wait to discover it!
This is such a well-timed post for me! I’ve been thinking a lot about my “niche” and worrying about branching out my content too far beyond my typical “mom” topics. Between some of the great advice and posts I’ve read through the Summer Blog Social this week and THIS post, I think it’s safe to say that following our passions, both inside and outside of the “mom” niche is important, both as women and as bloggers.
As our kids get older, I think I will feel more and more protective about posting their stories and details of their lives, and I don’t want to stop blogging just because I won’t have their darling faces to post about all the time
Thanks Heather for having Mary Lauren over to talk about this important subject!
I never really thought about this. While I do read a variety of blogs, I do tend to have the closest relationships with those who are very similar to me. Moms who blog, mostly stay at home or work at home moms. I suppose this is because I comment the most on posts I relate the strongest to, and this tends to be the mom blogs. I will have to try and cultivate better relationships with those who are not in such a similar place as I am. Diversity is good in life
Just wanted to say thank you, Heather, for letting me share my thoughts here today. Can’t wait to connect with you all and continue this dialogue!
i agree that some women who aren’t moms feel a little alienated. the majority of my “friends” are moms who blog, but i also am involved w/ the fitness community… and i visit a lot of craft blogs too. not nearly the friendships i have with moms, but still.
i think blogging has come a long way and women are starting to realize that. so it’s definitely different than what it was 3 years ago.
I personally don’t have a problem with the mommy blogger label. I agree with this post. There is so much out there to learn and discover and so many opportunities to grow broader as a person. I’m slowly but surely trying to expand my comfort zones. I have entered some writing prompts even though I would never consider myself a writer. There is always room for improvement!
Thanks for the thought provoking post, Mary Lauren. I don’t have a problem with the label ‘Mommy Blogger’, although I don’t really think of myself as that. Yes I admit, my close knit blog friends all happen to be blogging in the same niche so to speak, but it was a natural occurance, rather than deliberate.
I am branching out my reading to photography and food blogs, but I don’t know whether those blogs will interact as much with me as my fellow mom bloggers do. We’ll have to see!
Congrats on your Theta Mom feature, ML!!! I love your “dysfunctional family” line.
I think you and your blog are the best
Great post Mary! I definitely consider myself a mommy blogger, but I follow all sorts of blogs and enjoy the diversity. Though, I do generally stick to following only women. Just my preference.
I could definitely network outside my niche more too. I hadn’t really thought about that before. Thanks!
I would like to expand my network and in some ways I have. I read a lot of craft blogs which are definitely not my niche, but I enjoy them a lot. But you are right in the fact that it is very hard to break into some circles. After all, I don’t really have anything to offer people who blog about crafts since I don’t. It’s hard to find where to invest the time and how well to invest it. But great points and congrats on being featured!
Great post and definitely great points. I just started expanding outside of my “Mommy blogger” comfort zone and have met some great, talented people.
These are good points. I am trying to find a range of blogs to read and I will keep at it.
Thanks for writing about this. I’m a writer, so when I started my blog I focused only on writing blogs. A few months in, I made the discovery that there were mommy blogs too and was overjoyed to find that many times the two (writers and moms) overlap. I think the next area of interest I might search out is cooking. I love to cook and I’m equally certain there is a huge passionate group of people out there blogging about it!
This is such a great perspective to blogging in general. I’ve just started so I’m learning all sorts of new things. I will make sure to remember, that even though I’m a mom, and my blog is about my adventures as a mom….I should keep my eyes and ears open to other blogs that peak my interest. Not to be so tunnel visioned. Thank you for the reminder.
Agreed! I’m always reading about networking within your own niche, but I find it difficult when there are so many other great blogs out there that aren’t necessarily ‘mom’ blogs. Being a loyal reader and commenter on those blogs made me fee like I was breaking all the blogging rules! LOL!
I started off as a mummy blogger, but now I’m wondering which direction to go in. I’m finding it hard to decide.
I have recently moved to Singapore, so do I focus on being an expat in Singapore or do I focus on travel, as that is my passion? For the moment, I write posts on all of the above and I still write post relevant to my home country (the UK). I think whatever I do, it will still have a family focus.
Great post! I’ve never had a problem with the Mommy Blogger label, and most of the people closest to me are the same. I do admit that lately I have been stepping out of that circle and have some amazing people through it!
I agree to take things to the next level, you need to branch out of the “mom” world.
I’m a mom and I blog. I guess if that makes me a Mommy Blogger, so be it. Either way, I enjoy doing it and I love the ladies (and gents) that I’ve met along the way!
Great post! It’s funny that I already had a connection with you, and by clicking around different blogs, here I see you again! My blog is a little different. Because I offer writing and grammar tips for bloggers, it’s not a mom blog. Although I am a mom of two teens, I’m not part of the same blogging communities–but I relate so much to the mom blogs and I enjoy them every day. I’m blogging anonymously (former editor) as Blog Rehab so I don’t tell personal stories at all. I’m enjoying your posts and look forward to more.
This is wonderful advice! I admit it, I am guilty of networking just with other mom bloggers. Now I’m sitting here thinking about where else I can branch out and network. Thanks for prodding me!
Excellent post! I do not mind the Mommy Blogger label but I also have not truly been positioning myself as one either. Aside from the ThetaMom community, I tend to network via Twitter, so my social media contacts are varied. I probably need to be more deliberate about my efforts so thanks for the advice.
First of all – hi and thanks for following me on twitter! I followed ya back.
I have a niche in that I live in France, and if I didn’t have that, I would probably have been a mommy blogger. But it’s important for me to follow all different types of blogs – serious writers (with few pics), photographers, foodies, craft blogs, etc. I find that I need that diversity.