When I left for Florida last Sunday a well known newspaper ran a story ‘featuring’ The SITS Girls‘ “Bloggy Boot Camp“, which I myself could not attend- but had heard wonderful things about. I was excited to see tweets about this featured story- however, from the moment I read the headline “Not now honey, Mommy’s busy building her brand” (suggesting clearly that all Mom-bloggers neglect their children)… I knew it was not going to be the wonderful feature it could have/should have been.
The writer took cheap shots at Tiffany (whom I have nothing but respect and love for) by noting her bare feet and over use of the phrase “you guys” to compare her to a sorority girl and painting the picture of a bunch of Moms coming together for a slumber party to paint nails and do each other’s hair to prepare for a pep rally.
So, low. So, inaccurate.
Before I had my son, I worked in PR & Advertising.
From 2003-2005, I worked for a large radio corporation and worked directly for the General Sales Manager- who has now moved on to be the SVP- or some jazz like that (yes, that’s right. I said “Some Jazz”, you guys.) When ever I would get direction from this reputable, up standing business exec he would over use the word “literally”…and (very) often completely out of context and unnecessarily.
“Complicated Mama, I believe prairie dogs are going to literally rule the world one day”
“CM, can you literally call so & so, and ask them if they can literally meet with us in 2.5 seconds– literally.“
The man was “literally” out of control with the word, but he was nevertheless well respected for his knowledge and considered successful in his career. Was it because he was a man? Was it because he was working for a company and not running his own? … or was it just because he wasn’t a Mommy Blogger?
My point is- everyone has their phrase or word that you use a lot…was it fair to compare Tiffany’s “You Guys” to a sorority girl and try to defame her professionalism? Absolutely not.
The girls at SITS, run a wonderful website that supports women bloggers. Women enjoy being part of a sisterhood and learning from each other in any industry (Association for women in communications Women in Radio & television, Association of women lawyers, the list goes on & on) … and that is exactly what SITS offers bloggers.
Women flew in from all over not because they were disillusioned or were looking to braid their friends hair but because they are serious about their blog, which for many has turned into a business… and does that make them less of a Mom? — NO WAY! Working Mother Magazine and Hybrid Mom talk about Moms balancing work and family all the time. Blogging is no different.
Then days later I checked in on Twitter and saw a friend of mine was being bullied by a company to change her blog name because her blog name was too closely associated to their new start up company’s name and was coming up higher in search engine results. Is that really her problem or theirs? I’m pretty sure it is the latter.. but they have the bigger $$ so of course they hire lawyers to make it hers.
I know this is all “last week’s news” but its frustrating to keep running into such nonsense. I am disgusted by the way the media is portraying Mommy Bloggers. There is this perception by the professors of the “old school” that that just because we are Moms we cannot and do not have valid thoughts, knowledgeable opinions and are not “worthy’ of being considered a “professional” entrepreneur. (I wonder dear Professors- is that what you think of the mother that raised you?) Many of us were professionals working for “the man” for years before we took on the title of M-O-M…. I think so many of these companies/news pubs like to forget our lives B.C. (before Children) and disregard it completely… and I have to ask why?
Why the bullying? Why not praise of some of the great things we’ve accomplished in the blogosphere while managing a family instead of the snide remarks?
I can’t help but think its fear.
Its no secret that print media is not doing as well as it use to now that more people are relying on the web for their daily info. Not just because it is more convenient, but often because the blogger voice is more genuine and real. We don’t have to kowtow to anyone. Its our thoughts- uncensored… which is scary to some who ware use to typical corporate politics.
I am guessing its because of this fear some journalists are trying so hard to plant the seed that Mom bloggers are a fad that hold no power or professionalism, while they themselves still hold some power- then maybe they can “take us down”.
Companies feel they can use their big bucks by getting a lawyer to bully us out of the space they want so bad they can taste it because they are lazy and hiring a lawyer is so much easier than learning to adapt and advance.
But memo to professors of “Old School”— we aren’t going away.
So why not instead of fearing the change, adapt to it… step up your game and use your dollars to figure out how to get in the space you’re craving so badly or blow us out of the water with hiring an SEO expert (Who will likely be a blogger- by the way).
Bottom line- stop the nonsense.
Don’t FEAR IT— BRING. IT.
and P.S.- Professors, when did becoming a Mom become a down grade? … hello!? … We raised you better than that!
