I have been blogging on MaM for almost 3 years. In a few short months, this anniversary will pass — and so along with the blog re-design I have been rewriting pages, re-categorizing, and re-reading my past blog posts. During all of this, I have noticed something. I’ve lost my voice.
When I started this blog, I did it so that I could chronicle my family’s lives through posts, pictures, and videos. I had been blogging about my life in detail for 9 years before that, ( I even met my husband through blogging) so continuing on to this blog with a family theme only seemed natural. I began it with an authentic voice, my personality shining through every post – because I was writing for my family to read, for me to read, for us to have as a digital scrapbook. Entering this niche, I had no idea about the potential for free things, working with brands on reviews and giveaways or writing sponsored posts. I remember getting my first email from someone interested in doing a giveaway on this blog — and I was amazed.
This is what you can do with a blog nowadays?
Of course, like any other excited newbie I hopped on. I did the giveaway. I wrote the reviews. I got the free stuff, the readers, the recognition. Then, after 2 years of this, I got a chance to work with a major brand!
I was honored. I thought I had made it, my blog was finally moving up in the world… but then to my dismay – it went horribly wrong. The product they wanted me to review (and it was a HUGE product…*cough*) wasn’t the one they promised, not even close. They tip-toed around it when I noticed the MAJOR differences, the very things I was supposed to review that simply were NOT there to review. When I confronted them about this, they asked me to LIE. They told me to write about something that wasn’t there and tell you how much I loved it. I’m only human, so I am going to tell you — I almost did. ALMOST but I didn’t. After talking it over with my husband and other people in my life outside of the blogging biz, and realizing what a bad idea it was, I quickly sent in my resignation from the project. Though, I was proud of myself for not selling out – I was heart broken. I felt used. Dirty even.
It really shook me up.
Since this incident… I have been taking a step back from it all and really re-evaluating this blog’s purpose – the voice I want to use. I call this my Blog-Life crisis.
Here is what I have realized:
No. I am not Martha Stewart…I love to cook, craft, organize things and pass along stuff I learn. Do I wear an apron while doing these things? No. Do I claim to know everything about these subjects and want you to follow me for more information about these things? Well, of course if you like these posts and want to know more, you can, but I am not claiming this to be my brand. I am not the model homemaker, and don’t plan on being the Pioneer Woman! I love sharing my hobbies. I love the comments. I’m a show off more than the model housewife – and damn it, I will write about my flaws. Judge me if you like – but I know there are some out there that can relate, I am here for those ladies.
Yes. I am the kind of blogger that reviews things… I love to review and recommend things, products or not – because in my real life I value the opinions of other moms and often seek them out when I have a question about anything and I want them to be honest with me. I want them to tell me if they have tried something and I want to know their thoughts about it. I will never be paid to post a positive review. I will make sure to post the negative ones too. We want the views of the important people in our lives, online or off, so that we can make an informed decision, and we want to be able to trust that person. I hope that the above story shows that I am not willing to risk this blog’s integrity – or mine -for a piece of the mommy blogging pie. I am happy to provide this service.
No. I don’t want this blog to be a “Mommy Blogger” business… Though, I do display my sites statistics below, that is mostly for me. The way counters were back in the day. Of course I am interested in how many people read this blog. Is a PR company interested too? Probably. Do I stay up nightly thinking of ways to improve these numbers so that I can get recruited by said PR company? No.To me, those numbers below represent my support system. That’s how many people I can count on to read my posts, provide their input, and it makes me feel not so alone in this world. I want to make friends with you — Is that so bad?
Yes. I want to strive to be as authentic as I was as a blogger when I started 12 years ago…and use my own voice. Just so you know — It’s not about the free stuff. I want to continue blogging my life as a mother, the lives of my children, and our family. I can’t tell you how many times I have thought to myself “I totally forgot about that!” when rereading posts and looking through pictures, and I have only been a mom for 2 and half years – It’s all about the memories that are important and easy to forget. Again, I repeat – the blogging game isn’t about getting a free refridgerator, picked to go to Disney World, or making an income (though they can be a great perk!).
So this is my blog’s mission:
Digital Scrapbook for me and my family FIRST. Product reviews/recommendations, occasionally. Sharing more of myself with you, always.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Congrats to you at figuring out what is you want to be when u grow up…because that’s something I’ve struggled with, finding my voice. Being self conscious, getting off track, making a income perhaps, those are my issues. It’s good to know you are sorting through it, at least you have a conclusion and some concrete answers;)