I have been blogging now for 7 years this summer
For a few months now I have been feeling that my blog is a little tired
That perhaps I am not what people want to see anymore
I am not young
I am not pretty
I am not very good at photography
I do not always have the happiest tales to tell
I have thought about stopping blogging
But the truth is that I love it
It is the one thing that I do for me
I love sharing my stories
I love documenting our journey
And over the years the blog has had a real pregnancy and baby focus
Now I am almost 30 weeks pregnant
With our Sprinkle of Stardust
Baby Number 5!
I want to record this final trimester of pregnancy
I want to cherish and record every moment
Of our final newborn phase
Our final fourth trimester
And I want this one last time
To work with baby brands
Reviewing and promoting products
I am currently trying to build up the courage to approach companies
Online and in person at The Baby Show next week
I am suffering from a very real bout of anxiety
And a huge lack of self belief and self esteem
I am worried that I do not have enough to offer brands
In a full to bursting blogger market
With lots of Spring and Summer blog babies on their way
I do not schedule lots of tweets
Everything that I do is real time as that is what I am comfortable with
My photos are again quick snaps taken on the go
I have no special lighting or equipment
Or even a camera
Perhaps I do not have the hunger and drive needed for blogging anymore?
Perhaps I really am the dinosaur blogger I fear I may be?
And yet I do not feel ready to stop
To give up or give in
And I think I still have lots to say
I hope I still have something to offer the online community
That I have been a part of for so long
All my babies have been blog babies
It would feel strange for our last baby
To be any different
I talked about this a bit on Twitter last night
And the lovely Emily from Babies and Beauty
Suggested that I ask you
The people that read my blog
Do I still have something to offer?
Would you read reviews of pregnancy and baby products on my blog?
Why do you read Edspire and what would you like to see more of here?
I would be so very grateful for your help
Thank you x
I definitely think you have a lot to offer brands and as you have a large following there will be many brands wanting to work with and continue working with you. Do not feel worried about approaching them – take the pressure off by just seeing it as giving out an ‘invitation’ to join your journey, if they accept fantastic – if not, no problem, just keep giving them out until you find the right fit – it is often a numbers game and you will have to ‘invite’ X brands to get Y collaborations/ads/sponsorships etc.
I have read your blog for a couple of years and I have often thought that, along with working with brands, you could make a good affiliate revenue through your creative learning tools/resources and messy play ideas. Bringing these ideas and products together in one place is a great resource for busy parents and those that lack the creativity/inclination to come up with the ideas, and those that homeschool or child mind/run after school clubs.
You can monetise this effectively by including affiliate links (eg Amazon/Affiliate Window/Commission Junction) to where readers can buy the resources/products mentioned and that you use to do the activity. You could also have a ‘shop page’ where people can browse resources/products you use and then click through to Amazon etc to buy and you get a small commission. Also you could sell downloadable learning ‘printables’ which you have created, or are an affiliate for if you are using a third party like Twinkl.
If you are providing quality content and ideas for free, then it is totally acceptable to generate some revenue through affiliate links as it would not cost your readers any extra and will help you generate enough revenue from the blog to continue providing such a good service.
I recommend listening to these US/Oz podcasts as they often feature other mummy bloggers and how they attracted brands/generated revenue, as well as grow their blogs/biz:
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-marvelous-moms-club-podcast-with-kirsten-tyrrel/id1071714413?mt=2
The Boss Mom Podcast by Dana Malstaff
https://itun.es/gb/v77G9.c
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/brilliant-business-moms-with-beth-anne-schwamberger/id886563476?mt=2
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-how-they-blog-podcast/id719351886?mt=2
Good Luck!
Amelia
Thank you for such a lovely reply. And yes I think affiliate links would be good for me going forward. I will have to research how you do that as I have not got a clue. Thank you x
Hi Jennie
Amazon associates (https://affiliate-program.amazon.co.uk/gp/associates/join/landing / also some good info here http://www.startamomblog.com/passive-income-blogging/)
&
Affiliate Window (https://www.awin.com/gb/publishers – they have lots of big and small baby brands : https://www.awin.com/gb/publishers/advertiser-directory – search baby )
Are probably easiest ways for you to get started. You can also google your favourite baby brands and affiliate scheme or programme as some have them on their website.
Plus Google Adsense (Adsense Bloggers/Publisher on YouTube https://youtu.be/taqggFQaJtE)
As in google, for example: [baby brand/company name] and affiliate scheme
Thank you so much for this x
Jennie,
I read your blog faithfully and I have no children. I read about your life, your struggles, fears, and yes, your triumphs. On the days you’re down on yourself for not living up to your own expectations, I want to reach out and hug you. You tell the story for so many women without a voice, for those who don’t know how to put into words the very feelings you write about.
Make your requests at the Baby Show – if they decline, then oh well. More importantly, write because YOU want to. Continue to write what’s in your heart. Do it for yourself, for Tilda, Esther, William, Bea, and your Baby Sprinkle. Print your blogs and make a book. Someday when your children are parents or about to become one, they’ll be able to read your words and find comfort, joy, and maybe they’ll know they’re not alone in their fears.
Peace and love,
N
Oh you have made me cry! Thank you x x x x x x
I could not have written it better myself!
I have a child and love reading about what you and yours are getting up to. I come here for inspiration to keep my boy busy, entertained and educated.
You are a wonderful writer and a terrific mother. I feel you have so much to give and look forward to reading your blog for many more years to come xx
I’ve never been a ‘big’ or ‘popular’ blog, I don’t have the time to be, but I do enjoy still reading a few blogs and yours is one of them. I’d say go for it with asking companies if you feel comfortable too. For me I find that blogging is a bit of an online journal for us, I don’t really mind how many people read like I seemed obsessed about when Sam was a baby!
You’ll always have my support.
Love seeing your little munchkins in shmuncki stuff x
You are so very lovely x And Shmuncki has grown so much in the last two years!
Hi Jennie,
We are exhibiting at the baby show and would love to work with you again, so please come by to say hello 🙂
Charlotte @ Poddle Pod x
Ah I will I will x x x x x
Not all parents and carers want to see shiny airbrushed pics featuring designer babies and wrinkle free mums in their early 20s. You are real, your story is real and this gives you the edge with you honest established trustworthy blog. I’m a mum too close to 50 with grey hair but still feel I have something to contribute. Have faith. Keep writing.
thank you x you are right x I need to believe in me, write for me and write from the heart about things that really matter to me and to mine x Thank you x
Blogs that are just review after review after review do not interest me!
I just enjoy reading about bloggers ‘normal day to day lives’ rather than that they have been somewhere / done something / used something mainly for review processes.
Your blog works perfectly as it is, I personally don’t think you need to do reviews, just keep the blog as your thoughts and diary which I find educating and inspiring x
thank you so much x x x x x
No advice really lovely but I want to let you know that I’ve read your blog for years now and you write so beautifully.
With three children and writing a blog of my own I don’t read as many blogs as I used to but yours is one I always come back too. X
Read it for years love your blog honest thoughts….
Favourite bits: reflections on parenting , thoughts on education your children’s and generally, day trip reviews, home ed, reviews of theatre/places you guys go to
Least favourite … Reviews of products I skim to be honest. Particularly repeats like fleet tutors!
Keep blogging and don’t fall into the trap of seeing likes and comments as motivation I suspect you have a strong following who are quiet! X
I agree with previous comments, especially that you have many silent readers. I was one for a long time myself. But now, when possible, I like to comment.
I also read because you write from the heart; so honestly and so eloquently. I like following your schooling journey but your life and thoughts in general too.
My family is much older than yours so the reviews aren’t of interest to me particularly but your opinions can be and I often marvel at what is available now compared to when I had my youngest 10 years ago, let alone my eldest 19 years ago!
Please keep writing, knowing that journaling your lives is a wonderful record for later years. xx
Hi Jennie
Please don’t be so harsh upon yourself. We have loved working with you and want to continue to work with you!
From a personal viewpoint we love your outlook and honesty. From a professional point you have used our Brush-Baby products with all 4 of your children, and we hope to be of service when your baby daughter is born.
From a professional viewpoint we are working on a new campaign and would like to work with you and your children as they have ‘grown up’ with Brush-Baby.
Brush-Baby haven’t got a stand this year, but I will be at the show. Would you like to set up a meeting time for the Friday 3rd March when it will be convenient to meet up? Drop me an email with your preferences i.e. location and time and your mobile number and let’s sort something out!
Regards
Marian