This thing called blogging...

So lately I have been thinking about blogging and how things have changed and are changing. When I first starting reading blogs about 3 or 4 years ago, it seemed that most moms wrote about their kids and the things going on in their life.  I followed a few "bigger" bloggers who were part of BlogHer that did reviews and giveaways but that was it.

It seems like today's mom blogs are vastly different, but each unique.

First, let me say a little bit about blogging in general---

Blog- a blend of the word, web log.

A blog  is a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video.

There are many different types of blogs, differing not only in the type of content, but also in the way that content is delivered or written.

• Personal blogs-These are an ongoing diary or commentary by an individual. It is the most common blog. Blogs are more than a way to just communicate; they become a way to reflect on life, or works of art. Few personal blogs rise to fame and the mainstream, but some personal blogs quickly gather an extensive following.
• Corporate and organizational blogs-A blog can be private or it can be for business purposes. These blogs are used internally to enhance the communication and culture in a corporation or externally for marketing, branding or public relation purposes.
• Blogs by genre-Some blogs focus on a particular subject, such as politics, traveling (also known as travelogs), home decorating, fashion, projects, and education.  Two common types of genre blogs are art and music blogs. 
• By media type-A blog comprising videos is called a vlog or one comprising photos is called a photoblog.  However, a blog may contain vlogs and photos as well as writing.***
• Social blogging-This type of blogging is what most of do.  In actuality, a blog can be considered more than one "type."  As bloggers work to increase traffic to their site, they socialize in different avenues such as Twitter and Facebook.

and last, but certainly not least---

Mommy Blogs---

• Reviewers: Product reviews and giveaways are the name of the game for these bloggers. They are typically PR friendly and have clear guidelines around what they are interested in reviewing, how much notice they need, and what they expect from you. They generally generate a lot of traffic and comments.
• Personal: Personal blogs focus on the realities of parenting, the struggles, the milestones, the highs and the lows.
• Issues: These mom blogs have a specific slant and community such as green bloggers, feminist bloggers, military wives, cancer survivors or adoptive mothers to name a few.  
• Specialists: One of the biggest mom blogger niches is cooking, baking and meal planning. There are hundreds of blogs devoted to baking, nutrition, vegetarian meals, local/organic, and frugal food ideas.
• Mix: These bloggers write their personal posts interspersed with reviews and giveaways. These blogs tend to have a built in, loyal community that is both interested in what a blogger has to say as well as keen to enter contests and read reviews.

So, about mom blogs.  I would consider myself a personal mom blogger.  As of now, I am perfectly happy writing about my life and connecting with other bloggers. I don't feel the need to "brand" myself.  I think that is what I see as one of the major changes.  A LOT of mom bloggers are doing this now. 

 

The reason I included so much depth on blogging is because it is a HUGE market now and there are so many different types and reasons for blogging.

 

Today, moms run businesses through blogs, Twitter and Facebook.  A goal of mom/women bloggers is to generate a large amount of traffic to their blog.  As traffic comes, then begins the money making process.  The goal is to sell ads on the blog or to get business for whatever your business may be.  Selling ads is a very lucrative and busy business.  To put yourself out there and sell yourself and your blog, you have to have a brand.

 

It is true with many business and celebrities as well. 

 

You are trying to sell your blog, your brand.

 

Ways to create your brand are to have a specific name, create a purpose, have a specific design, blog with consistency, publicize your blog utilizing social media and be friendly and accessible.  People who design blogs and provide stand on your own servers are all the rage.  Everyone wants a unique design and the ability to control their website.

 

This a great article from the NY Times about Mommy Blog Branding.

 

Along with blog branding has come the explosion of blog conferences.  Some blog conferences of note are:

 BlogHer, Bloggy Boot Camp, Blissdom, Mom 2.0 Summit, Chicks who Click, South by Southwest, Blogalicious, SOBCon, SheCon, Altitude Design Summit and Type A Parent Conference. Many states have regional blog conferences as well.

 

Blogging has definitely changed from being a scrapbook or a hobby.  It has now become a full-fledged business.

 

So, what do you think of the changes in blogging?

Do you have a blog brand?

 

 

 

***Some of this info was compiled by the all-knowing Wikipedia.***