Last night at dinner, Chris and I were talking about my blogs. He was asking about the IZEA Insider program, how much time it would take up, whether I would be paid (answers-not sure, and no). I told him that I felt so guilty about asking companies to send me products to review for the holidays and then saying yes to so many requests that I became unable to keep up. I’m a 41 year old educated woman, it didn’t occur to me to make some kind of schedule, or fill in a calendar page so I knew when to say no thank you, I have enough already?
Apparently not. Christmas is not supposed to be about stress. It’s supposed to be about being covered in flour from all the cookie baking and trying to find room on the tree for one more Snowman ornament and actually sending out the Christmas Cards BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
You know what’s nice? People wanting to pay me to have their ad appear on this blog. But you know what’s nicer? People wanting to READ THIS BLOG. Chris said something to me at dinner last night that really shook me. I can’t stop thinking about it. He said…
“I used to give people your Table for Five URL so they could catch up on what was going on in the family. I don’t do that any more. It’s just gotten so commercialized.”
Whoa. Once again, I’ve let myself get swept up in the appeal of sponsorship. I’m not going to lie to you, I LIKE that companies want to send me their products in exchange for getting a link in a blog post here. It’s pretty flattering, you know? Except, not only was I completely unable to post all the links because I said yes to too many people, but I completely buried the whole point of this blog in the first place.
I didn’t name this blog “Products In Exchange for Blog Posts”. And I’m sure most readers wouldn’t mind seeing a few more product review posts at the holidays, it seems like every blog I read is reviewing products these days. But once again, I find myself wrestling with (and posting about, of course) the whole “what is this blog for and what do I want to do with it?” thing.
I hope anyone still reading this doesn’t mind me working out these thoughts in a post. And I hope any companies or advertisers who might subscribe to my feed will understand what I’m trying to say here. I have too much respect for the whole process of word-of-mouth marketing to treat it like it’s not important. It costs money to take a product that a company could otherwise sell and pay to ship it to me, right? So the trade-off is, they get a link here, which hopefully increases the company’s ranking in search engine searches, and hopefully also sends a reader or two over to the website to even more hopefully make a purchase. I understand my place in that process. But, is this the blog I want to use to participate in that process?
People, I think I just answered my own question. I’m going to wrap up this post now, here’s a photo I took of Kaitlyn with our Dickens Village Skating Pond, which she finds fascinating and could watch for hours. If you read this far, thank you. And if you feel like leaving me a comment, maybe tell me what you are up to today, that would be great. It’s Nathan’s BIRTHDAY today, so I’ll have a birthday post later today.
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I have been following your blog for almost two years now. I think each of us often questions what it is we want our blog to represent. As someone starting to branch out into reviews more these days, I will be watching to see how things go. Good luck.
Today we will be staying in. The Chanukah party we had was canceled thanks to the snow storm. Lots of laundry, rest (after a night in the ER) and stuff like that.
Happy birthday to Nathan.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. This blogging thing is a constantly evolving process – at least you learned something important. I’m learning that lesson too. Don’t ya hate it, though, when your husband teaches you the lesson?
Happy birthday to Nathan! Have a wonderful holiday – my Noah’s birthday is Christmas Eve. I know what it’s like.
What a very thoughtful post, Elizabeth. I think that all of us tend to get wrapped up in the individual things we are working on and often forget to take a step back and view our work as a whole.
And, with cash and other incentives involved, it can become difficult for many to find a balance, especially as you become more successful. However, the fact that you are taking the time to consider these issues really shows your commitment to providing your sponsors and your readers the best you can give and both should be appreciative of your efforts.
Thanks again for sharing this!
Carri
It is tricky, as you have to determine what you think the readers want to see. Some may like the itmes you show, others may prefer the home life, as perhaps I do. You have to strike a happy medium.
Twitter: AccidentalMommy
(27 comments.) says:
This is a tough one and a question I have pondered more myself recently. I get so much traffic that is just there to enter a giveaway and nothing more. I want to create community on my site, allow friends and family to see what is going on with us, review products along the way and give some of those great products away.
I know some people have separate blogs for separate things but I can barely keep up with one.
Good luck trying to find balance and Merry Christmas!
First and foremost I want to say that I am not referring to your blog specifically, but the reviews on some blogs are getting out of control. I don’t know what company some of these people are working for, but they are surely over saturating some blog owners to where their blogs have become boring to me and I stop reading, not to mention leave a bad taste in my mouth about the review company, and their products.
Everyone has their own style of blogs they like to read, and mine happens to be mom blogs. Real women, working outside the home, working inside the home, raising kids, and building a happy family unit. I enjoy seeing families Christmas tree pictures, and first day of school pics. Maybe a lost tooth pic, or a first time on a bike pic. Those kind of things are real to me, and with all the reviews, some mom bloggers have just completely lost sight of why they started blogging in the first place.
I’m so glad I’m not the only 41 year old mom feeling this way! I’ve loved reading your blog and completely understand the appeal of doing reviews for companies. I’ve had the opportunity to evaluate so pretty cool stuff, but I too feel very overwhelmed. I will be re-evaluating my blog as well because I haven’t felt the passion I want to when writing posts. I wish you the best in deciding the future of your blog!
I’ve been waffling over creating a separate blog for product reviews but so much of the fun for me in reviewing stuff is doing so with my kids… it’s kind of hand-in-hand. I, too, am waaay behind on posting this holiday season because I would really rather spend time with my family. And also I like to write more than a glib one-line mention about a product, which means that when I do reviews, they take some time. Is it too much time? It depends. That is something we always wrestle with…
Happy day Nathan!
Good luck in figuring out the balance. Personally, I like reading other mom’s opinions of items more than seeing/hearing about their day to day life (for the most part/unless I’ve met them personally). That’s just me though – I’m an information junkie!
The great thing about blogs is that they can be whatever you want them to be. As long as you’re staying true to YOUR vision for YOUR blog, then great! Happy New Year…
Twitter: bcmom
(103 comments.) says:
Balance – I guess that’s what all of us are looking for, and few of us actually find.
I like that your reviews usually involve your kids. I like hearing what a real family thinks about real products. I also like pictures of your kids, just because, and learning about how they’re doing in school, or the cute things Kaitlyn says. I think it’s all a package, and if you have to cut back on reviews so you can spend more time with the family or do justice to the reviews you choose to do, then that’s what you have to do. Keep working at it until you find the balance that’s right for you.
I will tell you that I am amazed at all that you accomplish and many times wonder how you do it all!
Twitter: tanyetta
(67 comments.) says:
Do what works for YOU. People (that TRULY care and know your heart) will continue to visit NO MATTER what.
Look at how LONG I’ve been a follower. Ummmm you remember the late night emails from me in frantic MODE over everything?
OH the joys of new parenting all over again.
As long as you continue to post updates about your family, in addition to your obligations that you’ve signed up to do, sounds like a healthy balance.
Twitter: dawniemom
(22 comments.) says:
That’s exactly why I started my review blog and try to keep all my reviews there. Its hard, though, when you’re a 1 income family and you hve the opportunity to make some money or get a product for free – it’s a tough balance.
I’ve been reading and subscribing to your post for months and I haven’t noticed the sponsorship through the links you provided from some of your posts. I thought, it’s all a personal reviews from you. lols
Happy birthday to Nathan! Did you guys do anything fun?
I will say I don’t mind the enter-to-win things like a Sears gift card or what not, those are fun to see and dream about.
If you really want to know what I’m up to, in a sentence: Snow, snow, sewing, and did I mention, snow?
Seriously, my area broke a record for snowfall in a 24 hour period. Total mayhem. And I get to use the snowblower on the driveway by my little old self later today because hubby’s out of town (again) for work. Oh, and I’m perpetually loading woodstoves so we don’t freeze. *sigh* Working on making the Christmas gifts is kinda fun though.
Hi, I’m from “Mums over 40″ stopping by to wish you “Merry Christmas” before I hit my hometown for the holidays.
Balance is the key word. I wish I hadn’t got so caught up in making money blogging about things not relevant to my blog and my life. It sure did help our finances though. Now, I am more choosey.
Happy Birthday to Nathan, belated.
Happy Bday to Nathan..Have a blessed christmas!
Ness
World of Technology
MyLittleHome
Twitter: petitemommy
(3 comments.) says:
I wrote a similar post on my personal blog a few days ago.
I took on way too much during the holidays as well. For the new year I’m slowing down and delegating tasks. I was looking over my earnings from last month where I did the most reviews and noticed a significant decrease in income. So I’m focusing my efforts on content in the new year.
Auntie JJ is teh suk for forgetting to call Nay on his day. As you now know, that was a hard hard day for me… It was the day Dad called…
ANYWAY, I’m still teh suk and tell my sweet pea nephew I’ll be calling him as soon as I get a free minute on Friday to wish him a belated and ask him all about his day.
Oh and can’t wait to see you guys next week! And tell Princess Muffinest to STOP THAT THIS INSTANT!! All that growing up so fast and looking like such a big girl stuff! I will not HAVE my favoritest princess in all the world growing up so fast without me!
What a interesting post to read. I have been thinking about the same thing. It is so hard to find balance and make the right decisions when it comes to product reviews. I have been thinking hard about what direction I want to go in the new year. What changes I want to make. I want to make the most of time for sure. Personally I like your blog and don’t mind the reviews
Just wanted to let you know that I’m thinking about you, I’m reading, and I’m glad you posted this. I like seeing “the woman behind the product”. You are amazing to do all that you do, and I’m not surprised you get overwhelmed. That was a powerful (and brave) statement that Chris made. I hope it helped for you to write things out. I’ll try to catch you on messenger tomorrow. Love you, Honey.
What a great smile she has. Happy (belated) birthday to Nathan, and I’m trying to knock some stuff from my “todo” list to my “done” list.