So now that I've shared a bit about where I've come from, in the blogging sense, it is time to look forward.
I'm working several great things. I'm a big advocate of moms getting paid to market brands. I know how much time and effort it takes to set up reviews, do giveaways, build your blog readership, run contests, follow up and generally run a blog. It is work. Work deserves to be paid. However, I understand that reviews cannot be paid since it ruins the credibility of the reviewer. So I opened a site and community that connects mom bloggers, teaches them how to run a campaign, offers them campaign opportunities and pays them for doing so. Intorducing, Marketing By Moms.
I'm also running a women's site with my long time business partner, Danielle Hayes. Girly Gazette started out as True Femme and grew into a daily ezine for women who like to read about everything that womanhood has to offer. Every woman who wishes to post an article on our site is welcome to do so. We believe in diversity and encourage our readers to also be the writers of Girly Gazette.
I am marketing for companies like Collective Bias. I do a lot freelance work now days. My family is getting older and costing us more each year! We depend on my income to survive and so I choose to work from home. Is it easy? Nope. It down right sucks some days when my kids want to go to the park and I have to explain that mom has to work. They are not used to it, but it is a fact of life.
My biggest project and future goal is a talk show. I'm working on the creation and marketing of a talk show by moms, for moms and about moms. Think of The View for moms. A panel of moms who are diverse and yet have a common goal of connecting with moms all over the nation. This is where I plan on being within the next two years. I invite you to come and visit me on the set, when I finally get there!
And that about sums it up for my online work. I will update you on the family in a coming post.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Looking Back
Sometimes in life, it is important to look back and reflect on our journey. I've been alive for 31 years now and it has been an amazing journey. I've been blogging for over six years now and that has also been an amazing journey in and of itself. It has become part of my life DNA. If somebody would have told me when I started blogging that it would pave the way to a career, I would have laughed. Blogging was my cathartic outlet and nothing more. There was a greater plan, that I did not see at the time. Looking back, I realize now that it has become not just a career tool, but a way of life for me and a portal into the future.
I've blogged about my family. My kids say and do hilarious things and like every other mother, I feel the need to tell the world about it. Unlike every mother, I realize that most of the world really couldn't care about my hilarious kids and get annoyed if I try and tell them. So I blogged and made it available to those who do want to hear about it.
I've blogged my personal struggles. Life is not a smoothly paved road. It can be encouraging to know that others go through trials as well. It is my joy to help other women see that they are not alone in their struggles. I have been so blessed to hear back from people who my blogging has helped. It makes what I do very valuable to me.
I've blogged about products. I tried the whole review blogging movement and learned a valuable lesson from it. I suck at review blogging. It is not my passion. I was not meant to blog about products, except when they play an integral part in my life. Sometimes, it can be just as important to know what you are not meant to do, as it is what you are.
I've blogged about humorous things. Mostly the topics were controversial things like religion, politics and things that irritate me. That was also a good lesson. Either people loved it and love me for it, or hated it and stopped liking me for it. It was a true lesson in "You are what you blog."
I've blogged about blogging. As time passed and I became more knowledgeable about blogging, I had people asking me how I did it. I started to be a teacher of blogging. I did not say expert, because I do not know everything there is to know about blogging. I merely share what I know with those who ask me to share.
I've blogged about the birth of something called social media, being on television, moving into marketing, connecting with moms and my dream of hosting a television show for moms, by moms.
While my personal life is constantly evolving and my path is being created every day, blogging has become part of my very fabric and that will never change.
I've blogged about my family. My kids say and do hilarious things and like every other mother, I feel the need to tell the world about it. Unlike every mother, I realize that most of the world really couldn't care about my hilarious kids and get annoyed if I try and tell them. So I blogged and made it available to those who do want to hear about it.
I've blogged my personal struggles. Life is not a smoothly paved road. It can be encouraging to know that others go through trials as well. It is my joy to help other women see that they are not alone in their struggles. I have been so blessed to hear back from people who my blogging has helped. It makes what I do very valuable to me.
I've blogged about products. I tried the whole review blogging movement and learned a valuable lesson from it. I suck at review blogging. It is not my passion. I was not meant to blog about products, except when they play an integral part in my life. Sometimes, it can be just as important to know what you are not meant to do, as it is what you are.
I've blogged about humorous things. Mostly the topics were controversial things like religion, politics and things that irritate me. That was also a good lesson. Either people loved it and love me for it, or hated it and stopped liking me for it. It was a true lesson in "You are what you blog."
I've blogged about blogging. As time passed and I became more knowledgeable about blogging, I had people asking me how I did it. I started to be a teacher of blogging. I did not say expert, because I do not know everything there is to know about blogging. I merely share what I know with those who ask me to share.
I've blogged about the birth of something called social media, being on television, moving into marketing, connecting with moms and my dream of hosting a television show for moms, by moms.
While my personal life is constantly evolving and my path is being created every day, blogging has become part of my very fabric and that will never change.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Paying It Forward With Hershey and Walmart
I have been talking with Twitter friends this week about paying it forward and was so pleased to learn that many of us believe in the concept and practice it regularly. If you want to go and check out what they had to say about it, just search Twitter with the #betterbasket hashtag. Then, I told my friends that we would all have the chance to pay it forward starting March 18th. Well, today is that day and here is the project that I've been so excited to announce:
I was chosen to help Collective Bias do a fun project with Hershey to benefit The Children's Miracle Network for Easter. This project has two parts.
First: A group of Collective Bias members got to make baskets to give away to a family or person of our choosing, just as a means of spreading kindness. Walmart was so kind to provide each of our group members with a $100 gift card to use in creating the baskets. So I chose to have my "Girly Gab" group make 2 baskets for families in need in our area. You can see all of our baskets here. Here is our story:
Second: We ALL get to write a post about how we pay it forward or show kindness to others as part of a Better Basket Blog Hop that runs until Easter. The really awesome part is that Hershey has offered to donate $10 per blog post to the Children's Miracle Network! Isn't that completely amazing? I thought so and was thrilled to be a part of this wonderful example of performing acts of kindness. What a great way to teach my kids to pay it forward and involve bloggers from all over the world in creating happiness for a very deserving group of children! I am pleased to present the rules of the Better Basket Blog Hop and give all of my readers the opportunity to take part! I am listing specific bloggers who I'm passing the virtual basket to, but everyone is welcome to start the hop on their own blogs as well!
And now, I proudly pass the basket to:
Jennifer at http://www.hipasiwannabe.com/about/
Sarah at http://www.theohanamama.com
Greg at http://www.tellingdad.com
Jennie at http://beehiveandbirdsnest.blogspot.com/
Daphne at http://www.coolmom.com
Karen Vogel at http://www.suburbancorrespondent.blogspot.com/
All contributors here at Girly Gazette!
How can you join the #betterbasket blog hop?
"HERSHEY'S BETTER BASKET BLOG HOP" RULES:
* Copy and paste these rules to your blog post.
* Create a blog post of giving a virtual Easter Basket to another blogger - you
can give as many Virtual Baskets as you want.
*Copy this code and paste it into the HTML of your post or in your sidebar:
* Link back to person who gave you an Easter Basket.
* Let each person you are giving a Virtual Easter Basket know you have given them
a Basket.
* Leave your link at http://betterbasket.info/bloghop/
where you can also find the official rules of this #betterbasket blog hop and more
information about Better Basket with Hershey’s.
* Hershey's is donating 10$ per each blog participating to the Better Basket Blog
Hop to Children's Miracle Network (up to total of $5,000 by blog posts written
by April 4th, 2010).
* Please note that only one blog post by each blog url will count towards the
donation. "
(I am not getting paid to do this post or run this campaign to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network. I got a gift card for $100 from Walmart to build the baskets, but every penny was used for the baskets. I am doing this because I care and want make some children happy. Please help me help them. Thank you so much!)
I was chosen to help Collective Bias do a fun project with Hershey to benefit The Children's Miracle Network for Easter. This project has two parts.
First: A group of Collective Bias members got to make baskets to give away to a family or person of our choosing, just as a means of spreading kindness. Walmart was so kind to provide each of our group members with a $100 gift card to use in creating the baskets. So I chose to have my "Girly Gab" group make 2 baskets for families in need in our area. You can see all of our baskets here. Here is our story:
Second: We ALL get to write a post about how we pay it forward or show kindness to others as part of a Better Basket Blog Hop that runs until Easter. The really awesome part is that Hershey has offered to donate $10 per blog post to the Children's Miracle Network! Isn't that completely amazing? I thought so and was thrilled to be a part of this wonderful example of performing acts of kindness. What a great way to teach my kids to pay it forward and involve bloggers from all over the world in creating happiness for a very deserving group of children! I am pleased to present the rules of the Better Basket Blog Hop and give all of my readers the opportunity to take part! I am listing specific bloggers who I'm passing the virtual basket to, but everyone is welcome to start the hop on their own blogs as well!
And now, I proudly pass the basket to:
Jennifer at http://www.hipasiwannabe.com/about/
Sarah at http://www.theohanamama.com
Greg at http://www.tellingdad.com
Jennie at http://beehiveandbirdsnest.blogspot.com/
Daphne at http://www.coolmom.com
Karen Vogel at http://www.suburbancorrespondent.blogspot.com/
All contributors here at Girly Gazette!
How can you join the #betterbasket blog hop?
"HERSHEY'S BETTER BASKET BLOG HOP" RULES:
* Copy and paste these rules to your blog post.
* Create a blog post of giving a virtual Easter Basket to another blogger - you
can give as many Virtual Baskets as you want.
*Copy this code and paste it into the HTML of your post or in your sidebar:
* Link back to person who gave you an Easter Basket.
* Let each person you are giving a Virtual Easter Basket know you have given them
a Basket.
* Leave your link at http://betterbasket.info/bloghop/
where you can also find the official rules of this #betterbasket blog hop and more
information about Better Basket with Hershey’s.
* Hershey's is donating 10$ per each blog participating to the Better Basket Blog
Hop to Children's Miracle Network (up to total of $5,000 by blog posts written
by April 4th, 2010).
* Please note that only one blog post by each blog url will count towards the
donation. "
(I am not getting paid to do this post or run this campaign to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network. I got a gift card for $100 from Walmart to build the baskets, but every penny was used for the baskets. I am doing this because I care and want make some children happy. Please help me help them. Thank you so much!)
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Thursday, March 04, 2010
The POWER MOM List
Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!
The following women may look like mild manner booger wipers, but in reality…they are POWER MOMS. Each gifted with a unique and awesome super power, the following women rock the cradle and the world!
* @MissLori has the power to host a show on PBS.
* @KeyPractices has the power to run an online Live Streaming network for moms.
* @Babysoup3 has the power to see auras and know people’s hearts.
* @fullcircle_mel has the power to love children who have been neglected or hurt by their birth parents, and sometimes to let them go.
* @ButtercupBarnes has the power to work 3 different jobs, all to benefit others.
* @Military_Mom has the power to take a social media licking and keep on ticking, and not let negative words effect her.
* @LifeWithTheDiva has the power to take a traumatic life situation and turn it into an opportunity for her family to learn a new language.
* @AlexCaseyBaby has the power to simultaneously take a shower, watch my kids, & write an award-winning blog post
* @Mktg_Mama has the power to exhibit super human patience.
* @AWelbaum has the power to look beyond the development delays and see the humor, inspiration, and love of her son.
* @myGOMOM has the power to be extremely organized and inspirational.
* @HighImpactMom has the power to connect, share, Tweet and raise her family.
* @SugarJones has the power to be REAL.
* @SITSGirls has the power to support thousands of women bloggers.
* @PostPartumIII has the power of incessant talking.
* @herbadmother has the power of going days without sleep, subsisting on Cheerios, leaping over Lego buildings in a single bound…
* @FroggyPrinceMom has the power to be physically disabled yet somehow keep up with her sensory-seeking son.
* @writegal has the power to teach her daughter how to love, be respectful, and use proper grammar.
* @unexperiencedmom has the power to help others as a therapist.
* @rockdrool has the power to be completely transparent and hilarious.
* @zipporahs has the power to run several websites for women.
* @Mamanista (Debbie) has the power to balance a brilliant, high powered career in marketing while giving back to her community.
* @organizersandy has the power to professionally organize, be a pediatric RN, blogger on 4 blogs and raise 8 step children.
* @totallytoni has the power to be a Blogging Momma, Pharmacy Tech, House Cleaner, Shopping Fanatic, Mom of 3
* @theappleofmyeye has the power to rock social media and run several websites.
* @TheYoungMommy has the power to recognize how hard motherhood is and encourage other moms.
* @carlsbadryan has the power to always make time to get down on the floor and play w/ her kids & show them they come first.
* @jenbshaw has the power to follow her own path and do what she thinks is right, not just for her but for her family.
* @DrMommy has the power to know what she is expected to do, raise happy, healthy, confident, independent & stable children who are proud of who they are.
* @AliWorthington has the power to operate on four hours of sleep.
* @DivaMomNYC has the power to not let being a mom stop her from having a life as a woman! And she uses her mom powers for good not evil!
* @DanielleMHayes has the power to take enough time to blow bubbles with her son and I let him have real live pets not cheesy battery operated hamsters which attributes to the compassion he already has.
* @LastMinuteMandy has the power to be nice by giving her kids three scoops of ice cream.
* @AlainaFrederick has the power to shake her butt like a rock star with her kids.
* @citythreads has the power to tak her son to a million specialists including a medical intuitive to figure out his behavior issues.
* @barefootfoodie has the power to realize that all the hard work, the times I tell my kids to wait one more second, respect I try to garner as a woman in a male dominated world of humor, is paying off, not in spite of being a mom, but because of it.
* @IamSucceeding has the power to put her health first and be a good example for her kids.
* @AnotherMomof2 has the power to let her one year old style her hair and her 4 year old have “picnic lunch” in living room.
* @mentallyinked has the power to get up & leave the house at 6:30 to drive 50 mi to take her kid to school when she could sleep in.
* @star4laughs has the power to raise great kids.
* @AngryJulie has the power to work full-time, parent, volunteer with Junior League, blog, but be slightly insane. Married for almost 12 yrs.
* @CecilyK has the power to blog for six years and counting.
* @SweetSadieMarie has the power to live life with humor and grace…. teach with a gentle heart and give the best hugs.
* @themorrisbunch has the power to laugh at almost anything.
* @missblondie919 has the power to be a hot single mama who appreciates the little things in life, like friendship.
* @shanamama9197 has the power to run the house like a single mom while her husband has to work and go to school on his days off.
* @ElenaVerlee has the power to be professional, dedicated, and beautiful. She wants everyone to succeed and provides the tools so you can!
* @busymommymedia has the power to handle temper tantrums in public.
* @caiafacraziness has the power to be generous to perfect strangers as well as friends.
* @jenniebakesalot has the power to sew her own clothing and bake like Betty Crocker.
* @householdsix has the power to be a military mom to a large family.
* @thebloggess has the power to put on lipstick without a mirror.
* @MariaMelee has the power to be the best at being her, the best at being the mother of her sons, and the best at being her husband’s wife and best friend. We think that’s pretty remarkable!
And the list will keep on growing as long as there are women who are willing to admit that they are powerful! Please give these women a hand or better yet, follow them on Twitter and Stumble this list!
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