ATTENTION BUSINESSES AND PR COMPANIES:
I am a “Mummy Blogger”. Well, actually I prefer to call myself a blogger. I am a Mum who blogs, but I reserve the word mummy for my kids as I find other people calling me that a little creepy. And anyway I don’t just blog about my kids, I sometimes blog about my husband, boobs, my belly and any other topic which pops randomly into my head after a bottle of wine.
I blog about a lot of different topics. I live an interesting, eclectic life. I work, I socialise, I clean, I mother, I watch tv, I know about politics and business and shit. I DID NOT HAVE A LOBOTOMY.
See the picture above of the skinny, hot woman standing beside her abnormally large, sparkling clean oven – that is not me. So, why oh why do women who blog automatically get categorised as women who live to clean their house, buy their husband’s polo neck shirts, talk only about their children incessantly, get excited about picking the perfect My Family sticker for their station wagon and whose idea of fun is scurrying around the supermarket searching out the latest healthy snack options for the whole family. You know, give a mum who blogs a block of chocolate and the latest Parenting magazine and she’ll be so excited she might even give her husband a blowie to celebrate. WRONG. We all know blowies are strictly for Christmas and birthdays.
Here’s the thing, on the weekend I went to a national blogging conference, the Digital Parent’s conference. There were stands there promoting their products and everyone got a goodie bag. The companies which chose to get involved were very clever because us women we like to buy stuff. The only thing that troubled me is that it was pretty clear the only companies who truly knew the value of this emerging force in communication – bloggers – were cleaning companies and other products deemed “motherly”. I shit you not, there was even a three-part instructional video on how to clean. I cleaned that straight into bin, without even having to watch it.
I am not having a go at those businesses, there’s definitely a place for those products. They’re the smart businesses. They’ve recognised the reach of bloggers and are harnessing it. There’s just so many that are not. They are lagging behind eating homemade pie and drinking Milo with their patronising stereotypes.
C’mon businesses out there get with the program – women are no longer stuck in the 1950s model of being the perfect housewife. We are a varied bunch. Parents are a varied bunch. You know there were actually men at this conference too (insert sarcasm here). And there were women who work in high-powered industries, women who like adventure sports, women who read books (other than just ones with pictures in them), women who drink vodka, women who craft, women who travel, women who do not know how to cook and women who hire cleaners. You know there are women who clean a lot – I’m one of them, but I also like sitting on the couch in my knickers, drinking gin and tonics while watching the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, while flicking to the Sky News Business Channel in the ad breaks. Businesses with their gingham blinkers on are missing out on some very viable business propositions. Us bloggers are a loud bunch, we talk, we communicate directly with consumers and we are business savvy. It’s about time businesses start taking notice.
Community Service Announcement over.
Thanks,
bigwords x
Yes! Exactly. I have not needed breast pads for 10 years. And unless there is gin in a sippy cup, I’m not interested.
You are my hero B. xxx
As I mentioned in my post conference round up – swap the disposable breast pads for Tena Lady pads because all that laughing and weak pelvic floor muscles mean one thing…damp pants.
I think the Hallmark approach was a BRILLIANT one. They were thinking outside their very own little purple gift box.
Well said and bravo.
I would like to see a Vodka Company come on board next year and set up a stand with a mechanical bull. It would GO OFF!
Slow clap and whistle. Now that is truly inspired thinking. Now to make it happen.
Why were there not reps or freebies from wine companies, booze distributors, online clothing retailers, IT gadgets ??? … etc etc … you know the things that real people are actually interested in? Or even chocolate? This list is endless because bloggers are endlessly interesting. Cleaning products are not.
I have approached Absolut Vodka. And radio silence from their end. Absolut radio silence. Heh.
amen
I agree! Again! You are eloquent and smart in representing the views of many, me included. I have mucho experience approaching sponsors for conferences given it was once my day job and companies need to think more broadly about these things than they do at the moment. Xx
I got home and told my DH that there were some cleaning samples for him to check out if he wished. I have not seen them since.
Loved meeting all the interesting and talented bloggers, who are also interesting and talented people. Well said.
While I gratefully accepted all the swag bag goodies (& appreciate how hard it must be to get anything from any company!) I think you raise a valid point! Bloggers are more than just house cleaning mums and hopefully some savvy companies come on board next year proffering products that bloggers of all sexes and ages can enjoy .
What she said! x
YES! We might be mums but above all we’re just people with interests and brains, just like any other woman, man or child.
I stashed the Hallmark stuff and the chocolate and left all the rest in my hotel room. Tommee tippee is very last decade for me , thank god. xx
So bloody true (says the non-mummy).
I can’t believe there was a “how to clean” dvd, that’s offensive shit
YES YES YES …you are so right….that DVD was ??!? Thanks B, always a good read when you write. XX
It’s just insulting, it really is. Such a shame these companies aren’t seeing the big picture and recognising the talent that’s really out there. They could be raking it in if they did their homework properly.
Great post.
CJ x
Three-part instructional video on how to clean?
Huh!
Reminds me of the How to Raise Your Children booklet (not even a real book) my mum sent me one year when my third baby was about six months old. which I tossed without opening the first page.
I LIKE it!
Awesome post, Bianca! Women buy more than cleaning and beauty and child products. We even buy cars! Book holidays, buy iPads and digital cameras. Get with the program, brands!
p.s. I hope it’s okay, I’ve added you to my Blog Posts of the Week on my blog.
CJ x
My blog i s not a “mummy” blog, but it is a blog about stuff and includes anti cleaning rants etc. There is tiny bit of a reference to cooking and my children, but mostly these are off limits. So I basically don’t get a look in from readers or marketing trolls. Unfortunately the mummy tag is almost de rigueur (sp?) to get an audience in the blog world – or post good photos. I must say I was pleasantly suprised with your blog. To be honest, I thought it was a writing blog and the title would mean it ws all sharing and not caring about book chapters – but it isn’t, and it is fun and not mummyish. Bye
Oh my I laughed at the blowie reference!
A vodka stand…now you’re on to something here. I think I’d seriously molest that stand and I’d really love the freebies. Sorry, but not every mother drinks wine *yawn*
Mr Karen and I went through my goodie bag together, and we could not get over the amount of cleaning products. And Enjo, the DVD on cleaning? That shit needs recycling, quick smart. I could almost understand it … but a 3 volume DVD?
This is why I cannot ever see myself trying to work with brands, because they try to market us into tidy little wifeys who spend their days just wiping up other people’s messes. The blogs represented at the DP conference are as individual as the people writing them. Brands need to stop seeing us as an entire genre of blogger, and more as bloggers. And we need to stop making it so easy for them to assume we can be so easily packaged up as ‘mum bloggers’. As Oscar Wilde said, “if you assume and you make an ass out of ‘u’ and me”.
I dont care if you call me childish but I read the word “blowies” & then laughed out loud…you=funny
My husband got so excited about the cleaning prods I probs won’t have to give a blowie on his birthday.
You weren’t even a little bit tempted to watch that video? x
Hahahahahahaha. Three-part instructional video on how to clean. Hahahahahahahahaha. Dare I point out that you’re not going to get much cleaning done while watching all three parts? Great post.
Was amazed at volume of cleaning gear! Admittedly a little excited cos I am one of those cleaning type Mummy bloggers and it has saved me a shitload in the lead up to moving house… But I’d like to have seen equal weight in chocolate and alcohol. Because that’s what I needed most at the end of that day!
Excellent post.
My husband practically squealed when he saw the tv screen cleaning supplies. Part because he has OCD tendencies and part because I have recategorised every possible cleaning job in the house as a ‘man job’
Oh well said, Bianca! Let’s hope they’re listening — it’d be in their best interests, that’s for sure. I’m keen to see Mrs Woog’s suggestion come to fruition – bring it on!
Absolutely. PR companies have to stop thinking of us a collective and startt thinking of us as diverse individuals who happen to have a vagina. That showbag was definitely cleaning-product heavy. I shall pass these items on to my cleaner.
Well said, Bianca.
And I would totally listen to a fellow blogger’s opinion on a product over a ‘celebrity’ trying to sell me something. Any day.
Well said, B. xox
I think I tossed that dvd and cleaning stuff in the back of the cupboard under the sink with all the other cleaning products I will use one day (maybe). Now if they had supplied a set of mini vodka bottles in different flavours and an iPhone accessory pack instead I’d be well happy! You never know, could be in DPCON13’s goodie bag! (crossing all extremities)
I wasn’t there but I agree wholeheartedly! I’d be disappointed if I got a bag of cleaning products!!
I’ve just popped over as I’m finally catching up on FYBF… and I think I’m in love with you…
Have given you a “like” and a “follow” anyhow. 😉