In the last few weeks I have received many requests from companies asking me to tell my faithful readers about their products. I’ve been asked to write about diapers, make-up, facial tissue, and cell phones. Somewhere along the line, in the last few weeks apparently, Redhead Ranting has become a Mommy Blog.
It’s not.
I’ll repeat that.
I am not a Mommy Blogger. In fact when I had business cards printed this week that is exactly what I printed on the back side of the card. Not A Mommy Blog.
Yes, I talk about my kids but that doesn’t make me a mommy blogger. I found myself somewhat offended by this new status.
I have no problem writing about things I like and certainly no problem at all writing about things I don’t like. I’m not going to write about diapers however. We’ve been out of diapers for at least four years.
Not that I am against writing about these products but for cryin’ out loud send me some of the product or click on my advertising page and pay me to schlep your product.
Just last week I talked about the iPad, the Pope and the winter Olympics. So I have no trouble writing about brand name things. However, if you want to request that I say something specific about your product, rather than make fun of it, it would behoove the publicly traded companies to compensate me for my time and my real estate. I’d be really interested in blogging about a Mercedes, I don’t care what class.
I’ve worked really hard to get people to my blog, I am hardly going to send them to another website without getting paid for it.
As for being a mommy blog, if I ever refer to my kids as DD or DS, or start calling my ex husbands Dex#1 or #2 would someone please shoot me and put me, and my readers, out of my misery?
Aye aye…I cannot agree with you more on driving people to other sites and what not
.-= Ian´s last blog ..Friday Five – Scavenger Hunt III – with a Twist! =-.
Do these people really contact you and NOT offer to pay you? what a bunch of morons. You definitely aren’t a mommy blogger, god forbid – I don’t know about the blog whore part. That sounds like it might be fun.
.-= Sheila Sultani´s last blog ..Banned Superbowl Ads – Advertising Genius (or not) =-.
What is it with every woman blogger being classified as a mommy-blogger? I don’t even write about my kids, but I mentioned in a blogging profile that I have kids and apparently that was enough. My readers come to me to read relationship posts, not about diapers. Plus, my kids are almost teen so I don’t exactly have a way to review their diapers.
If you get that opportunity to review the Merecedes, send them my way too. Now that’s a product that I can find a way to review.
BTW, thanks for stopping by and commenting.
.-= Tina T´s last blog ..Why Won’t He Marry Me? =-.
You are NOT a mommy blogger! And if you start pushing Pampers without being paid for it, I’m going to have to come and visit you to have a talk. Why on earth would someone ask you to push their product and not compensate you for it? If the price was right, I would write an ode to Preparation H, but if I’m not being paid to do it, I promise to never mention that product again! Ugh!
.-= Linda Medrano´s last blog ..The Quest To Earn An Honest Buck =-.
This has me thinking! So if I write about food will I be a food blogger and people will contact me to review meals and resturants? That’d be SWEET! Yum! Lol!
Yeah, if I were you, I’d hold out for the good stuff. 🙂
“I’ve worked really hard to get people to my blog, I am hardly going to send them to another website without getting paid for it.”
Amen to THAT!
.-= meleah rebeccah´s last blog ..Stepping Up To The Plate – And, Wherein I Am Awesome =-.
ROFL This is hilarious! I don’t want my personal blog to become ‘mommy blogger’ either. I call my “DS” (blech) “the boy” or crumb cruncher. I’ve never heard of calling ex’s “Dex” … hmmm. That’s a new one for me.
At least you’ve reached the point when people WANT you to pimp their products. I’m definitely not there yet and will be honored if I ever get contacted to pimp a product. I won’t hold my breath.
I did know I’d made the next “level” in blogging when I started getting the Chinese characters spam comments. =)
.-= megscole64´s last blog ..Happy Friday! =-.
There a lot of companies that want you to write book reviews for free, too. Such is the plight of the writer. Because many will give it away for free, the rest of look like prostitutes if we want to get paid for it. I say, “Show me the money!” (with apologies to Jerry McGuire)
.-= injaynesworld´s last blog ..injaynesworld we reject "A Disposable Society…" =-.
Ian: Do they think we are stupid? That was rhetorical.
Sheila: They really do and I’m not the only one. I see these kinds of posts everywhere. It gives all of us non mommy bloggers a bad rep. I’m a whore, throw me some shwag.
Tina: I’ve found there are two kinds of women bloggers: Mommy Bloggers and non mommy bloggers. Mommy bloggers are really far more slutty than non mommy bloggers. They give it away for free and will give glowing reviews of every product that crosses their desk. Non mommy bloggers give the truth, if they get the gig, and are offended to be lumped in the same category with the Mommy Bloggers. Mommy Bloggers are like the cheerleaders in high school and the non mommy bloggers are the girls who smoked in bathroom.
Linda: I don’t know why, maybe they read all my posts and come to the conclusion that I am a little desperate? There was a time not too long ago where I would have been able to talk knowledgeably about both Pampers and Depends. Nothing like living that sandwich generation dream.
Angelina: Probably. I was invited to an opening of a local restaurant this week as well. No freebies but that’s okay. I told them I would be happy to write a review so they know I’m coming, that should translate to good service and possibly free dessert or drinks.
Meleah: When I consult with wannabe bloggers the first thing I tell them is not to send people away after then brought them there. It’s hard to grasp sometimes.
Meg: I made the Dex one up. Dear Ex Husband? Gag! I have called him all kinds of other names but never want to shorten it and leave it to the imagination. Asshole sounds so much better than AH. Less confusion too.
Jayne: I think that was Cuba Gooding Jr. How can you write a book review without the book? I used to gallys all the time when I had a bookstore, I rarely read them because I just didn’t have the time but at least I got the book instead of having to make it up in my head.
I agree.
Does that cover it? Mommy blogger, diapers, why on earth would you willingly send people away…
I agree (-:
.-= mrsblogalot´s last blog ..Sex, Taxes…What’s the Difference? =-.
Why would they?
.-= mrsblogalot´s last blog ..Sex, Taxes…What’s the Difference? =-.
I can’t agree more about using initals, code names and that crap. What are you, some kind of mommy spy that you use a code word or letters for your kids’ names? COMON! It’s the itnernet and they can find out what your names are… where you live and probably what you ate for breakfast.
Your fellow red head
.-= Jenn Brockman´s last blog ..free makeup samples with purchase – limited time =-.
So, if you’re not a mommy blogger, must you by definition be a blog whore?
Should we get business cards made that say that?
.-= The Mother´s last blog ..Anything a Woman Can Do, A Man Can Do Better =-.
I wrote a post about this topic last summer, I think. I don’t consider myself a mommy blogger either, but I also take offense that the term is offensive. Like Chick Lit. Why are the female terms always made insulting.
Why can’t our kids be part of what we talk about without defining us??
.-= Maureen@IslandRoar´s last blog ..Spin Cycle: Pet Peeves =-.
Jenn is so right. Believe me if someone wants to find you they will. I have first hand experience about this via the Military this week.
I dont read mommy blogs so consider me your affermation that your not one. 😉
.-= peedee´s last blog ..This ones for you… =-.
I love the term blog whore. I think it carries a certain distinction….If some company thinks you are good enough to advertise their product then why would they think you are not worthy of being paid to do this job for them? Not with a bag of diapers either.
.-= Buggys´s last blog ..Health Reform? =-.
Seriously, I see lots of mom-blogs writing about the same products and always assumed someone was paying them…they really contact you to write about Cheerios and Pampers and don’t pay you for it? I always assumed those ladies were getting paid to prattle on about that stuff –who knew anyone would do that for free.
.-= VetTech´s last blog ..NBC LOL =-.
Mrsblogalot: I don’t know, but I have a theory.
Jenn:Spoken like a true redhead.
Mother:I kinda like the idea of Blog Whore on my business cards. It would certainly stand out in a crowd.
Maureen: The term has only become insulting because of the mommy bloggers themselves. You can’t be that cute, that perfect and that schmaltzy without losing credibility.
Peedee: Thanks, scared to ask what happened.
Buggys: I don’t know.
VetTech:I am pretty sure some are getting paid for their services however I also think these companies send out these letters to everyone and hope that someone will think maybe if they take a few freebies they might one day get paid for it. And who knows, they might. I suspect that there is some level to be reached as a blogger that allows you to pick and choose the companies you want to write for(and who will pay you for it). I don’t think I have reached that level yet so they just keep fishing and hoping I will bite.
I don’t consider my blog a mommy blog either. All of a sudden I’m getting stuff in my inbox. I still have to try that wine I got to review. Looking forward to that. And I have a review copy of a cookbook coming soon. I’m really looking forward to that.
I don’t mind doing a review if I get the product, but I’m also getting lots of stuff from marketing people with details about their product, but I’m not blogging about their product unless they put their product in my hands. How do I even know if there product is any good? I’m not taking their word for it.
.-= Lola´s last blog ..Randomness =-.
I love this post. Especially the DD or DS comment. Crack me up! I know what you mean about the whole not getting compensated for free advertising thing. Sometimes when marketing companies email me with an offer to talk about their great product (oh joy!), I see red. When did blogger (mommy blogger especially) become synonymous with sucker? And I don’t define myself as a mommy blogger either. The phrase makes me feel icky.
Good luck with Mercedes. I’ve been asking for a BMW to review for years.
.-= frogmama´s last blog ..Beware of what’s lurking under your sheets =-.
Lola: At least you got some wine. No, I’m not reviewing a product unless I get one for keeps. And then I reserve to make fun of it if necessary.
Frogmama: I feel shame when I think of mommy blogger. No BMW eh? I’d even settle for a KIA.
I would ask what were they thinking, but obviously they weren’t!
In all honesty, I’m envious. With all our references to cheese, Kraft has still not contacted us…
I’m a kitty blogger, which apparently is its own category, and I don’t get anywhere near as many offers to try out cat things as I would like. Since I am spayed, I know I would never be mistaken as a mommy blogger. But you are welcome to send the diaper people my way anyhow – maybe diapers would be fun to shred!
.-= Sparkle´s last blog ..Whipper OH SNAP-per =-.
Hi, how are you doing? I truly like ur blog! I am wondering if u can assist me (im certain other readers may also be interested). I would also like to get involved in blogging also and I currently have a blog with wordpress, but it is quite confusing for me to create and I would very much like to attempt to get some decent training guides or courses (hopefully free) that can assist me in using Word Press correctly. As a wordpress site owner yourself, do u perhaps maybe know were i can get tutorials to be able to do this myself?? Thank you
Ummmm, you can send ALL those requests to agoosa.com – I am HAPPY to whore out some products!!! 🙂
You are so funny…. Hey, you might need those diapers when you are older… don’t be so quick to turn them down!
.-= Katherine´s last blog ..I Am More Important Than Anyone! =-.
Jen, You are so much more than a mom-blogger and anyone who thinks that is what you are about just isn’t really reading . Don’t let them pigeon-hole you. 🙂
Great idea this, we’re glad you like it. I never comment on those blogs, even when the content is great
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AMEN TO THAT, SISTAH!! I feel the same way. I wish I could be more like you – I can’t stand being labeled as a Mommy Blogger – I feel like it limits what I can talk about and say. Not only that, but I’m annoyed people think that just because I talk about my kids that I belong in that category. (And if you’ve read how I talk about them, I certainly would not be winning any awards for “Mommy of the Year”!)
Well, that was an unanticipated tangent…but I do that sometimes. Hard to believe, isn’t it??
I have a “Beautiful Blogger Award” for you on my blog. It’s waiting for you to pick it up. I know how you feel about awards – but you deserve this one. You are a beautiful person – with beautiful (and entertaining) writing – and a beautiful friend. All this sunshine is going to make me gag, since I’m beginning to feel like Barney. I wanted to let you know the award is there, if you have a chance to pick it up. xx
Interesting. Yes, I am a mom. Yes, I blog. I blog about whatever strikes me, and I do blog about my daughter, and life as a mom. But I blog about other stuff, too. I wonder what kind of blogger I am. I get frustrated when I am supposed to label myself, as I don’t fit into any one category. I’m OK if you call me a mom blogger, I don’t do giveaways, don’t do reviews (unless it’s something I actually have and feel like talking about) and don’t get schwag. Although free wine and free meals sound great, where do I sign up for that? 🙂
.-= Andrea´s last blog ..Totally Advertising for myself … =-.
Nicky: It seems to me Kraft is a little busy now. You should contact the farmers in Wisconsin since those California cows are kicking their ass in advertising.
Sparkle: I don’t think kitties are supposed to shred todays diapers since they have that super space age absorbency stuff in them. I’m pretty sure your mom would get mad. No one sends you toys or catnip?
Katherine: If they were sending my actual products I wouldn’t be bitching about them. So far they just want me to use my imagination (you have to say it like Sponge Bob to get the full effect).
Vet Tech: I’m not worried about being pigeon holed, I assume they haven’t read my blog if they think I am a mommy blogger. However, I am female and I have a blog and sometimes I talk about my kids (okay, I talk about them a lot but only because they drive me crazy and I really need to get out more).
Katherine: I don’t appreciate being labeled a mommy blogger any more than you do. Thank you for the award and I will stop after this by to pick it up.
Andrea: You have all kinds of stuff to talk about. Congrats on becoming a partner! That is so exciting. Now you will have to start contacting mommy blogs to see if they will write about your stuff. If you twist my arm I’d break my no mommy blogging rule for you.
-You can’t really put it any more straightforward than that.
Your titles crack me up. And they always catch your eye, fer sure. I cannot believe companies ask you to do basically a free endorsement. First of all, everyone knows, the whore gets paid FIRST, before anything happens. Second while you state your not a mommy blogger, you are a mommy. But you talk about nuthin like what my mommy talked abut, at least in front of me. So just what or who the hell are you.
How about a free spirited, wild eye, ranting redhead, who will write about whatever comes to her mind at that moment and if it is something that someone else wants you to rant about, they best make sure they have your PayPal invoice PIF first.
Have a crazy Sunday Jen and don’t forget the SUPER BOWL is on. Why the hell am I telling you that, like you care, hehe
.-= Man Over Board´s last blog ..What The Hell Are You Searching For???? =-.
PS just noticed I am the only guy on this comment list. Guess I am in touch with my feminine side huh?
MOB: Whores don’t get paid, they give it away. It is the professional ladies who get paid before they perform any services. Or, maybe that’s sluts who don’t get paid?
I gotta ask, your comment is rather boisterous today, had you already started your Super Bowl party when you left this comment?
Don’t know about your feminine side but maybe you have more balls than others to tackle the tough subject of whore blogging?
I’ve got your back on this one, Jen. You’re covered. If either one of us ends up sounding like a Mommy Blogger, we must pledge to slaughter the other. 😉
.-= Grandy´s last blog ..It’s About Time =-.
LOL I guess the Saints really put me in one of those moods, not to mention, you can get things stirred up, that’s why you have so many that follow you and comment.
You can always come over to our blog and give us a piece of your mind…… 😉
Not sure who gets paid, whores or sluts, but I know most bloggers don’t get paid much, that’s for sure..
I do apologize if I insulted anyone or if anyone took offense to some of my comments. I do have to say, 99% of all blogs last maybe 6 months, if that, in regards to people keeping them up and commenting. So many come into blogging thinking they will have money coming out their ears in less then a week.
So anyone who actually makes a decent buck , or maybe even a living, kudos to them and if I were one of them, I couldn’t care less what I got called.. Definitely beats working for the man, opps working for the woman.
.-= Man Over Board´s last blog ..The Kama Sutra and the 21st Century Guy =-.
My site is TOTAL mommy-blog-whore (mostly because of my partner Acadia!) and no one has offered me jack. I feel gypped.
I hate when people define me inaccurately. It drives me nuts. Sure, call me names. There are plenty to describe me. But don’t make stuff up about me.
So yes, I hear ya. You are multi-dimensional, multi-talented and you should be compensated accordingly.
My latest rant is about spammers in general. Now THEY SUCK!
ps. If someone offered me a Mercedes, they could call me whatever they wanted…..starting with mommy blogger!
.-= One of The Guys´s last blog ..The Alpha Male =-.
Hi Jen. I like your blog; you don’t mince words and say what you think. I love your title. Since I’ve moved to the Philippines I have had some requests from companies to do cow and lizard poop fertilizer reviews, but I have turned them down cold. They want to send me samples, but I already have plenty here, thank you. I’m waiting for some really big deal that I can prostitute myself for.
.-= Dave DeWall´s last blog ..The "Swish" Girl! The Bonehead’s First Solo Trip to Iloilo City! =-.
I look at it like any other journalistic endeavor. PR people are looking to reach the public and I am one route to that public. If it is something I like, I will write about it, but I rarely write directly from a pitch or press release unless it is something I think is really interesting or funny (usually funny). I do get annoyed when I get pitches and they call me the wrong name (as a PR person, that is my pet peeve). I also don’t like toddler pitches since I don’t have toddlers (not much I can say about a toddler). PR people should look at who they are pitching before blanketing the Internet with their thoughts. I do consider myself a mommy blogger and would probably consider myself a blog whore, but I am a high-class blog whore, dammit.
.-= Anne´s last blog ..Snoremageddon =-.
Will you marry me? lol
wow i want one of these but ill wait til the ipad 3g comes out
Very interesting discussion! I blog about parenting for a local online newspaper – and didn’t even realise until I recently came across MBC what a community of women bloggers there was; and how prevalent the term “mommy blogger” is. The term itself doesn’t bother me – I do get the emails and product offerings, but don’t respond (my paper wouldn’t allow me to, anyway). I do see how the use of the term “mommy blogger” could be derogatory and marginalising – I’ll have to think further about how I feel about being called one!
Peryl
.-= Parenting ad absurdum´s last blog ..Hopelessly Unromantic (In honor of National Marriage Week) =-.
love it 🙂 I’d like to review anything pertaining to getting AWAY 🙂 Maybe a resort in Hawaii …
Just thought i would comment and say neat theme, did you code it yourself? Looks great.
I solely wished to express a thanks, I download your blog regularly and still subscribe to your RSS feed. I do not get to leave comments to it as much as I would like to but I at least wished to say hi and thanks for providing a site worth reading for a change. Lots of internet business related blogs disburse rubbish that only clogs up the web further. Thanks again!
i without a doubt enjoy all your writing way, very charming,
don’t give up as well as keep penning considering it just simply worth to read it.
excited to browse even more of your content, thankx 😉
Snap!
But yes, it's hare enough not to make actual money, but try giving me SOME incentive.
Exactly! Something, anything…please.
I think Blog whore has kind of a nice ring to it. Maybe you have to shill a few products, but so what?
[…] never do, because then how would we have the stories to tell?), moms who don’t want to to be called mommy bloggers, moms who blog in the face of hate mail (can you say Dooce?), or with the controversy […]
Blog Whore or Mommy Blogger? It doesnt really matter as long as its a good read! 🙂
They want you to review products and write about them for no payment???? What planet are these companies from? LOL
[…] never intended to write about my kids. To quote the very talented blogger, redheadranting, I didn’t want to become a “mommy blogger”. Even as I write it, I shudder! […]