Mommyblogging as 'a radical act' disappearing in 'a cloud of free baby powder?' Doesn't have to.

Have you read this?

Suburban Turmoil:

"Back in 2005, advertisements were few and far between on mommy blogs. Bloggers ran Google ads for pennies a day and BlogAds made us a little more money. But that was lagniappe- an unexpected gift. We weren't blogging for the money (*snort*. What money?), we were blogging because we loved to write. We were blogging for the sense of community it gave us.

"And then things changed. "PR companies started e-mailing me and sending me books and baby products and later, iPods and stereos and DVDs to review. BlogHer started an ad network, inviting mommybloggers to be its founding members. Large corporations began offering us free getaways and perks in hopes that we'd promote their new cars or their TV shows or their shampoo. At BlogHer last year, we were courted by publishers and magazines and automakers and parenting websites. Mommybloggers began turning up in major magazines, newspapers, and on television. Over the last year, I think we've really gotten a sense of our own power. We are the target demo. Hear us roar!

"I love getting packages in the mail to review. I love bringing in a little extra cash from my ad revenue. I love being interviewed and feeling like my opinions matter. I love having the opportunity to go on free vacations.

"But I'm realizing that all of these cool things are changing the whole nature of mommyblogging, and I worry that the sense of solidarity and revolution I felt two years ago is disappearing in a cloud of free baby powder..." More in The State of the Mommyblog

My answer? No, it doesn't have to. Women should be able to be compensated for their writing if they choose to be and not forced to write for money if they don't. Advertising is an option, and writing is an art. 

Here's a story for you: Once upon a time, I found a blogger named Suburban Turmoil who, over the years, made me tear up AND laugh when she described her life as a step-mom (which I am) and her experiences living in a community who knew the first wife (which I also am). And, lo, I developed a life-long blog crush, I linked her and I invited her to join the little group of brave bloggers who helped found the BlogHer Ad Network in 2006.

Whither advertising anyway? We started BlogHer's ad network at the request of a few members of our community back in 2006. But we were also inspired -- inspired by the writing we found that just doesn't end up on television screens or newspaper pages. We wanted to support that writing. Our goal has always been to add "economic empowerment" to the rest of BlogHer's mission -- to create opportunities for women (and our friends, natch, BD ;) to gain additional exposure, education and community for our blogs. More here. I agree with Michelle, when she comments on Suburban Turmoil that, as a reader, she supports advertising as an option for supporting blogs she enjoys:

"It seems fair - we expect high-quality, frequent content, you should get something back for your time."

Amen. Like anything worth publishing, however, excellent writing and community must come first -- the advertising follows. That's how it is with quality writing. And for folks who prefer not to run ads, it's wonderful that the Internets don't require ads on free hosted blogs.

While I know many people think BlogHer is hopelessly old-fashioned with our editorial guidelines that ask review blogs to be separate, we find that this policy checks an important box for readers and with top-tier advertisers.  And I personally think it helps separate editorial from advertorial, which as a reader I prefer. But don't get me wrong: There's a great role for reviews, too, as excellent review blogs like Lindsay's shows. I just gotta keep my chocolate/opinion-editorial faaar away from my bread-and-butter/classfieds.

What do you think?

P.S. Don't recognize the 'radical act' comment in the headline? Tsk! Bone up on your herstory here.

Comments

[Poppy Buxom]

Great post! I commented over at Lindsey's blog, but I'll toss in some more remarks here BECAUSE I CAN.

There's definitely a place for advertising in blogs. I don't have it (or want it) on my personal blog, but I'm actively seeking it for Mamarazzi (a group blog I'm part of)--if only to pay for the template tweaking we need.

Not to mention that if you're going to spend this much time with your face in a laptop, you might as well be getting paid for it.

There are a lot of obviously commercial blogs out there, but I think that's the California Gold Rush part of the movement. Those people missed the first, second, and third wave of blogging, and now they think they're going to make a fortune with a free Blogger template, non-existent content, and a ton of ads. It won't work, and they'll go away.

And the rest of us will keep blogging.

[Lisa Stone]

Amen Poppy! What a terrific comment. I will use it and credit you when I do.