The Mommy Blogger Debate

So much media coverage on the Mommy Blog-Ola – I had to put my two sense in.

First off "Blog-ola" is the free goodies, products, trips and other perks many marketers give to bloggers with the hopes of getting favorable reviews about their products and services. This shift is very evident in the “mommy-blogger” world, where they are proving to be quite influential with their readers and therefore quite valuable to marketers.

Lines become very blurred between companies and mom bloggers. Bloggers would once have sponsors sponsor their writing, now it’s the other way around and many mom bloggers are writing for companies, like Wal-Mart. The authenticity is gone and you are left asking questions like what is the real motivation behind this blogger’s backing about a particular product.

Are marketing firms to be blamed – for luring innocent moms to blog about their clients’ products in exchange for free goodies and trips? I say no. After all I am the mother of three children myself and I hold all my children accountable for their actions! Period! So moms are writing at their own risk, and putting their own integrities on the line.

Bloggers really just need to be direct and upfront in disclosing whether they are paid or getting freebies. The site Blog With Integrity asks bloggers to sign and post an ethical pledge. The Federal Trade Commission is also considering new guidelines to help clarify advertising content in blogs.