BlogHer ’08 squees have faded and hundreds of powerful women bloggers are now back home with their families.
Companies are furiously entering new email addresses into their databases and I am going through the three totebags filled with everything from gift cards for photo prints to thumb drives to toys for my children.
I’m used to it.
I’m not impressed.
I’m spoiled by the big stuff. The video game sytems and the hottest electronics. The humidfiers and the loaner hybrid SUV’s.
I’m spoiled.
But while I revel in my swag, I fully realize these ‘gifts’ are bribes.
I’m not stupid.
The assumption that I am, pisses me off.
Just like any business, some people will act professionally and some will not.
Just like any friendship, some people will latch on to a person to use them and some will not.
I’m not stupid.
There is an assumption floating around the internet that we silly mommybloggers have no idea how to handle all this ‘fame’ and ‘fortune.’
We are taking free stuff and not being transparent when we write about it. We’re taking free stuff and thumbing our noses at any offering that isn’t the best and most expensive.
I’m not stupid.
I’m wondering if the tech bloggers were all called spoiled when they started getting the new notebooks via UPS. I’m wondering if the fashion writers were called spoiled when new designers sent over their spring lines. I’m wondering if any publishing site, anywhere, at anytime, for any reason was called ‘spoiled’ when they were sent the ‘newest’ or the ‘latest’ or the ‘most recent innovation.’
I’m not stupid.
It might make some of these larger names or sites or companies uncomfortable that this Mom of two in her PJ’s, drinking her morning coffee, conducts the business of blogging from her laptop while the rest of the industry toils.
I’m not stupid.
I’ve spent 3 years now wondering why you didn’t take me seriously. Annoyed you refused to acknowledge the revolution occurring. Pissed off I had to jump up and down screaming to have you notice me. Then, while being called spoiled, I realize something;
We do it better. We do it easier. We do it on our terms.
You are jealous.
I’m not stupid.
Hate. Criticize. Do whatever makes you feel better. I’m going to conduct the business of mommyblogging. The best of my community will continue to rise, the less transparent will fall. The typical cycle of any new medium will play itself out from rockstar, front page headlines to being replaced with the next best thing.
I’m not stupid.
And while it all plays out, my spoiled self will have paid some bills, met some amazing people, engaged in some unreal opportunities, all while you called me spoiled in my oversaturated market.
I’m not stupid.
I will also continue to do what I do, WHY I do it- for this hobby that became a business, but was always about my friends, my life, and my community.
I’m not stupid.
Spoiled…but not stupid.
Recent Comments