Media Spotlight: BritMums

BritMums was launched as British Mummy Bloggers in 2008 by founder and former marketing executive Susanna Scott: “I was inspired by the burgeoning number of mum bloggers and created a social networking site where mums could talk about their blogs and about experiences in parenthood.”

Today, BritMums is the “UK’s largest and most influential network of parent bloggers,” having grown from a handful of members to more than 3,500 parent bloggers with an aggregated audience of more than 16 million monthly page views. “The network has turned from a part-time hobby into a full-time business and BritMums members have become influencers both online and off.  BritMums and BritDads are innovative, agenda-setting, and technologically savvy, which allows them to lead the online conversation about blogging and parenting.”

In 1997, Susanna says she was rising up the corporate ladder, enjoying life as dot com marketer. “I had an apartment, a gym membership and a job that took me to exciting places like New York, Paris and Cancun. Fast-forward to today. Three children. Off the corporate ladder. Or you could say my life is full of nappies, fish fingers, and endless loads of laundry. I dove into motherhood headfirst. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had three children in less than three years. Starting a blog was cheaper than therapy, so I created A Modern Mother (http://www.amodernmother.com). But I didn’t stop there. Bloggers are social people, and they like to meet each other. In 2008, “mum” blogging was in its infancy, and there was no central place for bloggers to gather online. So I created British Mummy Bloggers, a social network where parent bloggers can share ideas, support and inspiration.”

Susanna attributes mummy bloggers’ growing popularity to the ease in which blogging as a technology fits the parenting lifestyle. “You can dip in and out of it between feeding the kids and the school run; you don’t have to be in an office to do it. Blogging is also popular amongst mums because it gives them a voice. Mums often give up their careers to bring up a family and this is a way to offer the mums the support they need. You can’t have a coffee morning every morning. One of the best parts about blogging is reading other blogs, and realizing that there are others out there just like you.”

PRs are advised to use a personal approach when trying to contact her. “Don’t bother sending out a press release. It’s OK if you don’t read my blog, but do be aware of my interests (i.e. I have girls so don’t send me info on a boy’s school). Also, keep a busy mum’s schedule in mind when you plan events. Don’t invite mums to an afternoon tea that starts at 3 pm; that’s the height of the school run. The most important thing to keep in mind – I am not a journalist. I’m a blogger. I don’t get paid for writing my blog; I do it because I enjoy it. My time is valuable and limited (as is yours!) and my main job is looking after the kids. I’m my own editor, graphic designer and IT person. There needs to be a good reason I would write about your company, product or event. Does it fit with my ethos? Is it a product we can all use?”

On 22nd and 23rd June, BritMums Live takes place; the UK’s ‘largest’ annual two-day conference that introduces brands to the authors of influential online content: Mum Bloggers. “BritMums Live! is the real-world extension to BritMums, the 3,500+ strong online communities of Mum bloggers, who together have an audience of more than 16 million. BritMums are the most influential bloggers in the UK; 70% boost a Klout score of 50 or more, and they lead the conversation online in blogs, social media, press, parenting forums and more. The event brings together high-profile speakers such as Ruby Wax, Author and comedian, Sarah Brown, Founder and President of Piggybank Kids, Cherry Healey, BBC One and BBC Three, Allison Pearson, columnist and chief interviewer at the Daily Telegraph, Camila Batmanghelidjh, founder and director of Kids Company, and Carla Buzasi from the Huffington Post UK as well as the UK’s top ranked mum bloggers.”

BritMums just released its annual mum blogger survey. If you would like a free copy of this report, please email [email protected]

Editorial information on Susanna Scott along with thousands of other media contacts and websites, can be found in our CisionPoint media database.

Also check out Cision’s media rankings, Top 20 UK Mummy Blogs, Top 20 UK Mummy Blogs on Twitter and Top 10 Parenting magazines.