Blogger Spotlight: Charlotte Pearson, Mummy Fever
Interview with Charlotte Pearson, author of the parenting and lifestyle blog, Mummy Fever. Charlotte spoke to us about the range of topics she covers in her blog, why she prefers WordPress over Blogger, working with PRs and the new content series she has got planned for the site.
Why should people read your blog? What makes it different? I would say that I write my blog for two main reasons. One is to record memories and the other is that I hope that by sharing experiences I will be able to help someone somewhere. Even if it is as simple as letting them know what to expect during an induction, or water birth or encouraging them to try cooking or sensory play with their children. It might even be as simple as having a good laugh at my efforts at getting pets for the children.
People should read the blog because I don’t take myself too seriously and I try to write the way I speak so readers feel they are having a conversation. I cover a range of topics and I try to group articles together in series. So for example I have written a series of posts on detailed reviews of a range of large family cars; money saving tips for families; why learning should begin at home, and so on.
How do you measure the success of your website? Stats of course but also by the interaction. We get lots of lovely comments which is really nice and I reply to all of them.
What’s your favourite blog and why? I really like http://motherhoodtherealdeal.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a blog? Stay away from Blogger, opt for self-hosted WordPress from the start. I learnt this the hard way. Write about what you love and try not to get too sucked up in the stats.
How do you work with marketers and PRs? I’m not afraid to contact people directly and I do that frequently. I try to approach them with a specific idea or theme which normally goes down well. I also have people get in touch who have come across the blog.
How do you use social media to promote/share content? What are the challenges? Twitter is probably my best sharing platform. I do use Twuffer but there are huge limitations. However, I know of something new that is in development which I will be using so I can’t wait for that.
What can PRs do in working better with you? Personal emails are always nicer to receive than a press release that has been sent to hundreds of people. I think the thing that bothers me the most is either getting an invite to a swanky do a couple of days before the event and of course they are normally in London. Living in North Wales and with four children that’s impossible to organise at such short notice. The other thing that is really annoying is when someone gets in touch and makes out as if they are offering you an amazing opportunity and in reality they want you to review one 80 pence cereal bar and blog and share it across all your platforms. Saying come to London for this event and you can go home with your ‘free’ baby change bag is not ‘free’ when it costs £100 for childcare and £150 for a return train fair. I’m never going to say yes to that, although I know people who do.
What has been your blogging highlight? I guess moving to WordPress from a horrid Blogger site. I love the way it looks now and it is so user friendly.
What will be big in your blogosphere in the coming months? I’m planning a series on cooking with children and a gardening series called ‘little green fingers’. The blog is evolving all the time which is great. I would love to expand the ‘travelling with children’ series.
Editorial information on Charlotte Pearson, Mummy Fever and thousands of other media/blogger contacts and outlets, can be found in the Cision Media Database.
Thanks for the feature :)