‘If I am commissioned to work I do generally expect to be paid’ Michelle Pannell, Mummy from the Heart
Cision UK’s is all set to unveil its Mummy Blogs UK Top 10 blog ranking for 2015 this week! Ahead of the much-anticipated ranking, we spoke to Michelle Pannell, author of Mummy from the Heart, ranked #2 on this list last year. Michelle spoke to us about using Skype and Google hang-outs to communicate with PRs, ethical blogging, blogger compensation and the best practices marketers need to keep in mind when working with bloggers.
What’s new on Mummy from the Heart? Mummy from the Heart continues to cover a mix of topics but recently there has been a focus on gratitude, appreciating my family, getting fit and weaving my faith into the every day.
Give us an example of successful brand collaboration. What did you learn from it? I really enjoy working with brands, especially when I have the freedom to write in a way that suits my readership but also benefits the brand. For about eight months I’ve been part of the Netflix Stream Team posting most months, this kind of frequency of posting has really helped me to be creative with my content.
How do you use social media to promote/share content? What are the challenges? Social media plays a big part in content promotion and I have some channels set up to automatically share upon publishing a post but then others require manual sharing and scheduling. Of course the challenge nowadays is getting yourself heard as there is a high level of saturation. I find that by only sharing strong content and not bombarding my channels I retain the trust of my readers and they interact and read.
How do you use social media to promote/share content? What are the challenges? Social media plays a big part in content promotion and I have some channels set up to automatically share upon publishing a post but then others require manual sharing and scheduling. Of course the challenge nowadays is getting yourself heard as there is a high level of saturation. I find that by only sharing strong content and not bombarding my channels I retain the trust of my readers and they interact and read.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a blog? Go for it, there is a lot of satisfaction to be gained from having your own corner of the web. Make sure you stay true to yourself and don’t try to emulate anyone. You will always be the best version of you and a poor copy of anyone else.
How do you work with PRs? I find working with PRs very satisfying and it is especially good when you can work with them time and time again on difference campaigns or clients. It is also flattering when they move agencies but you still stay in contact. I attend less events nowadays as I live out of London so I don’t get to meet so many PRs face to face but technologies like Skype and Google hang-outs mean you can still develop the same level of relationship.
Do you feel bloggers need to be compensated for the work they do? I think each blogger makes their own call on this. Personally I find myself so busy nowadays that if I am commissioned to work I do generally expect to be paid but I am happy to write about charities, products I love and for PRs I have a strong relationship with without payment.
What do you feel about sponsorship disclosure? Personally I always disclose every relationship. It is not something I negotiate on, I know the rules keep changing but for me it is about ethical blogging and being transparent with my readership.
List three best practices PRs need to follow for better blogger outreach? For me it really is the simple things that make a difference. First, please get my name right. Don’t call me the name of another well-known blogger or refer to me as Mummy from the Heart. Second if I politely decline to get involved with your campaign please don’t badger me and keep asking and lastly when I send you a link to my post as I have completed my part of the bargain, it would be really good to get an acknowledgement from you, a thank-you even. As I said, just simple common courtesy.
What will be big in your blogosphere in the coming months? As the weather gets better I expect to be writing more about family days out and breaks away, as well as sharing my weight loss and fitness journey. I’m also working on some exciting social good projects.
Editorial information on Michelle Pannell, Mummy from the Heart and thousands of other media/blogger contacts and outlets, can be found in the Cision Media Database.
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