Speedy Spotlight: Honest Mum
Honest Mum will be featured in this week’s Media Updates. Author Vicki Psarias, who also blogs at Mummy’s Got Style, spoke to Cision about what makes her blog different, her relationships with PRs and female directors being in a minority.
Why should people read your blog?
Hopefully it will entertain as much as help other parents relate to the madness and joy that is parenting. Plus my kids are super cute (as is my husband who shows up every now again!), I love to quote the Kardashians (deep) and even supply you with Greek recipes every Tuesday from my award-winning restaurateur Dad, Papa G. You’re welcome!
What makes your blog different?
It started as a way of helping me find my voice again after a year off writing and directing when my first son was born; ‘the honest and funny musings of a filmmaker and mum’ – where I mostly wrote about what a shell shock having another human being actually was… and then juggling directing work on top of it all. Now it’s evolved into everything I’m passionate about from family life (I have two children now) to food and film.
It’s the writer’s voice which makes each blog unique and hopefully my informal, fun voice comes through in what I do. I like to rip-off my big fat Greek family in my screenwriting and on the blog, and take credit for what is really their hilarious antics. I’m more of a journalist and just document them for your enjoyment!
What’s your favourite blog and why?
That’s such a hard one as I love so many blogs, but I suppose the first blog I ever read which inspired me to start my own and which I still read today is the hilarious, frank US blog The Mama Bird Diaries. I love it!
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a blog?
Go for it! Do some research first of course, work out what you want to say and have several posts ready for when you first start. Social media is important too and joining networks such as BritMums and Tots100 will help you connect with other bloggers and become part of a community of bloggers. Taking part in Linkys you like such as food or fashion ones is also a good way to get your blog out there and remember to comment on lots of blogs so others will in turn discover your blog.
How does a good PR work with you?
I have great relationships with PRs I work with and longstanding relationships with them too. The best ones truly understand the blogging world, the need for disclosure and respect that as a professional, my fees will reflect that.
What do PRs do that’s bad?
The ridiculous spam-like emails promising ‘free content’ in return for follow links. No, no and no. You want PR for your clients, you pay. Simples. Plus do a little research before contacting bloggers please, asking parents to blog about pregnancy sick bands when their child is about to leave for university, is not going to make you favourable.
Do you have any surprising hobbies or interests?
I am one of the 7% of female directors. I’m currently developing a TV comedy series which I’ve just co-written the pilot on but will be back on set again when the right project comes up.
I also like to bake. By bake I mean I buy those packets where you add an egg and water and stick Peppa Pig’s head on top. I just hate all the measuring and love all the eating. Makes sense right?
Editorial information on Honest Mum, Vicki Psarias and thousands of other media outlets and contacts can be found in the CisionPoint Media Database.
Fab interview, and your tone and personality shine right through! It is great that you can inspire more women to be involved in the male-dominated directing space. I also agree re bloggers and PRs, however working from within a brand I know that there is a lot of educating to be done – brands often still just see bloggers as an editorial PR route, and as they don’t pay journalists they can’t get their heads around paying bloggers for the same. The difference is that we are not on the payroll of magazines who receive advertising income!
Thanks for your comment, I really think things have/are changing especially in the last year or so where bloggers are being taken seriously and are valued, paid their worth. Bloggers need to know their worth and demand fees that reflect the time, expertise and reach their blogs will give advertisers.
Well said Vicki. So agree with your PR comments – PR’s need to respect what we do as bloggers. Love your thoughts on baking!
Thanks so much Nomita, I think more and more do respect us and what value we bring. We must ‘bake’ together some time!
Fabulous interview. Some very good points about PRs approaching bloggers, and wanting their articles featuted for free. Blogging is not only our passion, but also our income as stay at home mums. Why should we work for free? Vicki, you are one funny lady, and am so happy to have you as my friend!
@Mirka thank you so much, feel the same way about you and it’s true, we write well so deserve fair payment in return!
I’m with you on the baking! And while you direct, my passion is acting but I love that all of our interests come together in one place — on our blogs. I agree your kids are super cute and you’ve got amazing hair. Just had to say that again! xo
@Maria haha thank you for your lovely words about my kids (and hair)! I love that you are passionate about acting and blogs are a great way of merging the many hats we wear!
Great insights into a fab blogger!
Thanks and ditto!
Great interview, Vicki is one talented lady and a real inspiration in the creative industries! Looking forward to testing our your baking skills one day ;-)
Haha! Thank you very much! I am a good cook really-came 4th in the North in Junior Masterchef but that’s a whole other show (literally)-well very nearly-they only needed 3 for the programme!