So, this is the house -- yes it really DOES have 7 rooms -- please, feel free to take our virtual tour!!!
Aaaaand, this is my laundry - please, feel free to clean off a spot, sit down and we'll have a folding party, m'kay?!?
I love meeting moms (and dads) from all over the Internets and enjoy hearing from my readers -- especially, when something I've written (or done) resonates really strongly with a fellow blogger -- still, I thought that perhaps a list of the most often asked questions would help you better understand some of the reasons for keeping This Full House.
How long have you been blogging?
I started blogging in September of 2003, at the suggestion of my good friend, Lizbeth Finn-Arnold, for several reasons...okay, mostly due to four of the two-legged kind...and with the first couple of posts I thought, okay, I can come here anytime I want, wearing whatever the heck I feel like, and write my heart out.
I started with Blogger and then moved to Typepad (although, I don't know how to retrieve any of my old posts) and purchased my own domain with Wordpress (old posts are in my archives here, because I've since learned how to save...DER!) but, moved back to Typepad in the Fall of 2007.
Okay, I do have a tendency to bounce around (a lot) but, I also happen to think that change is good.
Did I mention, I'm a Gemini?
Where did you EVER get the name, like, This Full House?
My friend, Liz -- you know, she got me blogging -- asked me if I'd be interested in writing for her webzine, The Philosophical Mother, and suggested that I come up with a catchy-sort of bloggy-type name; something that I (and my readers) could identify with. But, since most of the COOL ones were already taken (waves to Busy Mom) and taking into account how I was writing, about feeling as if I would be stuck in this "old house" filled with dirty laundry, FOREVER....wait a minute.
Aaaaand that's how This Full House was born. I guess I could always change it, but I think Dirty Laundry is already taken.
How many kids DO you have?
This Full House Kids 2010
The Lineup: Holly (formerly known as Thing One) is 16, Heather {formerly known as Thing Two) is 14, Glen (formerly known as The Boy) is 11 and Hope (formerly known as MiniMe) is 9. They used to have blog names, but have since asked that I use their "real" names and felt that their blog names were, you know, "stoo-pid!"
Why DO you call your husband, Garth [not his real name] anyways?
August 25, 2010: My husband, Garth (not his real name) me on our 20th Wedding Anniversary to, well, no where in particular, really.
Some people say he looks like Dennis Miller. There's a touch of Eddie Izzard in there, too. I happen to think he looks a lot like Garth Brooks!
So, it sort of stuck (yummy as he is) and I'm happy that Garth [not his real name] has AT LEAST allowed for a pseudonym.
How many hours do you write and do you get paid to blog?
I am a charter member of the BlogHer Ad Network and have joined with other affiliates to run ads here and on my shopping blog (feel free to read our ad and review guidelines here) I am also a member of several parenting advisory boards and enjoy working with brands on promoting projects and campaigns that are relevant to families, like mine.
You can view a full listing of writing assignments, by visiting my professional site at LizThompson.info!
I've got this AWESOME idea; would you like to endorse my product?
Sounds great - I keep a separate blog for that and we are always looking to post reviews on products that help make our lives a little easier and perhaps be of interest to families, like us! The opportunity to try new products and services is a privilege, as is the manufacturer's responsibility to market their items in a fair manner.
Here are our guidelines. Is this in line with your company's commitment? Let us know!
How do I become a product review blogger?
It's pretty easy, really - especially, if you already have a blog - but, to better explain it, my friend Amy over at MomAdvice.com has a great article and gives some really awesome tips on becoming a product review blogger - click here, go see!
Me?
I say, just start blogging and consider those pitches that are a good fit for you, or your situation in life. Make sure you visit Blog With Integrity to learn about how to make your blogging intentions clear. Also, here are a few reputable public relations companies that I work with, regularly:
360 Publications (http://www.360publicrelations.com/)
Child's Play Communications (http://www.childsplaypr.com/)
Coyne PR (http://www.coynepr.com/)
Edelman (http://www.edelman.com/)
GolinHarris (http://www.golinharris.com/)
Weber Shandwick (http://www.webershandwick.com/)
We are on a first-name basis, which is totally a "heads up" to other blogger outreach programs, who STILL insist on sending emails addressed to, "Dear Blogger."
Pssst...most of my blogging friends will consider that "bad form" and delete those pitches, automatically, including me!
So, are you a SAHM, WAHM or what?
I am a full-time mom, and I also write part-time from home (really, you can stop laughing now) so, I've claimed a small corner in the living room as my office and I hope to be able to renovate my bedroom and graduate to moving into the garage, one day.
Since, we don't have a basement and haven't parked the car in, like, 10 years!
It's a comfortable arrangement for now - four kids make for a lot of days home, sick or not - and I am ALWAYS on the look out for new gigs.
I am a mom and I want to start blogging, any advice?
Great...YES...good, go here...here...here...and definitely, here! Also, don't worry too much about stats - heaven knows, I must be annoying the heck out of the 3 people who read me regularly - don't take yourself too seriously and, for Garth's sake, remember to HAVE FUN! Then, feel free to come back, clean off a chair and sit down. I love meeting new bloggy-friends. We can exchange links!
I am a marketing professional and I want to start working with bloggers, like you, any advice?
Awesome - got a couple of hours? Seriously, blogging has changed quite a bit since the first time I clicked on the publish button. Much more complicated, I think. So, taking into consideration the lessons I learned attending the Nestle Family Blogger Event, here are a few important things to remember:
- My number one tip is understand, or at least appreciate the time constraints of a blogger, like me -- I love writing and I enjoy blogging. But I'm also blogging in between, you know, running a household.
- It's not always about stats and traffic -- there are a gazillion blogs out there, each with a specific type of readership (rocket scientists don't visit here, all that often) so, instead, focus on your intent and search out those writers.
- Read, read and read some more -- to learn more about the blogger, take the time to read blog posts, check out their "about me" page and scan the sidebars -- the information you need is all there, in black and white (sometimes even purple) trust me.
- Be very clear about your intentions -- whether your company is interested in reaching out to the blogging community, by sharing useful information, or enlisting bloggers to help market your product, bloggers can usually sense when they are being taken advantage of...most especially, mom-type bloggers...like me.
Uh...okay, so how much money DO you make?
I blog because I love to write and am a bit of a geek. Learning about new stuff is fun to us Dorky-types. Whatever money I do earn (via ads and such) is nice, certainly nowhere near what my husband, Garth (not his real name) makes or a good-enough reason for him to quit his day job!
PHEW!
Confused?
That's okay - here are some more great links from bloggers I actually had the privilege of meeting at BlogHer and who, you know, actually know what they're doing:
5 Essential Pieces of Advice for the New Blogger from Jen at Absolutely Bananas
Blog Tip Sharing Project from Jennifer at Playgroups Are No Place for Children
Growing Your Traffic from Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer
Oh, and don't forget, I've got a professional site...too!
Thanks for visiting and come back, soon!!!
© 2010 This Full House Blog
