Let’s give a big SITSterly welcome to Ally, the blogger behind The Mommy Diaries. Ally uses her site as a channel to voice her opinions as a mom. After all, with all the products out in the market right now, it is always hard to decide what’s good for you and your family.
We see that congratulations are in order! You’re pregnant with Baby # 2. Yay! How are you feeling?
Thank you! With less than a month to go, I am surprisingly pretty calm right now. Not exactly sure why. Maybe it’s the calm before the storm.
How is this pregnancy different from your first?
Both my pregnancies were great. This time around, with great management and help from my doctors, I have been able to avoid conditions that I experienced during my first pregnancy, such as back pain, sciatica, fainting spells.
I am also pretty relaxed with this second pregnancy. No more pregnancy books or reading through pregnancy related sites every single day.
It looks like you’ve been doing product reviews for years. How did you get started?
To be honest, I started by joining as many blog giveaways as I had time to. Then the light came on and I thought, “If they could do it, why can’t I?” It was hard dealing with the rejections at first, so I started writing reviews for products I already had and was using. Then I started to slowly contact companies and PR firms again. Every YES outweighed all the NOs that I got and it just went forward from there. Now I have companies contacting me to do reviews and giveaways.
Your media kit is really well done. How have you been able to successfully monetize your site?
Right now all I’ve really been able to do is write sponsored posts for a couple of companies. I haven’t been able to actively pursue trying to monetize my blog, but am looking to change that in the near future. I have joined a few affiliate programs, but have not added their widgets in my sidebar.
Other goodies on The Mommy Diaries:
Blast From the Past: A get to know Ally post.
This is Why…: Funny story with Ally’s daughter. Well, not so funny at the time.
My Little Asian: Ally loves featuring her daughter!
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Twitter: AdventuresEM
says:
That’s really cool! I didn’t know about product reviews etc when I first started blogging but I now get offered some lovely things to review and have a great relationship going on with several PR Companies. Congrats to Ally on baby number 2
Emma recently posted..A Different Mothers Day Post!!!
I wrote my 500th post today! Off to check out how she promotes her blog.
Teacher Girl recently posted..500
Happy SITS day!
Always interested in how and why others monetize their blogs…it sound like hard work to me!
stephany recently posted..last night
Congrats to you, being featured as a SITS girl!
Congrats on your SITS day
Heather recently posted..And Then God Created This Mother
Sounds like I could learn a lot from Ally– she’s made it work really well! –and she’s making it all very interesting!
Leah Rubin recently posted..Was I On the Roof
Twitter: dreamupstudios
says:
Adorable family! Congrats to them!!
Ashley Marie recently posted..9 days
Love those photos of your daughter. Congrats on the pregnancy!
Jessica recently posted..Who Wants to Get Gorgeous
Congrats on baby #2.
I can’t wait to check out your blog. I love hearing about products that other moms use and love.
Congrats on Baby #2. There are so many products for babies, Mums and kids, it really is difficult to work out what you really need.
Narelle @ Cook Clean Craft recently posted..2011 Ultimate Blog Party
Twitter: almostsinglemom
says:
have a great delivery! happy SITS day!
Elizabeth recently posted..Default
I really want to start doing blog reviews and hopefully reviews for companies. What are your suggestions in giving a good review?
Rorie recently posted..Casual Fridays & Belated Bloggiversary
Happy erm, Tuesday? It’s Wednesday here so it must be Tuesday for most of you in Blog-Land. This blog will be interesting!
Broot recently posted..Questions about Synesthesia
Twitter: shaunellshair
says:
AWEsome blog! Love her stuff! Have a great day friends!
ShaunellsHair recently posted..Little Girls Hairstyles- Off centered braid and twist hairstyle 15-20 min
Congrats to you! Enjoy your day! Looking forward to stopping by the blog!
The Projected Progenitor recently posted..Go with Aunt Flo
Yay it is great getting to know Ally!
Deidre recently posted..I always knew I was an insane person
Twitter: completelyE
says:
Just checking in…off to see the FB
Melissa @ Completely Eclipsed recently posted..Interview With a Stay At Home Mom
I just did my first review/give away. I’m excited to read your blog and see what tips I can pick up.
How wonderful! As a mom of 2, I concur. The 2nd pregnancy is much less mysterious and goes by quickly! It is so great that she has fought her way into doing reviews, and plans on going further! great job Ally!!
Amanda recently posted..Inspired to Change and Grow
Congrats Ally on your SITS day and baby # 2! I look forward to checking out your blog.
~Melissa
Reflections on Writing
Melissa Kline recently posted.. dē
Twitter: TOItweets
says:
Can’t believe the day is about to end. Well, I am glad I can still say have a nice evening
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toi recently posted..4 Positives and I Told Him
Twitter: teacher_viviene
says:
Are you Pinay? I was looking through the blog and couldnt figure out if you are except through this picture. hehe.. nwey, I agree about the Media Kit! Nicely put together! =D
http://www.theblogforbrides.com
http://www.journeyofawoman.wordpress.com
vivi b. recently posted..40 Days of Love
On a holiday with the fam. To make it even more awesome, I have internet connection! LOL – Have a great evening everyone!
bluecottonmemory recently posted..My Life is Not My Own
Wish I was at the point of monetizing! Congrats on being so close!
Carrie recently posted..Serving is awesome because…
Yay, a baby on the way. I’ll go check out her blog. Hope everyone’s having a great week!
Stephanie Faris recently posted..Mammograms CANT Be Good For Your Breasts
Congrats to a mommy blogger who can handle promoting her blog, raise a little girl and now another baby! Whew!
Tiffany recently posted..RemembeRED-Nothing Compares 2 U
Very unique!!! So glad to meet you ~ congrats & have fun in your 2nd baby process!!!
-Jess
Jessica Smith recently posted..Photo Challenge Day 1
Cute girl!
Margaret Almon recently posted..D is for Dard Hunter
Twitter: sheswrite
says:
Your experience with giveaways and product reviews is very interesting to me. Because of my day job as a journalist, my company doesn’t allow such things, so I’m completely clueless as to how it all works. Congrats on your SITS day!
She’sWrite recently posted..A Little Norwegian Help On Taking A Vacation
What a beautiful family! Love the name of her blog.
Kristi {at} Live and Love Out Loud recently posted..Too Tired to Shop Wordless-Wordful Wednesday
I love product reviews, anything that helps me save time and money! Loved reading your blog!
Angie Shelton recently posted..ABC Puzzle
Thanks for visiting Angie. Glad you liked what you saw
Ally recently posted..It’s Here…
I think I’ve been to Ally’s site before. She’s familiar to me. Congrats on Baby #2, Ally.
Jamie recently posted..Man on the Prowl
What a cute family!
Amanda recently posted..I Made It! Monday Week 14
Congrats on being featured! Love the ideas of reviews for moms. I am going to suggest your blog to my mommy friends.
Heather recently posted..No posts- dont worry- Im on Vacation!
Happy Tuesday
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Twitter: tammystwocents
says:
Happy Tuesday!
Tammy recently posted..Give Every Night New Flavor – Electronic Coupon Download! WeekNightMeals
They are such a sweet family! On my way to read her blog! have a great night yall!
Carissa recently posted..More of my Creations and Wordful Wednesday!
Product reviews!
classycareergirl recently posted..How to Have a Great Morning!
Adorable blog and and a wonderful family
Chatterbox recently posted..We did it!
She looks super cute and I always love a good giveaway
HAPPY SITS DAY!!!! Your family is beautiful and congratulations on the new addition to come! I’m off to check out your blog ; )
now i don’t know if this is the right place to say this or not. And its been a while since I’ve visited SITS, but wow i l.o.v.e the new website design!
Autumn Twig recently posted..Hello Happiness
Their daughter is such a cute little girl =)
BlackEyedDog recently posted..Do People Like Me
Twitter: byhookncrook
says:
The second one is always easier, thank God! With the third one, I was even more relaxed!
Shirley recently posted..A Long- Long Time Ago
Twitter: decondemand
says:
Great family pic and congrates on you new addition arriving soon.
Marie Cole recently posted..Kitchen is Soooo DONE
Twitter: kvalentini
says:
Ally sounds like a go-getter!
I can’t wait to look around her blog. I think she can teach me a few things.
Grams recently posted..Lessons from a House
pregnant with baby #3 and could use a few tips on avoiding sciatica pain!!!
newest folllower please folow me back thanks
Tara recently posted..Amano Chocolate