Competing with the Big Guys

When it comes to blogging, there are days I still feel like a baby. While I don't suffer from blog envy, I still wish there was an easier way to attract sponsors. I remember my friend, Ellen, over at Confessions of an Overworked Mom getting frustrated over being a little fish in a big pond. Now, she's the whale in a vast ocean. She knew what she wanted her blog to focus on, made some tweaks here and there, and is now a social media expert whose opinions are sought after and respected. She also proves the term "Mommy blogger" isn't just for those with kids in diapers. Both her children are teenagers.

I've struggled to define this blog. Originally, I was thinking it was going to be another book blog, but I found myself wanting more and more to talk about other things. Then I started reviewing more products, so the original name didn't fit. I changed the title to Books, Products and More! I was so sure I would stick with that, I created social media accounts at Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. I've joined different sites like BlogFrog. Then the doubts came in again and I wondered if having "mom" in the title would make more sense. Most of my life centers around being a wife and mother.

I seem to be stuck at a certain number of followers everywhere I go. Even when I spend time retweeting other posts and commenting at other blogs, the uptick is miniscule. Offering giveaways hasn't helped much because I can't afford to offer the types of giveaways the bigger bloggers do. I've reached out to potential sponsors, but they aren't great about responding.

I would appreciate some advice. What have you done to make your blog more attractive to readers and sponsors? What do you look for in a blog? Do too many ads make you unsubscribe? If you're a regular reader here, what do you like most?

Thanks for your help. It is greatly appreciated.

Taking Time for Mom Thursdays

My how time flies when you're a busy mom. This post would have been up earlier, but I had to take the truck to the mechanic for some regular maintenance today, clean house, and do laundry. Yawn.

I was wondering what are some of things you do to relax. One of the things I used to do a lot of is cross-stitch or needlework on plastic canvas. I had forgotten how much I used to craft until I saw Ellen's post about Embroider Everything Workshop by Diana Rupp over at Confessions of an Overworked Mom.

My mémère, or mémé as we usually called her, first introduced me to printed cross-stitch when I was around ten or eleven. I still have the tin container she gave me to carry my wooden hoop, needle and floss (I'll dig it out of my craft closet one day soon and take a picture of it so you can see it). I worked on printed cross-stitch kits for years before I felt comfortable switching to counted cross-stitch. With counted cross-stitch, you have no pattern, just a blank piece of Aida cloth. You fold the cloth to find the middle and begin stitching from the middle out to the edges.

While I was a single parent, I often had to rely on homemade gifts for family and friends. Counted cross-stitch certainly came in handy back then.  I subscribed to magazines so I could find new patterns. The Lil Diva was just a toddler and the Lil Princess still crawling around when I stopped cross-stitching. Blogging, writing and reviewing books have taken its place. I miss it. I'm hoping once the girls are teenagers and I have a bit more time to myself I'll be able to pick it up again. We'll see.

Do you like to craft? What is your area of interest? Do you give handmade gifts for special occasions? How many--if any--unfinished gifts do you have in your craft closet? I have to admit to at least two.

Large Libre Tea Glass n Poly Giveaway at Confessions of an Overworked Mom

In addition to all the great back-to-school giveaways Ellen is running at Confessions of an Overworked Mom, she has wonderful giveaways for moms and dads too.

I'm a big tea drinker. Have loved it since I was a kid. The one thing that has kept me from buying more loose tea is the horrible mess that occurs when making a cup of tea.

Ellen, who is also a tea drinker, tried out the  Large Libre Tea Glass n Poly, and is running a giveaway for one of these. I would love to win it, but I also want to make sure my readers know about this giveaway too.

Step on over to http://www.confessionsofanover-workedmom.com/2011/08/school-rules-win-libre-tea-glass-n-poly.html for more information.

Lunchopolis Lunchbox Giveaway at Confessions of an Overworked Mom

If you are getting kids ready for school in the fall, you have to visit Ellen's Confessions of an Overworked Mom blog. She is running giveaways on all types of back-to-school products.

Today I noticed she has up for grabs a garbage free lunchbox from Lunchopolis. Well, don't you hope your kid's lunchbox is garbage free? This lead free insulated lunchbag contains items so that you're child isn't tossing a bunch of stuff away and adding to our landfills.

Each kit includes:

• a lead free insulated lunchbag in a stylish color,
• four reusable tinted BPA free containers,
• and one reusable BPA free bottle. 

All the containers are microwave and dishwasher safe.

Visit Confessions of an Overworked Mom at http://www.confessionsofanover-workedmom.com/2011/08/school-rules-win-garbage-free-lunchbox.html for more information.

Oh, one other thing, I had stopped entering many blog giveaways because the typing became too tedious. Ellen uses Rafflecopter, which makes entering giveaways much easier and faster.

Naked Binder Giveaway at Confessions of an Overworked Mom

My friend Ellen over at Confessions of an Overworked Mom is running a great giveaway for those of us who are getting the kids ready for back to school.

Naked Binders is offering Ellen's readers a chance to win 3 of their binders that are made of 100% recycled board and 97% post-consumer waste.

I can't tell you how many vinyl binders I've purchased and thrown away over the years. These sound like a great, green alternative.

For more information, please visit Confessions of an Overworked Mom at http://www.confessionsofanover-workedmom.com/2011/08/school-rules-win-3-eco-friendly-naked.html

Itty Bitty Bra Giveaway at Confessions of an Overworked Mom

Follow this link for your chance to enter and win a houndstooth bra from Itty Bitty Bra. Last day to enter in April 30, 2011!

Confessions of an Overworked Mom: Win a Bra from The Itty Bitty Bra Collection

Confessions of an Overworked Mom

Confessions of an Overworked Mom is running a giveaway for Scunci Bendini Clips, a great new hair accessory.

This giveaway runs until March 30th, so hurry on over if you wish to enter. Just click on the link above.

Confessions of an Overworked Mom Giveaway!

Confessions of an Overworked Mom is running another great giveaway. This time it is for a Chocolate Drizzled travel tin candle from North Fork Gifts.

Visit Ellen's blog for details, but do it quickly. This giveaway ends on January 21st!

Skin MD Natural Giveaway at The Socialite's Closet

In addition to running Confessions of an Overworked Mom, my friend Ellen has a blog dedicated to fashion. The Socialite's Closet discusses and reviews all type of fashion accessories and stylish clothes. She also runs giveaways for a variety of products or turns you onto money saving coupons.

Right now The Socialite's Closet is running a giveaway for Skin MD Natural lotion. I would love to keep this news all to myself, as I really want to win; but here I am telling you all about it, so you can have a shot at it too.

Visit The Socialite's Closet by December 14th at http://the-socialites-closet.blogspot.com/2010/12/win-skin-md-natural-for-hands-of.html to find all the details on this giveaway!

Chicken Soup for the Soul Family Matters Giveaway at Confessions of an Overworked Mom

Ellen at Confessions of an Overworked Mom is also running a giveaway through December 8th for a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul Family Matters. I own several of the Chicken Soup books and would love to add this to my collection.

You can enter to win by visiting Ellen's blog at http://confessionsofanover-workedmom.blogspot.com/2010/12/win-chicken-soup-for-soul-family.html by 12/8. There are many ways for you to increase your chance of winning.

In order to win, you must be at least 18 years of age and reside in the US.

Stop by Confessions of an Overworked Mom now to check out this and other giveaways!

$25 Gift Certificate to Glass Dharma Giveaway from Confessions of an Overworked Mom

Just because I haven't had time to post about the great giveaways going on every day at Confessions of an Overworked Mom doesn't mean you shouldn't be checking in at Ellen's blog all the time. She always has reviews and giveaways for a variety of books and products.

If you visit her at http://confessionsofanover-workedmom.blogspot.com/2010/12/win-25-glass-dharma-gift-certificate.html by December 12th, you can leave comments to win a gift certifcate to Glass Dharma, makers of the original glass straw.

Before I started really thinking about how much we throw away, I didn't see the big deal about buying plastic straws. Now I find that I wash them to use over and over again; but of course they still crack and need to be replaced, which means into the trash they go.

This is an excellent opportunity for you to get your hands on a set of glass straws. Stop by Confessions of an Overworked Mom right now!

Side Effects: Death -Confessions of a Pharma-Insider Giveaway at Confessions of an Overworked Mom

I know it's been a while since I've posted about giveaways at Confessions of an Overworked Mom, but I hope you haven't stopped checking out Ellen's blog because she always has so much going on there.


I saw her post today for a chance to win 1 of 3 copies of Side Effects: Death -Confessions of a Pharma-Insider by by former executive director of the Swedish Branch of Eli Lilly & Company John Virapen.


This book is a true story about the corruption, bribery and fraud in the big pharmaceutical companies. Dr. John Virapen has 35 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry internationally as the general manager of Eli Lilly and Company in Sweden. It will present many facts and figures to back up what Dr. Virapen says is going on in the industry.


Sounds controversial, but definitely sounds good. Visit Confessions of an Overworked Mom to enter. This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States. Deadline to enter is 9/20/10.

$25 Gift Certificate to Socks 4 Life Giveaway at The Socialite's Closet

In case I didn't mention it before, my friend Ellen, who runs the Confessions of an Overworked Mom blog, also has a blog dedicated solely to fashion. The Socialite's Closet is a fabulous place to find "fashion news and reviews for the style conscious woman."

Ellen is running her first giveaway at The Socialite's Closet and I just had to tell you about it. Socks 4 Life is offering one lucky winner a $25 Gift Certificate to shop their website.

Click here to read the details and guidelines of this contest. Last day to enter is August 24, 2010, so stop by now!

Studio C by Carolina Pad Giveaway at Confessions of an Overworked Mom

Perhaps you don't realize how addicting Ellen's Confessions of an Overworked Mom blog is, but I planned to come to my office today to write up a pile of book reviews, then made the mistake of checking my email first. I'm an email subscriber of Confessions of an Overworked Mom because I don't want to miss any of the great reviews and giveaways on that site. So, I click on my email and what happens--I find Ellen has even more wonderful giveaways as part of her Back-to-School Dash that I want to enter. She also posted a product that I had some questions about. Now I've spent half an hour browsing Confessions of an Overworked Mom instead of doing work.

Here's one giveaway that caught my eye. Carolina Pad is offering one free collection from their Studio C line. Each collection includes a 1-subject notebook, 18 month planner, 2 pocket folder, 1" binder, composition book, ideal book, pens and pencils!

You know your school bound child is going to need some of these products, so why not get them for free!

This giveaway is open to residents of the United States and Canada only. Certain restrictions apply. Last day to enter is August 14th, so click here to find out all the details.

EARDOC Giveaway at Confessions of an Overworked Mom

The Back-to-School Dash continues at Confessions of an Overworked Mom.

I stopped by Ellen's blog today and found this great giveaway for EARDOC. "EARDOC generates and transmits vibration waves. Due to its non-invasive design, the waves travel through the bone to the middle ear and open the Eustachian tube. The waves drain the trapped fluids and ease the pressure. This is ideal not only for children who are prone to ear infections but also for air travelers, divers and swimmers!"

My daughter has been swimming a lot this summer and she often complains of earaches afterwards. I'm hoping to win the EARDOC from Confessions of an Overworked Mom. But I also wanted to tell all my blogging friends about this product that Ellen said provided some relief to her husband, who is prone to earaches.

This giveaway is open to residents of the United States only. Deadline to enter is August 13th, so click here to find ways you can enter to win.

Reusies Review and Giveaway at Confessions of an Overworked Mom

As part of Ellen's Back-to-School Dash at Confessions of an Overworked Mom, she is running a giveaway for Reusies, reusable sandwich and snack size bags.

I immediately fell in love with this product and plan to pick up two for my daughters' lunch bags this year. Our family tries to do its part to save the planet. We recycle everything we can, disgarded food products make their way into our compost bin, and we now carry drinks in reusable bottles. Still, the sheer number of cardboard packages we toss into our recycling bin astounds me. I know we need to do more.

Having spent some time in our school district's lunch rooms, I can tell you the number of plastic bags tossed away after lunch time fills two large trash cans. If I could convince all our parents to invest in Reusies, I would. These are also made in the USA, so when you buy Reusies, you're investing in American jobs.

If this sounds like a product you are interested in, click here for giveaway details. Last day to enter is August 8th, so stop on by now!

Back-to-School Dash at Confessions of an Overworked Mom

Join Ellen at Confessions of an Overworked Mom from August 1st to August 7th for her Back to School Dash event. Dash back to school with these reviews and giveaways that will make preparing for school easier and more fun for mom & child alike. Become a follower of Confessions of an Overworked Mom for a chance to win. New chances to win daily!

Tropical Traditions All Natural Insect Repellent Giveaway at Confessions of an Overworked Mom

Because of all the wetlands around our property, mosquitoes are a huge issue. We can't comfortably sit outside during the summertime. We have a large vernal pool on the far corner of our property line and it is a breeding ground for these nasty insects, which concerns me as a mom because of West Nile Virus.

When I wandered out to Confessions of an Overworked Mom today, I noticed Ellen is running a giveaway for Tropical Traditions All Natural Insect Repellent. That's why I am blogging about it today. If you want to keep away those nasty blood suckers and do it in an all natural way, why don't you stop on by Confessions of an Overworked Mom right now. There you can learn more about Tropical Traditions and all the fabulous products they offer, plus enter the giveaway for your chance to win a bottle of Tropical Traditions All Natural Insect Repellent.

This giveaway is open to residents of the United States. The deadline to enter is August 2nd. Click here for more information and for your chance to win.

Blogger Interview: Ellen from Confessions of an Overworked Mom

Today I am going to try something new here at Book Tours and More. Author interviews aren't unusual, but I got to thinking that maybe I should be interviewing bloggers too. It will certainly help everyone find some great blogs to check out. In addition, many blogs run giveaways, so you could be saving money when you visit these blogs too.

Now, who else better to start with than Ellen from Confessions of an Overworked Mom, a blog I visit almost as often as my own. I've won some terrific stuff from the numerous giveaways Ellen runs each week. Let's get to know her and her blog better.

Our readers know I spend a great deal of time browsing your blog, Confessions of an Overworked Mom, for awesome giveaways. Why don’t you tell us how you got started in blogging?

I started blogging to chronicle our journey toward self-sufficiency. I began sharing great deals I found that helped us make it month to month and found that my readers really wanted to know more about the products we liked using and the great deals I found. The blog you see today sort of grew into what it is right now.

Your blog features many great products, but it must have been tough at first finding companies who would be willing to send you products. How did you go about it?

When I first started blogging, I shared information on products we had purchased that I really liked. My goal wasn't to have anyone send me anything. I just wanted to let other people know what our experiences were with products. I was totally flabbergasted the first time a company offered me something to review. Once I understood this was possible, I began searching for companies whose values matched my own to ask if they wanted me to promote their products.

Confessions of an Overworked Mom now has over 570 followers through Goggle Friends Connect. How did you gain such a large following?

I ask myself that all the time,LOL. I think people really like the contests I post and in order to enter the contests, they need to be followers. Honestly though, it's not all that many people in the world of mommy bloggers. I know several bloggers who have followers in excess of 3000 people. I'd love to reach that size.

Your blog also offers companies a place in your sidebar to advertise. What is the cost and why should a company choose Confessions of an Overworked Mom as their place in the blogosphere to advertise?

I have a few different reasons I put company info on my blog. Ads in the upper right hand corner of my blog are $5/month. For the most part these are companies that have approached me to place their ads. Ads in other places are generally companies that I have a long term relationship with as either an affiliate or simply because I love their products so much. Some are bartered for. Some are purchased. Some I just place for free. It really depends on the situation. I won't place an ad for a company I don't feel a good connection with.


As far as why companies should choose me, I get a lot of traffic from moms searching for contests to enter and great deals to take advantage of. I have a Google Page Rank of 4 and I work daily on making my blog a better place for people to visit. I think I offer good exposure opportunities for businesses looking for new customers.

In addition to book, product, and movie reviews, you frequently share more personal items at your blog: your weight loss goals, homesteading, your family life. What do you think these posts add to your blog? How have your readers responded to them?

Personally I like blogs that let me get to know the blogger as a whole person. I don't classify myself as simply a "review blog" because for me it's not all about reviews. Just about anyone can write a fluff piece promoting company X's products. I want to know when I read a review that the person who wrote it really does like the product. I can't know that if I don't know them as more than a reviewer. By sharing my life in general, I hope that I give people insight into who I am and what kinds of products I support. I won't review every product or book or DVD that's offered to me. I won't promote a company that I don't believe in. I think by sharing information on my life, I let people know that the products I write about really are what I say they are and I'm not just writing something positive because someone gave me a free widget.

You’re a busy wife and mother. In addition to blogging, you also hold down a job and run a homestead. How do you juggle your various roles?

I have no idea. Seriously. There are days I ask myself that a lot. I drink a lot of coffee. I multi-task constantly. I don't get a lot of sleep and I'm not the type of person who sits still easily. My goal is to not work outside the home, o I'd love to remove that one from my list but,for now it needs to stay there. Other than that, I really love what I do.

What are some of the great giveaways you are running right now?

I have a bunch of great giveaways going on right now including candles from Mountain Mama Kitchen Company, a Seventh Generation Starter Kit, sunglasses from Sunglass Warehouse & lots more. You can find all my contests here:

http://confessionsofanover-workedmom.blogspot.com/search/label/giveaway





Do you have any tips for our readers who might be interested in starting their own product review blog?

Don't give up and don't try to be who you aren't. People can tell the difference between someone who writes from the heart and someone who is simply promoting the next product on their list. Go with what you love and products/companies that fit in with your lifestyle. If you honestly would never buy/support Company X then don't promote them on your blog. I'm all about honesty and transparency.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I'd like to invite your readers to also take a look at my fashion blog, The Socialite's Closet. It's my place to talk specifically about fashion including clothes, jewelry, perfume, etc. It's still small and I'd love it to grow!

Thanks for spending time with us today, Ellen. It was great to learn more about Confessions of an Overworked Mom and how it all started. We wish you continued success.

Thanks, Cheryl. I appreciate you having me!



Ellen is a 43 year old mother of two children, ages 12 (boy) and 17 (girl). She works part time outside of the home and runs several home based businesses. She lives in rural Vermont on a small, two acre homestead where she is passionate about eco-friendly and green living. She and her family care for gardens, a small orchard and a flock of ducks and chickens.

Her blogs include Confessions of an Overworked Mom where she focusses on living an eco friendly, gourmet life and products that support her goals and The Socialite's Closet where she writes about her love for designer fashions and products that appeal to her sense of style.

My Urban Child Apron Giveaway Still Running at Confessions of an Overworked Mom

Don't forget about this great giveaway going on at Confessions of an Overworked Mom!

If you're looking for a stylish new apron, why don't you stop on over at Confessions of an Overworked Mom. This contest will remain open until it receives 100 entries, and there are plenty of ways to increase your chances of winning. Check the blog for details.