June 21, 2007 at 1:44 pm
· Filed under Blogging, Parenting, Working from Home
One thing I have learned since I started blogging (one year ago tomorrow) is that no matter what your niche is, there is a community for you. I have also learned that there are A LOT of Moms who are passionate, creative, and well-connected in the new world we call the Internet. Whether you are a Mom looking for an online community or a business looking to get in touch with your Mom audience, there are plenty of great communities that are already established - and there seems to be attitude that there is always room for one more at the table.
Here are thirteen places where the Moms are:
1. Being social! New social bookmarking sites are cropping up that fill a need within a niche. Sk*rt.com is a very HOT digg-like site for women that is slightly addictive. Others in this arena include Babblz.com, Absolutely Parents, and Netscape.
2. On the networks. Blog networks like b5Media Family & Relationships Channel, Grasshopper New Media Parents, and 451 Press have dedicated channels of family-related content and blogs. And don’t forget Strollerderby - its written by a team of hip, urban parents.
3. In the cafe. Cafe Mom that is! Cafe Mom is run by the same group who brings us Club Mom - both very good resources for Moms, but Cafe Mom is more community and social focused. Did I mention that thousands of Moms have already set up their profiles there.
4. Working the forums. Traditional discussion boards are still great ways to connect with like-minded Moms and my favorites include the MomGadget forum, WAHM, and HBWM.
5. Linking up - Weekly memes like Menu Plan Monday, Wordless Wednesday, and Thursday Thirteen attract a huge following. One of the ways they work so well is thanks to Mr. Linky.
6. At the carnival. Thinking of joining the circus? Your family may prefer you play it safe and join a blogging carnival instead. Join in the carnival of family life or do a search at Blogcarnival.com for a another topic.
7. Joining forces. Looking for a way to exchange links and find more Mom blogs? Why not join forces and grow your blogroll too. Two of the groups that come to mind are The Mom Blogs and Blogging Chicks. In order to make the most of these groups you have to display a link to their mainsite or display a badge.
8. Thinking local. There are more and more sites coming about that serve a specific geographical area. Let’s start with Silicon Valley Moms, and their sister sites Chicago Moms and New York City Moms.
9. Acting global. I love the sites All for Women and Real Savvy Moms for their global reach. If you have a product and want to tell the parenting world about it you must go to The Parent Bloggers Network (thanks Ponn).
10. Popularity plays. Have you seen TopMomma or The Top 100 Mom Blogs? These are a great source of new reads and a fun way to reward your favorite Moms.
11. Talking among ourselves. One of the best ways to get to know other Mom bloggers and build your own community is by leaving comments on the blogs you like to read. Or you could stop by here on Fridays for Casual Fridays - bring your cup of coffee and just chat.
12. Lurking in the wings. Yes, I know there are a bucket load of Moms online that haven’t found their voice yet! If you are one of them, jump in, leave a comment or better yet, get started blogging today.
13. Meeting in Chicago - BlogHer will be in Chicago July 27-29. Some of my favorite Moms are even speaking!
This list is by NO MEANS exhaustive! I know there are so many more places that Mom’s hang out online. If you happen to have a favorite that is not on the list, by all means, leave a comment and let us know! And for more Thursday Thirteen entries, visit the TT hub.
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Kristin wrote @ June 21st, 2007 at 2:15 pm
A very nice list! I’ll have to check some of those out.
Happy TT!
kailani wrote @ June 21st, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Thank you for the carnival plug! I really appreciate it!
Lots of places to visit! Thanks 
jenny® wrote @ June 21st, 2007 at 2:44 pm
that blog carnival sounds interesting, i’ll go check it out! thanks for sharing…it’s a great list!
pickel wrote @ June 21st, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Great list. I do have a small following on my site but not enough to get me “out there”. This might really help.
Pickel
What a great list! You REALLY put a lot of thought and care into this one. You just never stop amazing me with the things you come off with.
pickel wrote @ June 21st, 2007 at 3:04 pm
451 Press also has a great special needs blog…Discussing Autism. Shameless Plug.
GREAT list Char!
I knew most of them, but you touched based on critical categories that I have yet to become active in:
‘Linking Up’ and ‘At the Carnival’.
I’m always glad to help out-because with you, its always a two-way street 
Annette wrote @ June 21st, 2007 at 4:07 pm
This is a great post! Thanks for all the fab resources
Char wrote @ June 21st, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Thanks everyone for stopping in! Are there any other sites I missed? How about other categories?
Heather wrote @ June 21st, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Here are a couple more:
http://www.wahministry.com
http://www.outofthevalley.org
*grins*
jennifer wrote @ June 21st, 2007 at 6:05 pm
What a great list! You posted some great things here! Like always.
Michelle wrote @ June 21st, 2007 at 9:17 pm
I wish I were going to Blogher . . . sigh.
Char wrote @ June 21st, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Heather - thanks for your additions.
Jennifer - Glad you like it
Michelle - I wish I was going too. We have a big family gathering that weekend that I really need to attend. One of these days!
Leigh wrote @ June 21st, 2007 at 10:11 pm
Thanks for the plug Char
You have put together a great list there with some really useful tips.
You said I would be impressed - you were right! NICE ONE.
I really have to acknowledge you as a blogger, friend - you have really come into your own over the last few months and you are just cranking out the quality content!! I’m so impressed!!!
Char wrote @ June 22nd, 2007 at 7:32 am
Leigh - you are welcome! I’m glad I found your site - it is a great resource.
Wendy - Ahh, thanks! It means so much coming from you. I have you, Gayla and a few others to thank for the guidance and support. And most of all, thanks for your friendship - that means the most.
Wonderful list….I bookmarked this so I can check everyone out!
Wow, in one year! You’re my role model. Can’t wait to borrow all of your best tricks.
Tracee Sioux
http://www.blogfabulous.com
http://www.sosiouxme.com
pickel wrote @ June 26th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Char,
Thanks again for the list. Just wanted to let you know I am the newest blogger on Chicago Moms Blogs.
Pickel
Char wrote @ June 26th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
pickel - congratulations! I will have to come and check it out.
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Jeri wrote @ July 13th, 2007 at 1:16 am
Nicely put together post - and very readable, from a format and presentation perspective. (Given your trade, that’s probably second nature!)
I definitely need to check out some of these. Thanks for the resource research!
Rebecca wrote @ July 13th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Hi! I love this list! thanks for doing all the hardwork for us. Now we get to go out and do the fun part!
I’d love to get some sort of a meet up going for Spokane mom bloggers. Anybody know any?
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Jan Bay wrote @ November 12th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
I’m way behind the curve in learning all the ins and outs of blogging. I have a site with a blog that’s included in the site. It’s an information site and I’m not abandoning it, but I just started a blogger blog so that I can get comments, etc.
I’m still confused on what a “meme” is and how they (it?) works though!
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