Spotlight Blog: Twitter Moms Part 2

November 24, 10:13 AMParenting ExaminerTerreece Clarke

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Parenting Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

One of the hottest sites on the Web - Twitter Moms

Last week we interviewed Megan Calhoun, the mom behind the hit site Twitter Moms. She has so much great information we decided to extend our interview and spotlight into two sections so our readers would be able to hear all Megan had to say:

Parents are always looking for ways to start or grow their online business. Give our readers three tips to making their business a success.

Megan: Starting a business is challenging. My first bit of advice would be to get connected with someone you can trust as an advisor. I’ve watched my husband go through the process several times, so I call on him frequently for advice. He helps me keep things in perspective — like focusing on what’s important vs. what seems urgent.

Second, manage your start-up costs. If you’re starting an online business, there are tons of ways to get up-and-running for very little money. Every dime you don’t spend is a dime in your pocket, allowing you to invest in the things that will actually help differentiate your offerings or help your business grow. We started TwitterMoms with $50, and we use all sorts of great but inexpensive online services to manage our business like Ning.com (for hosting our social networking site) and MailChimp (for managing our member newsletters). No need to go overboard investing in fancy stuff before you know whether or not people like what you have to offer.

Finally, I’d say success is easier than ever to achieve because of social networking. You need to identify bloggers or notable folks who share your passions and involve yourself in discussions with them. Comment on their blogs. Add to the quality of discourse, and avoid the temptation to simply talk about your business — it really turns people off. Just get out there, be you, be positive, be helpful, and have fun.  

How do you juggle the demands of your business with raising your children?

Megan: I am a very new work-at-home mom, since TwitterMoms just launched in early September. I’m still trying to figure out how to balance work and family. I try to work while my eldest is at school, during nap times and after bedtime. Of course, I find that I’m always sneaking away to check emails and Twitter account.

I don’t think there is a right answer, it’s different for everyone and you just have to figure out how to make it work for your family. The best tip I got from another mom, was to realize there is no such thing as multi-tasking, to be effective at whatever you are doing; whether it’s playing with the kids, cooking or working, you have to be 100% present in that moment of what you are doing. I’m still struggling with this one!

Where do you see the future of social networking heading?

Megan:  This is a point of passion for my husband, so we talk about the topic all the time. Social networking is changing how people discover new and interesting things worth paying attention to. Your friends quite often share your tastes, so they act like filters for you. As people become more and more connected to each other digitally, you’ll see all sorts of changes in behavior — how you shop, how you consume news and information, how you entertain yourself — everything will be informed and shaped by the company you keep.

You have a powerful group of women - tech savy moms - as your main demographic. These are a demographic that companies are dying to get their products in front of, and may somewhat fear given the recent Motrin uprising. What tips would you give companies trying to reach your moms?

Megan:  The moms on TwitterMoms are very highly educated and really plugged in to the new media scene. Because these moms are extremely “connected” through their blogs and Twitter accounts, they can be very influential in setting or changing opinions. A few members were offended by a recent Motrin ad, and within a day or so Johnson & Johnson pulled the ad and issued an apology. It was amazing to witness.

Companies that want to work with Twitter Moms need to understand how to approach them. Bring them something interesting; be open to their feedback; participate in the conversation; and let the conversation happen. We’ve had great success with marketers like Elf on the Shelf, SitterCity, and Global Wonders — all of whom understood that working with influential moms takes more than just slapping up an ad, and that the benefits of working with moms like these can be substantial.

Name a recent life changing, or as Oprah says, an "Ah Ha!" moment you've had since starting Twitter Moms.

Megan:  I’m constantly amazed at how supportive women are. Not a day goes by without someone recognizing the effort I’m putting into making TwitterMoms.com a great place for moms to meet and connect. You see these moms supporting one another, and it just warms your heart to be connected to so many great moms, and see so many great moms connecting with one another.