Maryanne is a Christian and mother of two boys aged three years and five years. When she was pregnant for the first time, it was an exciting phase for her. At the time, it was just she and her husband in the house and at the end of the day, Maryanne would find herself excitedly sharing with him a narrative of the day’s events – which would almost always be about the growing bump, and the new changes it brought along.
As the due date neared, Maryanne’s concerns about certain issues – such as what to pack in the hospital bag, what to expect during labour, what to look out for in a hospital to deliver and breastfeeding issues among others increased. Taking note of this (because he too was a new parent and didn’t have answers to many of her questions), her husband suggested that she seek answers from fellow women – mothers – as he opined that they would be best placed to answer them based on their own personal experiences. He suggested that she start a blog which would help with this.
That was five years ago and today, her blog, Mummy Tales, whose tag line is ‘Raising a Family in Africa’, has evolved into a community of mothers sharing their experiences of pregnancy, breastfeeding, nutrition, schooling and parenting. The blog is a platform that provides helpful information based on the real life experiences of other mothers, as well as accurate information from the experts interviewed. The blog was registered as a brand in 2015.
Maryanne’s hard work was recognised when Mummy Tales won Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE)’s Best Topical Blog Award in 2014 and 2016. Mummy Tales was also nominated in the same category in 2013.
She told Mkazi about her journey in the blogosphere.
I didn’t start the blog with the idea that it could turn into a business. At the beginning, it was all about my journey into motherhood. When my husband – a Digital Marketing Specialist suggested that I start a blog, I had no idea what a blog was, and he assisted me to set it up. He also helped with setting up the Mummy Tales Facebook and Twitter pages.
When he asked me the name I wanted for the blog, I came up with all manner of suggestions, which he then helped me to narrow down. He said: “You’ll soon be a mum and you’ll be telling stories. The blog will be about motherhood stories. Let’s call it Mummy Tales!”
For the first few weeks, I would type out the stories in a Word document, then he’d upload them for me on the blog as he tutored me on how to publish content. He also showed me how to promote the posts on Facebook and Twitter. I must admit though that I was initially doubtful that anybody would read my blog – aside from him. I mean, how were they going to find it? Who would tell them about it? Would they be interested in my stories anyway? In fact, for a while I was convinced that my husband was the only one reading my blog posts. However, this changed when one time I took a while before publishing a blog post and I received a few inboxes from people I didn’t know, asking me why I had gone silent, and what I had in store for them next! Everything changed after that as I became so excited knowing that other people – aside from my family, were regularly reading my posts. That was very motivating.
As the blog grew, women began asking me questions about pregnancy, breastfeeding and new motherhood. I tried my best to answer their queries, but for those that I didn’t have concise answers to, I would ask fellow moms to help out.
I would from time to time also receive queries about what brands I would recommend for moms to use during their pregnancies, on their babies, and after birth. I would share my own personal reviews about products – or the reviews of my friends, and put this up on the blog. Gradually, brands that target mothers and children began approaching me and today, Mummy Tales is a platform that brands approach to market their products targeted at mothers and children – and even household products – purchases which are often the forte of mothers.
I run the blog myself, though I have a few guest writers and contributors who send in their articles for publication. It is now five years since I started the blog, and getting to where I am today has not been an easy process. Blogging requires lots of hard work and patience, and is certainly not for the fainthearted. They say that 90% of blogs close within two years. One has to be very clear about the topic they blog about, have passion for it and believe in what they are doing. They have to be able to generate interesting content that is relevant and creative, and that makes sense. That is the best way to keep a blog afloat.
I started blogging in March 2011 and it took time before the blog made its first income. As a blogger, you incur costs to sustain the blog, so it is only prudent that you find a way to pay for some of those expenses. I remember I would spend time writing tens of emails pitching ideas to brands, and having meetings with them – selling the idea of collaborative ventures with Mummy Tales but many times I would get negative responses – or no responses at all. Blogging was not much of an understood phenomenon five years ago so it was a more difficult sell then. But with growth of digital technology and online marketing in Kenya today, things are looking up and brands are now approaching bloggers and other social media influencers to work with them.
Anyone who is starting a blog should be aware that they won’t make money immediately. Don’t peg your hopes on solely making money from your blog in the first months – even years as a blogger, because you will for sure be disappointed. Focus on building your brand first, and the best way to do so is by creating engaging content. Take time to strategize on your content. Who do you want to reach? What message do you want to give them? Will it be helpful to them? How often do you want to give the message? How will you deliver it? What tone will you use? Your content is what will largely determine the growth of your blog, and this will attract brands.
I’m a niche blogger; meaning I have a very targeted demographic. Niche bloggers often have a dedicated following; readers that relate to them on an almost personal level. Many women – and mothers trust word of mouth referrals and personal testimonials from their fellow women, and so if a blogger whom they regularly follow recommends a certain product that has worked for them, their child or their household, then they are more likely to be influenced to try it too. On Mummy Tales I share my own experiences about products, and I also share the experiences of other moms as well. There’s a lot of ‘word of mouth’ referrals through the blog.
With blogging my major challenge is occasional burn out. I am a journalist, and a Christian, and I love writing stories of inspiration, stories of hope and faith. As a mother, I especially love writing about all things motherhood, including creating awareness on maternal and child health. I have been blessed because through my blog, I have had the opportunity to work with organisations involved in matters of reproductive health, as well as children.
However, generating content and publishing it on a regular basis can at times take a toll on even the most passionate of writers – myself being no exception. At such moments, I get a writer’s block and when this happens, I take leave from the blog completely – sometimes for a week. When I return, I am refreshed, invigorated and with new ideas.
The biggest lesson I have learned is patience. Blogging and patience go hand in hand. If you want to start a blog, take time to think about what exactly you want from it, and what direction you want to take. Don’t start a blog just because someone else is doing it and they are doing well in it. They have understood their trade, have their own strategy, and are making it work. Find your trade too and your strategy, and make them work for you.
Entrepreneurship has helped me develop a profound appreciation for business owners. Most entrepreneurs are very focused and don’t waste time on things that bring no value to them or their business. They use their money wisely and are very keen on building relationships. I now understand why.
If I could go back in time, I would come up with a business plan early enough. I didn’t start out Mummy Tales with the idea of it being a business, so I didn’t draft a business plan then. Understanding business processes is very important for any entrepreneur, and developing a business plan is key.
My advice to other entrepreneurs is be patient, identify business mentors and engage them frequently. If you can, pay up for a business training course. Speak to people who have been in business for long and succeeded, and speak to the ones who started a business and failed as well. The information you will get from them is more valuable that what you may learn in an institution.
In five years from now Mummy Tales will be an information hub for East Africa, sharing helpful information and inspirational stories about motherhood and parenting.
Did you enjoy this story? Post a comment below.
Contact or follow Mummy Tales
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE | EMAIL
