Post contains affiliate links. Every Monday, I answer a reader submitted question. Don’t miss any posts! Subscribe to our new RSS Feed or subscribe via email.
Questions don’t have to be cloth diaper related, just email maria at change-diapers.com with “Mailbox Mondays” in the subject, or fill out my contact form for readers, which you will always be able to find on my Contact Page.
Valerie asks:
How do you get started as a blog? How do you get companies to send you things to try?
My blog started as a hobby 4 years ago, and I never expected it to be what it is today. Blogs as a business are much more common today, and you have the benefit of being able to plan things out rather than scramble as things change for you! I’d recommend getting reliable hosting and a great theme/design from the beginning. Choose your URL and blog name carefully!
Decide what your niche will be. What is your style? Why would people come to your blog (and stick around?) For example, my niche is cloth diapers & “green” products, though I do occasionally post about other mom/baby topics. My reviews are photo heavy, and my intention is to make the reader feel that they are looking at the product with me. Dirty Diaper Laundry creates incredible videos. If a company I am working with is looking for a review, she is definitely at the top of my list! Most importantly, be you and be original.
Once you have your blog set up and looking spiffy, start writing. Develop your style. Find products you already own that fit your niche, and write fabulous reviews. Show companies why they should work with you! Eventually, as you build a reputation, you may consider approaching companies, or they may approach you to offer review products.
Make sure you read up on FTC guidelines for disclosing material connections, and be sure that you are only accepting products that really fit you and your blog. Though it is exciting to finally feel like you’ve “made it” when someone sends a free product, it’s easy to get burned out when you are spending hours photographing, researching, evaluating, writing about and promoting a product that may have only cost a few dollars.
Don’t be afraid to work affiliate links into your blog posts (with proper disclosure.) Money made from affiliate sales can enable you to purchase additional items to review, so you can continue to build your blog.
Have you thought about starting a blog?
Maria wants to live in a world where cloth diapers are the norm and moms can make parenting choices without judgement. When she’s not chasing her 18, 14 and 11-year old kids around, you might find her checking out the latest gadgets, organizing something (again) or exercising in the fresh air. 
Thanks so much! I am also very interested in starting a blog of my own, I’m going to be cloth diapering for the first time and all of the options and brands were a lot to take in! I want to be able to help other newbies getting started and help make things easier
For them. plus I found that I have enjoyed learning about CD and i still have a lot left to learn.Thanks again!