This year there appears to be a greater interest in blogging and vlogging and social networking in general within the travel industry and consequently there were proper allocated events for “tweet ups” and conferences involving bloggers. GREAT – in the past when I’ve introduced myself as a blogger at WTM, everyone has looked blank and it’s obvious that they know I’ve been invited by my friend and haven’t a clue what I’m talking about and clearly know nothing about the travel industry.” Then when they ask me what sort of stuff I write about I slightly panic and wonder if I should remove the post I’ve just written about “furry muffs” or some other inappropriate topic or even quickly delete the whole thing. This time I was able to discuss my recent blog trip to NYC and the Disney stuff I”ve done and it was great – I handed my card with my elephant bottoms on left, right and centre but had to advise them to only check out the travel section, otherwise they might stumble upon furry muff blog posts again and be too scared to carry on reading. I have amassed a wonderful selection of business cards in return from all round the world and am currently working out how to get to the Maldives, via Thailand, Cambodia, Las Vegas and Zambia.

There was a travel industry party to go to after the event as well which was fab. I had a lovely time. One man who I was chatting with told me he thought I was an “old soul” which I took as a compliment until this morning when it has occurred to me that perhaps he meant I was an “old sole” – the shoe or even fish variety – neither of which are a good thing in any way.

Got back to find my daughter had left me a message:-

Very odd. Not at all clear where or what the “disgusting” arrow was referring to. There was nothing there – although it was actually pointing at me.

Apparently politicians are queuing up to do live webchats on Mumsnet – David Cameron was on yesterday and Gordon Brown will be back to reach “cyberwomen” or “women who blog” or “Motherbloggers” any minute. All because the world has suddenly woken up to the fact that targeting (and/or schmoosing) women on the internet is a relatively successful and effective way to reach the rest of the family.

I just can’t quite believe it’s taken men this long to notice the ever increasing power and influence of “CYBERWOMAN”……(cue appropriate bat/spiderman music).
There is a new term on the block to describe a woman who knows how to use the internet. Personally I like the term “Cyberwoman” and might request that I be introduced by that name at all times – it makes me feel like a Superhero – “kills all known germs at the touch of a button”. Much better than “mummy blogger” or “Netmum”. It somehow sounds huge and dramatic and maybe it means I can go around wearing a huge bra and sparkly corset and high boots (in the style of Wonderwoman).

Apparently politicians are queuing up to do live webchats on Mumsnet – David Cameron was on yesterday and Gordon Brown will be back to reach “cyberwomen” or “women who blog” or “Motherbloggers” any minute. All because the world has suddenly woken up to the fact that targeting (and/or schmoosing) women on the internet is a relatively successful and effective way to reach the rest of the family.

I just can’t quite believe it’s taken men this long to notice the ever increasing power and influence of “CYBERWOMAN”……(cue appropriate bat/spiderman music).

We have no limits.

To infinity and beyond (no – that was Buzz).

Just off to look in the dressing up box.
We have no limits.

To infinity and beyond (no – that was Buzz).

Just off to look in the dressing up box.

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have updated guidelines on the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. The new rules state that bloggers, celebrities and social media users must disclose compensation they receive from a company whose product they review. Companies are also responsible for making sure that endorsers make such disclosures.

The edges of the blogosphere are a bit blurry at the moment because it’s a new media landscape out there. We are all finding our way. Individuals, who are blogging for a multitude of different reasons are increasingly finding that their opinions are being invited to merge with companies, advertising agencies and PR companies.

There is a divided opinion about how the blogosphere should work and I suspect there always will be. Who knows where it is all going. How things will work in the future. I’m not a journalist, I have never claimed to be. I am just a single mother of three writing about stuff – big and small, who has inadvertently found herself in a list of top 20 “British Parent Bloggers”. If that means that I can use my blog to good effect; if it means that all our little voices collectively work together to make one big noise in order to promote change or offer support, share jokes, or meet up to go on rollercoasters…then I am all for it.

I think it is perfectly reasonable to expect transparency and disclosure from bloggers when they have been asked to review or promote something that has been sponsored. I wouldn’t want to be taking any money for products or places that I may be writing about unless I had made it absolutely clear. But I’m not going to decline all offers because it is considered unethical. I’m just going to try and most the most of an unusual situation, be honest and enjoy the ride while it lasts.