Well, I am an expert about being plus size, I have been plus size most of my life, from back when I was a very young age, of 9 I can remember being plus size (for my age). I have struggled with my weight all along and even still today, struggle, but with a mush different optimism in my mind.

You see, I no longer let my weight be the ruler of me. It is what it is and I go on with life. My insides matter most. Yes, people see me and think oh my goodness, look at that fat lady, I am sure of this. And don’t get me wrong, I am not happy with my weight, and state of my health, and I think about it a lot. But I do not let it stop me from being who I am and what I do, for the most part.

I used to let it stop me. I used to let people get the best of me when people would call me names all throughout school. These people obviously ONLY could see the outer me and not my beautiful insides. Today more and more people are able to see the REAL me, and accept me for who I am. With more and more people struggling with weight and with obesity being at a very high rate. More and more people are understanding my struggle and going through it as well.

There are a lot of people in fact now that I see who weren’t plus size through out school, but I see them now, and they are where I am, so it does catch up to you if your not careful about what you eat and how you exercise (or the lack of).

What I wish people who are debating over all of this what is a good number to call plus size for models. And whether or not there should even be plus size models. What I wish they would go by, is not the number of size, but peoples beauty given to them from a higher power. Their inner beauty. When it comes to age, people often use “age ain’t nothing but a number”, then why do they have to go by the number when it comes to modeling and size clothing you wear? Why can’t models be judged by inner beauty and personality. I understand that it has to do with well, you cannot tell that in pictures. But I believe you can.

If a woman or man is confident, and feels great about themselves, it radiates through and

The beauty shines through. In pictures, in ads, commercials, in everything they do.

It totally shouldn’t go by any size. And shame on the modeling companies who do go by size. And a huge HORRAY to the companies who are coming out and seeing the need for the reality of how people really are and the way of the world today. And for taking the initial steps to change these outdated ways of ONLY using a size 4.

If they want to sell clothes or products, a beautiful, voluptuous, self confident woman with graceful curviness and a beautiful smile and the attitude you can pick up from her face with a proudness of flaunting what she has on and looking REAL can totally sell me any day. And if this means she is a size 4, then it is great, but if she is a size 24 this is fantastic to me too.

The Plus Size Mommy

* and by the way the photo at the top of the page.. “Model contestant Miranda Day poses during the Plus-Size Model Search Grand Final” in Sydney Australia, and umm she don’t look too “plus size” to me ? what do you think?*

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I was recently given samples of Boiron products while attending the Type A Mom blogger conference. I will say I was hesitant to try them, as I never have used homeopatic medicine on my children before. I didn’t know anything about them and this is just something new to me, but now after reading about it on the package and now trying them, I am set on them!

My daughters have had this atrocious cough. I used the “Chestal Honey”, by putting 1/2 tsp. in some tea for them, and the cough keeps away for like at least 4 hours, letting me get SOME sleep! Boiron is a homeopatic medicine. children’s. It is a cough syrup. Works wonders!! Our pediatrician said cough can last weeks after having H1N1, am so happy they have this to relieve it a bit for them (and me).

I have also tried the Boiron, Oscillococcinum it is for flu like symptoms, I used it for my sons. no side effects, they are like little pellets that melt on their tongues. helps fever, chills, and body aches and feeling run down ness. It helped them tremendously. I am totally rethinking like tylenol and so on for my kids now. My mom has also tried some adult cough one from Boiron and loves it as well. Check them out!

Hear what my friends are saying about the Boiron products too after I posted about my experience on facebook:

• “Love this! I was in europe with Bella and the doctor there prescribed it for her. She got better in like two days and now we take it all the time!”
• “I hope they get better soon! Thanks for the tip on Chestal Honey, I use some of the other Boiron products myself.”

I believe that a lot of moms are scared to give medications to their kids with all the callbacks and effects that they can do to them. I believe that moms are looking for a safe alternative that will still provide the same outcome for their children.

These medications are not as well known in the area of where I live as say tylenol or advil. But being a user and now a believer of how they work, if someone asks me for a tip on what to do to ease a cough for their child, you better believe I am going to tell them try the Chestal!!!

If you would like to try this medicine to keep your family healthier this flu season (everyone should be jumping on this!) here is a link to the Boiron site as well as they have a $1 off coupon on there to help you save money while trying out their products : http://children.boironusa.com/

there is also a FAQ page on the site so you as a parent can make intelligent choices and decide about the homeopatic products for your child(ren).

Have you ever tried homeopathic medicines? Homeopathy is a theraputic method used to help the body rebalance and heal itself using natural substances in micro-doses. If you HAVE tried homeopathic medicines I would love you to comment and share with us (me and other readers) your experiences. If you do not use them, please also comment and share with us your reasons why ? I would love to hear all of your opinions on this subject

“Here’s to keeping your household happy and healthy!!”

The Plus Size Mommy

* after writing this post, I was included into a campaign due to my relationship with the One 2 One network, and so, to be transparent, I am disclosing that I am also using this post to be a part of their Boiron campaign.

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I was sent to Walmart with another group of ladies from a survey group called Communispace. They do exclusive surveys for companies, and I had been chosen to be a part of the ones for Walmart. I knew nothing about blogging.

WOW was I emerged into this lingo they spoke of. I felt like I was from another planet. I never heard these terms, these Internet places. Heck, I was happy I knew Excel and Word ! I remember taking notes like crazy. I mean, these ladies were talking about their little bambinos at home, and how fun it was to do product reviews, and it was just a group of ladies I wanted to know more about and get more involved with.

THEN it happened… I was invited to a PJ party in the one hotel room. In that room was none other than Jessica Smith (from Jessica Knows), Katja Presnal (from Skimbaco Lifestyle), Amy Allen Clark (from Momadvice ), Colleen Padilla (from ClassyMommy ), Christine Young (from From Dates to Diapers), and Tara K (from DealSeekingMom), there may have been a few more, but I cannot recall all of them. (Sorry if I missed you) I remember looking up their websites and reading them back in my hotel room, and reading and seeing all their beautiful sites and reading about all kinds of things that I was soooo interested in.

Some of the other elevenmom’s I met who have helped me immensely along the way are Lucretia (Geekmommy), Jen (Frugal Upstate), Lynnae , Deninse Sawyer(Centsible Sawyer), Lori (A Cowboy’s Wife), Alyssa (Kingdom First Mom), Linsey (wise bread) Monica (Mommy Brain Reports) and THE Consumer Queen (Melissa Garcia).

It was such a fun night, I asked sooooo many questions, I am sure POSITIVE I got on all of their nerves. BUT They answered them with kindness and a way I could understand. I remember writing down like every word, trying not to miss anything. I wanted to be part of this group of woman, powerful woman, woman like me who were all moms and wanted to better things for consumers, who wanted to change the world one blog post at a time. Who wanted to help others with their savvy saving tips. I didn’t even know who these ladies were but in that short time a year ago, I knew I wanted to be like them. For I too wanted my voice to be heard as a Consumer Mom who wanted to Save money and let companies know what I like and what I thought could be made better.

I had also met Mr. John Andrews while there. He was like in the know of everything. Everyone at Walmart knew him, he was like BIG MAN ON CAMPUS ! He rocked ! He treated us like royalty(and still does even today). His impression on me was like no other man’s in the world of business. He could meet with the Big Whigs at Walmart, but still was very much interested in what us moms and consumers wanted. He was like a fearless leader for the Walmart 11 Moms. He caringly toured us around Bentonville and told us about Brands and companies and just was so intelligent I was in amazement.

I remember being on the shuttle bus thinking about all of these ladies names and I think I may have even asked out loud what could a good name be for me ? I talked it over with the Communispace Moms and we were all thinking about some names I believe. We were all thrilled of finding this group of woman. It felt like we struck oil, right in Bentonville! We went on a tour there of a Walmart store and I remember looking around at the “Plus Size” clothing to try and find a t -shirt souvenir for me to take home. In disgust I couldn’t find one. I was upset over the offerings in the Plus Size Department at Walmart. I remember even thinking what can I do to make a change here ? Plus Size Woman don’t want to be covered over in some moo -moo and put out to pasture. We want what non-plus size woman want in the way of fashion but with a little bit more material. And then…like a light bulb from the God’s of General Electric themselves:

“THE PLUS SIZE MOMMY” was born !

I went back onto the shuttle and said, “I want to blog about Plus size woman and things, and I am going to be The Plus Size Mommy”, I think I heard a couple of laughs but someone did say, I don’t think there are any blogs for that, or at least no one had heard of any. I was so proud, lol (I am still smiling).

After going back to the hotel Katja helped me create a Twitter account and I named myself “@plussizemommy“.  She also told me how to create a blogspot blog and after I came home and emailed all of them a few more times to bug them, The Plus Size Mommy became a reality and Alive as ever.

I have evolved my blog over the year. I went from Blogger to WordPress and have met tons of great people along the way to guide and help me. I am on Twitter with over 6000 followers and I have posted over 390 blog posts. I have Tweeted over 27,000 Tweets (Yea, I talk a lot) I like to be social, thats why being involved in social media makes so much sense for me, and I am the happiest blogger ever ! I also do not just write about Plus Size topics, although this is a passion of mine) I have broadened my writing to include many other topics.

I have made so many friends. I have been to 4 conferences, traveled to 6 new states that I have never been to before and hope and plan to go to many more. I have met over 20 celeb’s IN REAL LIFE, Through twitter I have connected with 5 celeb’s that I talk to on a regular basis. I have networked with over 100 companies. I have over 560 Facebook friends, and over 1,473,900+ connections on LinkedIn!!!!

I have made over $15,000 between sponsorships, products I reviewed , and revenue off of my blog (via consulting, ad’s, or by hosting giveaway’s). And only God knows how many countless hours I have put into it (way to many according to some). I have also recruited at least 3 fellow bloggers by telling them about what I do, and helping them get set up. (How is that for blogging Kharma!!!  )

It has been a long rode, with lots of ups and downs. A road I am finding that many haven’t yet traveled, and one I am still navigating. But all in all it is one I hope to never stray from.

I love the people (fellow bloggers rock), I love the companies, I love to find out about and tell others about new/improved products before they are even on the market, I love the travelling to conferences, I love the small breaks away from home to travel, I love to give things away and make others so happy when they win something, and I love to write and have my voice heard.

More people who I would like to thank who have been there and supported me along the way, and if you have been there and I forget to mention you, please do not be offended, there are so many people!  - My children, who put up with me on the computer sometimes when time slips away and I have to eventually just close the lid and come to play. My Husband, who also puts up with me missing cooking dinner at times, or not having the housework done. My mom, who has been helping me to take care of my children and family, and who is there to watch the kids when I go on my trips to conferences. Kim (craftymamaof4), who is always there for me with a shoulder to lean on every time I feel like quitting my blog, and for every time my blog gets hacked and I am fed up. Jerri Ann (mom e-centric) again for being there for me, her and her husband helped me so many times, through so many “hacks” and getting my blog back up and running and her being there to lean on when I am disgusted.

Barbara Jones (One2One Network) and Ali Worthington (Blissfully Domestic) for giving me tons of inspiration. Blissdom 09 was the first conference I went to and learned so much. I fell in love with these ladies, they are smart, sweet, and have all the qualities I look for in a friend. If you don’t know Ali, your totally missing out, she is beautiful, intelligent, and just knows exactly where she wants to be. Her southern voice is to die for and so sweet, I could just sit and listen to her speak all day long! Barbara is such an inspiration to me, she is one of the hardest working ladies I know. She is so gentle natured and very intelligent indeed, I just love to hear from these ladies.

All of the staff that I have met at Collective Bias, there is Amy, Rebecca, Jay, John, and Lucretia (and many more) they are all great to work with on projects and keep me going.

There is a long list of others that I totally appreciate but for the sake of time I cannot link to all of you, but PLEASE feel free to comment and link to this post. These people who have helped me through(and they may not even realize the support they have given me) are: Anissa Mayhew, Amy Bair, Shannon Powell, Sugar Jones, Erin Jeanny, Brandy Tanner, Danielle Smith, Elizabeth Norton, Alaina Frederick, Sandy Jenney, Pensieve Robin, Mary Davis, Leah Segedie, Dwan Perrin, Momfaves, Fiona Bryan, Michelle, Amanda H, Melissa Smallwood, Niri, Kelby Carr, John Chow, Nicole (Holymoleynicoley)Jyl J. Pattee, Carissa R., and I am so sorry if I left you out there are so many others. All of these people somehow have impacted me during this first year, and I love you all for it!

People who I would also like to thank are PR reps and brands and people from them like Jessica Kane,Rick Calvert, George Smith Jr., Ted Rubin, Allison Sands, Allison Blass, The Tanka Bar Crew, The Healthy Choice Brand and PR reps, Victoria (You ROCK!), Megan from Twittermoms, Marie Denee, La Grande Dame, Sinuate Media Team, Bonnie McGuire, Julie Dodobara, Catherine Wood Hill, Lee (from Ocean Isle), #GNO, Krystal Franklin, Jakks Pacific, and so many great others who have been with me along the way.

*Jakks Pacific was the very first product review and giveaway I did on my blog, during last Christmas! It was for a Girl gourmet cupcake maker!!! Thank You Jakks! *

I THANK YOU for coming along with me on my journey, and hope you will continue with me. Afterall a blog that is not read means nothing. I can only be a great blogger with great subscribers and readers like YOU.

THANK YOU !!!   ((((((HUGGS))))))

The Plus Size Mommy

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The holiday season is a time to celebrate with family and friends, not to worry about how to pay for holiday gifts.  With that in mind, Sears and Kmart are helping customers plan ahead and save – so they can more fully enjoy the holidays – by bringing them the Sears and Kmart Christmas Club card. 

The Christmas Club card allows shoppers to save ahead for their holiday purchases at Sears and Kmart months before hitting the stores or surfing the Internet.  Starting now, Sears and Kmart Christmas Club card users can put aside some funds on a regular basis through November 14 to add value to this unique gift card and receive a special reward when they do.

When activated between now and October 31, Christmas Club card users will earn a three percent reward – up to a maximum of $100 – based upon the value they have on their Christmas Club cards on November 14.  To activate cards or add additional value at any time, customers can visit any Sears or Kmart store location, or online at www.sears.com/christmasclub or www.kmart.com/christmasclub.

According to a recent survey* commissioned by Sears and Kmart, the troubled economy has Americans worrying about their finances more than ever before.  Nearly six in ten (58%) are more concerned about how they are going to pay for their holiday shopping this year than they were last year.

Susan Ehrlich, President, Financial Services, Sears Holdings, says feedback from their customers prompted the retailer to take action.  “We heard that our customers were concerned about how they were going to pay for their holiday shopping this year and we wanted to provide a way to ease that concern,” she said.  “The Christmas Club card provides a unique way for Sears and Kmart customers to start planning for their holiday shopping ahead of the hustle and bustle of the season and earn a reward for planning and saving ahead.” 

More than half of Americans (56%) say they plan to save money for the winter holidays this year.  In fact, nearly one-third (32%) of these folks already started stashing away some funds and another 38 percent plan to start saving cash this month or next.  Why the emphasis on saving now?  It’s clear that shoppers have changing priorities this year – nearly three-quarters (72%) plan to do things differently this holiday season, whether it’s spending less on gifts (57%), shopping at more affordable stores (53%), or planning and setting a shopping budget ahead of time (49%).  One priority that has not changed: Americans’ generous desire to give gifts to more people, even in very challenging economic times.  Seventy percent of Americans admit they’d like to give gifts to more people, but think they might not be able to afford it. 

As Americans seek to save more and charge less (33% of those who plan to do things differently this year say they plan to use their credit cards less this holiday season), the Christmas Club card program is an ideal solution for holiday shoppers on any budget.  By encouraging Sears and Kmart customers to plan ahead and save for their holiday gift shopping, this flexible and rewarding budgeting card is designed to help solve shoppers’ anxiety about paying for the holiday gifts that they want to purchase.

“Our customers have been pretty clear about what’s most important to them this holiday season,” noted Ehrlich.  “They want more ways to provide the very best holiday they can, and they want to do that in a responsible way.  When they save ahead with the Christmas Club card from Sears and Kmart, our customers can really enjoy the holidays without the worry of having to deal with an expensive bill later.”

Starting, adding value to, and redeeming the Christmas Club card is designed to be as easy and flexible as possible.  Customers can start their Christmas Club cards with as little as five dollars, and they can add value as often as they want – at any one of Sears Holdings approximately 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores, or online at www.sears.com or www.kmart.com.

As with all Sears and Kmart gift cards, there are no fees associated with the Christmas Club card, and the value on the card will not expire.  Cash or credit refunds are not allowed except where required by law.  All of our gift cards can be redeemed at Sears, Kmart, Lands’ End and The Great Indoors store locations, as well as online at www.sears.com, www.kmart.com, www.mygofer.com, and www.landsend.com. 

Sears and Kmart seek to offer their customers the broadest range of purchasing flexibility available to their customers.  As with layaway and the full range of Sears and Kmart credit financing offers available for our customers, the Christmas Club card provides one more way to Shop Your Way — and to be rewarded with up to $100 for planning ahead!

About Sears Holdings Corporation
Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation’s fifth largest broadline retailer with approximately 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada.  Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics and automotive repair and maintenance.  Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands’ End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands.  It also has Martha Stewart Everyday products, which are offered exclusively in the U.S. by Kmart.  We are the nation’s largest provider of home services, with more than 12 million service calls made annually.  Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation.  For more information, visit Sears Holdings’ Web site at www.searsholdings.com.

About Kelton Research
Kelton Research is a full service market research consultancy with offices in Los Angeles and New York.  Kelton serves as a strategic partner to both Fortune 500 corporations and smaller companies, utilizing a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to drive tactical recommendations for clients.  For more information about Kelton’s services, please visit www.keltonresearch.com

Methodological Notes on the Sears/Kmart Holiday Survey
The Sears/Kmart Holiday Survey was conducted by Kelton Research August 3 – 7, 2009 using an email invitation and an online survey. Quotas are set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population ages 18 and over.  Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results.  In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.

FROM ME :

Keep an eye out on my blog to enter to win 1 of these prepaid cards !!!! It is part of my 1 yr. Blogoversary Bash and you won’t want to miss this!!!!

The Plus Size Mommy

In about 3 days I will be on my way to Las Vegas travelling to the Blog World Expo. I am on an assignment there from a joint mission from Collective Bias, Blog World Expo, and Healthy Choice.  They are my sponsors who enabled me to go be a part of this conference to learn more about blogging, and I hope some of the technical side, and also networking.

While there I have been chosen to be a “Healthy Choice Ambassador” Spreading the word about how Healthy Choice is on a mission as well, that is parallel to mine to be more “out there” in the world of social media.

Let me tell you how big this is and how much this means. For a company such as Healthy Choice from ConAgra Foods to be at a Social Media conference to LISTEN to us bloggers, to learn from us bloggers, and to learn more about the realm of social media in general is huge.

The whole social media, blogging, mommy blogging, Brand, PR, Company connection is a relatively NEW media. And having a company there such as Healthy Choice to want to be a part of this is so wonderful. I am hoping to form a relationship with them as I stated in one of the previous posts I wrote on “This is Why I Blog”.

When Brands start listening to what bloggers are saying and then bloggers listen to the needs of the brands things can work so well. We can learn as we go supporting one another.

So this brings about a question for me. WHAT WOULD I LIKE TO LEARN FROM HEALTHY CHOICE ? A LOT !

• I have heard of them, I have bought and eaten their food, but I would like to know what their goals within social media are.
• I would love to know more about the company, what their mission is, what their history is, how Healthy Start came about.
• I would love to know what their company is doing, if anything in the ways of sustainability, as this is a subject I tend to be interested in. I am a consumer that is trying to become more “green” in my life and within my family, so I would love to know what they as a company are doing.
• I would like to know if their company is apart of or supports any special causes. One thing that ranks high with me is when large companies give back in ways of charities, fundraisers, donations, things like this.
• I would like to know what their company feels is important to consumers and see if it matches up with how “I” the consumer feels.
• I personally would love to tour one of their manufacturing plants to see what it is like there. I don’t know if this is a possibility, but sometimes to understand a company, and especially to learn more about their products, how they are made, where they are made, it is nice to have a “hands on” approach.
• I would like to know how I can assist them in the land of social media. What they would like me to convey to other consumers.

There is a lot to think about when working with a large company on campaigns. There is a much bigger picture of what information they are trying to get out to the public about their brand. I want to know what expectations they have in the social media space. I want to share with them my story of how I got into social media and have as much as a personal relationship as I can with them. I want us to share goals and then work to accomplish them.

I am thrilled to be the Healthy Choice Ambassador. I really think it is a great fit. I have been wanting to get a healthier lifestyle and having good, nutritious foods to eat along the way is a definite plus.

I would love to ask, if any of my readers have any input into this new relationship I am forming? What types of questions would you love to have answered by Healthy Choice?  What goals would you love to share with corporations within the social media space? What would you like to see brands learn from bloggers, and what can you teach brands as a blogger or as a social media expert ? PLEASE SHARE your idea’s in my comment section.

A learning process cannot work without a lot of input and idea’s and Q& A.

Being a Healthy Start Ambassador to me, means being a liaison between the brand and the bloggers. I would love to hear what your thoughts are on this. I am sure we will all have more questions along the way but I wanted to start a conversation here to kick it off with.

Also, if you will be attending Blog World Expo in Las Vegas this week. Healthy Choice is wanting to also schedule time with YOU !!!! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to meet with them and discuss social media. This Brand is taking time to meet with YOU. If you would like to be a part of my list, PLEASE email me at plussizemommy@gmail.com and let me know. Only so many people off of the list will be selected so be sure to get your name on it!

In the meantime, let me hear (and them hear) what your thoughts are. Please leave a comment.

Thank YOU!

The Plus Size Mommy

My goal was to use blogging as the platform in which my voice is heard. I felt that my blog, which potentially can be read by millions, although still read by thousands, was able to have a bigger voice than me alone writing a review on another website, or sending a lonely letter to a company.

This all happened about a year ago when I was introduced to the concept of the Walmart 11moms. When I saw these woman and how powerful and meaningful they were to Walmart (a huge corporation) I knew this is what I wanted to be doing. Not just for Walmart but any company whose products I love, like, would love to like, and even companies for products/services that I never even heard of or used before. As a consumer you never know what you will come across in the ways of product. There are so many, and so many companies vying for your purchase. I love to be the first to get the opportunity to try out products and let others know what I think. It has always been exciting to me.

I have done a ton of product reviews this past year, and I love almost every product I have been sent to try. I would never write a “bad” post of a product I didn’t like, but what I would do, is let others know what I feel could be made differently or better IN MY OPINION. I have no certificates in product testing or degree’s in marketing. But what I do have is the knowledge of a consumer, mother, wife, and woman. I know what I like,  I know what I don’t like, and I feel I am valued by my friends and family, and now my readers, as a voice who can be trusted and who is entitled to my quality opinion.

I would hope that I can build strong relationships with Brands/Companies, and also with the wonderful PR people who I work with on different campaigns and posts that I write.

This said, recently I have felt an almost “coldness” if you will from PR folks and a few companies who have wanted me to write a post or do a review for them. I am not talking “coldness” as if they are rude, no way, in fact most of them are really nice and cool to work with. What I am talking about is I will get a “pitch” to write about a product or review a product, then I may write back saying I am interested in doing so, and then I get a follow up email telling me to send my address and they will get me the product to review. Next thing I know the product is at my door, I do the review, post it, write back to the company or PR rep. to let them know, and then this is where it stops, COLD in it’s tracks…..

This isn’t really at all what I was looking for when I started my blog, but this seems to be “the norm”. I am hardly ever asked to do anything further, not asked what can be made better, if anything, not asked about any sequel to the product or service at all, well until they have another product they may want me to review, if that ever happens.

So in evaluating this, I am starting to feel like a “Generic Product Reviewer” and not a “Blogger who wants her voice heard”. So I am going to make some changes on this. Now don’t get me wrong, I love the products and giveaways, but this isn’t what I wanted my blog to be.

I saw how IMPORTANT the 11moms are to Walmart. I mean, the CEO of Walmart met with them to HEAR them. He sat in an hour conference with just us. I saw how powerful he KNOWS they can be. I know how 1 voice can turn into millions. THIS is what Word of Mouth Marketing IS. When a person loves a product/service and they in turn tell a person or a few people and then it spirals out of control into millions of people. I know how powerful to a company I can be and I know that if they want my consumer dollars then they need to and will listen to me via my blog.

What I want to gain from my blog is relationships with companies, networking through people I know and trust. Relationships with the wonderful PR people. I want them to value me and my voice and my blog, in the same way I value their products and services. I want the reciprical trust factor. Where if I can say hey you know product “XYZ” can be better if..  and the company will take this under consideration and possibly make changes because they can trust me due to this relationship. Or if I have a really cool idea for a campaign maybe they would listen to me because they know and value what I have to say.

A “cold” email cannot build the kind of relationship I am seeking. One or two emails a year cannot build this. From now on I am going to evaluate the emails for the prospective companies and PR people I hear from. If I feel this relationship can be made I will work with them, but if not, I will have to turn them away, cause that is just not what I am looking for.

I have worked so hard to get some of the relationships I have. The ones I have that I feel are REAL are the ones whose campaigns I get the most out of in the way of feeling appreciated and feel the company or PR persons are really valuing what it is I am saying. I am not feeling like I am slapping up a post just to appease someone who I may never hear from again. The REAL relationships I have built, as a matter of fact, are the companies and PR folks who keep coming back because obviously they HEAR MY VOICE and not only hear it but internalize it and digest it. They keep coming back because they know I am a faithful consumer and know when I goto buy product “X” It will be their product, coupon or not. They value if I say to them, you know if you added this, or took away that, or made it this color, or packaged it in this, they may take it into consideration and go with it.

This is why I blog. Yes, I love the products, I love being the first to try something new, I love to interact with other people and hear what they think, but I want and have always wanted my voice to be heard in a big plus size way. I hope PR reps and Brands will hear this and be respective of the relationships I am trying to build. I totally know it would make me value their company and brand a whole lot more too.

The Plus Size Mommy