The Digital Mom Handbook: How to Blog, Vlog, Tweet, and Facebook Your Way to a Dream Career at Home [Paperback]

Audrey McClelland (Author), Colleen Padilla (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 26, 2011

From Audrey McClelland, founder of momgenerations.com, and Colleen Padilla, founder of classymommy.com, comes The Digital Mom Handbook. Here is the ultimate guide for work at home moms who want to blog, vlog, skype, tweet, and Facebook their way to a successful career by doing what they already do online…only better. The Digital Mom Handbook shows the way to truly have it all, with step-by-step advice and indispensible information on how to be a mom blogger and more--ideal for the stay-at-home mom (or stay-at-home wannabe) who wants to add to the household income and improve her family’s financial situation.

 

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Interviews with other women bloggers with diverse interests, from fashion to activism to environmentally friendly products, solid information on online advertising and promotions, the technicalities of blog design and mechanics, and scads of helpful sources add value to this engaging book.” (Booklist)

“Full-time career or stay-at-home mom? Those roles might seem mutually exclusive, but authors Audrey McClelland and Colleen Padilla are two ambitious mothers who have found a way to do both using the Internet. In their new book…McClelland and Padilla offer a wealth of tips for aspiring webanistas.” (USA Weekend)

“This handy guide will help stay-at-home parents turn their dreams into reality.” (Library Journal)

From the Back Cover

From the founders of ClassyMommy.com and MomGenerations.com comes the ultimate guide to helping moms build successful careers at home by doing what they already do online—just better.

To work or not to work—it’s the toughest question for most mothers today. But Audrey McClelland and Colleen Padilla have found the coveted “middle ground,” creating successful careers from home via the Internet. They’ve literally Skyped, blogged, vlogged, tweeted, and Facebooked their way to the top—and in this eye-opening book they show other moms how to find success through these seven basic steps:

1. Find your passion.
2. Hang a digital “shingle” and start typing.
3. Find your tribe.
4. Make opportunity knock and learn how to answer that door.
5. Manage the Benjamins.
6. Don’t forget the children!
7. Live happily ever after by living your values.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: HarperBusiness; Original edition (July 26, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062048279
• ISBN-13: 978-0062048271
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.7 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #645,849 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > Computers & Technology > Business & Management > Telecommuting

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Promises a lot, delivers little August 24, 2011

By D. Scott VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

I found the content of The Digital Mom Handbook to be mostly an autobiographical pep talk. The appendixes (arguably the best part of the book) are extensive, listing a lot of blogs and other websites that might be useful. But aside from that, the book really doesn't offer much helpful information.

The book is not without merits, but I found that I couldn't really relate to the authors; and though it does sound like they worked hard to develop profitable online presences, there was probably a fair amount of luck involved. Also, they had the benefit of backgrounds and experiences that most pro-blogger-wannabes don't have. For example, Audrey McClelland, who developed her brand around fashion, previously worked for Donna Karan. And she had previously interned for an ABC affiliate, which gave her a tremendous head start in being able to produce quality videos for her blog (yet she offers few tips in this area). Colleen Padilla has an "Ivy League MBA" and began her online career by selling expensive designer pocketbooks on eBay (very risky and requiring a lot of operating capital). Padilla had a tech husband who helped her get set up, and McClelland "simply hired help" (something that is reflected in the fact that their book has almost no technical details). Again, both authors *earned* their success, but without their finances and other advantages, they may never have succeeded, despite their hard work.

If you need motivation to get started creating your online presence, you might like this book (maybe a lot). But if you need help with the technical and practical aspects, you would probably be better off with another book, such as com/Blogging-All-in-One-For-Dummies-ebook/dp/B003RWSBCC">Blogging All-in-One For Dummies or Blogging For Dummies. Read more ›

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good read, but more personal stories than tips. August 18, 2011

By N. Glenn VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

I thought when I got this book that it would be chock full of helpful tips for someone like me, but once I got into it the book seems to be about 60% stories of how the authors and friends got started than tips to start up yourself. I did like the idea though, and the writing was simple and clear. I do wish it were a little more of the how to side of the story than the how we did it, because some might read the book and wonder how to actually recreate the success it speaks of. Overall I would recommend this book as an inspirational book instead of a how to.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A little too autobiographical and out of date January 19, 2012

By sarabella VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

I got this book with the high hopes it would teach me how to turn my amusing and exciting life of diapers and playdates into gold. Of course everyone wants to hear about my cherubs and the amusing things they say and do.

In fairness to the authors, the world of the internet and blogging changes so quickly that I don't know that it's truly possible to put out a printed book that is truly up to date. In addition, as lovely as the authors seem, I was definately looking for more insider tidbits and a little less about them.

Overall, I think most of the info I could very easilt have figured out on my own.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BLOGGER RESOURCE August 5, 2011

By KDub VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

This is a great resource for bloggers especially those of mommies out there. Even though the book focuses on "mommy bloggers" it contains useful information for all bloggers. I enjoyed the laid-back approach the book takes and all of the tips from other bloggers besides the authors. I would have liked more "pitfall" and "don'ts" from some of the bloggers. It gives wanna-be or current bloggers great ammo for starting their blogs or re-tooling their current blogs to gain traffic/monetary compensation.
The authors make sure to let readers know through out the book that this is not a how-to to become an overnight "blogisensation". Through their own and other stories they let the readers know how much time and attention it takes to turn a profit and gain a following.
I suggest this book for anyone thinking about starting a blog, is in the creative process or already a blogger. I'm sure they can find some helpful tips.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars The Fictionators Review February 12, 2012

By Kassiah Faul

Format:Paperback

I've put off doing this review for a few months because I wanted to give myself more time to go through McClelland and Padilla's advice before making a final verdict. While I found the book to be inspirational and I'm happy for the pair, I do not find that it in any way would be considered a "handbook". To me, a handbook means do this, like I did, and reap the benefits, like I did.

I didn't feel that way at all.

The authors voices' are fun and likable, but I don't feel that I can relate to them in any way. Their experiences as well as ability to have other people do work for them and help out do not fit into my life.

With that said, I feel that if you have no clue on how to go about starting up an online presence, it would be beneficial to read this book. Just don't expect to have step-by-step instructions, outlining your success here.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Lots of Fluff, Lots of Info January 25, 2012

By Lois Lain VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

There's no question that these two digital moms have made a name -- and a career -- for themselves, and it was interesting to read about their stories. I found this book to be an interesting blend of facts and suggestions and not-so-useful personal anecdotes. As an income-producing blogger myself, I found myself disagreeing with some of the duo's advice (like letting kids run wild in the background in your podcasts and videos - that drives me nuts on Audrey's videos!), at the same time I was taking notes on some of their more specific suggestions (like ad networks and affiliate programs).

I haven't found the "mom blogger" community to be as open and accepting and helpful as these two have -- maybe because they came on in the early days. In fact, I've found it to be a very closed, unhelpful community to newcomers. I also took issue with the fact they didn't really tell us how much money they make - even though they skirted the issue.

I also think that the number of mom bloggers -- and any kind of blogger, at that -- who are making a living or having a "dream career" is quite low. Giving readers the idea that just about anyone can create six-figure income from home is false. Colleen and Audrey and many of the women they mention in their book have the first-mover advantage -- just like in the gold rush, they got there first and staked a claim that would be hard for anyone else to usurp.

All the same, if you are new to the blogging world and need some guidance, you could do a lot worse than this guide.