Some may think so.
In fact I’ve asked this question myself, upon occasion.
You see, I’m quite open about being a work-at-home mom. Not did I once blog at a place called Work From Home Momma, but I’ve also regularly run work-at-home mom features here at WritingThougts.
I also make no secret of the fact that wanting to spend more time with my family was one of my prime motivators for starting my own business.
Bob Younce seems to think that being a work-at-home mom can harm your branding. In his post over at Freelance Folder he shares that he has written as a work-at-home mom and that his image as a work-at-home mom has kept him from getting as many writing jobs as he might have liked.
My own experience has been the exact opposite. While find web-based jobs was initially slow, my writing business has really taken off. So much so that recently, I’ve had to negotiate project deadlines or turn work down.
But, are all my writing projects limited to “mommy writing” since I’ve been open about being a work-at-home mom?
Not at all.
I’ve edited textbooks for a major textbook publisher, written and editing continuing education courses for accountants, and co-blogged on a popular blog that examines the role of blogging in business (mostly corporate) environment.
I’ve also completed numerous “ghostwriting” web content projects on business topics for a wide variety of clients.
My specific knowledge of business, business writing, marketing writing, and accounting are definite assets that I successfully bring to my writing business. My concrete experience in each of those areas supplements the writing skills that I am able to offer my clients.
Have I written some “mommy” content?
Sure. Why shouldn’t I? Parenting is also an area where I’m knowledgeable.
What do you think?
If you’re a work-at-home mom does it hold you back?
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Contents (c) Copyright 2008, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved
10 responses so far ↓
1 Bob Younce at the Writing Journey // May 26, 2008 at
Thanks for the link, Laura!
The main thing, and I tried to get this across in the article, wasn’t that WAHM writing wasn’t working for me. It was working fine. My point was that it didn’t work as well for me as my more recent endeavors, and that was, in part, because I was writing in a niche I wasn’t especially enthused about.
In other words, it wasn’t the “mommy” aspect holding me back – it was my own desire to write in a different area.
2 Laura // May 27, 2008 at
Hi Bob!
I definitely agree that Desire is a huge part of the writing equation.
I’ve written on topics that I’ve not been interested in and (I’ve been told) done a good job. That’s just being a professional.
However, blogging is a whole other thing. I don’t think that I could invent a persona and blog as someone else for very long. (How exhausting would that be?)
I can totally see why you might have burnt out on blogging as someone that you’re not.
3 Bob Younce at the Writing Journey // May 27, 2008 at
Believe it or not, the blogging part wasn’t the part I got tired of. Really, it gave me the opportunity to explore some other aspects of my role as a parent, which was very cool.
Not sure if that makes sense at all.
4 Jeanne Dininni // Jun 5, 2008 at
Laura,
You’ve made a great case for work-at-home moms! While I am a mom and I do work from home, my youngest child is 19, so I think my situation is somewhat different.
While I might not be able to speak specifically to the average work-at-home mom’s experience, in general I’d say that every market and every client are different. And whether a writer is a work-at-home mom or not, each of us needs to fit the particular criteria that the client is seeking–whatever it may be. In that sense, we all share a common experience–whether or not we’re work-at-home moms.
In the long run, though, I think it’s the ability to write well, present ourselves (i.e., our abilities and experience) in a good light, meet deadlines, and handle our client relationships in a professional manner that carry the day–and get us repeat assignments.
Thought-provoking piece!
Jeanne
5 Laura Spencer // Jun 6, 2008 at
Bob (if that is indeed your real name) 😉 – sorry this reply is late in coming. The one thing that bothers me about branding yourself as someone that you’re not – I’d be really mad if, for example, I was relying on your breastfeeding tips and then found out you were a man.
Jeanne – thanks for your input. I think there’s always a temptation to wonder what things would be like “if” things were different. I think the real solution is to make the best of what you have and not focus on what you don’t have.
6 Vivienne Quek // Jun 8, 2008 at
End of the day, the bottom line is whether a work-at-home mum can deliver quality stuff at a timely manner at a competitive price. I have engaged folks who worked from home but whether he is a work from home dad or she is a work from home mum isn’t on my criteria list.
7 131 Star Bloggers and Their Best Posts | Catherine Lawson // Jul 17, 2008 at
[…] blogs about writing and I particularly enjoyed this excellent post: Is Being A Work At Home Mom Harmful To Your Career? Coryan writes some fab posts about changing career mid-life including this one: Mid Life Career […]
8 Patrice // Aug 26, 2009 at
I dont think that being a work at home mom may harm my career. Based on my personal experiences, as a WAHM is very challenging job but it is worth doing. The fact that you are with your family plus the potential earning is more than enough to thank for.
9 Scarlet of Family Focus Blog // Apr 27, 2011 at
The jury is still out on this one for me. I am hoping that it will propel me into very successful entrepreneurship. Still waiting to see if the very successful part pans out by the time my son goes to school!
10 Laura Spencer // Apr 27, 2011 at
Thanks Scarlet!
I think that it really depends on which audience you are trying to do business with. Good luck with your endeavor!