Heather McDougle of I’d Rather Be Changing Diapers An Interview

Heather is just darn sweet, but don’t let that fool you. She’s a blogger with 900 followers and is being chosen to review products that other bloggers envy. Who said nice guys (and gals) finish last?

Tell me about your Blog –
I’d Rather Be Changing Diapers was born out of my desire to try out products and bring honest opinions to other moms out there.  I want to be a breath of fresh air with my honesty and thoroughness.  I have always loved to write but have had a hard time finding an outlet for that with being a stay at home mother.  After reading other mommy blogs for about a year, I decided  to try it out on my own.  I love being able to create relationships with companies, with my readers, and other blogs.  It is amazing to discover all the amazing people and products out there in the world.  I am still evolving as a unique brand of my own so I love to hear comments, suggestions, and ideas from my followers and readers.  I hope to always remain open to what my readers want to see and hear.
What was your first blog?
My first ever blog was a baby blog.  I started a blog February of 2008, a month before my oldest son was born.  I wanted to be able to connect with all of our family members out of town to tell them about our little one.  They all request pictures and updates all the time so it makes it easy to have the blog do it for us!  At first it was just a baby blog but not it has transitioned into a family blog with 2 little ones to update about and :gasp: family wants to know how the parents are doing as well.  I don’t particularly like talking about myself so as author I usually leave out my updates a lot.

What is the biggest tip you would give to product reviewers?
I would say work at it and don’t give up no matter what!  It is a hard road; nobody said it was easy.  Start out slow and ask for help.  Get help with blog design, get help with learning the ropes with PR, find mentors, look around at successful blogs.  Put time and effort into it.  But most of all find other bloggers and groups like Twitter Mom, Mom Bloggers Club, and The Product Review Place to connect with other bloggers and PR.
Are you contacted by companies or PR companies or do you contact them or both?
I have done a little of both really.  I started out with contacting all the companies myself until I grew more.  Sometimes companies contact me now but I still do a lot of contacting myself.

What is your favorite product that you have reviewed?
Oh man, I really love everything I have received.  It is hard to pick one since all of them represent a company or person who has worked so hard.  I know the products that stand out the most to me are the products that come from companies that have awesome and nice PR that I really enjoy working with.  I love the relationships I have developed with some of the companies.  If my son answered this, he would say the Webkinz Jr. because he carries his everywhere with him!
What do companies or PR companies do that you wish they wouldn’t/ do that you like?
Dislike: I do not like when I get sent the prizes to distribute myself.  It is hard mailing out things myself with 2 babies in tow.  Plus I don’t want to have to be responsible for that.
Like: I love when the companies specifically tell me what they want they want out of our relationship and out of the review.  It makes it a lot easier on me if I have a clear understanding on what is expected of me.

What do bloggers do that you wish they wouldn’t/do that you like?
Dislike: When bloggers are talking badly about other bloggers and the fighting wars that I have seen on blogs.  It saddens me.
Like: Seeing blogs work together, encouraging one another, giving shout outs to each other, and the joint blog events going on.

What advertiser would you like to work with given a chance?
My dream companies to work with are Dell, Bob, Fisher Price, and Nintendo Wii

Where do you see growth in the blogging field?
I see less competition and a lot of blogger relationships and people working together.  I love seeing the solidarity and friendships that form.  It is beautiful!

What is one thing about you that not many people know?
I don’t like talking about myself because I feel like it is bragging so there is a lot of things people don’t know about me.  Here is a :gasp: fact, I have had prophetic dreams before.  I have seen things happen before they happen.  I knew I was going to be pregnant with my youngest son a month before I became pregnant and was told to name him Micah.  A less weird fact is I LOVE feet.  Feet are so beautiful to me (well most anyway).

What’s your favorite book?
Oh man!  This is such a hard one since I LOVE to read.  I am a person who has favorite authors but not so much favorite books.  My favorite author of all time is Heather Graham; I love all her books and have read several of them many times.  I love all books with the romantic supernatural/thriller style.  I am also completely and utterly obsessed with the Twilight series.  I know sad but I have fallen to the cult of Twilight 🙂

What is on your iPod?
Lots and lots of music!  I have eclectic tastes.  I have rock such as Nickelback, Guns N Roses, Daughtry, The Fray, and Coldplay.  I have Christian music from the likes of Passion to Casting Crowns to Third Day.  I have a bunch of country music also with Rascal Flatts being my favorite.  I can’t forget the Veggie Tales I have on their also.  Never know when I need the kids music to entertain my 2 year old.

What are your contact details?
Email- ratherbechangingdiapers(NoSpam)@gmail.com — remove the “NoSpam”
Blog- http://www.ratherbechangingdiapers.com

Facebook- Personal- http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?ref=profile&id=6227510

Fan page- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Charleston-SC/Id-Rather-Be-Changing-Diapers/177734258157
Twitter- http://twitter.com/HeatherMcDougle

What events do you attend?

I have not attended one yet but I am so looking forward to attending one or more in the coming year.  I can’t wait to meet other bloggers in person.

How do you prefer to communicate?
Email is the best way to contact me!  I try to respond to each and every email, and I really really try to get my mailbox down to zero by the end of the day.  It doesn’t always happen but I at least try.  I know what it is like to be waiting for a response to an email that never comes.

Who would you recommend, and why?
Stephanie at Coupon Clippin’ Mommy – Stephanie is my sister in law and she is an amazing person inside and out.  She finds great deals and coupons for all.
Hilary at Paint, Bake, and Create – I can’t say enough about this lady.  She has such an amazing and beautiful soul that touches so many.  It’s impossible not to like her.  She is very talented and makes so many things.  Go check her out, follow her blog shop, and buy something from her.  She is expecting her first child this year.
Rachel at Second Time Around – She is a great lady.  She is sweet and always has something nice to say.  Great blog with fun reviews and giveaways
Lynn at Midday Escapades –  She is one of the hostesses for Friday Follow which is awesome and she is also an awesome follower to have.  She comments and is overall a wonderful lady.
Tami at Hearts Make Families –  Another hostess of Friday Follow.  Beautiful blog and beautiful person!
Rita at One2Try –  The third hostess of Friday Follow.  She is another beautiful soul and has great recipes on her site.
Kim at What’s That Smell – She brings humor and honesty to the blogsphere.  One of my first follows.
Dee at Two of a kind, working on a full house – She hosts awesome reviews and giveaways
Jennifer at J. Leigh Designz – She goes in with Dee all the time for giveaway events that are awesome and amazing
Diana at Diana Rambles –  She created my blog design and is incredibly gifted.  I love it!  She is also super nice.
Stacie at Simply Stacie – I am one of her book reviewers, and she is one awesome lady.  I love that I  get to work with her.
Supah at Adventures of WannaBe Supah Mommy – She hosts Post It Notes Tuesdays which are so fun and awesome.
I think I will stop there for now but there is so many amazing and wonderful women out there in blog land.  I love so many of them.

What is one thing people can do for you?
I don’t really like to ask for things because I feel like it is begging and pathetic.  My husband always complains that I never ask for help.  The biggest thing I can think of is to comment on my posts and enter my contests!  That would make me so happy!  I love gaining relationships with my followers and that is only possible with those that interact with me and my blog.  Feel free to email me with questions or content you would like to see.  I’d be glad to let others guest post if they’d like also.

ConnieFoggles