When I first started blogging in 2009, I wasn't prepared for the amount of work that would go into running a successful blog. Perhaps part of my naiveté had to do with the fallacy that "If you build it, they will come." In my mind, as long as I poured myself into my writing and posted regularly, it would guarantee that my readers would keep coming back for more and more. Boy, this couldn't have been further from the truth! This August will make 5 years since I started blogging for the first time and I have learned a lot about how to keep readers coming back to Tough Cookie Mommy. Although great content still trumps when it comes to making people want to return and read, there are other things that bloggers do to keep the spice in the relationship with their readers. I'm hoping that some of my experiences will prove to be useful and valuable to other up and coming bloggers so that they too may have a successful blogging career. The following are the top 5 ways that I … [Read more...]
How Can You Keep Readers Coming Back To Your Blog?
Calling All Fashionistas! Shop Peter Som Collection From @Kohls #PeterSomForKohls #Sponsored
*I participated in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Kohl’s. I received a gift card as a thank you for participating. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. Recently, we were going out to dinner with the family when we passed Kohl's and I commented to my husband that I was thrilled to have found another location in our area. I love Kohl's because they always have the all the hot spring fashion trends in the most vibrant patterns and colors. This year, I'm even more excited about shopping for my warm weather wardrobe because of the dark and dreary Winter that he have just endured on the East Coast. The best part is that I have a wonderful secret to share with all of you! Kohl's has partnered with renowned American Fashion designer Peter Som! The exclusive Peter Som for DesigNation collection includes bold and bright colors and patterns in separates, dresses and feminine skirts inspired by the beauty of St. Barths. His looks are fresh and they … [Read more...]
Feather The Nest And Achieve The Goals You Always Wanted! @Feather_Nesters #Ad
*This is a sponsored post with Feather the Nest, however, as always my posts are based on my opinions and experiences. I can still remember the excitement of leaving the realtors office where we closed on our house in 2004. It was the first time that we truly understood what it meant to own a home of our very own and to live the American Dream. Unfortunately, being a homeowner is wonderful but it is very expensive and purchasing your first home is a huge financial responsibility. It would have been wonderful to be able to have some financial support from friends and family to help ease this financial responsibility. Feather the Nest is a new company in New York and Miami that allows members to make profiles on their site to raise funds for their first real estate investments. It's a great way for recent college grads looking to move out on their own or purchase their first home to get a little help. The way it works is that Feather the Nest requires new … [Read more...]
Celebrate The Athletes Of Team USA! #ItsOurTime @ATT $200 GC #Giveaway #Sochi2014 #Ad
*I participated in this compensated campaign on behalf of AT&T. I received a promotional item to facilitate this review and as a thank you item for participating. All opinions are my own. When I was younger, my brother and I would always watch the Olympics together. It was a time for us to spend quality time together and the perfect opportunity for us to celebrate our pride in being Americans by cheering on the athletes who represented us in Team USA. Now that we are both adults and have our own children, we are seizing the opportunity to instill this same pride in our own boys. Many people don't realize the tremendous sacrifices that the athletes of Team USA have made in order to compete in the Olympic games at Sochi. Not only is it an enormous expense, but they also give up personal time with friends and family in order to practice tirelessly day after day in order to be able to compete at the top of their game. Young Olympians lose out on going to the mall … [Read more...]
A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words And Some Cool Prizes! #MasConCricket @MiCricket #Ad
This is a compensated campaign on behalf of Cricket Wireless. All opinions are 100% mine. I'm sure that many of you are familiar with the old adage, "A picture is worth a thousand words." It basically means that one single still image can convey a complex idea. In laymen's terms, it means that photos can share a lot more detail than mere words. That is exactly the premise behind the La Búsqueda del Más giveaway that is currently being hosted by MiCricket. In this case, every picture you upload as part of their December photo challenge is not only worth a thousand words but could potentially be worth a lot of prizes! I first shared this exciting contest with you all a few weeks ago when the photo challenge began. Now that the promotion is in full swing, I wanted to remind some of you of the many ways that you personally can take part and possibly even win big daily. After all, every day, you have the opportunity to participate in fun photo tasks that will enter you … [Read more...]
Join Us For the @Coffee_Mate Photo Challenge! #MisDiasConCM #Ad
*I participated in a campaign on behalf of Coffee Mate. I received a promotional item to facilitate this review and as a thank you item for participating. All opinions are my own. Growing up as a Latina, coffee has played a very important part in our family as part of our breakfast routine and also as an after-dinner treat. Food and family are an integral part of growing up in a Hispanic household so it stands to reason that many fond memories are attached to meals and foods that we have shared together throughout the years. In my household, I like to use Coffee Mate in my coffee for two very important reasons, it tastes great and it comes in sugar-free varieties. When I was pregnant with my youngest son, I suffered from gestational diabetes which increased my chances of developing diabetes later on in life. As a result, I am very cautious about my sugar consumption and I love products that come in sugar-free varieties and allow me to still enjoy my favorite foods. … [Read more...]
Share Photos And Win With Cricket’s “La Búsqueda del Más!” #MasConCricket @MiCricket #Ad
This is a compensated campaign on behalf of Cricket Wireless. All opinions are 100% mine. If you follow me on social media, you know that I love taking photos of my life and of my family. I learned a long time ago that it's important to preserve these precious moments whenever possible as they will become precious memories to look back upon in the future. MiCricket understands the importance of capturing these photos and wants to celebrate and reward you with their La Búsqueda del Más giveaway! They are hosting a photo contest where you can win prizes by uploading photos that correspond with the daily prompt. The contest will run for 72 days and you will have the opportunity to participate in 72 fun photo tasks that will enter you to win one of 72 awesome prizes! It's so easy to enter and there are so many ways that you can take part in this exciting promotion. Here are some of the ways that you can enter this fantastic giveaway: You can enter on MiCricket’s … [Read more...]
Bloggers Don’t Just Get Stuff For Free!
This past week, I read a colleague's Facebook thread where someone commented that bloggers are really lucky and that they just get stuff for free. They went on to say that all of the reviews that we write are doctored up just to get free items and that they are not honest and authentic. Short of having my head blow up and confetti come out of it when I read this, it's safe to say that it really struck a nerve. Let me begin by saying that yes, bloggers are in a unique situation where brands seek them out to try out their products. However, this arrangement is not without its strings attached. If only we could be so lucky that companies just jump at the chance to throw rose petals at our feet... There is a reason why they want us to review their products, because we have an audience. So, when brands send products for review, the hope is that bloggers will share their experiences around the products with their readers. You see, there is an exchange of services. As far … [Read more...]
Join Exclusive Orgullosa Facebook Chat With Adrienne Bailon And Win Prizes! #OrgullosaHeritage
*This sponsored post was written by me in collaboration with Latina Mom Bloggers and Orgullosa. All opinions are 100% mine. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and the spirit of Nueva Latina, we would love to have you join us for an exclusive Orgullosa Facebook chat with celebrity guest Adrienne Bailon! The Orgullosa community already celebrates, empowers and fuels Latinas' accomplishments and dreams everyday as “mujeres con la falda bien puesta." We celebrate where we come from and where we are going with passion and in the hope that we can be an inspiration to one another because that's how we roll! So clear your calendars because, on September 25th, we are going to get together to talk about how our bicultural community represents strong, independent women who celebrate having the best of two worlds: one being rooted in their Hispanic culture and the other seizing their limitless potential in the U.S. The Nueva Latina! It will be a wonderful opportunity to come … [Read more...]
Dear PR Person
Today as I was going through my emails I had at least 10 emails from PR companies asking me to "spread the word" about their products or services on Tough Cookie Mommy. Those of you who are bloggers and are reading this post already know where I'm going with this. Of course, I have time to spread the word about your product because this blog is just a hobby and I have no other responsibilities besides providing free advertising and promotion to every company that asks me to. Insert sarcasm here. Let me begin by saying that it takes a tremendous amount of work, time, creativity, and money to run a blog. Yes, I said money. It costs money to pay for web hosting, blog design, owning a domain, etc. I'm sure those of you who are not bloggers are probably incredibly shocked to learn this information. Also, if you follow me on social media, you know that I rarely go to sleep before 2 AM. That is because I am busy writing posts, answering emails, fielding conference calls, … [Read more...]
