Meet Trisha From MomDot: She says it like it is!

Me: What is your blogs name and what is it about?

Trisha: My blog is http://momdot.com/. We are a mishmash of collective bloggers all over the web submitting their best posts, uploading their fabulous videos, and interacting in a community. MomDot also is known for its MomDot Admin blog which consists of Alicia, Bridgette, and I . We write some racy and controversial stuff there.

Me: What do you think about the new Mommy Blogger title changing to Digital Mommy?
Trisha: I think its stupid. I also think 'social media' is stupid. Moms are single handedly creating and destroying the internet in one fail swoop. Are we bloggers or are we microtwitterers? I cant be in 5 places at once and also expect to put out good content. I am a blogger, not a social media star.

Me: What kind of cell phone do you own?

Trisha: A shitty one. I have a whole cell phone saga. My phone does not even text. Hell, it barely makes a call.

Me: What do you use your cell phone for besides talking on?

Trisha: Nothing. Its decoration for my desk. Like a paperweight...

Me: What is your favorite social media website?

Trisha: YouTube. I think nothing says interaction like a video. Text can be boring, misunderstood, miscommunicated, but when someone is on video, there is no mistaking a feeling or attitude.

Me: What are your three favorite blogs?

Trisha: The Bloggess, Barefoot Foodie, WombAtTheInnsane.com, and a 4th would be my own, MomDot.com

Me: Do you shop online? If so, what are your favorite online stores?

Trisha: On occasion. I used to have an ebay addiction obsessing over the newest Gymboree Line. I have since gotten over it. You will find me more often at mom boutiques nosing through the great products that moms create. I only wish I could afford some of the handmade clothing!

Me: What is your online schedule like on a typical day?

Trisha: Up at 7, bring Charlotte to gymnastics camp or school, working on site from 830-12, get Charlotte, she naps at 2, back to the grind till around 430, she gets up, DH comes home at 5, dinner, back to the grind from 8 till 11.

Me: What blogger do you feel you have learned the most from?

Trisha: It's a toss between Kim from http://accidentalmommies.com/ and Cat from http://3kidsandus.com/ . Both are incredibly knowledgeable on all fronts. They are also incredibly giving with their knowledge.

Me: What is the one piece of advice you would give to a mom that is just starting out in the blogging world?

Trisha: My advice would be to not get caught up in what you SHOULD be doing and just do what you WANT to do. Its ok to not want a Facebook, a Twitter, a page rank, a Ning site, a radio show, and 200 visitors a day. Its also OK to not get caught up in doing reviews and giveaways. Its very easy to feel competitive with what your not doing rather then focusing on what you are. Everyone is uniquely special online. Don't try to conform.

Me: Do you ever feel like getting back to the 9 to 5 work day?

Trisha: No. I could never stand working for someone. It doesn't matter what I am doing, Ill always be running my own show.

Me: How do you balance your online life and your offline life? (or do you?)

Trisha: Does blogging about your life count? I don't balance it well. I never have. I have always been someone with 20 projects going on at once. Before blogging it was forums, before forums it was photography, before photography it was building websites. I can just say my husband knew what he was getting into before he married me, so on some level, he must enjoy my entrepreneurial spirit.

Me: What kind of car do you drive? What are your favorite features?

Trisha: I drive a Ford Explorer and an Infiniti G35. I like the space in my Ford and I like the 6 CD changer in the Infiniti. I especially like to load it w/ all my CDs so when my husband drives it, its full of the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears. I think he secretly enjoys it.

Me: Do you make money with your blog?

Trisha: Yes and I also teach others how to make money with theirs. We also give back by offering scholarship opportunities, free money making classes, and we helped over 10 women secure BlogHer sponsorships this year. Additionally we are really focused in giving back and have raised, along with the help of many people specifically Louise from www.MomStart.com, over $12,000 in products for The Center for Courageous Kids.

Me: You are always talking about Dooce . What gives? Are you a lover or a hater?
Trisha: I am an opportunist. When Dooce was on Oprah, it absolutely made sense to talk about her. I was number 1 on google for "Dooce on Oprah" and got thousands of hits those few days from people searching her. I even beat DOOCE on Dooce. But in all seriousness, I appreciate her. I cant stand that her comments get closed so quickly. I don't like not getting to know the bloggers I visit, so I don't visit her that often. If I cant have a relationship with you, or even pretend to have a relationship with you, then I don't waste my energy on you. I also don't think Dooce is a 'mom' blogger. Mom Blogging is a niche market that really means a social media blogger. Dooce is a blogger that happens to be a mom. There is a difference.

Me: Why do you think you influence so many people?

Trisha: Because I am not afraid of consequences. I do not care if I step on toes, if someone doesn't like my opinion, I don't worry about being tweeted or blogged about. In fact, If I have moved someone to respond at all, I think its impressive.

Me: What projects/events/contests do you have going on that you’d like everyone to know about?

Trisha: MomDot recently changed formats where bloggers can come on and submit their own work. We encourage the advertising of your company, reviews, best posts, and videos. Any way we can work together as a true community makes me smile. MomDot also has its one year anniversary coming up. I am happy we were able to push through for a year.

Me: What are your goals with your blog? What goals have you already achieved that you are proud of?
Trisha: I think I have recently accomplished a good majority of them so its time to write out some new ones. For me, the whole reason to get online was to create a place with a free exchange of information for women to grow and learn from each other. Who is more knowledgeable then a mom? No one. Combining all these wonderful women in one place has been a challenge, but a worthwhile one.
I was also invited to write a chapter in a book that comes out soon regarding work at home moms. That has been sent off to the editor. I'm looking forward to being a published author.
Coming up for me personally is that I am one of the newest professional bloggers for MySpace.com. That starts in July. They said they specifically picked me because they loved my content. I was very flattered. I put a lot of work into what I write so its nice to be recognized for it.

Me: What talk show host or news anchor would you love to be interviewed by?

Trisha: Its terribly sad, but I don't watch TV. I couldn't tell you the name of any news anchor or TV host out there. I would, however, love to be on Big Brother.

Me: What has been the coolest event, product , etc. that you've had the opportunity to review?
Trisha: The majority of items reviewed on MomDot I don't actually do the reviewing. I have long since learned that the energy and time you have to put into a product review is something I am not willing to do for a freebie. If someone wants my time, they generally have to purchase it.
However sometimes something peeks my interest and I get involved. Most recently I have really enjoyed the new mom t-shirt company The Bomb Mom and everyone I talk to loves how soft their shirts are as well. After I had worn that shirt in public, someone recognized me from it later on. I think that says a lot about a company. And its a mom running it...whats better then that?