I’ve worked around the IT industry for much of the past 12 years, and as a result I know more than my fair share of geeks and computer nerds.
I consider this generally to be a good thing.
Without going into the boring details of ‘why’ and assigning blame, let’s just say that when you’re house-sitting for a friend, something might happen completely by accident that means you’re very grateful you know someone who can talk you through how to disassemble a DVD player and perform a complete system restore of a Sky+ box.
Anyway… since I started parent blogging, I’ve picked up loads of technical skills myself. I can now use graphics software. I can create e-books. I know how to set up a Paypal payment page for a website. I know some basic HTML and FBML. I can use FTP and map a domain. Oh yes. I have [limited] skillz.
And I’m not unusual in that respect. Most parent bloggers have better than average technical skills because – guess what – they’ve set up blogs, and bought domains, and maybe bought and set up hosting. They use computers on a daily basis. They may own a laptop, and a smartphone, or an iPad.
So, here’s a thought.
If you’re a PR agency representing a technology brand please stop describing any form of technology to me in terms of how well it will fit in my handbag. Please don’t tell me something is ‘glam’ and comes in ‘lots of fashionable colours’.
I couldn’t care less. I don’t even own a handbag, and if someone uses the word ‘glam’ within earshot, I presume they’re talking about the blog advertising network.
Why not look past the ‘Mummy’ label and start talking to me as someone who uses computers and wants more from a laptop than a case that will co-ordinate with my lip-gloss?
Just a thought.
I have to confess I’m just the opposite when talking tech to me please treat me as the true technophobe I am. I consider adding a link to my blog post advanced. Yet I do get frustrated when people don’t treat me as if I have a brain. Why because I’m a mom and a foster carer, seems these are both jobs only for the brain dead.
I would like any technology brand just to supply me with something. If it’s pink and glittery that works but it best be able to run multiple applications at once 🙂
PS: I sense this morphing into a Feminist Friday post as I highly suspect male bloggers are not approached in the same way.
Hear hear. An untapped market but one they won’t get unless they stop being so patronising!
Drives me potty! And it,s not just tech PRs! Most FMCG PRs are the same they think they are too clever by half!
You think PR companies tailor their output depending on the blogger? First I’ve heard of it! I’ve lost count of how many ‘pink’ press releases I’ve received. 🙂
I have this new widget Sal, it’s titanium but edged in maribou…you’ll love it.
Hear hear! I would count myself as very tech savvy and so receiving emails and press releases which really demean my intelligence by telling me how pretty it looks is really irritating. I want to know how it is going to help me save time or improve my technology experience, not that it comes in 10
Colours and has matching coordinating accessories! Good post Sally.
Great post! I think sometimes how technical a blogger’s skills can be, are overlooked. Since starting I have, as you say, set up a blog, transferred to a different platform, customised and used html. I can set up a domain and do all sorts of funky stuff I couldn’t a year ago. Many bloggers are the same and most will be self-taught. I would love to receive a tool that would be useful and for the purposes of review, have enough new gadgetry for me to explore and report back on. The colour? Whether it sparkles? I couldn’t care less as long as there is enough memory, a decent processor and the USB ports work!
You wear lip gloss?
You are SO right. Only yesterday, I was invited to complete an otherwise perfectly sensible questionnaire about online buying habits via a Tweet that asked “Ladies, tell us: are you a Digital Diva?”. FAIL.
I feel like a terrible disappointment to the blogging community. I set out to buy a new handbag the other day, and the only requirement I had was that my iPad fit in it. It’s actually harder than you might think to find an attractive handbag that will hold an iPad…
I was going to blog about it as well, because I was so excited to finally find one… *hides*
But you’re actually proving the point – you purchased the technology first and THEN looked for a bag to fit it. Would you ever buy a piece of technology because it matched your bag, or shoes?
I don’t think so.
Oh, and happy birthday!
Not regularly.
*vomits*
I dream of RAM these days.
Demeaning is a good word for it, Clare, thanks.
But does it have rhinestones?
Ha – funny to imagine you being patronised! Fools.
No, fair point, I always get the technology first, and then the bag to fit it. Whew, I feel redeemed 🙂
And thank you 🙂
I received a lovely email from a technology PR today. It was extremely well-worded and pitched appropriately but it has left me wondering if the item will actually fit into my handbag.
I’m being completely honest about the technology PR and the well-worded email. The rest I made up for the purpose of a blog comment. Felt it best to say that, full blog disclosure and all that. It’s late, I know, I should get some rest. I work too hard, is my excuse. 🙂
Loved it!!! You hit right on spot… it’s frustrating and great to know there are many more people frustrated about this too 🙂 Thanks for a wonderful, meaningful post!
You are my favourite commenter of the week.
Thanks Adi x
As a Daddy blogger I feel this way when I get asked to test breast feeding equipment or pre natal mineral water, both of which happened within the past month. Great post
Well said that woman and yes, I did choose a handbag just because it would fit my laptop in it (and I love it for doing that) and not the other way around because I’m not a complete idiot
I’m going to buck the trend here, i’m sucked in. Theres nothing I would appreciate more than a pink laptop, should anyone want to send me one and if it fits into my handbag that would be just superb. I have a husband who sort of monopolises all the tech stuff…
Everyone hates me now.
God, yes! Couldn’t agree more. Even worse is buying phone cases – it’s almost impossible to find one not geared towards teenagers. I don’t *want* pictures of Angry Birds – I just want to stop my phone dying when I drop it in the toilet (again). I’ve said enough. Ahem.
Haha I couldn’t have said it better myself! Good on you!
But, but, you can “change the colour to suit your mood!” and after you’ve “popped it into your handbag” you can “curl up on the sofa with it and a nice class of Chardonnay”