If my name were in a dictionary, the definition would read something like Helper, people lover, nut.
Helping people brings me joy. Which, is why I’ve decided to ask you all to help me coach my new friend, Megan of SweetSadieMarie.com.
When I asked you all who you’d like to see interviewed, Megan piped up and mentioned she would like to be. I checked out her site and noticed she was asking for opinions on whether to niche blog or not. So, I left her a little comment, then in my response about her interview I suggested we do something a little differently…
In this interview I have asked Megan a few questions to help us learn about her, and what she wants from her blog. I also told her to ask a few questions for all of you to answer! So, without further ado, meet Megan!
I don’t know about you, but I feel sometimes like blogging is a big real-life monopoly game… you can play for fun, or you can take risks. And, taking risks doesn’t mean you’ll succeed. But, you sure as heck won’t if you don’t try!
Why Do You Blog?
Is writing a passion and blogging an outlet? Or, do you blog for comradeship? Maybe you have advice to share and feel the blog is the best way to do that? Whatever your reason, blogging can be fun! If you’re out to win the game of Blogopoly, it’s very important to know from the get-go, why you blog.
I love life and I enjoy sharing it with others. We live in a small world with great opportunities …. And it’s neat to see those opportunities take shape in social media. I’ve made good connections…and even better friends!
I blog to encourage others and share humor in the midst of life.
Where Are You?
Go Directly to Jail. Do Not Pass ‘Go.’ Do Not Collect $200 Dollars. If you’ve been blogging a while now, you know how this feels. Where do you feel you’re at on the board? Are you holding properties, building your wealth, or almost bankrupt/burntout?
I‘ve been blogging for four years…… but until December ‘09, only my family really read my blog. (Hi, Mom!) So, in the past 4 months my blog has really grown. I’m glad.
I love to blog…and I put a lot of time into quality writing, and building relationships in my blog community. I‘d like to continue to develop as a writer, and to continue to grow as a blogger!
Do You Want to Make Money?
Of course making money appeals to every human being, but you have to be honest with yourself. Are you willing to treat your blog like a business, investing here and there in a few ‘hotels,’ or do you just want to have fun? You can have fun with a business, if you’re truly passionate about it, but some people don’t want to be that tied down to a blog…
Yes, I’d love to make some income off of my blog. Not millions…. But extra cash would be awesome! However, I won’t compromise my Christian values or my “voice” to earn money. I’d love to work with companies or individuals who value that!
If Business is the Game, Which Game Piece Will You Choose?
Be it humor or interior decorating, the direction you go needs to be in line with your passion. When I play monopoly I try very hard to get either the horse or the car game piece to represent my place on the board. These pieces represent the real me much more than the shoe or the money bag… Whatever it is in live that drives you and puts a smile on your face is the thing you need to either focus on, or implement in your blog-business.
I believe I fall into the “mom-blogger” category…but I also implement a lot of humor into my writing. It’s just who I am.
I live life to the fullest, and that includes LOTS of topics (kids, husband, out running the cops, etc).
Ask the Winners!
This blog has a fabulous community of folk, some of whom have reaped the rewards of their investments: hard work, time, and money. They’re collecting rent while the rest of the game players go bankrupt and they’re continuing to build on their success to ensure a bright future for their blogs. So, ask anything you like!!
I’m always looking to grow as a blogger. If my blog belonged to you…. what is something you would change? Give it to me…. I want to grow!
In your opinion, is it possible for a “mom bloggers” to be attractive to advertisers … and actually make money off of their blog? Is it unrealistic to think that I could make money ?
Your Turn!
Take a look at SweetSadieMarie.com then come back here and let Megan know what you think. From design, to content, to niche… She’s ready!
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I think that as long as you have a business style plan in mind it doesn't matter what category you get put into. There will be advertisers looking to advertise where they can. I hate to use the term of mom bloggers but it is out there. There should be companies that could market household items, cleaning products, electronics and all sorts of kids toys. I can say that I am in that category even though I am a Dad, I stay home and take care of the kids. I want to make money though so I can stay home. Maybe I should e-mail procter and gamble…
Lots to do Megan. I'd start with:
1/ Getting the blog set up on your own hosting with WordPress.
2/ Write a really good about page – we want to know about you if we are going to connect with you.
3/ Give us choices about where to go next – at the moment it's a long list of posts and an archive. Point us to some of your good or recent stuff.
I'll come back and add more as we progress…..good luck!
I agree with Mike on these points. As I was compiling this post I was looking for info on Megan to share, perhaps a photo even, but the site is lacking the most important page: About.
– Sent from my Palm Pre
Justin,
I caught a lot of flack when I walked away from the 'mom blogger' label. I used to post about everything under the sun, and even had quite a following, but it wasn't 'me' and I got burnt out. When I started this blog, people argued that I was still a mom blogger. Yes, I'm a mom who blogs and works from home, but I would like to be seen as a professional; a business woman. I wasn't getting that respect as a mom-blogger. But, as soon as I walked away, and started treating what I do as a business, companies and colleges alike treated me differently.
Yes, there are companies who will partner with the mom-blogger type. But, they don't pay. They may offer you something to review, or a product to giveaway, but it's not often that they buy ad space, sponsor your work, or pay you to represent their brand. They expect you to provide great word of mouth advertising for free. I've been there, done that, and it's not worth my time.
Good luck with P&G. haha
Megan,
My friend, Robert Bravery just posted a great list to get you thinking. It's called Why Should I Visit Your Blog? 21 Questions I Would Ask. Check it out!
http://www.integralwebsolutions.co.za/Blog/Entr…
How funny…I just read it & loved it!
I don't love the title “mom blogger” …. I'd love a similar title to yours. However, I don't have a service to sell …. except for my writing. So, I think this may be easier for you than it will be for me.
I AM a professional… and think that when when I blog { in my pre-kids life I was an Elementary school principal (working on a doctorate in Ed).}
I sooo appreciate this opportunity to learn from you all…I'm ready to upgrade. {And pay Erica for her services! …how long is your wait list?}
Thanks Mike ….working on it….
Hi Sadie,
One good thing to do as you grow to grow your blog's functionality and ability to draw people in is get more content above “the fold,” meaning have more of your important stuff visible on the screen without scrolling down.
It probably hasn't been an issue, but as you do more things with your blog you will need more space without cluttering it up, so it will probably be a good idea to make your banner smaller and use your sidebars to draw readers with your choice of widgets/links/etc.
Definitely should put a categories section and/or archives section above the fold so new visitors can explore your blog.
That is interesting that companies will not pay for advertising. With that insight, it must be that there are many bloggers who will give them the free advertising so they don't have to pay for it. I think it is an unfortunate thing that people like you, a professional business owner who blogs and is also a mom, get lumped in with those who blog becasue they have nothing else to do. I respect the time and energy that goes into running a business, much less the blog on top of it. Great information Erica, there are others out there who could benefit from it.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Kevin Tea, John Lufadeju. John Lufadeju said: Help me coach a fellow blogger! http://ericasays.com/2594 via @EricaMueller [...]
Megan, so much good stuff going on in there, visually very gripping, too.
All your single column stuff needs to be brought up to the top right somehow. And who are you, what are you about. We need to know
I would also go with WordPress and change the theme you don't have to pay out for a premium theme like Thesis (I'm glad I did) because there are others out there for free like Atahualpa which will give you so much more flexibility and freedom as your blog grows.
What a cute way to put this, wouldn't have ever thought of the Monopoly analogy. YOu're a genius Erica, love you girl!
Hello Megan and Erica!
LOL – Great analogy with the game of Monopoly, use to play until 3 or 4 in the morning. This is a fine lighthearted but serious interview that I enjoyed.
Regarding Megan's blog layout, I'm no expert, navigating the trail myself.
I do think that a sidebar with some other info and navigation above the fold would be a big help though. Overall, the blog looks good, colors and all. The header says Arts & Crafts to me and I'm not sure if that is where you are heading Megan.
Here's to your success whatever niche you select.
Actually, Justin, a few do pay. But, they're few and far between, and the reach of your site must be incredible…
The way they get away with this, is by offering products, or the opportunity to be a spokesperson or 'brand ambassador' which pretty much means you try our products, post your review and give us your feedback. Oh yes, and host a nice banner/button for us.
Nice if it's a product you really like. But, still very time consuming and the only things you get are a few products and that little 'brand ambassador' title. Don't get me wrong. If Sony or Toshiba offered me something like this, I might take it. But, I'm NOT going to do this for 5 different companies, some of which don't even fit my brand or niche. I think this is where the mom-blogger community has gotten a bad rap. Some look like sell-outs for grabbing everything shiny, thinking they can't turn down things that don't fit. Trust me, turning things down can actually build respect.
Ok, I think I feel a post coming on. haha