Blog interview with Simplyblog.net
Blog interview series
On the atmmultimedia blog we are launching a series of blog interviews that will help you improve your blogging skills and inspire you on to greater success. To start off the blog interview series we have a Miguel Wickert the owner of Simplyblog.net and an associate writer for Thoushallblog.
Please introduce yourself to our readers.How long you been blogging? What are your hopes and dreams? Where you’re from and the purpose of Simplyblog.net?
Hello, my name is Miguel Wickert and yes, it true, I was born in Canada. But I was raised in Chicago IL, that’s why I call myself an urbanite. When it comes to blogging, well, I started writing online with xanga years ago- does anyone remember xanga?
Anyhow, I’ve been blogging with Wordpress for a little over a year. My first site with Wordpress was a health and fitness focused. It’s hard for me to assign labels to my work, or myself because I have interests in multiple areas-: writing, running and blogging are a few of the many.
As a person (blogger), at least in my perspective- your defined purpose or aim should be constantly adapting. Meaning, always be willing to tweak your blogging output when necessary. It’s not easy, but you must set yourself apart from the rest.
For Simply Blog, the short version of my pitch “Simply Blog, where blogging and living jibe.” This is my attempt, to allow my online presence and real world living, to harmonize so you don’t get two different sides of me, only me. Experimental blogging, hopefully, will help this happen.
How has being an associate writer on Thoushallblog made an impact to your blogging success? Has it increased your blog traffic? Made you more money? Increase your reputation?Opened new opportunities?
Yeah, good question. Certainly, you get see the increase in traffic, and more people become familiar with you and your writing. But the Thou Shall Blog community is amazing. They’re helpful and supportive, I mean, you’ll learn just as much from them (if not more) than what you hope they learn from you.
I think, there’s something to be said of that type of blogging community. We don’t tend to think of blogging that way. I believe this aspect of blogging, thou neglected by some, to a significant part of a healthy blogging community. You must be willing to learn from your readers. The opportunities are coming, hang in there and continue to do what you’re doing as best as you can. The rewards will come.
What drives you to be a successful blogger?
Ah, a motives question… these are always interesting questions because there’s not really a right answer, and rightly so. For me, it’s about the following: satisfaction, dare I say money, community, and learning (for self benefit and others).
Do you have any ways of generating traffic that you use on a frequent basis?
Wow, who hasn’t tried what “the experts say you do.” I’ve seen some shady tactics and systems used. Not cool. For me, it’s combination of actions. Mostly, commenting, content creation, sharing useful links, resources and always delivering quality comments on other sites.
What is your biggest challenge as a blogger?
Yeah, I’d say time management: balancing time between school, errands, writing, wedding planning, finishing off that Masters degree!
If I gave you $500 to invest in your blog what would you do with it?
Oh yeah! Seriously, I love my blog design. Thesis is the best theme on the planet. Anyhow, I’d launch a blog competition and schedule guest bloggers to post on relevant topics. I’d share as many guest posts as possible but only reward the top 5 posts cash prizes!
What is the biggest lesson that blogging has taught you?
Blogging isn’t for the faint of heart. There are a lot of big lessons blogging can teach you. One of the biggest lessons I’ve realized is that blogging must be a two-way street. You must be willing to give (the best you have) and receive (must be teachable).
Do you have any goals for SimplyBlog in the mid-term and long-term future?
Mid-term goals: continue to provide interactive, unique, interesting content. Foster a blogging community similar to that of Thou Shall Blog. Both short and long-term goals also include: building relationships, growing readership, guest posting and so on.
What top tip would you give to current bloggers?
Learn to focus on your blog’s current readers – set time aside for those readers. I’m not saying forget about attracting new readers but don’t neglect the ones you have.
How has Twitter contributed to your blog traffic?
It’s definitely helped but depending too heavily on any social media site might not be a good thing.
If you could give one piece of advice to new bloggers that are starting out what would it be?
Learn the rule of the game. Be teachable, yourself and willing to help others.
Once again Miguel thank you kindly for taking part in this blog interview. I wish you all the success in the future. Visit Simplyblog.net for more information on Miguel.
Salwa
This was a great interview with some interesting insights. Thanks for sharing guys!
Posted 4-27-2009
James King
Hi Salwa,
Thanks for commenting on the blog, I hope that Miguel’s ideas help other bloggers too.
Posted 4-27-2009
Nicolas Prudhon
Very insightful interview, thank you James!
I think Miguel made it clear to all the people who still don’t know: Write content that helps your readers, and listen to what they are saying will be a great start!
Posted 4-28-2009
James King
Hi Nicolas,
Thank you for stopping by. I agree there is some great tips here. Writing great content is important and solving problems.
BTW – I spoken to an SEO specialist, one of the largest companies in the UK, one of their campaigns is to purely focus on link building and long tail keyword phrases. Roughly about 20 long tail keywords to drive traffic. This seems like a good way to go in terms of SEO.
Posted 4-28-2009
Nicolas Prudhon
Absolutely, long tail is the way I go and tell people to do to!
People get mislead by what truly matters when it comes to SEO.
The main purpose is not to have a top ranking for a hyper competitive keyword, but to get targeted traffic to your site that converts well, and that’s two very different things.
One boost your ego, the other boost your income!
Posted 4-28-2009
James King
I agree with the long tail keywords this blog ranks well for web design lincolnshire, but the competition is high, but the customers aren’t ones with money to spend, so I plan to do a long tail SEO campaign this month for a majority of keywords.
It’s like being high for web design is fine but like you said it is better to be rank for more long-tail keywords.
Posted 4-28-2009
Nicolas Prudhon
From a ROI point of view, someone looking for “web designer in [whatever city you live in]” is way more interesting for you than someone who type “web design” looking for the evolution history of the industry…
Especially now considering how Google suggestion box delivers long tails suggestions (4-5 words) all the searches will become much more targeted, and unless you are optimized for those long tail, you may well be skipped over by a potential visitor.
Posted 4-29-2009
Ian
Congratulations. You have a very professional looking blog.
Posted 4-30-2009
James King
Hi Ian,
Thank you for visiting, I am pleased you like my blog, it has taken several years to learn the skills that I have.
Posted 4-30-2009
KushMoney
Awesome interview. Great mid and long term goals. Building your blog into a community is really important for success.
Posted 5-1-2009
Miguel Wickert
Salwa,
Glad you and others enjoyed the interview. Credit James for asking solid questions. :)
Posted 5-2-2009
James King
Hi Miguel,
Thanks for being a guest on the atmmultimedia blog.
Posted 5-2-2009
Miguel Wickert
James,
Thanks for having me! Appreciate your time and support. Cheers,
-Mig
Posted 5-3-2009