Over the coming weeks I have lined up to record audio interviews with a number of bloggers who have been making a living from their blogging and related activities.
The first 3 are:
- Leo Babauta – from Zen Habits
- Gala Darling – from iCiNG
- Aaron Wall – from SEObook
Each has had success in their own niches and each has expertise in different areas of blogging and I’m really looking forward to exploring some practical tips with each.
Ask a Question Here
I have a lot of questions already lined up to ask them but would love to also include a few questions from readers in the interviews. This post is simply an invitation for you to submit a question to one or all of the bloggers.
If you have a question you’d like me to ask please leave it (with the name of the blogger you want me to ask it to) in comments below.
PS: I can’t guarantee to ask every question you submit – but I will try to get as many as I can included!
Thanks Darren,
Love your approach – Gets people involved – Brings in opinions or knowledge from other pro bloggers. The feedback in how to better improve your site, what topics to cover and what your readers really want is a great resource. These are the people who read bloggs.
My question to any of the four of the panel would be “For a beginner, what is the best thing to learn or focus on –Design, Content, Followers, Links, etc.? There is so much it is overwhelming at times. With limited time and resources, what or where do I spend my energy?
Darren —— Gala Darling’s readers are growing more and more disgruntled because she publicly states she is “entirely self-funded” and is selling a podcast based on this claim. The 2nd one is about ‘Taking control of your life, finding your passion, loving what you do & making mad bling!’
We’re not concerned with how much money she makes but with possible false marketing to young girls who buy her podcasts. They think Gala Darling supports her lavish lifestyle only with her blog and entrepreneurship —- because that is what she claims — and think that they can too. We are asking valid questions about her claims and hope she can back them up. Anyways, interested in hearing your interview with her.
Wylie – I’m still not sure how it matters. She’s not teaching people how to do it and making the claim to get people to buy a course or anything – she’s just saying she makes a living from her site which I would have thought would have been a natural thing to include. She’s been doing it for as long as I’ve known her and I have no reason to doubt it. I’m sorry but I just don’t see what the problem is.
I think Gala Darling is the shiz. I love her to death, because she is bold and she brings allot of inspiration to everyone. Even someone who is my age at 15.
Everyone wants to know how she gets so many people and all that, but, she gets those people because of who she is.
I’ve always wanted to ask her:
“Have you always been so outgoing, and awesome in your fashion sense? Even when you were younger?”
“Were you this positive and happy when you were younger, or was it something you just taught yourself?”
That’s that!
Darrren,
My question is for Leo. First I enjoy Zen Habits it is an awesome. Blog. My question is what was the evolution of advertising strategy he used. Was it different at one time or has it been a consistent thought process? It does reflect simplicity and stress-lessness.
Thank you
Outstanding article. I love your philosophy:
“Find out what people want, and then give it to them. Offer them value, and they will appreciate that. Be a resource. Give things away. Don’t force — let them come to you, because of all the value you offer.”
Instead of “control” marketing. Great post – thank you!
I’m going to try to answer some of these questions but can’t wait to hear what the pros say. I’m don’t write about blogging much myself but hope some of these tips help. I write a blog too so I know what it’s like and have had a guest post on Pro-blogger to try and encourage new bloggers to stick at it. Keep up the good writing and good luck with it.
Internet Marketing ABC – You’d like more comments on your blog. Here are my suggestions:
You say you ask questions but there isn’t one at the end of your latest post:) I suggest adding a direct and simple question at the end of every post. Something like: Have you got any other XXXXX tips? Or do you prefer another articles website and if so which one?
In addition in the beginning you should:
– Reply to every comment
– Email 1st time commenters thanking them and suggesting they subscribe
– Comment on related blogs so you build up a blogging network. If the other bloggers comment on your blog in return keep returning and commenting on theirs. This will give you a huge leg up.
– Consider using the CommentLuv Plug-in
– Consider adding a Top Commenters plug-in to give yoru commenters positive feedback
– Consider using the do-follow plug-in to encourage more comments
Justine – How many people should you have on your “list” before trying to launch paid products/services or a membership site and how many readers should a blog have before trying to land advertisers? There’s no hard and fast rule here but you probably won’t get good results with less than 1000 subscribers.
– How long should someone expect to put into blogging daily in order to achieve good results? 2-4 hours realistically. It’s not just writing, it’s the marketing and networking that takes time.
Question for Gala:
How does she deal with unsolicited pitches from marketing or PR agencies? Does she respond to all requests, some or none? Does she blog about things she’s been pitched on? Curious to know how she handles these inquiries since I receive several myself.
Cheers
Hello. My question is for Leo B.
How do you tap into the true spirit of Zen philosophy while reconciling with the social values of competition and consumerism in our society?
Thank you.
Hi,
What would you suggest is a good length for a post.
My Blog is going to a controversial one challenging many of the Church of today values.
From some feedback I expect to receive a reasonable response and I figure 900-1000 words a post should be ok
Big Thanks
Kenneth
Great, and here is my question:
How much time do you spend on blogging (daily or weekly probably)?
For Numb 1,2,3
– What provide a basis for you like world blogging?
Gala can choose one or answer both if she has time…
Gala – what do you feel sets you apart from other bloggers that has led to your success?
How are you currently earning money from your blog?
How did you build backlinks so easily? Do you leave comments on do follow blogs?
My questions are:
1. I have just started blogging using WordPress CMS. How can I promote my blog using legal ways?
2. How to get more visitors?
3. Can the blogging be an additional income? Or I will end up quitting my main job anyway?
I have good traffic to my sites already, as I am great at SEO, however, I am not bringing in more money, what do you do to ensure that your income is higher when you have a lot of traffic.
Another thing is how important is Google page rank, after about 5 months of blogging most of my sites are a 1, what should I do in order to bring the numbers up some. Let me know. Thanks Kayte
My questions: Do you include your blog in your will? Have you discussed with your lawyer on the copyrights and management of your blog after you leave for your permanent home?
My question is for Aaron
Do you think that ranking in google will still dominated by backlinks and quality content ?
I want to know if I start a new blog in Dec 2009. What is the steps to make it popular
My question is for Gala.
When you first started blogging, did it take you long to become successful. Was there ever a time where you just thought it was all futile and in vain. What I really am trying to say is how do you know you are doing the right thing. How did you generate your traffic and what level of traffic were you at when you knew this could be the goose that lays the golden egg.
How much harder do you think it is for a new blogger to make a living blogging given that the market is pretty saturated with blogs these days!
Hi,
My question is for all three gurus. I had a blog earlier. I tried a lot of ways but could not get much success out of it, and eventually lost interest in it.
Now after a long time, I have started another blog:
http://about-dog-breeds.blogspot.com/
What I want to ask is, do you guys think this is a good niche? How can I bring more people here? And how long do you think, it takes for the success to come one’s way?
Thanks,
Raja Habib
hello iam very new to this i have just started a blogger page i have google adsense on thre already i have the basics i think but cant get traffic to my blog page how do you do it please help me shane earby thanks
hi can any one tell me how to make googlerob to get into my site more time ? is there any way to do this?
Why do you think blogging is so popular and where do you think it will all end?
Are bloggers being sold an impossible dream? What percentage of bloggers can hope to make money out of their blogs?
thank you