This month I am running a series interviewing some top bloggers! I hope that you have been enjoying this series so far!
Today I am interviewing Lilach Bullock from Socialable.
How did you get your start in blogging?
I used to blog in my old business (which I sold 2.5 years ago) but to be honest, I wasn’t blogging effectively and was just doing it because it was the done thing to do. About 18 months ago I started my own personal blog but “butterflied”, I changed the design regularly and still wasn’t totally getting it. Then about 8 months ago I really started to take the time to learn more about blogging and when I changed things I saw a huge transformation in my business.
What is your greatest accomplishment in blogging?
For me, although this sounds a little corny I feel like my blog is a community. I get so many repeat visitors who not only come back again and again but leave comments and have shared my blog with so many other people. I feel that all my hard work has paid off as now I can get around 6000 visitors a day plus I’m getting 100′s of comments which is so great to be able to connect personally with my readers. I’m also monetizing my site which is ultimately what I wanted to get out of blogging.
What has been one of your greatest challenges and how did you overcome it?
The last 3 months I decided to create my own challenge of blogging daily. This was and still is a huge challenge for me. Coming up with great content that provides value day after day is a huge amount of work. Also I’m not a natural writer, I did lack confidence with my writing ability (and still do at times) but I’ve learnt that it’s more important to be you rather than write amazingly well. I spend a lot of time researching and from blogging regularly and having a great relationship with many of my readers they often tell me what they want me to write about so this has made it a lot easier too.
What do you do that is considered unconventional in the blogging world?
I try from time to time to write controversial posts. I’ve been told also that I give so much value away and a lot of tips and “secrets” that most people tend to hold back as they don’t want to share it and that has dramatically transformed my business. I’ve also been incredibly honest and when things haven’t worked out how they should have or have been a disaster I’ve shared that experience so people can learn from it and hopefully get inspired.
Who has influenced you to get where you are today?
On a personal level, my daughter Emily who is 7. I set up my business and haven’t been employed now for nearly 8 years. I work from home for her and love how she understands blogging and has even said she would like her own blog! On a professional level it would have to be Sarah Arrow, she is my blogging coach and has helped me transform my business in a very short space of time, she keeps me in on my toes and has now become a very good friend too.
What piece of advice would you like to share with other bloggers?
Blog consistently and give value. The more value you give and share with your audience the more people will re-visit your blog and share and tell others about it. Blogging is very simple but incredibly time consuming, coming up with great content, researching, responding to comments and of course promoting your blog can take a huge amount of time so make sure you have a plan and monitor your results. Listen to your audience and write for them, not for you.
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The toughest part about blogging is building a community of loyal followers around. Getting plenty of traffic (which doesn’t convert) and creating a small group of dedicated readers are two different things. Focusing on money or traffic is the biggest mistake that newbies can make.
The interview makes some really useful points.
Thanks for the effort, Stacy!
Obaidul Haque invites you to read… 22 Ways to Create Compelling Content When You Don’t Have a Clue [Infographic] | Copyblogger
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Stacy Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
That’s very true, thank you for stopping by, Obaidul!
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Stacy-
Hi! I hope this post finds you well. I like your article and I love visiting your site. I am on a little ‘blogging quest’ too. I don’t know if I can go three months. But I have some challenges to myself that I would like to meet.
Thanks
sean
sean @real estate blogs invites you to read… Landscaping without a Green Thumb
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Stacy Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Any challenge is good because it helps us to push our limits, whatever they may be!
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Wow, 3 months of daily blogging challange! That is impressive! There is one thing I have realized, most of the succesful bloggers are blogging about blogging! That is maybe something I should do too (very eventually
). Or just stick with my own dental theme, that is quite unique out there for the moment (and maybe interesting to read too).
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Thanks for the mention Lilach. I am thrilled to work with you and nothing thrills me more than seeing get such great results.
Lovely interview Stacy – thanks for sharing it with us
Sarah Arrow invites you to read… How to embed a tweet in a blog post
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Stacy Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
Thank you, Sarah! I look forward to checking out your blog!
Stacy
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Thanks for this wonderful interview and advice of some of our writers success in blogging, but Obaidul Haque is right the toughest part about blogging is building a community of loyal followers around and Getting plenty of traffic, but this problem in blogging can overcome it, just bare in mind of what lilach said in her interview “Listen to your audience and write for them, not for you”.
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Stacy Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:10 pm
I agree with that, Candice!
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I completely agree that blogging is very time consuming but in the end when we find our voice and tap into that passion it can be very fulfilling. Lately I have been feeling my passion level rise and I know that the reasopn it has risen is because I truly feel like my blog will help people. This interview with Lilach is encouraging.
All the best,
Eren
Eren Mckay invites you to read… Anne Geddes Baby Shower Invitations
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Stacy Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
I’m glad that it encouraged you, Eren! Thank you for sharing!
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Wow!! what an interview. I wish it would continue more further.
And i loved the answer of this question >What piece of advice would you like to share with other bloggers?
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Stacy Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
You can go to her blog and learn more from her there!
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Hm.. Stacy, this is a nice interview you’ve shared with us. Got more knowledge from here. Thanks a lot! Keep up the good work!!
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Stacy Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
Thanks, Andrew!
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