This month I have been featuring interviews with top bloggers!
Today I am interviewing Kristi Hines from Kikolani. She is a freelance writer, professional blogger, and social media enthusiast. Kikolani, covers blog marketing and blogging tips for personal, business, and professional bloggers.
How did you get your start in blogging?
I actually started blogging ten years ago, mostly to share some creative writing and poetry. Kikolani began the same way – as a platform to share poetry, photography, and miscellaneous personal ramblings. Then I began to get into the “how to” of blogging which led to Kikolani’s focus on blog marketing and blogging tips.
What is your greatest accomplishment in blogging?
My greatest accomplishment thus far is the ability to earn a living through blogging. I tried different avenues of making money online including advertising and affiliate marketing. Those bring in a nice side income, but I have now settled into the lifestyle of a freelance writer. Without blogging, I would have never discovered that as a potential career path.
What has been one of your greatest challenges and how did you overcome it?
Writer’s block is probably one of the biggest challenges, for bloggers and freelance writers alike. My most recent writer’s block lasted for about three months last year during which I depended on guest posts for my blog. Fortunately it came before I went into freelance writing full time, and since I took that path, I haven’t encountered it again.
Sometimes I do notice that writing gets a little harder , but I find that if I can get started with any kind of writing, it opens my mind up again and allows me to write freely. Sometimes just doing some blog comments gets that writing flow going again.
What do you do that is considered unconventional in the blogging world?
I’m not sure if it is unconventional, but I try to write my posts to apply to different perspectives. My audience consists of bloggers, Internet marketers, and businesses – all of which can benefit from blogging and social media tips. But they need the tips presented in a way that can be applied directly to their goals, and the goals bloggers, Internet marketer, and businesses vary. I try to focus my posts in a way that all three can apply the information and help them get results.
Who has influenced you to get where you are today?
I’ve had a lot of influences – too many to list them all. Some that I think of off the top of my head include the following.
- Darren Rowse’s 31 Days to Build a Better Blog was an eBook that really helped me shape my blog into where it is today.
- Farnoosh Brock of Prolific Living told her story of leaving a corporate job which was hugely inspiring for me when I was planning to exit my job and pursue my passions.
- Gail Gardner of Growmap helped me understand the value of promoting small and local businesses through blogging.
- Ari Herzog always documents his social media experimentation which makes me think about trying new things out with mine.
What piece of advice would you like to share with other bloggers?
It’s easy to find one person that inspires you and to want to emulate them. But the best part about blogging is creating something that is 100% you. So instead of finding one person to be like, find several people that you admire. Look at what each of them are doing on their blogs and on social media. Figure out what things suit your personality best and go for them, modifying things as needed a long the way. Also, don’t feel pressured by conforming to the things that seem popular. For example, if you don’t feel like making videos, don’t feel like you have to just because everyone else is doing it.
Wonderful interview Kristi, and am so glad you got her over Stacy!
Being a freelance writer myself, Kristi has been kind of a role model for many like me! But just as she mentioned don’t follow just one person, instead try to take the best from all over and make something of your own. I am currently in that position, as I am just shifting my writing blog and getting it all done up!
I am a regular visitor of Kristi’s blog for quite some time, and the amount you learn from her posts is amazing. And yes, the person himself/herself would never know how much they inspire others, till someone comes along and tells them!
And I am a great fan of her Fetching Friday’s- I think you really don’t have to look around elsewhere about the weeks post if you visit those once. Not to miss the wonderful pictures and videos shared in it too!
Thanks so much for sharing and I sure am glad to know you a little better Kristi
Harleena Singh@Freelance Writer invites you to read… Easy Ways to Achieve Wellness
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Stacy Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
Hi Harleena,
I am a big fan of her Fletching Fridays as well! No other roundup tops hers, she always shares the best information of the week!
Stacy
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Hi Stacy – Hi Kristi-
Having a little writers block and some self motivation issues today but it always cheers me up to visit Stacy’s blog. I have a question for Kristi. Kristi you said your biggest accomplishment was being able to support yourself through blogging. I was just wondering where you find your gigs and what they pay (if that is not too personal)
thanks and have a great day!!
sean
sean @real estate blogs invites you to read… Abacoa Real Estate | Amenities & Buying a Home
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Stacy Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
Hi Sean,
I’m not sure when Kristi will stop by to view the interview, I would highly recommend going by her blog and searching for a post on the topic. I’m sure it’s there!
Stacy
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sean from real estate blogs Reply:
February 29th, 2012 at 7:14 am
Will do. Thanks Stacy!!
sean @real estate blogs invites you to read… Landscaping without a Green Thumb
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I’ve know Kristi now for several years, however I don’t know what she’s been up to over the last 6 or 8 months I haven’t seen her at all. She won our guest blogging contest took the money and ran. Hopefully she went on vacation she had worked her but off. I’ll be honest I don’t even see her blogging anymore or anything. it’s sad I really enjoyed her company but I guess she has now moved on. I miss seeing her smile everyday on blog engage it makes me sad to think she’s never around anymore.
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Stacy Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
Hi Brian,
I know that she’s been very busy but I agree that it would be great to see her over at BE.
Stacy
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Such a nice interview! She seems to be really a nice person, I’m already a follower of the kikolani blog, and I have to say it’s really nice!
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Stacy Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
Her blog is definitely a great resource – and she is very nice!
Stacy
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[...] The second article today made me a little sad, I was reminded of a long time Blog Engage friend that I don’t see much of anymore. None the less you really should have a read this was a great interview of a long time Blog Engage member Kristi and it was held by another Blog Engage member growwithstacy, the article is named, Interview with Kristi Hines from Kikolani. [...]
Nice interview, she is a great example and good role model, makes me inspire to make it on the top. Thanks for sharing this post with regarding of interview with Kristi Hines from kikolani.com
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Stacy Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 1:55 pm
Thank you, Candice! I agree very much!
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I felt so relieved when I heard this last advice by Kristi: “don’t feel pressured by conforming to the things that seem popular”.
I don’t think I’m ready to make videos yet, but since it’s so popular, I always feel like I have missed out on a great traffic opportunity.
Now I think maybe I can make it up by creating other forms of content.
Thanks for the great interview Stacy!
Janus@traffic generation strategies invites you to read… How To Get Tons Of Free Targeted Traffic Without Waiting For Months
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Stacy Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Hi Janus,
Videos are something that I have on my list to try …someday.
There are so many different methods that we shouldn’t worry about trying to do everything!
Stacy
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I have read many Kristi’s post on many popular blogs apart from kikolani and found that she has great in depth knowledge about social media marketing and how to use them for link building purpose.
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Stacy Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Yes, she really does!
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Kiristi is one of the well known name in blogging world. She has won many prizes. I have time and again visited her blog.
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Stacy Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
Yes, her blog is full of very valuable content!
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Hey Stacy and Kristi,
Wonderful interview
Kristi, your blog is absolutely wonderful with a lot of tips which can be easily applied to multiple business models.
Thanks for sharing Darren’s book here and also for your advice: study what successful people do but adapt that to your personality. The courage to come up with something new is much appreciated by people rather than doing what everybody else is doing. And after all, each of us has a unique gift to share with others.
Thanks Stacy for this interview series. Much appreciated
All the best,
Radu
Radu invites you to read… Blog Content Ideas: 40 Simple Ways To Never Run Dry
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Stacy Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
Hi Radu,
I’m glad that you like the series!
Stacy
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[...] Interview with Kristi Hines from Kikolani [...]
Great interview! Writer’s block can be a problem if you worry too much about quality. Also, it’s usually about something else. The person you are writing for may be critical, the idea may not be exciting to you . . . tons of reasons! If you can find out that reason, and writer for someone else (in your mind) or get another idea. I’m in the middle of an epic blog on long tail keywords and it’s dawning on me that I may be full of crap. But I’ve never let that hold me back!
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Stacy Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
Hi Astro,
It sounds like you have a great mindset!
Stacy
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