Interview: A Blogger by Profession - Answers

Meanwhile Karen's answers for my interview came in. Here's what she had to tell me:

-From reading your blog, I know you have recently quited your job for working as a full-time blogger. How has that changed your life?

I finally get to do what I always wanted for a living. I was doing a job that didn't interest me and I died a slow death at my desk daily. Since leaving that job, I feel better mentally and even physically. I am moving into more opportunities that I could not have done before with that office job for example I was hired as a photographer to shoot backstage at NYFW. The world is now really open to me to accept anything. It's a bit scary too being my own boss but I would rather that than the security of a corporate cheque that gave me no joy.

 

-What are the benefits of your job and are there any downsides to it?

I get to work when I want and how I want to. I am my own boss so make all the rules. Blogging is a mobile so as long as I have access to the Internet I can work literally anywhere in the world. It's a fantastic feeling to not be 'chained' to one place.

Blogging takes up a lot of your time. More than I think readers realize. Blog posts can take hours and I have three blogs now. Also it's great being your own boss but along with that I need to be an accountant, photographer, model, writer, promoter I mean the list goes on. I am semi considering getting an intern to help.

-What career perspectives do you see? 

Career wise I see opportunities in so many different directions. Being hired as a photographer is one of them. I have an opportunity that will involve a magazine very soon that I can't talk about yet till its confirmed but I can't wait. It's like the blog can be the stepping stone or launch pad to other opportunities that you don't see coming eg stylist, hosting, modeling, writing, collaborations the list goes on depending on what your blog is about and what you are passionate about.

 

-Would you say it pays off, both morally and financially, so far?

I feel really blessed to be doing that I want now. It's definitely the most satisfying feeling ever to be your own free agent and to know you are doing things in life now for you and no one or no other business. Financially I am matching what I made from the job I left behind so I feel this is a real split screen moment In terms of doing what I want for the same income.

 

What a great girl and a really helpful material both for my project and my own blog! #motivation

Question: Respond on Facebook

Facebook page is pretty much silent too, so far I have only got two responds. More to be added, shall I receive some over the next few days.

UPDATE:

FURTHER UPDATE:

Question: Respond on Twitter

Twitter is meant to be instant. After hours and hours there is not a single reply. NOTHING. I mean, even my foodie posts get more response, hello??

#shocked @passiveness

UPDATE: One respond the next morning:

UPDATE: After getting fed up with the silence I decided to give it another try this afternoon which proved to be more successful, and I received a few valuable comments:

Looks like I already see a pattern here... :-)

FURTHER UPDATE:

Question: Respond on Formspring

Some replies have already started coming back to me, however they are far from what I was expecting.

First of all I intended it to be a quantitative approach, assuming people would name one or two things about what makes a great blog for them, but instead I have received some big pieces of writing to analyze. It's not a bad thing as I can still pick up the bits I want for my statistics, but it just makes me think I should be more careful next time and specify what I am after in more detail.

Secondly, I was expecting far more answers coming in, but perhaps that's due to the late hours I popped the question- as Russia is at least 4 hours ahead and most of my followers form there would be sleeping. I'm hoping to find more answers tomorrow morning and in the days to come. Either way, I will be updating this post with new entries throughout the duration of my module.

UPDATE:

UPDATE:

FURTHER UPDATE:

Question: What Makes a Great Blog?

As I planned, I have now asked my question on the following social networks in both English and Russian:

Formspring

Facebook

Twitter

Knowing how passive people usually are I am not hoping for a massive respond, but I will be happy with any number of people getting back to me as every feedback is important! Let's see what they have to say...

Videos: Andy Torres "The Key to Successful Blogging"