Surveys: Survs.com

A while ago I was contacted by a Finnish student inviting me as a blogger to take her survey:

Apparently, she found me by my blog and connected with me same way she might connect with many other bloggers that I might not know. So her being a node or connector in that case made me think of it as a network, perhaps the network I could diverse?

I have completed her survey, in return asking her to provide me the final results once they are ready to add them to my own surveys and she was kind enough to agree to do so. I shall wait and see what information I'm gonna get!

Surveys: Blogs vs Print Media

I have created a survey to reveal today's importance of both online and print media, and see whether one is being preferred to another and how the possible preferences might have changed compared to the past.

It can be accessed on the following link: http://kwiksurveys.com?u=onlinevsprint

And here is the screenshot of the data collected:

Top image source:

http://theory.isthereason.com/?p=391

Blogging Profit Pyramid Model

Image source:
http://www.shoemoney.com/2012/02/08/why-most-affiliate-bloggers-dont-last/

Question: What Makes a Great Blog? Part ll

Being put off by poor response at first and after long considerations and few days gap, I ended up asking the same question on my main personal blog. The reason I didn't do it right away was the fear that it would annoy the readers, but then I got such a great response on my other social networks, that I thought it was only fair to let my biggest network speak and express their opinion on this matter too.

Here is what I got so far:

UPDATE:

The Arrogance of Bloggers

Recently I've come across of an article which suggested that bloggers were arrogant in their behaviour of keeping a blog. It was illustrated by the following drawing:

Reminds you of anything? Yes! "They Way Things Are" scenario with its commenters (nodes) all leading up towards the authour and the blog post (super node) reminds me of a hierarchical network where all the information is shared with main hub. I quite like "the way things could be" scenario with people being anble to interact with each other and make connections.

Oh, by the way, one of the points that "display an arrogant behaviour" on the author's opinion was the lack of sharing widgets at the bottom of the posts. Check ;-)

Full article and diagram courtesy of Sarah Mitchell:
http://www.business2community.com/blogging/the-arrogance-of-bloggers-057352

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