Interview With A Lifestyle (Pro) Blogger
By Annalyn S. Jusay (now blogging at www.annalyn.net)
If there’s such a thing as a busybody, is there also such a thing as a "busyblogger?" We continue with our series on probloggers by interviewing the creative Sasha Manuel who writes for a number of lifestyle blogs on the b5media network. She teaches us how one’s life’s passions can be your blogging advocacy even while juggling other things besides.
Q. Please tell us something about yourself.
A. My real name is actually Sharon Padura Manuel. Old friends fondly call me Shaui or Sha. Sasha, the nick I’ve taken on, started as a pseudo when I started venturing into the internet back in 2000. It kind of stuck when I met new people who started calling me by that name. Made sense, really. I wouldn’t really respond to new people calling me Shaui or Sha. They’re reserved for my old, long-time friends. =)
Q. Can you share with us the story about how you started blogging and then how you got into writing professionally online?
A. I started blogging for fun back in 2004. I didn’t even know I was ‘blogging’ at that time. I was just using a Multiply account to record my thoughts, you see. Come 2005, I went to Australia to visit my sister, Shai, the person who introduced me to the whole concept and encouraged me to start blogging at Blogger. Before I knew it, I was maintaining two blogs; one was a lifestyle blog, Hanging Out (http://hanging-out.blogspot.com) and the other was a personal dating and relationships blog called Truth + Travesty (http://truthandtravesty.blogspot.com). I also started a wordpress.com hosted personal blog, The Parody (http://theparody.wordpress.com) that I then moved to its own domain (www.the-parody.com). Yes, she also gave me pointers on how to monetize them blogs. Hehehe.
What really got me started blogging professionally was when my sister set me up to blog for my very own fashion blog, Tops 2 Bottoms (www.tops2bottoms.com). Well, I did ask if I can apply to be a blogger for her network, About Weblogs (www.aboutweblogs.com) but, of course, I had to prove my blogging skills first. So she bought the domain and all, then simply sent me the log-in info. Blogging for T2B has been a real treat because fashion is one of my life’s passions.
After a few months, T2B got absorbed by b5media (www.b5media.com). Later on, as I got comfortable with the network, I got an offer to be the other dame for Dating Dames (www.datingdames.com) and acquired the Olympics and world sporting events blog, Light the Torch (www.lightthetorch.net) when I started blogging about the Melbourne Games last March 2006.
Q. How tough is it blogging for a living?
A. Right now, I write in three blogs for b5media (Tops 2 Bottoms, Dating Dames and Light the Torch), personal blogs (The Parody and Truth + Travesty) and I’m also a corporate blogger for Feedtext Inc. (www.feedtext.com), writing and managing their company blog (http://blog.feedtext.com).
Since I have a day job --- currently involved in the mobile entertainment industry --- I can’t really say I’m "blogging for a living" but I am earning additional income from it. To answer the question, it can be taxing since I do have a day job and blogging takes up most of my free time. It’s difficult to have to switch between roles as a corporate person and as a freelance writer.
Q. Why the title "The Parody" for your personal blog?
I view my life with sarcasm sometimes, hence, the tagline "excerpts from a misrepresented life." I really don’t intend to mock life but I slightly take a pessimist view on things that happen but, nowadays, I reckon I’m more pragmatic than anything else. My writing style is theoretical narrative, with a hint of sarcasm every now and then. I write mostly about the mundane but I also use that blog to showcase my different passions in life.
Q. Considering that you have a daytime job and other projects besides, how do you find time to blog?
A. Good question. It’s a juggling act, really. But careful time management works best. If you’re a bit O.C. like I am, you’ll fall into a routine to make things less complicated or stressful. I reckon knowing your priorities and making time for them will help you get things done.
Q. What advice can you give other bloggers on time management and such?
A. One is keep a "to-do list" and be organized (helps in coming up with schedules). Two, prioritize and stick with the hierarchy. Three, take time to de-clutter --- throwing away things you don’t need, figuratively and literally, and clean out your work space. Four, write, write, write --- edit later (saves you time that way, I promise!). Five, keep a watch.
Q. What are some of the blogging rules and principles you live by?
A. Simply to treat all bloggers, pros, amateurs and even lurkers, with the same courtesy. For me, blogging is like an on-going conversation on topics I’ve started (my blogs) and other people’s (blogs that I visit). I warmly welcome visitors and politely extend my gratitude to the ones who’ve done the same for me.
Another important blogging etiquette I always bear in mind is the subject of plagiarism. It’s often overlooked, especially by newcomers, but it’s one of the important things you need to abide by when you go into blogging. Quoting a "portion" of a post then linking back to the source is fine but publishing the entire article without permission is simply unacceptable. This also applies to photos and/or images.
Q. In a nutshell and in your own opinion, what does it take to be a successful problogger?
A. The answer to this question is highly debatable because it varies from blogger to blogger, niche to niche. It’s not 100% quantifiable, I reckon. Some say it’s the stats because that’s what matter most in the end when money is involved. For others, it’s the heart that you bring into this industry.
But IMHO, you should have a distinct voice that your readers can relate to. It’ll be easier to create a rapport with them, enticing them to come back to your blog. Having that voice can be equated to coming up with original, enjoyable and innovative content.
Though technically, if you want to go for speedy results, the blogger should be well-versed in terms of SEO, monetization, the blogosphere, and the essential blogging tips and tricks to build his or her page rank.
Then again, who can really say which route is best to call yourself a successful blogger, huh?
Q. How do you think has blogging changed the life of the young generation?
A. I reckon it allowed them to explore the opportunities available online. It’s no longer limited to social networking or chatting or email but it now includes avenues that takes them to the more thoughtful or insightful side of the internet apart from news websites.
Blogging opens doors for the younger generation to have their voices heard and hear the voices of others --- creating lengthy and meaningful discussions on what’s important to them.
Q. Your blogging/blogger’s wish list for 2007?
A. I heard it said (or saw it written) somewhere that the Philippines is a rich breeding ground for bloggers, that it’s an untapped resource, and I believe it. I hope that the profile of Filipino bloggers will be raised and recognized on a global scale. I hope that 2007 will be the year that we can see more Filipino bloggers take bigger roles in the blogosphere.
Personally, I wish I’d get to blog more often!
Q. Your plans for your blog. Do you still see yourself bloging 5 to 10 years from now?
A. I’d love it if I’d still be blogging after 5 or 10 years! I’ll be more than happy to continue writing about fashion, dating and sports. You’ll definitely find me still blogging over at my personal blog. Ultimately, I’m hoping that my blog(s) and I mature together.
(For comments and inquiries, email annalyn.jusay@gmail.com)
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