What's To Like About Blogging After Just One Week
Since last week's Blogging For Business Group Coaching session, I've received a lot of questions and feedback from beginner bloggers. Three of the most frequently asked questions are: (1) what to write about, (2) how much time it will take; and (3) how frequently posts should be added.
Since Indie Beauty Network member Joanne Tartaglino of Celtic Chairde Creations in New Brunswick, New Jersey launched the Celtic Chairde blog after last week's coaching session, I thought she was the perfect person to answer some of these questions from the perspective of a newbie blogger. (An assortment of Joanne's Irish-themed bath and body products at a street fair are displayed in the photo.) If you are still undecided about whether to launch a blog of your own, the insights shared by Joanne will help you get off the fence, one way or the other.
dM: When did you start your business?
Joanne: Celtic Chairde Creations started about 5 years ago, more as a hobby than a business, by myself and my good friend Cindy Bitowf. Last year, we got so many orders that we decided it was time to make it official. We sell lotion bars, body butters, lip balms, face mask, toners and other natural bath and beauty products.
dM: Do you have a website?
Joanne: No. It should launch this spring. Between our full time jobs, making products, craft fairs and festivals, publishing our newsletter, the theatre company we are involved with and family responsibilties, we haven't gotten there yet. Something always winds up on the bottom of the list of things to do, and for us it has been the website.
dM: What are your family obligations like?
Joanne: I have a husband, a 25 year old son and a 20 year old daughter. My husband runs his own teleprompting business. I work full time in marketing and sales for a larg commercial printer. I also manage an Irish singing group, try to keep the house in order, take care of our cats — the usual family stuff.
dM: When and why did you start a blog? What are you goals?
Joanne: I started the blog as a homework assignment you gave us at the group coaching session last week, so our blog is officially one week old today, March 13th. Although I certainly understand the many marketing tools out there, at first, I was uncertain about the whole blogging thing.
But, as I put the blog together, I realized it can be a very useful tool for attracting attention, and therefore customers. Since we don't have a website yet, the blog gives us a vital presence on the Web.
dM: How long did it take you to set up the blog using Blogger?
Joanne: A total of about 6 hours, 45 minutes. This includes choosing a template, color and fiddling around with which bells and whistles to add.
dM: How is it going?
Joanne: Even after just 7 days, it's already getting easier. Starting around St. Patrick's Day in March was a perfect tie in for us since our business emphasizes our Irish background. It is the beginning of spring, so there is a nice tie in as well with starting something new. It's helpful to remind myself that each blog post doesn't have to be paragraph upon paragraph, though I can go on and on sometimes.
dM: Are you visitng other blogs and posting comments?
Joanne: I have posted here and there, even before this in-depth delve into the blogosphere. I have always been more of a forum board girl, but now, I'm going to step up commenting on other blogs, even if it's just to let bloggers know that I appreciate the time and effort they take to prepare things I find interesting.
dM: What have been the most significant things that encouraged you to launch a blog?
Joanne: You and Jamila White, the E-Commerce Diva. Reading the posts, blogs and newsletters you publish about the importance of blogging made me realize it was a good thing to do as part of our overall marketing program.
dM: Are you glad you launched your blog?
Joanne: So far yes, very glad. Blogging serves as a great mental and creative outlet. The only downside is that there's never enough time to do it.
dM: What are some of your favorite blogs on the ‘Net and why?
Joanne: Freakonomics because it's always updated and interesting. I love also checking blogs having to do with television entertainment. I'm a TV junkie and entertainment news is good brain candy.
dM: How are you enjoying Group Coaching?
Joanne: I am loving it! The information is excellent, and I like the questions from other members. I think this will become a real asset for my little growing business.
dM: What I love about what Joanne said
I love that Joanne is willing to embrace something new, something we must all continuously do in order to be successful in business. Rather than hem and haw about whether blogging was for her, she rolled up her sleeves and got busy. After just one week, she's pleased with her efforts. Once her website launches, she'll have two online locations, which will only enhance her business and make her brand more visible.
Feel free to leave any questions or comments about Joanne's experience in the comments section below. And don't forget to visit Joanne's blog and show her some Indie Love by leaving a comment!
