New to the Neighborhood
Hello, my name is Keiko Lynn and I’m a blogaholic.
You may think I’m kidding (I wish I was kidding) but I’m unfortunately serious. If I woke up one day and my blog was gone, I don’t know what I would do with myself. It would probably involve a bridge and a plummet (okay, now I’m exaggerating) or at least pulling out my hair in a frenzy, screaming, “WHYYYY MEEEEE?!?!?!”
It seems a little extreme, doesn’t it? But my blog isn’t just a daily account of my humdrum life - it’s my source of income. Well, not directly but without it I would probably be working at Auntie Anne’s (Hi, I worked there for three years in high school) or babysitting little kids with runny noses. My livejournal helped me launch my online business.
I started my livejournal as a mere blog where I posted pictures, daily or weekly entries and the occasional anecdote. It wasn’t until I began making clothing (original and reconstructions) that I used my blog as a marketing tool. It was an unconcsious move, I have to admit. I’m no marketing genius (though if you google “Keiko Groves,” some marketing researchers will disagree…but I’m not gloating!) and every use of my blog has just been a natural action. My website is a part of my life and therefore is a part of my blog.
My blog has been successful (website sales aside) because I don’t put too much thought into it. I’ve had marketing researchers ask me, “What’s your secret?” and I say (with a blank stare and a little bit of drool hanging from my mouth), “I dunno.” That’s because there is no secret to blogging. Your blog should never be a mere marketing tool. People will notice that right away and it will turn them off. I keep my website advertisements spaced out, because I don’t want my readers to think I am spamming them. Your blog has to stay interesting and personal.
We’ll just leave it at that, for now. I have a pizza and a can of soda waiting for me and you’d better believe that it will be included in tonight’s livejournal update.
Hey Keiko! Welcome!
Thrilled to have you join us in BLOGthenticity. Your post speaks true to what I read in your blog and on your site.
Some of the reasons why I’m so happy to have you here are your writing (very real and conversational), your ingenuity (in the use of your blog/site - and in your clothing designs) and … forgive me … your youth. What better example for my students than someone their own age - doing what we are all talking about.
Beyond that, your blog and site truly put so many business sites - small and large - to shame. Really.
So, thank you for joining us. We are fortunate.
Robert
Thanks, Robert! I’m happy to be here.
My name is Paul Woodhouse and I’m also a blogaholic.
That has to be the tip of the day……How do you write a successful blog?……Don’t think about it.
That’ll do for me…..very glad to have you onside, Keiko.