BenSpark
Baba is one of the bloggers who comments on nearly everything I write. She’s been doing so for quite a while. I think, even before she ended up winning BenSpark’s Big Box of Awesome. I should have asked what happened to everything. Oh well story for another time for now why don’t you tell the readers about yourself.
Baba
I wanted to be an attorney, a singer, a writer, and actress, an artist, an archeologist. I have changed my mind so many times. I guess the only thing I really accomplished is writing which is probably the best for me because it lets me be near the family. So it all worked out great.
BenSpark
Those are some interesting dreams, being a writer is cool though especially a blog writer. Speaking of blogs tell me a little about your blog.
Baba
Ahh BabasFarmLife…. well we do live on a small farm with chickens, goats, etc and we live in the country away from city life which we love, but really Babasfarmlife is more about The Stone House project right now. Remodeling and 1888 Victorian Stone Country Farmhouse so that we can live in it. Of course there is monetizing and Reviews and Giveaways. I do write book reviews also, but not all of those are for Babasfarmlife, some are for Amazon postings. Then there is the family of course and I won’t hesitate to include them in my postings to Babas, and some ramblings on many other topics that strike me at any given moment. Recycling is a big one for me, along with gardening, and sewing.
BenSpark
The Stone house project is very cool. A project like that is a great one for a blog because you can look back over everything that happened and the progress that you made. Why was it that you started blogging?
Baba
It was really my computer wiz of a daughter that got me started blogging. She talked me into it and was a big help with a lot of the technical stuff required that I was not yet familiar with at the time. She is so much more adept at the computer than I am so I call on her a lot for advise. She said write what you know about…. so I did.
BenSpark
You mentioned earlier that you monetized your blog. Why did you decide to do that?
Baba
The main reason was to bring in a little extra income rather than just rely on hubby’s income for our home. It’s been very nice to be making a bit for myself that I can spend or put away for a rainy day.
BenSpark
Monetization and sponsored posts and affiliate links are under fire. There is a ton of talk right now about the FTC and disclosure. What is your stance on disclosure?
Baba
I am a firm believer in disclosing to my readers that I sometimes make a bit of profit from reviews. If they read my disclosure they will find that I won’t promote something that I don’t believe in so my reviews are honest, and not just because I am sometimes paid to do them If a company approaches me to review an item, I’ll give it a try and tell my readers what I think, what I like or did not like about it, and I’ll report my findings to the company as well. It helps them improve their product, and lets my readers know if it’s worth investing their time or money in.
BenSpark
With that firm a stance on disclosure you must really love SocialSpark and IZEA. What is your favorite feature of SocialSpark?
Baba
Hmmm there are so many things I like about Social Spark. The people involved and the people I meed, Being able to select the write ups I want to do, ease of use, the quality of opportunities.
BenSpark
There must be something that you would like to see improved on SocialSpark. What would that be?
Baba
Actually I have no idea. I am fairly new to the blogging world, I have only been doing this for a little less than a year, so what do I know. LOL.
BenSpark
Okay no suggestions for improvement how about advertisers. What advertisers do I want to see on SocialSpark?
Baba
I would love to see some tool companies (Skil, Makita, Craftsman etc) along with solar and wind power companies. And a few more gadget companies, or computer manufacturers would be fabulous!
BenSpark
Doesn’t sound like money is your main goal in blogging. What is the Ultimate goal for a blogger?
Baba
Enjoy what you are doing. Be happy with what you write. Get out of your blogging what you put into it, or don’t blog.
BenSpark
How about a technical question? Which one plug in would I suggest to all bloggers?
Baba
A copyright! First and foremost get your work copyrighted. There are a couple places on line to help you with that.
BenSpark
I’ll have to see if I can find a copyright plug in. I use RSS Footer and Page Footer, you can write in a copyright on those ones. I wonder if there is anything else. Okay, let’s talk about how you spend your time. What is the first thing you do when you fire up my browser?
Baba
I look for new comments and check my email right away. I want my readers to know that I really appreciate them stopping in.
BenSpark
You are wonderful with the comments, you are always dropping over to BenSpark.com with some great comments. Thank so much for that. You really love blogging and connecting with people. If you could spend one year blogging about one particular thing what would it be and how would you keep it fresh?
Baba
It’s hard for me to chose just one thing. I am kind of doing that now with The Stone House remodel, although we don’t get to work on it every day. I love doing it so keeping it fresh with all we have to do would be fairly easy. There is so much to do yet, it’s unbelievable. It may take us 3 years to finish at this rate.
BenSpark
What your my best blog post ever?
Baba
Oh my goodness, I am too critical of myself to pick one. Probably one of these:
BenSpark
You write about so many different things and I wonder what are some odd key word people use to find your blog?
Baba
Mass Unfollow, Living in Solitude, Upcycle
BenSpark
Outside of blogging what are your other interests.
Baba
The Stone House first, then gardening, sewing, antiques.WOW, reading, tons of reading.
BenSpark
I love the whole idea of the stone house project, that is pretty amazing. What is amazing about you?
Baba
Hmmm, LOL, I did write and publish a family genealogy book a few years back, I do need to update that one of these years, and I did a bit of PI work a few years ago too, that was fun.
BenSpark
For fun do you listen to an iPod or other music player?
Baba
I wish! Actually it’s really sad the only music I get to hear is on my computer at the moment I don’t have a player.
BenSpark
Wait a minute, there was an mp3 player in the Big Box of Awesome. I bet you were generous and gave that away so it is all good. So you listen to music on the computer, any other distractions? Do You play facebook games?
Baba
Yes, a bit. I got into pirates and vampires. I pop in for maybe 5 minutes a day for a break.
BenSpark
What is the most motivational advice you can give other bloggers?
Baba
If you need inspiration get up from your computer and go outside, it’s all around you. Take some time to participate in life and not just spend all your times at the computer. I know it’s sometimes hard, but do it anyway.
BenSpark
Do you have any favorite blogs?
Baba
You mean besides BenSpark?
The Pioneer Woman
Vanilla Joy
This Young House
Baltimore Rowhouse
One Project Closer
BenSpark
How about podcasts, do you have any favorite podcasts?
Baba
I don’t really have any favorites yet because I haven’t watched all that many.
BenSpark
Well Baba, I have to say that I enjoyed this interview very much. I also appreciate all the comments that you leave on BenSpark.com. I encourage readers to go and visit Baba at her blogs and shops. Here are Baba’s Links
- Etsy Shop
- Hubbys Art Shop
- and visit: Baba’s Farm Life :remodeling an 1888 Victorian Stone Country Farmhouse, product reviews, giveaways, and random ramblings of our hilarious life
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow that was a long interview, great reading about other bloggers who have been doing it much longer than I have.
DragonBlogger,
I was happy to learn more about Baba she is one of those bloggers who spends so much time cultivating relationships and we could all learn from her.