BenSpark
Today I am joined by Pat Curry. Pat and I met at IZEAFest 2008. We didn’t get to much time to talk in depth so today I hope we can do just that. Pat, please tell the readers about yourself.
Pat
Me, me, me, me….Okay all tuned and ready to sing. Hello, my name is Pat Curry and I am a blogger. Well, it is addictive isn’t it, but the only 12 step plan I need involves scheduling my day and sticking to it. You may have noticed my strange by-line. Once, I was introduced as Cat Purry and the nickname stuck so I use it for my on-line personna.
BenSpark
Sticking to it every day can be tough. I’ve struggled with many blogs, dropped a few and went back down to two or three. How about you Pat, tell us about your blogs
Pat
My blog’s name is “By Word of Mouse” and resides at http://www.catpurry.blogspot.com. This blog covers whatever is foremost in my mind. Right now, that is IZEAFest so there have been several recent blog entries regarding that awesome event. Sometimes, I write about eBay or PayPal or other interesting aspects of eCommerce. I love to write about family events and holidays most because I can share pictures of my beautiful grandchildren.
BenSpark
I’m also one who likes to share photos of their kids. No grandkids yet for me, Eva isn’t even out of diapers yet. Oh I just scared myself. Okay, back on topic. Why did you start blogging?
Pat
I’ve loved to write since before I could read what I had written. I think my first passage was “Mom, I hate you. I am running away to where you will never find me and I am taking Tagalong with me. Don’t worry, I have lots of cookies and a sweet potato.” It was written in orange crayon on the flyleaf of one of my Little Golden Books. To this day, I can visualize the scribbling and remember the frustration at my ignorance.
BenSpark
Wow, that is powerful stuff. Who or what was Tagalong? You’ll have to drop that in the comments. I can remember the two times I got that mad at my mom, but I never took a sweet potato with me. Again with those tangents. LEt’s get back to talking about blogging. Why do you monetize your blog? What are some companies besides IZEA that you work with?
Pat
I do have Google Ads but that is about as far as I’ve gone to date. I think that is the 12th step in my program and I have not yet reached it.
BenSpark
I think you are on to something with a 12 step blogger program. Where would disclosure fall I wonder. What is your stance on Disclosure?
Pat
I believe that honesty is the best policy and it is a lot easier to remember what you’ve said when you say the same thing to everyone. Transparency in disclosure goes along with this. There is nothing wrong with saying you are reviewing a product in exchange for sponsorship. It should be an honest review though. If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. Then, it is an exhibition of mutual respect.
BenSpark
I’m struggling with that right now. I asked a company for one of their products. I got it and hated it but not sure if I should just not say anything about it or offer a review with the feedback I have. That is what I like about SocialSpark, I can write whatever I like about a product, I just did one recently where I mentioned things I’d like to see improved and the advertiser left me a comment and also praised my review to the IZEA sales force. That was very cool. I like the ability to leave feedback for an advertiser. What is your favorite feature of SocialSpark?
Pat
I love the way the newest opportunities are featured right on the home page. I get excited just looking at them.
BenSpark
What should be improved on SocialSpark?
Pat
I can’t imagine anything that needs to be changed or added at the moment.
BenSpark
What Advertisers do you want to see on SocialSpark?
Pat
I would like to see more advertisers of things for pet owners, toys, children’s clothing and sporting goods.
BenSpark
What is the Ultimate Goal for a blogger, in your opinion?
Pat
To have a well written, balanced blog that will attract readers interested in the blog’s main topic. If the blog is good and the ads are coordinated to appeal to its readers, there will be synergy.
BenSpark
Which one plugin would you suggest all bloggers to have?
Pat
Being fairly new to the monetizing angle, I don’t know what to recommend.
BenSpark
Everyone has their own routine when starting the day. Me I fire up the computer check the work e-mail then fire up tweetdeck to see what is being said about IZEA. I then open my mail and respond to all comments. What is the first thing you do when you fire up your browser?
Pat
I can’t resist checking my email and Twitter first thing.
BenSpark
If you could spend one year blogging about a particular thing what would it be and why? How would you keep it fresh?
Pat
I dream of getting in an RV, traveling this vast country of ours without touching tires on the interstate system, and blogging all the way. There is such a variety of sights and stories of valor, wisdom and humor, I can’t imagine being at a loss for interesting content.
BenSpark
Another blogger who wants to live the road wandering life. I so want to do that. What is your best blog post ever?
Pat
I really like one I wrote about a year ago named: “Oops is the Word” the best because it was a lot of fun to write. I like to read little stories about pets and children because they are easy to read and fun to relate to.
BenSpark
That was a really cute post. Love the chicken Popsicle quote too. What are some odd keywords people use to find your blog?
Pat
I don’t know. I hope they are using Cat, Dog, eBay, and grandma.
BenSpark
Yeah, I hardly check my keywords too, I need to because whenever I do I get surprised. Outside of blogging what are your other interests?
Pat
I sell on eBay and have a site ( http://www.MysteryAuction.2Ya.com ) that gives free advertising to bloggers, site owners, and other eBay sellers. I am developing another site that focuses on pets ( http://www.CatPurry.com ) and will monetize with pet specialty vendors. I enjoy my family. My husband of 34 years (this week), three grown kids, and 6 grandchildren, are the sunshine on my shoulders.
BenSpark
Isn’t family wonderful. Having a nice strong family around you is amazing. What is amazing about you?
Pat
That I don’t feel old yet. I am older than dirt, but most of the time, I don’t feel old.
BenSpark
Ipod or other music player?
Pat
I have an MP3 player but I use it to download BlogTalkRadio shows and Webinars for the most part. Not enough hours in the day! I always have a popular Orlando radio station playing in the background when I work.
BenSpark
Pirates or Ninjas?
Pat
What ARE you talking about?
BenSpark
Pirates or Ninjas? That means which do you side with because apparently they have a life long struggle against each other. Where this started I have no clue. Favorite Movie? TV Show? Book?
Pat
Favorite Movie: “Trains, Planes & Automobiles”
TV Show: (current) Law & Order (from the past) Cop Rock
Book: “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran
BenSpark
Cop Rock, you are kidding right? Do you play Facebook games?
Pat
Never! Too many viruses and too little time.
BenSpark
Yeah you can get viruses, luckily I only play a couple now. What is the most motivational advice you can give other bloggers?
Pat
Write every day.
BenSpark
Great Advice. Do you have some favorite blogs?
Pat
- http://pawluxury.blogspot.com
- http://www.benspark.com
- http://onecoolsite.wordpress.com
- http://eBayInkBlog.com
- http://wwwaphorismscom.blogspot.com/
BenSpark
How about some favorite podcasts?
Pat
BenSpark
Finally someone who is listening or watching podcasts. How does someone connect with you online?
Pat
You can connect with me via Facebook, Twitter, Social Spark, MySpace, LinkedIn and several other venues all under the name: CatPurry. My userid on eBay is PurrFREE. (CatPurry lost her password on eBay and never did get that straightened out)
BenSpark
Pat, Thanks so much for taking time to chat with me. I’m looking forward to seeing you at IZEAFest 2009.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Follow up comments: OK, now I get the pirates vs ninjas questions. I go with Ninjas because deep down I am a very spiritual person and Ninjas are awesomely spiritual. Dead serious about Cop Rock, I crave a DVD of the series. I'm glad you gave more input on your views of disclosure. The situation you describe would be a tough call but sounds like you handled it just right by suggesting improvements rather than outright criticizing the product.
Thanks @catpurry, I appreciate the follow ups. What about a photo? The readers want to see who they are reading about.
That was a great interview!
You both Rock!!!
I include both your blogs in my Blogging classes!
You both have unique styles that I admire!
Keep up the good work!
Pleasure to know you both!
Danna
Thanks Danna. I thought you were joining up with my crew. I'd love to have an interview with you as well. Tell me more about this Blogging Class? Who do you teach, in person or online? And I didn't realize that you used my blog for that. Very cool. Thanks. See you at IZEAFest? Did you know I was doing a big contest?
Oh I forgot to tell you about Tagalong and the sweet potato. Tagalong was my little dog who followed me everywhere. I would ride my tricycle down the street and around the block with him sitting on the back step and often, in winter, I had a hot sweet potato dripping with butter as a mid-day snack. My mom would peel it back part way so that it looked like an ice cream cone. What a sweet treat. I still love them.
Great story. I love how your dog rode on the back step of the tricycle. Very cool.