BenSpark
Hi Flora, thanks for doing this interview could you please tell the readers about yourself.
Flora
I am originally from Costa Rica, but now live in the US. I love to write because I love to talk, share news, funny pictures, and my opinion. I love it when people like my work, and am very appreciative when someone has read my stuff.
I work full-time with teens, focusing on homeless teens, and think they are awesome. They are the reason I go to work. I write as a freelancer part-time. I also work with children on the weekends. I work a lot. If I’m not at work, I’m working. Eventually, though, I would like to write full-time.
BenSpark
That sounds really interesting. Working with homeless teens must be challenging but it sounds like it is so rewarding for you. With all of your working how do you find time to blog? Please tell us about your blogs
Flora
The blog I have registered with Social Spark, Flora’s Life, is very random: a strength and a weakness. It has a lot of pictures I find funny or interesting. It’ll have a little something about recent events, local happening, things I am up to, crafts that look cool to try out, etc.
I have other blogs that are more focused, which include my online resume, a blog about things I find to be ridiculous, and a blog about natural remedies.
BenSpark
Sounds like you keep yourself pretty busy with a bunch of blogs, that is great. Why did you start blogging?
Flora
I started blogging for fun and let others know what is going on in my life. I have family that lives across the continent and good friends in other countries. Sometimes it’s hard to just sit down and talk to everyone about things that are going on, so I could let those interested know when they checked out my blog.
BenSpark
That is cool, I started my blog with my girlfriend (now wife) to keep family and friends up to date with what we were doing and it evolved into something bigger over time. I found that I could make a little money with the blog too. Why do you monetize your blog? What are some companies besides IZEA that you work with?
Flora
My husband was in a bad car accident almost 5-years-ago when he was hit by a commercial vehicle while stopped at a red light—we soon became a single-income household. I started monetizing when I found out I could get paid to do what I already thought was fun. The extra income has helped pay for a lot of medical expenses and the missing income.
Other companies I work with are Google AdSense and Amazon.com.
BenSpark
It is great that you were able to make money to help with those expenses. It must have really focused you on that because of the need for that additional income. Now with the FTC rules and the need for disclosure I have to ask what is your stance on Disclosure?
Flora
I think Disclosure is a good thing. If a person is promoting an object, I want to know if they are getting sponsored to say good things about it. There is a big difference to me between writing about an object you tried on your own and want to just let others know about it and a product that gives you an incentive for writing about them.
BenSpark
What is your favorite feature of SocialSpark?
Flora
I like SocialSpark’s ease of access and fun look.
BenSpark
What should be improved on SocialSpark?
Flora
I wish I qualified for more opps.
BenSpark
What Advertisers do you want to see on SocialSpark?
Flora
I don’t really have any in mind at the moment.
BenSpark
What is the Ultimate Goal for a blogger, in your opinion?
Flora
One should write or blog because it is enjoyable and self-rewarding.
BenSpark
I hear that, I’ve spent much time writing about my daily events and I love being able to go back 5 years to see what I was doing on this day in the past. Which one plugin would you suggest all bloggers to have?
Flora
I find an SEO word-tracker to be really helpful in creating a prominent presence.
BenSpark
I don’t know that one, I will check that out. What is the first thing you do when you fire up your browser?
Flora
I always check my emails first.
BenSpark
Me too, I need to make sure my inbox is empty before I start anything. It is crazy but I like to stay on top of it. Your e-mail with this interview was the first one I opened. If you could spend one year blogging about a particular thing what would it be and why? How would you keep it fresh?
Flora
I would probably blog about crazy things that are happening around the world. I’d keep it fresh by including news stories, trends, ridiculous product, and the like. I love reading about this type of stuff.
BenSpark
Sounds interesting. So, what is your best blog post ever?
Flora
My best blog post ever was one where I outlined my weekend (http://costaricanflora.blogspot.com/2008/02/sweet-weekend.html). The writing wasn’t necessarily superb, it was average. The pictures were not taken with any fantastic camera. However, the experiences and the memories are one’s that I still think about today.
BenSpark
The cupcakes in that post looked delicious. Yum. What are some odd keywords people use to find your blog?
Flora
I’ve had some really crazy search terms pop my blog up, including “Whoopi Goldberg’s cat”, “flora sinus”, “food-shortage cackling thing”, “cost to hold panda”, and “infj”.
BenSpark
Those are some crazy search terms, some of the craziest I’ve seen, I love it! Outside of blogging what are your other interests?
Flora
I enjoy photography, dining out, opening presents, writing, embroidery, talking, card-making, baking, cooking, travel, hanging out with friends, and learning about things that are of interest.
BenSpark
Gotta love photography, my favorite pastime. Those are some fun hobbies. Tell us more about you. What is amazing about you?
Flora
My work ethic, loyalty, and sense of humor: these are things I value in others and try to possess myself.
BenSpark
Ipod or other music player?
Flora
Other: I have a Creative Zen V and love it.
BenSpark
Pirates or Ninjas?
Flora
Ninjas. Their stealth makes me envious.
BenSpark
Favorite Movie? TV Show? Book?
Flora
Movie: Jurassic Park
TV Show: “ER” and “Stargate: SG1” (I’m a nerd)
Book: Travels by Michael Crichton or The Princess Bride
BenSpark
Do you play Facebook games?
Flora
Yes, just YOville (when I remember I have an account).
BenSpark
What is the most motivational advice you can give other bloggers?
Flora
Write because you want to. Write without obligation.
BenSpark
What are your Favorite Blogs?
Flora
LOLcats (http://icanhascheezburger.com/) and Cute Overload (http://cuteoverload.com/) are my default go-to blogs when I am feeling down. Something about cute and funny animals always makes me crack a smile. I like Incredible Things (http://incrediblethings.com/) to see the new, crazy things people have invented. Around the Sun Blog (http://aroundthesunblog.com/) is a great resource to see what is going on in the Portland area for free, my favorite price.
BenSpark
Favorite Podcasts?
Flora
I don’t really listen to podcasts. I usually listen to NPR’s 24-hour streaming radio (I need to get my news somewhere.)
BenSpark
How does someone connect with you online?
Twitter: http://twitter.com/FreelanceFlora
Email: FreelanceFlora@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/floraflower
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/freelanceflora
Social Spark: http://socialspark.com/bloggers/freelance-flora
BenSpark
Flora, thank you so much for the interview. I hope that more people check out your work because it is very interesting. I appreciate you taking the time to share with us.
