Photo from Leo Reynolds

My favorite site that I visit regularly is Momgrind.com. The writer, Vered, is an amazing woman. She’s not afraid to speak her mind, and she really expresses herself in ways that a reader can relate. I recently started writing articles for Tivate.com but I lacked experience. Since Vered was my favorite blogger, I reached out to her. I decided to email her to ask her for help. I was nervous at first. I thought, “Why would she want to help me?” I mustered up the courage and after many proofreads, I sent the email asking for advice on becoming a better writer/blogger. Can you guess the outcome?

Vered replied back with so many great suggestions. She shared with me points that I had not even considered. I took her advice and I would like to share some of that advice with you:

Hi Christina,

My best advice would be to decide what the general direction of Tivate is
and then write articles that relate to that general direction. So, if
Tivate is about self development, then your recent article about breaking
free from a shopping addiction is great, as would be any article that
deals with improving oneself and becoming a better person…

You can find more of Vered’s advice on Momgrind.com under “How to Get More Blog Subscribers.” Don’t be afraid to ask. You just might get the answer you need. 

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• Interview with Vered – A Mother Knows Best
• How to be a TRUE Genius – Part One: What is a TRUE Genius?
• We are on StumbleUpon, WAHOO!!!
• Under the Hood: Part Two – Server Software
• Under the Hood: Part One – Server Hardware

• 7 Ways to Stand Out From the Crowd and Let Your Voice Be Heard
• Awareness – Quote from Ross Hersey
• Love quote from Martin Luther King Jr.
• Word of the Day:: Acceptance
• Interview with Jenna Edwards – The Benevolent Beauty

• Heart Hands
• Put on a smiling face… [pic]
• Our Direction [pic]
• Stand Out [pic]
• Magic Moments [pic]

• Interview with Zack Domes – Disciple of Simplicity
• Change Your Life – Quote from William James
• Interview with Professor Walter Lewin – The Physics Magician
• Interview with Laurie Henry – The Innovative Teacher
• Interview with Neil Patel – Internet Marketing Guru

• Mind – Quote from Alexander Pope
• Adapt – Quote from Alexander Hamilton
• Take a Chance [pic]
• Perfect Blue [pic]
• Regret – Quote from Karen Lamb

Whew, man what a week. Learned so much about blogging and interviewing people. Just a quick summation of things I learned.

1. That people (even famous ones) are genuinely nice people
2. That everyone makes mistakes (just wait till the cons)
3. Have to be positive
4. Failure is ok
5. Everybody is human
6. Brevity is wisdom, keep it concise (when speaking to others) – thanks Craig!
7. Everybody especially well known people are busy
8. Blogging is hard
9. Don’t blast people with 50+ interview questions
10. I have to be more personable

Here are the things I have learned from the different interviews:

1. Craig Newmark – Treat everyone the way you want to be treated.
2. Rob Malda – The greatest achievements have to do with the people in our lives
3. Walter Lewin – When doing something we love we give it our best effort
4. Jimmy Wales – Failure is a stepping stone to success, not a barrier

To add to this list, I wanted to put into words the mistakes I’ve made thus far. Originally I had this brilliant idea that I ask people 50+ questions and tell them “[pqr]don’t worry, just pick and choose the questions you want to answer[/pqr].” In the end my idea was brilliantly unrealistic. They’re too busy. It’s like asking them to do my homework and then turn it in for me.

Since then I whittled my questions down to 10 or so. Still very good questions which give us insight into their mentality and optimism. Honestly, looking back I’m like what the fudge was I thinking?!!! Haha! Well, like I stated earlier, mistakes are to be expected – especially when you’re learning.

Interestingly this morning while getting breakfast at a local restaurant (portuguese sausage, eggs and fried rice from loco moco) I saw an older guy with a football shirt that had an interesting statment. It read “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard”. That’s so true. [pq]What I lack in skill I’ll definitely make up in determination and desire[/pq].

One of the interviewees stated that my interview request wasn’t personal enough and that while I did not offend him, I might have offended others. I bypassed being personal for the sake of being concise and to the point. I realize that most rejected due to the fact that I really am a nobody – for now. So far I have been rejected serveral times. If I were contacting them in behalf of TIME magazine or Wired it would be a different story. I’m not discouraged by this reality but realize that I have to start somewhere. If it were so easy, everyone would be doing it. Soon – very soon, these circumstances will change. Until next week!

• Interview with Jimmy Wales – The Knowledge Benefactor
• Interview with Noah Kagan – The Amusing Entrepreneur
• Giving Shape to the People Who Shape Our World
• Interview with Neil Patel – Internet Marketing Guru
• Interview with Leah Culver – The Social Networker