Featured Blogger-Anne Maybus

This weeks featured blogger is Anne Maybus from Cherry Mag.

When did you start your blog?

I started my first blog The Tall Poppy in 2006 in pure, ignorant bliss.

Why did you start blogging?

Originally I used it as a space to store my articles. It was a form of backup and security. I knew nothing of what blogs were all about. I got a shock the first time someone commented on it. Who the hell was reading my stuff?

Describe your blog in 20 words or less

Cherry Mag is an online magazine style site for women who want to try it all.

(this is my new blog which has limped into existence!)

What are your 5 must have tools for blogging?

Wordpress for starters. Although Blogger is good I prefer Wordpress. It has some great plugins that I use.
*automatic upgrade
*maintenance mode
*billboard (for managing ads)
*feedburner
*Google Analytics

What is your favourite part of being a blogger?

I have loved meeting bloggers from all around the world. I learn about their countries and ways of life but I have also made new friendships and found business support. I guess I just love sticking my nose into other people’s business!

What would be the biggest thing you have learnt since starting your blog?

I am amazed at how effective they are for boosting your search engine rankings. I have also learnt that Wordpress can be used to create websites, not just blogs. That means that I can have total control over it without having to run off and hassle my web designer to make changes for me. Oh the power!

If you could start again, what would you do differently?

I would go straight to self-hosted Wordpress. I wouldn’t jump on the bandwagon of all the new things that come along (well, at least until they have been around long enough to assess properly) I would also have a plan or goal. I started out more by accident than design. Think how much more successful I would be if I had started out knowing why i was there and where I was heading.

What has been your blog’s biggest achievement?

Oh, tough question. I have made it into the Top 100 Aussie Women Bloggers list which really pleased me. I have had links to and comments on my blog from people that I really respect. The biggest achievement would probably be when people tell me that my blog or blog post has made a difference to them. Then I feel it is really worth while.

What advice would do you have for new chick bloggers?

Plan. plan and plan. Don’t blog just to promote yourself, blog to build relationships with others. Read lots of blogs, leave relevant comments and link to them generously in your own posts. That is how you start to be noticed and will help your blog grow. I would also recommend doing something like the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog Challenge at ProBlogger. It is free and you can follow it through at your own pace. It will teach you everything you need to know about the how’s and why’s of blogging.

Do you (or do you plan to) make any income from your blog?

I don’t make any income at the moment. I hope to make some money from Cherry Mag in the future. Although the mag is designed to promote online businesses run by women (shh!0 it will have to pay for its keep and hopefully for mine as well

What future goals do you have for your blog?

I want to finish the blog for starters! I want to improve the way it looks and make sure that the content is consistent. I would like it to be a ‘must read’ online mag. I also want it to be known as the place to go to get some great promotion for your site.

Who are your 5 favourite chick bloggers and why?

I love Domestik Goddess – she is witty and very clever
Not Quite Nigella – She shows me what I am missing out on!
Modern Goddess Online - An Aussie living in HongKong. She lives her life showing us how to nurture ourselves spiritually and physically.
Heart Harmony – This is actually a business related blog. It is well written and full of really great content.
Dancing with Frogs – I have just discovered this blog and it makes me laugh. I see my family and my life reflected there but it is funny when it happens to someone else.

It is really hard to limit it to 5 blogs and my favourite depends on what mood I am in a the time, but these are my regular hangouts.

Filed Under: Featured Blogger