Me: As the owner and blogger behind the As Seen on TV site you clearly are dedicated beyond belief to your website and your online business. Would you mind sharing how you got into the internet business and now into blogging?
What's it Take? "As Seen on TV"
As Seen on TV: Way back when I was first introduced to the World Wide Web, I was intrigued by websites and wanted to learn how to build my own. I took a college certificate program for web design. Once I learned the basics I started creating my own websites. I continued to learn and do my best to make sure I stay up to date on coding, scripts and blogging platforms. The internet since its beginning has evolved rapidly; it is very easy to get left behind.
Me: Everyday I hear complaints about blogs not making money, or how do I make money with my blog. I am obviously not privy to how well you do with your AsSeenOnTv blog, though you clearly are a trailblazer in how you use the web to make a living. Can you share more specifics about your AsSeenOnTv blog, how it came about and what business advice you’d give to a blogger who is looking at ways to turn his or her blog into a business?
As Seen on TV: I myself am an “As Seen On TV shopper”. I have many of these types of products in my own home and continue to purchase more. Just recently I purchased Flex Seal to help stop water leaks and the Yoshiblade. I love the Yoshiblade and have been using it daily. It all started when I purchased the Orbitrek years ago from a company online and I noticed at the bottom of the page there was a link called “affiliate”. I was curious and clicked on it. I found out you could get paid a commission for advertising other companies’ products on your website. I then took my own shopping experience and turned it into a business. I started out slowly at first with only one website. This did not happen overnight and it is still a struggle to keep the business going strong. I have been working at this for over 10 years and continue to expand my business by adding new products on a regular basis.
Within a few years of having an online presence I realized that blogging was becoming BIG on the internet and not just for personal pages, but for businesses too. So I jumped in and started to check out how I could build blogs around As Seen On TV products. It is very important to constantly find new ways to advertise.
My advice is that you need to stay focused. It’s all about dedication. You have to care about your own blogs in order to get others to care. Keep your blog updated, post often, and try to build a following. Respond in a timely fashion to any visitor requests. Also I would say you have to be a bit fearless. Put together a plan, jump in and give it a try.
Me: What 3 words best describe you?
As Seen on TV: Driven, organized and humble
Me: Who do you look to for inspiration, learning and growth because you clearly have no shortage of motivation?
As Seen on TV: Clearly other entrepreneurs are very inspirational. It is truly amazing to see people find their own unique ways to make a living. These people take a huge risk and go their own way. Whether they succeed or not they are definitely an inspiration. Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan are particularly inspirational to me because without their success I may not be where I am today in my business. I feel the sudden loss of Billy Mays has made a huge impact in the infomercial world. I am truly saddened of his loss. Billy was a great spokesperson and he added a lot of heart and excitement into his pitches.
Me: Focusing on your values. What are the most important values to you when doing business online? Are these the same values you carry dear to you in your personal life?
As Seen on TV: It is very important to build trust and respect from my visitors and business partners. The internet is a great tool for businesses and making connections, though it can also be dangerous. A lot of information is passed around and sometimes users can be deceived. I strive to build trust with my visitors and partners, which can be hard sometimes without the face to face interaction of brick and mortar businesses, but once that trust is established it helps my customers and partners maintain loyalty to my websites. Absolutely my values are the same online in my business and in my personal life. I am me in all facets of my life.
Me: Given that you have achieved a great deal of success online and are willing to push the limits, I am fascinated by your insights about where blogging and social media will be going in the next five years? What are the trends we should be watching and opportunities that you see ahead of us?
As Seen on TV: I have to say I am already incredibly amazed as to how fast the social networking has taken off. Just a few short years ago Twitter was not that recognizable to most people. Now if you notice when you watch tv most networks and companies are advertising their Twitter account. Where are things going from here? That is hard to predict with the rate that technology is increasing. I would have to say there will be even more social networks added and more and more people getting connected all over the world.
Me: Has blogging changed your life at all? If so how?
As Seen on TV: Tremendously, I have met many people online. I have found great deals, tons of recipes, read about people’s personal experiences, share my own, and give and receive advice. Blogs are a great support system. They are an easy way to find people with similar experiences without having to leave the comfort of your own home.
Me: Do you have any advice for the recent graduate or the person who has been let go because of the recent economic downturn?
As Seen on TV: Don’t give up and keep searching for employment and network. If possible find something you are passionate about and try to make money at it. Find your niche. Use blogging and forums to get tips on creating a powerful resume. Also use these avenues to search for employment and get leads.
Me: What would your ideal vacation be?
As Seen on TV: Spending time on a tropical island with my family and notebook of course. I just would not be on it all day. Maybe just a couple of hours to monitor and keep in touch.
Me: What are your dreams and goals for the next 3 months?
As Seen on TV: Traffic, traffic, traffic, would like to become one of the top blogs for As Seen On TV items. Also to generate more responses on my blogs from my consumer’s experiences of the products they have in their homes.
Connect with As Seen on TV
Blog: As Seen on TV
Facebook: asseenontvstuff
Blogger Bio: As Seen on TV
Great Catalog of information, I invite you to stop by and share with us.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bloggers-Unite/22713...
We appreciate your support, add our page to your wall.
- spam
- offensive
- disagree
- off topic
Like