One can learn the strategies being used by successful bloggers and implement them to achieve good search engine rankings. Today on Bloggers Excel, we bring you another inspirational interview of a famous blogger Getrude who blogs at More to Getty. Read ahead to know her ideas and opinions on various topics. Also, learn some tips and tricks for blogging.
Can you please tell our readers about yourself and your blog?
My name is Getrude, and my blog is called More To Getty www.moretogetty.com. I am a Zimbabwean based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Describe how did you first get into blogging?
I first got into blogging in 2012 as a way of coping with the burnout from my job. I was working as a social worker, and writing became an outlet for me to discuss the challenges of the profession. It has since evolved into being a personal blog which covers different areas of my life, not just my work.
Can you tell me some of your strengths that helped you in blogging?
I think my blogging strength is that I write expressively and freely. I use my blog as space where I can be completely myself, no holding back. The name of my blog is also a strength. More To Getty means that there is more to me than people see. It encourages me always to ask “what else is there” that is not obvious at first glance, which is still an invitation to dig deeper. This has always helped me to stay true to myself as a blogger and come up with relevant content.
How do you want to improve yourself in the next month?
I want to improve myself in the next month by creating more content that will help me to grow my audience. I read somewhere that bloggers should always create content that is not only relevant to them but their readers. I want to pay more attention to my most read posts and carve out a niche for my blog because, at the moment, I write about anything that comes to my mind.
What do you think is the best service a blogger can provide to his readers?
The best service a blogger can provide to their readers is to write content that is well researched and coherent. This includes paying attention to post length so as not to overwhelm your readers or underwhelm them. Finding a good balance is key.
What was the most challenging moment in your blogging journey so far?
The most challenging moment in my blogging journey has always been writing about romantic relationships. This is one area of my life that I have not been able to write about and I donʼt understand why.
Who has impacted you most in blogging, and how?
I would say I have been impacted mostly by God in my blogging. When I write from a spiritual angle. I always find that my writing is inspired, and it inspires others. My blog had become a source of comfort for others experiencing similar situations, e.g. graduate students, when I was writing about my PhD journey.
What is your greatest achievement outside of blogging?
Outside blogging, my most significant achievement was completing my PhD last year. I wrote a 200-page thesis on a subject I am passionate about; children living without their biological families in childrenʼs homes in Zimbabwe. I looked at how they construct the meaning of family in the context of biological family separation.
What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I love to read books, journaling, reflecting and pondering on life and other deep subjects, spending time with my family.
Can you name some of your favourite bloggers?
My favourite bloggers are Josephine Amoako from Ghana (her writing moves me every time). She writes at joseyphina.wordpress.com; Fochwoman.com; Half Thoughts at teemadzika.wordpress.com; The Curly Christian Girl at thecurlychristiangirl.com; Eunice Tossy at abiblegirl.com and last but not least Beaton at Becoming The Muse.
How do you motivate yourself to keep the blog up and running?
I motivate myself to keep my blog running by reading other people’s blogs. I always find inspiration from there.
What do you find the most frustrating aspect of blogging?
The most frustrating aspect of blogging for me is getting readership and growing the blog. I donʼt just want numbers, I want readers who actively engage, and this does not always happen.
In the future, where do you hope your blog will take you?
In the future, I hope my blog will get me in contact with other amazing writers who are doing amazing things in the lives of others. I have not been able to attend any blogging workshops or meet-ups since I started blogging, so this will be an excellent opportunity.
Do you have any specific goals for the rest of this year?
The only goal I have for my blog this year is to keep writing.
Did you have any professional help, or did you create the blog yourself?
I created my blog myself.
What do you think is the best social media strategy for getting more visitors to a blog?
The best way to get more visitors to the blog is to share on Twitter, tag Afro bloggers and add hashtags.
I express gratitude towards Getrude for answering me the answers. What’s more, I wish her to be more fruitful in her online endeavours. If you have any inquiries for her, then drop it in the remarks underneath. Thanks for reading. If you loved reading this, then you can navigate to more interviews. I’m sure you’ll like them.
thought-provoking*
thank you for the interview, your questions were very insightful and though