I’m excited to start my new Friday Feature. For the next several weeks, I’m going to feature some fabulous North Carolina bloggers that you may or may not be familiar with.
Today, I’m starting with my friend Fadra who writes her personal blog, All Things Fadra and a social media blog called Social Dialect. She’s a former corporate marketer too so we enjoy chatting about brands and strategy over coffee (or wine.)
You started blogging at All Things Fadra, but then started Social Dialect. What’s the back story there?
I’m the first to admit that I like to dive into things headfirst, blogging being one of them. I quickly learned to love the community but felt like there was some educating that could be done on both sides of the bloggers and brands equation. I decided to start Social Dialect as a way to show perspective on both sides and help build better, more professional relationships.
What are your personal hopes and dreams for Social Dialect?
I recently started doing some consulting and found that I love sharing my knowledge with both brands and bloggers. As a former marketing professional, I try to bring a fresh perspective to someone’s online presence and help sort out a strategy and specific tactics to put in place.
My dreams are that I could help every blogger out there become the professional that they want to be and get wildly rich while doing it. However, I’m also a realist and realize that blogging and big budgets don’t often go hand in hand. I plan to start offering limited one-on-one services that are affordable for those that want help taking their blog to the next level.
I also have a special passion for small to medium sized businesses. Again, they don’t always have the budget for “big” social media agencies but their agenda is often different. Social media and grassroots marketing can really change a business almost overnight.
What conferences are you planning at attending this year?
I’m fortunate enough to be able to attend several conferences this year. I was invited to serve as a Community Leader for BlissDom in Nashville, TN in February. I couldn’t be more excited. Specifically, I’m helping lead the Newcomers groups which include those new to blogging, new to blogging conferences, or new to BlissDom. So I get a chance to put my passion to work!
I’ll also be returning to the Type-A Parent Conference for the third year. It’s now hosted in June in Charlotte, NC but I have found it to be one of the best conferences out there for learning.
And I can’t leave out BlogHer. Since it’s returning to the East Coast this year, I couldn’t say no. I’ll be heading to NYC in August for my third BlogHer. While it may seem like just a big party, it’s really just… Oh, who am I kidding? It IS a big party! And great for connecting and networking with brands and other bloggers.
If you had one piece of advice for a new blogger, what would it be?
Be patient, write good content, and promote yourself! I find that there are so many good writers out there that follow the mantra: “If I write it, they will come.” NOT TRUE! There is so much content available on the internet that it’s easy for people to feel saturated. However, practicing the art of self-promotion can gain you more exposure and if someone likes you, they’ll usually tell others. But they have to know about you first!
Anything exciting planned for 2012?
Oh yes. It seems that every year, I have to start something new. Usually I don’t go looking for it. Usually the opportunity comes looking for me. And this year is no different. I’m working on a joint venture with another blogger out of Canada. I can’t say much about it yet other than it’s something we hope to involve many, many bloggers in and it’s something that will hopefully speak to your heart. We’re hoping to launch in March of this year so stay tuned!
Stop by her blog today and show her some love and tune in next week to meet another fabulous NC blogger.
Fadra, great post and it looks like you have some exciting things ahead!
Do you have any specific recommendations about how to promote yourself when first venturing out into the blog world? Thanks for the help!
Have a fabulous weekend! =)
Hi Elizabeth! I have a few suggestions for you: first, don’t be afraid to ask friends and family to read and COMMENT on your blog. I’ve talked to people that don’t want to post on their Facebook profile because they don’t want to “bother” their friends. Second, make it personal! Instead of pushing content and saying read, read, read, talk about what you wrote and why. Promote it with a teaser! And finally, BE HUMBLE.
Great advice. Wonderful photo of Fadra