The following is an interview with textile artist NishaO. Her web site showcases her beautiful shawls. However, Nisha has much more to offer – among other things, she’s done fascinating work with textile workers in remote areas of India – and therefore she is thinking about starting a blog. Here is our conversation:
Why are you interested in blogging?
After Isabella’s presentation, I realized that with blogging, you can have a much better web presence. If you have a business and you’re blogging, your name will be much more prominent.
Also, it looks like a great way to build a community, broadening your horizon and finding like-minded people with whom you can exchange ideas.
What do you think blogging might do for you?
A while ago I went to a seminar that pointed out very clearly that blogging is the latest marketing tool. The presenter did a lot of high budget projects, so the thought occurred to me that if she does it, it’s probably a good idea for me, too.
To be honest, first I didn’t pay much attention to it but then when Isabella talked about it, it was reinforced.
Why haven’t you started blogging yet?
I don’t consider myself very computer savvy. It seemed to me a very technical thing, and was a bit intimidated by that.
I’m also not sure what to write about. What language should I use, or could I just write the way I speak? What if it takes too long? Also, if you have to do it every day or every few days, that requires a lot of discipline.
But now it looks like the only thing now is that I just have to start.
Do you read any blogs right now?
Once in a while. Once I was looking at marketing my work, and what I found on blogs was very interesting. But otherwise, not that much. I keep on finding things that are completely irrelevant. I remember spending one whole afternoon reading blogs without much of interest. I haven’t really figured out how to find the blogs that I would find interesting.
How can I find my blogging community? And then I suspect it’s like reading a good book – once you find it, you can’t put it down.
What don’t you like about blogs?
There is so much out there, I get overwhelmed.
What would help you start and maintain a blog?
Now I’m very curious about blogging and I do know it’s a good thing. I like connecting with people. It’s just that I need to get started (I have a few other things on the go right now).
I guess it also depends on the response I’ll get. When you discuss things, that’s what keeps you going. Depending on how people respond, something interesting pops in your head.
It’ll be a discovery process.
If it does bring traffic to my web site and if people want to buy, that would be a big incentive. It’s not just about the money or your business. If it helps you grow, then you feel motivated from within.
Now that i know it’s very easy, that’s not a problem.
It was the same with email. First I hardly ever used it but once I got into it, I do it all the time. The moment I saw it’s useful, and that it doesn’t take time, I began to enjoy it. I want to see what people are up to. I think it’s going to be similar with blogging. I think that would definitely keep it going.
technorati tags: blogging, artists, east+indian, canada, starting+a+blog