Interview with:Jacqueline Malenda [champagnetaste]
BLOGGING
 | What is your blog address? What subjects do you deal with? http://champagne-taste.blogspot.com/
I deal with wine. I’m a sommelier, wine rep, and freelancer. Wine is my job and my passion. All tasting notes are unbiased and my own. I also deal a bit in food, culture, etc. My recipes and photos are 100% my own. |
| What was it that made you create your blog? On what date did you start it? I started it in mid January 2011. I had a friend once, which started as a penpal. He lives on the other side of the planet so we’d share our wine notes and observations via the internet. When he and I ended our friendship, I missed having someone to write to about wine. I decided that I would like a larger audience than just my facebook friends, so I started the blog. |
| What blogging system have you adopted and why? I like blogspot and I like a first person, somewhat casual style, almost conversational, although I’ve been asked if that style is how I actually speak since others don’t always see it as casual. The answer is yes, that’s exactly how I speak. My blog is my way of speaking to people all over the world about something we have in common. |
| How many visits a day do you get? What type of comments do you receive? I receive very few comments actually. The number of visitors daily varies tremendously - I’ve had a few days with only 5 readers, and a few days with over 100 readers. I guess it depends on how interesting the readers find my topic that day. |
| How has 'having a blog' contributed to your life? I’ve connected with a great many people as a result of starting my blog, and it’s provided me with a chance to continue exploring and learning about wine. |
| Have you created relationships with other bloggers or readers of your blog? Yes - friendships, business opportunities, even a few dates! Other bloggers are good to read - I like to see what interests them and their readers, and we compare notes. |
| How often do you post? Does regular posting of your blog require a lot of effort on your part? Regular blog posts are twice a week - Mondays and Fridays. Depending on the topic or importance of whatever I’m covering will determine the degree of effort I put it. |
| Does blogging bring in income for you? Can one make a living from posting? So far, blogging has brought in $0 for me. Nothing. I don’t see how anyone could make a living from blog posts. |
| How do you promote your blog? Email, facebook, and twitter. |
| How would you define your readers? Have you got a faithful audience? I think I’ve got a fairly faithful audience, plus a lot of people who find me by accident when google leads them there after a search of something I’ve covered. |
| Are there any blogs you follow daily or regularly? I hardly have time, but when I do, I’ll check out Beau’s Barrel Room and North of 9 Fine Wine, and rarely the New York Cork Report. |
| Have you ever received gifts for blogging about your opinion of products or services? What do you think of bloggers who do that? I’m indifferent about gifts and people who receive them. I’ve received 3 free bottles in the past year and a half to review but not as gifts. And I’m honest no matter what. |
| How do you see your blog evolving in the future? I’d like to connect with more people, continue to learn, and accumulate readers and credibility. |
| What advice would you give to someone who wishes to begin a blog? Watch your language, grammar, spelling, and try to be fun but appropriate, informative, and respectful. |
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226 visits Whohub
Jacqueline Malenda
Long Island, New York, US
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99699 interviews created
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