Blogger Interview # 91 : Theresa Mahoney

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your blog?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am a stay at home mom of 2. When I am not working on my blog or chasing after my kids, I like to read, cook, craft, and socialize. My blog is a lifestyle blog. I write about family activities we like to do, crafts, recipes, and will toss in a review every now and again.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Are you a full time blogger? How did you get into blogging and why?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Since I am the mom to 2 very active kids, I only have the time to be a part time blogger. I got into blogging because I wanted to have a place to record our family memories, and share with others the fun projects we were working on.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
If someone was interested in blogging, what would be a few things you would suggest?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

First of all, if you don’t know much about computers, it can be very frustrating in the beginning. Google will be your best friend. If you have a question, ask! I find people are very willing to help out if you simply ask. You can’t just set up a blog and expect people to know it’s there. You need to get your name out there. Join blog hops, Facebook blogger groups, and use your social media to promote your blog. Make friends with other bloggers. I find that other bloggers have been key into helping me promote my blog, and I am happy to return the favor to them. If someone visits your blog and comments, reply. I don’t expect every blog I comment on to come back and comment on mine. But if I have taken the time to visit your blog, read what you write, then leave a comment, the least you can do is reply. Even a simple “Thanks for stopping by” works. If I notice my visits aren’t being acknowledged, I will stop visiting. I don’t like feeling like I am reading a personal diary. Interact with your readers! It will get them to come back.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

How do you build a community around a blog and social media?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Social media is key in building your community. In this day in age, it would be foolish not to use social media to connect with your readers. Almost everyone has a Facebook, and other platforms are growing each day. If you don’t use those tools, you are missing out on a lot of blog traffic!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
What are your three favorite blogs to read? What makes those blogs special?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Only 3? I have a mile long list of blogs I like to visit on a daily basis, so it is very hard to narrow it down, but I’ll try :)

• http://yeewittlethings.blogspot.com Brandi is a mom who I think most woman can relate to. She’s funny, smart, and gives great product reviews on things I think most parents want to hear about.
• http://lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com Paula is super crafty. She makes fabulous paper crafts she likes to share with her readers. She promotes buying hand made items, and her Friday Etsy finds always fascinate me.
• http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/ I like Joyce’s blog because she is witty and has a dry sense of humor. She’s not afraid to put herself out there, and I always get a good chuckle from her posts.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Which one plugin would you suggest all bloggers to have?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

All of the social media plug ins! Like I said before, those are key in reaching your audience!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------