Well well, it’s been forever and a day since I’ve put out an interview piece, but I’ve managed to pull one off.  Today’s hapless victim is none other than Shana Albert, owner of Social Desire, regular contributor to 6 blogs, 4 static sites, 1 eCommerce site and overall Social Media junkie.

So without further delay, here we go;

10 Questions With Shana Albert

1 – Introduce yourself to the world.  Tell us about yourself…

Hello SEO Honolulu World.  My name is Shana Albert and I am a Webmaster, Professional Blogger, eCommerce Entrepreneur and Social Media Specialist.  That is a huge title…. I understand.  But, it kind of explains what I do.  However, if you want the short and easy way of saying what I do…. It’s Internet Entrepreneur.  It just kind of says it all without really saying much.

2 – A little over a year ago you were just starting out with the whole Social Media thing and wondering how to fit it into your career path.  Where you at now with that?

Well, honestly it was more than 2 years ago that I started blogging.  But, I didn’t get super serious about Social Media until about 15 months ago

It has been amazing!!!  And it has went in a totally different direction than I ever thought possible.  I started Social Networking to help promote my arsenal of websites and blogs.  But, what I didn’t realize was how much I would love it…. How much I would enjoy the conversations I would have.  I ended up trying all kinds of different Social Media activities and learned that I loved them all.  I was floored to realize that I missed the communication with other human beings that I wasn’t getting from being a silent Webmaster.  I delved head first and I haven’t come out of the pool yet. 

3 – I asked you this on Twitter the other day and you couldn’t give an answer because you’re not sure of the total number.  So… how many blogs & sites are you contributing to?

6 blogs…

(1) Social Desire-  My blog on everything Social Media & Web 2.0
(2) Collective-Thoughts -  A group blog with some of the most amazing people in the industry.  It is an honor to not only write with these men, but to call them my friends.
(3) Digital Bliss - It is the digital channel of 3.    Blissfully Domestic.  My posts are dedicated to the basics of Social Media.
(4) Hobo SEO Blog- Only one post so far on 4.    “How to get Started in Social Media“, but Shaun gave me the keys to his blog, so there might be more.
(5) Preschool Education Blog-  The blog that goes with ABC Home Preschool….. My Preschool eCommerce website.
(6) Work at Home Blog- Need to start posting to this Blog again.

I also have a bunch of Static Websites

(7) All Diet Source
(8) All Bookkeeping Resource
(9) All Work At Home Ideas
(10) All Advertising Online

And, one eCommerce Website where I sell my very own Preschool Curriculum that I designed myself over 5 years ago.

So, as you can see….. I’m pulled a little tight.  But, it’s because once I fell in love with Social Media I started blogging about it.  But, I still had my Webmaster and eCommerce duties.

4 -  So how do you sit there and juggle being a busy Mom, full time blogger, as well as managing your own personal sites without losing it?  The reason I ask this is because many more people are now turning to the net in droves trying to find a way to supplement income and lifestyle while our economy takes a dive.  What kind of advice can you give them on this?

I’m going to break down this questions into two parts…

“ So how do you sit there and juggle being a busy Mom, full time blogger, as well as managing your own personal sites without losing it?  “

Do I look like I am succeeding at juggling??  Phew, I was concerned that you could see that I am dropping a lot of balls. 

Seriously, I’m not sure how I’m doing it.  I don’t get a lot of sleep and I try to spend my time on things that are important…. Things that are deserving of my energy.  Social Media can suck a lot of time.  And, it’s not a devastating problem unless you are spending your time on Social Media activities that are not conducive to what you should be devoting your time and energy to.  You need to figure out what Social Media activities are a good idea to spend your time on.

“…many more people are now turning to the net in droves trying to find a way to supplement income and lifestyle while our economy takes a dive.  What kind of advice can you give them on this?”

That is such a difficult question for me to answer because honestly I’m not sure why how it all became that I’m a success.  I’m fortunate that my Preschool Curriculum eCommerce site appears #1 in Google Search for the term “Preschool Curriculum”.  But,  I feel amazingly fortunate.  Appearing on the first few pages is very, very difficult.  Not impossible, but difficult.

I’m not saying that it is impossible for people to make a living online…. On the contrary, I know that it can and is being done.  I’m just saying that just like any business in reality it takes a lot of time, energy, patience & work to not only create a business online, but even more to make “a living“ from it.  Online Businesses should not be thought of as an easy solution to extra money.  But, it is an option if you are looking to start a business.  An online business can be a great business.  But, what I’m trying to say is it is not going to happen over night.  It is going to take a lot of sweat and a lot of tears…. Just like any business in reality would be.

5 – Do you like Pina Coladas or getting caught in the rain?

Pina Coladas is so much more fun than getting caught in the rain  However,  if I have been drinking Pina Coladas…. Running around in the rain sounds like killer fun.  Can I choose both??

6 – If someone asked you what is the best way to get started on blogging, what would you tell them?

Do it!!

There is no reason not too now-a-days… creating a blog has become so easy…. No longer do you need to have knowledge of coding, servers and other technical stuff just to have a website.  With services like WordPress and Blogger you can easily make a blog for free.  No coding knowledge necessary… use the free templates to make the blogs visually appealing.

7 – What kind of impact has Social Media marketing had on your professional and personal life?

The impact has been incredible to say the least.  The personal and professional benefits overlap…. I’m a very social person, so I get to fill my personal need of being social  while at the same time it makes a “buzz” about whatever I’m working on at the time.  I think that’s why I love my work so much.  I enjoy my work so much more since social media as entered into my “plan”.  Because conversation to me is so important that being a business owner involved in Social Media is easy to me.  I’m fortunate enough to LOVE my work.

8 – What 3 sites should people go check out right now?

I’ve been reading a lot of self-improvement, happiness, & “feel good” blogs…. Here are some great ones to check out…

Think Simple Now Tina’s posts help me learn better ways to manage things in my life…. Time, energy, stress, productivity, etc.  I totally need to improve in these areas.
Awake @ the Wheel Jonathan’s post always make me think and smile (I love to do both, so it‘s a win-win situation).  He has a brilliant way of writing that sucks me right in.
A Dads Blog - It’s a blog by  Eric Lander .  In this blog he writes about his life as a father.  As a mom first and an Internet Entrepreneur second I can totally relate to his blog.  It makes me smile because I can relate to him as a busy parent. It’s just an added bonus that he is in a similar industry as I am.

9 – Do you use affiliate marketing programs on any of your sites?

Yes, I do.  But, not so much with Social Desire.  I just haven’t found an affiliate program that will do extremely well on my Social Media / Web 2.0 blog.  I do better on that site with selling my advertising space than by using affiliate programs.

I use affiliate programs ads on my other sites very successfully, but on Social Desire…. Not so much.

10 – Who do you tap for me to interview next?

I would like to tap Ann Smarty.  I find her an amazingly brilliant SEO blogger.  I really, truly enjoy her posts and I would love to see her interviewed by you Matt.

———-

There you have it!  10 questions with Shana Albert.  So now I need to go track down Ann Smarty and see if I can pester her next.  Thanks very much Shana, as always it was a pleasure.

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