It’s another week and another awesome blogger for y’all to hear from and to learn from!
Today, I’m happy to introduce Kilee from the blog ONE little MOMMA and the wonderful Etsy shop ONE little BELT, where you can find adorable belts for your little ones, among other great products. One look at the 395+ reviews in her shop and you can see that she’s doing an amazing job! She’s also sporting a very well-designed blog and a fancy Google PageRank of 4! She also has a Facebook fan page with over 4400 fans!
I reached out to Kilee because she’s a dual threat: she has an awesome blog and one of the better stores on Etsy that I have seen from a blogger.
Below are the questions that I asked Kilee. As always, the entire thing is really great, but I have bolded the parts that really stood out to me.
How did you choose your url? What does it mean to you?
I started my blog as an extension of our small business, ONE little BELT which sells leather belts and more for babies and toddlers. I wanted to name my blog something that would connect it to OLB, but also represent what I blog about. My husband frequently calls me “little momma” so one day it just came to me. My blog is part of our business, but also about our family, my style and me.
How long have you been blogging?
I have been blogging since July 2012.
What is your main blog niche?
My blog niche is tough to pinpoint. I think I am a lifestyle blogger, but I lean heavily to the personal style/fashion side. I love to share easy DIY’s, personal stories and our day to day activities as well as outfits and style advice.
Who designed your blog?
My blog design is from Miss Audrey Sue Designs. I chose my colors and designed my logo and my header, but Audrey did the rest. She has great style and is fab to work with.
How long did it take you to earn your first $100?
It took about a year. I was sent free product to review before then, but actually getting paid took a while. Part of that was difficulty getting Google Ads set up on my blog. I didn’t have any ads until probably six months in and they paid nothing for quite a while.
What is the most recent “aha” moment you have had about your blog?
This question is perfectly timed. Just last week I was struggling with how to deal with sponsors who wanted to send me product for reviews or put ads on my blog. While I want blogging to provide an income, that isn’t why I blog. I don’t want to jeopardize my relationship with my readers because I’m getting paid by a company to write. It is really hard to have an unbiased opinion when you are getting paid. A big theme on my blog is being real and authentic as a blogger so I have decided to change my sponsorship policies. I’ll be phasing out sponsored posts and do my best to only write what is true to me, my taste and who I am. I want to build a base of loyal readers who can trust me and I think that will work out for me in the end.
What do you give credit to for your great social media following numbers?
As much as readers hate giveaways, they are the biggest way that I have grown my FB and Twitter numbers. My Pinterest and Instagram numbers have grown on their own- I like to think because of my good content. I also contribute to two other blogs that are larger than mine. They have really helped to promote my blog on their social media channels.
What are some of the main ways that your blog helps your Etsy business?
1. My blog is one of the biggest traffic drivers to my Etsy shop.
2. I have formed relationships with other bloggers who have helped to promote my shop to their readers.
3. I personally love to buy from someone that I know. Having a blog has also helped me “make friends” with so many potential customers.
Would your business be where it is today if not for your blog?
I have no idea. I thought we were growing steadily and doing well before I started blogging, but since blogging things have grown so much more! Blogging has done more than I probably know for our shop.
What is one of your more successful posts (in terms of traffic numbers, income, comments, shares or whatever) on your blog and why do you think that is?
My most successful posts are all hair tutorials. This wavy hair tutorial is my most popular and I think that is because it was one of the first ones I wrote. (It has had time to make its way around Pinterest.) My hair is unique and one of the most popular topics on my blog. I think readers are drawn to bloggers with something unique that they can learn from.
What goals do you have for your blog?
My goals are obviously to grow my readership as well as our customer base. I would like to learn how to edit and create more videos and video tutorials on my site. Most of all I would like to stay true to myself and never come across as a sell-out.
Do you do it all yourself or do you have a Virtual Assistant? How many hours does your VA work?
I don’t, but I have started looking into it. I would love to have one to help me with 2-5 hours of work a week.
How many hours per week do you work on your blog?
As a SAHM it is hard to count up. I think about my blog all of the time, but usually sit down to work for 2-2.5 hours each night M-Sat. Then there is the time that it takes to photograph projects and outfits which might be an extra hour or two a week.
Do you try to keep set hours for yourself or do you just work until the work is done?
I try not to work on my blog on Sunday although I usually take outfit photos on that day because my husband is home to take them. I also try not to or just can’t get on the computer to work while my kids are awake. I can do a little during the day, but not much.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to start a blog (any blog)?
My advice is all over the place. I would recommend setting a schedule for yourself. Pick a topic that you will blog about for each day on your schedule. Be consistent with your posts no matter how often you decide to post. Write about what you enjoy and what you know about. Even if you don’t know much about it, if you enjoy it, you will learn SO much by blogging about it. Find a blogging mentor and connect with other bloggers. Go to a blog conference.
What is your favorite part about blogging?
I love connecting with readers and feeling like I have helped someone.
What is your #1 revenue source?
Google Adsense
What is your #1 traffic source?
Pinterest
Do you have another job, or is blogging your main source of income?
Blogging and my Etsy shop are my income sources. My husband works full time as an accountant.
How long did it take you to reach the level of income that you are at now with your blog?
A year and a half.
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Kilee said so many things that I agree with!
– No surprise that we’ve got another blogger who says it took at least a year to make $100. Hearing that answer will never get old to me. It’s not that I don’t want people to be successful, but I think they need to know that it TAKES TIME!
– I like what she said about sponsors. I recently put out a post on this blog and emphasized that you should NOT, under any circumstances promote or write about something that you do not support. Letting money get in the way of your blog’s content is a dangerous thing.
– Having good, unique content, and content that teaches will produce results. Kilee is an excellent example of this. Make it unique, make it YOU and leave your readers wanting to come back!
– Perhaps my favorite thing is how Kilee credits her blog with helping her connect with potential customers. I really feel that this is the essence of a blog tied to an Etsy shop. The blog puts a personality into the shop and can show the products in a different light. It is a great way to promote a shop!
A huge thank you to Kilee for taking the time to answer these questions. Let’s pay her back by showing her shop some love. Check it out here!
Check back next week for another awesome featured blogger!
Katie says
YAY I loooove Kilee!! She is adorable, I love her shop and her blog and she’s got some great tips here! 🙂 I absolutely LOVE what she had to say about sponsors and sponsored posts- having your readers trust you and your opinion is everything, and definitely not something to throw away for a few extra bucks on something you wouldn’t normally write/care about. Thanks for featuring her! And thanks for the great tips, Kilee!
xo
Zack Reyes says
Agreed! Taking the quick buck is never a good idea if it is sacrificing the overall goal.
Kilee says
I loved the post! Thanks for the interview- I hadn’t noticed you had posted it until today! It really was a great interview! Thanks again!
Zack Reyes says
Glad you saw it! Thank you for being an awesome blogger to feature! 😀