Eight Questions - Interview with Barbara Swafford of Blogging Without a Blog

Sometimes a star shines brighter by sharing the spotlight.

Barbara Swafford has been doing just that since March 2007, when she went live with two different blogs. It was her pursuit of ways to improve her first blog, Observation Mountain, that she came up with material for her second blog, Blogging Without a Blog. She would use BWOB to chronicle her blogging efforts in attempt to both learn more about the process and help instruct others.

Since then, BWAB has become a one stop resource for links, helpful hints, lessons and inspiration for both rookie bloggers and vets looking to improve their game. With thoughtful posts such as how bloging can be a lot like a one night stand, the power of comments, and the unwritten rules of blogging etiquette, Swafford discusses topics which affect every blogger. Combining her incredible knowledge with that of her numerous readers, Swafford has created one of the best blogging communities on the web.

Earlier this year, Swafford began helping new bloggers overcome one of their biggest hurdles - getting traffic. She did this by starting her weekly New Blog of the Week feature, inviting her readers to welcome the new bloggers to the web. Swafford is a one woman welcoming committee of her own. She not only personally greets each new reader to her site, but she also visits and comments at their websites.

Swafford was kind enough to recently talk a bit about blogging. We discussed her sites, common traits of succesful blogs, her favorite posts, what ticks her off and a host of other topics. While I tried to keep the interview true to its title, Eight Questions, this interview went a bit longer.

1. What are the origins and missions of each of your blogs?

In 2007 as I was searching my soul for other passions in life, I read “The Secret”.  Additional research on the law of attraction lead me to Steve Pavlina’s blog.  After reading dozens of his early entries, I realized blogging would be a great way to help others by sharing what I had learned in my life and possibly generate a passive income.

Knowing I would need a name for my blog, I began checking to see which domain names were available.  All of my top choices were already taken so I began writing down ideas.  Being a listener and observer, I came up with the “observation” part, and as a lover of scenery; especially mountains, I added “mountain”, hence, Observation Mountain.

As a self taught blogger, I wrote everything I was learning in a journal. Many of the blogging terms and behind the scenes procedures confused me.  I feverishly studied my notes and kept writing.  It was while I was working through this process, I wrote, “here I am blogging without a blog”.  That was the birth of my second blog.  Knowing I wasn’t the only one who was confused with the beginning blogging process, I turned my notes into what has become Blogging Without A Blog (BWAB).

Initially my goal was to build Observation Mountain (OM) into an income producing blog.  I dedicated most of my time to writing (unpaid) product reviews, hints, tips and observations. I also posted to BWAB, but didn’t take it as seriously as my readership was very low.  When I began receiving daily comments from loyal readers I found myself spending more time on BWAB and building its community.  Although BWAB’s mission has always been to help others, it wasn’t until I began receiving feedback that I realized it was.  And in my attempt to make my readers think, learn and be more informed, I found their answers were helping me become a better blogger, as well.

Although OM continues to receive traffic and generate income (enough to cover my overhead), it basically runs by itself.  The majority of my time is now spent on BWAB; a blog that gives me more joy than I could ever have imagined.

2. What goes into the preparation of a typical post?

Like everyone, I build off of an idea.  In the past I would write a lot of posts in advance, but recently have been using my readers’ comments as inspiration for daily posts.  I “read between the lines” and also listen to my commenters for what they would like to discuss further.

Time spent on posts can vary drastically depending on how creative I feel. Although I can put a draft together fairly quickly, most of my time is spent on editing and finding a photo for the post.  I continue to edit up until the time I hit “publish”.

For me it’s extremely important to visit the blog authors who frequent my site. It’s a two way street and under no circumstances would I expect someone to read my blog, if I don’t reciprocate.

3. Which of your posts do you consider your favorites?

One of my favorite posts is one I wrote for my Observation Mountain blog. It’s titled :“Wood Recycling - A Green Opportunity” It’s a lengthy post, but it describes how we turned an idea into a “green” business.  Although we have since closed that part of our operation, I like the fact it may help others to pursue a dream of helping the environment via recycling.

On Blogging Without A Blog, the favorites of mine are the interview series I did with Lorelle VanFossen and Liz Strauss.  I was honored they took time out of their busy schedules to answer my questions which in turned helped all who have read them.  The series with Lorelle is recapped in Interview With Lorelle VanFossen - Part 9- A RecapPlus A Bonus”, and Liz was part of my A.S.K series (Answers Sharing Knowledge).  They can be read here and here.

4. Two part question: How many blogs do you follow and how much time do you spend commenting on them? How integral do you feel such activities are to a blogger’s success?

I continually add blogs to my Google Reader and currently follow 134.  My commenting time varies based on my work schedule and life, but on a good day, I spend up to four hours visiting other blogs.  My problem is I run out of time and haven’t been able to zero out my reader for more than two months.

For me it’s extremely important to visit the blog authors who frequent my site. It’s a two way street and under no circumstances would I expect someone to read my blog, if I don’t reciprocate.  Following others may not be necessary to succeed as a blogger, but for me it’s a respect issue. Although the day may come when time restricts me from visiting others on a regular basis, for now the process is manageable.

I’m always so excited when I receive comments; I wanted to find a way to help other bloggers experience that same joy.

5. What prompted you to start the New Blog of The Week feature?

In January (2008), in an attempt to pay it forward, I began thinking how I could help new bloggers “get found”.  I’m always so excited when I receive comments; I wanted to find a way to help other bloggers experience that same joy.  I then began searching online, in the comment sections of other blogs, and also asked my readers for nominations of new bloggers I could showcase. The series has blossomed and thus far has highlighted over 35 new blogs.

6.  What has been the most memorable experience helping another blog, either with NBOTW or with your daily posts?

That’s easy. Debbie Yost of Three Weddings was on a mission to get a YouTube video taken down. It poked fun at children with special needs.  As a mother of a child with Down syndrome, she asked fellow bloggers to help.  I wrote a post about it, those in my community joined in and we Stumbled and Digg(ed) her post. Within days, the clip was removed from YouTube.  Although it wasn’t just my efforts that helped, it did teach me how powerful a blog can be.

7. What blogs helped or inspired you when you were first starting out?

There were three: Steve Pavlina, Problogger, and Lorelle On WordPress

8. What qualities do you feel that the most successful blogs on the web have in common?

What I see in the successful bloggers is tenacity, patience, perseverance, and a dedication to unselfishly helping others.  Although they do receive incomes from their blogs, it is small compared to what they freely give back to blogosphere.

9. Since you always seem to be so positive, I’m going to ask you to go negative for a moment. What are your blogging pet peeves?

My biggest pet peeve would be plagiarism.  Another would be bloggers who slam other bloggers and show no respect when they are visiting another blog. I feel our blogs are our home in blogosphere and just like in real life, we must be considerate.

10. What sorts of things do you enjoy when you’re not working or blogging?

When I’m not working/blogging I enjoy spending quality time with my husband, family and friends.  My hobbies include cooking/baking, faux painting, reading, and photography.  I also enjoy going on road trips and seeing the country (or my state) close up.

11. What are your plans for your blogs?

This is a great question.  I feel I’m at a fork in the road.  Although I love how my blog is progressing, I’m feeling it’s time to do more with it. Whether that means converting some of my work into ebooks, furthering my career via blogging, or something else, I’m not sure. Whatever it is, I know I’ll enjoy the journey.

Eight Questions is my weekly interview with the people behind some of your favorite blogs. For prior updates, check out the interviews page.

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