Image credit: Cea.
VeteranBlogger.com is a site dedicated to help bloggers succeed online. A visit to the site reveals a wide variety of helpful articles on topics such as content creation, SEO, WordPress, affiliate marketing and more.
I got to know Bapun, the owner of Vetran Blogger via Twitter. I’ve asked him a few questions…
Bapun, as you describe on your blog, VeteranBlogger.com, you are an engineer and a longtime blogger from India.
I was really moved by your bio, where you say that you dedicate this blog to bloggers, who left blogging just for the lack of proper guidance. It really felt this way as I was reading through your blog. Your site is all about helping bloggers and guiding them on WordPress, making money online and more with simple and useful tips.
So, Bapun, having read a few of your posts I have the impression that you’ve been around the blogging scene for a while.
How did you grow this blog (VeteranBlogger.com)?
Having recently started this blog, I wanted it to be a catch all for the beginning blogger. What I realized via email questions is that many people want to diversify their WordPress [blog] without changing their whole theme. So as of late, a lot of my posts have been about different WordPress plugins and codes to add functionality. This has helped to grow the blog and obtain new readers via Twitter and word of mouth.
I think word of mouth is huge and goes hand in hand with [Google] +1. I try to utilize more social media than traditional link building to spread the word.
What bloggers have inspired you?
Some of the bloggers that inspired me: Ana Hoffman of Traffic Generation café, Lisa Drubec of The Friendly Blogger, Blogging with Beth, Devesh of Tech N Share, Gail Gardner from GrowMap, Gini Dietrich of Spin Sucks and Ingrid Abboud from nittyGriddy blog.
It’s nice to shout out bloggers that I personally feel are in the same league as Darren Rowse and even Seth Godin. They don’t get enough recognition for what they do.
What are you doing to monetize your blog?
Right now, I am taking monetization slow. However, I do dabble in some affiliate marketing for products which I know and trust. I will never recommend something I think is a bad product. My readers are too important to me.
I also plan on developing a forum as an extension to Veteran Blogger that will utilize heavy hitters consulting services.
As you mention in your blog, one of the most common questions bloggers have is about how often to post. Yet you come up with 1-2 posts every day! What do you do to get fresh ideas? How do you get over writers block?
I have started posting twice a day. Whew! Writer’s block hits me when I least expect it; however, I know that people have asked me questions and I can post about that. I can also turn one post into a 2 part series.
I try to have a theme for the day and write 2 posts on that. For example if I discuss brand building, then both posts for the day will tackle that topic. I read A LOT of blogs. I learn from them and then try to come up with my own angle on what they taught me.
What other niches do you blog about?
LOL….many actually! I blog about movie releases/reviews, business blogging, people searches and becoming a DJ.
What does it take, in your mind, to become a successful blogger?
Dedication and true devotion to your blog. Patience is key here….if you throw in the towel too soon, you will not see the fruits of your labor.
What do you use Twitter for?
I use Twitter to build relationships and see what’s HOT right now.
What impact did Triberr have on your blog and on your social media presence?
Triberr has been a blessing. It allowed me to reach more people by utilizing relationships I have already built. It helped me to get new readers and learn about people I may never have heard about before.
There seems to be a heated debate over Triberr and some marketers see it as a way to game the system in order to gain more Twitter followers by automating
tweets. What’s your take on that?
I 100% DISAGREE. There is no one in my tribe that I do not know and vouch for. Therefore, they have built their brand with me and I know they are quality people. They do not game the system, use black hat techniques or spam their followers.
In my opinion, Triberr is not about gaining more followers, it is about reaching more people with your content. After all, that is everyone’s goal. It is a tool I use, along with many others to build my brand.
Now that you can review all posts before you tweet them, there is no reason people should say that it’s just blind tweeting.
Dino and Dan should be quite proud of their accomplishments. It’s like some people using Fiverr. They pay $5 to have their post or ad blasted to someone’s Facebook wall or Twitter followers. The people providing the service usually do not care what your ad or content is about…they want the money.
The benefit of Triberr is real people decide if you are trusted and reputable enough to belong to a tribe and provide value to their followers.
How about you?
What is your favorite blogging strategy?
What are your favorite blogs?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
If this post has been of value to you, why not share the love by tweeting it or sharing it on Facebook? Thanks…
If you’re a blogger and would like to be featured, please contact me!
About Veteran Blogger
Veteran Blogger aka Bapun is an engineer from India and a blogger since years. You can get more of his useful tips on blogging success, Internet marketing and a lot more at VeteranBlogger.com. Follow Veteran Blogger on Twitter!
About Adam
![[Manifest #1] Write As If There’s No Tomorrow](http://adamtroudart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/how-to-blogging1-150x150.jpg)
Hi Bapun,
Nice article. I hadn't heard about Tribber and I opened their site in a new window to check it out. My favorite blog has to be HubSpot. They create quality content without a lot of hype and their posts are short and to the point.
My recent post Google Panda Update Success Story on Recovery
Thanks Ramiro!
I love HubSpot as well. Their content is spectacular though I can hardly keep up with their speed, as they release a new exciting report about every 2 days. I love their strategy of inbound marketing and I think it's the best marketing strategy ever, as only people who are really interested in what you have to offer come to you, as opposed to interruption marketing (adwords, banners, cold calls etc) where you push your product out there.
Triberr is a pretty new site that helps bloggers promote themselves via Twitter. Some bloggers have had phenomenal results with it. Right now it's invite only and I'm establishing myself there and will soon start building my own tribe and inviting people. So watch this space…
I like that he mentioned that he blogs about a variety of niches. While I like to focus my blog(s) on one niche each, I think it would also be fun and benefit me as a writer to have a personal site where I talk about all kinds of things that interest me — things outside of my normal professional writing realm.
My recent post What’s the Scoop on Ovarian Cysts?
I agree Samanatha. I think it can benefit everyone to have a personal blog, and it can also help you build your personal brand. One idea I've seen on blogs is to have a category called "Off-topic" or "Rambling" where you give yourself free reign to write about whatever you like, without shifting the focus of your site.
Adam and Bapun nice to get by and leave a word.
This sort of content is so valuable to people who are starting out. There is so little trust in the online world. Everyone thinks that Gaming Systems is the only reason to do anything with Apps like Triberr.
I use and enjoy the Tiberr experience. In fact like you. I only allow people in tribes I have who have demonstrated that they mean business with their blog.
Lately I have turned away two people who just thought that by asking they would auto get in! They did not.
I will be going by your site after this comment is posted to view and read some of the stuff you mentioned and examine how you post twice a day.
Billy
My recent post Banksy, the marketing voice of our times or just another caveman?
Hi Billy!
I think Triberr, like other online apps, is just a tool, which, used correctly, can benefit you greatly, but in the wrong hands can turn into a major interruption.
Great to see you in my neighborhood…
Thanks to you I've been introduced to Triberr and so far I'm finding it a positive experience. Haven't built my tribe yet, but I will do it with wisdom and kindness
Speak to you soon
Adam,
Thanks so much for the opportunity to be interviewed by you. You have a fabulous audience and a freat online presence. It has been an honor.
Bapun
My recent post LinkedIn Marketing Strategy: Add Video
Adam, thankyou for the post, I love the idea of an off topic section on your blog, it would also give an a greater insight to your personality, I am going to think about doing that. Thankyou for the other blog sites too which I have now subscribed to.
My recent post How To Get Backlinks That Matter
Excellent interview and thanks for linking to my Triberr post. To be honest with you, I still have mixed feelings about Triberr, but after 1) being very selective about my tribes and realizing that relevance and quality of other bloggers will get you a lot farther than just numbers, and 2) the new features that the Triberr founders have added to further aid in this, I see Triberr becoming a must-have platform for any blogger who wants to try to reach a bigger audience period. Triberr is starting to reach a scale where, no matter what niche you might be involved in, you're probably going to be able to find a tribe to join. And now with the Bonfire function, it's become even easier to do so! At the end of the day, Triberr is going to turn into a huge lovefest of a community for bloggers, so join now and definitely try to find the right tribe for you!
My recent post 5 Sound Reasons to Begin Your Small Business Social Media Marketing with a Blog
Hey Neal, thanks for your thoughtful comment!
I'm on Triberr but haven't established my own tribe yet. That will happen very soon though, as I see how powerful it's becoming. I've had a look at the top members' list and some of these guys reach millions of readers!
I guess that at the end of the day, Triberr is another promotional tool and it all comes down to how you use it. I'm also very optimistic as for Triberr's future.