OUR TOP BLOGGERS: ONE RED ROBIN

Jhoanna Monte Aranez is an IT Analyst by day. By night she makes lovely soft toys and other delights for her blog One Red Robin.

1. Were you tech savvy before you started blogging – do you need to be?
I was a little tech-savvy before starting my blog. I had dabbled in creating web pages in Uni (for fun) plus my husband was quite proficient in website coding. It was helpful knowledge to have when I wanted to customise my blog and when I moved my blog from Blogger to a self-hosted WordPress blog. However, I don’t think you need to be particularly web-savvy to start a blog. I think blogging platforms like Blogger allow anyone to set-up and start blogging. Blogger and WordPress are now using widgets to help make customisation easier. Of course, if you’re wanting a blog with all the bells and whistles, then it would be easier to outsource to a professional designer/coder!

2. If you were to give three pieces of advice to an aspiring blogger, what would they be?
1) Blog what you love, know and are passionate about. Don’t blog about something you have no interest in just because you think it will bring you more hits.
2) Don’t obsess over stats – this kind of obsession will kill your blogging mojo, and if you let it overtake why you blog and what you blog about, it can kill your readership too.
3) Invest in a good camera if you like to share images on your blog and take some time to learn a little about photography basics. You don’t have to become a professional photographer but a good photo does help in sharing your content more effectively, especially if you are using your blog as a scrapbook of things that inspire you, design, art, craft, etc.

3. Do you ever wish you had never started your blog?
I’ve never seen the blog as a burden – it’s been the opposite for me. I’ve met awesome , inspiring people and have had incredible opportunities through my blog.

4. What does the future look like for you? Books? TV shows?
I’m excited about a new book on kids and handmade that I have contributed to that’s being published in the next few months. I’ve recently relocated to Hong Kong with my family so I’m in the process of getting a sewing machine and setting up my new craft corner. Once that’s done, I’ll be working on new doll and softie patterns for my range of sewing patterns that’s published and distributed by Pattern Press (www.patternpress.com.au).