This feature is another opportunity for bloggers on Fuelmyblog to promote their blogs and tell us how blogging is for them. This week we are finding out a bit more about this great ethical blog EcoDiva from Elena Lipson.
What’s Your Name?
Elena Lipson – I write as the EcoDivaTM
What’s the name of your blog?
EcoDivaTM – Ethical Luxury
What’s the URL of your blog?
http://theEcoDiva.blogspot.com
How old is your blog?
One and a half years old…just a baby but growing and learning at amazing speed.
Visitors per day:
Right now I get about 90-100 visitors/day with about 1/3 of them being unique visitors daily. I am learning about new tools to get more views and share my passion about ethical and healthy luxury beauty and fashion products.
How much time do you spend blogging every week?
On average I spend about 5-10 hours combined. I am also a freelance writer for GreenLiving.Suite101.com, and an organic boutique owner – LaLaNatural.com, so I have to make sure to organize my time while still prioritizing my family life.
Is it the creative process or the editing process which take you longest when writing a post?
I spend the most time on the creative process. However, I never overlook the editing process. I’ve learned to cut like a pro. For the creative side, I like to plan several articles and posts in advance with a corresponding theme running through them. Then, I have weekly posts, like my ‘weekend Etsy find‘. Something like that takes more time to organize and edit. Both steps are crucial and can make an article/post go from mediocre to great.
What inspired you to first start writing a blog?
Honestly, I was signed with a publisher to write a book called EcoDivaTM – Ethical Luxury. In order to introduce myself and the brand image, I started the blog. Since then, my publisher has tanked and now I have a basket full amazing product reviews, interviews with eco designer, organic beauty company owner and many more. So, I figured the blog ad my writing is a great way to share all that I have learned and to introduce some wonderful product lines. In the future, I may come back to creating a book containing ALL the information. I discovered that I love blogging and hearing from and connecting with amazing people who share my passion for a healthy, sexy and green version of luxury.
What do you do to get inspired to write?
Visit other eco beauty and fashion web sites
Read magazines – both eco and not-so-eco
I receive new products to review on a weekly basis, those are always inspirations for a bit of research and writing
Talking with other women about what they love and the products they use
Listening to NPR and hearing about all of the amazing green initiatives out there
Listening to music
Playing with my toddler
Yoga and meditation
I guess I get inspired in many different ways!
What are the blogging tools you cannot do without?
I find the best source of hits, information and sharing of resources comes from connecting with other successful bloggers. I also love StumbleUpon.com, Delicious.com and of course Fuelmyblog.com. Another great learning tool has been listening to my lalanatural.com customers. Oh, and spell-check!!!
Is there anything that you simply refuse to blog about?
My blogging is pretty focused on green beauty and fashion. But, if there was one general thing that I stay away from, it is negativity and bashing companies and products. I like to focus my blog spotlights on people and companies who are creating a product or service with high ideals, ethics and responsibility. There is enough doom and gloom every time someone turns on the TV (which I don’t watch…ever!) or the radio. I choose to focus on the amazing movement forward in the green sector. Someday, I hope that blogs like this are not even necessary because every store, every person is aware, educated and making eco-friendly choices in all aspects of their life.
If you went for a job interview and were told that you’d have to close your blog in order to get the job, how would you react/feel about it?
Since I choose to work for myself, I like to think that closing the blog would be my choice. But, if I had to answer the question thoughtfully…I would only choose to close the blog if there was something new that I would create in its place to still be able to share information about ethical and eco-conscious alternatives.
Do you talk about your blog with your relatives and friends or do you avoid mentioning it?
I love to share information about what I am doing. But, at get family events and dinner parties I generally like to ask questions about other people. If someone does ask me about it though, I love to explain my blog, my choice of work, and my passion for eco fashion and beauty.
What is the biggest mistake you made when starting your blog?
If I had to start over differently, I think I would involve other people sooner. I am bringing on guest bloggers who will add their own take on eco-fashion and the issues that are important to them. The main difference between working in mainstream business and the green sector is that people LOVE to share information and knowledge. Every green event I’ve been to, and CEO, company owner and designer whom I have had the pleasure of interviewing have all shared one amazing quality…instead of feeling like they have to protect their trade secrets, they are all open to sharing what they have learned. It’s quite amazing.
Any tips for aspiring bloggers?
Find blogs that you love and read them daily. If there is one that you really love, connect with the blogger and ask how they did it. People love to share information…really!
Leave comments if something moves you…not just to see your name in print
Just do it…I know this is an oldie, but a goodie. Thanks Nike.
Choose a topic that you are very passionate about and would not mind staying up late researching
Be open and write in your own unique voice – that’s what keeps people coming back…YOU
Learn how to use StumbleUpon.com and FuelMyBlog.com and other social networking tools
Who are the bloggers that you look up to the most?
Here are two of my favorites and the ones I am subscribed to:
Peter from thechangeblog.com - this is a great inspirational, business and success blog.
Starre Vartan from eco-chick.com – she is an amazing EcoDivaTM after my own heart.
Cheryl Janis of PlanetPinknGreen.com (where I have been invited to be a contributing writer as of January 2009 – YAY!)
Do you still see yourself blogging in 5 years time?
In five years I hope to be working to inform people about what’s going on in the eco-fashion and ethical beauty world. I imagine that I will be working mainly via online media, as well as using new technology to share my finds and promoting sustainable living.
From The FMB Blog We are Fuelmyblog: Eco Diva: This feature is another opportunity for bloggers.. http://tinyurl.com/d75op2
An interesting read… the interview and the blog. I’ll be adding it to my rss feeds.
From The FMB Blog We are Fuelmyblog: Eco Diva http://tinyurl.com/d75op2
I think it’s great that you are sharing with the world. Whether by book or blog. As a matter of fact, blog is better in some ways. Anyone who wants to know what you have to say can read your blog any time. Books are magical, but the internet is so ‘available’.
Thanks for sharing with all of us. Please never stop.
Thanks to everyone so much for the support. Please feel free to connect anytime…I’m always open to collaborating, sharing and learning.
Cheers,
Elena aka EcoDiva
I am very glad that you are sharing these thoughts of yours even your hectic schedules are there with your family and to your business. You are great towards time management!
So how do I get interviewed! BOL!