Who is Pratibha?
Listen, in her own words…
“A work from home mom, a blogger, a creative writer, and a social media writer. That pretty much sums up my life. My days are crammed with meeting deadlines, managing the daily chores, and two hyper twin boys who are always vying for my attention. I quit the corporate world in 2008 and have no plans to get back there!”
Can you tell our readers about yourself and your blog?
As I mentioned I work primarily on content and various aspects of it. My blogging journey started almost 11 years ago when I wanted to give the best chemical-free experience possible to my sons. And around the same time, green living and sustainability was a boom, so I naturally deviated towards writing about it.
Describe how you first get into blogging?
My quest for organic products and green living started in 2010 when I wanted to get the best for my twin boys. The past years have been spent on discovering products and methods to reduce the carbon footprint and working with easily available things that can make life simpler.
By 2011, I began my journey as an eco-mommy and a green living enthusiast, and it has been filled with lots of learning and discoveries. My sole aim is to let you all know that there are awesome products out there waiting to be discovered!
How would you describe your blogging style?
Fluid and free writing with topics that are well researched.
What type of networking do you think is better to enhance your traffic to the blog?
In my experience, a combination of online and offline networking can be beneficial for enhancing blog traffic. Engaging with the online community through social media, guest blogging, and collaborations can broaden your reach. Additionally, attending events, networking with fellow bloggers, and building relationships with influencers can help expand your audience organically.
What do you think is the best service a blogger can provide to their readers?
Being true to what they want to say and most importantly walking the talk they write on their blog. Honesty is a rare virtue today and being honest to what you share is the biggest service a blogger can provide to their reader.
How do you manage time to run your blog efficiently?
I block time out when I am writing a blog post and my entire focus is on getting the article ready. Some tips for efficient blog management should include – Prioritize tasks, create a content calendar, allocate dedicated time slots for writing and editing, utilize scheduling tools, delegate tasks when possible, and maintain a consistent posting schedule.
How do you want to improve yourself in the next year?
I would love to know more about SEO and keep generating new content for my readers.
What was your greatest failure and what did you learn from that?
I haven't faced any failure as yet 🙂
Tell me about your proudest achievement?
When my blog was chosen across many countries as one of the best blogs providing content on sustainability and also being recognized as one of the top bloggers from India six years in a row now.
Who has impacted you most in blogging and how?
I have to say it is my twin boys who set me on the journey of blogging initially. As they grew up, I realised that there were more pressing topics that I could write about and the list of people who have inspired me is pretty endless.
What is your greatest achievement outside of blogging?
Writing for other publications, creating e-learning courses for a diverse audience and working with a wide range of well-known brands and women entrepreneurs to help them amp their social media presence.
What do you do in your spare time?
I catch up on reading or binge-watch on Netflix.
Where would you like to be in blogging five years from now?
To set a 5-year plan for blogging, I would start by envisioning where I want my blog to be in terms of content, audience, and reach. I would set specific goals for increasing traffic, engagement, and monetization. Next, I would break down these long-term goals into actionable steps for each year, such as publishing a certain number of posts, expanding my social media presence, collaborating with influencers, and diversifying revenue streams. Regularly assessing progress and making adjustments along the way would be crucial for staying on track and achieving long-term success.
What was the most challenging moment in your blogging journey so far?
Website hacks, crashes are a common source of nightmares for a blogger and I have faced it all!
Can you name some of your favorite bloggers and explain why they are your favorites?
I have too many of them to list! And I shall refrain from doing so because if I miss out on anyone, it wouldn't be fair!
How do you motivate yourself to keep the blog up and running?
Staying motivated requires a clear vision, passion for the subject, and a love for writing. Setting goals, seeking inspiration from others, celebrating small victories, and receiving positive feedback from readers can all serve as powerful motivators that help me keep the blog up and running.
Can you tell me about a few sources from where you get products for review on your site?
When a brand likes a post, they often reach out to me for product reviews, so I would say its organic.
What do you find the most frustrating aspect of blogging?
Writer's block! Not getting the trending words right or writing a stellar article only to find it ranking low are some frustrating aspects of blogging.
What is the biggest difference in your life post-blogging?
When I realized that I was making an impact on people who read my posts. I recall an incident when a person recovering from chemotherapy reached out to me and told me how my posts on sustainable products helped her choose the right products she needed, so that she didn't have to be exposed to more chemical-laden products.
When I write on mental health, I am often inundated with comments on how a particular post helped them stay sane. When things like this happen, you often know that you are on the right track.
Did you have any professional help or did you create the blog yourself?
I do have a team of writers who write for me, and tech is my waterloo, so I do have a tech team that keeps my blog free from glitches!
How active are you on a weekly basis? How often do you communicate with your followers?
I would say I make it a point to post at least one post a week so that there is a steady trickle of visitors to my blog. My communication with my readers happens mainly through social media and comments on my blog post.
How much time do you spend blogging?
Not more than five hours in a week.
What do you think is the best social media strategy for getting more visitors to a blog?
Sharing is a sure shot social media strategy to get more visitors visit the blog. Offer an opt-in as a subscription so that you can gain subscribers. I consistently share my posts online on various social media channels – Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and if I feel that it needs to reach a network on LinkedIn, I do that too.
Interact with likeminded people and bloggers who value your content and when they reshare your posts, it reaches to different set of people.
Would you encourage other people to make their blog?
Why not? If you are passionate about something and want your voice to be heard, blogging is a great way to put your thoughts online and be read.
Is blogging your profession or just a hobby?
I would say it's just a hobby. I do work on sponsored posts and collaborate with brands, and my blog is one of the ways that I have income flowing in.
A lot of people think that blogging is an easy way to make money online. Do you have some tips for those people who are interested in making money from the blog?
I would say just be consistent and be true to your niche and money will follow. Once you have brands noticing the work you have done, there really is no looking back. Also, it is important to not solely rely on blogging, have a side hustle that will get in money in a consistent way.
