Interview with Ms. Danielle, Online Super Woman

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Welcome to the second interview of the Winners’ Circle series here at Winning the Web. Last week we had the privilege of interviewing Tyler Cruz, a work at home Internet entrepreneur. He provided us with his background and entrepreneurial experiences and even offered some great tips for new people just getting started. If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, make sure you check it out: Tyler Cruz Interview

In case you’re not familiar with this site, Winners’ Circle is a series of interviews with a wide variety of personalities on the web including successful Internet entrepreneurs, top SEOs and marketers, online publishers, web designers, bloggers, and affiliate marketers. If you feel that you’re an online winner worthy of being featured in the Winners’ Circle, be sure to contact me.

Alright, without further adieu, the second edition of Winners’ Circle features… Ms. Danielle!

Ms. Danielle is a lovely lady from Orange County, CA who works as a PPC account manager as well as for her own entrepreneurial Internet projects. Her most recent website is Pink Deals, a shopping site for women’s products. Danielle also keeps an “ego blog” with her personal thoughts on the industry that showcase her wonderful personality. Good stuff, Danielle. Now on to the questions…

Gyutae: You started a brand new Internet marketing blog in March 2007 and have turned it into something substantial. Did you ever think you’d be where you are today?

Danielle: Not particularly. I started the blog as an experiment to see where I could take it. So far I think it’s done pretty well but I’m looking to grow it a bit more in the near future. I don’t know how substantial it is now, I suppose my readers can tell me that

Gyutae: What are your future goals for the blog? Where do you ultimately want to be?

Danielle: Future goals for my blog have never really changed. I’ve always tried to focus on creating quality content relating to Internet marketing and pay per click marketing, plus interjecting pieces of my personal stories into it. Where I want to be? I want to be at a point where affiliate money is keeping me free from “the daily grind.” That would be my ultimate goal.

Gyutae: How has your work as a PPC Account Manager for an SEM agency changed your views of the Internet? What have you learned?

Danielle: Working for an Internet marketing firm has completely changed my view of the Internet. I really had no idea how any of this “make money online” stuff worked entering the field. All I knew was that I was going to be in charge of driving traffic to our sites through pay per click. Once I realized the potential of online revenue I was really floored. I wanted to make money on anything! But I soon realized that you have to pick the right product, know your market, and know your conversion time tables. A lot of industries convert at different intervals. I’ve started a variety of sites and tried different things. Internet marketing is all about trial and error, and not giving up.

Gyutae: Any plans of going out on your own and starting a business for yourself?

Danielle: I have my own business right now, mainly for tax purposes rather than for branding. I do some consulting and am looking to really kick things up a notch in 2008. I hope it’s a good year for me. I also work very closely with my friend Gary Lee and we’ll probably be taking on more projects together after the start of next year as well.

Gyutae: If you could only own 1 website, which niche would you choose?

Danielle: The site that I already own, pinkdeals.net. Right now I’m finding difficulties in keeping the content fresh, but only because my time is currently limited. But the guys at Unique Blog Designs are almost completed with my new theme, and I’m very excited to update the site. After the end of the year I’ll also have more free time to work on it. The niche is women 18 - 45 who have expendable income, want to buy stuff for themselves, and who like to save money shopping. I think it’s a great niche and it’s one I want to soon dominate. We’ll see if that happens, though

Gyutae: This whole Internet industry is pretty male dominant. What is it like being a young Asian female in this atmosphere?

Danielle: I can’t complain. In the realm of marketing, anything that gives you an advantage helps. Being a girl is a benefit, the way I see it, not a detriment.

Gyutae: Who is your greatest online money making inspiration?

Danielle: At the moment, Zac Johnson. Not only does he freely give information on how to help other affiliates make money, he’s all around a really cool person. In terms of all time, it’s my boss. He’s taught me more than I could ever learn about internet marketing, affiliate marketing, and PPC. He was highly successful in one of the toughest markets last year, and I commend him for the business decisions he’s made along the way.

Gyutae: What do you think is the most effective method for bloggers to network online and build a personal brand?

Danielle: What worked for me was going out and making myself known. Commenting on blogs, leaving thoughtful or insightful comments, showing I have a brain and I know how to use it. Throwing around ideas with my friends, keeping the creative juices flowing, being OK with criticism. And surrounding myself with like-minded people. Just as in real life, you have to surround yourself with the right network. Being able to discern who is on the same page as you is vital, I think. And go to conferences! The most important thing I learned after BlogWorld was solidifying existing relationships in real life. There’s nothing more valuable in networking than meeting your peers face to face. I feel it establishes a lot more trust.

Gyutae: Greatest tip for an aspiring blogger just getting started?

Danielle: Like I always say, “When you don’t feel like writing, just write.” Becoming stagnant and giving in to the feeling of blog burnout will kill most blogs. The lowest points of traffic were when I gave into that feeling. I feel rejuvenated now and will do everything it takes to keep up on my writing. I sort of think of a blog as starting a new company. Knowing that it’s going to be a part of your everyday life for who knows how long, is important.

Thanks, Danielle!