Lisa Farlow - Founder of 20 Something Bloggers
Contact: lisafarlow [at] gmail.com
Website: http://lfarblog.com, http://20somethings.ning.com/
Student: Mechanical Engineering at the University of Waterloo
Passions: “Passionate about: feminism, triathlons, math, and the internet.”
I am so very glad that I got the opportunity to chat with Lisa. She really opened up my eyes to the world of personal blogging. I always try to add my personality to each of my posts and make sure that I stay true to myself when I write. At the same time, I always make sure that my posts have an educational value and really build upon my personal brand. Lisa’s blog is the complete opposite of mine.
In fact, she has created the largest blogging community out there for the Millennial generation with 20 Something Bloggers, and the majority of the 5,000 bloggers write for personal use only. Before I met with Lisa, I never really gave these bloggers a chance because reading their material didn’t produce any value in my life and I didn’t know them personally so I don’t really care about them.
I see things a lot differently now and am making a big effort to meet people on 20 Something Bloggers and build a relationship with them.
Conversation Breakdown:
1:42 - Was it natural for you to blog about your real life or did you have to overcome a barrier?
It is actually too natural for Lisa. She has found that she has actually had to pull back and write less personal posts because you’re responsible for everything you post online. You should always think about the possible repercussions of what you post.
2:11 - Was there ever a post that was so personal that you regret putting online?
Lisa tries to learn from other peoples’ mistakes. The worst that Lisa has done was use the actual name of a person on a post. She quickly realized that the person felt uneasy about having her name on her blog, so Lisa removed the name.
2:51 - How did 20 Something Bloggers start?
It started when Lisa was looking for it. Since she couldn’t find a blogging community that was focused on the millennial generation, she decided to start it herself.
4:44 - How long did it take for you to reach exponential growth?
It took Lisa 6 months to reach 100 members. 2 years later, their growth rate has reached an exponential growth. From February 2009 - March 2009, 20 Something Bloggers grew from 4,000 members to 5,000 members!
5:24 - What are some things that you are doing to promote community between the members?
Lisa has a Blog Swap event on 20 Somethings. During the Blog Swap event, people will guest post on another blog, allowing you to get more exposure, meet more bloggers, and expand your readership.
6:42 - What is your favorite blogpost that you have written?
Short Imagined Conversations with an Olympian
7:33 - What has been one of your more popular posts?
8:01 - How do you NOT take negative comments personally?
Lisa says that disagreements and conversations are THE POINT of blogging. She encourages being challenged and loves it when people post comments. Lisa would never close comments because it’s important to get that feedback.
9:52 - What would you change about blogging right now?
Lisa’s pet peeve is bloggers who blog strictly to build their personal brand and for their career. She feels that if you’re focusing on pleasing others and trying to get a job out of your blog, then you’re not being true to yourself and you lose sincerity. She is NOT saying that it’s impossible to combine professionalism with your personal life; however, in her point of view, she sees that most people are being insincere and dishonest with their professional blog.
11:27 - What advice would you give to first time bloggers?
If you’re a new blogger, then you should constantly read other blogs. Lisa suggests to read the following blogs:
- http://brainyjane22.wordpress.com/
- http://lisaahh.tumblr.com/
- http://gauntlet.tumblr.com/
- http://duwaxloolu.blogspot.com/
- http://www.harpyness.com/
- http://speak-on-it.com/
- http://bensprblog.blogspot.com/
- http://www.gretchenalice.com/
- http://www.shmittenkitten.com/
- http://sarah-bration.blogspot.com/
11:57 - What can you do to build readership for a personal blog?
The 2 best tips to get people returning are:
- Be funny and entertaining with the way you tell your stories
- When people connect with you and feel less alone. Make them feel like, “Oh, somebody gets me.”
So let me get this straight… you dislike people who blog to further their career?
You claim that they’re being insincere but isn’t it possible to pursue a career and still be true to yourself?
I completey agree with Lisa’s point of view on blogging, and I’m glad the personal side of blogging is finally getting notice. I was one of the first members on her ning site over a year ago and have met so many great people because of it. Go lfar!
Awesome interview! Lisa (and 20sb) is my favorite!
Blogging to further your career should be a fine thing if it is done in an authentic way. If you wrote about things you didn’t care about, then it may seem unauthentic. However, if you just want to present your good side, I don’t see anything wrong with that. That’s like all facets of life. You would tell your closest friends some things you don’t tell your acquaintances; you would tell your acquaintances something that you don’t tell your teachers; you would tell your teachers something that you don’t tell the world, in this case, through a blog.
Great interview though! I love how straight forward she is and her true passion in personal blogging!
Great interview. I appreciate what Lisa said about her pet peeve and ‘brand building’. I’ve seen a lot of quality blogs lose both their readership and the quality because they became so intensely focused on creating a ‘brand’. I like the idea that a blog can be just a blog- not a stepping stone to become the next Dooce complete with book deal.
this is a great interview! lisa, i didn’t realize you were only 21. even more impressive!
jun,
great interview…i’ve been with 20SB for a long while now and can’t overestimate the value it’s brought to my online experience. the community itself is great, and i think highlighting the value of personal blogging, as well as topical blogging by twenty-somethings, is a nice development for everyone. people writing openly about their own lives can find one another and connect.
d
@dblogged
ehh… luv it