MC VIP: Dannie @ Dannie Speaks

Our Mom Central VIP: Dannie McClain

kids: Corey, age 15 and Kealie, age 10

twitter: @DannieSpeaks and @CreateChatterTV
Your Blog URL:  http://danniespeaks.com and http://createchatter.tv

What year did you start blogging? 2007

In addition to blogging and being a mother, what other jobs do you have? Wow… being a Mom and blogging is enough, but I had five minutes to spare. Those five minutes are filled as a Replenishment Manager for Waggin’ Train, a dog treat company, and attending college for my degree in Marketing. And, since my job and school only take up two of those five minutes, I decided to co-create a twice-weekly web show, CreateChatter™ TV, a platform for entrepreneurs, mom and dad inventors, and authors to showcase their brand to a live audience.

Why did you start your blog? I originally started blogging as a means to get all of my thoughts and sarcasm down in a form of a journal. It was for me talk about everything and absolutely nothing all at the same time.

What advice do you have for those starting out? Your blog is an extension of you, so always be yourself! You’re cool just how you are and your visitors will love to read you for your honesty.

Name a few challenges you see or have experienced in the blogosphere. When I first started my blog, I don’t remember the competitiveness. The good thing, the competitiveness is balanced by the community that has grown. Sometimes a pushy person can get under my skin with snide comments, but I’m a big girl, I smile and move on.

What are your favorite and least favorite part(s) about blogging? My favorite part of blogging is the community that I have found both through my personal blog and through CreateChatter TV. I have met some wonderful people that have inspired me to keep going. My least favorite part is the sometimes constant PMS that can be found within those same communities. I know attitude can be found everywhere; I just like to keep it to a minimum and focus on the positive.

What is the wackiest opportunity you have gotten since you started your blog? I must be missing out! I’ve not had a wacky opportunity, but I’m completely open to being offered one! Even with CreateChatter TV our shows have been relatively calm, unless you want to count the show we did with our guest in his hotel hot tub. Not only is this one memorable for the hot tub, but it was out very first show!

What are your top three blogging tips?
Have fun. Do this for yourself, first.
Be yourself. Don’t do it just because everyone else is.
Set limits. Do what is comfortable and don’t overload yourself.

What are you hoping will happen for you and your blog within the next year?
I love my personal blog as that, personal. I enjoy adding bits and pieces here and there, but don’t plan to expand outside of the small reviews that I do. I would really love to take CreateChatter TV to the next level, creating a deeper experience for our guests. Over the next year we hope to add a children’s web series – now just trying to figure that out, and of course all the little pieces that go with the behind the scenes. In order to do all of this, I would really love to move away from my corporate life and dig into a social media position as my full-time job. It just makes sense to do what I love, now I just need to find the opportunity.

We love link back love! Please tell us 2 or 3 blogs you love, their URLs, and twitter names.
 This year I attended my first blogging conference, Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged. It was a great experience to develop additional skills and network with such a great group of women. So, of course I have to share a few from this awesome event.

Heidi, The Busy Nothings, @TheBusyNothings – Heidi writes very true-to-herself and leads the way to an honest blog.
Arkansas Women Bloggers, @ARWomenBloggers – a compilation of women bloggers from Arkansas – many I met during the AWB conference (awesome ladies).
Jody, Mindless Wanderings, @jdilday –she makes a mean Basil Gimlet, is a powerhouse volunteer, and an inspiration to those that need a get-up-and-go!

Thank you, Dannie! We love working with you!