MC VIP: Tésa Nicolanti

I find it amazing that through my blog I’ve had the opportunity to interview Maria Shriver and other celebrities. If you had told me in college that one day my writing would bring me an opportunity to interview Maria Shriver, I wouldn’t have believed you.

Our Mom Central VIP: Tésa Nicolanti

http://www.2wired2tired.com

kids:  Kora, age 5 & Logan, age 4

twitter: @2Wired2Tired

1. What year did you start blogging?
I started out on Blogger as 2 Toddlers & Me in 2009, but posted very infrequently – about once or twice a month. Things started picking up in the Fall of 2009 and that year, during Christmas break, I moved to Wordpress, bought my own domain, and have blogged nearly every day since.

2. Other than blogging and being a mother, do you work?

Being a mother and a blogger is work!  I am starting to see an income from blogging and it is my primary job although I do a little freelancing here and there as well.

3. Why did you start your blog?

I graduated with a degree in English so I have always enjoyed writing, but strayed from it after college. Once I became a stay-at-home mom with two children under 2, I found it tough to get out of the house, it seemed someone was always napping! So I started writing again and started sharing stories about the our family life on my blog to keep long-distance relatives connected. Slowly, I got my feet wet with reviews, giveaways, and travel posts and as the kids have grown this has become a primary focus of my blog and now we even have a Wired & Tired Review Team!

4. What advice do you have for those starting out?

My biggest piece of advice for those starting out who are wondering when the traffic, stats, and monetizing opportunities will start rolling in, is to post quality content as often as possible and be patient. It will come. Also, join blogging forums, they are a wealth of advice and can be incredibly helpful. You’ll find other bloggers have the same questions as you and in almost every case, someone will have an answer. 

5. Name a few challenges you see or have experienced in the blogosphere?

The biggest challenge I see in my niche as a review, giveaway, and deal blogger is the negative attitude some people take toward review bloggers. I see this as unnecessary and a waste of breath & time. Everyone should just do what makes them happy. Each blogger bring something different to the table and we should be supportive of one another. If all blogs were the same, why would anyone read them?

6. What are your favorite and least favorite part(s) about blogging?
My favorite part of blogging is the opportunities it has brought me. I was able to experience the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure last summer as Cleveland’s Keep Going Blogger. I took on the challenge to walk 60 Miles in 3 Days and to spread the word about the fight against breast cancer by live tweeting and posting about experiences during the event. It was something I’ll never forget. I’ve also had the opportunity to provide products and trips to my family that we may not have otherwise had the chance to experience. On top of that, I feel like I’ve made some great friends in both the blogging and Twitter community. People I would have never met if I didn't blog.

My least favorite thing about blogging is that I can’t seem to find a way to work faster or more efficiently. I am always juggling blogging and family life. While my blog has added many positives to our lives, it’s still a lot of work and sometimes takes more of my time than I’d like. If I could just type faster, edit videos quicker, or never sleep – I’d have a lot less guilt!

7. What is the wackiest opportunity you have gotten since you started your Blog?

I find it amazing that through my blog I’ve had the opportunity to interview Maria Shriver and other celebrities. If you had told me in college that one day my writing would bring me an opportunity to interview Maria Shriver, I wouldn’t have believed you. However, just this past fall I was on the phone with her asking her about The Shriver Report. Incredible!

8. What are your top three blogging tips?

1. Don’t be afraid to pitch. Every pitch letter you send out, no matter how big or small you are, helps you to become more comfortable and also helps perfect your pitch.
2. If you’re not a member of a blogging forum now, find one to join and be active in it. Don’t just lurk - participate, ask questions, help out others. You never know, you might make friends and learn a lot along the way too.
3. Set goals. Make weekly, monthly, or yearly goals for your blog. It will help keep you focused and remind you what’s important. Hang on to these goals too. They offer a great look back at where you’ve been and how far you’ve come.


9. What are you hoping will happen for you and your blog within the next year?

I’m hoping I will find the perfect balance between blogging and family life. I hope to enjoy all of the wonderful opportunities my blog will bring myself and my family while learning to become a more efficient blogger. I also will focus on making my blog work for me, so I can increase the income it brings in while I carve out a little more family time each day.

10. We love link back love! Please tell us 2 or 3 blogs you love and their URLs.

My three favorite blogs that I visit are:

ShawnAnn’s World http://www.shawnann.com
Frosted Fingers http://www.frostedfingers.com
I Like It Frantic http://www.ilikeitfrantic.net 

Thanks so much, Tésa!  We love working with you!