Blogger Malaysia l How they start?

Before I start my blog, I ask myself what I want to achieve from it. There was two reason why I start. First was to introduce my leather product, Second was to give honest review on products and etc. Now after 16 post, I found that I am using my blog for reviews. I don't really mind if I'm not sponsored, but the feed back that I get from the brands are overwhelming. 

After a month with my blog, I found that having a blog/vlog is like adding a commitment to your life. It needs a lot of effort, reading, and writing. Time management is very important because we have datelines too, especially for paid/sponsored review. I enjoy blogging, it improve my skills in taking photo and also writing. Before this, I don't even bother to edit any of my photo on Instagram. Now I'm good in editing photos, YEAH! I am still in process to learn on video editing, for time being my husband is editing all of my videos. Thank you hubs.

So for this entry, I want to know how other Malaysia Blogger start their blog/vlog and what makes them into this commitment. 

**This interview is conducted via email and some answers are translated from Malay to English**

1. Can you tell our readers about yourself and your blog/vlog?

Nurul: Nothing much to say about me and my blog, everything is to gain experience. I am a part time blogger. Everything in the blog is mainly for knowledge sharing and to generate extra income. My blog is more on lifestyle & beauty.

Leya: Aha, how should I describe myself to readers out there.. Actually, I'm an ordinary person. Likes to make friend and somewhat firm when things are not well-prepared. I don't like to delay or play around when I am working. When people ask for a review, I will get it done as soon as possible. 

Otomen: A relaxed, funny person but sometimes serious when in the job.

2. How long have you been blogging/vlogging?

Nurul: I've been blogging since standard 5 and now I'm 21 years old. A very long time but I was inactive back then. 10 months again, I decided to re-active my blog. 

Leya: Okay, Leya started blogging on October 25th, 2008. It's been 10 years now. As for vlog, its been created the same date with my blog but i was inactive. I started to vlog in 2013 if I'm not mistaken.

Otomen: I started to write in 2012, yet it was inactive. However after being married to Leya in 2014, she taught me about writing and now i am active on my writing. Me and my wife have different blog but we share a Youtube Channel, we combine our account as LF Production.

3. Describe how did you first get into blog/vlog?

Nurul: I love writing and I am very interested to write, that's how I start. From hobby to part time job
Leya: Leya started to writing and was stuck with this blog because of my deep interest in writing and I am determin to imporve my language for Malay, English and also IT skill. I would find and try some new coding for my blog, it's amazing to look at how the outcome are. Best feeling ever.
Otomen: At first I didn't know how to blog. This blog is create after my engagement with Leya dan she wanted to improve her IT skill to wordpress platform. That is why I have a wordpress platform as my blog. Practice makes perfect, now I'm quite good with this platform.

4. Can you tell me some of your strengths that really helped you in blogging?

Nurul: My family, everything that I get from blogging will be shared with them.
Leya: Until now, my strength would be from my family. Especially my husband a.k.a Otomen Taro who is also a blogger and always there with me. We will always be together, especially during an event.
Otomen: My strength would be my beloved wife. Leya teaches me the greatness of writing and we get the opportunity to meet new people during events. I'm not afraid to network during events anymore.

5. How would you describe your blog/vlog style?

Nurul: Refer question #1, My blog is more on lifestyle & beauty.
Leya: It's good before decided to start blogging, blogger knows their Niche or their own blog style. My blog is more about Lifestyle, Travel, Foods. I will share more of these 3 niche to the public to familiarize myself and style of my blog. However, sometimes I write about Technology and Review.
Otomen: Same as Leya, my main focus is towards Lifestyle, Travel & of course Food. Sometimes I also write on Technology, Parenting and Reviews.

6. What type of networking do you think is better to enhance your traffic to the blog/vlog?

Nurul: Networking is to know more people. It does not matter by Facebook or Instagram. Always blog-walking and communicate with other blogger through entry comments.
Leya: Blog traffic is very important to bloggers. If there is no traffic to the blog, how can we know if people is reading it. To me, the platform that I always use to increase blog traffic is Facebook. I will share the hot stories (which is the latest) to the public for reading. Why Facebook? Because now Facebook is trending. But that's not all, I will share it on Instagram, Twitter, Website Pink URL and others.
Otomen: I would say Facebook and Instgram is a good platform to increase my traffic. Leya use more, maybe I should learn more from her.

7. What do you think is the best service a blogger can provide to their readers?

Nurul: The best service I feel best is a review service
Leya: To me, we must be honest with the information that we are sharing. A blogger needs to write the right information. Make sure your fact is right before writing or make things viral. If we give the wrong information, people may dislike us and we really don't want that to happen. hehe
Otomen: I think the best service that a blogger can offer to modern readers nowadays is to know what their readers want. Understand their needs, how their reading trends and so one.

FOLLOW Nurul 

FOLLOW Leya

FOLLOW Otomen

Conclusion: 
From my experience, I found that getting your niche right before starting a blog is very important or you will end up writing about everything. Its okay to write about new things, but the main focus of your blog is very important. Secondly, trying out other platform such as Facebook, Instagram or YouTube is important to gain more blog traffic. Share your writing in Facebook group, Post teaser photos on Instagram and have a vlog review on YouTube. It really works. 

Love, 

Tila

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