"What is your blog URL?"
This is what Promise asked me when I told him I wanted to get him featured on this blog.
I wonder what he would have said if he had met the otherwise!
That is why I would be telling him "thank you" for giving me this opportunity to interview him, despite that he is always busy...winks. I'm also thanking him for taking out his time to enlight young entrepreneurs on this blog.
Many people have struggled in life to make it out of blogging, but it didn't turn out the way they wanted.
Well, such is life!
But one thing that I know they might be getting wrong is that they don't have a mentor who inspires them to do something. You can call it a role model
With this short interview that I had with Mr. Promise Excel of maverickexcel.com, my eyes are widely opened to new things.
If you don't mind, let me tell you how the friendship started!
I actually met him in a Whatsapp group where he and other young entrepreneurs host a webinar to newbies in entrepreneurship. He spoke about "tell and sell your story." I love the way he interacted with us all, and this drew me to visiting his blog.
I hope you already learned a lesson from that?
If he was selling anything, I automatically became his potential customer. Your interaction with people really matters a lot!
Yeah, that is why I feel you might learn one or two things from him in this interview that I had with him. I made the interview very short and precise so that you won't doze off...lol
Before you go on reading? Who is Promise Excel? I would like him to speak for himself. And gladly, my number 1 question got that answer!
1. Who are you?
First of all, thanks Ilyas for giving me this opportunity. My name is Promise Excel; I am a blogger and writer. I help people who are overwhelmed with technology to start, launch and build a profitable online business using blogging or the social media.
2. When did you start blogging?
I started blogging over two years ago. I published my first ever blog post on Maverick Excel on 4th March 2015.
3. What inspired you to be a blogger?
I never stayed one day and said I wanted to be a blogger. Firstly, I was passionate about entrepreneurship and building a successful business. In my research for what business I could go into, I discovered that I could use blogging to build a successful online business from the comfort of my house.
4. Is Maverickexcel the first blog you created?
Yes, Maverick Excel is the first and only personal blog I’ve created. However, I’ve gone to build almost 20 blogs for my clients.
5. How did you develop the basic skills for successful blogging?
The basic skills needed for successful blogging are content writing, marketing, social networking and good time management. I developed these skills by actually practicing them. I read books, articles, and blogs posts; I watch videos, attend webinars, listen to podcasts. I literally look out for any opportunity to hone these skills and get better at what I do.
6. What is the average hour you spend on your blog a day?
Let me be clear with this first before I answer the question. The amount of time you spend daily on your blog has nothing to do with the amount of success you’d get. You could spend 20 hours on your blog daily and still achieve nothing. However, no matter the amount of time you spend on your blog, ensure that what you’re doing is taking you closer to your goals or success. Ok, I actually spend about 3-4 hours on my blog in a day. The amount of time depends on things like the type of article I’m creating and also the length.
7. How long did it take you to earn your first money online?
I made my first money online two months after blogging. I started blogging 4th March 2015, and I made my first money online, May 31st, 2015.
I saw an advert on Jide’s Bloggers Forum, looking for a writer to write for a tech blog. Then, I knew nothing about tech blogging, but I applied to write for the blog.
To my surprise, the guy accepted that I write for him. I was given 5 topics to write on and submit. At first, I thought it was a scam, but the guy assured me that he could be trusted.
He agreed to pay #600 for an article. So, the five articles were priced at #3000. I was so excited because that was my first time of writing for a pay.
At that time I was still on my day job, so, I submitted the first article very late. Though the client was impressed by my work, he was displeased that I had submitted it rather too late.
The contract was terminated. I was paid for just one article.
Instead of #600, I was paid #1000 because my work exceeded his expectation.
I saw an advert on Jide’s Bloggers Forum, looking for a writer to write for a tech blog. Then, I knew nothing about tech blogging, but I applied to write for the blog.
To my surprise, the guy accepted that I write for him. I was given 5 topics to write on and submit. At first, I thought it was a scam, but the guy assured me that he could be trusted.
He agreed to pay #600 for an article. So, the five articles were priced at #3000. I was so excited because that was my first time of writing for a pay.
At that time I was still on my day job, so, I submitted the first article very late. Though the client was impressed by my work, he was displeased that I had submitted it rather too late.
The contract was terminated. I was paid for just one article.
Instead of #600, I was paid #1000 because my work exceeded his expectation.
8. Do you earn money from another source other than blogging?
Every income I earn comes from my blog directly or indirectly. I am into blogging full-time.
9. On your blogging career? What is your biggest mistake ever?
Choosing the wrong hosting company almost ruined my business.
10. How do you handle it, when people discourage you from blogging?
Well, there’s nobody who has ever openly discouraged me from blogging. Except one of my friends who is ignorant about blogging, so he would always tell me to go look for a job. Anyway, if anybody discourages you from blogging, don’t waste your time trying to explain and defend what you’re into. Most of them won’t understand and probably don’t care. However, if your parents demand to know, tell it to them in a way they can understand. You could simply say, you’re an online writer
11. How do you help young entrepreneur through your blog?
I mentor, inspire, support and empower young people to pursue entrepreneurship and build profitable (online) businesses through my blog posts, podcasts, social media posts, webinar, workshop and other ways.
12. In your perspective, can someone who doesn’t go to higher institution become a successful blogger?
Of course, blogging is not taught in the university. This is not to say you shouldn’t go to school. The knowledge and skills you acquired in school could still be used to run a successful blog
13. How do you think a young, but poor entrepreneur can make it out of blogging?
Firstly I don’t believe there’s anything like “poor entrepreneur.” Entrepreneurs are not poor people. So, you’re either poor or an entrepreneur. You can’t be both. An entrepreneur can be broke for a while, but as time goes on, he could become successful if he’s focused and consistent. So, if you want to succeed in blogging or any other craft you’re into very fast, hire a coach with a track record and a proven system. Or you can spend 5-10 years trying to figure it out yourself.
14. How do you imagine maverickexcel to be, in the next 5 years?
I want to help 5,000 people start their own profitable online business.
There’s more to blogging that having an Adsense account. Don’t waste your time and money creating another blog nobody will read!Whatever is your reason for starting a blog, let people be your number one focus.
Your blog should either be educative, informative, inspiring or entertaining. Make sure you're meeting people's needs.
People visit blogs to solve a particular problem. People are selfish and don't care about you until you start caring about them. Before you venture into blogging, ask yourself what problem you'd be solving. People should be at the center of your WHY. Of course, there’s always that ulterior motive to make money and become famous through your blogs BUT don’t let it be your ULTIMATE GOAL for blogging.
Phew! Exactly what I told you that you would learn a thing, at least.
Now, let's be interactive. What have you learned in this interview? What again would you love to ask him?
He is already online NOW, to answer your questions immediately.
Nice one. I think I tapped a thing or two that am presently ruminating on.
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