What is the name of your Blog?News Today
What is your name?
Travis Erickson
Where are you from? (include country, state and/or city)
Dayton OH, United States
What is your current age or age range?
21 years young
Please describe your blog
My blog is updated daily on the latest political and social issues facing the United States and the world.
Describe the main purpose of your blogging, what are you trying to accomplish?
Merely to give myself a chance to put my daily rants on record. If I can help educate some people along the way, awesome.
What blogging platform do you do and why?
wordpress through today.com/ - Today.com/ is a wonderful site for beginning bloggers to work with. Not a bad way to get some extra cash either.
What do you blog the most about?
Probably complaining about the Federal Reserve. In the 96 years this program has run our money, our money has lost 94% of its value. That, my friends, is atrocious. Isn't it high time we turn that power over to someone else who wouldn't exploit it so much?
What kind of blogs make you angry?
Ones that don't research their topic fully and ones that edit/censor other peoples comments.
Give five of your best blogging tips.
Be active! Go to other people's sites, find the ones you like and make sure to visit again. There's so much information to be found out there and so many people to meet. As much as widgets and social networks help drive your traffic, the number one thing I've found is to be active with other people's sites and you'll gain some loyal readers.
What are some things you would NEVER blog about?
Celebrities. Or blogging about how to make money blogging (I know right - it just looks funny typing it!)
Did you start blogging for the purpose of making money and if so, are you making enough money?
No, and no. I mean I make a little bit of money but... nothing to brag home about. I've had a great time with it so far though - and I'm definitely much smarter now too.
How long have you been blogging?
5 months or so?
About how many hours per day do you spend blogging?
It probably takes up anywhere from 1-5 hours of my day that I spend working on my site. It's my baby...
Do you track RSS feeds and if so, how many do you usually track daily?
Haven't got into that part of it yet - still a little technologically challenged.
Do you use Digg, and why or why not?
I have a few times but not regularily. I'm pretty busy so sometimes all that extra stuff doesn't get into my schedule.
Do you use Stumbleupon, and why or why not?
Same as digg.
What promotional techniques work best for you and why?
Commenting on other people's sites. And post daily, relevant content.
If you could post a blog on any blog in the world, which one would it be and why?
Heh, I'd put a post up on conservativeally.today.com/ that would blow her and all of her friends minds away.
What mistakes have you made that you could warn others about?
The water isn't as cold as it looks - just jump in. Figure things out as you go.
What are your top five blogging site picks and why?
http://www.deadspin.com/ - sports news and blogs + the reason I got into blogging
http://www.waxingpoetically.today.com/ - Mikey is one of the coolest bloggers I know.
http://www.today.com/ - today.com is a good site for beginners or pros.
http://www.firejoemorgan.com/ - the funniest site I have ever read. Ever. Plus they use the word gallimaufrie!
http://www.dailykos.com/ - great site for political news and humor.
Have you met anyone offline as a result of your blog?
No but I've met many people from different countries and staged some interviews with people all across the globe. It's been a really cool experience.
What is the url of your blog?
News Today
