Interview With Blog Consultant Michael Martine
Written by Dave Navarro on February 24, 2008
Michael Martine is a leading blog consultant and coach who offers his services and blogs about business blogging over at Remarkablogger.com. He has been involved in web design since the mid 90s and blogging since 2000.
Dave: Michael, why do you love what you do?
Michael: The web is the most personally empowering and sweeping change we’ve ever seen in our lives. I am thrilled by it and passionate about it. In the face of all criticism to the contrary, it has brought us closer together and expanded our opportunities to earn a good living or do amazing things that have a real impact on the world. To earn a living by helping others make this happen for themselves is nothing short of life-changing for me. I love being a part of it and helping others enable and empower themselves through the web.
Dave: What is one of the major turning points / “A-ha moments” that paved the way towards greater success for you?
Michael: When I made the switch from being a typical problogger to blog consulting and coaching. People struggle to make chump change with programs like AdSense and the like. At one point I was earning between $200 and $475 a month on AdSense earnings, which wasn’t terrible, but neither was it all that great. Since I have a full-time job as a computer training instructor, I didn’t have the time to pour into dealing with multiple sites and all the work required for what is jokingly called “passive” income. Selling professional services at a premium seemed like a much better route to improved finances. Almost immediately after I became a blog consultant, I have been receiving steady work.
Dave: What are some ways you help keep a work-life balance?
Michael: Right now, I don’t. It’s pretty much mostly work. Good thing I enjoy it! I try to spend time with my family when I can, but all in all I probably work at least 60 hours a week between my full-time job and freelance blog consulting. There will be a time in the future when (according to my master plan) I will let go of the day job. That will free up huge amounts of time to have a little breathing room and spend more time with my family.
Dave: What do you know now that you wish you had known when you started out?
Michael: That sticking with something for the long haul and planning for the long haul are vital for success. I don’t kick myself over it, but that’s a big shift in perspective from a few years ago. Also, I now know the power of giving to others and networking.
Dave: What leverage do you plan to use to grow your business over the coming year?
Michael: I’m busy enough! My business needs to continue, but until I free up more time, the only think I could do now to grow my revenues is raise my prices. And I don’t really want to do that right now. I think my pricing is fair and I’d like to keep it that way.
However, I have added a new service for WordPress blog and plugin upgrading and maintainence and visitor reporting. I’m considering creating some new packages that combine my services with the services of others, such as professional copywriters, designers, and search/social media professionals.
Dave: What blog posts are you most proud of?
Michael: I’m most proud of the ones where I’m uncovering something obvious about blogging that others haven’t really touched on. That, and the “Overheard in the Blogosphere” posts, which are quotes from posts from blogs taken out of context and linked to from the name of the person quoted.
- What You Can Learn about Blogging from Britney Spears
- I Have Big, Hot, Burning Desires
- The Secret to a Successful Business Blog: Sell without Selling
Dave: What blogs do you read to get the edge in your business?
- Self Made Chick - Christine O’Kelly’s blog has been extremely helpful to me in determining my services and running my business (plus, she’s a friend).
- Web Pro News -Rapid-fire headlines at the edge of what’s happening. This site isn’t as well-known as some of the bigger names, like Techcrunch, so they’re like a secret weapon.
- Mashable -Straight up tons of resources to tools and services.
Dave: How do you stand out from others in your field?
Michael: By having a system based on bundled service packages and by being responsive. My process is well-defined and we just go through the steps I can’t tell you how many times people have written back to me saying things like “Wow, thanks for getting back to me so fast!” (so much for “batching” your email!).
Give A Shout Out To Michael For Giving Us His Time
Leave a comment below to let Michael know what you thought of this interview and the articles he shared with us. Then don’t forget to subscribe to his feed to keep the good stuff coming.
I think what Micheal is doing with his blog consulting is so important for the future of business. Most businesses don’t have any idea how much exposure and how many new customers they stand to gain through blogging.
Most of the information out there about blogging is geared toward the personal blogger - Michael is one of the only people I know of who really teaches businesses how to communicate through professional blogging.
Awesome interview!
Hi Dave and thanks for a peek into the man behind one of my favorite blogs.
I love Michael’s clear, focused writing style and the way he manages to engage his readers.
As a relative newbie to blogging, I’ve learned a lot from Remarkablogger. Excellent interview…
Huh, this was cool. I was surprised to learn that Michael doesn’t work online full time! Good choice of people to interview.
So Michael - when are you putting that master plan into action to become a full-time webber?
@ Christine - Yup, that’s the secret to gaining traction with your blog: see what’s growing but under-served.
@ marti - Thanks! I’ve been writing computer training courseware for years, so that helps.
@ James - Oh, it’s in play right now, buddy! It will take some time to complete. I’m not jumping without a parachute!
Michael’s words are very inspiring, and one of his articles provided the final push I needed to get out there and start a test blog. So far, I have discovered some limitations with a free service and I am working with someone to change that (hi James!)
Thanks Michael, for the best free advice anyone could get. Sometimes you just need to hear it from someone else who has done it to realize that if someone can do it, you can do it too.
Running a business, let alone a few, is VERY hard when it comes to balancing family time and work time. It’s a constant struggle for me - and yes Dave, I wake up early
I have a feeling, Michael, you’re like a lot of us who feels like they aren’t accomplishing anything if they just sit and do nothing all day.
Even if it’s just watching TV with the family I feel like I should be doing something.
Thanks for the insights!
@ John - Waiting in lines is the worst. I’m just standing there… time is passing by… and NOTHING IS HAPPENING.
@ John - I don’t run my own business (yet) - but I know what you mean about sitting and TV. Actually, I don’t have a problem sitting with my family talking, but the TV, when that’s on, I feel like I should be reading, or writing, or interacting with people out here.
It just doesn’t offer anything anymore… at least not in the traditional format.
(note - I do have a PVR, if I’m going to watch something it will be on *my* schedule, and I tend to batch it)
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Great interview Dave. Very cool to understand the man behind a blog and a man that I have come to really admire and respect.
I hope to work with him someday. His Gateway project is also a great one to follow and learn from.
Wishing you great ongoing success Michael.
@ To all my awesome commenters -
Glad you liked it. Please feel free to drop me an email at dave (a t) davenavarro (diggety-dot) com and suggest additional people to interview.
@ Ed - Thank you very much! Although I feel slightly embarrassed that I’ve been too busy to much with Gateway Blogging, lately. Being busy with paid work is a good problem to have, mind you!
Speaking of Gateway Blogging, what happened to that? It was on a good start… but seems inactive. Unless I’m missing something. Is there a club that I haven’t gotten my VIP membership for yet? Damn. Now I’m going to have to beg. Not good, that.
Michael - you read my mind. We posted at the same time.
Busy happens. I’m looking forward to when it gets going in gear
@ James - our comments crossed in the ether.
Great interview. I’ve seen Michael around on a couple of blogs that I keep up with. I finally went to his blog today and promptly added him to my list of blog subscriptions.
Yeah, I just recently learned this lesson myself and thus am planning my business projects accordingly.
I agree with the television comment. The best thing I ever did was go on a television fast. The crazy thing is that I didn’t miss a thing.
@ Arwen - Anything worth watching can be watched online, but pretty much the ONLY shows that ever get my attention are Anthony Bourdain, Project Runway, and Lost. Really, I think Bravo should just rename themselves as the Project Runway Channel and just get it over with.
Thank you so much for subscribing to my blog! That is a good feeling I never get tired of. Now that you have subscribed, keep an eye out for my free ebook download at the bottom of posts.
LOL @ Project Runway Channel.
You’re very welcome. I look forward to the ebook.
Michael rocks! He really is fantastically responsive.
Speaking of which, I owe him an email . . .
Sonia Simone’s last blog post..5 Recipes for Success (and 1 for Tomatoes)
I’m always interested in learning about the experiences of others in the blogosphere. I especially like the “what do you wish you’d known when you started out?” and what books are read.
Thanks for the great interview.