Stephanie Sheaffer: Bloggertunity

I started Casual Friday Every Day in 2007 as my way of unleashing my emotions and dreams and sharing my life with others. Since then blogging has turned into this perfectly beautiful outlet for my heart and life and a perfect tool for meeting fascinating people from all over the world.

One such "fascinating" person is Stephanie Sheaffer of Metropolitan Mama. When I happened upon Stephanie's blog I remember thinking, "How is it this blog isn't more popular" because she had it all — charm, grace, character, sweetness, business savvy, and awesome giveaway's! {mind you, it's plenty popular now!}

Since then she's become one of my most favorite bloggers/people and hers is the one blog I read first thing every day. We've communicated often through email and even snail mail. She is the real deal and I'm blessed to know her.

Some personal details

Stephanie has a beautiful relationship with her husband of 8 years and it shines brightly through her blog. She speaks so highly of him and mentions how heroic and handsome he is. {melt me} She's the Mother of two little girls, aged 3 years and 6 months — did I mention that she and I both happen to think those little girls are exceptionally gorgeous and sweet and smart? Well, we do and you will too!

Just like me, Stephanie works from home {in addition to her business of blogging} which allows her to enjoy those beautiful babies, husband and beautiful sunny Arizona days. Not to mention being home to receive all those free things that come her way. {we'll talk about how she does that later!}

Because Stephanie has been blogging since 2007, and just released her first ever ebook titled "Bloggertunity", I had to bring her here and grill her ask her nicely to spill some blogging beans with us.

Keep reading to the end of this blog post for your chance to win a copy of her ebook!

Nell: How did you discover blogging and why did you decide to become a blogger?

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Stephanie: In 2005, I was a counselor in an excelling school district. I was also freelancing for a local newspaper and had big plans to pursue my doctorate degree (I still may do that someday). Then, in 2006, my life was interrupted – beautifully interrupted – when I became pregnant. In one miraculous, magical moment I will never forget, my life changed forever. I knew that we belonged together – she and I.

So I started working from home and enthusiastically jumped into the blogosphere. It began with a laptop and late nights, typing one-hand with a baby in my arms. And, as they say, the rest is history…

Nell: When you started Metropolitan Mama.net, did you know what you'd be doing with this blog? Did you know you wanted to create a review/give-away blog, or was it started as a "Mom" blog where you shared your life?

Stephanie: I just started by writing – and I'm still writing. To be honest, I don't exactly consider myself only a "review blogger." Of course, reviewing is a part of my site (themed weekends, in particular, focus in on reviews and giveaways), but it's not the biggest part. In fact, my favorite posts usually are not review posts at all. Here are two of my favorites: 17 Intentional Acts of Kindness and Distracted {A Note to My Friends}.

{Note: she is absolutely right in that her blog isn't simply a review blog. She's found the perfect balance of products and giveaways and sharing her life and heart with us.}

Nell: You have a huge heart for others and it shines brightly through your blog. Could you tell me your dreams for helping others and how does your blog fit into those dreams?

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Stephanie: Sometimes, I get a little panicky about how short this life is, how little time there is. I want every moment of my life to count. When I die, I want people to say, "She LIVED. Really, truly lived. She loved others and scattered sunshine and made this world better. She had no time for television and trivialities – she was too busy caring for children, encouraging the downhearted, serving the poor, empowering families, and…being an intentional mother." That urgency compels me – and naturally flows out of my heart and onto my blog. As such, that theme will continue on my blog indefinitely and I hope to use it as a platform to do good in the world.

Nell: So tell me, why did you decide to write Bloggertunity & what is it all about?

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Stephanie: Blogging has been a wonderful thing for me…and for my family. I've been able to:

* review products
* make money
* interview authors and celebrities
* travel to exciting locales, and…
* meet wonderful people.

I wanted to share my experience with other moms and give them the chance to create their own opportunities through blogging…their own bloggertunities. My book gives tips, hints, and step-by-step instructions about creating a blog and taking it to the next level. It's definitely not a "get rich quick" system or a "do this and you'll make a million dollars" strategy. Instead, I outline how moms can effectively make additional income, get free products, have fun, and build friendships…all in their own homes, on their own time.

Nell: If you could share one piece of advice to Mom bloggers about how to get and keep more readers on their blog, what would it be?

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Stephanie: Think about others. Leave genuine, heartfelt, relevant comments on other blogs. Promote other blog posts that are exceptional. Celebrate successes with other bloggers. Give, Give, Give.

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Nell: What is the one mistake you made early on in your blogging career that you'd like others to avoid making?

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Stephanie: I'm sure I've made many "mistakes" along the way, but two immediately come to mind:

(a) If I could go back, I would have started right away with Wordpress. It trumps Blogger on so many levels.

(b) I also would have been diligent about putting a watermark on all of my photos and resizing them to ensure that they couldn't be blown up and used for poster ads (that has happened to bloggers before…). At first, I wasn't particularly worried about posting photos because my audience was very small…but then it started growing and growing and growing. Remember: when you post something online, you post it for the whole world to see (and – possibly – steal).

Nell: You're the queen of relationships with large companies and products. What is your advice to someone who has a new blog, with a small amount of traffic?

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Stephanie: Be true to yourself. Maintain integrity in all things. When you write reviews, be genuine. State the pros and cons. Say how the product could be better. Only gush when gushing is truly deserved. Product reviews are only as valuable as you make them. Write well. Write consistently. Join review networks. Work on growing your audience. Send polite, persuasive pitches to companies. And you'll be well on your way!

***I should note here that my product review chapter alone is completely worth the cost of the book. I outline exactly what moms need to do to start getting products – every single step of the process in precise detail. If you are interested in product reviewing, then that chapter will get you where you want to be. Before you know it, you'll have shoes, snacks, steam mops, and strollers at your doorstep.

My Closing Thoughts

As you can see, Stephanie is a treasure to every one who knows her. If this is the first time you're meeting Stephanie I encourage you to click over to her blog, get to know her even better, and leave her a heartfelt comment. She's worth investing your time and friendship in.

She's also one heck of a business woman, blogger and writer. I've personally purchased – with my hard earned cash – Bloggertunity & closed out the ebook with pages of notes and tips I'll use for my own blog. No matter if you're new, or seasoned, or somewhere in the middle, you're sure to learn a thing or two about a thing or two.

Read more about the book here.

Watch Stephanie speak about blogging & Bloggertunity {down below}