5 Questions About the Online You - Meme

13 November, 2007 - Blogging - 4 Comments

Jamie Harrop I was tagged by Frank from OpTempo to take part in the 5 Questions About the Online You meme.

It’s not often I take part in a meme when I’m tagged but this one is an exception to the rule. The five questions are interesting and will hopefully add some value to the blog.

First, that’s me to the left with my ugly CRT monitor. Thankfully, I have a laptop that serves as my primary computer.

How Long Have You Been Blogging?

I’ve been blogging on this current topic of being an online entrepreneur since 13th June 2007. That’s exactly five months from today.

The first blog post I ever wrote was on January 24, 2005. On this same domain name, JamieHarrop.com, I used to write on a semi-regular basis about what was going on in my life. It was never to make money. It was just a place to vent my feelings and write about my day. The blog didn’t allow comments. It didn’t have an RSS feed, and my writing skills were awful (that may still be the case. If so, I apologise!). You can see my 2005 blog using the Wayback Machine. Some of the images are broken on the archived version so you’ll have to use your imagination to get some idea of how it was designed.

What Inspired You To Start A Blog and Who Are Your Mentors?

I’ve always wanted to blog. In 2005 I wanted to have a place to write my daily thoughts and feelings. In 2007 I decided to modify the blog in to a place for me to share my experiences and lessons learned as a young entrepreneur. This was when I started taking blogging seriously, as opposed to random writings at random times. I guess I’m motivated and inspired by the constant battle to be somebody of some significance in the online world, as well as the motivation of earning a good living from blogging.

I don’t have any true mentors but there are several people who I look up to and try to build a good friendship with in the blogosphere. First and foremost is Jane May. Unfortunately, Jane sold one of her blogs earlier this year for a coo’ $10k, moved house and since then doesn’t appear to have had much time for her own blog. When Jane was blogging on a daily basis, as well as writing guest posts for John Chow, we spoke on a regular basis and I bounced ideas off her and vice versa. I wrote two guest posts for her and purchased a paid review which in turn sparked the launch of my blog.

Since Jane stopped writing, I have to say that Sara, Caroline and Court are my favourite bloggers who I can connect with most. Sure, there are the big players like John and Shoe, but they’re so big I can’t associate myself with them. I prefer to focus on the small to medium sized bloggers who still remember what it was like to be at day one. Court is the only guy who features on that list. I guess I have a thing for the female blogger… or maybe they are just better bloggers than us guys. :D

Others who I like to watch closely include Erik and Tyler. There are many more (I have over 60 RSS feeds in my reader), but those people are the people that stand out to me.

Are You Trying To Make Money Online Or Just Doing It For Fun?

A little of both, to be honest. ProBlogger asked would you blog differently if you had money. I don’t think I would. I would continue to blog as I do now because the relationships I have built with other bloggers are invaluable, as is the experience of writing.

Eventually, I would like to start earning money from this blog but only because it would be an added bonus.

Tell Me Three Things You LOVE About Being Online

Meeting new people is by far the most valuable asset I have found from being online. At 17 years old, I flew from the UK to Toronto to meet a small group of online friends. Having only ever exchanged conversations via screen name and the odd phone conversation, I was invited to a friends home for a BBQ and I enjoyed a day winning prizes at a theme park for a friends young son. It’s those kind of relationships that make me realise that the online world is nothing more than an extension of the offline world. When online friends meet in person, the conversation from the blog or forum picks up right where it finished.

I can’t forget the fact this online world puts food on my table. If it wasn’t for the Internet, I would probably be at university getting stressed over another piece of coursework or exam.

Being recognised and knowing people want to read what I have to write is a fantastic feeling. Not too long ago somebody said this about me… “If you are anybody of significance in the online world, you’ll know who Jamie Harrop is”. I’ll be modest (and honest) by saying that’s not entirely accurate but in some circles of the online world I do have a good reputation. It’s that reputation that I thrive off and eventually I would like to have that within the blogosphere.

Tell Me Three Things You Struggle With In The Online World

First and foremost, it can get very lonely. I’ll often find myself wishing I worked in an office environment with other people to exchange conversation with at the water cooler.

Working from home requires a lot of self discipline. Some days it’s far too easy to lay in bed or turn on the TV.

The lack of respect from some people. Some people feel they can hide behind their computer and hurl abuse to their hearts content. As a moderator and administrator of several forums, I see this on a daily basis. When people start respecting others like they do offline, the Internet will be a much better place to be.

I hope you enjoyed that insight. I certainly enjoyed writing it! :)

I’ll tag Sara, Caroline and Erik.

If you haven’t been tagged, don’t worry! Please share your opinions in the comments or in your own post.

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Posted on 13 November, 2007 by Jamie Harrop
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3 Comments»

Comment by Nick Subscribed to comments via email
2007-11-13 18:12:47

I know Jamie! I guess I’m a somebody. LOL

I haven’t had a chance to read your blog a lot lately, but I see you are still keeping up with the good posts and interesting reads.

Are you making enough off the blog to cover some of the costs?

Reply to this comment
Comment by Jamie Harrop
2007-11-13 18:21:47

Hey Nick,

Long time no see. Thanks for commenting. :)

I see you haven’t been around IWDN lately. Are things busy at your end?

I’m not making much from the blog yet, but I also have no expenses other than the annual domain fee and my time. I’ll be launching a new design for this blog later this month. Once that’s launched, I’ll start to monetize the blog a little more and hopefully start to earn something of some significance. Once I do, I’ll be posting a monthly report of the earnings. :)

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Comment by Nick Subscribed to comments via email
2007-11-13 18:32:18

Things have been really busy. I’m moving my company out of the hosting business (other then design clients). It was consuming 80% of my time while only bringing in about 10-15% of my income. Once the move is done at the start of December I hope to have more time to get back into so of the forums.

If you want any stats on some of my ad positions I use on wittyfish, fire me off an email or something and I can share some of the things I have tried.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
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Pingback by Meme: 5 Questions About You | Pajama Professional
2007-11-20 22:04:11

[...] 5 Questions About You By Sara Ch. My favorite young entrepreneur, Jamie Harrop, has tagged me for the 5 Questions about You [...]

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