Recently I invited Bev from Fiesty Female for lunch and an interview. I suppose I love the whole concept behind her blog. She’s open, honest and to the point. Bev is one of those what-you-see-is-what-you-get-go-getters. Having run her own promotions company in George, and now working with MANGO-OMC.
I suppose I could say a lot about Bev, and honestly I was a bit blown away when I met her: she really is an amazing woman. But here is a snippit from here ‘about’ page, which pretty much says what I was gonna say anyway:
Bev is an active blogger and runs a blog called FeistyFemale.com: The feisty, geeky, cheeky, blog on entrepreneurship, business, success, PR and new media. It takes a closer look at being young and in business. She also writes for the Mail and Guardian Online’s Thought Leader site and covers topics on business, entrepreneurship, motivation, attitude and youth.
This energetic young entrepreneur has collaborated with Web 2.0 specialists to design a blogging basics workshop.
I asked Bev a few questions, and she was kind enough to answer them for me:
What got you into blogging?
When I started blogging I didn’t consider the blogosphere and its influence at all. I started blogging because I had some scattered thoughts, a passion for business and a love for writing. I was very surprised that the FeistyFemale blog had a broader appeal.
When did you start your blog?
I started my blog in January 2007. My first post was called “If you don’t choose, somebody will choose for you!”
I am very conscious about choice and the consequence of the choices we make. I believe we do make wrong choices but we should rectify them the moment we realise it. I guess that that post set the tone for the blog!
What was the purpose of your blog when you started?
Originally I wanted a platform to which I could refer my friends and business colleagues– at that stage of my life I was speaking at many business events and networking functions. Colleagues bombarded me to repeat my “funny quips and intriguing stories”. I thought it would be uber cool to refer them somewhere. [In the mean time I have realized that they were probably addicted to the animated way in which I tell them.]
How has the purpose of your blog changed since you started?
I believe that the FeistyFemale blog has grown and matured drastically in the last year. I think the writing is very focused on my readers likes and dislikes and I truly do listen to them. I pretty much write what they request [and boy do they request!] Alternatively I cover events, activities and topics that I know will be of interest to business people, entrepreneurs and social media junkies. I try and keep my personal life off my blog but still add tidbits to create character and to fairly represent who I am and what I am like offline.
What impact / influence has your blog had on your life, if any?
The FeistyFemale blog changed my life! It has exposed me to brilliant individuals who I really respect and enjoy interacting, collaborating and working with. It has presented me with endless opportunities and unanticipated exposure. Since starting the blog, I have started writing for ThoughtLeader, been interviewed on Radio 2000 on my “Your Attitude in 2008” post, changed my career, and developed as a person. I believe that the interaction online has stretched my imagination and creativity. It has also forced me to become a bit more thick skinned – and I have adopted a smile and wave approach to some hatemail and nasty comments on the platforms where I write. Generally I do try to stay out of trouble.
My blog also taught me that my writing is not too shabby. I hid the fact that I had a blog for a long time – my mom is an English teacher and is really pedantic about grammar and spelling. I use to think I couldn’t write quality work. I still don’t think I am the best writer out there – but I am inspired to write because my audience actually demands it from me when I am slack and when I don’t write!
What advice would you give to someone wanting to start a blog?
It’s a whole lot of writing!
Blogging is not for everybody. You must really love writing! You must be committed. I think being a strong, opinionated individual would improve your blogging success and impact rate drastically. A colourful personality and an inquiring mind is a bonus!
I would also advise picking your domain name or pseudonym carefully!
What are you planning to do with your blog in the future?
Sjoe! I have just launched my www.beverleymerriman.com blog which will be my professional space. FeistyFemale is becoming more feisty! I think it will evolve to become a little stronger, a little bit more opinionated and even a little bit more controversial in the months to come. I feel more comfortable and in control now. I think the fact that I have matured and become far more settled in the last year has hugely contributed to this.
The look and feel of the site has changed and I have opted for a lighter look while still sticking to my signature of pink and black. I hope to develop the blog, brand and writing even further in the next couple of months. I have also matched the beverleymerriman.com and feistyfemale.com branding as both sites represent me and what I stand for.
What other blogs do you read on a regular basis?
I read many blogs! Too many to remember and list but I do have my favourites.
I enjoy reading Mike Stopforths, Stii, Vincent Maher.
I love reading the Mia Solutions blog – marketing meets humour.
I find the WineCountry blog completely educational [I really love wine]
I read the getclosure blog because I help strategize on it and I truly believe in the concept!
I am passionate about South Africa – so I read SA Rocks daily.
Besides blogging, what other online activities do you have?
Jeepers – I live online!
My daily routine consists of running through my Facebook account – I use Facebook for business and networking purposes so daily maintenance is crucial. Occasionally I also manage client pages from Facebook. I scan my RSS feeds for relevant information regarding projects I am working on. I update my twitter account daily [I try and keep it relevant].
On a personal social level – I have discovered last.fm – I love music.
I am also a photo addict - so Flickr rocks! I have yet to get a grasp on YouTube….
I love reading and research and spend a lot of time on Slideshare, Wikipedia, Google, and Brittannica.
I use to research internet dating – and have in actual fact written a theses on online dating, which I am hoping to publish soon.
What is your ‘Real’ job 
I am the social media strategist for one of South Africa’s best PR agencies, MANGO-OMC, with my main focus being that of servicing an international lottery ticket purchasing service [the Computicket for European based lotteries]. I also freelance from beverleymerriman.com as it gives me the opportunity to work on a variety of projects that I am passionate about, allowing me to consult and strategize in a meaningful way. Ad hoc freelancing essentially allows me to put together task teams on mind blowing projects where we go in, get the job done and move on to the next dazzling project. It works for me!
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