Rich Minx

This is an interview with Alex Geana, a blogger for hire, a playwright and soon-to-be-published novelist based in New York. He contributes to the Huffington Post, one of the world’s most-read blogs.

How did you become a ‘blogger for hire’?

I was asked and needed cash, so why not? I tried to monetize my first blog One Gay Date at a Time, but it was barely covering my hosting. I had a nice and loyal reader base, people were coming back and waiting for my posts, but no one was clicking on ads, even though they were targeted and useful. It was just a bit frustrating.

I also wanted to look for ways to diversify my base as a writer and be able to do the work I’m most passionate about. Literary work and highbrow writing doesn’t pay, but blogging does. It’s more effective as a business model because you charge on a monthly basis and don’t have to constantly pitch business, like a magazine writer has to pitch per article.

Two years ago, I was in touch with Toby Bloomberg at Diva Marketing who knew someone that needed help with a lawn blog, That’s how I started, and I’ve always seemed to have one blog client over these past few years. I’ve tried to expand, but business and corporations weren’t ready, people in business squinted and said ‘blob’. Now the landscape is different and companies, PR firms and people that need online content are starting to understand that it’s important to have a dedicated writer for a project.

How do you decide what to charge for your work?

Totally based on the project and how much work needs to be done. It’s also based on how many other projects I have going on around me. I’m more likely to give out a low number if I have little going on. Each case and contract is different. I don’t like to say in advance because it has a lot to do with how much time I’ll be spending on the blog. I also like charging a monthly fee, because, really, who wants to count posts at five bucks a pop? I should be spending the time writing, not accounting. Right now I’m at the mid-to-high end of the spectrum, because I do deliver as promised.

How do you market yourself and your writing?

Networking, lots of networking, parties, trying to approach people. I’ve also been lucky that people have found me. Yet most of my time is spent pitching. I’m also pushing a new blog writing biz, so I’m trying to create a new marketing model for myself. I really want to build connections with boutique PR agencies and also small advertising firms, simply because they have the most to benefit from blogging. Clients come in two forms. The first knows nothing about blogging, and believes that the Internet will someday go away. The second thinks that you can throw a blog into cyberspace and it’ll be instantly popular. It doesn’t work that way. I have one client that understands that good content is just part of the mix and I’m lucky to be working with him.

What do you consider yourself an authority on? Are there any topics you won’t touch?

I don’t like finance, even though I could do it if I really really had to. I’m very well-read because of my literary work. I keep informed on a wide host of topics. That said, I couldn’t be an authority on very niche topics, such as steel production, titanium, the Indian rupee. Yet if you’re smart enough and like to research as much as I do, you can write about a lot. If I figured out how to blog about lawns, I can blog about anything, it’s all about identifying a good editorial concept, creating something useful.

What are the pros and cons of writing for other people’s blogs?

You have to remember it’s their blog, they control the mix. The biggest con is that some clients don’t understand that you can’t throw a blog into the world and expect it to take off. They don’t think tech is important and readership requires actively seeking links. The best part is it allows me freedom and will eventually allow me to write the stuff I really want to write. Novels take forever to get to market, writing one is very hard, so to have that time would be amazing.

You are currently writing a book. How do you balance that with your freelance work?

I don’t get sleep; well, I do, but not enough. I parse out my day. I schedule my week in advance. I know I’ll be working on one thing, project or once concept in advance. So I’ll start up a blog or revamp a blog one week, then work on another project the next week. I even parse out my day by the hour. I know what I’ll be doing each hour of every day. It’s odd, there is room for spontaneity. Ultimately it’s about finishing work. It’s all about organizing.

My novel is called “The Life of Steely Eyed Man” about the journey of finding one’s place in New York and about all the odd moments and characters one encounters. It’s taken four long years and I’m almost done with it. I really want to start another play after this, take a break from novel writing. Yet even the title is changing and I’m still agonizing about a lot of very important details.

You are now a writer for the Huffington Post. How did that come about?

A friend of mine familiar with my literary work landed a spot as an Associate Editor for the new culture blog, Living Now. I’m going to say she asked me to write for them, but really I asked and she said yes. So yipe. I like it, I didn’t expect so many people to take notice. I’m glad to contribute.

What examples of your writing are you proudest of?

Again, my literary work and short stories that no one ever gets a chance to read, because getting a short story published takes forever, I’m also very proud of my playwriting, it’s been a long road and I’m finally getting noticed for my writing. It makes me excited but very scared at the same time.

What is the biggest mistake, if any, that you’ve made as a freelance writer?

Not marketing myself enough. I often give up and am not consistent in marketing as a freelancer. I’m sure I’d have a lot more work if I spent more time pitching and figuring out a strong approach. The hardest thing about writing is the rejection, so I really don’t take it personally but sometimes it’s hard.

What advice would you give any budding young bloggers for hire?

Just keep at it. There will, in the very near future, be a stronger need for more and more blog writers for hire simply because corporations and business are starting to understand the importance of fresh online content and that people are using the Internet to connect with each other and brands.

Also, don’t get too wrapped up in everything. I’m an early adapter, but some people are just discovering the blogosphere and just like in all things, some people become overnight sensations and some people burn out. Be in it for the long hall and not the momentary take.

Remember that blogging is about building connections that transcend into the real world, whether it’s through people meeting each other or just ideas.

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