Blogger Interview – Jerry Godinho

Let’s welcome our today’s guest, Jerry Godinho, a Life Style Blogger. Jerry is going to share some GREAT blogging tips with us which he has implemented in his blogging journey. Let’s get into his BLOGGING journey.

Can you tell our readers about yourself and your blog(s)?

Vanesh thanks for having me as your guest on your blog. I graduated from Bishop Cotton School, did my undergrad from Ecole Les Roches,  MBA from Anglia Ruskin and presently live in Toronto. So that is four different countries. I consider myself a global citizen, believe in unconditional love and being content.

I have been married for 18 years, with a 15-year-old daughter. My goal in life is to make a positive difference in other people’s lives. I want to leave a legacy. After I have left this earth, I want it said that here was a man who made a difference.

I am fascinated by food, people, cultures and how they all intermingle and leave a mark. I love having a meal with someone. It is a sacred bond that you are sharing.

Fourcolumnsofabalancedlife.com is a lifestyle blog focusing on food, faith, finance and family empowering women to lead a balanced life in the 21^st century. I want women to lead balanced lives and to be real, authentic and have fun and to embrace their imperfections.

How will you introduce yourself in three words? 

Real, vulnerable, authentic

Describe how did you first get into blogging?

I have been writing since high school. I also wrote while at university. I find writing cathartic. I also felt that through writing I could help other people. I have always had a holistic approach to life. I was never an extremist. So, the blog is an extension of my own life and helping other people. It aligned with my goals, mission, vision, and values.

I made a career in food and achieved everything I wanted. In finance, I was a portfolio manager and a Vice President. I wanted to do something with education and writing as it is another passion of mine.

So, I got into blogging and have been doing it for seven months.

What do you think is the best strategy that worked well for you to get more traffic to your blog?

Vanesh I carry my heart on my sleeve. I am real, vulnerable, authentic, emotional, sensitive and I want to connect with people.

My readers sense that in my writing and in my interviews. I show the human self. I encourage all those that I interview to be real. If I sense it is fake and not moving I send it back. There have been times I have told people that the interview is not to my expectations and to go back to the drawing board.

I have found a niche and that is women between 18 to 55 years old. So, I have found solutions or a gap and I am trying to fill that gap.

You have to find that tribe that will follow you. I always look for authentic and real engagement with the reader.

Feedspot from California has me #15 lifestyle blogger in Canada and #13 on most powerful women empowerment on the planet after only 8 weeks of blogging. So that did get me more of an audience.

After your mom, friends, and family read your blog, you have to create a sustainable audience. You also have to remember there are 25 million blogs out there with 100 million pages out there.

There is a lot of noise out there. I focus on a niche and stay within that niche.

My blog is also aligned with my goals and values in my life.

I am on Facebook. LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and intend on joining Boylovin, Perlu, Mix and Digg.

As a blogger, we need to engage the audience and connect emotionally, mentally, psychologically and from a spiritual perspective also.

Must Read: Blogger Interview – Nyxie, Mental Health/Wellness Blogger

How are you currently monetizing your blog traffic?

I am very selective with which brands I work with. The brands need to represent what I stand for and resonate my values. I refuse to compromise on that.

I am working with Google AdSense and working with a national online life insurance company. I have turned a few brands away because I am looking for long term viability.

In the future where do you hope your blog will take you?

I want to blog for a long long time. I would like to have a Youtube channel. I want to become a major influencer in the lifestyle landscape and make a difference in other people’s lives.

What are three blogs that you visit almost daily?

To be honest with you with the little time I have I do check my social media and if there is an interesting article that sparks my attention I will glance through it.

What advice would you have for someone who is just starting with their first blog?   

Are you starting a blog as a hobby, as a business or adding value to society? Do you see a gap? Have you filled that gap? What is your unique value proposition? What is your core competency? How will you use that core competence to increase the footprint of your blog? Remember your core values, and play to your strengths. Write about topics that you are passionate about. Stand out, be sui generis. Do not accept the status quo.

Remember there is a technical side, the artistic side, the business side and you have to bring all of that together. You cannot be Jack of all trades. Sometimes it is better to get help.

Join groups and learn from other bloggers. Every blogger has their strengths and you can learn so much from them.

What do you think about my blog TechnoVans.com? What do you like about it and what improvements you will suggest?

Personally, I like you. You are a giving person and have always encouraged me. I love your blog. It is balanced, well rounded and gives lots of information. It is also very helpful for new bloggers as you give lots of tips and information.

I like the fact that you are engaging with the blogger community. That is important. You are also giving us a voice. I want to personally thank you for that.

What are the TOP THREE blogging tips you will share with our readers?  

Try to real, original and authentic. If you are a food blogger, bring something different from a unique angle. If you writing about food, tell me the background, the cultural and historical perspective otherwise I would go on the Food Network to check the recipe. Make your blog addictive that I want to visit it daily. Do not make it boring.

I prefer blogs which have a unique theme to them and not free WordPress. If you are doing a food blog, I want the pics to be real, fast and downloadable on the laptop, desktop, and smartphone. I want the instructions to be fast.

Related Post: Top 12 Blogging Tips for Beginners

If you want your blog to be global then the communication needs to be on universal or global terms. Using colloquial language is not attractive to readers. People have short attention spans. So your content has to be robust, dynamic and compelling. It has to be like honey.

Bees are attracted to colorful things

Where can our readers find you?

I blog regularly at fourcolumnsofabalancedlife.com

If you want to connect with me and follow me here at my profiles:
Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter.