Weeks: Most of the comments on your blog are from other bloggers. How have they found out about your blog?
Klein: I have an unusual story because I started the blog as a vehicle to write everyday, not to market myself. I started showing people my blog, they would leave comments, and then I would leave comments on others people’s blogs. I’ve been writing and doing this since 2004, so I’ve had lots of press coverage. There are topics that tend to get people more emotional and commenting on. Like when I write about arguments and my relationship with my husband. People get opinionated and tend to take a side—either for him or me. But I think this competitiveness is wrong—love is not about being right or wrong.
Weeks: When and how did you transition from a blogger to a business?
Klein: I wasn’t looking to start a business. I started the blog and it became popular by word of mouth. A newspaper in London, called the Independent, called me and said they wanted to publish my blog. Then I found a literary agent because I had interest from a publisher. I worked on a book proposal, which was a lot of work. It was 120 pages! I shopped it around and finally signed an agreement. After becoming a published author, I took things step by step. I looked at advertising networks to monetize my writing. For example, there’s a huge market for mommy blogs who can make money from mentioning products. Now I have a second book out. It’s been a major time commitment to manage all aspects of my business. I just can’t do it all myself now. I can’t approve comments, write blog posts, manage advertisers, travel for the book tour, do interviews, etc. So I tell people they have to have a business manager when you can’t balance everything.
Weeks: Are there things you would never blog about?
Klein: I don’t blog about money because people tend to jump to the wrong conclusions. And I don’t write about politics or religion. It’s not where I focus my attention.
