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The BenSpark (A name that combines both my last name and my wife’s maiden name) is the blog I use to showcase my pet project of taking a photo-a-day. I have been taking one photograph each day for over 825 consecutive days. I was inspired to do this because of folk singer Christopher Williams. He did his own Photo-A-Day project back in 2002. By posting a photo each day I force myself to blog on a daily basis. I want my readers to have fresh content each and every day, whether that be about my life and travels or maybe a photo inspires discussion. I make it a point to respond to each comment that I receive on my blog because interaction is what makes blogging so much fun.
The BenSpark started as a blog about my trips and travels across the country. It was also a blog that I authored jointly with my girlfriend (now wife). I wanted to mainly keep my girlfriend (now my wife) informed about the things I saw and did on these trips. And we would both post about our trips so that her friends and family could read about and see what we had done lately. I also wanted family and friends to know about my adventures. Each trip I went on I took my camera and so I really wanted to share those places with my friends and family through the photographs I took.
Through the BenSpark I have met some many great people on line and have really tried to harness the power of this blog in a very positive way.
I give software demonstrations all over the country. Blogging is a hobby of mine and a great way to showcase my photography and other interests. I was told when I started my current job that I should always take a camera with me because I never know what I will see in other parts of the country. That certainly was good advice and I took that straight to heart.
I started blogging on this topic because it was a way that I could provide readers with a fresh and original image each day as well as a great way to remind me of the things I did throughout the year. I can’t tell you how many times I have had to go back to the blog to check a date on which I did something. By posting each day I have a visual reminder and memoir of all things that I have done in that past year. I even took my 1st 500 photos and made five large 16 X 20 collages with 100 photo thumbnails on each. This will hang in our home and was part of a local art exhibit. I love photography and learning all I can about it. And I love sharing my photos with everyone.
I have been working on this blog since December of 2003. It started on a blogger account and was moved to a permanent domain and switched to WordPress back in March of 2007. Also along the way I created three additional blogs. I try and update each of them on a daily basis but my major focus is The BenSpark.
There are a couple of hundred readers each day. I also have between 48 and 55 subscribers to my RSS feed. And I also have between 15 and 25 readers who subscribe to my uberfeed. I set up a feed that grabs each of my blogs, my twitter and my flicker and buzznet photos and rolls it all into one. The best way to display it is through a springwidget that I have on my three other blogs. It is a pretty cool widget to use.
My blog does have an income. I make money by posting for PayPerPost. I signed up for other services too but PayPerPost is the only one I have stuck with. I also post once in a while for the Linky Love Army and a little income trickles in there as well. I am a Soda-Club affiliate and have had people purchase Soda-Club soda makers through my blog. I even hosted a contest in conjunction with Soda-Club to give away three great prizes, that was a very successful venture, it did not bring me any additional income but it strengthened my relationship with Soda-Club and my readers. And this month I am giving away 3 XShots, a Flickr Pro account and other prizes for people who enter my latest contest.
The income that I have generated has allowed me to upgrade much of my equipment to further enhance my blogging abilities and this in turn allows me to bring better content to my readers.
I think that someone who enjoys photography would be interested in my blog. I occasionally write posts about technique as well as spotlight other photographers. And I almost always put up bonus daily photos especially when I get to go to places that warrant multiple photos.
Also people who grew up in the 80’s with Transformers and Nintendo as daily staples. I loved the 80’s and am so excited about the resurgence of interest in the 80’s and 80’s pop culture icons. So I blog about that when I get a chance.
I spend an average of 5-6 hours in total blog time. That includes researching posts, taking and editing photos and networking with other blogger. Oh yes and also writing the posts for each blog, watching podcasts and again researching and networking. On Tuesdays I write a guest column for FuelMyBlog’s blog called Tech Tuesday’s With BenSpark. That has been well received also.
You should subscribe to my blog because the content is fresh and interesting, I do not rehash posts from other bloggers, each of my posts is not an advertisement and I don’t blog about blogging. I have content that is my own and I work very hard to give my readers a reason to read my blog. That shows in the quality of the posts as well as the many photos that I post.
I would say to new bloggers as well as old bloggers to find and follow your own voice. Sure blogs can be made to just make money but eventually you are going to lose an audience or at least get many bloggers who copy your content and rehash it as their own. Strive to give your readers fresh content on a daily basis, put time and effort into your posts and be yourself. The blogs I read generally have some new and interesting information.
Also get yourself out there and network, and I don’t just mean leave random comments on many blogs with keywords that point to your own blog that are not in the context of the post on which you are commenting. That bugs me. At least read the posts and write a nice comment in which you could work in a link to your own blog, but if the blog you are commenting on is a do follow blog then just leave your URL in the url field and post your comment sans links. If you want more readers then go out and read more blogs, join social networking groups and promote your blogs, but make sure that you have something worth promoting. Make it your own and original.
This blog can be visited at http://www.benspark.com/
August 2nd, 2007 - 9:54 am
Thanks for letting me be interviewed. I love the idea of contests.
August 2nd, 2007 - 12:31 pm
The Benspark is not just a blog…it’s an addiction! I’m very happy to see my buddy doing so well, and it’s true that the daily updates are very much appreciated by his loyal readers! Drew takes a lot of time to make his blog so personal-and that’s why we all come back every day.
Great interview! Go Benspark!!
August 2nd, 2007 - 12:44 pm
Drew, no problem. I see that on your site you’re having a contest, too. Best of luck to you.
August 2nd, 2007 - 12:47 pm
Thanks Mike, you should get a bunch of visitors from my blog in the coming month. And maybe some new interviews as well.
August 4th, 2007 - 11:14 am
I’m happy to find The Ben Spark – Drew around my community, your advice make me relize that a Blogger should do more than just building back links. A warm thoughts and usefull information to share must be the most important things to bond our community. Thanks Ben and Drew…
Success to you both and your photo vote contest !!!
I will stay around to follow your success story…
August 6th, 2007 - 12:12 pm
You will definitely enjoy Drew’s family of blogs…I’m an addict. I actually read it before my email in the morning! No joke!
August 6th, 2007 - 6:32 pm
I love the Photo A Day! And sometimes, it even has CAT PICTURES!
Seriously…the pics are all wonderful, and if not for Drew, I’d not have cool stuff like the XShot! I bought it because I saw it on his blog!
August 8th, 2007 - 4:54 am
I have to find that “uber-feed”. Now.
August 8th, 2007 - 1:00 pm
Drew got me into Pay Per Post, and when I take the time for it it really works out great! I love The Benspark because he shares so much opportunity with everyone!!
August 8th, 2007 - 9:27 pm
Love the newest PAD…choo-choo!
August 8th, 2007 - 11:18 pm
I always wondered where you got the name for your blog! Now I know.
August 9th, 2007 - 8:47 pm
Today I heard an ad on XM for a new show with Ellis Paul’s music and the only reason I knew who that was is because I read The Benspark everyday!! It keeps me in the loop!
August 11th, 2007 - 5:40 pm
I did it! I voted again!!
August 11th, 2007 - 9:34 pm
I have never been disciplined enough to take photos each day, but I’m glad you are. Thanks for sharing with the world and letting us comment on them. It’s always interesting to see what other people see.
August 12th, 2007 - 7:13 pm
Voted again!
August 13th, 2007 - 8:13 am
Are you going to have an acceptance speech when you win? LOL
August 13th, 2007 - 8:19 am
Not sure Lisa, my scores are really low compared to the leaders.
August 13th, 2007 - 8:46 pm
Well…I’ll just keep on voting for you!!! Viva Le Benspark!!!
August 14th, 2007 - 12:43 am
I voted for you again. Hopefully if enough of us vote, you’ll be in front of the pack.
August 14th, 2007 - 1:21 am
This is a great interview Ben. I visit your blog for Saturday Photo Hunt but obviously I must explore it more. I’ll vote for you even though we are in competition. I don’t deserve to win but it seems you might.
August 14th, 2007 - 10:14 am
How do you know who is in the lead? Where are their totals? Voted for you again
August 14th, 2007 - 10:16 am
Hi Lisa, the top scores are on the right hand sidebar. Thanks for the vote.
August 14th, 2007 - 11:34 am
voting for drew is my favorite. it’s like sunshine and marshmallows and kitten cartoons all rolled into one!!
August 14th, 2007 - 3:42 pm
Another day, another vote!
August 15th, 2007 - 3:12 am
You’re moving up in the world. Another vote from me. And, I like your “Part time Ninja” t-shirt.
August 16th, 2007 - 1:55 pm
i heart the benspark!!
August 17th, 2007 - 5:13 am
I’m a sucker for once a day photography sites. I find that taking at least one photo a day helps me become a better photographer. I’m glad I added Ben to my RSS daily reads.
August 17th, 2007 - 9:52 am
Hey you gotta vote for Benspark!
Don’t say no no no!
August 17th, 2007 - 10:01 am
Voted!
August 19th, 2007 - 3:57 pm
Voted again
August 19th, 2007 - 9:22 pm
Number 62…woowoowoo!!!
August 20th, 2007 - 10:54 am
i’m addicted to voting!!!
August 20th, 2007 - 4:33 pm
Mo, I think you really are addicted! Thank you for spending time on Blog Interviewer!
August 20th, 2007 - 5:07 pm
Mike, I think Mo should be blog interviewed. Then we can vote for her.
August 20th, 2007 - 5:29 pm
Great idea. Mo, why don’t you submit an interview: http://bloginterviewer.com/submit-an-interview
August 20th, 2007 - 10:07 pm
i did it again!! i will do the interview asap! thanks Drew & Mike!!
August 21st, 2007 - 11:27 am
I am a voting machine. LOL
August 21st, 2007 - 10:50 pm
vote 71…fun fun fun!!
August 22nd, 2007 - 6:54 pm
Voted again and again and again
August 22nd, 2007 - 7:04 pm
Voted again!
August 22nd, 2007 - 7:33 pm
Mo, have you submitted your interview yet?
August 23rd, 2007 - 10:28 am
No, Mike…I’ve been so busy voting for Drew that I just haven’t had the time!! In all seriousness, this is a really busy time of year for me at work-but I will do my best to get it done by the weekend!! I swear!!
PS…Drew…I voted again (Please pronounce the word ‘again’ in a tufty British accent when you read it…just because I said “please.”
)
August 23rd, 2007 - 10:58 am
That is exactly how I would pronounce it.
August 24th, 2007 - 12:03 pm
vote, vote, voted
August 24th, 2007 - 12:36 pm
Here to vote again!
August 24th, 2007 - 4:46 pm
voted.
August 25th, 2007 - 6:11 pm
Vote for Drew. His interview is cool!
August 25th, 2007 - 11:48 pm
VOTE VOTE VOTE
August 25th, 2007 - 11:51 pm
votey
August 26th, 2007 - 8:01 pm
Vote early, vote often!
August 27th, 2007 - 1:39 am
I voted again and hope others are too.
August 27th, 2007 - 6:51 am
Voted.
August 28th, 2007 - 6:09 pm
I voted and put you up at 100.
August 28th, 2007 - 6:55 pm
and i just made it one hundred and one!!
August 28th, 2007 - 9:49 pm
102
August 29th, 2007 - 1:50 pm
i voted and it was fun! i can’t get pwahnts for it…but it just shows how truly great a friend i am!! ha!
August 29th, 2007 - 4:55 pm
Thanks everyone for voting for me this month. Each month there is a contest for the person whose interview gets the most votes. Maybe next month.
September 3rd, 2007 - 1:19 pm
keep on voting keep on voting!!
September 3rd, 2007 - 4:56 pm
I’m not stopping, voting every day.
September 3rd, 2007 - 9:12 pm
Still voting!
September 3rd, 2007 - 9:20 pm
Thanks Christine. You should be interviewed for your blogs.
September 4th, 2007 - 12:48 pm
Drew,
If at anytime you see a good blogger from your contest just send them to this link http://bloginterviewer.com/submit-an-interview .
Best,
Mike
September 5th, 2007 - 10:30 pm
Back to vote again1
October 11th, 2007 - 9:32 pm
Vote for Drew! He became a daddy yesterday!!!
October 12th, 2007 - 12:10 am
Thanks Mo!
December 6th, 2007 - 10:02 pm
I love your site and voted for you also. I will try to remember to vote each day.
December 6th, 2007 - 10:10 pm
Thanks very much Tina. I appreciate it.