Featured Blogger – Couponing and Reviewing in Texas @CouponTexas

When I first became aware of the blog world, it was due to my desire to learn about couponing. I was looking for advice on getting started with couponing and this wonderful world of blogging opened up.

 

I started meeting bloggers and decided to start my own blog. I thought I would just talk about my life, but then I discovered the world of reviewing new products to bring them to YOU, my loving followers!! 

In the past few months since I started blogging, I have met some neat people and I want to introduce you to one blogger who seems to have a similar experience as mine (couponing…and reviewing) AND we’re both in Texas (actually only about an hour and a half away from each other)!!

 

 

 

Meet Amy from Couponing and Reviewing in Texas!!

Tell me a little bit about yourself and your family.

My name is Amy and I’m married to Brad who is truly the love of my life. We have 2 living children, Presley who is 7, and Hank who is 9 months. I also have my son Gabriel who was taken too soon in 2009 and waits for us in Heaven. I am a SAHM and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. My husband and I LOVE to ride our Harley Davidson Motorcycles and we are apart of an organization that empowers abused children in our area. I have lived in the same town my entire life and my family has been in this town for generations – my Grandmother was the first to graduate from WHS…we are generational Waxahachie Indians!

Do you have more than one blog? If so, tell me about them!

I only have one blog, Couponing & Reviewing in Texas, but I do have another site for the foundation I started in honor of my son Gabriel – The Light of Gabriel Foundation. http://www.lightofgabriel.org

How long have you been blogging?

I’ve blogged before with Gabriel’s website, but I’ve only been seriously blogging for about 6 months.

Why did you start blogging? Is this also why you continue blogging?

I started blogging just about couponing and then moved to the reviewing/giveaway genre. I’ve had so many opportunities come from this blog that me and my family are having so much fun and it’s a great outlet.

Who does your blog appeal to? Is this who you thought would be your target audience?

I believe my blog appeals to any person, male or female, who enjoys reading about deals, coupons, new/unique products and giveaways. I also love to blog about are everyday lives. I had this audience in mind when I started blogging, but it has grown so fast! I did not think my blog would be where it is at in such a short amount of time.

What direction do you see your blog going in the future?

I want my blog to continue to grow and gain followers. I want to branch out with other blogging and reviewing opportunities to share with readers.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced so far with your blog?

My biggest challenge has been learning all the in and outs of blogging. There are so many other avenues, Triberr, Twitter, Google +, and trying to figure out how all those operate is very challenging.

What do you love about blogging?

I love sharing posts with readers and reading how people respond to my posts. I’ve also emailed with other bloggers and it’s completely awesome to see what a friendly group of people bloggers are….I can’t wait to meet everyone at BlogHer 2012.

I also love reviewing products! My daughter and I are completely hooked on reviewing new products to share with readers.

What do you NOT love about blogging?

The only thing I don’t like about blogging is that my SPAM emails have increased tremendously and I HATE SPAM!!

What types of product reviews and giveaways do you feature?

I don’t like to limit what I review on my blog..I really want to have a wide range of product reviews to appeal to all my readers. I really want to become more active in the children’s toys review programs.

What was your favorite product to review?

I don’t know if I have a favorite product to review. I’ll think that one product is my favorite until the next product comes and blows me away…

What advice do you have for those wanting to get into this or up the value of their giveaways?

My advice is to definitely blog daily or at least 2-3 times weekly, continue to apply for reviews and host giveaways. I would also advise to get connected with all the other social media sites and become active on them as well. I also participate in daily blog hops to raise followers and improving my Alexa and Google scores and ranks.

Besides your blog, how else can people find you? Which method is your favorite/least favorite?

I am on Facebook (Couponing Texas), Twitter (@CouponTexas), Google + (Couponing Texas), Blog Frog (Couponing Texas), and Klout…I think that’s all but I’m probably forgetting some.

Share your top 3 favorite posts from your blog.

My #1 posts would be “Meth Awareness” because it is probably the most personal post I’ve written;

#2 would be “My Caring Cross Giveaway” because I find these crosses amazing;

#3 would be “Chevy Girl on the Go” because that was a fun event and review.

Share your top 3 favorite blogs to read and why.

1. Simply Stacie because her blog is what I aspire to be as a blogger;

2. Closer to Lucy because it’s fun and has great giveaways

3. Oh So Savvy Mom because it has great Mommy posts and great giveaways as well…

there are many more, but those would be 3 out of many I read daily.

Do you have any bloggers that you consider to be mentors?

I have quite a few bloggers that I read and follow as far as blogging techniques. Makobi Scribe, Our Kids Mom and Shining2Save are very successful blogs that I follow to mentor me in the blogging world.

Do you have a weekly, daily, or monthly Blog Hop or Meme that people should join in? Tell me about it and share an info link.

I host a Twitter Tuesday blog hop, Thursday Klout blog hop, Friday Facebook Hop and Sunday GFC or Google+ blog hop.

I’m also hosting Hopping for your Honey Valentine’s Giveaway Blog Hop (P.S. GoingCrazy!!WannaGo??!! is a cohost!!) 

How do you find time to blog?

I generally blog while the baby naps or when the kiddos are in bed at night, but it is difficult with little ones to find the time to blog.

What else would you like us to know?

I’m a HUGE giveaway contestant!! I love the giveaways on other sites and enter often! I’m also a scary movie junkie!!!

What is your best advice for a Newbie Blogger?

My best advice would be to start off reading other blogs and see what sites they are a part of and get linked in to affiliate programs. Also, I would say to participate in daily blog hops to raise followers and gain exposure. It takes time to get your blog up and operational, so be patient….I always have to stop comparing my blog to the BIG GIRLS and just accept that I’m new to this and that I’m blogging for fun and to remember to always have FUN!