A decade ago, people wondered if blogging was just a fad. We were head over heels in love with MySpace and relied on newspapers, weekly tabloids and magazines for our news and entertainment. Now, whether we use blogs as a source of entertainment, news, event highlights or gossip, we couldn’t imagine a world without social media.
TalkingwithTami.com is a popular blog founded by Tammie Reed, a former talk show host. “I started my blog five years ago because I wanted to share pictures of my kids, Tyra and Terrell Jr., with family back home in Cleveland,” shares the mommy blogger turned fashion, lifestyle and beauty blogger. “It has grown. Now, I give people some pink shine mixed with fashion, the arts, restaurant reviews, lifestyle, entertainment and more. I keep it diverse.”
Reed, who goes by the nickname “Pink Suga,” is quick to share that she likes to keep her content fashion-forward and positive. “I am a conversationalist and my post reflects my personality. My audience relates to that well. I have tried ghost writers and guest bloggers but my supporters complained,” she says.
After graduating with a degree in marketing and public relations, she landed her first job in television, which inspired her to earn her certification in TV production. “I had a talk show on Comcast that aired on Mondays at 6 p.m. for five years. I had 300 sponsors. Then the recession hit and I moved to blogging.
“I have a lot of great contacts from publicists and managers to celebrities from my days on TV. Since I started blogging, I have expanded my network base and have met ambassadors, prime ministers and have even traveled internationally.”
Advice for fellow bloggers …
“Keep your content fresh. It isn’t necessary to always follow trends; give readers something different. Treat people fairly. When you’re out, don’t be shy. Networking is important,” she closes. –yvette caslin
