This week’s blogger profile is the effervescent Renee Mayne.
Renee blogs under the handle Bra Queen, but has other strings to her professional bow, including business mentor, author, speaker, bra critic and e-publisher.
Follow Renee on Twitter at @braqueen or on Facebook.
1. Renee, you describe yourself as a ‘lingerie business coach’ – that’s a seriously niche positioning. What came first? The business or the blog?
The business came first however it was not as a lingerie business coach I had an online store where I sourced and imported gorgeous lingerie for larger cup sizes. I started blogging because I heard “it was good for business” and of course I did all the wrong things however I am not one to let anything beat me so I studied and read everything I could get my hands on in order to improve my blog. The best resource I found was Darren Rowse’s aka Problogger “Build a Better Blog” (affiliate link) and that gave me by far the best information, increase of traffic and exposure.
In doing so I created a title Bra Queen because I wanted something that represented me, my industry and I wanted them to know I was an expert in my field all in the title and that’s how Bra Queen was born. She is my alter ego.
Over time I sold my business to pursue Bra Queen and being that I have a strong business background it was a natural progression into a Lingerie Business Coach. Doing that enabled me to focus on my target market and as a result I attracted women who were wanting information on bras and unbiased bra reviews as well as businesses seeking help from someone who understood not just business but lingerie and bra fittings as well.
2. You operate two blogs – Bra Queen and Busting Out. What are the differences between them? What effect does blogging have on your business?
Bra Queen is a resource for women and business that has information on all aspects of business and Bra’s Exposed is an arm off Bra Queen that has bra fitting advice and bra reviews.
Busting Out used to sit under the Bra Queen umbrella however it began to receive a following in it’s own right so in order to keep the clarity around my business model I separated it. Now Busting Out is a lifestyle blog keeping the theme of all things lingerie but it has a much more powerful and important message. The essence of Busting Out is to create a life you love every day, we believe that if you do small things on the outside that will give you confidence to tackle the whatever maybe holding you back on the inside. We talk a lot about being present, forgetting the past and praying that the future it will be your savour but to take action today and be all you can be today. Success is not a destination but the journey.
Blogging influences my business on many levels- it allows my readers to get to know me and having free information available to them. The new economy requires transparency and we need to think and be different…let our voices shine through. It improves my SEO, the customer experience and in a lot of ways it therapy for me as well because I get lost in writing.
3. You have a book out called ‘Agents of Action’ – what can you tell us about it?
Agents of Action was published because I have always thought how I wished there was a resource available to me when I first started out, how to turn ideas and passions into successful sustainable businesses. It’s quick inspiring read for the aspiring and inspiring entrepreneur. It’s insightful, fun and I am extremely proud of it. It has sold over 5000 copies making it a best seller however what satisfies me the most is knowing that I am making a difference to someone’s life and the feedback has been incredible.
4. You’ve been on the likes of Today Tonight and in major newspapers such as The Age and Herald Sun … does media exposure give you a noticeable spike in blog traffic?
I have received fantastic media coverage this year and it does have an incredible ability to drive traffic to your site. I must be nearing around 100K worth of free publicity; the best coverage is always TV that usually generates around 50,000 clicks once it’s aired and the major papers depends on the topic really.
5. What advice can you give to bloggers who are perhaps just starting out in the space?
Write from heart space to heart space in your own voice; don’t get swept up in what everyone else’s doing and march to your own drum. Passion & persistence pays off and always think of it as a business if you want it to bring you an income.
FURTHER READING: 5 Questions With … Edenland
About Trevor Young