Stacie Vaughn from Simply Stacie An Interview

Stacie runs a product review blog with 2 other writers. Besides reviews and giveaways, her blog features other bloggers through interviews. She has health problems but that doesn’t stop her from being an active writer and social media maven.

Tell me about your Blog –

Simply Stacie is a Review & Giveaway blog featuring books, women’s products and family friendly items. Giveaways are posted daily! I have a team of 8 Reviewers. Stacy Marie (she also reviews books) and I review the women’s products like jewelry and clothing, Jody reviews the Baby and Children’s products like toys, games and clothes and I have 6 Book Reviewers who read books of various genres. I also have a regular feature where I spotlight other Review & Giveaway blogs so you can learn more about how other bloggers are set up and have a chance to enter even more giveaways!

What was your first blog?

Simply Stacie was my very first blog. I started a blog a little over a year ago called The Natural Way, but didn’t really post much on it. My Review and Giveaway blog just took up so much of my time and I pretty much only focus on that right now.

What is the biggest tip you would give to product reviewers?

Don’t be afraid to email companies and ask to do a review! You need to put yourself out there and email to bring results. I always bookmark companies I like then contact them once a week asking for a review and/or giveaway. You may need to contact lots of them before you get a response, but don’t get frustrated . It may take some months to get back to you, but if you do enough of them, you will get a few bites.

Are you contacted by advertisers or do you contact them or both?

Both actually. I am still doing what I always did- bookmarking companies that interest me and contacting them. Now, I am finding that more companies are contacting me directly which is great. If the product isn’t right for me, I will pass along their email to one of my other reviewers who I think would be interested in it.

What is your favorite product that you have reviewed?

This is a tough one! I think I would have to say my necklace from Chileandreamer was my favourite product to review. I LOVE jewelry and am always doing jewelry reviews and giveaways. This particular necklace was absolutely stunning! It is my favourite piece of jewelry and I love all her work. She is one talented lady!
What do advertisers do that you wish they wouldn’t/ do that you like?

It bothers me when they won’t ship to Canada. I really don’t like when they contact me to do a review and then when I reply with my address they say, “oh, we don’t ship to Canada”. It says right on my blog that I am from Canada so I just wish they would look at it more carefully before they contact me. I get excited about doing the review so it’s a bummer when I am told that they won’t ship to me. I have gotten around that by having a new reviewer who is in the US so she is able to do the reviews for these companies.

What do bloggers do that you wish they wouldn’t/do that you like?

All the bloggers I have met so far have been great so I can’t really think of something they do that I don’t like. I don’t really get into the drama, but I know its out there so I guess I would have to say that?

What advertiser would you like to work with given a chance?

I would love to work with Dyson and review their vacuum cleaner or be able to review DVDs for adults like tv series and movies!

Where do you see growth in the blogging field?

I have noticed a huge increase in Review & Giveaway blogs in the last year and more and more people are getting into it.

What is one thing about you that not many people know?

I am actually a really shy person until you get to know me. I also suffer from chronic pelvic pain. I no longer work because of it. I have pain every day with good days and bad days and life has been difficult for me the past 5 years.

What’s your favorite book?

I love the Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer and The Pact and Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. I am an avid reader and love to read all genres of books.

What is on your iPod?

I don’t own one, but if I did I would have lots of 80s music- think Luba, Heart, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper… I grew up in the 80s so these songs bring me back to my younger years. I also like Dance Music that are in the Top 40 on the radio. My boyfriend is a country fan so I would probably have a few country songs to keep him happy.

What are your contact details?

Email: simplystacieblog@(nospam)gmail.com – remove the “no spam”

Blog: http://stacievaughansblog.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/simplystacieblog

Twitter: http://twitter.com/mysticconn

What events do you attend?

I have never attended an event, but would like to someday. Most of them are in the US so its very expensive for me to travel there.

How do you prefer to communicate?

I prefer email. I check my email all the time and can usually reply within 24 hours.

Who would you recommend, and why?

I recently had the pleasure of getting know some bloggers through my feature on Review and Giveaway blogs so I will mention some of them:

Some of my fellow Canadian bloggers:

http://www.thegiveawaydiva.blogspot.com/

http://northernmama-northerngirl.blogspot.com/

http://coolcanucks.ca/

http://countrycitymouse-pam.blogspot.com/

http://emilyisland.blogspot.com/

http://myweeview.com/

Cinde from http://www.freebiefairy.blogspot.com/ &  http://www.glutenfreetasteofhome.blogspot.com/ She has become a close friend and I value her advice! She also has awesome giveaways.

Angela from http://www.fabfindfoodie.com/ I get hungry when I visit her blog!

Ellen from http://confessionsofanover-workedmom.blogspot.com/ She is always very helpful to other bloggers and love reading her reviews and posts.
What is one thing people can do for you?

I would love for you all to keep reading my blog and entering the giveaways! I hope to continue to find new and interesting products to introduce you to and keep your interest piqued!

ConnieFoggles