Akilah Richards from Execumama Online An Interview
Akilah is the definition of multitasking, but the online version. She has a busy blog, an website, a book that keeps you organized and a full scale business where she is a speaker, holds workshops and other events. I met her at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration and got to see her energy first hand.
Tell me about your Blog –
Execumama Online is an all-things-busy mom space where I interact with other moms, many of whom are entrepreneurs as I am. We discuss the facets of working motherhood and share insight on how to stay sane, productive, and relevant in our chosen work as mothers and businesswomen.
What was your first blog?
Execumama online is my first blog. It began as an add-on to my book of the same name (Execumama: A Pocket Guide for the Twenty-something Mommy on the Move), then morphed into a full-scale business with workshops, collaborative events, and speaking engagements. Who knew?!
What is the biggest tip you would give to product reviewers?
Transparency is Queen!! Don’t try to be overly cutesy unless the product truly elicits that sort of response in you. Your readers want your opinion, not a sales pitch, and sometimes marketers can be a bit pushy with their expectations, so it’s up to you to protect your blog/your name.
Are you contacted by companies or PR companies or do you contact them or both?
Both. When I started blogging, I knew nothing of reviews and PR companies. I’ve approached a handful of companies via email, but mostly, PR companies contact me. I’ve turned down many reviews because I’m not a review blogger, per se. From time to time, when a product truly seems to ROCK, I’ll agree to do it, but only if I think it’s something my readers would appreciate.
What is your favorite product that you have reviewed?
I loved the Princess & the Frog set from Carol’s Daughter, a company that makes all-natural hair and body products. My daughters loved the products!!
What do companies or PR companies do that you wish they wouldn’t/ do that you like?
It’s definitely a turn-off for me when companies try to dictate the specifics of my review. What to say, what tone to use–that sort of thing. I can only be myself and use my own voice, and puppeteering is certainly not a forte of interest for me.
What do bloggers do that you wish they wouldn’t/do that you like?
The dislikes aren’t really there, because to each (blogger) its own, ya know! It’s your space, so whatever you want to do, you should have the room to do so. As for the likes, I love it when bloggers step up their proverbial game and get all uber-professional with their online presence. That makes me want to hi-five them and watch as they continue to grow.
What advertiser would you like to work with given a chance?
Um, that’s a no-brainer: Electrolux Appliances. I totally drool over their products all the time!
Where do you see growth in the blogging field?
I see growth in the transition from casual to professional blogger. Many bloggers are finding their niches and more so finding how to translate what they know into what they do for a source of income. I think that’s fabulous, and I see that trend growing as people realize that the information they take for granted is oftentimes sought after and motenizable!
What is one thing about you that not many people know?
That I’d love to be able to knit and sew clothes for myself and my daughters all day long. I have a sewing machine and tons of knitting supplies, but the story pretty much ends there.
What’s your favorite book?
The HitchHiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, if we’re talking about mind-boggling fiction. For non-fiction, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and Rasta & Resistance by Horace Campbell are the top contenders.
What is on your iPod?
Right now, a hodge-podge of old-school Jamaican dancehall, Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory, and the new Maxwell and Jay-Z. I’m also back in love with Alanis Morrisette’s Jagged Little Pill.
What are your contact details?
My main e-space is over at www.execumama.com. It’s my work/play zone.
My blogger space (which I call my chill zone) is over at www.execumama.blogspot.com
I’m also a regular contributor over at the Outright.com community – http://community.outright.com/
I do a good chunk of my copywriting/editing over at http://www.vozvisual.com/aboutus.html
Facebook: www.facebook.com/execumama
Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Atlanta-GA/Execumama-Enterprises-Online/175061948101
Twitter @Execumama
Linkedin.com/in/execumama
Youtube.com/richaras
My blogger space (which I call my chill zone) is over at www.execumama.blogspot.com
I’m also a regular contributor over at the Outright.com community – http://community.outright.com/
I do a good chunk of my copywriting/editing over at http://www.vozvisual.com/aboutus.html
Facebook: www.facebook.com/execumama
Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Atlanta-GA/Execumama-Enterprises-Online/175061948101
Twitter @Execumama
Linkedin.com/in/execumama
Youtube.com/richaras
What events do you attend?
I’m not into the run-of-the-mill networking events, because I’m not so great at walking up to strangers and making up something to chat about. I do Meetup groups that are focused on Social Media, working motherhood, and volunteerism. I’m starting to get the conference bug as well, and I’ll be at Blogalicious in Miami later this year, and I was invited to the Disney Social Media Moms conference earlier this year, and that was beyond cool!
How do you prefer to communicate?
Definitely email. initially. Then, if all goes well, a hearty Skype session always works for me.
Who would you recommend, and why?
—www.naturibeauty.com/blog because she’s super informative, very passionate about her work as a culinary artist and natural hair product creator.
—www.vozvisual.com primarily because I’ve seen how he takes his clients from “okay” to “full on fantastic” by helping them develop a clear sense of their brand and voice, and secondarily because he’s the hubs 🙂
—http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com because she could teach classes on writing, pitching, and editing. So informative and wide open with her information.
—www.mybrownbaby.blogspot.com because she’s insanely funny, very well-versed in many aspects of parenting and work/life concerns, and because she’s a writer’s writer.
—www.quiskaeya.com because she’s the go-to person for green living!
—http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com because she could teach classes on writing, pitching, and editing. So informative and wide open with her information.
—www.mybrownbaby.blogspot.com because she’s insanely funny, very well-versed in many aspects of parenting and work/life concerns, and because she’s a writer’s writer.
—www.quiskaeya.com because she’s the go-to person for green living!
What is one thing people can do for you?
Subscribe to Execumama.com, for starters. *smiles*
ConnieFoggles
