Ask Paulina….

It’s the first Monday of the month and usually I have a Featured Blogger post to share. I decided to change it up this month and am doing my very first Ask Paulina feature! I receive numerous questions via my blog, email and social media sites and I thought today would be a great time to round-up the most asked questions and also give you the opportunity to ask new questions.

Question #1- Do you have tips to increase blog traffic?

You can go about increasing your blog traffic in several different ways. What has worked for me? In my first few years of blogging, I perused blogs on a daily basis and left comments constantly. This allowed me to see how others went about blogging, but it also got my name out there and this built friendships/ connections with the blogger and they would visit my blog. In addition to that, I used to participate in craft challenges often and that brought in new traffic. A huge part of blogging is being consistent and also your content. I did a series a while back called Blogging 101 that was very popular and provided new bloggers with a variety of tips.

Question #2- How long have you been blogging?

I did my very first post on October 6, 2008, so I’m almost to five years. The time has flown by!

Question #3- Do you keep a blog schedule?

Yes, I do. It’s the Type A/ organized side of me that NEEDS to have one. This helps me keep track of what posts I have done, what posts I want to do in the future and also helps me make sure I stay on top of the 10 Minute Craft Dash challenges and sponsors. I purchased mine at Target {now is a great time to get one since they have big ones for back to school} and I love it to pieces. If you are serious about blogging, this is the best $14 you can spend!

Question #4- Why did you switch from an all craft blog to one that is more personal?

This decision was one that I struggled with and didn’t take lightly. I had originally done it since my passion for crafting had diminished a bit and I wasn’t spending as much time in my studio. I still loved interacting with my readers and after putting out “feelers” on whether people would still visit and read my blog if I switched it up, I took the plunge. I had contemplated just starting another blog, but with all the effort I had put into this blog {and the fact that I had two other blogs running}, I wasn’t particularly fond of starting a new one. Thankfully, my readers are very similar to me and like hearing about the person behind the blog, so I only saw a slight decrease when I made the switch. Now my site is a place that truly encapsulates who I am and what I love. :)

Question #5- What inspires you when coming up with blog topics?

Honestly, I have so many ideas in this brain of mine, I have to filter out what topics to bring to my site. When I write my heartfelt/ more personal posts, those topics are the things that have been on my mind recently. While these posts are super vulnerable and can sometimes bring criticism, I also love being able to share my heart with my readers and allowing them to get to know me. It’s in these posts that I receive email after email with stories on how that post touched someone’s life, people sharing their stories or asking for prayers.

In regards to features like the Featured Blogger, Random Loves, On the Wish List, etc… these are once again things that I personally would want to read about from my favorite blogger. When it came to my Blogging 101 series, that came out of pouring out hours on my blog and wanting to share information with those who wanted to take their site to the next level. Down the road, if readers had suggestions or requests for a series, I would take that into consideration. After all, I want to bring things YOU all would want to read. However, it would also have to be something I feel like I have a would be able to achieve and showcase to my readers well.

Question #6- How did you decide on naming your site Pretty Pink Posh?

Ah, the million dollar question! When you sign up for a blog, you are required to come up with a name for your blog. I didn’t want to use my name and after trying out numerous options and seeing them already taken, I decided to take three words and combine them together. I love pretty things, the color pink and anything posh. Put them altogether and you have Pretty Pink Posh!

Question #1- What is your favorite type and brand of ink and why?

My all-time favorite black ink is Onyx Black Versafine. It gives such a crisp image and dries quickly. The only downside? You can’t use it with Copics. For colored inks I am loving my Hero Arts shadow inks and also Memento inks. They both have a great assortment of vibrant and light colors, work well for clear and rubber stamps and dry quickly.

Question #2- What’s the deal with HA shadow inks? Are the lighter than others? Dry quicker? Do they work on photos? What makes them different?

Some of this question is answered above. I’m actually not sure if they work on photos- I don’t believe they do since they’re kind of a slicker ink. I like the fact that they have a lot of “in” colors that work together beautifully and the colors are so saturated.

Question #3- Do you like clear, cling or wood stamps?

I have all three in my collection of stamps, however, I prefer clear or wood mounted stamps. I grew up using wood stamps, so I typically don’t have a problem lining them up. I like clear stamps since they’re super easy to store, line up and love that so many designs can come together in one set. However, if I loved a design enough, I would buy it any way it came!

Question #4- Will you ever do a craft room tour?

When I got my new studio 1 1/2 years ago, I had intended to do one. Shortly after, my grandfather passed away and then I had my accident that turned my life upside down. My studio is nowhere where I want it to be organizationally, or aesthetically, so there currently aren’t plans to do one. Honestly, if you saw it, you would probably be sorely unimpressed with how plain jane it is.

Question #5- How often do you create new projects?

The answer varies every week. Back when I was in my groove and my health wasn’t an issue, I would craft just about every night for several hours and then also on the weekend. Nowadays, I’m lucky if I can sneak in 3-4 hours a week. Hopefully, this will change once my health starts improving and I regain strength and energy. I have so many new supplies calling my name and I know the blog is in desperate need of some new projects!

Question #1- Not sure how to ask this without sounding creepy, lol! You are such a lovely, pretty woman and I am wondering what your ethnic makeup is, if you are comfortable answering.

Oh my, this was an unexpected question! I’m 1/4 Korean and 3/4 Japanese. Do I speak either language? No! I grew up here in Seattle and have lived here my entire life. In fact, I only recently got a passport and haven’t ever traveled outside of the US, Canada or Mexico.

Question #2- What is your favorite iPhone app?

I’m not sure I can choose just one! I’m a sucker for social media, so Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest are must haves for me.

Question #3- You post many pictures of your Starbucks drinks on Instagram. Which ones are your favorite?

I love this question! Here’s my favorite drinks at the moment: Iced Nonfat Black and White Mocha, Iced Nonfat Caramel Macchiato with extra caramel, Iced Nonfat Pumpkin Spice Chai and Iced Green Tea Lemonades. Once the weather, all but the last drink can easily be made into hot drinks and will taste just as delicious. Oh, can I add the Starbucks app as a favorite to the question above? I can easily reload my card and I’ve used the locate a nearby Starbucks option more times than I care to admit.

Question #4- You seem very happy and bubbly. What five words would you use to describe yourself?

Great question! I hate to admit that I’m not always bubbly, but I’m happy that you get this impression of me! Let’s see, I would choose: genuine, thoughtful, creative, generous and kind.

Now I’m going to ask my close friends and relatives what words they would describe for me! *wink*

Question #5- Is your favorite color really pink?

If you asked me couple years ago, I would have said yes without hesitation. Now, I’m totally in love with aqua and coral and if I’m being honest, they have surpassed my love of pink. Not to fret, I’m still very much a pink lover.

This was such a fun feature to do- I loved all of the questions you sent my way. If you have more questions, feel free to leave it below or ask it anonymously at http://ask.fm/prettypinkposh. I just may do another one of these sometime down the road!

Thanks for spending some time with me today. I hope those of you who are in the US have a great rest of your holiday weekend!