Sarasota native Robin Draper always had a heartfelt interest in two things: writing and the Sunshine State. Today she runs Authenticflorida.com, a website about all things Old Florida that earned the 2014 Best Food Blog in the Sunshine award from the Florida Blogger & Social Media Conference. (She also blogs for BIZ(941)'s sister publication, Sarasota Magazine.) Draper spent two years in the Peace Corps in Micronesia and two decades as a fund raiser with United Way, Sonoma State University and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Her e-book, Authentic Florida, is available at Barnes & Noble and on Amazon.com.
Number of hours a week to start: "20"
Number of hours a week today: "40"
Where most of the budget goes: "Food, gas, lodging, meals, entrance fees."
Biggest challenge: "Balancing the demands of being an entrepreneur and having to be good at so many things: writing, photography, social media, videos, research, sales, public relations and marketing."
Q: How did you save money to switch careers?
A: I met with a financial planner who said, "If you want to save more money, you'll have to make more money." That was my moment of truth. I had to keep developing my skills to get promoted at my current job and figure out a way to supplement it.
Q: How did you start?
A: In the blogosphere, you have to become an expert at something, and until you build up your credibility, you're not going to get traffic. I had to build up a body of work, build a following, listen to my readers and find ways for the income to flow. I began by selling my articles to publications, creating an e-book and talking to potential advertisers. I was still working full-time. I got an editor who was a friend. I wasn't a good photographer but I had to do it all. At first, I was funding the travel myself, so I learned to do it on a shoestring. I currently have 6,500 Facebook followers and 2,500 subscribers to the Authentic Florida e-news.
Q: When did you start to break even?
A: At about 18 months. If you go into the blogging world, you have to be prepared for that. This has been my career for three years. Revenue primarily comes from advertising sales, e-book sales and selling published work, plus speaking engagements and consulting.
Q: When did you know you'd made the right career move?
A: Day One. I never, ever looked back. When your passion carries you, people pick up on it. You don't give up. You surround yourself with people who support your vision. If you're not passionate about a career change, give it more time to develop, because the passion will carry you through the ups and downs.
Q: How does your income compare to your prior career?
A: Not even close. I earn an average wage with my writing, advertising sales and my e-book. Soon, I plan to have products for sale.
Q: Any surprises?
A: The producer of the Gulf Coast Journal, which aired on WEDU for eight years [with host Jack Perkins] approached me to consider doing a show based on my blog. We're looking for underwriters and have created a demo video. That's something I never considered in my wildest dreams.
Q: Your advice for starting a blog or website?
A: Use all the free resources you can. And be obsessed with your followers. Those who follow you are loyal to the bone. Offer incentives and return emails. Social media is the key to launching a website; use it to your full advantage because it's free. ■
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