“Blogging is a reciprocal thing…sort of like friendship…you need to give some to get some..”

-Psych Babbler

Before introducing this blogger, WebNeeTech appreciate the blogger for coming up with such a unique and meaningful name which signifies her blog and objective. Psych Babbler

Psych Babbler, a Child and Adolescent Psychologist by profession started blogging “Over Cups of Coffee” in October 2007 with an intention of sharing her experience with her friends and relative but soon she found, blogging is an interesting and one of the best platform to share or discuss about any issue, experience or knowledge.

Over Cups of Coffee is a blog which mainly focuses on mental health and psychology, women’s issues, books, cricket and also sometime on her personal stuff and its carrying around 236 post at present.

Read one of the most interesting and expressive interview WebNeetech has received till now.

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Blogger’s Detail:

Blogger’s Name: Psych Babbler

Age: 25

Occupation / Profession: Child and Adolescent Psychologist

Blog name and URL: Over Cups of Coffee, http://overacuppacoffee.com

Blog Focus Area, domain: Personal ramblings, mental health issues, psychology, women’s issues

Blog launched on: October 2007 (only for invited readers) and publicly in October 2008

Monthly visits (page views) on website: Approximately 3100 in October this year

Do you have team of bloggers? No

Interest / Activities: Reading, Blogging, Aussie Cricket, Creative writing

Located at: Sydney, Australia

Contact Details:

Twitter Id: PsychBabbler

Email ID: psych.babbler@gmail.com

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Interview (Q&A Round):

Q. What motivated you to start blogging?

When I started blogging, it was initially to just inform family and friends back in India about my experiences here. But slowly I found that I was more interested in blogging about things I was passionate about. Blogging gave me that voice and that platform to air my views and opinions. I have always been opinionated and blogging is an excuse to do so. Plus, people actually read and respond to it!

Q. Tell us in detail about your blog, your idea and how it can benefit others?

My blog is named ‘Over Cups of Coffee’ because that’s what it mainly involves…topics that you might talk about over cups of coffee…whether it is about psychology, women’s issues, cricket, a book I have read, my day at work, random venting, stuff I observe in the media, things happening in the world around us that intrigue me. I am fortunate to have readers that take interest in some of the issues as well as some of them who are supportive. I would like to think that with some of my posts particularly the ones on mental health and psychology may be helpful to individuals given that in India we still don’t have a high regard to these issues and one can just “get over it”. I’d like to think I’m changing at least some people’s perspectives and reducing the stigma. One thing I’ve found through blogging is that there are so many people out there going through similar day-to-day difficulties like you and I think when we blog about it, it normalizes the problem to an extent and we don’t feel as alone as we might have.

Q. What area or topic you generally cover in your blog, any special reason behind it?

My specific areas include mental health and psychology, women’s issues, books, cricket; I blog on psychology because that’s my profession and I am passionate about it…plus it’s a way of educating readers who may be interested in mental health issues. Women’s issues are also close to my heart. Growing up in India I noticed how women are generally the secondary citizens and how we have to struggle to achieve things men take for granted. I was lucky to grow up in a family that believes in women’s independence and I am a feminist. And finally, reading and cricket are two other passions of mine and what better way to express it apart from blogging on it! In addition to all of this, I also tend to observe things that are hypocritical in the world out there and since it irks me, I blog on it as well.

Q. Which blogging platform you are using (wordpress, blogspot, bloggers etc), any reason about it?

I currently have my own custom domain through Blogger. I started out using blogger and then decided to get my own domain name recently. I researched a lot but some of the technical stuff in Wordpress to set up my own domain was a bit too complicated for someone like me and in the end, getting a custom domain through Blogger was the option. It was easier and cheaper.

Q. How frequently you update your blog? How many posts is your blog carrying at present?

I blog as often as I can; In particular, the last month or so I have been blogging almost every day. This month I am also involved in NaBloPoMo which means I am attempting to blog every single day. Till date (i.e. 8^th of November) I have 236 posts.

Q. What tools you use to increase your blog readership and bring people on your blog? Do you use social networking sites?

Not really. I use Facebook but that’s for people that know me in real life and not all are aware I blog. The only way I increase readership is by joining blog networks such as BlogThis, Indiblogger, Blogadda, 20-something Bloggers etc. Once there, I make the effort to read other blogs and comment on the ones I enjoy, thereby putting my blog out there.

Q. Any specific tips you have for new bloggers who want to make it in the blogsphere?

Write about things you are passionate about…it shows!

Also, it is important to respond to comments left on your blog as well as visit other blogs and comment where you can. Blogging is a reciprocal thing…sort of like friendship…you need to give some to get some. With friends, you need to share secrets to develop trust while in the blogging world, you need to read other blogs and let them know so they can visit yours.

Q. Do you earn revenue through your blog? If yes then how a blogger should monetize his / her blog? If no, then any plans in future?

I have signed up with Adsense but so far I haven’t earned any money! So I can’t really advice anyone on this as I myself am a bit clueless!

Q. What are your other favorite blogs which you follow, can you list the top 5 such blogs?

Almost all the 90-odd blogs I follow are amazing in their own way! But if I was forced to choose 5 they would be (in no particular order):

• Titaxy’s Memories and Mirages http://memoriesandmirages.wordpress.com/
• Richa’s Grad Life http://doctorofphilosphy.blogspot.com/
• Smita’s Books, Life and more http://books-life-n-more.blogspot.com/
• Indian Homemaker’s life and times http://indianhomemaker.wordpress.com/
• Lilly’s Life http://www.lillyslife.com/
• Nu’s Randomness http://nupurphatak.blogspot.com/ (Please let me include 6!!)

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