The Wax Blog

Bonnie Harris, writer of The Wax Blog, is a media strategist, writer and blogger dedicated to creating a new model for the marketing and public relations industry. After realizing she was not cut out for life in the “bored” room, she made a major career transition from an executive in the technology industry to founding Wax Marketing in 2002. Bonnie’s written work has appeared in national magazines including HerSports and YourHealth, and even Hooters Magazine (she was the contributing editor for non-traditional sports). Bonnie has been featured in several publications including USA Today, Selling Power, PRWeek and BusinessVision Magazine. She holds an Masters in Integrated Marketing Communications from the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism at West Virginia University and a B.S. in Economics from the University of Minnesota.

Lots of people start blogs for different reasons. What was the inspiration > behind starting The Wax Blog?

PR and marketing services are often too expensive for start-ups, authors and people with side businesses. I thought it would provide a free resource where they could find answers to most of their common questions such as how to pitch media, how to write a marketing or social media plan, how to start and run a blog, etc. I’ll pretty much answer any question there, from a specific producer to pitch at a national TV show, to showing samples of pitches that worked well.

What are your favorite methods of social media networking to bring traffic to your blog?

I’m addicted to Twitter ( I’m @waxgirl333) but one of the more surprised things I learned this year was the amount of traffic I could generate from LinkedIn, especially participating in LinkedIn groups. I think it’s a secret weapon. I’m also a DoFollow blog, which has attracted quite a few of my regular visitors who came to get the links, but stayed for the info.

Who or what are your top resources for social media and online marketing information?

I regularly read the TopRank blog, Mediaite.com, all the feeds on Mediabistro.com, the media blogs on the HuffPo, MarketingProfs Daily, Problogger and Copyblogger. I’ll take a look at Convinceandconvert.com, Nieman Journalism Lab, and grow frequently as well.  I read David Carr at the NYT too.

How has blogging changed your life?

I used to freelance quite a bit on the side for magazines , and we all know how the print business is doing these days. It’s given me a new outlet for writing and a way for me to express myself through my business. I also just started my first blog business venture, www.bartthedumpsterdog.com so I’m hoping that it will also provide a steady stream of new income as well.

What is one important thing that you have learned about blogging that you could share with our readers?

I learned that when I write from the heart, rather than trying to impress, I get a much better reaction. To be myself and just say what I think not only draws more readers, it’s a much more rewarding experience for me.

What other blogs do you enjoy reading and why? Who are your favorite local Twin Cities bloggers?

Of course Lee Odden at www.toprankblog.com is great (and a nice guy too). I like reading www.secretsofthecity.com and Jason DeRusha’s blog at WCCO.  Paul at www.twincitiesblogs.com does a nice job of aggregating all our local blogs. And I love Bob Stanke at www.bobstanke.com – it’s a smaller blog but he’s really knows his stuff and throws in a bit of psychology every now and again.

What do you love the most about the Twin Cities / Minnesota and why?

Well of course the people are the best! And I love the weather for inline skating in the summer and skate skiing in the winter, two sports I just picked up in the past year.