Ten Questions:  Ana Hoffman

This week, I’m continuing my “Ten Questions” series with internet traffic diva Ana Hoffman.  Ana’s Traffic Generation Cafe is an incredible website with lots of great content.  She was kind enough to answer my ten questions – so enjoy the post!

1. What made you choose traffic generation as a theme for your site?  Is it something you struggled with yourself?

Yes, I started Traffic Generation Cafe out of necessity. 

I needed to learn how to drive traffic to my then primary business site and had a hard time finding simple actionable information to help me with it.

2.  You went from modeling to blogging.  Which one is tougher?

Modeling is by far one of the most difficult things I’ve done in my life.

Even though it’s always nice to see your face on the cover of a magazine, there are many rejections that line the way.

Blogging is not easy, but my success is entirely under my control. If I fail along the way, there’s no one else to blame.

3.  You’ve obviously been photographed many times.  Which image best shows “the real Ana” ???
Out of all the question, this is the one that took a while to answer.

It seems like we spend our lives trying to present ourselves in a better light.

Sometimes even to the point where we forget who we really are.  However, this face can’t lie.

This is the best expression of the true me.

4.  Even your best friends would be surprised to learn that when you were younger, you _______________

I live in Arizona because I hate being cold.

I hear it over and over again from my friends and family “But you are from Russia! How can you be cold when it’s in the 80s outside?!”

Little they know I used to do ice swimming. lol

5.  If I had a friend who never heard of your site and I was going to send him a link to ONE post – the one that you are the most proud of – which post would it be?  

I think this post is the most useful one:
http://www.trafficgenerationcafe.com/popular-blogs-from-scratch/

6.  Mac or PC?

Mac all the way.

7.  Favorite TV show of all time?

I don’t watch much TV, but the one show that always made me close my computer (not an easy thing to do) was “24″ with Kiefer Sutherland.

8.  If you could only read ONE other person’s blog, which blog would it be?  And don’t feel like you have to pick mine to make me feel good!  :)

Alex Whalley http://alexwhalley.com/ always manages to make me laugh when I read his blog – as well as teach me a thing or two.

9.  What is the biggest goal you have set for yourself this year?

I am more of a goal-getter than goal-setter.

Life taught me not to make plans too far in advance, and I am fine with it.

10.  How long could you go without internet access?

I once almost had a breakdown when we got to a hotel in the Rockies and their Wi-Fi access wasn’t liking my computer.

I am a blogging junkie – there, I said it!

Want to learn how Ana generates web traffic?

Stop by her traffic generation blog or follow her on Twitter.  Trust me, she is very entertaining!

Who is next?

When was the last time YOU came across someone really interesting on the internet?  An entertaining Twitter friend or a photo blogger with incredible images?  I’m always on the lookout for more “Ten Questions” participants.  Leave me a few suggestions below and I’ll add them to my list!

It is time for the second installment of the “Ten Questions” series.  This time, I decided to focus on my friend and mentor, Gail Nogle.  Of the many masterful photographers who have guided me through my career, Gail is at the top of the list.

So without further introduction, here are Gail’s Ten Questions:

1.  If someone had never heard of you and you had to show them ONE of your images to illustrate your style, which image would you show them?
 A – I would show the image of my Mother/Baby -  because I feel it is my most creative work so far and took me 4 years to perfect.

2.  When you weight the pros and cons, has digital been a good thing or a bad thing overall for photography?
  A – Overall it has dimished the legacy of the art of photography.

3.  If you couldn’t be a photographer, what would you be?
  A – I would be a sailor and travel the high seas looking for adventure!!

4.  You always say, “If you don’t ask, the answer is always no.”  When did you come up with that philosophy?
A – When I realized that I misseed a lot of oppotunites by NOT asking.

5.  Has it ever gotten you in trouble?
A – Somtimes yes, sometimes no – but it always interesting.

6.  You have been a long-time participant in print competition.  What do you see as the most common mistake that new entrants make?
  A – Too much Photoshop.

7.  If you could have anyone (still living) walk into the studio tomorrow for a portrait session, who would it be?
  A – The fabulous photograper – Sebastiao Selgado.

8.  Do you think classical portraiture will make a comeback or is snapshot photography the way of the future?
  A – I could only hope that would happen, however – nobody is studying classical portraiture anymore.

9.  The thing that drives me crazy the most is …
  A – Trying to live in digital world.

10.  Even your closest friends would probably be surprised to know that I once …
A – I took flying lessons and soloed after 9 hours of instruction!

***

For more on Gail, check out her website:  Gail Nogle Photography

***

Do you know anyone who would be a good subject for a future edition of Ten Questions?  If so , send me an email or leave a comment and let me know.  I’m always on the lookout for interesting people!

I’m starting a new series on the blog called Ten Questions.  The plan is to spotlight interesting people who I have discovered on Twitter, Facebook, or even blogs.  I’ll send them 10 questions and post the answers.   It should be interesting!

To lead things off, I sent my questions to Dave Malby.  I came across Dave when I first got into Twitter.  I was amazed that he had such a large following, but still managed to interact with everyone.  Read on and see what you think…

Ten Questions:  Dave Malby

1.  Your Google profile lists your occupation as:  Inventor/Musician/Photographer .  Are those in any particular order?
No, I am also a Real Estate investor and entreprenuer but they allow only so much space on the bio

2.   You invented the Pet Rock Training Leash – do you still have any of them around?
That was 1975 .. No.

3.   I discovered you by way of Twitter.  Seems you have quite a following?  What’s the secret?
Being unique, engage with people and follow back who follow you.

4.  I miss your old Twitter profile pic – with you pointing at the camera.  Any plans to revive that one at some point?
No matter what AVI I put up .. not everyone likes it.  The one I have now was taken by a professional photographer at the after hour party at the Grammys.  The old AVI is at http://dmalby.podomatic.com/.

5.  How much total time do you think you spend on social media each day?
8 hrs minimum per day. – I have a dedicated computer for FaceBook and Twitter, they are on 24/7 and have others computers for work.  I am also in-touch with social media via my iPhone.

6.  Getting back to the musician thing – what instruments do you play?
Piano, Organ, Accordion and Synthesizer.

7.  In your opinion, who is the greatest musician of all time?
Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Carol King, Woody Guthrie, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristopherson .. many many others.

8.  Who is the most over-rated musician of all time?
… HAHAHA .. Justin Bieber, Lada Gaga .. many rappers, punk rockers and heavy metal bands.

9.  Of all the photographs you have created – which one are you the most proud of?

This is a promotional photo created with special effects and a green screen.  I enjoyed making it.
10. One fact about Dave Malby that most of your friends don’t even know??
I rarely was in class in elementary school and self taught myself at the library.

*****

If you would like to learn more about Dave, you can follow him on Twitter @davemalby
Dave’s website:  http://www.tpsnet.com/

*****

Do you have someone you think would be a good Ten Questions candidate?  If so, leave a comment and let me know!