Best China Blog Awards Winners : A Chinalyst interview with Digital Marketing Inner Circle
Last interview in the series of interviews with the bloggers behind the blogs that won the Best China Blog Awards 2008. We asked them to share a little bit about themselves and their blogs with us. This time it's with “Digital Marketing Inner Circle” that made it to 1st place in the Best Technology Blog category.
Background
Blog : Digital Marketing Inner Circle
Blogger : Matt McDougall
Slogan : Digital Marketing Inner Circle is your home for the latest and most important Digital Marketing news online. With a bias towards the Chinese Internet market, The Digital Marketing Inner Circle uses the digital news sources online as well as personal commentary for information related to Digital Marketing, Search, Technology and much more.
Age : 36+
Years blogging : 4
Years in China : 5-8 years
Originally from : Australia, Sydney
The interview
Q: What was your main motivating force for starting your own blog?
I wanted to have a forum where I could discuss digital marketing and promote new ideas and trends outside China.
Q: What is your blog mainly about? Please tell us a little bit about the general topics you usually discuss in your blog.
The Digital Marketing Inner Circle is aimed at those folks either working or having an interest in online advertising and digital marketing. The blog has a Chinese bias where I like to look at what is happening in China but often draw conclusions between what is happening in China and what is occurring overseas.
Q: What does blogging mean to you? What importance or contribution does your blog have, if any, to yourself or the community?
Blogging for me is a means to provide information and a channel for those with a similar interest to find posts of value.
I am passionate about Internet Advertising and Digital Marketing in general so the blog provides me with an outlet to espouse my ideas and share information.
Q: Did you experience any special or out of the ordinary events or interactions as a result of writing a blog?
I have made a number of 'virtual' friends because of the blog. This was an unexpected result of my postings... apart from that.. nothing special.
Q: How did your blogging help promote you personally? (either professionally, by reputation, additional direct/indirect income or similar)
The blog, Digital Marketing Inner Circle has a significant following now and I believe that it provides useful information to the community developing around this blog. That in turn has lead to myself getting known for a degree of expertise in Marketing but I am quick to point out a good blog is not simply a one way discussion but one that engages and encourages community to participate
Q: How much freedom do you feel you have to discuss what you care about in your blog? Are some topics more sensitive than others? Do you include personal details and stories in your blog? Why?
Working and living in China is a unique privilege. Therefore anyone doing this must be respectful and sensitive to the local cultures, laws and norms of the country.
I would not want to cause upset nor offense to anyone in China. Further when I utilize my personal experiences, I use work experiences or thoughts that support my points being made in the posts.
Q: How would you generally describe the Chinese expat blogosphere? Do you personally know any other China expat bloggers? In your opinion, what contribution or role does the China expat blogosphere have, if any?
The expat blogosphere is a small community and within the technology space know and often contribute to there Blogs.
I believe at this stage the expat blogosphere is very small when comparing it to the local Chinese Bloggers... I hope one day that we can attract broader audiences in China and be seen to contribute to the ideas in society
Q: How did you first make the decision to arrive in China?
Thought it would be an interesting country to work in and after doing a casual visit fell in love with the place... now I consider it my home.
Q: What do you think about life in China, the Chinese people and Chinese culture? How would you generally describe your experience in China?
I have been in China 6 years and I cannot be more positive about the experiences gained here. I have been very fortunate to meet some great people and three years ago met a local Chinese lady and become even more involved within Chinese culture (and extended family)
Q: What advice would you give new bloggers?
Be original, share advice, share experiences and contribute to your fellow bloggers posts... but never plagiarize (put a reference if you are using others ideas or content)
Q: What advice would you give someone considering coming to work, study or live in China?
Be open, flexible and try learning a few words of Chinese.... China can be a polarizing experience... of the expats I meet some come here and love China and others come here and hate it... It comes down to the way you approach your time in China and the people you surround yourself with when you get here.
Thanks, Matt. You can also find Matt on Twitter @sinotechian.