Interview with Gyutae Park – Winning The Web

This is our second edition of “What separate the men from the boys?” where each week we will feature one prominent blogger who has inspired us in one way or another.

In today’s edition, we have the privilege of interviewing Gyutae Park who is no stranger to the business of internet marketing and SEO. Read what he has to say on winning the web.

1. We know nothing about you. Give us some interesting and completely unheard facts that make you a great blogger.

I work as an SEO at a top search marketing agency based in New York and I currently live in Chicago where it’s always freezing around this time of year.  I graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Industrial Engineering but decided that it wasn’t the path for me.  I still think that it has given me a solid educational and corporate background but I ultimately want to run my own businesses online.

I think my background gives me an edge in the blogging world because there aren’t many enginerds in the Internet marketing industry.  I don’t think that’s necessarily what makes me a “great” blogger, but every unique characteristic you have can help you to establish your personal story and differentiate yourself from your competitors.

2. When & what compelled you to start blogging?

I started Winning the Web in late 2007 as a way for me to share my insights and experiences with SEO and Internet marketing strategies.  I have a few other online businesses as well but I love blogging because it opens up a whole new world of opportunities – both in terms of business ideas and relationships.

3. How has blogging changed your life?

It’s given me a huge platform for me to share my ideas and make connections with people I otherwise would not have met.  That’s life changing indeed and I’m thankful for it.

4. To what do you attribute your blog success?

Great content that is unique – don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo and do something different.  It will get you exposure and bring you success.  Also, don’t hesitate to be creative with your promotion.  Content is one thing but you need to actively promote it to get people to read your stuff.  The saying “build it and they will come” is not true with blogging.

5. If you could give one sentence of advice to blogger, what would that be?

Find something you love and write about it.  Don’t just blog because you want attention or want to make money.  If you’re truly passionate about your topic then those things will come naturally.  Stick with it and be consistent.  You might be struggling to expand you readership now but once you hit the tipping point it’ll become much much easier.

6. What is one biggest blogging mistake you’ve done and in similar situation, how would do differently today?

I didn’t promote my content enough.  In the beginning, I simply wrote articles and waited for people to find them.  Don’t make the same mistake.  Write flagship articles and spend at least the same amount of time promoting them on forums, social media sites, and other distribution channels.  Spend money on advertising if you have to – it’ll expedite the process and help you to grow your blog.

7. What’s the best way for a blogger to make money, in your professional opinion?

The best way for you to make money on your blog is to sell your own product or service.  If you can’t do that, look for indirect methods of monetization (e.g. consulting, speaking gigs, book deals) and sell other people’s products via affiliate marketing – but only those you truly endorse 100%

For more on that read this post – Blogging for Ads is Dead – 5 Reasons Why You Sell Yourself Short & How You Can Fix It

* Folks, if you aim to make money on your blog, that article is highly recommended. It uncovers the truth about making money online.

8. Where do you think the blogosphere is headed over the next few years?

There are thousands of blogs that spring up every day but in the next few years new bloggers will have a tough time gaining traction.  Established blogs will get the majority of visits and the others will struggle to get attention.  Start now before it’s too late.

Also, advertising on blogs will start to fizzle out.  Blogs are essentially becoming influence platforms and banners ads aren’t good fits with that trend.

9. If you could write a guest post for any blog but were only allowed to write one guest post in your entire life, which blog would you write for and why?

Hm, that’s a good question.  If I was trying to promote Winning the Web, I’d write a guest post on TechCrunch.  The blog has over a million subscribers and that kind of exposure would work wonders in gaining new readers and customers.

10. Lastly, tell us one goal in life that you haven’t accomplished yet but are still determined to reach.

I’m planning on creating an exclusive Internet marketing membership site built off of the Winning the Web brand.  It’ll feature new ideas and tutorials that will be totally original and help everyone make more money with their online businesses.  It should be up in the next couple of months so be excited for the launch coming soon.

Thanks, Gyutae. You never cease to amaze me with everything you do at Winning The Web. To say that I’ve learned nothing from you is an insult to your intelligence.

Oh, I love that WTW t-shirt too.

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