Brain Belfitt – (BlogEngage) Interview
So as promised here is the interview with Brian Belfitt the founder of Blog Engage, a brilliant social network for bloggers.
I’m sure Brian will be more than happy to answer any of your extra questions if you have them in the comments section below
Q1. What was your inspiration for Blog Engage?
When I first started blog engage I wanted to create a community that not only allowed self promotion but infact encouraged it. There was so many communities to meet new people but if you shared your content they called you a spammer. In my opinion as a marketer this was unacceptable and a self prompting community was desperately needed for bloggers.
Q2. If the internet didn’t exist, what do you think you’d be doing?
Sitting behind a desk making cold calls and doing sales. It’s obvious I was meant to be in sales as I have the ability to easily sell anything. I love to interact with people and enjoy the entire sales process.
Q3. Do you blog/work online for a living?
Yes, I work full time with Blog Engage now and have successfully brought it to the level where I can make a living from it. Everyday since I’ve been full time we have gotten new members and new RSS customers. Business is amazing and the community is buzzing.
Q4. When you were younger what was your dream job?
Oh jezz, I hope when you say younger you mean when I was a kid. I remember wanting to be like every other kid, I wanted to be a fireman, than a policeman, and then a teacher. We all have dreams when we are younger but as we grow older our interests’ change along with what we want to do for a living.
Q5. Do you ever just want to give up working online?
When I was working full time in sales and part time on Blog Engage yes, there was many instances where I thought about just selling the site and letting someone else develop it. Now that I’m full time building the community I don’t have any intentions on selling it.
Q6. Could you go a week without internet access?
In reality yes, would I want to? Never! Even when I don’t have my pc I have my smart phone which is pretty much like a computer. You may say I’m a little obsessive but I plan on working hard now and relaxing later.
Q7. You’ve started up your own social network, would people say that you’re a social network addict?
Everything I do during my day has been motivated by helping my members. All my tweets, diggs, stumbles it’s all my members content, so if anything perhaps I have become addicted to social networking for others… It’s a hard question to answer seeing it’s my actual job now.
Q8. If you were stranded on a desert Island what could you not do without? (apart from food and water)
I would have to say music. I have 4 guitars and I love sitting back and playing the guitar. So If I had food and water the next best thing would be a camp fire and guitar. There’s something about playing guitar that brings me back down to earth and makes me relaxed. I have a few you tube videos of songs I’ve written if you want to check them out.
Q9. If you were to choose one word to describe yourself what would it be and why?
Taurus (Astrology)
Q10. If there was a blogging genie that could grant you 3 wishes, what would they be?
Unlimited ideas for amazing blog content, a new custom and unique wordpress design every year, and a following that would make every article I write go viral. This is what I would pack and I think all three would be a nice combo.
Q11. Where do you see yourself and blog engage in 5 years time?
I’ll be very honest here, Blog Engage is going to be huge. We have an amazing following of bloggers, all great friends of mine and the relationships I have built are strong enough to last a life time. I’m marketing full time right now, guest blogging and doing everything I can to bring new members to blog engage. I’ll be doing this for the foreseeable future and unless something drastically changes I see blog engage becoming one of the largest most interactive blogging communities on the internet.
Q12. Have you ever surprised yourself?
When I first started the blog engage RSS services I didn’t think it would blow up so big. I knew we would get a few customers but now I’m sitting at over 150 customers and the most amazing thing is they are all happy. The SEO and backlinking benefits are amazing, the services provide traffic and overtime develops new blog readers and most importantly comments and social engagement.
What an excellent interview to get to know Brian better! I got started in BlogEngage about a year ago and since then have gotten to know it as much more than a link directory, but it really is a community and Brian does such a great job in bringing us all together and allowing us to promote our blog posts.
Thanks for the awesome interview!
Morgan recently posted..How To Create Traditions For Your Social Peeps
Hi Morgan, thanks for the kind words, I’m glad you enjoyed the article! I’ve always tried hard to create a community environment for Blog Engage and we are lucky it’s happening and people are engaging. I look forward to another successful year building my online relationships and meeting new bloggers.
bbrian017 recently posted..Meet the $500 USD Feb 2012 Guest #Blogging #Contestants @blogengage
An excellent interview. I knew Brian for an year. But this helped me know more. I guess we all need to imitate Brian in his passion and devotion for blogging.

Jakes recently posted..Get extra $s from BlogEngage at this expensive romantic month
Hi Jakes, It’s been a pleasure meeting you and being your friend over the last year! Maybe someday we will be lucky and get to meet in real life!
bbrian017 recently posted..Win a Free Year Gold Membership from @weblogbetter
Brian makes the whole blogging experience so enjoyable. Since I joined Brian over there at blog engage just this year, I have built some awesome connections with those in the community.
Keep up the good work, Brian! I know I just joined recently, and I bet Brian worked so hard to make blog engage to where it is right now.
I saw this article and told myself to read it. Came also to show some support!
Samuel recently posted..How To Generate Comments Like Crazy!
Hi Sam, it’s been a pleasure meeting you and thanks for the kind words as you know it’s been a long road building the Blog Engage community and we still have so far to go. Many people still have no clue about us. I also wanted to say thanks for being a great member. You have engaged the community, joined our guest blogging contests and to me your a perfect example of how to use our community to benefit your blog.
bbrian017 recently posted..A Contest a Day 25 Free Gold Memberships To Give Away
Thanks Brian for your kind words. I have greatly been benefited by your community and will further give the good word out there as much as I can.
Samuel recently posted..How To Write A Good Article!
Great interview! Brian is a real leader in the industry!
Blog Engage is a wonderful community and resource for bloggers!
Stacy
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