This post was most recently updated on March 26th, 2014
I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Lesly Federici on her radio show on “U Smile Radio” recently.
I have known Lesly for a few years now. We went from blogging buddies to Google+ Hangouts and so on.
Lesly has done such wonderful work with her business.
Part of it is her radio show on U Smile Radio. Here she interviews people and shares their lives and passions to inspire her audience. She conducts guest promotions and offers resources for creative network marketing. Pretty cool!
In this interview, I mention how I got started in the blogging world, starting at the beginning with the development of my psychic practice. Then I give some tips on blogging and of course, social media. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy the show.
It was a fun and uplifting conversation, and I’m happy to share it with you here.
We covered so much information in 30 minutes. I invite you to return to hear it if you don’t have the time right now.
You’ll find out the WHY of what prompted me to start blogging, get some special nuggets of information about how an online newbie can get moving in the right direction, and other good stuff.
I’d love to hear what you think about my story, and about my interview with Lesly Federici.
Twitter: nkeriakos
April 10, 2013 at 12:48 am #
Hi Donna,
Great Interview Donna.
You sound so energetic and enthusiastic about what you do. I like how you started your journey from the psychic practice and built from there.
Loved all the tips that you shared here and all the inspirational messages at the end. It will sure help lots of newbies to find their way online.
You did a Great Job in the interview Donna. Nice to listen to you. Thanks for sharing it here for all of us to listen to it.
Be Blessed,
Neamat
Thank you Neamat.
I get all excited when I want to share something with people. One half hour flew by.
When I listened to myself, I said to myself “Oh my gosh! What a blabber mouth I am”
But once you get me talking, I just roll lol
Thanks for your kind words,
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..U Smile Radio Interview | Lesly Federici with Donna Merrill
Thank you for sharing your story, Donna. I hear some similarities in our adventures online. Lots of money paid out and very little returned back. A few successes here and there but mostly on a consistent basis when i found my own way in my own style.
I don’t know if this is the case with everyone, but I suspect it to be so in many cases. Hearing that someone has gone through this kind of ‘adventure” and come out in good standing on the other side can provide a lot of hope to a lot of people. 🙂
Michael Shook recently posted..How To Get Positive Thinking Tips
Thanks Michael,
Yes, I wanted to share my story, especially for Newbies. Lately there has been a large influx of newbies to the internet.
They can be quickly sold like we were way back in the beginning. I do want to give them a “real life” story and provide information for them so they don’t give up!
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..U Smile Radio Interview | Lesly Federici with Donna Merrill
Twitter: AdrienneSmith40
April 8, 2013 at 9:41 pm #
Sounds like you ladies had so much fun.
Donna you had so many golden nuggets for all those newbies. I hope that everyone will be able to take the time to listen to this. I love that you told them to go for it anyway and write what they learn. I don’t think the information can ever be written about too much. We all just learn differently that’s all.
So glad you were also open my friend to venturing and trying new things too because you’re able to share that with all your fabulous readers as well.
Loved all the tidbits that you shared here and as well as all the inspirational messages at the end.
Thank you for adding this awesome interview on your blog Donna and Lesly, you did a fabulous job.
~Adrienne
Adrienne recently posted..How To Easily Check For Broken CommentLuv Links
Thanks Adrienne!
We did have a lot of fun. I used to be on a Google Hangout with Lesly and all we did was laugh all the time.
I wanted to say so much in such little time to newbies. Yes, write what you learn because you are one up on the next guy that is coming in. As long as they are honest and passionate, they will grow.
Of course, I couldn’t resist those inspirational messages lol.
Thanks for listening in.
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..U Smile Radio Interview | Lesly Federici with Donna Merrill
Twitter: sylvianenuccio
April 8, 2013 at 9:15 pm #
Hi Donna,
I loved it. I like how you explained how you started your business and grew from there.
As you said you can enter the internet one way and end doing it another way. That’s me. That’s what I did. I started as a network marketer, than I switched to affiliate marketing, and now promoting my businesses through my blogs.
I love those radio interviews, and it’s so cool to hear someone you know being interviewed.
Great job!
Thank you Sylviane,
I think we all walk in one way and veer another due to our passions being unfolded to us.
The interview was fun, although it was quite long (30 minutes) when on, it felt like 10 minutes.
I talk a lot lol.
Thank you,
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..U Smile Radio Interview | Lesly Federici with Donna Merrill
Twitter: cheryschmidt
April 8, 2013 at 6:28 pm #
HI Donna,
I love the idea of Lesly’s radio show, she has had a few speakers that I have wanted to hear in the past but missed! What an honor to be on her show, this was AWESOME!!
Blogging and social media are great topics to cover. You two have talked about so many important things.. I do agree with you about how your blog is your home where you can share about what you are passionate about. Writing to that little person (Great Advice) Your avatar!! I love how you share your views on shiny objects! I believe we all start there, there is so much information online so it is important to know who you are looking to connect with on your blog and social media!
Connecting and engaging in the conversation is what social media is all about, this is why it is called “Social” I cannot believe the people who don’t get this. Yeppers making fun and having fun is what it is all about..
Thanks for sharing your show with us, I loved It..
Chery 🙂
You ladies sound great Donna. I like how you pointed out how social media can suck up your time and the importance of limiting your time on these platforms. I have learned to close out the FB tab the pings for messages was pulling me away and it would be nothing.
Lydia Brown recently posted..How to Stop Shiny Object Syndrome
Hi Lydia,
Oh I hate those FB pop ups! Especially the ones from people you don’t know well that you know darn well they are going to sell you something.
To keep yourself from falling into the social media trap, we must take control of our time.
Thanks for visiting,
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..U Smile Radio Interview | Lesly Federici with Donna Merrill
Hi Donna!
Loved the interview and the tips you shared are golden. Especially the one about controlling how much time you engage in social media and commenting. I get so caught up in it that the next thing I know I’ve lost control of my schedule and I have to hustle to catch up!
Thank you for sharing and for looking out for us newbies! I for one am lucky to have made a connection with you. I love how genuine you are! 🙂
Corina Ramos recently posted..Start A Home-based Beauty Salon
Awww Thank you Corina!
Yes, you need to control how much time you are engaging in social media and commenting. Start by making a time slot for yourself on your commenting. Then take a few minutes 2 or 3 times a day to hit your social sites.
Otherwise, one thing will lead to another and you become a victim of circumstances.
Be well,
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..U Smile Radio Interview | Lesly Federici with Donna Merrill
hi Donna,
How wonderful you and Lesly have become such good friends through blogging and Google Hang-outs.
I totally agree with your comments about newbies – I remember well not realizing that I would be sold so many ways. I spent a fortune before I got that one!! However, so many of the programs I bought did help me find my way.
Sometimes having a plan without understanding what is out there is difficult. It is like the chicken and egg deal – where do you start?
Just keep it to a couple of skills at a time. Master one before moving on. Easier said than done!!
Best wishes
Clare
Clare recently posted..Network Marketing Success: How to Professionally Invite Someone?
Hi Clare,
Yes, when I came in I spent loads of money also. But I think the “newbies” now are getting more savvy. There is more information out there than when we started. Hopefully they can catch on.
I do not regret spending the cash because I sure learned a lot! To me, it was well worth it.
You are correct when saying just keep it to a couple of skills at a time. Master one before you move on….And that takes discipline!
Thanks for stopping by,
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..U Smile Radio Interview | Lesly Federici with Donna Merrill
Twitter: MayuraDeSilva
April 7, 2013 at 6:00 pm #
Hey D.O.N.N.A,
Now this is something new and congratulations dear 🙂 Really love to hear you in a radio interview and I loved the series of videos you did earlier with your dear hubby too 🙂
So it was 7 minutes quickies for $10, eh? 😉 Now blogging and socializing while inspiring others online.
Your life is a lesson itself 🙂 Actually I can’t recall some details you told us there and of course, they are new for me. I’m really glad to know more about yourself Donna ~ The Donna Begins 😉
I have no doubt about your activity on Social Media 🙂 Actually you know how to engage and build connections on ’em. You always tend to comment on posts of others and start interaction 🙂 Finally I’m glad you start touching Twitter and you are right, Twitter is getting bigger and better. I love engagement there too 🙂
Wish you all the very best for upcoming project Donna 🙂 I know you will rock it.
Have an @wesome week ahead 🙂 BTW it’s already here 😀 lol…
Cheers…
Mayura recently posted..Review Marketing Efforts on Your Website with Marketing Grader
He He…The Donna Begins…That’s a good one Mayura!
Glad you enjoyed it. Yes, I’m still a newbie with Twitter, but thanks to our good friend Adrienne Smith, I’m on Triberr now.
I’m on a mastermind group with her each week. Although I was so resistant using Twitter, Adrienne made it easy for me to do.
Yes, I do believe Twitter is getting bigger, so I had to jump on it.
Thanks so much,
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..U Smile Radio Interview | Lesly Federici with Donna Merrill
Twitter: usmile
April 7, 2013 at 8:17 am #
Ah my dear friend… thank you for posting this. You have so much to share with others that 30 minutes just didn’t give you justice! Yet 30 minutes is just enough time for the listener – such short attention spans these days. I plan on having you back too to talk more about what you’re doing and have created… 🙂 thank you so much. Much love to you…
Lesly Federici recently posted..How Well Do You Know Your Immune System
Thanks Lesly,
It was so much fun connecting with you again. I remember how much fun we had on our Google+ Hangouts…
When I listened to the recording, I just SMH…”what a blabber mouth” I am!
But those 30 minutes went by so quickly and yes, I would enjoy coming back my friend.
Love to you,
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..U Smile Radio Interview | Lesly Federici with Donna Merrill
Twitter: harleenas
April 7, 2013 at 6:02 am #
Hi Donna,
Congratulations indeed! What a pleasure hearing you on radio 🙂
It was lovely hearing how you started right from your psychic practice and to the blogging journey, and where you have reached today. You’ve surely done so wonderfully for yourself, and are some people look up to as you help them help themselves, which is what we all need.
I agree, Pinterest is addictive and if it doesn’t suit us or takes too much of our time, we need to concentrate more on what works for us. Twitter and Facebook, as you mentioned should be used not only for tweeting other peoples post only, but starting off a conversation – making connections and building relationships. Even Triberr, like you, I don’t like those automated tweets and prefer going through manually and perhaps adding a comment there or visiting new people at their blogs – it’s surely a great place to make new friends 🙂
Oh yes…you know I would vouch for whole and meaningful comments, instead of those 1-2 liner comments. But sometimes no matter how much you try – people won’t listen, nor do they come with a Gravatar, though that’s beginning to change a bit now.
Loved your tips at the end for newbies too – ah…a nice and wholesome interview indeed, something that all newbies and ‘oldies’ would love – Thanks so much for sharing these with us. Have a lovely weekend 🙂
Harleena Singh recently posted..10 Stress Headache Relief Techniques That Work
Thank you Harleena.
I am glad you enjoyed my “story” of how I started my journey on the internet.
Oh yes, I did have to shave down some of my social sites because it was taking too much of my time. I found my target audience was on FB, Google+ and then I was introduced to Twitter and Triberr By Adrienne Smith a few months back.
I never payed much attention to Twitter, but since Adrienne introduced me to the technique used, especially from Triberr…I am enjoying it so much!
As for comments…well you know the deal on that!
Thanks for your awesome comment!
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..U Smile Radio Interview | Lesly Federici with Donna Merrill
Twitter: learn_to_blog
April 7, 2013 at 5:58 am #
Brilliant interview, Donna. I was interviewed for the first time recently and someone asked why I had been doing my online work for so long, how had I kept going. My answer was the same as yours, I love what I do and if I don’t love something I stop doing it.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
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Hi Mandy,
Isn’t it a wonderful thing to do what we love? I am so grateful that I can. If there is something that doesn’t fit, I just walk away.
Oh yes I am enjoying the journey!
Be blessed,
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..U Smile Radio Interview | Lesly Federici with Donna Merrill
Hey Donna,
I missed you and Lesly live.. but now you shared the recording here and voila’ I felt better haha 🙂
So much to learn about you. It is amazing that since we start to know each others on the net, we never could imagine that we would grow to get comfortable to be ourselves doing what we love.
Listening you on the radio interview, sure show your great experience to be who you are and succeed and knowing that you are able to help so many people who truly need help… that is a giving and love it.
Your knowledge is immense… hope I can get to learn more as we move forward on this journey.
Thanks so much for making it easy to do what you love.
All the best in all you love..
nickc
nick catricala recently posted..“Article Title: No Sales Pitch Please”
Hi Nick,
I always love your sweet comments! Thank You. It is great to meet and get to know more about you too. You bring so much wisdom when you share your life on your blog posts.
Lesly and I had so much fun doing this.
I’m sure as we move forward, we will learn more about one another. This is the best part of blogging for me!
– Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..U Smile Radio Interview | Lesly Federici with Donna Merrill