Here we are on week two of this series with a great blogger who I have just found out about a few weeks back. Her name is Liane, and she has a really great commitment to her great blog.
As a matter of fact, she has been writing on the same blog for two years now. That is the longest commitment to a blog that I have seen from someone under 18 yet, and I jumped at the chance to get an interview from her!
Luckily she was able to answer the questions for this post quickly and filled her answers with great information (especially question #8). Enjoy!
1. To start off, can you tell us about yourself and your blog?
My name is Liane and I run Better Blogging for Bloggers Dot Com.
I’m currently 17 years old, a freshman collage student at a premier university (see, blogging and school are compatible). Just celebrated my birthday recently and as you can see, I’m still alive and blogging. Kidding. I’m a blogging guru and a pro writer.
2. What got you started in blogging at such a young age?
It was mostly curiosity. Someone just told me about it, I had no idea what that guy (which is a friend of mine) is talking about so I ended up Googling everything. The rest, as they say, is history.
3. Do you have more than just a blog? If so, tell us about it.
I only run one blog (Better Blogging for Bloggers Dot Com). But I’m open to blog consultations and content creation/contribution. Back then, I used to work for designing projects but it was cut-off since I’m without a laptop as of now (I hope to buy one within the next month).
4. In about a paragraph, what would you say your blog means to you?
That’s a tough one. Well, as time grew, I can say my blog is almost like my virtual hub, a place so close to me that I can’t resist not checking it at least once every 24 hours. It is like… an extension of myself.
5. How do people react to your age on your blog?
Haha. I like this question. I never fail to get a “wow, you’re so young to be so good” (or something along the lines) every once in a while. People are usually surprised, especially the older ones who have been around for ages here in the net. It’s cool. I mean, I get to prove that “age doesn’t matter” and you can succeed as long as you believe you can. The best part, I get to say “if I can do it, what more can you?”
6. What limitations do you face as a blogger under 18?
A lot. But I can say my limitations have been lessened as time passed by. Back at 15 years old was the real tough times. If I get to face the computer for more than 3 hours without any homework whatsoever, they [my parents] wonders what I’m up to – again! Financially, was the real issue. The first time I went to PayPal, I was really sweating. I didn’t have a clue of what I’m supposed to do, and I’m dead scared if there will be fees for creating an account. Haha. Memorable times.
7. Are your parents aware of your blog? If so, what do they think of it and what impact do they have on it?
Yes, they aware of it. But only as much as I want them to be. Good thing they’re not over lookers. I don’t get any support but I’m not discouraged as well. So I was just fine by myself. There was that time though when I said I wanted to buy my own domain. I was so nervous, I didn’t know how to properly explain. In the end, I realized I could buy the domain with just my PayPal money. Haha. Geez. If I had known sooner it could have saved a lot of unnecessary talks.
I tried to explain blogging though once, I think they got a vague idea. I settled to the explanation that “I write online”. They’re more comfortable with that one. Lol.
8. What are the advantages of blogging young that “older” bloggers don’t have?
On the serious aspect, I think our main advantage is that we don’t feel a certain “need” to do this. Most bloggers turned to blogging as their substitute to earn their daily living. Unlike them, there’s no need for us to rush things in order to make money online. Sometimes, I just treat blogging like my daily Facebook blog. Majority of the older bloggers’ target is to really earn, and we can’t blame them. We still have our allowances in the first place 
Our generation are the hardcore “techies” so I think we have more skills in handling the technical stuffs. For example, I did my own blog theme, like how many kids now know their way around Photoshop. Most older bloggers just buy their own since they have little clue on how to build one from scratch. We’re good at those kinds of stuffs.
Also, we learn fast too, good and friendly communication skills (thanks to Facebook) and are easily loved because we show respect to the older ones. Plus, they usually are a lot kinder when talking to us young ones.
Best of all, we know to have fun!
9. What is your biggest accomplishment as a young blogger? What kind of things do you see yourself doing by next year? How about 3 years?
My biggest accomplishment? My success in blogging I believe. I’ve been running a great blog and people turn to it for advice. It’s so good to get that feeling of helping others, even at a young age.
I can see myself probably running a small blogging company within the next three years. I’m trying to learn internet marketing right now and hopefully, I’ll be successful in it too within the coming years.
10. What is your one best piece of advice for those under the age of 18 who are looking to start their own blog?
The best piece of advice? Go ahead, blog and have fun! Blogging is great, it enhances a lot of skills and enriches you as a person. Don’t be afraid to try new things, the online community is so full of opportunities.
Lastly, don’t get discouraged by your age. The young bloggers group are actually coming as strong competitors in different niches right now! Just believe in yourself, if we can, then so can you!
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Awesome interview! I always love learning from people more successful than myself. Some really inspirational answers here. Thanks for sharing Liane.
Good luck with your continuing success.
.-= Corey Freeman´s last blog ..The Easy Way to Annoy the Hell Out of Readers =-.
Thanks Corey! Young bloggers like you also inspires me a lot
.-= Liane YoungBlogger´s last blog ..Blogging Odds: Seize Success by Conquering Them All Right This Very Moment =-.
Regarding #8, that’s the best answer I’ve ever seen to that question! You’re absolutely right, young people are in it to have fun. You don’t see any young people promoting get-rich-quick-schemes because they don’t need to. They’d rather do things right. This will ultimately make them more successful than their craggly counterparts.
Great interview, Alex and Liane. I really enjoyed it!
.-= Nick Tart | JuniorBiz´s last blog ..Learn How to Spell ‘Entrepreneurship’ Once and For All =-.
Wow Alex. This interview looks better than what I thought it was when I handed (mailed
) them to you.Thank you for the opportunity! I’m feeling absolutely great right now. Thanks also to Corey and Nick! My best wishes to all of you guys 
.-= Liane´s last blog ..Blogging Odds: Seize Success by Conquering Them All Right This Very Moment =-.
I had to explain a lot to my parents for domain registering, as they are not tech-savy !
I created HellBound Bloggers when I was 17 !
And I really like the 2nd Question. This one is close to my heart and it is same as mine.. cheers !
.-= S.Pradeep Kumar´s last blog ..List Of Cool Blogs To Write Guest Articles =-.
Amazing! Just goes to show that age doesn’t matter in blogging. Reading interviews such as this makes me more inspired to work harder and better in my blogging endeavors. Kudos to you Alex and also to Liane.
Sweet interview. I just recently came across Liane’s blog and she is a great writer.
It’s rare you find somebody who has been so consistent with their blog for as long as she has.
very cool interview. I have been a fan of Liane for many months now. Liane, I love your passion for blogging, it is contagious!
Alex, I like what you are doing here with your new blog…
.-= Tycoon Blogger´s last blog ..Monetize Your Blogroll – Do you? =-.
Nice interview..Hope we can be the new generation of a dot com mogul!
.-= fazreen´s last blog ..Killer List Of Blogging Article =-.
Can’t state enough how important the entrepreneurial spirit is.
Curious if anyone has caught this book yet? “The Richest Man in Town” by W Randall Jones. I’ve read half of it so far and let me tell you it is well worth it. Would like to hear what everyone else thought of it?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0446537837?ie=UTF8&tag=richestmanint-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0446537837
This is a great interview and it couldnt come at a better time. i was a close follower of Liane’s blog and had learnt a lot abt blogging that helped me start my travel blog.
Thanks!
ZQ
PassportChop.com
.-= ZQ @ Travel Blog´s last blog ..Unusual Hotels: Sleeping in a Jumbo 747 Jet =-.
Liane has a wonderful site and I visit it every week, the posts are always a great read and the information is top notch. This was a great interview and wish Liane the very best success in the future to come.
.-= George Serradinho´s last blog ..Serious Monthly Roundup – July 2009 =-.
Awesome Interview. Pretty much motivating !
.-= Enk.´s last blog ..40+ Awesome Mac Workspaces =-.
I’d wished I had got started at a much younger age, of course the internet was not around when I was that age:)
.-= Hubtonomy´s last blog ..How To Determine If A Niche Is Profitable =-.
Hi Alex, first I discovered http://www.blogussion.com through a guest post Seth did on ProBlogger and I must admit your work is very impressive for a teenager, I’m already hooked on Blogussion, after browsing around I then discovered that you’re actually a serial blogger with Asnio as well. On reading this interview I then checked out Liane’s blog and decided to give her blog critic report a go, what an educational feedback I’ve received from her. I’m already working on the shortcomings that she addressed and hope to establish a long term relationship with her for my South African readers to be educated as well.
.-= Muzi Mohale ´s last blog ..Nominations opens for HICA Awards 2009 =-.
Congratulations to young bloggers and entrepreneurs. You guys are doing great. How I wish I have start blogging when I was 13 years old. I am 28 but still I consider myself a young entrepreneur since I have not reached my 30th age.
Very good! I’m impressed too, that such a young person would see the value in blogging and doing it continuously for over 2 years.
If only my nieces would listen to me! I keep telling them to start a website now, and in 10 years… who knows what will become of it. But they’re not interested in looking 10 years into the future! I guess neither was I when I was their ages!
.-= New Homes Blog´s last blog ..Cash for Clunker Appliances =-.
Great answer to #8. That’s so true, I think we can enjoy it a bit more than people who have to blog to make a living. Also, there isn’t really the pressure of ‘I have to write a post today even if I have writers block’.
.-= Tanay | TJDzine´s last blog ..Web Design Trends: Mascots – Examples, Tips and Tutorials =-.
This article shows that blogging is not rocket science. We have to work hard in the right direction to make money through blog. Thanks Liane.
my comment is the same with others which is ‘wow, you’re so young to be so good’
.-= Jage´s last blog ..i-Mobile TV630, Handphone With TV Tuner =-.
Nice blog, Thank You for these advice.
Great interviews. I´m looking forward to read more interviews about young blogger because i am only 21 years old, too. It is nice to see how other young blogger act and react.
Best regards,
Volksphone!
.-= Volksphone´s last blog ..Usability-Schnelltest für die eigene Firmenwebsite =-.
hreat story – I personally get a lot of motivation out of what you youngsters can achieve – i WISH id started at your age – congratulations.
.-= Alex @ Storm Shadow Costumes´s last blog ..Childs Storm Shadow Costumes =-.
Great interesting interview.
Looks like your doing quite well on the interviews part.
Looking forward to see more interviews on young bloggers. Always great to know something about young bloggers.
.-= Teen Blogger´s last blog ..Top 5 Critical Mistakes Bloggers Make =-.
I’m only 15 years old.. feel free to visit my blog and tell me what you think of it, okay??? http://www.unzipped-to-humanity.blogspot.com
Great interview, I know Lian from the Famous Bloggers Club, she is pretty cool blogger!
.-= Hesham @ FamousBloggers´s last blog ..Blogging For Money – Beginners Guide #2 =-.
sweet and mind blowing interview , kudos to all of you
reading such kinda story really inspires me , hope you bright future
happy blogging ^_^
.-= Ajinkya´s last blog ..New Year 2010 funny trick =-.
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