Shirgie in South Korea

About Yourself

Name: Shirgie Fulgencio
Url Address: saranghaekorea (.) com and shirgie-story (.) blogspot (.) com
Twitter: serjz08
FB: serjz101
IG: (@)malditongserjz
pinterest: (@)malditongserjz

plurk: eigrihs
Philosophy in life: It sounds cliché, but Happiness is a choice. Always choose to be happy no matter what because good things in life come after you decide for yourself to live a happy lifestyle.

Tell us something random about yourself.

I am a big procrastinator. I am always reprimanded with my tardiness. I am a frustrated singer and dancer. I am a loser.

However, I don’t allow my issues in life to hinder me in taking a journey that would make me become a better person. After all, in my book, I am an optimistic person, I am awesome and I am the best and that’s what really matters.

About your Blog

1. How, When and Why did you get into the blogging industry?

I was blogging since college (year 2003). As a teenager, I was looking for an outlet to speak out my mind and I found blogging as a perfect venue. I started a personal blog where I wrote all my complaints in life, in school and even voicing out my hate to my teachers. But when I read back that blog I made when I was in college, I felt bad because I realized how negative I was as a person. So I deleted it and started a new blog that provides useful information to the readers. I always feel great every time somebody appreciates my writing and there’s a different kind of fulfillment to blogging, so I decided to take it seriously and proclaimed myself as a blogger.

2. How you came up with the name for it?
I named my personal blog “Provoked Thoughts”. I need some provoking elements to inspire me to write. I will not write unless I find the topic interesting, intriguing and helpful. All articles in my personal blog, may it be all about travels, book review, food review, movie review and opinion were written as a result of my provoked mind.

My second baby, I named it “Saranghae Korea”. For the past few years, I put all my focus on this second blog because it helps a lot of people who want to work, live and visit South Korea. The name means “I Love Korea” and I created this when I started working in South Korea.

3. Do you blog for a job full time? What else do you do aside from blogging?

No, blogging is just a hobby for me. I don’t do it full time. I only blog when I have time and enough energy to write interesting stories about Korea. I am working as a Factory Worker and I put all my time on my daytime job.

4. Did you choose to start blogging directly about your chosen niche or
because you just saw a good way to make money from blogging?

I considered the niche first before anything else. It is important for me to select a niche to which I could relate because it’s the lifeline of my blogging journey. I should be interested in the topic to sustain my passion. Later on, I think of the way on how to make money on my chosen niche.

5. How much time do you spend on work related to your blog(s) each week?

About 10 hours per week. That includes writing new articles, answering comments on my blog and marketing my blog to different social media platforms.

6. What do you find to be your biggest struggle as a blogger?

I guess procrastination. I find it hard to start a new article sometimes and it lessens my productivity.

7. How does blogging help you, in terms of life and career?

Somehow, I met new friends because of my blog. I also felt a different kind of fulfillment especially if people tell me they love my blog because it’s informative and helpful. It also earns me credibility and it makes me a better influence to my readers.

8. How did you get to where you are now with your blog(s)? To what do you
attribute your success? And what is the next goal you hope to achieve?

I guess I just write sincerely. I write based on experience and observation. For whatever level of success that my blog achieves right now, I think it’s all because I provide the information that people need to know. I have a lot of plans on my mind right now but it’s purely for business purposes. Maybe if I already established my blog and gain more readers, I can think of any other ways to monetize it and earn from it.

9. Where do you see your blog(s) and yourself in 5 years?

5 years from now, I should have a new blog with different niche. Managing at least 3 blogs is not bad at all and I hope I could spend more time on blogging since that is where I am passionate about.

10. One of the hardest things for beginner bloggers is getting traffic.
What tips can you give bloggers to drive traffic to a new blog?

Start with sharing it to your family and friends. Create a blog that you know you could be proud of so you have the confidence to market it. Marketing is really the key here. And of course, always remember that content is the King. You must have a good content so that you can share it to public without hesitation. Also, choose a niche that not only you can relate. Make sure that your niche has market. Social Media can greatly help you start gaining traffic, so it is important to establish an online credibility.

11. What advice would you give to new bloggers wanting to start blogging?

Before you blog, decide for yourself that you would be passionate about it. There should be a burning passion and not just because you want to join in the bandwagon. Start by identifying your reasons why you blog, this will inspire you. Your purpose will be your guiding light to start up your blog.

12. Describe your blog in 10 words.

A blog with heart to provide useful and right information.

A multi-award-winning blogger and advocate for OFWs and investment literacy; recipient of the Mass Media Advocacy Award, Philippine Expat Blog Award, and Most Outstanding Balikbayan Award. Her first book, The Global Filipino Bloggers OFW Edition, was launched at the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait. A certified Registered Financial Planner of the Philippines specializing in the Stock Market. A recognized author of the National Book Development Board of the Philippines. Co-founder of Teachers Specialist Organization in Kuwait (TSOK) and Filipino Bloggers in Kuwait (FBK). An international member of writing and poetry. Published more than 10 books.  Read more: About DiaryNiGracia

diarynigracia.com