Halil: Send me a few notes on your backround: name, age, where you`re from, etc....


merkal2005: My name is Mert. I am 33 years old, from Istanbul, Turkey. My profession is Sales & Marketing (Even though i am a ship engineer)I am working for Maersk Line Turkey (www.maerskline.com)


Halil: When did you had the idea to start blogging ?


merkal2005: 2006 December. I was surfing the web and found problogger.net.


Halil: Where did you get your daily inspiration
from to blog?

merkal2005: From my life, my friends, colleagues, my family, the lovely Istanbul city, Bosphorus


Halil: Are there a special kind of reader who are reading your blog?

merkal2005: Yes, there are a lot of readers who are interested in Istanbul. I am trying to provide them as much knowledge as possible to feed them.


Halil: How much time do you spend on blogging?

merkal2005: I spend nearly 2 hours everyday. Actually i am working full time. But if you spend your time efficiently, you create time for posting even in the office hours.


Halil: How do you generate traffic?

merkal2005: I log on to mybloglog, spicy and digg almost everyday. I keep track of my traffic using mybloglog and google analytics. I am trying to write pillars and send them to top bloggers.


Halil: Do you use any toolbars? Which ones and why?

merkal2005: I use PayPerPost, Stumble, Digg, some other Firefox extensions. I am using them because it saves my time. In stead of typing URL s, i just click on one button.


Halil: Do you want to say something to other blogger?

merkal2005: Last year i joined EurAsia marathon in Istanbul. I must say that blogging and being successful at it is very similar to running a marathon. It is not a 100 metres run. So there is no benefit in starting fast. On the contrary, finishing is more important in this game. No matter what obstacles are there, don't stop, keep running, pardon keep blogging! Think out of box, be creative and innovative, discover your purple cow inside you :)

And if you are interested in Istanbul, please come and visit my blog, question me. Your wish is my command :)