INTERVIEW
Lisa Reddell
August 30th, 2006
It is my pleasure to introduce Lisa Reddell to you through The Adland Interviews. Lisa’s enthusiasm and writing experience is going to help expand The Adland Interviews into bold new places. I am very happy to have her on the team and I look forward to the wonderful work she will be doing with TheWriteTimes.com Adland Interviews Series. Without Further Ado….Lisa Reddell!
TWT: Are you currently working from home at all?
LR: Yes, I am. I own and operate Reddell Marketing, and publish a network marketing online newsletter called The Left Handed Times.
TWT: What was the driving force that led you to investigate working from home?
LR: Plain and simple... my kids. I wanted to be around before school to say "I love you" and "Have a nice day"; and home after school to see how their day went, make sure they get a snack and get their homework done. Although it has been a financial hardship, it has, and continues to be well worth the sacrifices.
TWT: Do you work outside the home as well, I mean, what is your day job?
LR: Well, I actually do work outside the home. I work part time at a place called Bite Me BBQ. We sell mouthwatering smoked BBQ meats - Yummy! It's funny, I come home and the kids tell me I smell good (because of the smoked meat smell - UGH).
TWT: Okay, you are making me hungry. BBQ is my favorite food! Do you plan to eventually replace your day job with work from home, or do you plan to keep working?
LR: I probably will continue to work outside the home on a part time basis. It helps keep my sanity - LOL!
TWT: Tell me about it! I actually have a “part timer” job just to get out of the “home office”! Let’s talk a little about your family and that happy smiling picture on your profile. Are you married? Have any children?
LR: Yes! I'm married. My hubby's name is Jerry and although we've been together 20 years now, we will celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary in October. We have three sons: LJ, who is 25; Elliott, who is 16, and Austin, who is 12. My "happy smiling picture" on my profile was taken at a family get together at my parent’s home. I've been teased for years that I have a "Jimmy Carter smile" (see Lisa roll her eyes).
TWT: I love to “hear the happy”! Your enthusiasm, for everything, is contagious. I am sure that this crosses over in to The Left Handed Times. What about The Left Handed Times most excites you?
LR: Creating a newsletter gets my creative juices flowing and that excites me!
TWT: What is your favorite part of publishing The Left Handed Times?
LR: That's an easy one! Writing! My passion is writing, and with The Left Handed Times, I get to follow my passion.
TWT: What is your least favorite The Left Handed Times aspect, if there is one?
LR: UGH - that would be managing my list. With 7500+ readers, it can be a lot of work, at times.
TWT: I imagine that the list will grow now that you are getting back going. Do you use print advertising (ads in papers, magazines, periodicals) and do you find it productive?
LR: Although I know that utilizing print advertising can be very productive, I also know that it can be expensive. I've not ever used it... and there is a method to my madness. I've built my online presence over the past 8 years, without print advertising. Firstly it has not been in my budget. Secondly, I want to show people that you can build a great online presence without print advertising.
TWT: Are there any other sources of advertising or promotion that you find particularly useful?
LR: For me, the top-of-the-line sources of advertising/promotion is...drum roll please...word of mouth. If one provides a great service or a terrific product, the news will travel...by word of mouth. I also utilize safe-lists, down-line builders and online newsletters.
TWT: How do you feel that Adland helps you in your profession?
LR: Adland has offered a whole new group of people who are interested in what I have to say, which of course leads to more readers, and more friends I can teach.
TWT: How long have you been a member of the Adland community?
LR: I joined our community two and a half years ago. Then I forgot about it. The growth I've seen since I joined has been absolutely staggering. It was really foolish of me not to get involved with our fantabulous community sooner!
TWT: Your Interactive Newsletter, AdlandPro Technical How-To’s and Scam Alert forums are awesome. What gave you the idea for those?
LR: Thank you Melissa! Well, the interactive newsletter can about from a suggestion of a fellow Adlander. Technical How To's dawned on me because of requests of help from other Adlanders. Last but certainly not least, Scam Alert was born because of the huge amount of scams there are out there in Cyberspace. I know that are many, many new people coming into our community every month. Many of those folks are new to the online experience, and may not have the knowledge they need to avoid being scammed. It is my greatest desire to help folks, and with these three forums, I hope I am doing just that.
TWT: Tell me how you use the Adland community features and have you found support, friends, relationships here?
LR: I use the community features for a number of things; for instance, I use the forums to keep up on the hot biz opps; to keep in touch with business associates; and for information. I have found outstanding support here in our community. It has been wonderful! I've made some super duper friends and have also built lasting relationships. I truly love this community!
TWT: Where do you see yourself in five years?
LR: Well, in five years, my youngest son will be a junior in high school and my now 16 year old will be out of the high school scene and almost out of college. And me? Even though I've taken breaks here and there from the online scene, I'll still be writing and marketing. Old habits die hard, don't you think? LOL!
TWT: Usually the “goal” question is always last, but you get a special last question, Lisa…
Are you excited about being a part of The Adland Interviews?
LR: Excited? Excited doesn't even describe how I'm feeling. More like ecstatic! I am so pleased and honored to have been asked for an interview. Thank you so much Melissa! I am humbled :)