This month we chat to Lynne Huysamen, online influencer, digital marketer, blogger, affiliate marketer and ‘mompreneur’ for the past decade. Her parenting website Kaboutjie.com originally started off as an online baby and toddler store, but she soon realised her love was in blogging. On her site, Lynne shares articles about parenting, family issues, health and more.

Describe yourself in three words.

Multi-tasking working mom.

Tell us a bit more about your journey as a Digital Marketing entrepreneur.

My business started off as an online baby clothing store, I supplied wholesale and retail. While learning about getting traffic and customers to my business I found out about blogging. I came to realise that I could make money in a variety of ways through blogging without selling products directly to customers. I closed my online store and changed my focus to blogging. It was an incredible change that gave me more flexibility and freedom. I’ve launched a number of websites over the years, at one stage managing six of my own websites, however, I’ve since scaled down and I’m only focusing on Kaboutjie.com moving forward. I’ve learned that managing multiple websites on my own is tough to handle.

What made you decide to start Kaboutjie.com?

I was working for myself doing bookkeeping for a number of small businesses, but when I became a mother I wanted something more fulfilling to earn an income. I couldn’t get the idea of an online business out of my head, so I went ahead with it and have not looked back.

What differentiates Kaboutjie.com from other parenting blogs/websites?

I’m not “instagrammable” and I don’t try to be. My focus is on being authentic and real, and to connect with other mothers. I love doing my monthly live video updates where I connect with my readers and share what’s been happening in the previous month. I love interacting during my live video and reading the comments from my viewers in real time.

How would you describe your content strategy i.e., how do you decide what topics to write about?

Having a content strategy is fantastic however, I honestly don’t have a content strategy at all. As a blogger, new topic ideas come to me on a daily basis, often inspired by things that have just happened in my life, and of course paid campaigns are constantly coming in that I need to focus on. A few years back I created a content strategy for that year and never looked at it because I was too busy creating content as things happened. I never bothered creating a content strategy again.

How has the digital transformation changed parenting communities and how parents access relevant information?

It has completely changed the ball game! When I became a mother for the first time in 2011 I got most of my parenting information from parenting books. Now anything and everything a mom wants to know is at your fingertips online. I struggled as a new mother. I was in a new town with a newborn baby, I had PND and I didn’t know anyone. It was very lonely. I struggled to meet other moms and make connections. Now there are online communities everywhere you look, from bloggers that have communities to Facebook groups for parents and every area. That loneliness is one of the reasons I started my blog, to have an outlet and to connect.

What are some of the biggest topics parents are engaging with currently?

Mental health, health, and well-being. I find that moms are always interested in finding ways to cope with everything they have to deal with on a daily basis.

The thing I love most about what I do is…

The flexibility and being able to integrate what is happening in my personal life with my work. It is so much fun and makes life easier.

Any advice for aspiring digital/affiliate marketers?

Don’t be afraid to get started, it can be scary and yes you will have to learn a lot, but it is so much fun and it can be very fulfilling. Learn about SEO and how to do things the right way. It will take time to build your blog, grow your audience, and start earning. It won’t happen overnight, but it is possible to do it. Be yourself and don’t try and do what other bloggers are doing. If you are authentic and real you will find your tribe of loyal readers. 

When I’m not working, I’m…

Doing what all other moms are doing! Spending time with my kids and my husband, helping them with homework, and doing household chores. I always find time to spend with my close friends. I also love being outdoors, hiking in nature and having a picnic.

CONNECT ONLINE

Website: https://kaboutjie.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnehuysamen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kaboutjie

Twitter: @Kaboutjie

Linkedin: Kaboutjie