Interview with a Personal Finance Blogger- Suresh from MyInvestmentIdeas.com

In our Blogger Interviews series, today we are publishing an interview with a leading personal finance blogger from India- Mr.Suresh from MyInvestmentIdeas.com. Suresh started this blog in the year 2012 as a side project to follow his passion- personal finance and today this blog has really ballooned and has become one of the top 10 personal finance blogs in India.

Let us get to know about his journey, hardships he faced on the way and his overall journey in the world of blogging. So let's get straight to the point.

Suresh, how did it all start?
I have always been passionate about analysing stock markets for the past 15 years. I used to recommend several stock market strategies with my friends earlier. At a time I felt such knowledge should be shared to a wider audience along with earning some money. This is when Myinvestmentideas.com blog been created in 2012.



Were you clear from day one that you will be making money from your blog? If yes, how did you plan out all the things?
The straight answer was NO. While I was writing articles, I was trying to see if I can make money. It took almost 6 months for me to start making some bucks from such blog.

You started the blog as a side project along with your full-time job. How did you manage to take out time to work on your blog? Any advice to people who want to start a blog as a side project along with their full-time jobs?

As indicated earlier, I was passionate about analysing stock markets and mutual funds. I do 9-6 job in finance segment and that too on number crunching. There was always pressure in such division. I dedicate a few hours in the evening and weekend on the blog. Yes, it is tuff to manage between 9-6 job and blog.

What are the ways you use to monetise your blog? Which is the one that has worked the best for you?
There are various ways to monetise your blog. One need to try and test which is suitable to them. I have tried Google Adsense, Direct banner advertising, Sponsored posts with both pros and cons, affiliate marketing etc., Out of these only Adsense and direct banner advertising are the best ones. However one need to test what suits for their blog with minimum negative impact to readers.

What are the things that have changed in the 'personal finance' niche from 2012 till now? Has this niche become saturated with too many entrants?
Personal finance needs in-dept knowledge about the subject i.e. it could be investments, finance planning, insurance etc., There were few entrances till 2015. Currently it is flooded with blogs, websites, forums, Facebook forums etc.,

You also started a website AllBusinessIdeas.com dedicated to small business ideas but it did not work out well. What were your learning's from the same?
Like I indicated earlier, one has to keep testing what works well and what do not work for them. My knowledge was mainly in stock market analysis and personal finance section. However, we started business ideas too as second blog. It could not run as expected.

How is your typical day like? How much time do you dedicate everyday for blogging & related activities?

I spend my evening + weekend on blog. Typically I spend 1-2 hours daily and 8-16 hours over the weekend.

What are your future plans to take MyInvestmentIdeas to the next level? Any plans of entering into advisory and financial planning services?
There are few plans in place. We want to introduce Robo investment services, Automated financial planning etc., However, this would take some time considering the money and effort involved in designing such unique services.

What would be your advice to someone who intends to start their own blog?
I have few suggestions. 1) One should start a blog in their niche / subject which they are passionate about it. 2) One should start the blog/website considering the pain areas involved in this. It could be spending 2-3 hours a day or spending 8-16 hours over weekend, technical challenges etc., 3) Don't start blog thinking you can make money in just 1-2 months. Assume you would not get any money for next 5-6 months. 4) You need to be patient. Don't think in just 3-6 months you can become one of the top blogs in your niche. It may or may not be possible. If you are ready to take all these challenges, you can start the blog right away.

We thank Suresh for taking out time from his busy schedule to respond to our interview. For more inspiring interviews, stay tuned and check out other posts in our 'Blogger Interviews' section.