Interview with Paresh Gujarati, Young blogger and Mechanical engineer

I approached Paresh Gujarati, who is an engineer cum blogger. The interview is for those who cannot manage to get time for blogging. I am hoping that this Interview will be great inspiration for beginners.

You have been a well known blogger and an inspiration to many other new bloggers. Can you please tell us about yourself?

I am Paresh Gujarati and currently doing PhD in NIT-Surat. I have completed M. Tech from same college in 2009. I am a simple person who always want to help other. I believe in simple living. I love to do blogging and help others via my blog articles.

How old are you? How many years have you been blogging? How many blogs you have? Do any family members help you in blogging?

I am 28 years old and I have started blogging seriously from last two years. I never think of earning money via blogging. In my family only my elder brother knows that I am doing blogging activities when I get free time after my studies. He always supports me in my blogging work.

How did you come to know about blogging/How was your beginning in the blogging?/Tell about your first blog.

In July 2009, I accidentally reached to ISC (Indiastudychannel.com) via Google search, when I was searching for interview questions for companies. During those days I used to do preparation about job interviews. Actually I was looking for the job after my M. Tech in 2009. When I learnt how one could earn through knowledge sharing at ISC, I realized that one can earn actually on internet via sharing knowledge and by Google AdSense.

Before 2009, I was looking for online job but did not join any due to scams or fake jobs. I used to contribute mainly to ISC and in those days, I used to write very short articles but day by day my writing got improved and then I got enough confidence to start my first blog (http://www.mechanicalduniya.com) on blogger platform. It is about helping Mechanical Engineering students. Initially I did not know much about blogging but by experience in ISC and other sites, I learnt some SEO, HTML and other aspects which were necessary for every blogger.

What makes your blog interesting to your current readers?/What made your blog popular?

My first blog (http://www.mechanicalduniya.com) is all about Mechanical Engineering and related stuffs. I normally used to write such content which are rarely available in internet. I give tips on final year projects in mechanical engineering as well as topics based on which students do their project works. Due to large number of colleges in India and over the world, mechanical engineering field which is evergreen will give more students or visitors to my blog.

What is your background in the niche you are blogging?/Are you a technical person/why did you choose this niche?

Actually I am Mechanical Engineer and have done B.E. in 2006, M. Tech. in 2009 and currently doing PhD in NIT-Surat. So, I have sufficient knowledge about Mechanical Engineering and related field. Because of more number of mechanical students all over India and world, I thought that blog about Mechanical Engineering will give more visits as well as chance to help others.

What do you do in order to keep up with latest tools and technologies/Which websites your browse regularly?/What is your source of up to date knowledge?

Actually being a student, I am still reading Mechanical engineering books and attend expert lectures that always increase my knowledge about Mechanical Engineering. I normally learn from NPTEL video lectures (http://nptel-videos.blogspot.in/) which are lectures delivered by IIT faculties.

What are the technology websites and blogs you are associated with/How many blogs you have/do you write articles in other sites?

Currently I contribute to techulator.com, Indiastudychannel.com and Gujaratspider.com which are sister sites under SpiderWorks Technologies Pvt Ltd., Kochi. I am also have one more blog other than MechanicalDuniya i.e.GATE Mechanical which is all about GATE exam preparation tips and stuffs (Guides, study materials) related to it. I have created Facebook page for MechanicalDuniya whose URL is http://www.facebook.com/mechanicalduniya which will keep my visitors updated with my latest posts.

What do you do when you are not building software or contributing in technical web sites and blogs?

As I said earlier, I am student so, most of my times goes in study and in free time, I love to do blogging.

How is your daily schedule/how many hours you work in your blog?

As such I need to be in college from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. So, I rarely get some time for blogging but during free slots I start blogging. In evening, I spend 1-2 hours for blogging.

Which webmaster/blogger is your role model? Which sites/blogs you like to follow?

In 2009, When I joined ISC, I was not aware of the word 'Blogging' but as the time passed and I learnt a lot from Tony John during my stay at ISC, of course I am still contributing to ISC. It is a one type of addiction. Apart from this Ankit Sharma who always help me in my troubled times. Second Chirag. I normally respect all those who earns by sharing the knowledge.

Do you have any bad experience from other bloggers? What was the biggest challenge you ever faced?

Till today, I never faced any bad experience as well as no challenge from others as well.

What do you think about the future of blogging? Do you think it will continue to be a profitable business in the long run?

Blogging is the way by which people come together and share the knowledge. Actually it is blogging which makes internet full of knowledge so, of course blogging future is very bright if you wish to continue as full time career in blogging.

What is your future plan?/Are you planning to be a fulltime blogger/Any other online business you plan to start?

I love blogging but do not think about future which depends solely on blogging. I am doing PhD and love to do job based on my qualification but will never quit blogging that is sure.

Do you like to share your earnings/how much you make from your blogs/which are your highest earning blogs/what are the sources of income. (list the monthly income in each site from each source, if ready to disclose)

I normally earn 100$ (by Google AdSense) every two months from my blogging which is mostly part-time. Frankly speaking due to novice in blogging, Nowadays 70% earnings I get from ISC and other sister companies.

Which are the online social communities you are most active on?

I am active on Facebook, Google+, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Most big bloggers have reported that their revenue has been coming down in last few years due to high competition. How is your earnings in last few years? Are they growing? How is your traffic growing?

Actually I do not have any idea because I started getting money since last four months.

How did blogging help you personally other than making money?

Yes, Blogging keeps you updated with the world and technology changes. It keeps you aware of everything happening in world. Knowledge sharing will always help.

How do you socialize?

I always socialize by Facebook mostly. Use Google+ and Twitter for sharing my links and posts.

What do you think about the future of SEO?

I believe genuine and original content does require SEO, all will be taken care automatically. And of course being a person other than computer or IT field, I do know much about SEO.

What you advice - focus on a single site or create several sites in various niche?

I think one should create multiple sites to get more page views. This is my view and it may be different from others.

Which technology company you like the most - Microsoft/Google/Apple? And why? Which company you think will be doing best after 5 years from now?

Actually I am using Windows 7 and Blogger/Blogger/Gmail so, I like Microsoft and Google!

Do you have any Microsoft certifications or other certifications? Are you a Microsoft MVP? How does the MVP status help you?

No, I do not have such certifications.