Who is Martyn Chamberlin?

Martyn is a web developer experienced with wordpress and php. His blogging skills can be admired on Blog-Tweaks.com & TwoHourBlogger.com. Besides writing, Martyn also found his call in painting, believing that the best of art lies between a mixture of photo-realism and abstract dexterity.

Why did you decide to start blogging?

My friend and Web guru Paul Stefan Ort kept bugging me to start my own blog, I’m not sure why, but  he just thought it was a good idea. Since then, I’ve probably given him reason to regret it, but I’ve been blogging ever since.

What role does art have in your blogging life?

It’s funny. The creative process involved in writing is very similar to painting. Art is an important diversion for me, because copywriting and the social web can drive you crazy if you don’t watch it.

I like to think that being good at one makes me better at the other. Art is important.

How long did it take you to build a steady readership?

Most people don’t know this, but my current blog is only about five months old. It hasn’t taken me a lot of time to build trust with my audience and clients. A big reason for this is because I’m writing guest posts for major blogs in my niche – like Copyblogger and Problogger - and this accelerates the process.

When you’re trying to land a new client, it really helps to show you’ve appeared on Copyblogger. It’s almost like a social, dynamic resume. Pretty neat.

What has surprised you the most about blogging?

I think the biggest surprise is how many people come to know and trust me through my writing. I get new clients from my list who say they’ve been reading me for months and they’re ready to do business. The weird part is that I’ve never heard of them before and they totally trust me. It’s cool.

Has blogging had a measurable positive impact on your art?

Well, yes, but not from my own blog. An artist published an article stating he’d award workshop scholarships to students who submitted their work via email. I participated and won a scholarship – which led to a trip to San Francisco and a free three-day workshop. I learned a TON from that workshop, and now I’m represented in the Zantman Gallery in Carmel, CA. And this all happened from a tiny blog post.

As far as my own writing goes, I’d say that my painting helps my writing more than the other way around. Nature provides so much inspiration for painting, but it’s difficult to find inspiration for writing. Whenever I get in a rut, I go back to the easel, and this helps my writing tremendously.

Where does most of your writing happen?

It happens in my bedroom haha. Sometimes I switch rooms or go outside, sometimes on the go. I could drive to a cafeteria or something I guess, but I’m too lazy.

Eventually I want a brick-and-mortar business. Not a stereotyped cubicle, but a hip office where the cool kids hang out. (I’ll be hiring in a few years, for sure.)

How much time do you spend reading and/or commenting on other blogs?

Not that much. Probably 30 minutes per day. Honestly, there aren’t too many blogs you need to read in order to be successful. This whole myth of “don’t expect to get comments if you don’t leave comments” is hogwash. Write guest posts for big blogs, get your first 100 subscribers, continue writing great content, and the comments will come.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t leave genuine comments on blogs you truly care about.

What piece of advice would you give your readers?

Running a blog is hard work. Don’t start one (and expect it to succeed) unless you can give it at least ten hours per week.

And please, whatever you do, don’t blog in the Internet Marketing niche. It’s so saturated and there’s so much lousy content out there. Instead, write about your field of expertise.