Connie Ott of Princess Time Toys An Interview

Connie is professional, fun, positive and witty. She is a knowledgeable business woman who doesn’t let MS get her down. She is active on Twitter and her blogs are informational as well as interesting reads. She knows her way around html and Css and has created free Twitter pages for anyone who asks. She’s just that kind of gal.

Tell me about your Blog –

I write two blogs – Princess Time Toys that highlights sales, new products, and other fun stuff about the importance of imaginative play for children.  My other blog, MiscellaneousFinds4U,  is my personal blog and it’s a place where I write random bits of information, do contests and reviews, and bits of life.  I’m the mom of two adult children and my husband and I have been married 26 years, so not much interesting goes on in my life.  I enjoy cooking so I share that, especially investment cooking for 2 and/or vegetarians.

What was your first blog?

My first blog was one for my business. I started it on Blogger and realized pretty quickly that the format was too limiting.  I switched to a self-hosted Word Press Blog and have been happy ever since.

What is the biggest tip you would give to product reviewers?

I’ve been doing product reviews since 2002 for Epinions.com and am in the Top 100 Most Read authors.  I think checking out the way Epinions reviews are written is a great way to become a better reviewer.  The members are tough, and getting a Most Helpful rating takes work, but it helps you understand what your readers are looking for and what format works best for reviews.  I try to take my personal opinion out of most reviews – just because I hate something doesn’t mean everyone else will.  I try to talk about the facts and features and present those to my readers so they can decide if the product or service is right for them.

Are you contacted by advertisers or do you contact them or both?

I’ve contacted advertisers and had other’s contact me.  I find that once you work with a PR rep if you provide a quick and usefully review they’ll contact you again.  Turnaround time is important for most so be clear in your timeline.

What is your favorite product that you have reviewed?

My favorite product reviewed so far would be any of the food ones – it’s so fun trying out new ingredients like the AsianFoodGrocer.com.  It’s made me expand the cooking that I do.

What do advertisers do that you wish they wouldn’t/ do that you like?

I’m a big fan of small family-owned companies so I’d love to work with more small manufacturers and retailers like myself.

What do bloggers do that you wish they wouldn’t/do that you like?

I’m a big fan of bloggers doing whatever makes them happy. I’d never tell someone else how to blog or what to blog about.  Many journal blog, it’s not my thing, but there are plenty of people who enjoy it.  Other’s look down on review bloggers but that’s what I love.   I say there’s room for all styles in the blogging world.

What advertiser would you like to work with given a chance?

I like companies that are socially responsible so any company that leverages their power for good is one I’d love to work with.

Where do you see growth in the blogging field?

I think that blogging may slow a bit as it’s getting oversaturated with content.  To be read you have to have great content.  Or, you can blog like I do – because I enjoy it and without respect to how many read. It’s really a cookbook, idea storage, and place to store my thoughts location on the web and if other people read and enjoy it, then great!  If not, I’ll still post the content that I think I’ll want to look up later.  I’ve made many of the recipes I’ve put up on my blog many times.

What is one thing about you that not many people know?

One thing people may not know about me is that I love Disney.  I was employed full-time as a webmaster for a City and had two kids in elementary school but I fell in love with Disney when we took our sons to Disneyland to celebrate the eldest’s graduation to Jr. High.  Shortly after we got back I was hired part-time for the Disney Store.  I worked there five years and took advantage of the discounted and free tickets for cast members as wells as the discounted hotel & cruise prices so it was totally worth the sacrifice for 5 years.  I left when I came down with a mysterious illness that years later was diagnosed as MS.

What’s your favorite book?

I don’t have one favorite book. I rarely read the same book twice – there’s just so many great books to read.

What is on your iPod?

My iPod is filled with books on tape – I have a hard time reading because of my MS so I listen to most of my books.  As a family when we travel we do books on tape as well. It’s a great bonding experience.

What are your contact details?

You can find me on twitter http://www.twitter.com/princesstimetoy

I have a Facebook & MySpace but I don’t keep them current

My email is queen(nospam)@princesstimetoys.com  Remove the nospam

What events do you attend?

I rarely travel these days because of my MS, but I am attending the Disney Social Media Mom’s event. It was just too good to pass up.

How do you prefer to communicate?

I prefer to communicate in writing. It gives me a chance to think about what I want to say.  I find that my MS makes it difficult to think as quickly as I used to and at times it’s made it difficult for me to speak.

Who would you recommend, and why?

The gals at Pink & Posh – I LOVE their website, it’s so professional and beautiful and they’re not afraid to talk about mostly taboo subjects in a open way

Cherry Menlove – I LOVE her blog.  I swear she’s living the life I’ve always wanted to live.  Her blog is gorgeous and so fun.  She’s in England so I love trying see the differences in cooking and decorating.

Doll Diaries –  Char has a fabulous website that’s all things doll – what’s new, who’s retiring, and more.

Marcome – She’s a French-Canadian singer and songwriter who tweets inspirational tweets.  She does New Age which I love.

Mod Kids –  Patty Young is a mom who’s become a fabric and pattern designer.  Her photographs are amazing and highlight her sewing.  She’s a sweetheart.

Vital Earth Traditions –  Kelly has been sharing info with me for some time now.  She creates the most wonderful natural products.  Her bar soap is fabulous!  She blogs about natural products and all things connected with being well.

What is one thing people can do for you?

People can comment on my blogs – I love comments!

ConnieFoggles