[Badass Bitches is an interview series with smart, sassy, influential women on the web. They're not really bitches. Mostly.]
Erika Napoletano is RedHeadWriting
Cheryl: So hi. You’re my first badass bitch. How does that make you feel? Proud? Concerned? Aroused? Purple?
Erika: Polka-dotted actually. And a bit twitchy.
Cheryl: I’m feeling rather plaid myself. So what do you do for workstuffs, who gives you money and for why? [Stick to the legal stuff]
Erika: Well, that narrows it down.
Erika: When people ask what I do, I tell them I’m a writer. Not only is it easier to explain than “online strategist,” it’s true. I help people tell stories. Through marketing plans, strategies, blogs and social media outlets, I help people and companies build relationships. I hate all of that “overarching” buzzword bullshit.
Cheryl: http://whatthefuckismysocialmediastrategy.com type shit?
Erika: Holy shit, yes. They’re the folks who also do http://www.thefuckingweather.com
Erika: If you ever catch me saying any of that crap, please unfriend me. Immediately.
Cheryl: Done and done
Erika: People give me money because I’m cute.
Erika: That, and they have retainer agreements with me
Cheryl: How did you come up with your online persona of “RedHeadWriting”? You know, aside from the obvious facts that you’re, uh, a redhead, who is writing?
Erika: Twitter told me I had to pick a username. I already had that domain registered and I thought it was better than telling the world I’m Erika Napoletano. Sassier. Hence, I’m RedheadWriting. My business is RedheadWriting LLC. The persona is me. The biggest compliment I receive when people meet me in real life is “you’re exactly how I thought you’d be.”Thank god - I don’t have time to be anyone else!
Cheryl: A part of my soul would die if you weren’t as sassy and offensive in real life, I think.
Erika: LMAO. I try to not be “offensive” per se. Just straightforward. No one ever has to ask how I feel about something
Cheryl: I love the name and I really love the design of your site, too. I mentioned to a friend last night that I was interviewing you and she shrieked “OMG she has the best site design ever!” Which is true. Your post categories (porn, the bitch slap, etc) are hilarious and your readers are greeted with a “subscribe here, bitches” box. It’s awesome. How’d you end up with your current blog setup?
Erika: I was using a canned theme to bridge the gap because I really didn’t know what I wanted to put out there. I contacted the designer who did the site and said I needed something bright, vibrant and in-your-face. I sent her some sample sites (The Oatmeal being one of them) and out popped my current site design. It was a labor of love, but I’m totally stoked with the look and feel. I never wanted people to wonder what they were getting when they landed on my site. It’s rough, edgy and in your face. I never want anyone to feel duped
Cheryl: I think it would be impossible for people to feel mislead.
Erika: Oh, I do hope so.
Cheryl: So what’s your favorite blog post on RedHeadWriting and why?
Erika: My favorite post ever?
Cheryl: EVA
Erika: *chews finger*
Erika: It’s probably over on my Porn tab.
Cheryl: I was very disappointed the first time I clicked your porn tab, to not find porn. I am sure I was not alone.
Erika: HAH! But I tried to make up for it with the banner in my footer
Erika: Favorite post: I think it’s a toss-up between On the Prowl: A Cougar Scratches Back at the Denver Post and Fine Print
Cheryl: What? Oh, sorry, I was still thinking about porn. Awesome. Can’t wait to read ‘em.
Cheryl: Speaking of porn, is it just me or are guys obsessed with redheads?
Erika: No - they’re obsessed. The last two tweets I’ve fielded are a FF endorsement b/c I make a dude want to do every redhead he sees and someone concurring.
Cheryl: I saw you tweet something the other day about DM flirting clogging up your inbox.
Erika: Someone didn’t know I was single, so I said, yes, I’m single. Then, my DMs blew up.
Cheryl: Did I mention I’m at the bar right now? I couldn’t think of a better place to be to talk to YOU. Pretend you’re here. What’s in your glass?
Erika: Belvedere, up, chilled with a twist.
Cheryl: How do you motivate yourself to blog often?
Erika: It’s easy: I’m my number one client. I write my post every morning before anyone else’s. I’m committed to posting 4-5 days/week right now. I share archives on the weekends.
Cheryl: What’s your best advice for people who want more blog readers or Twitter followers?
Erika: Screw the Twitter followers. Really. They’ll come if your content is good. If you consistently put out great content, the readers will come.
Erika: Being online is 80% about other people and 20% about you. When you get that, other people see it. I love a great read from someone else and love sharing.
Erika: Make me think, make me laugh…make me want to share.
Cheryl: I think the world wants to know - if you and I were to have a redheaded smirkoff, who would win and why?
Erika: What are the rules? Can I pitch lemon rinds at you?
Cheryl: You fight dirty.
Erika: Just asking! It it like a cage fight smirkoff or a more civilized affair?
Erika: [insert boxing emoticon]
Cheryl: I don’t think I can put the boxing emoticon you just sent me on Skype in the blog post.
Erika: LMAO
Cheryl: How the hell could anything that involves me and you be civilized? Cagefight it is.
Erika: W00t! I’m in!
Erika: Let’s get Sarah Palin, too. Bitch would be goin’ DOWN.
Cheryl: Sounds like win to me.
Check out Erika’s blog, RedHeadWriting.com and follow her on Twitter @RedHeadWriting.
ZOMG - An Interview with The Redhead! | Erika Napoletano is Redhead Writing says:
[...] Harrison features The Redhead on her blog, Being Cheryl today! Check out her first installment of Badass Bitches: Erika Napoletano IS Redhead Writing. Special thanks to Cheryl for thinking I’m interview-worthy and most importantly, for letting [...]
Aug 10, 2010, 3:05 pmEllie Lucas says:
I love Erika and now Cheryl! You guys are awesome!
Aug 10, 2010, 3:28 pmCarolyn says:
I am sitting in a corner of Starbucks reading this and shaking with silent giggles. I may have peed a little. (Okay, not really, but that’s how amusing this was)
Great interview!
Aug 10, 2010, 5:24 pmLinda says:
This was one badass and entertaining read! I’m sitting in the neighborhood coffee house thinking “damn, how come I don’t have friends like that…?”
You two make a great pair. Possible future collaborations?
Thanks!
Aug 10, 2010, 6:00 pmCheryl says:
Ellie, Carolyn and Linda - thanks so much for the comments! Glad you all enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed having this conversation with Erika
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