I get asked a lost of similar questions by a lot of people and was very impressed with Idea Bounty‘s various angles in our recent interview, because it gave me the opportunity to lay it all down.

Check it out.

Interview: Seth Rotherham from 2oceansvibe
Katharina Scholtz

2oceansvibe is a ridiculously popular blog (35 000 unique readers a month) authored by a ridiculously funny man called Seth Rotherham. He’s built up his blog’s culture around a simple phrase – “work is a sideline, live the holiday”. This is exactly what he seems to be doing – while taking his friends (often featured on the blog) and favourite brands along for the ride. We tracked him down via email to answer some questions in the way only he can. Enjoy.

 

Image credit: Andrew VC – verstercohen.com

 

Blogs are arguably not the normal home for the suave and almost-naked-woman surrounded – how did u get into it?

I started 7 years ago before blogging was really happening and/or popular. I just made the site to showcase pictures of friends and beautiful angels taken at parties the previous weekend. Mainly just for my close mates. I used to write the odd funny comment next to the pics and strangers started telling me how they found it funny. That felt weird. And nice. Like when you take a leak in a wetsuit. I continued and here we are today (sans wetsuit).

Work is a Sideline, Live the Holiday – is 2oceansvibe your day job?

Absolutely. Fortunately I’ve developed a system whereby I don’t really have to work. This allows me to focus on 2oceansvibe and, as a result, I can produce this online reality show type vibe and write about what I’m doing which happens to be chilling out doing nice things with nice people. It appeals to the reader as it’s stuff that we all want to do.

Was there a moment of shining light when you thought ‘I’m a lifestyle blogger!’ and if so when did it happen?

Jeez. Probably the day when a 2oceansvibe cocktail appeared on the Caprice Cocktail menu. But seriously, nothing has changed. I started before blogging was a word – I’m just writing about what everyone is talking about.

We like the way you manage to keep advertising entertaining on your blog. Do you find it a tough balance to strike?

Not in the slightest. I only advertise brands I like or want to try. If they let me down, or repeatedly let down/offend my readers (my most adored treasure), they won’t be there any longer. Part of the reason people come to 2oceansvibe is to get recommendations on stuff. I’ve always written about products and brands; what I eat, wear, have and do anyway, whether they’re paid for or not – it’s all real.

You’ve evolved a whole culture around your writing, with characters and ‘angels’ (the number of times you mention the word ‘vibe’ is quite something) – how much conscious planning goes into it?

Not much at all. That is exactly how we/I talk. Nothing on the site is contrived. My friends have always referred to each other as the characters shown on the 2oceansvibe characters list. The Chief, for example, would call me and say, “Have you heard the latest spice about our boy?” I’d go, “Which one.” He’d go, “The Insurance Broker.” “Oooh, no I did not… tell me more!!” and so it goes on.

“The Safe House” has always been called that (2oceansvibe or not) and it’s because it is high up in Camps Bay and lets me look down over everything – feeling safe. We always call chicks angels and I think it’s good that we do – because they are!

Vibe is just the most versatile word. “What’s the vibe” – “Check that guy’s vibe!” – “Howz your vibe?” – “A boring vibe” – “Quite a vibe” – “That angel is giving me a vibe” – it goes one. Which vibe are you referring to, exactly?

Do you promote your blog, or did you when you started? (I can’t imagine you reading posts like 10 tips for growing your readership or Problogger).

Nah, there was never any promotion – purely word of mouth. There are little scandals along the way which allowed the site to gain new readers and continue forward. The most recent was the high profile public spat I had with the Idols Judges. Which resulted in me responding to Randy Abrahams with a video which has been watched over 80,000 times now.

I just grab the bull by the horns when the moment presents itself. I think the secret behind 2oceansvibe is a variation of dare-I-say-it “The Secret” (which is a variation of the same thing covered in every good business book of all time). I look after brands and people I trust. I talk about it. The readers trust me, and they follow my lead. In return the vibe grows. Because it’s a good vibe built on trust. We don’t interact with dicks. Ever.

[read more here]

You should definitely continue reading that interview as there is loads more (including some more ridiculous pics) – some of it pretty amusing I am told.

Thanks again, Kat – thoroughly enjoyed that!

CLICK HERE for more.