Blogger Spotlight: Mark McCall, Automated Home

Automated Home was born out of a lack of information on home automation online. The blog is dedicated to sharing news on gadgets that help make life just that bit more enjoyable around the home. In this spotlight, the blog’s author Mark McCall, who features on our latest technology blog ranking, chats to us about why technology has always been a passion of his, overcoming writer’s block and building relationships with brands. 

What was your main goal when you started your blog? When I decided to build our own smart home in 1996 I started up the Automated Home Blog at the same time to share the information with others. Mind you the word ‘Blog’ wasn’t even coined until the following year.

What inspires you the most to continue blogging? Blogging can be a drug; it can take up a lot of time but it’s rewarding too. I’ve made many friends along the way and I get to chat with people in other countries on a daily basis. I’ve learnt an insane amount about my chosen subject and have been given opportunities to see things and travel that I wouldn’t have had without it.

Why did you decide to write about technology? Technology has always been a passion of mine and I knew I wanted to incorporate lots of it in our self-build. The pace of change in the world of tech means there’s always something new and exciting to cover too.

Do you have a favourite piece of tech? I have many but my latest love is my Sennheiser Momentum 2 wireless headphones. However, I reckon the one thing most of us would least like to be without is our smartphone, so I guess my iPhone has got to be the one.

Which blogs do you regularly read? Too many to list! I’m an old git that still uses RSS feeds to find most of the content I read. Currently, I have around 100 blogs in Feedly under the categories of Tech, Home Automation, Motor Sport, Electric Cars and Photography.

Do you ever get writer’s block? How do you overcome it? Yes, definitely. Here are 3 ideas for blog posts from my forthcoming ebook on 20 years of blogging…

1) Remember the Noobs – Imagine someone that’s new to your blog subject. Write a basic introduction to the subject, all the stuff that seems so obvious to you, but that would be an invaluable potted intro to the subject for readers just joining the scene.

2) Ask a Question, Answer a Question – A post with a title that asks a question can be an irresistible draw to your readers. More than that it can be useful too. I’ve often started to write a piece on some subject or another and found myself having to answer my own questions.

Taking the time to research and find the right answers leads to a great post that’s going to be useful for your readers.

3) Video – Find a youtube video relevant to your blog and write a post around it. It’s quick and easy and if you find the right one it will hook your visitors.

Which are your favourite brands? As I get older I find I have less time and inclination to tinker with products. So I really love the brands that ‘just work’ and go the extra mile for their customers like Apple and Sonos.

Have you been able to build a relationship with them, and how did you go about it? Don’t wait to be asked. If you are passionate about a brand then don’t wait for them to find you. Contact them yourself, seek out the PR company that represents them in your area and offer to cover their products or services.

If you had to choose one social media network to use for the rest of your life, which one would it be and why? While Twitter is still having a bit of a hard time it’s where we have most social media success. It’s tech-focused which I guess is the main reason we have so many followers there.

How do you think that technology will affect the comms industry in the future? Everything is accelerating. Technology means the speed of communications and the avenues available to the public continue to grow every day. As bloggers, the challenge will be finding the best way to spread yourself across so many channels.

Is there any advice that you have for any aspiring bloggers? Longevity relies on staying fresh, relevant and putting in the effort. Remember the only place you’ll find Success before Work is in the dictionary, so put in the hours, be patient and enjoy the ride!