Featured Blogger: Will Folks of FITSNews

Founding Editor of FITSNews, Will Folks, utilizes his experience as a South Carolina political consultant and former gubernatorial spokesman when delivering his commentary on politics, news and pop culture on his site.  Folks is upfront and honest about his views, clearly declaring the site as “unfair” and “imbalanced” right on the Home page.  His transparency lends to his credibility for readers seeking a direct, conservative and libertarian perspective. Join Folks’ nearly 7,000 Twitter followers and keep updated with the FITSNews Facebook page!

Q: When and why did you start blogging?

A: I started blogging in 2006 – accidentally. Someone had written an
article about me, and I was trying to post a comment in response.
I must have clicked on the wrong link, because when I tried to
post my comment I was taken to a “build your own blog” Web page.
So that’s how it started. I guess it’s still going because I have a
lot to say.

Q: How do you think your blog stands out amongst blogs of the same
genre?

A: FITSNews is very opinionated – but that’s not why people read it. People
read it because it’s also blunt. I try to say what I think – which
results in people often saying “you said what other people were
thinking.” It also stands out because we’re beating the
mainstream media to a lot of stories and starting to compete
with them more directly.

Q: What do your family and friends think of your blogging?

A: My wife just rolls her eyes. I told her recently that I was having lunch
with a Congressman who wanted to pitch me a story and her response was
that the cat needed to go out. She doesn’t care about any of it, which
is exactly the way I like it.

Q:  How do you receive your news?

A: I get my news from phone calls, text messages, Tweets, Facebook posts,
other blogs, mainstream media sites – you name it. I’ve built up a great
network of sources, and I protect them religiously.

Q: How much time daily do you spend blogging?

A: Between five and six hours a day.

Q:  How many times have you redesigned your blog since it started?

A: We’re currently on our third design. Most people only remember
the two most recent redesigns, though and not the original blog, thank goodness.

Q: How much do you correspond one-on-one with readers?

A: Every day – several times a day. We have a contact form on the Web site,
and I’m always following up on tips – requesting more info or
clarifying something that was submitted. I also respond to
compliments and hate mail, too.

Q: What joys did you not expect when you started blogging? What
pains?

A: The joy is when you make a difference – when you see a good bill passed
or, more often, a bad bill stopped. The pain comes when you
realize just how much there is left to be done – and how little
progress is really being made toward fixing things.

Q: What’s something your readers don’t know about you?

A: I’m incredibly non-confrontational and easy to reason with. You wouldn’t
know it from reading what I write, but I genuinely like people,
enjoy a good debate – and am always eager to be shown the error
of my ways.

Q: What’s your personal favorite blog post?

A: I’ve written more than 10,000 articles in the last four years. I
honestly wouldn’t know where to begin in trying to pick out a favorite.
I guess my favorite is the one that got the most hits –
whichever one that is.

ADEVERTISERS: Target the FITSNews audience by purchasing a terrifically placed 300×250 and/or 728×90 ad!

Tags: interview