Christopher Mills
Christopher Mills
Izimvo has the honour of introducing Christopher Mills, the man behind one of South Africa’s most popular websites, iMod.co.za.
Christopher Mills is an Operations Manager and SEO guru with an impressive track record in blogging, web design, development, web optimization, hardware, operating systems, programming and networking.
Christopher’s website, iMod.co.za, is an internationally recognised South African Blog with a strong focus on Technology, Industry News and all forms of Marketing. In just two years, iMod.co.za has emerged into the top 200 websites in South Africa and, in doing so, established a large following of men and women between the ages of 18 and 33. People visit iMod.co.za from all over the world, but predominantly South Africa, USA, UK and Australia.
Blog: http://www.imod.co.za
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/christopherm
Location Cape Town
Christopher was kind enough to answer the following questions for us:
Personal
Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.
A: Christopher Mills or iMod, 27, best known for his blog, search engine optimization and inability to chill the hell out! Works for The Forge Web Creations and loves his job too much to have patience for recruitment agencies.
Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.
A: I can’t live without my GHD ;)
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?
A: Anything that involves being away from technology and preferably involves fishing.
Blogging in South Africa
Q: What was the impetus for starting iMod, your blog about life in Cape Town and what have been some of it’s highlights?
A: Honestly, it was to be a playground to explore my fascination with programming and attracting audiences on the Internet. Highlights, wow, there are just so many. I guess winning the blog awards for best technology blog 2 years running, being featured in The Big Issue and receiving my first 5 digit cheque.
Q: What advice would you give young bloggers wanting to standout from the crowd and make a name for themselves?
A: Pick your passion, get started and don’t give up. If your motivation is money or traffic, chances are you’ll not make it – I have seen this happen time and time again. I’m inclined to say, “THIS TAKES TIME!”
Q: Are you finding that local companies are using bloggers more and more to market their products and services.
A: There has been an incredible increase in companies engaging with bloggers over the past 18 months.
Q: What, in your opinion, makes a great blog post?
A: Something that offers value to the reader.
Q: Which techniques have you adopted for growing your readership?
A: Difficult question, but two factors which stand out most are search engine optimization and psychology. Believe it or not, I’ve spent a huge amount of time understanding my readers – On more than one occasion I’ve printed out a list of the readers who comment the most on my blog and spend hours finding out who these people are and what they do.
Q: Which South African blog do you read on a daily basis?
Life in South Africa
Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?
A: I think everyone has been affected by crime, but fortunately nothing overly serious has been experienced by immediate family and I pray daily that it will stay this way.
Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?
A: I’m a very loyal Capetonian, but I would be lying if I said I haven’t wondered about grabbing my British passport and heading over to the UK.
Q: To which three attractions would you first take an international visitor?
A: Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch and The Waterfront
Q: Where are you planning to go for your next holiday?
A: Zanzibar or a safari in Africa.
Life in Cape Town
Q: What do you think is Cape Town’s number one tourist attraction?
A: Table Mountain
Q: What is your favorite coffee shop in or around Cape Town for a quick business meeting?
A: Mugged on Roeland Street
Q: Where in Cape Town would you recommend for a romantic night out on the town?
A: Champagne at Planet Bar for starters, dinner and jazz at The Green Dolphin, finishing off with a drink/cocktail at 221.
General
Q: What are you going to buy yourself as a 40th birthday present?
A: Goodness me! Hopefully a holiday house or a yacht :)
Q: If you were able to pick anyone as your mentor, who would it be and why?
A: Interesting question, just last night I was chatting to a friend about this very topic and was saying that I’ve actually never had a mentor and wished that I did. I’ve learnt a great deal from my parents and close friends, and at the moment, my boss, Sue Rutherford is someone who I honestly feel inspired by (and no, I’m not looking for a raise, haha). One other person who has taught me a lot is Michael Rauch from Everything Web.
Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?
A: I’m not a big reader, but Rich Dad Poor Dad is a good one.
Q: As a web developer, which current technology trends have you most excited?
A: I’ve been feeling an urge to watch the mobile space, and as much as I hate mobile phones, I think it is something to be excited about.
Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo?
A: Michael Rauch.
We like to thank Christopher for taking the time to answer our questions. The manner in which he has grown iMod.co.za to one of South Africa’s most popular websites is a true inspiration.
