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Kumiko Revealed (interview)
By admin | May 25, 2007
Today something special for you guys; I managed to get Kumiko from CashQuests.com to do an interview!
Most of you have come across the Japanese-American girl’s bright pink money-making blog and subscribed to her RSS feed. But nobody really knows who she is and what she does. I intend to have her reveal a bit more today.
1) Kumiko, we know CashQuests.com (which was formely know as Kumikosuzuki.blogspot.com) has been around since December 2006. What’s the main reason you started it and is it your first attempt at blogging?
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-Many people think the main reason that I started was to make money online, but that’s only half the story. It actually really started after reading a certain A-lister’s blog where he wrote that one of the secrets to creating a successful site was to have it linked to from an existing successful site. I don’t remember exactly, but I think he wrote that you should try to get a link from a site with a 50,000+ daily readership! This really got me fired up as for a new blogger or somebody starting out this just isn’t possible!
Inoticed that this was a repeated theme amongst the A-listers where they would give advice that was only useful for other A-listers or those with an existing online social network. I felt like I wanted to read a quality site that took me from the beginning in a step-by-step “quest” to make money online but I just couldn’t find a site of this nature. Many sites attempted to do it but either gave up after a month or the writing just wasn’t up to scratch.
So what should you do when you can’t find the site that you want to read? Write it yourself!
Kumiko’s Cash Quest is my response to an often elitist blogosphere and my humble attempt at making a site that I’d like to read myself.
It’s not my first site, but when I started making websites the word “blog” didn’t even exist! Back then, you’d just make a free Geocities site and write about who you love or hate. It was a LOT simpler back then! Kumiko’s Cash Quest is my first real attempt at building a blog and everyday is a learning experience! I love it!!
2) So far you seem to be doing quite well with your blog and are quite popular and a familiar face in the blogosphere. To what would you contribute your success?
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-Thank you, but I wouldn’t say that I’m that familiar…yet! I think the main contributing factor to the site’s success has been a desire to have fun and play around on my site combined with not being afraid to post my opinions - no matter how controversial or opinionated that they may be! I think lots of sites attempt to be unbiased information resources but in my opinion that’s just not what blogging is about! To me, blogging is about letting the world know your feelings and thoughts without fear!
Blogs aren’t newspapers or respected literature journals - they’re thoughts “from the streets”! If I want to read a lengthy, informed discussion on a topic, I’ll buy a TIME magazine…if I want to know what people really think in their heart, I’ll check out the blogs!
I think expressing my opinions, having fun and the fact that I haven’t been afraid to approach and communicate with other bloggers have been the key factors to the site’s success so far!
3) If things keep going the way they are for you right now, I’d say you are well on your way to come close to get an A-blogger status within the next 6 months probably. Is this your goal and how would you feel about this achievement?
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-Thank you, but I can’t think of anything worse!! The A-listers have to worry too much about maintaining their respectability and good relationships with advertisers! I really don’t read a lot of A-list blogs either as I find they seem to be too busy moderating comments and writing about other A-listers to actually get out in the blogosphere and look for some new information about what’s going on. They all seem to get their breaking news from inside sources where as I’m more interested in the blogger who has gone out and tried to find the information themselves.
Long live the Z-list!! We keep it real!!
4) I assume that your blog takes up quite a bit of your time but I was wondering if you are currently working on new projects as a follow-up to your success with CashQuests.com or are you planning on this in the near future? If so, what would they be about?
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-Kumiko’s Cash Quest takes up ALL my time!! I’ve got some great ideas for sites that I know would be a hit, but I just don’t have the time or coding knowledge to implement a lot of them. In any case, I’m strong believer that one quality site is all you need and once you start maintaining multiple sites, the quality can only go down and you’ll end up in a worse position.
An idea that’s been playing around my head this week is to create a publisher marketplace like Text-Link-Ads or ReviewMe that is a lot more selective as to who they allow in and is able to provide greater information on the site’s that you can buy reviews from. Too many advertisers complain that they’re often disappointed with the returns on their investments and I think a publisher marketplace that only listed quality blogs at fair prices would be huge hit for both advertisers and bloggers. But do I have the time or Java knowledge to implement it? No. There’s a free money making site idea for someone out there!
5) Can you share the three most valuable lessons you’ve learned on blogging?
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-The more you post the more people will read your site - It’s undeniable. If you’ve just got one loyal fan who loves your site and you post once a week, you’ll get one hit a week but if you post every day, that fan will come every day.
Be polite to everyone! - Sometimes you have to be critical on your site but when approaching bloggers through email and comments, be as polite as you can be!! I get at least 20 emails a day saying “I like your site. Link to me”. If they just took the time ask nicely or at least write “please” they may be a little more successful. Being polite and respectful to other bloggers has given me a lot of link love in my time! Just because you’re a blogger doesn’t mean that offline politeness rules don’t apply!
Have fun!! - Not only is it easier to make the site, but it reflects in your posts and people will enjoy your site more.
6) Last question: There have been rumors that Kumiko might not be who people think she is and I would like your comment on this. (Ronald Daniar seems to be the one who started all this.)
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-Aha!! So you’re looking for the “exclusive” response to this issue, right? Lots of bloggers have posted about this but you’re the first person to actually ask me directly, so I’ll give you that exclusive response! People thinking that I’m a man just makes me laugh! Lots of bloggers seem to be saying it, but nobody actually has any reason for saying it! It’s a little offensive at times because I sometimes feel like it’s saying “hey this blog is too good to have been written by a woman!” which is just ridiculous. I’ll admit that I’ve often marketed myself towards a male audience but that doesn’t make me a man - it just means I know who 90% of my readers are! In any case, I’m loving the exposure that the controversy creates!
Thanks for letting us in on a few of your secrets Kumiko and I would wish you good luck on your blogging journey if you needed it!
Kumiko brought to you by Bobmeetsworld.com.
Don`t want to miss a thing? Just subscribe to the full RSS feed :)!
May 25th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
May 25th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
I think you have a great attitude when it comes to “keeping it real” and think I agree where you stand on not wanting to become an A-lister.
And I must admit, you always seem to have been polite in your comments which is a good thing. Let’s just hope you stay this way once you are forvced to become an A-lister
I forgot to ask a question, how do you feel about JohnChow asking money to remove the nofollow tag?
May 25th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Aaahh…the Mr Chow comment cash quest! I think removing the nofollow tag is a movement that’s growing rapidly in popularity and is the next big trend. Bloggers are really wise to the use of anchor text after JC’s win with “make money online” and comments are a great way to drop the link. I can see it getting to the stage where if you want a large number of comments for your site (and who doesn’t!) you’ll have to remove nofollow.
As for asking money - more power to him! He’s worked hard to build his blog and if he can make money from it then good for him! I’m sure we’d all do it if we could get away with it. I don’t see it lasting though. With the nofollow removal trend, there’s going to be other PR6 blogs that have it removed for free. Why pay for what you can get for free!
Thanks again for the interview - I love doing them as I get to write about topics that don’t normally fit in on my own site. I’ve written a post linking to this interview.
Kumiko
May 25th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
May 25th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Interesting interview, I think you making a good move with sticking to the one blog. It’s very hard to keep two blogs going that are in the same niche, becase there is so much content overlap it’s tempting to just use the same info to on both, which would get boring for you (and your readers if they read both!).
I like you idea of a highly selective reviewme… if your ever looking for a partner in that quest you know who to ask
May 25th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
-Many people think the main reason that I started was to make money online, but that’s only half the story. It actually really started after reading a certain A-lister’s blog where he wrote that one of the secrets to creating a successful site was to have it linked to from an existing successful site. I don’t remember exactly, but I think he wrote that you should try to get a link from a site with a 50,000+ daily readership! This really got me fired up as for a new blogger or somebody starting out this just isn’t possible!
You’ve been linked from John Chow numerous times. Even problogger… And yet you say this?
May 25th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
@Mubin - The A-lister I read said that you should actively seek out these blogs and get links. I’ve never asked JC or Problogger for a link.
May 25th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
May 25th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Nice interview!
May 25th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
I know, but I just thought it was worth mentioning. looking back at the way I posted, it looks like I was being spiteful, I didnt mean for it to look like that.
May 25th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
I really enjoyed the interview
May 25th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
May 26th, 2007 at 1:02 am
Hi Bob,
thank you for the interview. Kumiko has some real wonderful ideas, i think.
keep the good work flowing, not only Kumiko’s, but also yours.
May 26th, 2007 at 6:57 am
Thanks!!, I’m following Kumiko’s blog for advice for new bloggers like myself, my purpose is to get some cash online (like almost everyone) and Kumiko is one of my sources of inspiration, saludos !!
May 26th, 2007 at 10:11 am
You guys are in th right place for advise and inspiration on Kumiko’s blog
May 26th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Why doesn’t Kumiko post his real pic?
May 26th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
I heard he’s really a man, not a Japanese-American girl…
May 26th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Who says it’s not her real picture? If Kumiko states here that she is who she says she is, that’s good enough for me.
May 26th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Just check out the comments I got as a result of posting Kumiko’s picture on my list of blogger salaries. I didn’t even know she was a man in real life!
I know that I’ve used other people’s pics a time or two, just to catch some guy who was harassing me but thank the Lord he stopped.
But I take issue with people who purport to be a whole different personality and mislead us.
I just wish people would represent themselves truly online.
Thanks,
Paula
May 26th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
I hope that Kumiko is a girl because many of us have a crash on her !! . . .
May 26th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Hi Paula! I’d love to see your evidence that I’m a man! I’ll even publish it on my site!
Kumiko
May 26th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Ronald Daniar left this message on my blog:
Paula! I think you need to delete Kumiko’s picture. She deletes her picture on her blog after I send her private message on her MyBlogLog “Does Siryur have any meaning to you, check and review me on www.ronalddaniar.blogspot.com” Yes, you will be surprised when you read my article. I like her blog articles actually. I remember she wrote on her blog about herself that it was really her picture. Well, I did not get any reply from her and she seems she does not want to reveal the truth. If it is really her picture, then I will write my apology to her for writing a mistake. Read the article on http://ronalddaniar.blogspot.com/2007/05/kumiko-suzuki-or-siryur-suzuki.html Peace!
And Anonymous said…
For the love of god, size down that Kumiko picture! It’s bad enough having that guy who blogs as a Japanese girl on your list, and he certainly doesn’t deserve such a giant picture!
And I find it awfully telling that you wrote “I’d love to see your evidence that I’m a man! I’ll even publish it on my site!”
That’s the kind of stuff that guilty people say. You didn’t write, “They are liars! I’m really a woman! Look at all these other real-life photos for proof!”
You put the burden on the accusers to “show evidence” of your misleading people.
So what’s the truth Kumiko? If you’re really a woman, post a video on YouTube or Google Video somewhere with the proof, and I’ll blog about it!
Thanks and love,
Paula
May 26th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
*grabs a coke and some popcorn*
May 26th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
*pass me the bucket of popcorn Bob*
(This post is #1 on hot topics in communities via MyBlogLog.Cool.)
May 26th, 2007 at 11:45 pm
Number one hot topic huh
Cool!
May 27th, 2007 at 12:49 am
*makes a coffee and watches her traffic spike*
Thanks Bob!
May 27th, 2007 at 6:17 am
* stays up till 2:16 a.m. waiting to watch Kumiko’s video professing: “I’m a real girl!” in the voice of Pinocchio. But I’m not obsessed…”
May 28th, 2007 at 1:59 am
Careful Victor! Have you seen the crying game??
May 28th, 2007 at 2:26 am
[…] read this interesting “interview”/puff piece this morning. If you’ve been here before you may have read about the Kumiko identity saga. If this is your […]
May 28th, 2007 at 2:30 am
@paula - hehehe
May 28th, 2007 at 7:04 am
I’ve never seen the crying Game but I do believe I see crying swollen pickles.
May 28th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
[…] out how to get your blog out of Google’s supplemental index or trying to decide whether Kumiko was really pink or blue here’s a few other things you might have missed out […]
May 28th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
“I know all there is to know about the crying game…
I’ve had my share of the crying game…”
May 29th, 2007 at 7:51 am
“*makes a coffee and watches her traffic spike*
Thanks Bob!
”
Mr Kumiko, is your favorite song ‘Real Girl’?
“I never pretend to be something I’m not
You get what you see, when you see what I’ve got
We live in the real world, I’m just a real girl
I know exactly where I stand
And all I can do is be true to myself
I don’t need permission from nobody else
‘Cause this is the real world, I’m not a little girl
I know exactly who I am ”
Except when you were caught, you scrambled to delete ‘your’ profile pic and revel in the pennies you’ll make from this controversy…
Grow up, you’ll get more traffic if you put a post of the ‘real kumiko’ holding up 3 fingers at the camera. We know you’re not beautiful, and you have gender identity crisis, but we can work through it…
May 29th, 2007 at 9:39 am
Whatever happend to “Innocent until proven Guilty”?
May 29th, 2007 at 11:25 am
Cashquest and doshdosh.com are run by the same person.
“In case you were fooled by the numerous beguiling pictures of cute anime girls on Dosh Dosh, I’m actually a guy and not a girl.”
May 29th, 2007 at 11:44 am
I don’t think they are Mike. They both have a distinctive writing style and looking at the IP addresses that got logged under Kumiko’s and DoshDosh’s comments, there’s a whole world between them. Of course this can be achieved with a proxy but why would anyone go to the trouble of doing this?
May 29th, 2007 at 11:57 am
Perhaps I am wrong but it is fun guessing, which I am sure is what Kumiko wants. I think it is the writing style that makes them very similar. IPs are easy to mask, but it’s difficult to fake a writing style.
May 29th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Kumiko, please know I’m only coming from a place of love in trying to figure out the real you.
I don’t care how you look…I just want to know who you really are.
May 29th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Kumiko scrambled to delete those pictures because he was rumbled.
A blog based on lies such as:
Being a 24 year old New York Japanese american girl who has moved back to Tokyo for the last 5 years to look after her grandparents whilst studying for a computer science degree whilst working part time at yoshinoya’s.
If Kumiko wants big traffic, post an article on why he decided to follow the path of making up this Kumiko persona, how he thought nobody would find the real photos on JList etc. You’d get a ton of linkbacks, far more than hiding behind the persona when you’ve already been caught out. $880 is chickenfeed for months of playing the role of a cute japanese blogger.
May 29th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Hey paula you got an email address or contact form?
Could you please drop my mubinahmed.com and give me a email through my contact form or email me at mubina at gmail dot com
May 30th, 2007 at 12:27 am
[…] the biggest link baiting scheme since Agloco! Blogger Tips and News: Kumiko Deleted Her Photos! Kumiko Revealed (interview) at Bob Meets World Would the real Kumiko please stand up | Swollen Pickles Man, I Blog Like a Woman: Hoax Bloggers | […]
May 30th, 2007 at 1:03 am
You win Paula. You heard it here first - my *real* name is Darren Chow and I’m an internet marketer from Beijing. Now be sure to post about this ground-breaking, shocking revelation on your sites and don’t forget to link to www.cashquests.com with the anchor text “i’m happy now”.
May 30th, 2007 at 1:54 am
Rrrrrriiiiggghhht and my name is John Rowse.
Good one though. There is a Darren Chow in Singapore. You did your research. ;)Boy or girl - I enjoy your content. 
May 30th, 2007 at 2:31 am
No, no, no, Kumiko.
You win!
My real name is Bill Vendall…
* pokes her finger in the air and snickers with the cunning laugh only a web nerd can appreciate *
May 30th, 2007 at 7:20 am
Is it just me or is this thread starting to get boring ?
May 30th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Only the God’s honest truth from Kumiko will make it really fascinating…
June 13th, 2007 at 6:05 am
[…] Kumiko Revealed […]
June 27th, 2007 at 4:52 am
Hi everyone. It’s real me of course as you can find me through the search engine. I just want to let you know that Kumiko has sabotaged my blog. Well done Kumiko! I closed my blog recently coz I want to focus on writing niche content. Today I was going to reopened my account and I found out that someone has used my name. This blog is directed to cashquests.com. What a good job Kumiko, I did not realy know that I was bing spied all this time long…hahaha….If you guys wants to see about Kumiko’s picture which I deleted, you can link here. http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/daniar_ronald/KS1.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/daniar_ronald/KS2.jpghttp://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/daniar_ronald/KS3.jpg
and here is my ugly picture
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/daniar_ronald/MyFace2.jpg
Kumiko cannot sabotage it anyway…hahahaha…I love you Kumiko…(if your picture is really true! hahahha)
June 27th, 2007 at 4:56 am
sorry, the url is
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/daniar_ronald/KS1.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/daniar_ronald/KS2.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/daniar_ronald/KS3.jpg
June 27th, 2007 at 5:01 am
Jizz, i forgot to tell you that http://ronalddaniar.blogspot.com belongs to Kumiko now, Oh dear Kumiko if you like me why don’t you tell me so? hahahahaha….
June 27th, 2007 at 5:08 am
It’s me again!!! The first url does not work. so try this one http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/daniar_ronald/KumikoSuzuki1.jpg
June 27th, 2007 at 5:20 am
My new personal blog: http://ronaldaniar.wordpress.com
Rather to make it now or it will be sabotaged again! Hahahaha….
June 27th, 2007 at 8:30 am
Looks like you have been sabotaged already Ronald, your blog has been owned.Well atleast you just became this weeks top commentator Ronald
June 27th, 2007 at 10:11 am
[…] been a while since the well read Kumiko interview was posted, but Ronald Daniar only now seems to have found it now. He is believed to be the one […]