This weeks word of the week is blogging.
I've been tagged in the blogger interview by Rebecca over at Futures. As I've said before I do like taking part in these tags as it's a really nice way to get a little motivation to write a post!
So here we go!
How did you get into blogging?
I started my blog while on my maternity leave with Alfie back in 2013. I wanted something to keep my brain ticking over and I'd taken inspiration from one of the girls that was on my birth group. I loved reading her blog and decided that I'd quite like to have a dabble in it as a way of documenting my life as a new Mum. I've always loved writing, even as a kid I used to write stories and enjoyed it immensely. Little did I realise that over 2 years later I would still be writing it and I'd actually be quite proud of it! I look back at some of my first posts and cringe!! I'd like to think that my blog has evolved somewhat, along with my writing style and content.
What advice would you give to a blogger just starting out?
I'm really no blogging expert to be giving advice but I guess if I was to give some advice it would be to enjoy what you're writing. I know that sounds a bit like common sense but if you don't enjoy what you blog about it then what's the point? I would also say, as Rebecca had, if you're going to start blogging just for freebies, don't bother. Yes it's so lovely to be offered something, but actually to review an item can be very time consuming. You need to test the item, take pictures, edit the pictures, write the post and promote it. It can take me a good few hours to do all of this and I'm a Mum of 2 and was working full time prior to my maternity leave.
I would also say don't get too bogged down in statistics such as page views, followers and comments. It takes a long time to establish a blog, after two years of hard work and I'd say dedication I have a reasonable readership. I'm no way at all on the scale of Zoella or anyone like that but the this isn't my full time job! Just enjoy it and focus on writing good content and participate in linkies and comment swaps to discover new blogs and increase readership.
How has your blog changed since you started writing it?
As I said above I feel that it's evolved some what. When I first started blogging I was writing alot about beauty and skincare and the odd parenting post. Since I've had more time to dedicate to it and now being a Mum of 2 I've become alot more active. It's definitely now more of a parenting and lifestyle blog with a smattering of beauty, travel and food thrown in! I don't like to limit myself as to what I write, I like to think of it as an extension of myself and the things that I enjoy in day to day life.
As my blog has been slowly growing I have been extremely fortunate to work with some great companies and on some great campaigns. I was a Bathtime Fun ambassador for H&A, have worked with Ella's Kitchen, Organix, Tomy, PhotoBox and La Redoute to name but a few. I have become more savvy with how to promote my blog and SEO and things like that, I try not to bog myself down with stats otherwise it's easy to get demoralised if a post isn't doing as well as I'd like it to. Ultimately I'm still learning myself and I'm wondering where the next year will take me!
What would be your dream campaign?
I've never really thought about it and that's the honest truth. I'm always amazed when I get offered any opportunity! I guess I would love to do something with Disney, Sony or Mac cosmetics! I like to aim high, ha!
What advice would you give to PR's wanting to approach you for a campaign?
If you ask for my rates and I tell you them, don't go quiet and not reply, email me back and we can negotiate if necessary! Also, if I'm sent an item to review to bear in mind that I do my reviews in strict order of receipt so don't keep messaging me asking when it's going live.
Do you have a plan for you blog?
I will just go with the flow. I will continue to write when motivated and take a break for a few days if needed. I'd like it to be successful but it really is time dependant on how much I can spend time promoting it. I just really enjoy writing it to document things within my life and plan to continue with it for that reason.
What do you think about rankings?
As I said above I do try and not get too hung up on rankings and stats. Sometimes I do and I get a little disappointed at times when I feel I have worked my socks off one month to go down in certain rankings. Then I get over it and remind myself that it's not all about where you are on some chart that makes a blog a success, it's the readers that keep coming back and engaging which is the best bit. I think rankings have their place, of course but I just try not to obsess.
This was a really great tag to take part in, I feel like I've really analysed my blogging, ha!
I now tag the following to take part:
Sarah at Run Jump Scrap
Annette at Lipstick and Lady Talk
Samantha at Stressed Mum
Jemma at Living Life
Alex at Lamb and Bear
Karisa at The Styling Agency
Ashleigh at Loving my Finley
Alice at Tots Treasury
Gemma at The Mcallens
Chrissie at Raising Nova Burt
Karisa at The Styling Agency
Ashleigh at Loving my Finley
Alice at Tots Treasury
Gemma at The Mcallens
Chrissie at Raising Nova Burt
I'd love to read once you've done it so do tweet me so I can have a read!
Totally agree about enjoying what you're writing, there really is no fun in it at all unless you thoroughly enjoy it x
ReplyDeleteIt makes a difference, even if you have to step back for a while to gain some motivation. X
DeleteIt is good to have a think about your blog. I think it is important not to obsess about rankings too. This reminds me, I need to write my answers to this as I was tagged a while ago!
ReplyDeleteI know, sometimes I can become a little fixated on the ranking but overall I just enjoy it for what it is. X
DeleteI love blogging for everything. I love that it can evolve and that people can change and it is just such a wonderful thing
ReplyDeleteI love that too, it's amazing really what blogging can do for the soul isn't it! x
DeleteI love blogging for what it is especially the interaction with other bloggers x
ReplyDeleteYes, yes! The blogging community is fab X
DeleteGreat word and these tags are a fun way of finding out more about the person behind the blog x #wotw
ReplyDeleteThat is just why I love taking part in them :-) x
DeleteThanks for the tag Hun! I definitely think I've enjoyed the writing and meeting new people side the best out of blogging. You have worked really hard and deserve all those followers xxx #binkylinky
ReplyDeleteAhh thanks my lovely :-) x
DeleteIt is nice to read the viewers of a somewhat newer blogger than myself - very interesting.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the community! Have fun blogging x
DeleteI love reading things like this.....
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Kim X
DeleteVery true about writing about what you are interested in, I've started to do that more and more and it is so much better.
ReplyDeleteMe too over the last few months, it makes a difference x
DeleteOk all you have me thinking about now is an amazing Disney campaign - I am such a big kid ;) x
ReplyDeleteHaha, we can wish eh! xx
DeleteI think these links and tags are good at looking at ourselves slightly differently, too. Great post and a fun read and I think blogging is a great way to increase your circle of friendship, for sure!
ReplyDeleteWriting about something you know and believe in is much more real and believable, which comes thru in the writing, which I think you do very well, btw xx
#WoTW
Ahh what a lovely comment! x
DeleteIt's nice to have a dream campaign, my kids would have me working for Nintendo :) I've found that since I've been blogging I've gone around in circles, you learn all the time but if you are blogging because you want to rather than need to, it really does show.
ReplyDeleteYes we can all dream and hope hehe x
DeleteLovely post! It's so nice being able to write about things that interest you. I usually do that and it works well for me. Definitely good to blog for you rather than others. Love it :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely comment x
DeleteI love the points you have made and agree with what you have said about needing the time to complete reviews and such. I would love to work with MAC as well!!
ReplyDeleteMac would be an awesome campaign! x
DeleteEnjoyed reading this, always interesting to find out why people started blogging. You do have to write what you enjoy, as then it's a labour of love! Thanks for sharing with #WotW x
ReplyDeleteThanks Jocelyn, I've enjoyed reading others too X
DeleteGreat interview. It's nice to know more about the blogger behind the blog. Thanks for linking up to the #BinkyLinky
ReplyDeleteThanks Emily, the nosy part of me always like to read others answers, ha X
DeleteExcellent interview really interesting thanks for linking to the Binkylinky
ReplyDeleteThanks Nigel and thanks for hosting X
DeleteHi, thats for the advice I have only been doing this since March (still so much of a newbie!) and I am starting to get really hung up on the ratings...I wish I had never discovered Klout! lol :) Nice to meet you :) x #momsterslink
ReplyDeleteAhh I don't often use Klout the way it should be to be honest, the website drives me mad! Thanks for the comment X
DeleteMy dream campaign would be with Disney as well or Mac but the computer =)
ReplyDeleteLovely read! #wotw
Haha, like what you did there X
DeleteThanks for the tag! I loved answering these questions and reading your respones. What I adore about blogging is that, for the most part, people do it because they love it and that really shines through x
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, I enjoyed reading yours too :-) x
DeleteYou have reminded me that I have been tagged by ^^^ for this interview. Yours is lovely and answered honestly it sounds. Thank you for sharing this with #momsterslink.
ReplyDeleteNo problem, thanks for hosting X
DeleteI love blogging for the memories - it's so much easier to go back and look our adventures and days out
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just, it's a nice way to document things X
DeleteSo nice to read more about your blogging journey, thanks for answering the questions :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Bex X
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