Photo Matt McCormick
Oh gosh, it’s been well over two months since the Jaywing PR Bloggers Brunch. Back in July, we were invited to a super yummy brunch and a talk with some experts on SEO, working with Brands and how to make your blog a success. The latter being presented by Hannah Gale, you know, one of the top Blogging sensations in the UK right now. Sat back, sipping quite a few proseccos and stuffing myself till I felt morbidly obese with the pancakes I realised that there are so many things I can be doing as a Blogger to be / get better at my hobby.
Yes, everything was really insightful and super helpful whilst we listened to each guest speaker. I learnt quite a few bits whilst I was there from each chat but also from self realisation!
1. BE YOURSELF
Could this get anymore cliché? Nope. But it is so, so, so true. My writing style has changed so much over the last 6 – 7 years, part of it because I’ve grown up and secondly, because I wanted to please an audience. Once I realised I could just write as “me” it all fell in to place, not everyone is going to like my blog or my writing style, but those who do, are the people I need to listen to.
2. KNOW YOUR WORTH
Yep, know what you are worth as Blogger. Don’t become too much of a sell out as it can really distract readers from your natural charm but make sure you do work with the brands that are relevant your brand. Assess each opportunity separately depending on the requirements and make a well thought out decision or plan which means both you and the brand will benefit mutually.
3. ALSO, DON’T BE BEGGING THE WRONG PEOPLE FOR THE SPONSORED POSTS
An example Hannah gave was that someone was offered a free pizza over twitter and said blogger responded with “Do you have a budget?” – ya getting a free pizza out of the kindess of the pizza providers. JUST NO. NO. STOP.
4. MAKE SURE YOU USE NO FOLLOW LINKS
Whenever you work with a brand be it for a sponsored post or on a gifting basis, you must add a no-follow to the link back. These are new regulations that have been brought in to place so make you are doing otherwise you & the brand could find yourself penalised.
5. DON’T LET BRANDS TAKE THE P-I-S-S
Brands are using Bloggers more & more now. Some newbie bloggers can be a little bit naïve, at first the “exposure” is fantastic and I do not knock people for taking opportunities to get out there, but the more & more you build your own Blogs brand reputation it’s time to start assessing everything a little bit differently. 9 times out of 10 when a brand says they don’t have a budget, they will do. Of course they do, their client is paying them a fee so try your best to work out exactly what they can do for you in return for your services.
6. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THE GOOD PEOPLE
Find the kinda people you wanna hang out with, not just blog wise, but socially and as a friendship group. Give me a real, honest person any day over someone who can either get you up the Blogging ladder or someone who just wants to use you. Blogging has really opened my eyes to the fickleness of it all and if it’s one thing, you need good people surrounding you to keep you sane whether your blog takes off the ground or not.
7. GET TO KNOW YOUR CAMERA
I am forever looking around me for new photo inspiration for my little bit of “micro-blogging” on Instagram (it’s no secret this is my favourite social media platform!) Being good at photography isn’t always about the camera, yes it helps, but it’s not the be all and end all. Just try and understand your camera a little bit better and invest in VSCO (an amazing editing app!)
What would your top tips be as a Blogger who wants to take it to the next level?
