Interview with a Pro-Blogger
Today’s post is an interview with professional blogger, Vicki who blogs at Honest Mum and Mummys Got Style.
1. Tell me a bit about yourself
I’m married to Peter and am a mum of two boys, Oliver 5 and Alexander who is 2 and a half. We live in Yorkshire, but I usually spend one day a week in London for client meetings, press shows and to plan shoots.
I’m a full time, professional blogger and prior to that I was an award winning TV and film director making short films that screened on TV all over the world as well as the UK, in France, America, Greece and India. I also directted TV drama and documentary for British TV as well as music videos, fashion films and commercials. I’ve been a full time blogger for the last 3 years.
2. When did you start blogging?
I set up honestmum.com when my first child was 10 months old in November 2010 as a way to rediscover my voice and find like-minded mothers online. I was suffering from a traumatic birth and felt pretty lost to be honest, the blog helped me carve out a place just for me and it slowly enabled me to become more confident, the biggest milestone being when I was a finalist at the BritMums Brilliance in Blogging Awards 4 weeks after starting the blog. That nomination gave me the confidence that others cared about my voice and I got back on set directing fashion commercials soon after.
3. How did you get into blogging? In particular how did you become a professional blogger?
I naturally became a pro blogger as the industry expanded and blogging became a viable career. I was offered paid work very early on when I started my blog and I took on a few commissions, but decided I wouldn’t monetise as I was back in the TV and film industry. Slowly I accepted more, and by the time I was pregnant with my second son, I was earning more than being a director and I loved the work, the flexibility and how fun it all was so I decided to focus on blogging.
4. What is a professional blogger?
It purely means you blog for your job.
5. Do you think your career as a film-maker has helped you to become a professional blogger?
Of course, all my media experience has contributed hugely. I used to be the editor of a film magazine called Film & Festivals which sold in the UK and America. I wrote for the Guardian while at uni-and of course my BA (specialising in Journalism) and my MA in Screen Drama (directing) from Goldsmiths’, University of London gave me a vital foundation to work from.
I have worked for Lionsgate, the BBC and of course as a freelance filmmaker for many years with screenplays in development with well known production companies – and all has meant I work well to deadlines, am a prolific writer, know a vast amount about press and advertising (I worked on P&A on major movies), assisted a media lawyer early on in my career so feel confident on IP (intellectual property) and negotiation- it does all help, undoubtedly.
6. You work with a number of brands, Nova Harley, heidi klein, me&i to name a few. Do you have any tips for bloggers who want to work with brands?
I’ve been lucky that these brands approached me to collaborate with them, but I would recommended approaching and pitching to brands. Make sure your blog always looks professional and ideally send a media kit with your images, stats and background in it, a one-pager that brands can view quickly. I never include fees in my pack as they are negotiated based on brief.
When it came to Nova Harley, I reviewed a bag and Nova, the founder, loved my images and commissioned me to model for them. Keep writing great content and who knows where your blog could lead you.
7. When you get approached by a brand who want to work with you, how do you decide it’s right for you and your readers?
It’s easy – do I like that brand? Would I wear the pieces and recommend them to a friends/readers? If so, then they’re are a great fit. I’m hugely selective over the brands I work with and say no to things that don’t work for me or are not naturally items I would buy or want to endorse.
8. How do you like to be approached when it comes to working with brands?
I don’t mind, usually it starts with emails and I like to set up calls or google hangouts, something my clients love too, and of course there’s nothing like face to face meetings where possible particularly when going through upcoming shoots, seeing new collections and brainstorming ideas. I have great relationships with the PR’s and founders of brands I work with.
9. What’s the best pitch you’ve ever received from a brand?
I can’t possibly choose, but I love it when the PR’s know my blog well, my background, my ethos etc and they’ve actually read a lot of my posts and followed me on social media as it shows professionalism on their part and most will take the lead on offering me details of the campaign/new pieces, but they’re hiring me to come up with the angle, where to shoot and my honest opinion/review. It’s similar to how I worked on commissioned docs/drama, you receive the brief and bring it to fruition.
10. …and the worst?
I suppose those who haven’t researched my blog. I was asked to work on a pet food campaign once – I don’t own a pet!
11. Do you take much notice of your blogging statistics? (page views, unique monthly users etc)
Yes I check my stats via google analytics at the end of each day, I research my audience, which posts did well and which didn’t. I’m hugely analytical and this is my business so it’s necessary I keep an eye on how the blog is doing as I’m always trying to grow it. I don’t let it stifle me though or dictate what I blog too much. I write about what I’m passionate about and I fit paid work around my core content, balancing advertorials with personal/non commissioned posts as I would a magazine.
12. I saw you talk at BritMums Live this year and you came across as really confident. Have you always been that confident when it comes to talking in front of a large audience?
I lost a great deal of confidence after the birth of my first child, Oliver, but blogging helped massively and I do believe the more you practice confidence, the more experiences you garner life and work-wise, the more confident you will feel. I still get nervous before shoots and speaking at conferences, but that’s normal. I recognise it’s normal and inevitable (I’m usually always hugely excited too) and it helps me grow. I do love pushing myself out of my comfort zone.
13. You always look so glamourous. How do you find the time?
Thank you very much. I think I’m quick at putting make up on and I adore clothes – choosing day dresses over jeans most days. Clothes and make up really are my armour, they give me the confidence to face the day and kick-ass with 😉
14. How do you balance your work/life balance?
It’s always a juggle, but working for myself as a blogger means I can work to my own time. My eldest goes to school and my youngest is at nursery 3 days a week. I tend to take a day off once a week (Friday is usually a quiet day for the industry and it gives me a long weekend), but I still work full time hours over the week as I put work in on an evening. I stop for school pick up, dinner and bedtime unless I’m on a huge deadline and my folks step in, then start again around 8pm. I work hard and play hard. Always have, always will.
15. What advice would you give to others who want to become professional bloggers?
Reach out to brands, use twitter to also connect with potential clients you love or google search the name of the brand and ‘PR’ to find email addresses. I would also advise to blog about brands you like as a means of attracting them too. It’s worked for many of my friends and colleagues.
I have tons of posts that can help those wanting to make the leap here too.
Thank you to Vicki for letting me interview her!
30 Comments
Honest mum
July 29, 2015 at 8:26 am
Thanks Emily, I'm really honoured to share my blogging life on your fabulous blog! x
Emily
July 30, 2015 at 8:56 pm
Hi Vicki, thanks for letting me interview you x
Amber Wilde
July 29, 2015 at 8:50 am
She's just amazing, isn't she. Such an inspiration, every bit of success fought for and well-deserved.
Emily
July 30, 2015 at 8:56 pm
Hi Amber, thanks for your comment. I couldn't agree more x
firstooth
July 29, 2015 at 10:15 am
What a lovely read, one of my fav blogs and great questions too x
Emily
July 30, 2015 at 8:57 pm
Thanks for your comment, I'm glad you enjoyed reading it. I certainly loved reading Vicki's answers and learnt so much from her xx
Natalie McNamara
July 30, 2015 at 7:49 am
This is wonderful…. I wanted to learn more Vicki… Thanks for sharing over on Australia
Emily
July 30, 2015 at 8:57 pm
Hi Natalie, thanks for your comment. Vicki is great isn't she! I love her blogs and read them regularly x
Something Crunchy Mummy
July 30, 2015 at 12:10 pm
I loved reading this! So inspiring and makes me want to do more with my blog – great questions too #bestandworst xx
Emily
July 30, 2015 at 8:58 pm
Hi Kirsty, thanks for your comment. That's exactly how makes me feel too! x
Helen Gandy – Beautiful Things
July 30, 2015 at 12:22 pm
Really great interview and some really valuable answers from Vicky that I've found useful! Thanks for sharing it with the #bestandworst 🙂 x
Emily
July 30, 2015 at 8:58 pm
Hi Helen, thanks for your comment. I'm glad you found it useful x
Kirsten Toyne
July 31, 2015 at 6:28 am
Great interview. Good to hear Vicky talking about her experiences. #binkylinky
Claire Ridewood
July 31, 2015 at 7:02 am
Great to find read how someone has turned a theraputic project into a highly successful career! #PoCoLo
Katy F
July 31, 2015 at 7:03 am
Great interview, love hearing how far Vickie has come. #Brillblogposts
MamaMummyMum
July 31, 2015 at 7:28 am
Interesting post, she's done well to get so far as a professional blogger here, great advice to all who do it not just newbies #binkylinky
Susan
July 31, 2015 at 7:52 am
She is a superstar. Love her xx #brilliantblogposts #PoCoLo
A Mum Reviews
July 31, 2015 at 8:06 am
Great interview, Vicky seems so lovely! #TheList
Everything Mummy
July 31, 2015 at 8:58 am
love this interview its always so inspiring to hear how far others have come x
twinmumamongstotherthings
July 31, 2015 at 12:19 pm
What a fantastic career Vicki has had. #binkylinky
twinmumamongstotherthings
July 31, 2015 at 12:21 pm
What an exciting career history! #Binkylinky
Stressed Mum
July 31, 2015 at 1:43 pm
What a lovely post to read 🙂
Sarah Howe – Run Jump Scrap
July 31, 2015 at 4:40 pm
Fab interview Hun and so inspiring 🙂 xx #binkylinky
Sophie P
July 31, 2015 at 7:05 pm
A great interview. She is one of my blogger girl crushes! #fangirl #binkylinky
thesingleswan
July 31, 2015 at 8:30 pm
Hi Emily,
Great interview and great choice of interviewee. Vicki really is the authority in the parent pro blogger industry. She's clearly confident and has a great business head. A great role model. x
Victoria Welton
July 31, 2015 at 9:14 pm
What a great interview – Vicki has done so well. Thank you for sharing with #PoCoLo 🙂 x
NewMummy Blogger
August 1, 2015 at 9:56 am
Brilliant interview and so informative xx
#blinklinky
Hannah Parker
August 4, 2015 at 6:42 pm
Thanks so much for linking up this fab interview with #Thelist – Vicki is such a professional! Really inspiring to hear how she does it…I need more day dresses! xxx
Mrs Tubbs
August 5, 2015 at 8:48 pm
Great interview. It's always interesting to meet the person behind the blog. #pocolo
Adventures of a Novice Mum
August 20, 2015 at 7:49 am
Useful interview; so lovely to have a job that fits your life very well. It's brilliant too, how her educational and work background has helped with her blogging, isn't it. And my, how confidence begets confidence; fantastic really.
Thanks for an insightful interview. #PoCoLo