The glamorous side of blogging

I’d always maintained that I’m not a blogger, I’m someone who writes a blog. The word ‘blogger’ makes me feel like one of those girls on Location, Location, Location who’s 24 and looking for a crash pad in the city with a budget of £900 grand. But I guess I’m just splitting hairs really and the more time goes on the less I’m bothered about being labelled a blogger. May as well call a spade a spade. I get asked a lot by people I work with about my blog; why I do it, what I write about and all the cool stuff I get to do. So I thought I’d create a little miniseries based around the questions I get asked quite a lot. This week I’m focusing on the glamorous side of blogging, some of the best things that have happened since I started blogging in 2013.

You make some great friends

The first ever blogging event I went to was as a plus one for Katie from Lady from a Tramp which was a cocktail launch at the Botanist and since then we’ve remained good friends. She gives me all the advice and support I need as well as a swift kick up the bum when I’m moaning about my stats dropping. I’ve also become close with Pixie, Laura, Jen and Kelly who, although I don’t see in person nearly often enough, we talk regularly and I genuinely consider them mates. It’s the friendship building of the future I can tell you!

You get some great opportunities

Since starting the blog it’s lead to some amazing opportunities for me. Off the back of writing a review of one of their shows; local band The Longsands asked me to become their press officer, which I did for a couple of years before they disbanded. And after writing a review of his (brilliant) album Deliverance, UK rapper and producer Sway asked me to become his PA and social media manager. Unfortunately as I’d just started a new full time job it was an offer I had to turn down however we are in touch regularly via whatsapp and I still help him out with his press releases and his Wikipedia page.

Back in May last year I was invited to speak on a panel at a blogging and influencing workshop for new bloggers. To think that someone thought I was in a good position in impart wisdom on others is quite frankly astonishing but very, very cool.  If 14 year old me knew about this, she’d lose her tiny mind!

You’re able to treat your friends

I’ve joked in the past about the fact that when I started blogging I would except anything and everything I was offered because I was just so flattered to be asked. The problem with that is you end up having to shoehorn some personality or personal experience into something you’re really not that passionate about and it becomes more work than it’s worth. These days I’m much more picky about what I accept and only go to or receive things that I would be happy to pay for myself. For example being offered a years’ worth of free wine in return for some promotion with Le Petit Ballon – totally on brand. Being asked to be the ‘face’ of eco-friendly tampons, there’s not enough free sanitary products in the world would make me want my dad to read those posts. Of course in terms of events it’s always great when I can take my friends along too so they get a little insight into my double life. And because they’re my biggest cheerleaders they double up as my own personal PR team who big me up to brands and suppliers, which is incredibly handy sometimes!

It’s great for your ego

Any regular reader of the blog, or anyone who knows me will know I’m not exactly a wallflower, nor the most humble person in the world so writing a blog that has started to become popular does absolute wonders for my ego. Whether it be being recognised on a night out at Wylam brewery as ‘the Prosecco girl’ and Dave being asked ‘is your wife Honestly Helen, will she follow me on instagram?!’ it’s all incredibly flattering and completely feeds my dream of one day being an international superstar/nations sweetheart/contestant on ‘I’m a Celeb’ (I’m really not fussy). Most people would probably be modest or shy about this kind of attention. I bloody love it!

It can genuinely change your life

For something I started as a hobby, writing a blog has literally changed my life. Unsure of any career progression opportunities at work as a PA, someone read my blog and suggested I apply for an engagement role within the organisation.  I may not have been the most obvious candidate ‘on paper’ but they liked my enthusiasm for writing and experience with different social media so I got the job. I get to manage my own workload, write my own strategies and travel up and down the country once a month. I essentially get paid to talk to people! It’s a 100% career change for me and honestly I’ve never been happier. I mean until I get hired as an international margarita tester.