The Small Business Guide to Online Marketing. Lola Bailey
you realise that this was more than just a hobby?
Strangely, it was at an event where I was given a press badge that said Thoroughly Modern Milly on it, rather than my full name. From that moment on I began to feel more like TMM than Milly, and I knew it was a vocation I wanted to pursue.
You are clearly passionate about blogging. Why do you think small businesses should be considering it? Is blogging right for everyone?
Blogging can be as private or public as the creator wishes; it is a very versatile medium and is growing fast. It is accessible to all, making it a brilliant business tool. I think blogging can be for everyone, if you have the right attitude. It is instant, so is able to instigate or announce trends; it is perfect for modern companies who wish to be of the moment.
Is it possible to make money from a blog? What are the criteria before this can be taken seriously?
Honestly, it is difficult to make money solely from blogging, but it is possible through effective advertising and promoting. There are few criteria; basically more traffic and page views means more money. You are probably more likely to make money by creating a profile from blogging and then going on to write a book.
How does blogging fit in with social media as a whole?
Funnily enough, I still feel very new to the social media world, despite blogging relentlessly for the last two years! I use Facebook and Twitter in conjunction with my blogging and find it immensely helpful to broaden my audience. Social media is evolving so quickly, there is always something new to learn. This is the area I would like to improve, as it can be a great tool for a blogger.
How should someone get started – practically speaking?
I would recommend Blogger or WordPress as blog sites to use. It is very quick and easy to set up the site, so think carefully about a good name, the visuals, design, font, etc. A good camera and reliable computer are a massive help.
What have been the changes you have seen since you started blogging?
I am braver now, more daring. Blogging has taught me to be a reviewer, journalist, critic, photographer, interviewer… and I am constantly learning on the job.
What are your top tips for people starting blogging?
Just go for it. I spent so long umm-ing and ahh-ing. Once I forgot about the daunting prospect of the world wide web audience, it was easy. Try to have a focus and set yourself simple goals; readers like continuity so posting regularly is important.
Blogging expert interview: Rock N’ Roll Bride
Source: Founder Kat Williams by David McNeil Photography
Rock N’ Roll Bride is a UK wedding blog founded by Kat Williams and launched in October 2007. The blog began as a simple wedding planning site, but in 2009 was rebranded as a “Mecca for gorgeous photography and inspiring real weddings”. Rock N’ Roll Bride is an ever growing brand with magazine features, including Marie Claire Magazine, Cosmopolitan Bride, The British Journal of Photography, Easy Living, Company, Tattoo Revolution, Perfect Wedding, Wedding Ideas, Wed Magazine, Southern Weddings Magazine (US), the Guardian, The Sunday Times Style Magazine (Ireland) and the Daily Express.
Rock N’ Roll Bride was awarded Best Wedding Blog by Cosmopolitan in their Blog Awards which took place in October 2011.
What made you decide to set up a blog?
My story isn’t that remarkable or different to that of many people who get into the wedding industry. I started my blog when I was planning my own wedding to Gareth in 2007. At the time I didn’t even consider this could become a career; I simply wanted a place to collate all my wedding ideas and inspirations.
Throughout my planning I discovered American wedding blogs. I loved the instant nature of blogging – how you could comment and feel part of a community. I wanted to be a part of that. After my wedding was over I didn’t want to give up weddings or blogging, so I decided to morph my blog into a place for alternative wedding inspiration. Although I loved the wedding blogs I’d found throughout my plans, none of them catered to the specific kind of bride or style of wedding that I wanted – the alternative, the offbeat and the Rock N’ Roll.
What are you trying to achieve with the blog? What sorts of things do you blog about?
Fundamentally, I blog about alternative weddings. To people that don’t understand what a wedding blog is, I simply describe it as just like a wedding magazine, only online. This year I’ve also expanded the blog into a new section called The Green Room, where I write about running your own business.
Who are your readers? What do you think they get out of your blog?
My readers are prominently brides-to-be planning their own alternative weddings. They get ideas and inspiration for their own big days. I also attract a number of readers who work in the wedding industry themselves, who either want to attract the brides to their own companies or want to get ideas about how their can run their own businesses in a way that suits them too.
What was the ‘aha’ moment that made you realise that this was more than just a hobby?
Before I was doing this full-time, I worked as a producer for a shopping TV channel. A guy I worked with saw my blog and told me he thought it was not only a brilliant niche and idea, but that he thought it could certainly become something that could generate an income. I guess that was the first time I started thinking that Rock N’ Roll Bride could become more than just a hobby.
You are clearly passionate about blogging. Why do you think small businesses should be considering it? Is blogging right for everyone?
I think it is for everyone yes. Blogging is a fantastic way to showcase who you really are and show your personality, whatever your business or background. These days, particularly with weddings, people want to know about the people behind the company, and blogging and social media is a great way to do that.
Is it possible to make money from a blog? What are the criteria before this can be taken seriously?
Of course. Advertising, Google ads, affiliate schemes, ebooks and external projects like public speaking, writing for magazines/books, etc., are all ways bloggers can make money. Once you become a strong ‘internet personality’ the possibilities are actually endless – it’s only your imagination that stops you! There are a number of things to consider, but predominately “Does my blog get enough traffic to make taking on advertising (and the hassle that goes with it) worthwhile, for both me and the potential advertisers?” i.e. does your blog get enough traffic to give them a return on their investment?
How should someone get started – practically speaking?
There are many platforms available and most are free to begin with. I would always recommend WordPress, because it’s simple and very easily customisable in terms of the look of the blog.
What are your top tips for people starting blogging?
Post regularly. I make sure I post three times a day – it’s important to keep your readers happy and make sure they keep coming back to the site.
Create a visible brand for your blog. I paid for a professional graphic designer to design my website so it looks as glossy and professional as possible.
Don’t be afraid to take risks. I gave up a day job I loved, but the risk paid off.
Be yourself and don’t follow