It’s been an absolute pleasure so far interviewing all of the bloggers involved in our Blogger Interviews series. This week’s interviewee, the lovely Penny Golightly, is certainly no different.
I can’t quite remember when I first met Penny, but having worked with her on the lastminute.com blog recently I’ve come to realise Penny is actually a seriously good blogger. I suspect that is partly due to the fact she is a journalist by trade, but also because Penny blogs about something of real interest to her.
This is a theme that comes across in all of the blogger interviews I’ve conducted, write about something for which you have a genuine passion. I couldn’t agree more. It is impossible to write a blog on a topic which you aren’t very passionate about.
Correction, to write a good blog.
Penny is also a blogger who’s gone to the extra effort of creating a brand for herself, with a unique logo, look, feel and of course name. I wonder, is Penny your real name…
In any case, enough of the introduction, let’s cut to the chase. Penny Golightly, this is your blogger interview (said in a This is your Life style)…
1. What’s your blog called and what’s the URL?
The site’s called Penny Golightly, and the home page uses blog software, but there’s also a small forum and other things on there too. The URL is www.pennygolightly.com
2. What’s your blog all about ( in 20 words or less)?
The site’s dedicated to bargain hunting and getting maximum fun from your budget, whatever you have to spend.
3. When and why did you start blogging?
Confession time: I started blogging many years ago as part of a job whilst working on a website that shall remain nameless. It was a spoof blog, written in character and pretending to be a brainless socialite blundering about London. Looking back, it’s amazing that nobody sued us. *whistles and sidles away*
Since then I’ve done a few other paid blogs for people, mostly very straight laced and professional. Penny Golightly is more fun and personal, and it’s a break from other more serious things I might be getting up to with the day job. London is ridiculously expensive, but it’s also an amazing city, so it’s very enjoyable to be able to pass on some of the great things in it that are either free or represent good value for money.
4. Which blog platform do you use?
I’m using WordPress at the moment, which seems to be working out fine for the most part. It has days when it’s glitchy, but then who doesn’t?
5. Can you give an example of how blogging has enriched your life?
The best part is meeting lots of other people who are all so fired up and enthusiastic, whether that’s in person or online.
I love it when people pass on rumours about sales or send in their favourite cocktail recipes, or tip me off about interesting events.
6. Are there any blogs you recommend reading and why?
More confessions: most of the ones I read regularly are geeky technical, scientific and educational ones. On the bargain side of things I like The Lean Times, FruGal, The Frugal Life, and many others. Have a look at my Mwah Mwah (favourites) list for the full rogues’ gallery.
7. What three tips would you give to someone just starting out in blogging?
That’s a toughie… I’d say getting on with the writing/other content is the most important, because it usually takes time and practice before you really find your own style. You can always edit or delete entries later if you read them back and cringe. Don’t do it with the sole motivation of finding fame and fortune either, do it because it’s something you feel passionate about, or because it’s a subject area where you have some knowledge already and you’re continuing to learn. You’re writing in public, so make it an interesting read, and enjoy the conversations and contributions that follow.
Finally, I’d say be aware that some bloggers are being exploited at the moment – by all means do the occasional guest post for people you like, or support causes that you believe in, but don’t unquestioningly let people use your blog for product placement (your readers will start to question your integrity), and if you’re a good writer, set a limit on how much of your copy you’re prepared to give away for free each month to other publications (after a certain point, you should be getting a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work).
8. If you could change one thing about your blog what would it be?
There’s a whole list of things that need changing…. oh, the guilt.
Most of the content is practical/factual so a search function should have been added months ago. Oops. Naughty.
9. What is the key to getting readers to your blog?
I don’t know where half of my readers come from, truth be told. Maybe it’s word of mouth, but I don’t really have any active input into that, or control over it.
Some people drop by after social media comments, especially via @PennyGolightly on Twitter, and I run regular competitions which help too. Having said that, getting people to stick around and contribute is more enjoyable than concentrating on simply driving traffic.
That just made me look like a massive slacker, didn’t it?
10. And finally, why do you come to the London Bloggers Meetups?
Because you have the best canapes, darling. Oh, and the speakers are varied and excellent, and because it’s a friendly, unpretentious crowd who are lovely to meet.
It’s competition time again for members of the London Bloggers Meetup community. This time the prize will suit anyone with an interest in being comfortable. That’s right, if at some stage in your day you like to relax in a comfy chair, then this competition is for you.
Why’s that?
Well, we have teamed up with Ambient Lounge to offer two lucky bloggers the opportunity to pick up one of their fantastic designer bean bags. You can view their full range online or to be in with a chance to win one for free, simply enter our competition.
What do I have to do?
It’s simple…
1. write a short blog post, rhyme or story about beans and post it up on your blog
2. include a link to ‘http://www.ambientlounge.co.uk’ in your post with the anchor text ‘designer bean bags’.
3. add a trackback to this post.
And that’s it. We’ll review all of the entries and the winners will be the two most entertaining posts.
So what are you waiting for, get cracking folks.
The closing date is Friday 27th August at 12 midday, which give you a little over a week.
UPDATE the closing date has now been extended until Friday 3rd September. What are you waiting for.?!
And the small print of course..Terms and conditions
- All entries must include a link to Ambient Lounge with the anchor text “designer bean bags”
- The prize winners will be announced by email
- The competition prizes are two bean bag chairs from Ambient Lounge Ltd
- The promoter’s decision is final and binding in all matters
- Prize is non transferable and there is no cash alternative
- One entry per person
- Maximum value of bean bag available is £149
- Closing date is Friday 3rd September 2010 at 5pm
I have no idea how it’s Monday again already, but it is, which an only mean one thing: time for another Blogger Interview. We’re into week four of our interviews and so far we’ve had three people who write largely about London, all be it from a very different viewpoint. This should hardly be surprising given they’re all members of the London Bloggers Meetup. Anyway, you can read the previous interviews here.
Next up we have the irrepressible Sian Meades. I suspect there is very little introduction required for Sian but I’m going to try anyway.
I first met Sian around two or so years ago at one of our Blogger meetups. I always thought Sian was one of the Londonist team, but until this interview I couldn’t say for sure. Perhaps this is because Sian tends to be one of the last drinkers standing at the end of a bloggers meetup, alongside some of the Londonist guys, or it could be because of the sheer volume of online content I know Sian is responsible for.
It’s been a pleasure getting to know Sian, both personally and professionally. I admire her tenacity when it comes to getting projects going, not least in her venture as head slut (I hope it’s OK to call you that Sian) for Domestic Sluttery, a new women’s lifestyle blog. Sian has also been one of the few bloggers to get heckled when speaking at a London Bloggers Meetup, when a friend cried out: “get your t*ts out Sian”. Thankfully she overcame this and carried on talking, great stuff.
Anyway, I won’t bleat on any longer. It’s time to hear from Sian about the ins and outs of her blogging and hopefully some useful tips along the way. Over to you Siany…
1. What’s your blog called and what’s the URL?
I’m all over the internet, but I blog personally at http://www.sianyland.com/ and run the lifestyle website Domestic Sluttery.
2. What’s your blog all about ( in 20 words or less)?
On my personal blog I write about things that make me smile, think, or angry. On Domestic Sluttery I write about interiors, shoes, cake and cocktails.
3. When and why did you start blogging?
I started three years ago, writing for Londonist, I wanted something to do, someone pointed out that they were looking for writers. My first piece was slating Pete Doherty. It was pretty popular.
4. Which blog platform do you use?
I use blogger, because it’s easy to set up (I am not friends with html and webby stuff), but I’m going to move to WordPress at some point. I don’t mind where I blog as long as the page looks nice and the software doesn’t crash.
5. Can you give an example of how blogging has enriched your life?
Well it pays me now. Can I say that? Erm, seriously… I think I’m happier. I need to write.
I’ve met some amazing people through blogging, done some really fun things, and even seen a little bit more of the world.
6. Are there any blogs you recommend reading and why?
I actually just wrote a blog post about this.
There are many more, but they’re the ones I kick off my day with.
7. What three tips would you give to someone just starting out in blogging?
Set up a blog. Sounds crazy but so many people say they want to blog, without trying it first.
Read other blogs. Constantly. It’s the best way to improve.
Write about what you want, not what you think people want to read.
8. If you could change one thing about your blog what would it be?
The Domestic Sluttery design is being tweaked as I type. But blogging-wise, I’m learning to think before I write. It’s easy to get excited about something, but my best posts are the ones I put some thought into, rather than going off on one.
9. What is the key to getting readers to your blog?
Using Twitter helps.
Linking to other blogs.
Replying to comments. I hate it when people don’t reply to comments.
10. And finally, why do you come to the London Bloggers Meetups?
Free beer! Not really. OK, a little bit. But really, I want to hang out with my online friends. I want to meet the people who inspire me online. I listen to talks that interest me, and then have a giggle with some awesome people. And sometimes, even have a bit of a blogging spat.
They’re quite fun too. Bloggers are interesting, passionate people. There’s a common thread that links them, but the people at LBM all write about such different things. You always meet someone new.
It’s Monday morning and that can only mean one thing, it’s time for the next in our series of blogger interviews (we’ve already interviewed Annie Mole and The Londoneer). This next interview is with the one of the bloggers behind possibly the best advice site on the internet… a hefty claim I realise.
But seriously, if you’re ever in need of some guidance on where to get a good breakfast, you can count on Malcolm Eggs, and his co-writers Damon Allbran, Kofee Annan, Chris P Bacon, Hashley Brown, Pam Au Chocolat, Duncan Soldiers and others at the London Review of Breakfasts.
I first met Malcolm a couple of years ago at a London Bloggers Meetup event. I was delighted to instantly recognise his blog as I’d just used it to find a greasy spoon as a meeting place for a stag tour I was organising. With blogger names like Malcolm Eggs, it’s difficult to forget too.
Malcolm is also one of those few bloggers who has managed to turn his blog into a book deal, something I know a lot of bloggers are keen to do. I haven’t seen Malcolm at a meetup for a couple of months, but he’s been around for a while and is certainly one of the long time community members. I absolutely agree with some of Malcolm’s tips too, especially the point of writing about something you are genuinely interested in. I can only assume therefore he’s a massive fan of bacon and eggs…
An so without further introduction, I’ll hand this post over to the charming Malcolm Eggs…
1. What’s your blog called and what’s the URL?
The London Review of Breakfasts: www.londonreviewofbreakfasts.co.uk
2. What’s your blog all about ( in 20 words or less)?
We review breakfasts in London and sometimes beyond (in places like Mongolia, Scunthorpe and Iraq). We take it very seriously.
3. When and why did you start blogging?
I started in August 2005 after having an egg-piphany that no-one in the mainstream media was writing about going out for breakfast. A blog is the best way to achieve an ambition without compromising any laziness.
4. Which blog platform do you use?
A creaky pre-Templates version of Blogger.
5. Can you give an example of how blogging has enriched your life?
I landed a book deal (it’s out in 2012 with the wonderful Bloomsbury Publishing) and acquired an emergency conversation topic for when my mind goes blank at parties.
6. Are there any blogs you recommend reading and why?
I read Diamond Geezer and get incredibly jealous – he can write 2000 words about a new suburban bus route and leave you wanting more.
Also, Young and Foodish is a rare breed of food blogger: a great, unfussy writer who knows a lot, yet carries that knowledge lightly.
7. What three tips would you give to someone just starting out in blogging?
Specialise: in something you are genuinely interested in.
Be patient.
Be yourself.
8. If you could change one thing about your blog what would it be?
I’d like a big interactive map of all the breakfasts we’ve reviewed.
9. What is the key to getting readers to your blog?
Spending much more time on writing and editing than on obsessively trying to get readers.
10. And finally, why do you come to the London Bloggers Meetups?
People blog about the most bonkers things and it’s great fun talking to them about that.
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