Having been a blogger for a short while now I've read countless posts and books on taking your blog to the next level. I want to share with you all the tips and tricks that have helped me along in my career. Here are my Top 10 tips + tricks to branding out into the blogging world or simply improving your already established mark in the industry.
ONE THING AT A TIME
If I had a pound for everytime I've written tasks and been caught out for trying to do too many things at once I'd be lying on a beach somewhere hot sipping champagne and eating a posh superfood salad. My NUMBER ONE productivity tip is to firstly; set out your daily tasks (the night before so you don't waste time in the morning figuring out your day) and secondly; complete ONE task at a time. No exceptions. You'll find you get so much more done and it will be much easier to measure your accomplishments at the end of the day. Be sure to always leave some extra room for tasks that pop up during that day too.
NEVER LEAVE A TRAIN OF THOUGHT MID JOURNEY
You never know where your daydream or brain-storm might lead to so never leave an idea half-thought out. Try and reduce all distractions around you while you're working and always have your pink sparkly notepad or iNotes handy (other colour note pads and other mobile phone apps are available) incase you come up with a monumental blog idea or need to take some business deets down.
ENGAGE WITH BRANDS, BLOGGERS + FANS
Engagement is such a massive part of my blogging life. Whether it's supporting another blogger's amazing accomplishment, thanking followers for their amazing support or just letting a new brand know I dig their stuff, it's always appreciated and incredible when they engage back. Not to mention I've made friends for life that just started out as a cute commenter on one of my selfies. Engaging also makes you SO much more visible to other people and brands to might want to connect with you on a personal or professional level.
WHY WAIT FOR BRANDS TO CONTACT YOU?
Even if you're just testing the blogging world water or you're well on your way for your first gazillion followers, it's okay to contact bomb brands before they find you. For me, Instagram is my favourite way to find brands that suit me and my blog, but you can even do this just by googling 'blogger opportunities'. No matter how big or small you or the company are, giving them a message to introduce yourself and telling them what you (and your blog) are about is SO respectable and the brands will know you've made an extra effort to be personal with them. Sure it might not be a 'get rich quick' opportunity, they might even feel like you're just not for them right now, but they may still consider you for future collabs and if it DOES work out, it's content + exposure for you AND them. Worthy brands will care more about your content and online impact than just your follower count so be brave Dave and your confidence could land you the best opportunity.
TIME IS MONEY
The more time to you spend putting off that blog post or replying to that email, the less money you could be earning. I'm not saying to bash out rubbish rushed content everyday but being as focused and productive as you can will bring in more success and more opportunities.
SPLIT YOUR DAY UP
I know that realistically I cant allocate each task to each hour of the day, but I do like to block my time for different activities. For example: I like to make sure I have answered all my emails by 10am so I can get my content writing done by the time I sit down for lunch. After lunch I know I can then answer any more emails I've received that morning and continue on with the rest of my less time critical tasks.
ALWAYS PLAN YOUR BLOG POSTS/SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS/VIDEOS
This is so crucial for me, and even more so if it's a sponsored post as all the relevant criteria must be included. I always create mind maps, write out my content by hand, then type it up. There is something about the reading and typing process that helps me focus more. Something else might work better for you so experiment a little on what makes you roll.
WRITE A MONTHLY SCHEDULE FOR POSTS/VIDEOS
I am THE worst for this. My way to make myself more productive overall is to write down what I'll be posting and when, throughout the month. This way I'll be able to have a better idea and understanding of my commitments, thus, fulfilling those commitments is a lot more likely. If they're written down you gotta do em'!
BE VISUALLY PLEASING
Perfectly written content is fab but it's even better to have super pretty pictures to go with it. This doesn't mean you need the latest DSLR or the fanciest lighting, but a little clarity and structure to your pictures will attract more followers AND brands who want you to promote their products. It's all very well having a SUPER CUTE new bag as your main focus but with the dirty dishes or the cute kitty eating out of the bin just behind, it's kinda off putting. Oh, and a little editing of the brightness will work a treat, PLUS it's free!
Okay, this can REALLY get on my nervies. What good is it writing about your incredible experience in Miami and you're huge Sephora haul if I literally cannot read it. It is SO simple to read your content back to you before you post it and correct any booboos. Personally, I get my super clever A+ in English Language friend to read it for me (he's always brutally honest about the post too) but it makes so much of a difference to the quality of the post, and it really shows you take pride in what you do, too!
What are your tips + tricks? Have any of these worked for you? Leave a comment below and I'll talk to you soon about my little trip to MURAD HQ's which is happening tomorrow (EEEEEK!)
TTFN x
TOP 10 BLOGGING TIPS + TRICKS TO HACK THE INDUSTRY
Having been a blogger for a short while now I've read countless posts and books on taking your blog to the next level. I want to share with you all the tips and tricks that have helped me along in my career. Here are my Top 10 tips + tricks to branding out into the blogging world or simply improving your already established mark in the industry.
ONE THING AT A TIME
If I had a pound for everytime I've written tasks and been caught out for trying to do too many things at once I'd be lying on a beach somewhere hot sipping champagne and eating a posh superfood salad. My NUMBER ONE productivity tip is to firstly; set out your daily tasks (the night before so you don't waste time in the morning figuring out your day) and secondly; complete ONE task at a time. No exceptions. You'll find you get so much more done and it will be much easier to measure your accomplishments at the end of the day. Be sure to always leave some extra room for tasks that pop up during that day too.
NEVER LEAVE A TRAIN OF THOUGHT MID JOURNEY
You never know where your daydream or brain-storm might lead to so never leave an idea half-thought out. Try and reduce all distractions around you while you're working and always have your pink sparkly notepad or iNotes handy (other colour note pads and other mobile phone apps are available) incase you come up with a monumental blog idea or need to take some business deets down.
ENGAGE WITH BRANDS, BLOGGERS + FANS
Engagement is such a massive part of my blogging life. Whether it's supporting another blogger's amazing accomplishment, thanking followers for their amazing support or just letting a new brand know I dig their stuff, it's always appreciated and incredible when they engage back. Not to mention I've made friends for life that just started out as a cute commenter on one of my selfies. Engaging also makes you SO much more visible to other people and brands to might want to connect with you on a personal or professional level.
WHY WAIT FOR BRANDS TO CONTACT YOU?
Even if you're just testing the blogging world water or you're well on your way for your first gazillion followers, it's okay to contact bomb brands before they find you. For me, Instagram is my favourite way to find brands that suit me and my blog, but you can even do this just by googling 'blogger opportunities'. No matter how big or small you or the company are, giving them a message to introduce yourself and telling them what you (and your blog) are about is SO respectable and the brands will know you've made an extra effort to be personal with them. Sure it might not be a 'get rich quick' opportunity, they might even feel like you're just not for them right now, but they may still consider you for future collabs and if it DOES work out, it's content + exposure for you AND them. Worthy brands will care more about your content and online impact than just your follower count so be brave Dave and your confidence could land you the best opportunity.
TIME IS MONEY
The more time to you spend putting off that blog post or replying to that email, the less money you could be earning. I'm not saying to bash out rubbish rushed content everyday but being as focused and productive as you can will bring in more success and more opportunities.
SPLIT YOUR DAY UP
I know that realistically I cant allocate each task to each hour of the day, but I do like to block my time for different activities. For example: I like to make sure I have answered all my emails by 10am so I can get my content writing done by the time I sit down for lunch. After lunch I know I can then answer any more emails I've received that morning and continue on with the rest of my less time critical tasks.
ALWAYS PLAN YOUR BLOG POSTS/SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS/VIDEOS
This is so crucial for me, and even more so if it's a sponsored post as all the relevant criteria must be included. I always create mind maps, write out my content by hand, then type it up. There is something about the reading and typing process that helps me focus more. Something else might work better for you so experiment a little on what makes you roll.
WRITE A MONTHLY SCHEDULE FOR POSTS/VIDEOS
I am THE worst for this. My way to make myself more productive overall is to write down what I'll be posting and when, throughout the month. This way I'll be able to have a better idea and understanding of my commitments, thus, fulfilling those commitments is a lot more likely. If they're written down you gotta do em'!
BE VISUALLY PLEASING
Perfectly written content is fab but it's even better to have super pretty pictures to go with it. This doesn't mean you need the latest DSLR or the fanciest lighting, but a little clarity and structure to your pictures will attract more followers AND brands who want you to promote their products. It's all very well having a SUPER CUTE new bag as your main focus but with the dirty dishes or the cute kitty eating out of the bin just behind, it's kinda off putting. Oh, and a little editing of the brightness will work a treat, PLUS it's free!
Okay, this can REALLY get on my nervies. What good is it writing about your incredible experience in Miami and you're huge Sephora haul if I literally cannot read it. It is SO simple to read your content back to you before you post it and correct any booboos. Personally, I get my super clever A+ in English Language friend to read it for me (he's always brutally honest about the post too) but it makes so much of a difference to the quality of the post, and it really shows you take pride in what you do, too!
What are your tips + tricks? Have any of these worked for you? Leave a comment below and I'll talk to you soon about my little trip to MURAD HQ's which is happening tomorrow (EEEEEK!)
TTFN x
I am no stranger to band skin days and I've had my fair share (3000 days worth) just like anyone else. It has taken me a good four years to figure out a skincare routine that not only works to suit my budget, skin concerns, time and patience, but that actually works, too! Here is my step by step/cheat sheet/quick (but not too quick) guide to a perfectly complete skincare routine.
THINGS YOU'LL NEED
- Flannels
- Commitment
- Your chosen products
STEP 1: CLEANSE
Always clean your face in the morning. I used to love that morning glow I'd wake up with but then I realised it is actually just sweat. Pick a cleaner that is right for you. There are a million and one different types of cleansers for a million and one different skin concerns but picking the perfect one for you is a must. For example, an oil-free cleanser would be suitable for acne-prone skin, however for someone with dryness as a concern, it could be perfect. I perfect a cream cleanser but you might prefer something like a balm. What ever floats your goat. Be sure to try out testers from the beauty counters before splashing out buying the products full price.
GET MY FAVOURITE CLEANSER HERE
GET MY FAVOURITE CLEANSER HERE
STEP 2: ACID
I have used acid exfoliants for a few years now and they make such a huge difference with the clarity and texture of your skin. They have the similar effect that toners do however by containing a percentage of acid (usually Hyaluronic or Salicylic) they kick your skin into action to prepare for the next steps and balance out the pH. One of the main causes of wrinkles, inflammation, extreme sensitivity & acne is an imbalance in the skin. If your skin going goes too alkaline-y, it needs to be balanced out, hence why we introduce acid to neutral, thus, have happy skin.
GET MY FAVOURITE ACID HERE
GET MY FAVOURITE ACID HERE
STEP 3: SPRAY HYDRATE
For this stange, I personally would either use the La Roche-Posay Serozinc Spray or the Avène Thermal Water Spray. One reason I love using this in the morning is because it seriously wakes me up. I keep my spray hydrate ingredients as natural as possible to make sure I give my skin as much TLC that I do kicking it's butt.
GET MY FAVOURITE SPRAY HYDRATE HERE
GET MY FAVOURITE SPRAY HYDRATE HERE
STEP 4: Eye Cream
I apply this in the middle of my routine so it can really work its way into the lower layers of my skin without having to get past other layers of products on my skin.
STEP 5: Serum/Oil
I tend to use my serum daily and my oil twice a week or when my skin needs a little lovin'. Find a serum that specifically concentrated on your main skin concern. Serums are designed to work their way right through all the layers of you skin.
STEP 6: Moisturiser
The holy grail of the routine. Do it. Always. Pick your moisuriser based on your skin type (oily, dry, combination) rather than your concern (redness, aging, acne). I always insure I take the most care in this stage to rub it to my skin fully and create a good base for my make up to go on to.
GET MY FAVOURITE MOISTURISER HERE
GET MY FAVOURITE MOISTURISER HERE
FINALLY, my three top tips:
- Only use your flannel once, then WASH!
- Drink TONS & TONS of water!
- Be religious with your skincare routine and NEVER go to sleep with make up on!
ENJOY!
THE COMPLETE MORNING SKINCARE GUIDE: Step By Step
I am no stranger to band skin days and I've had my fair share (3000 days worth) just like anyone else. It has taken me a good four years to figure out a skincare routine that not only works to suit my budget, skin concerns, time and patience, but that actually works, too! Here is my step by step/cheat sheet/quick (but not too quick) guide to a perfectly complete skincare routine.
THINGS YOU'LL NEED
- Flannels
- Commitment
- Your chosen products
STEP 1: CLEANSE
Always clean your face in the morning. I used to love that morning glow I'd wake up with but then I realised it is actually just sweat. Pick a cleaner that is right for you. There are a million and one different types of cleansers for a million and one different skin concerns but picking the perfect one for you is a must. For example, an oil-free cleanser would be suitable for acne-prone skin, however for someone with dryness as a concern, it could be perfect. I perfect a cream cleanser but you might prefer something like a balm. What ever floats your goat. Be sure to try out testers from the beauty counters before splashing out buying the products full price.
GET MY FAVOURITE CLEANSER HERE
GET MY FAVOURITE CLEANSER HERE
STEP 2: ACID
I have used acid exfoliants for a few years now and they make such a huge difference with the clarity and texture of your skin. They have the similar effect that toners do however by containing a percentage of acid (usually Hyaluronic or Salicylic) they kick your skin into action to prepare for the next steps and balance out the pH. One of the main causes of wrinkles, inflammation, extreme sensitivity & acne is an imbalance in the skin. If your skin going goes too alkaline-y, it needs to be balanced out, hence why we introduce acid to neutral, thus, have happy skin.
GET MY FAVOURITE ACID HERE
GET MY FAVOURITE ACID HERE
STEP 3: SPRAY HYDRATE
For this stange, I personally would either use the La Roche-Posay Serozinc Spray or the Avène Thermal Water Spray. One reason I love using this in the morning is because it seriously wakes me up. I keep my spray hydrate ingredients as natural as possible to make sure I give my skin as much TLC that I do kicking it's butt.
GET MY FAVOURITE SPRAY HYDRATE HERE
GET MY FAVOURITE SPRAY HYDRATE HERE
STEP 4: Eye Cream
I apply this in the middle of my routine so it can really work its way into the lower layers of my skin without having to get past other layers of products on my skin.
STEP 5: Serum/Oil
I tend to use my serum daily and my oil twice a week or when my skin needs a little lovin'. Find a serum that specifically concentrated on your main skin concern. Serums are designed to work their way right through all the layers of you skin.
STEP 6: Moisturiser
The holy grail of the routine. Do it. Always. Pick your moisuriser based on your skin type (oily, dry, combination) rather than your concern (redness, aging, acne). I always insure I take the most care in this stage to rub it to my skin fully and create a good base for my make up to go on to.
GET MY FAVOURITE MOISTURISER HERE
GET MY FAVOURITE MOISTURISER HERE
FINALLY, my three top tips:
- Only use your flannel once, then WASH!
- Drink TONS & TONS of water!
- Be religious with your skincare routine and NEVER go to sleep with make up on!
ENJOY!
It's no secret that I'm turning into an interior addict! Now that we're well into the second half of the year, I'm getting everything finished in the house right in time for Christmas (145 more sleeps!). As we all know, a house is not a home without something sweet smelling floating around so I was so excited to get my first ever Imperial Candle. Their concept is SO cute. If you're a bit of a sucker for weird and wonderful things like me, you're going to LOVE this.
You know how candles work; you set them on fire, let it do its smelly magic and then cry a little when it's burnt out. BUT what if I told you that when it burnt out, you got a piece of jewellery to remind you of the great times the candle gave you? AND WORTH UP TO £2000?!
Now don't get me wrong, you're not going to end up with a jewel fit for Kylie J every time you burn one of these babies out, but how excited are you going to be when you uncover your sparkly surprise!? I. CAN. NOT. WAIT. I'm burning it 24/7 now because I'm pretty much the most impatient person you will ever come across.
I was lucky enough to get hold of Summer Crush, which is the summeriest and crushiest scent you ever did smell ya'll. Especially for the summer (that thing that doesn't really exist in the UK). Being made from Soy Wax, this means it's non-toxic, burns cleaner, lasts longer and doesn't damage your home.
NONE of their products are tested on animals either!
Anyway, you might be seeing it in a few of my YouTube videos that will be going live in the next couple of weeks! Gotta go burn some more Summer Crush now, brb.
IMPERIAL CANDLES: Summer Crushin'
It's no secret that I'm turning into an interior addict! Now that we're well into the second half of the year, I'm getting everything finished in the house right in time for Christmas (145 more sleeps!). As we all know, a house is not a home without something sweet smelling floating around so I was so excited to get my first ever Imperial Candle. Their concept is SO cute. If you're a bit of a sucker for weird and wonderful things like me, you're going to LOVE this.
You know how candles work; you set them on fire, let it do its smelly magic and then cry a little when it's burnt out. BUT what if I told you that when it burnt out, you got a piece of jewellery to remind you of the great times the candle gave you? AND WORTH UP TO £2000?!
Now don't get me wrong, you're not going to end up with a jewel fit for Kylie J every time you burn one of these babies out, but how excited are you going to be when you uncover your sparkly surprise!? I. CAN. NOT. WAIT. I'm burning it 24/7 now because I'm pretty much the most impatient person you will ever come across.
I was lucky enough to get hold of Summer Crush, which is the summeriest and crushiest scent you ever did smell ya'll. Especially for the summer (that thing that doesn't really exist in the UK). Being made from Soy Wax, this means it's non-toxic, burns cleaner, lasts longer and doesn't damage your home.
NONE of their products are tested on animals either!
Anyway, you might be seeing it in a few of my YouTube videos that will be going live in the next couple of weeks! Gotta go burn some more Summer Crush now, brb.
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