AD: PR Visit - This experience was gifted in exchange for a review but all opinions are my own.
This week I had the pleasure of visiting the Greyhound at Corfe in Dorset with my friend and partner in crime, Maddie. The Greyhound is a stunning old English pub right next to Corfe Castle, which of course meant there were stunning views in their pub garden area. We had originally booked to sit inside but the garden just looked so nice that we requested to sit out there with the sun shining too. There were also some really cute dogs so that was a plus!
Upon arrival we were greeted by the most lovely staff that just couldn't do enough for us, they were very attentive and chatty - I wish I caught their names now but we were served by a lot of people so I safely assume that they are all as friendly as each other.
Maddie and I both ordered the same thing which was nice, nobody got food envy. For a starter, we had the Dorset Crab Tien (when in Rome). It was really nicely presented and tasted amazing too!
After that, we had the beef and chorizo burger for a main accompanied with halloumi fries on the side. It was a mega burger, you definitely won't be leaving hungry if you order it. The halloumi fries were 10/10 although, I did wish there was a few more of them.
Related: Places you need to visit in Dorset
We only had soft drinks but were very envious looking around at some of the cocktails, maybe next time.
If you are in Dorset or want to go then I'd definitely recommend visiting Corfe and the Greyhound. It's such a picturesque, historical village and did you know it's home to the smallest town hall in England? The Greyhound is such a lovely way to top off a great day out in Corfe.
I would definitely visit the Greyhound again, it's pub garden area is one of my favourites ever and the food and staff are both great.
Where have you been for food lately that you really enjoyed?
Related: A day at Sculpture by the Lakes in Dorset
Bloggers you need to check out this month
Start by checking out these posts
Make sure you check out these blog posts by Sarah
Check out these posts
As a blogger, I am often spending a lot of time on social media. Whether that is to promote my blog, or to research trends to grow my presence, I feel like I spend most of my free time on there. As a lot of us know, too much time on social media can sometimes become a bit toxic, as we may find ourselves comparing our lives to others too much. That's why I've come up with a list of activities you or your child could try instead of scrolling social media for hours.
Social media can be great in moderation, as it helps us to connect with people we may not get to see a lot, especially in recent times in the pandemic. It can also help us to connect with new people too, but it's important to take breaks from it too.
Activities to try instead of using social media
1. Exercise
2. Painting
Related: 22 things I've learnt in 22 years
3. Gaming
4. Reading
5. Go for a walk
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This month marks 5 years of Wool of the King, so I thought I’d share my experiences over the years and the sort of things I have got from blogging and growing my social media channels, including gifted products and payment. I am hoping this post will encourage young people, bloggers or not, to pursue their goals.
Early years
When I first started my blog in 2016, I was at college and I
only really wrote blog posts occasionally. It was just a space for me to chat
about things I wanted to chat about as a hobby. When I started university, I still
only occasionally posted updates and one day, one of my posts got over 1000 reads.
I was so happy and this really motivated me to write more, but with assignments,
a part-time job and a uni social life, I found it really hard to keep up with
my blog so I stopped writing for a while.
It wasn’t until 2020 at the start of the pandemic that I
started to write weekly blog posts and really start focusing on my growth. At
first, it was just out of boredom, I had so much more free time so I decided to
use that time to grow my blog and social media.
Growing my online presence
Once I started blogging more regularly, I wanted to make
sure these posts were being seen and gaining an audience, so I focused on
growing my social media channels including Twitter and Instagram. As a result
of this, my blog views were growing each month and I began to partake in gifted
influencer campaigns on my blog and over on Instagram. I was so excited by this
because I never expected to be doing anything like that!
If you want to find out more about influencer marketing,
check out the Mindy Parisi Influencer Spotlight.
In this instance, engagement is key! The more you engage
with others, the more they will engage with you, it’s so important in growing
your blog and socials.
Onwards and upwards
This year is the first year I have started making money
through blogging and I never thought I would be able to say that. It may not be
a lot to some, and it’s not enough to make a living from at the moment but having
any extra money through blogging is crazy to me as it started out as just a
hobby when I was 17.
So far, I have made money through sponsored posts on my blog,
influencer ads, advertising slots on my blog and affiliate sales. Last month I
made a total of £184 which has been my highest paid month yet. I would love to
be able to write E-books one day and sell those.
I have spoken a lot about blogging in this post, but a lot
of my influencer campaigns are on Instagram. These days, lots of brands look to
collaborate with content creators on there. I used to think you had to have
over 10k followers to collaborate with brands but this is not the case anymore
as smaller accounts often have higher engagement.
Read more about the rise in influencer marketing.
I have really loved my blogging journey, but it hasn’t
always been easy. There have often been times where I’ve wanted to give up, or
thought no one was going to take me seriously and it’s fine for that to happen.
The trick is to just not give up when you feel like that, and keep pushing
through with whatever it is you may be wanting to do. I have been blogging for
5 years now, but it has only been in the last year that I have started seeing
signs of success.
When was a time that you wanted to give up on something but
kept going?
This product was gifted to me as a PR product but all views are my own and I will be honest in my review. This post also contains affiliate links, meaning if you purchase a product through the links I will gain a small commission at no extra cost to you.
So if you're in the blogging community, you will probably already know that Eleanor from Not So Modern Girl, recently released an E-Book called The Art of Blog Writing, and I am so excited to have a copy to review!
Even the most seasoned bloggers need advice on blog writing from time to time and it's always great to hear advice from different sources, so we can keep on top of our game.
The E-Book usually retails for £3.99 which is a great price considering Eleanor is a blogger with over 4 years experience. It includes a step-by-step guide on writing a new blog post as well as tips on creating great social media posts and advice on spelling mistakes to avoid and proof reading checklists.
Related: How to find out the best blogging niche for you
A lot of E-Books these days can have some scary jargon in that is intimidating for new bloggers but The Art of Blog Writing, in my opinion, has really straight-forward points that could easily be applied to blog writing.
The text also includes some great advice on writing social media posts as well as blog posts. If you are using social media to support your blog as many bloggers do, you will need to know how important it is to represent yourself and your brand across your social media channels and Eleanor explains this in the E-Book.
If you are looking for advice on writing blog posts and social media content then look no further. The Art of Blog Writing explains all the basics in a simple way, without any scary information or jargon that you may learn later down the line.
Related: Top tips for creating digital branding as a blogger
Have you read Eleanor's E-Book?
AD - This blog post features my monthly advertisers. If you would like to advertise with me or find out more then please contact me.
This is now my 4th month of featuring advertisers on my blog and I have been really loving it. I love reading posts like these too and discovering new bloggers so I hope you have been enjoying discovering these wonderful bloggers too! This month, I have 5 amazing bloggers to share with you, I also offer ad slots to small shops too so if you are a small shop or business owner wanting to increase sales or views to your website then let me know!
The first blogger I have to share with you is one of my favourites, it's Enviroline Blog. Caroline is not only a lovely person, but she also shares amazing content about the environment and eating disorder recovery. I always learn so much when I read her blogs and love keeping up with her content on social media too.
Check out these posts from Enviroline Blog
Start by checking out these posts
Next up on the bloggers you need to check out this month is Brit Voyage. Georgia from Brit Voyage is a travel and lifestyle blogger that writes amazing blog posts all about her adventures around the UK. I am always looking for new places to explore in the UK which is why I love Georgia's content.Here are a few of my favourite posts from Georgia
- 10 locations that should be your UK holiday destination for 2021
- 5 cost effective ways to make a visual impact in your home
Start by checking out these posts
Check out these posts from Miel and Mint
Some positives
Some negatives
LESSONS I LEARNT FROM JUGGLING BLOGGING WITH UNIVERSITY
1) Nothing's impossible and you can do anything you put your heart to
2) It's about finding the right balance
3) Me time is a must even when there seems to be too much on my plate
4) Passion is so so important
About the author
Socials:
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With the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, a lot of you might
have stopped going on dates or trying to meet new people. That’s fine, it’s
been a tough time for a lot of people but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have
to stop meeting new people or going on dates, especially as online dates are
becoming so prevalent now.
You may have been taking part in virtual or socially
distanced dates already, but I am going to be sharing some online date ideas
and in person date ideas around Dorset for you to get back into the swing of
things. I will also try and give you my best advice on dating, I don’t consider
myself an expert but I managed to get myself a boyfriend and we have been
together for nearly 3 years so I must be doing something right.
Online Date Ideas
If you’re on the dating scene and haven’t tried online
dating yet then you need to! As the pandemic has made most of us realise, we
really rely on technology so we may as well use it to meet new people. It is
quickly becoming the norm for people looking for dates and it can help you connect
with others in a safe way. You can find local single people on a Dorset Dating Site.
One of the main benefits of online dating is that you don’t
have to leave your house so if you feel the date went terribly, it’s not too
much lost as you won’t have gone anywhere. Also, they won’t notice if you’re in
pyjama bottoms on a call. Look up dating sites UK to find singles in your area.
Quiz
I feel like so many people have done quizzes over zoom so
why not do it on a date? It would be fun to make up some questions to ask each
other as a way to get to know each other. Obviously if you are only just
getting to know them you need to be careful with what you ask them, but it
could be a really cool way to find out what you have in common.
Drawing Games
You could pick any game to play on an online date, I am just
using a drawing one as an example of something that could be fun. You could
challenge each other to draw the same thing and see who’s is best, or draw
something and the other person has to guess what it is.
Date Ideas Around Dorset
Now that rules are being relaxed and you can meet someone
outside at a distance, it might be nice to start dating in person again, so I’m
going to give you a few ideas of what you could do with someone out and about
round Dorset.
Here are some socially distanced date ideas that are great for meeting new people
- Outdoor Minigolf
- Walk along the Beach
- Have a picnic in a park
- Get takeaway food or coffees
Before we finish, I’d just like to share with you my number
one piece of advice before dating. If you are nervous about whether they will like
you, just focus on whether or not you will like them. After all, the dating
experience is about you and what makes you happy.
Have you tried online dating?
I'm 22! I'm actually posting this on my birthday. I've seen a lot of people do this kind of post around their birthday so I thought I'd try it too. It was actually quite hard to think of 22 things but I got there in the end. So here we go.
22 Things I've Learned in 22 Years
1. It's better to have a few good friends than 100 bad ones
Honestly, having fake or bad friends can be so damaging to your mental health. It's great to have lots of great friends but what's the point having lots of fake friends? If you have a few good friends, you will really appreciate them more.
2. You have to be your own cheerleader
Don't wait for people to support you and gas you up for your achievements, you should celebrate yourself!
3. I should stop calling myself dumb
I always say I'm dumb as a joke and that often provokes people to join in and say it to, when in reality I'm really not - I've nearly finished a degree.
4. Confidence is key but fake it 'til you make it
I've recently learned that confidence really is key. When you think of the most confident people, you wouldn't really try messing with them or putting them down. Although, it's hard to be confident, the more you try and act confident, the more it will come across to others that you are.
5. It isn't an edgy personality trait to like Lana Del Rey
My favourite artist is Lana Del Rey, don't know if you've heard of her? Haha 14 year old me thought I was so cool and different but really, you like what you like and it doesn't matter. It's not cool to try and be different.
6. I can't keep everything bottled up
I am someone who finds it really difficult to talk about trauma or how I'm feeling, I'll often make jokes out of things as a coping mechanism. Keeping it bottled up is the wrong way to deal with it because I'll often get overlooked. How will people know to be there for you if you don't let them know? I've found it's much more healthy to be open about how I feel.
7. Everyone is working at their own pace
The worst thing you can do is compare yourself to others when it comes to your life goals. Especially in your 20s when some people are married with kids, and some people are just starting to figure out what they want to do. It's all FINE there's no rush on anything.
8. You shouldn't sacrifice your feelings just to get on with people
I hate confrontation so a lot of the time when people have peed me off I haven't said anything, but if someone wrongs you, they aren't going to realise unless you tell them.
9. Age doesn't mean anything
Again, everyone is working at their own pace it doesn't really matter about your age. I am also saying this because I am a 22 year old with some greys coming through.
10. You don't owe anything to anyone
In the past I felt like I had to do things for people and felt bad for saying no to things, but now I'll pretty much only go out of my way for people who deserve it.
11. Like what you like
This relates to my Lana Del Rey point earlier. Unfortunately there are people that will make fun of you for what you like so you may as well openly enjoy whatever it is you enjoy, unapologetically.
12. Celebrate the small wins
13. You don't have to have a life plan
14. Putting yourself first isn't selfish
15. Appreciate little things
I feel like I don't always fully appreciate good times until they are a memory and the more things that turn into memories, the more I realise I need to appreciate those things while they happen and not just after.
16. If you can't love yourself, how in the hell can you love somebody else?
So true, thank you RuPaul.
17. Saying no to people is fine
Again, it's not selfish to set boundaries and to not do everything for people.
18. You won't always have awful taste in men
I used to always go for toxic males and now I have the nicest boyfriend ever and am winning at life, I just wish I didn't waste so much time.
19. There is a lot in the world that needs to change
As you get older, you realise that there are so many things that are wrong in the world and things you thought you knew seem to be untrue and that we need to make take active steps into spreading kindness and trying to make the world a better place.
20. You will probably feel 18 forever
Ever since turning 18, every year I feel like I haven't got any older and I think I will keep thinking I'm 18, at least for the near future anyway. I wonder if when I am 30, will I still feel like I'm 18?
21. Don't grow up too fast
When I was a teenager, all I wanted to do was be older but now, I am going to be an adult for the rest of my life. You are only young for a short amount of time so you may as well make the most out of it.
22. It will be harder to think of things for this post than what you thought
I struggled with finding 22 life lessons I've learnt, but I hope you enjoyed reading my list.
What's one thing you've learnt?
AD - This post features my monthly advertisers. If you are interested in advertising with me then please contact me or find out more on my advertise with me page.
I have really enjoyed sharing some of my favourite blogs with you each month, it's such a good way to interact with and discover new people.
Firstly, we have Life of Morag, a fabulous blog all about travel, politics, health and life in general. I recently discovered Morag on Twitter and I'm so glad that I did, she has such insightful posts that are written from the heart. Be sure to check out her blog!
Start by reading these posts
- That's Where my Demons Hide: Understanding Anxiety
- Reflecting on a Year of Lockdown and How Whatever You Feel is Valid
Check out these posts by Tash
Make sure you read these posts by Lynn
Check out these posts from Sophia
This is a guest post from Sophia Patel.
Blogging can be a
challenge, especially when you feel like you are always scraping for content.
After 6 years, at times I can find it a weekly struggle to come up with content
good enough. There are, however, several tools and habits to stop you from walking
down this path - one of them is establishing your niche. Here's how.
Get To Know
Your Audience
Just like your blog,
your audience will evolve. You will gain some, lose some, and others will stick
with you along the way. Base your key topics of interest on your analytics -
what are my most popular posts within a particular time frame? What is the
demographic of your audience? Both your topic and audience have to work
together, otherwise, you will have no one reading your posts. For example, a
parenting blog would not be 100% relevant if your audience were 10-15-year-old
boys, would it? Establish your demographic first.
What Are You
Interested In?
Over the last few years, I had had so much inner conflict with this. I started as a beauty blogger (reviewing the likes of Benefit's They're Real Mascara). Now, you will see 3 beauty posts per year. Why? Because over time your niche will naturally change. I have always considered it an evolution because the ideas you come up with at silly hours in the morning is usually a clue as to what you want to post. And let's be honest, content is always better when it comes from the heart. That's why over time I have ditched the beauty and moved into blogging tips for beginners and home & finance. When the content slowly evolves, some will stick around, and some will leave - that's just part of the process.
Don't Try and
Blog About Everything
This is a mistake I
learned pretty late on. Over time, it is so easy to add a little bit of
everything. Been on holiday? Blog about that. Done some clothes shopping? Blog
about that. Cooked yourself a nice meal? Blog about that. Just in this example,
your blogging niche has expanded to travel, fashion and food. But it begs the
question of which one is your direct niche. I have been calling myself a
lifestyle blogger for years, yet what does it mean? If new audiences want to
gain a snippet from your blog and see a dozen blog posts in different niches
they may be slightly confused. Nail down your focus to a few interlinking
topics (I have linked blogging tips and home niches by talking about creating a home office to blog), and perfect
them. Chances are, there will always be someone else blogging about the niche
you ditched so no need to worry.
If You Cannot
Write About It, It's Not The One
If you have a niche
that you love, but cannot ultimately write content about, then it is not the
one. Increased competition means that posts need to be near 1000 words to meet
the requirements of Google. If your niche cannot meet that easily, you will
still struggle for content. When thinking of a niche, without any resources -
make a list of as many blog posts as you can. When I moved to home and interior
blogging, I came up with 50 ideas, meaning I could effectively have enough
titles for the next 6 months (excluding guest posts and exclusive content).
Bounce blogging ideas off one another and aim to interlink many of your posts
(a series / two part post). Not only will this help to create content, but
strengthen your niche.
What Blogs Do
You Read?
Chances are, your
niche and the topics you are interested in are going to be linked. If you are
still struggling to pinpoint your niche, look at it from a different angle and
self-reflect. Think about yourself - your hobbies, career path, the books you
read and the blogs you follow. Create a Venn diagram if need be and see where
it all overlaps.
Then look at the
competition. If the market is oversaturated, it is going to be difficult to
stand odd / offer content that Google doesn't have the answer to. E.g. Blogging
tips is a very large field with lots of high DA Bloggers competing. As this is
something I want to pursue, my niche has shifted to beginner level. We strip
back all the technical terms and start from scratch. The key is to find a
balance where you are offering content that has not been done a million times
before, and something that you have enough experience to talk about. After all,
list posts and how-to's are the most popular.
Give It Time
This is the number one piece of advice. Blogging takes time, finding your niche takes time. If you find it straight away then you are the lucky one - but more than likely a new blogging niche is caused by a love for something else and a critique of current work. If you ever have that dilemma, then it is time to change, because otherwise it'll be shown in your content.
About the Author:
I am Sophia - a recent marketing graduate who is blogging full time in lockdown. I talk about all things blogging; as well as the progress on renovation of an 18th century home on a budget, to boost valuation for sale.
What is Toxic Positivity?
Related: Friendships: The Low Down
What can we do about Toxic Positivity?
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