Blogger Spotlights: Rachel McGrath, Dolly Bakes

DollyBakes was created in 2012 by Rachel McGrath to share her baking and tasting experiences at restaurants as well as writing about the cake club she runs. Her love of Bundt cake is apparent as soon as you visit her blog, with Rachel coming up with exciting recipes such as the Cinnamon Swirl Bundt, Aperol Spritz Bundt and Apple and Fireball Liquor Bundt. Having recently featured on our top ten baking ranking, Rachel chats to us about why people should read her blog, how she likes to work with PRs and what will be big in her blogosphere in the coming months.

Why should people read your blog? What makes it different? I’m not trying to be a master baker or a food critic, I’m just writing about what I love. I want people to be able to bake the perfect bundt with no blunders (heartbreaking), and visit restaurants I know they’ll love.

How do you measure the success of your website? I’m not interested in awards or statistics if I’m being honest. My measures of success are knowing when people have followed my recipes or recommendations. I love receiving pictures of bundts people have baked!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a blog? Write as if you were telling your friends about your subject matter. Don’t try and sound like someone else. You’re not a food critic or journalist, you’re someone with a real passion for your subject, so let it show.

How do you work with marketers and PRs? I have a great relationship with the PR companies I’ve worked with. My ethos is only to work with products and services that I genuinely endorse.How do you use social media to promote/share content? What are the challenges?

How do you use social media to promote and share content? What are the challenges? I love to share pictures of my creations, or places I have been. Pictures say more than words. I’ve created a lovely little community of bloggers and bakers who share my interests. Don’t be selfish, help others, and they will reciprocate. There have been challenges, but I’ve chosen to ignore them. This is my hobby, and I refuse to engage with negative people.

What can PRs do in working better with you? This depends on what we’re working on. Transparency is key. Be clear from the start what you want from me, and I will do the same.

What has been your blogging highlight? Visiting some of the best restaurants in the world, and interviewing some of my heroes.

What will be big in your blogosphere in the coming months? More of the same to be honest, more weird and wonderful recipe ideas, and visiting new places with my nearest and dearest.

What does the Vuelio Blog Ranking mean to you and how does it affect your blog? It’s always lovely for others to recognise your hard work.