Phil Edwards

Blogger Spotlight: Phil Edwards, Live for Films

An interview with Phil Edwards, founder and editor-in-chief of Live for Films. Covering movie news, reviews and entertainment, the Top 10 UK Film Blog also covers TV shows, comics and pop culture. We spoke to Phil about the disappointment of Krull, Secret Cinema’s The Empire Strikes Back and working with PR.

What makes your blog successful?
I try to cover a wide range of films, TV shows and the like, from the mainstream to indies. Posting as often as I can to ensure there is always something new and fresh for the reader to enjoy. Chatting to readers on the various social media channels also helps and makes it all the more personal.

How many films do you see in an average week?
Not as many as I should, but it averages out to about five a week.

What’s your favourite film of all time?
John Carpenter’s The Thing. It just does what it does so well and every time I watch it there is something new to spot. Such a great sense of atmosphere and paranoia.

Least favourite film of all time?
Krull! I only saw it when I was a lot older so probably would have enjoyed it more through childlike eyes. It is a shame as I do like a good fantasy movie.

Film that’s yet to be released that you’re most excited about seeing?
Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water is very high on my list as it sounds like it will be a beautiful adult fairy tale, but I think Avengers: Infinity War is up there as all the past Marvel Studios have been building to this point. Being a huge comic book fan means I am very excited for that.

What will win the Best Picture Oscar 2018?
That’s a tough one as 2017 has seen some amazing films. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri could well take it, but Get Out, Call Me By Your Name and The Shape of Water have a good chance. Steven Spielberg’s The Post could be the late release winner as that deals with the press versus the government, which fits in with current events.

Want to work with influencers? Try the Vuelio Media Database and get access to 11,000 UK Bloggers in film, TV, lifestyle & more.

How do you like to work with PRs?
Email works best for me. Has everything all in one place and just makes it easier to get the information I need. Of course a great subject line for the initial email from the PR is always helpful to catch the eye.

Can you tell us about your favourite brand collaboration or screening experience?
Covering Secret Cinema presents The Empire Strikes Back was an incredible experience. Wez Merchant of Strike Media sorted it all out and I was lucky enough to take my daughter. We are both big Star Wars fans and it was like being in A New Hope as we wandered the desert of Tatooine with Luke Skywalker and asked Han Solo if he could get it off planet. My daughter even managed to smuggle the Death Star plans to Princess Leia!

What do you call yourself? Are you a blogger, influencer or content creator?
Film journalist and/or blogger.

What other blogs do you read?
Super Punch, GeekTyrant, Shut Up and Sit Down and many more.

Phil Edwards and Live for Films are both listed on the Vuelio Influencer Database, the leading blogger database available to the PR and communications industries.

7 PR New Year’s Resolutions

Morning too dark? Feeling bloated? Groggy head? Welcome to 2018! Today is the first day back in the office for a lot of the country so now is the perfect time to make your professional New Year’s resolutions. And because it’s your first day back, we’ve done all the hard work for you.

7 New Year’s Resolutions for the public relations professional:

1. Make new friends…
2018 is a brand new year and you’ve got the chance to make new friends and find new ways of reaching your audience. If you’re stuck in a cycle of the same old influencers for your outreach, now is the time to reach newbies – there’s always more relevant influencers than you think. And if you’re struggling to find those people, you obviously aren’t using the Vuelio Influencer Database.

2. …and stay in touch with old friends
Making new friends doesn’t mean you have to forgot your old friends. Good relationships need nurturing, give your influencers a little bit of TLC in 2018 – wish those journalists, broadcasters and bloggers ‘Happy New Year’ and make it clear you’re available when they need you.

3. Adopt a healthy balanced diet
Instagram is great! It’s a great way to reach millennials and spread brand awareness. But is it great for links and tangible ROI? That’s fine, it’s what we use Twitter for! But is your entire target market on Twitter? That’s why we use magazines, most of your audience read them – but your client asked you to do something new and innovative… so an experiential event is in order!

Don’t use one channel to reach your audience, take advantage of all the routes that now exist in a healthy, balanced way.

4. Lose the flab
You’re a professional storyteller, not a salesperson. You don’t need to communicate your product or service by describing it as the most amazing, incredible idea since sliced bread! Be innovative and use your creativity – that’s why you went into PR in the first place.

5. Be more organised
Not sure who is talking to which stakeholder? How’s that line of enquiry going? Did someone get back to that member of the public? No one likes to be caught out and a little organisation can go a long way. Vuelio Stakeholder Management can track what’s happening with all stakeholder interactions in your organisation so you know what’s been said, when.

6. Stop being boring
Another PowerPoint? Is that really the best way to tell your company, colleagues and the board how awesome you are? Investors don’t want to sit through endless slides of static clippings, and let’s be honest – neither do you! 2018 is the year that visually attractive, interactive displays are used to share content and media coverage – check out this Canvas from the Vuelio Blog Awards to see what we mean, then find out how to make your own Canvas here.

7. Don’t be lazy
It can’t be said enough in these Resolutions. You’re here because you’re creative – so be creative! The year of 2017 is over, leave the concepts and ideas that made it great behind you, and focus on 2018. It may take some time to find the next big thing, but the UK PR industry is incredible – so that next idea could come from anyone, including you.

Karen Woodham

Blogger Spotlight: Karen Woodham, Blazing Minds

An interview with Karen Woodham, the author of award-winning Blazing Minds. A film blog covering film reviews and news, as well as other entertainment stories, Blazing Minds is ranked in the Top 10 UK Film Blogs. We spoke to Karen about what makes her blog successful, the joy of IMAX and working with PR.

How would you describe your blog?
Blazing Minds is a blog that brings together the love of movies and other entertainment, with reviews of movies, music, tech and events, plus other interesting entertainment-based articles.

What makes your blog successful?
I think that it comes down to the readers knowing that the reviews are honest, they are written with a passion for the art and are never swayed by outside sources, so people know exactly what they are getting when stopping by. Also, having a good reach on social media has helped with the site’s popularity.

How many films do you see in an average week?
Now this varies, but I try to squeeze in as many as I can, usually one a day and sometimes two a day. With so many great films coming out on Blu-ray etc. it’s great to be able to view them in the comfort of my own home, but also, with the amazing new movies that hit the cinemas, it’s great to check them out in formats that you just can’t experience at home such as in IMAX.

What’s your favourite film of all time?
The original Blade Runner has always been a film that I keep coming back to and most of the time I watch the many cuts of the movie to spice it up a bit. It’s also the film that got me into reading a lot of Philip K. Dick’s stories.

Least favourite film of all time?
This would have to be The Devil Inside, a film that I found so boring that it actually sent me to sleep in the cinema!

Want to work with influencers? Try the Vuelio Media Database and get access to 11,000 UK Bloggers in film, TV, lifestyle & more.

Film that’s yet to be released that you’re most excited about seeing?
I’m a big fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so I can’t wait for Avengers: Infinity War, which hits UK cinemas on the 27 April.

What will win the Best Picture Oscar 2018?
There has been some amazing movies this year, so it’s going to be a tough one to predict the winner, but I would love to see Dunkirk win Best Picture. It’s a stunning movie that had me on the edge of my seat when I saw it in IMAX, which was a stunning way to experience the film.

How do you like to work with PRs?
I like to get to know the PRs that I’m working with and develop a good working relationship that benefits not only them and their clients, but also benefits me and the blog. I also like to bring great content from PR sources to Blazing Minds without detracting from the quality that is produced.

Can you tell us about your favourite brand collaboration or screening experience?
I remember the midnight screening of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story the most, it was a late night/early night spent with Cineworld at their Broughton IMAX, they put on a great evening with Stormtroopers and Cosplayers meeting and greeting guests before the showing of the movie in 3D IMAX, a wonderful experience and a brand that are so much fun to work with.

What do you call yourself? Are you a blogger, influencer, content creator?
I would have to say Blogger, maybe some time back the word may have been taboo to many, but over the years there have been some amazing bloggers that have produced content that is read more than some of the tabloids. Blogging is more than just sitting behind a keyboard; we travel to and from events, work some amazing people and enjoy what we do, so I’m proud to be called a blogger.

What other blogs do you read?
I tend to read blogs that I have similar interests to such as Back to the Movies, Let’s Go To The Movies, The Movie Nerd Strikes Back and many more.

 

Karen Woodham and Blazing Minds are both listed on the Vuelio Influencer Database, the leading blogger database available to the PR and communications industries.

Lele Pons

What’s real engagement on Instagram?

Instagram has released its stats of the year 2017, with top hashtags, celebrities and most-Instagrammed cities. But beyond the lists of usual suspects, what can this Instagram data tell us about influence on the visual platform?

Influence on Instagram has been in the news throughout 2017, with reports of buying followers sullying the integrity of ‘genuine influence’. But even with social accounts that boast millions of ‘real’ followers – does having more mean having more influence?

One element of influence is engagement – how much the individual interacts with and provokes response from their followers, and, in turn, how much that creates a community. A ‘like’ on an Instagram post could be a passive action – your post would appear in your follower’s feed and they double tap to like – not much effort on their part.

Or perhaps the like isn’t even from your follower – maybe you’ve played a good hashtag game, causing your post to appear in a new ‘discover’ timeline. A like that way could mean even less if it’s someone who won’t see your post again or engage with your account. Though this can get even trickier – if they become a follower then it obviously means more.

One method of measuring real engagement is through Instagram Stories. The collections of posts and videos put together by users are typically less polished, using emojis and text with a more ‘personal’ insight into their lives. Stories have to be actively watched, so they don’t just appear if you login to Instagram, they have to be consumed – much like people choose a TV channel to watch.*

Instagram Stories, for those that don’t use them, do not have traditional visible data to the outside world. A user can see how many, and more specifically who, has watched a story but that’s how far this data usually travels.

Now Instagram has revealed the most-viewed Instagram Stories of 2017, from verified accounts with over five million followers:

  1. Lele Pons @lelepons (74)
  2. Neymar Jr. @neymarjr (11)
  3. Olga Buzova @buzova86 (-)
  4. Kim Kardashian @kimkardashian (6)
  5. Amanda Cerny @amandacerny (99)
  6. Chiara Ferragni @chiaraferragni (-)
  7. Maluma @maluma (46)
  8. Anitta @anitta (57)
  9. Ariana Grande @arianagrande (4)
  10. Kourtney Kardashian @kourtneykardash (22)

The numbers in brackets are the users’ place in the top 100 Instagram accounts by followers, with third place Olga Buzova and sixth place Chiara Ferragni both failing to make the top 100 by a margin of some seven million followers.

While some followers may not watch Stories, it is surprising that Kim Kardashian, with five times the number of followers as Lele Pons and 10 times the followers of Buzaova, is still beaten by both in this list.

Though the number of Stories put out by these users varies wildly, this new method of reaching fans is a clear indication that macro influencers aren’t necessarily driving the most engagement or reaching the right people – which should be a consideration for all brands and businesses looking to work with Instagram stars in 2018.

Want to reach real influencers and grammers? Check out the Vuelio Influencer Database.

Paul Devine

Blogger Spotlight: Paul Devine, The People’s Movies

Paul Devine is the author of The People’s Movies. Covering  movies, TV and wrestling, The People’s Movies was recently ranked in the Top 10 UK Film Blogs. We spoke to Paul about working with PR professionals, his Oscars predictions and his favourite blogs.

What makes your blog successful?
People visiting my blog, sharing links, recognition on posters, trailers, etc.

How many films do you see in an average week?
It varies. I watch at least one movie a day and every two weeks I have an FDA press day so add another three to five movies.

What’s your favourite film of all time?
Ooh tricky one! I love movies about unsung heroes and Schindler’s List; I love Gilda, which got me into Film Noir; and anything with Rita Heyworth.

Least favourite film of all time?
Justice League. I am a Batman fan and apart from Burton’s Batman and Nolan’s Dark Knight movies, no one has matched the quality.

Film that’s yet to be released that you’re most excited about seeing?
Shape Of Water, Annihilation, New Mutants, A Quiet Place, Hold In The Dark.

What will win the Best Picture Oscar 2018?
I have a hunch Call Me By Your Name might get it; I’ve not heard a negative thing about it. Ladybird might be an outsider.

Want to work with influencers? Try the Vuelio Media Database and get access to 11,000 UK Bloggers in film, TV, lifestyle & more.

How do you like to work with PRs?
90% of the time I get on well with them, some better than others. But what does frustrate me is we get ignored by some PRs for certain films, some think we’re only good enough to post trailers and don’t offer a chance to review. Some are big on their geography lottery as we’re not based in London, despite having writers who review for us in London. What is also frustrating is I also work and my jobs shifts vary so sometimes I can’t post on the site. I sometimes get up to a dozen emails asking where the post is, despite warning the PRs of my shift pattern. Also, we’re ignored for 99% of home releases so sometimes we’ve got to chase up PRs to request reviews. Those who work with us at every level are great.

Can you tell us about your favourite brand collaboration or screening experience?
I love working on the likes of Arrow Video/Academy/Films, Eureka.

What do you call yourself? Are you a blogger, influencer, content creator?
Blogger/critic.

What other blogs do you read?
Culturefix, Cinehouse, Nerdly, Live for Films, Screen Rant, Collider. I also try to read most, if not all, UK-based blogs especially the smaller blogs like ourselves.

The People’s Movies and Paul Devine are both listed on the Vuelio Influencer Database, the leading blogger database available to the PR and communications industries.

Santa TV

The media news

In the week that time forgot, the media headlines may be few and far between but there are still gems in this festive period. From Christmas viewing figures to Prince Harry’s Today programme, here are the biggest media stories of the week.

Christmas viewing figures
While the Queen’s Speech was enjoyed by 7.8 million viewers on Christmas day, these numbers were shared by BBC One (5.9m) and ITV (1.9m). For the biggest viewing figures for any one programme, the Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas special ran away with 6.8 million viewers, or 32.6% of the television-watching public. The top 10 was, as ever, dominated by the BBC but overall the viewers were down on 2016. Last year the average for the whole top 10 was 5.97m but this year it managed only 5.58m.

This decline could be attributed to the rise of on demand streaming services, but this cannot be backed up with data as no stats or figures come from those giants. To help beat the slump, broadcasters have this year released boxsets of fan-favourite shows – as reported in the Guardian.

Prince Harry takes over Today
The man whose engagement and wedding is currently making daily headlines, Prince Harry this morning guest edited Radio 4’s Today programme.  Including interviews with his father Prince Charles and former US President Barack Obama, Prince Harry’s edition focused on the armed forces, mental health, youth crime and climate change.

Showing his lighter side, which has given Prince Harry an ‘accessible’ angle over the years, he delivered quickfire questions to Obama including: ‘Harry or William?’ (‘William at the moment’), ‘The Good Wife or Suits?’ [the latter being the programme his fiancé Meghan Markle stars in] (‘Suits, obviously’), and ‘Queen or The Queen?’ (‘The Queen’).

Amazon introducing advertising products
The Drum reports that, in an effort to take on Facebook and Google, Amazon will launch new advertising beyond Amazon sites and products. The tech giant is also working with Kargo to pair advertising on television and mobile screens. This is in an effort to tackle the 63.1% US digital ad investment in Google and Facebook.

Too early to call the death of magazines
The Guardian has reported on the slump in advertising revenue in the UK magazine market with an 11% year-on-year fall marking the biggest fall since 2009. It also notes that one million fewer consumers purchased print magazines or gave up their subscriptions. All that said, Group M, which buys $75bn of advertising space on behalf of clients around the world, believes the UK consumer magazine market has been seriously undervalued.

Adam Smith, directed at Group M said: ‘It is too early to call the death of magazines. The decline in ad investment is disproportionate to the loss of magazine circulation. This is regrettable and probably not based on the evidence. The single biggest factor [in magazine ad decline] is probably the growth of Facebook. Google and Facebook both continue to grow strongly, and Facebook has been remarkable and is affecting every medium.’

Children’s annuals in decline
The BBC has reported that the sales of Christmas annuals have declined since 2009 with a 58% drop in revenue and a 45% drop in number of copies sold. In real terms, this means that in 2016 2.3m books made £7.8m in revenue where as in 2008 the figures were 4.6m annuals bringing in £18.7m. Annuals are still seen as a good choice for Christmas presents but are thought to be suffering due to the rise in digital media and smartphones.

 

How can Vuelio help you with your media outreach? Find out here

Crafts blog

Blogger Spotlight: Kate Williams, Crafts on Sea

Kate Williams writes Crafts on Sea, which was recently ranked as one of the Top 10 UK Craft Blogs. Covering achievable crafts for kids and adults, Crafts on Sea demonstrates makes and shares fun family activities. We spoke to Kate about trends in crafts, not being paid in craft supplies and working on excellent campaigns.

How would you describe your blog?
Achievable crafts for kids and adults. There’s stuff to keep the kids busy but also things for the grown ups too – I’ve got a lot of colouring pages! I like to hope there’s something that would interest or inspire everyone on there; my own kids love things like Star Wars, Marvel and Paw Patrol so that inspires the kind of making that we do as well as season interests like Christmas or Halloween.

Why did you start your blog?
Well my husband was starting a blog and I didn’t want to be left out! He ended up not doing one but over the years mine has grown. I’ve always written but I don’t have the patience to sit and write 10,000 words! A blog post is the right kind of length for me.

What’s your favourite craft?
Well it’s a really simple one but I love these paper plate emojis. They’re just a proper stress-free craft that kids of all ages can do. More importantly, though, I know my kids loved this one as they both took their versions into school and nursery the next day for Show and Tell – that’s when you really know something has gone well!

What do you think the place of physical crafts is in a ‘digital’ world?
I think more people will look on Pinterest for kids crafts than will buy a book telling them how to make things – absolutely. I know I’ll look on YouTube to find out how to crochet because I need to see how it’s actually done and as a parent I can’t always get out to a class. Physical books and classes still have a role (I’ve written a book of crafts too) but the internet is a huge part of people’s lives now.

Want to work with influencers? Try the Vuelio Media Database and get access to 11,000 UK Bloggers in crafts, family, lifestyle & more.

How much do trends in crafts affect your blog?
Well it’s December and I’m thinking about my Valentine’s Day crafts so quite a lot! I try to plan quite far in advance for season crafts and there’s also been big trends that crafts are affected by. Colouring has been really big, rock painting was a trend that’s still ongoing and even DIY fidget spinners were really popular this year. I try to listen to what my kids and their friends are talking about and plan around that too.

What will the 2018 trend be?
I think nature crafts are becoming more of a thing, especially as ‘forest schooling’ becomes more influential. Who knows for the rest of it though, some trends just seem to come out of nowhere – who would have thought that bottle flipping would be a big thing?!

How do you like to work with PRs?
I like them to be honest, tell me what they want to achieve and then I can see if it’s something I can help with. I’ve worked on a really great campaign recently for Marks & Spencer (through iCrossing) that was just so well thought out and had such a detailed brief. It was great as I knew exactly what they wanted so I could make sure I had it all planned properly. The campaign has done really well in terms of pageviews for me too, so it’s been a total pleasure to work on all round. I do want to be able to properly promote the clients I work with!

What one thing should PRs know about you?
Not just myself but most bloggers are incredibly professional and come from a professional background, I laugh with my friends about how my job is making stuff out of paper plates (much more fun than my old office job) but my background is in marketing, research and fundraising. In order to pay the mortgage each month you need to know everything about the latest changes in social media algorithm, what hosting companies are the best and be able to code; it’s not just a job about making pretty stuff. Failing that, I would love people to stop asking to pay me in craft materials – at risk of sounding rude, I have more paints and paper than the average craft store!

What’s your favourite craft company?
My friend Gude runs The Paperdashery and she has the most amazing washi tapes as well as a fantastic subscription box service.

What other blogs do you read?
For kids crafts Red Ted Art, Arty Crafty Kids, Rainy Day Mum and Play and Learn Every Day are brilliant. Lulastic and The Hippyshake is my grown up read for activism and lifestyle stuff.

 

Kate Williams and her blog Crafts on Sea are both listed on the Vuelio Influencer Database, the UK’s leading influencer database available to the PR and communications industries.

PR master

7 tips to become a PR Jedi Master

Sick of hearing that public relations is the ‘dark side’? Chances are you’re already a PR Jedi but we’re here to guide you to the next level so you can become a Master of the light side. 

*And don’t worry, no ‘The Last Jedi’ spoilers.*

A Jedi is selfless, doesn’t show emotion and stays in control for the good of others. A Jedi never uses their lightsaber to attack.

The dark side is about emotion over control, reacting with your heart rather than your head and attacking for your own needs. Which may sound like some industries, but not the PR industry.

It’s difficult to see in what way a PR pro isn’t already a Jedi; they manage reputations on behalf of others, always attempting to stay calm in order to maintain control in any situation. Their output is not determined by emotional responses but carefully considered to remain professional. And if the pen is mightier than the lightsaber, a PR uses theirs in defence of the business or brand they represent – and never to attack others.

Congratulations young Padawan – you’ve already attained Jedi status. But now it’s time to go one step further; become a Master with these simple tips:

1. Be patient
It takes time and hard work to become a Master, no one gets there overnight. It may feel like you’re brimming with incredible ideas that senior staff – the Masters – don’t understand the significance of. Be patient, they have the full picture and the final say; keep working hard and understand your current place in the order, and you’ll get there.

2. Control your emotion
A PR pro knows they need to remain clearheaded to be an effective communicator, and while ‘there’s no such thing as bad publicity’ may work for some, it’s better not to get into petty squabbles with irate customers or cheeky competitors. Keep your cool to emerge victorious.

3. Gather all the facts
If an emotional reaction is instinctive and immediate, the opposite is considered and in possession of all the facts. Sometimes, not taking action seems like a mistake but caution is a PR’s ally when the story is generally told by others (your influencers).

4. Learn how to defend yourself
Jedi do not attack others but they definitely defend themselves. Firefighting is a bigger or smaller part of a PR pro’s job depending on the nature of the business being represented, but the need to defence can arise for any PR at any time. If something unexpected happens you need to know how to manage it, using all your Jedi powers.

5. Complete the story
A dark lord acts and moves on, not stopping to consider the outcome of their actions (or whether the rebel alliance are now forming a counter attack). A Jedi Master takes time to assess what’s been before and tells that story to the Jedi Council so they can plan what’s next. Use Vuelio Monitoring, Reporting and Canvas to make sure you can see the full picture of your work and easily deliver it to your own Jedi Council (the board).

6. Do or do not. There is no try.
Don’t spend forever planning and thinking about something. Maybe you’ve got the perfect campaign pitch, you’re desperate to start using video or you want to build relationships with the biggest bloggers in the business. A PR Master follows through on their plans, and doesn’t let the fear of failure take over. After all, as our friend Yoda says: ‘Fear is the path to the dark side…fear leads to anger…anger leads to hate…hate leads to suffering.’

7. Use the force
Obviously.

 

Good luck young Padawan.

16 February 2018

Are you ready for London Fashion Week?

The next London Fashion Week takes place on 16-20 February 2018, which means the planning starts now. We spoke to Victoria Magrath, author of the Vuelio Blog Awards’ Best Fashion Blog 2017 Inthefrow.com, about preparation and planning for spring/summer LFW 2018.

inthefrowVictoria, who is one of the faces of Ted Baker this season, is already planning potential projects with a number of her favourite brands for LFW. It may seem early to start planning, but with the Christmas period just weeks away and New York Fashion Week starting on 8 February, there isn’t much time left.

London and Paris are both special to Victoria who feels like London sadly isn’t appreciated enough on a global stage: ‘So many international bloggers don’t come over to London, which is such a shame; there are loads of great designers here!’

For Paris Fashion Week, Victoria is looking forward to spending time with her L’Oreal Beauty squad again and believes that the earlier teams start planning fashion week projects, the better.  ‘It would be great to get super organised a few months ahead of time, as fashion week is so busy and fast paced but many fashion and beauty teams plans a lot nearer to the date which I understand.’

Collaborations are one of Victoria’s favourite aspects of her blogging career, and she is excited to work with her favourite brands on long-term campaigns in 2018. ‘The effects of real, genuine partnerships are much more rewarding.’

Victoria admits though that she is ‘never satisfied’ and always sets new goals to achieve. Even after being the top ranked fashion blog, winning at the Vuelio Blog Awards and being a face of Ted Baker for Christmas 2017 – Victoria is excited for what 2018 will hold.

Victoria and Inthefrow are both listed on the Vuelio Influencer Database, along with thousands of other bloggers, vloggers and media contacts.

Relax Ya Self to Health

Blogger Spotlight: Helen Gilbert, Relax Ya Self to Health

Written by freelance health journalist, Helen Gilbert, Relax Ya Self To Health was launched in May and recently appeared in the Top 10 UK Mental Health Blogs. It was inspired after Helen’s health took an unexpected turn for the worse, which left doctors baffled. The blog is charting Helen’s journey to get to the bottom of her health issues as well as her quest to relax and calm her mind and body. We spoke to Helen about inspiring health stories from celebrities, her advice for new bloggers and the hidden side of influence.

Why did you decide to start blogging? 
To try and find an answer to my baffling health problems. I have always been fit and healthy but in December 2015 my health took an unexpected turn for the worse when I ended up in A&E with suspected anaphylaxsis. I’d never suffered with allergies before and assumed the episode was a one off. But then the reactions started happening every day. Each one would affect my airway. Either my tongue would swell enormously or my throat would close up. Doctors didn’t know why. To top it all off, I developed severe foot drop. It was a frightening time and both mentally and physically tough.

Helen GilbertHow did you find your niche?
This summer I decided to launch my blog, with the goal of helping myself and others who are also experiencing difficult times. I wrote a first-person article for the Daily Mail on histamine intolerance, something I discovered I had through lots of research, and my blog was mentioned in the piece. So many people contacted me afterwards and thanked me for writing the article and ‘giving them hope’.

As I wanted to make the blog fun, I set myself a challenge of learning how to relax. I’ve been a freelance health journalist for 18 years; I’m always rushing around and find it hard to switch off and unwind. Alongside, ‘How to’ articles, expert tips, reviews of wellbeing destinations, the blog also features interviews with well-known celebrities who share their inspiring health stories and talk about how they’ve overcome adversity. The aim is for the blog to be informative and helpful as well as entertaining.

What advice would you give someone who wants to start a blog?
Just do it. Write out your goals, and get your ideas down. It’s easy to procrastinate and feel overwhelmed but once you start putting pen to paper, it’ll flow. I came up with the name for my blog last Christmas while sitting around the dinner table. I’m a huge fan of Barbados and my friends out there always used to say to me ‘Relax Ya Self’. It made perfect sense.

Your blog features celebrity interviews, who has been your favourite interviewee and why?
You cannot ask me that! I couldn’t possibly single one out. Each one has been kind enough to share their story with me and for that I’m very grateful. Their stories are so interesting and will hopefully help and inspire other people going through difficult times. So far, I’ve featured Jonny Wilkinson, Katie Piper, Gail Porter and James Duigan. I’m always on the lookout for celebrities with strong health stories.

What would be your dream company to work with?
That’s a tough one but Virgin Atlantic would be up there. I’m in awe of Richard Branson and everything he’s achieved.

Want to work with influencers? Try the Vuelio Media Database and get access to 11,000 UK Bloggers in health, mental health, lifestyle & more.

What kinds of campaigns and projects do you prefer to work on?
I’m looking to work on health and travel projects, and campaigns that really make a difference. Stress and anxiety affects so many of us; it’s an old cliché but your health really is your wealth. I’d always looked after mine with healthy eating and exercise but I’d been super stressed for a long time when everything fell apart in 2015, plus I never relaxed or stopped. I rarely gave my body a chance to repair or heal and never paid attention to the thoughts racing around my mind. I’m interested in featuring holistic health, digital detox, stress busting and mental health campaigns, wellbeing destinations and wellness breaks (both in the UK and abroad), first person reviews, celebrity interviews, and selected competitions.

Do you have a favourite place that you go to relax and regroup?
Yes, Barbados! It’s the inspiration for my blog. It’s the one place I can go and switch off entirely. My friends joke that I even move at the pace of a snail when I’m over there instead of my usual 100 miles per hour!

How do you think that PRs can improve their blogger outreach or influencer marketing? Have you noticed any major differences in this compared to how PRs reach out to freelance journalists?
As a freelance journalist I get between 300 and 500 emails a day but in terms of the blog I only hear from a handful of PRs a week so it’s entirely different! Maybe it’s because it’s so new. I think there’s definitely been a shift towards micro-influencers. If you identify a blogger who’d be a perfect fit for your brand, I wouldn’t necessarily be deterred by a lower DA or because they do not have a certain number of followers. Look at the comments on their blog posts or social media to identify how people are engaging with them.

I ran a competition recently which attracted almost 150 comments on one post – readers were opening up their hearts about the stressful times they were experiencing. Also, not everything is visible. I had numerous private messages after posting about my histamine intolerance – one man even sent me pictures of his wife experiencing an allergic reaction. Another thing to consider is whether the blogger is respected in their field: are they reliable, professional, accurate, and authentic? Don’t always be swayed by huge stats.

What will be big in your blogosphere in the coming months?
That’s an interesting one but I think the brilliant media-wide focus around raising mental health awareness will continue apace. I’ve got a feeling we’ll also see more journalists setting up blogs in light of the changing media landscape. Maybe they’ll be called ‘j-oggers’!

Aside from health, wellness and travel, what other topics take your interest?
I’m a huge tennis fan and worked at Wimbledon for almost 20 years in various roles. As a student, I worked as a court attendant, covering the grass courts when it rained before working for www.wimbledon.com as a journalist, covering matches and interviewing players. It’s a fabulous event. I’ve missed playing regularly – exercise and heat seem to trigger reactions but I returned to the court on Saturday for the first time in ages. It was freezing cold and my tongue didn’t swell. Yay!

Helen Gilbert and Relax Ya Self to Health are both listed on the Vuelio Influencer Database, which is the UK’s leading influencer database available to the PR and communications industries.

Guardian news and media

The Guardian to relaunch in tabloid format

Katharine Viner, editor-in-chief of Guardian News and Media, has revealed that the Guardian will be relaunched next year in tabloid format. Viner was speaking to Amol Rajan on BBC Radio 4’s The Media Show.

From 15 January, the paper will be ‘reinvented’ in the new tabloid format, and also printed in a new location – both changes will help the Guardian to ‘save a lot of money’.

Rajan pointed out that the Independent went tabloid 14 years ago and asked why it has taken the Guardian so long to follow suit. Viner explained that the change is to suit the ‘moment’, and that, as a publishing organisation, they needed to decide what print is for in a digital era. Viner believes being able to adapt and present something more ‘visual’ and ‘keepable’ is what will keep the Guardian relevant.

Media watchers will note that while the Independent did switch to tabloid format in 2003, the paper is now digital-only – unable to sustain a print product in this ‘moment’.

There is better news from other print publishers though, the i paper (which was sold by the Independent’s Evgeny Levedev in 2016 to Johnston Press) is now reporting profits of £1m a month. This is a much lighter paper though, and in more competition with the likes of The Evening Standard and Metro than the traditional broadsheets.

Viner refused to be pushed by Rajan on what would be ‘removed’ from the paper when it reduces in size explaining it will still include the ‘long read’ that it currently publishes, and the same amount of journalism.

Viner revealed the exclusive while discussing the split between the print and digital audiences at the Guardian. While 50% of revenues still come from print, the digital revenues are rising and Viner expects them to eventually take over the print revenues.

This may not be enough, as Viner discussed the collapsing ad revenue model and she agreed that Google and Facebook were too powerful and dominant – leaving no room for anyone else. This is particularly concerning when a majority of your audience is reading online, which is perhaps why Viner said there would be ‘no harm’ in a CMA investigation into the tech giants.

 

Since you’re here …
… we have a small favour to ask. The Vuelio Media Database lists a wealth of journalists, bloggers, influencers and media titles, please check it out.

Maggy Woodley

Blogger Spotlight: Maggy Woodley, Red Ted Art

Maggy Woodley writes Red Tart Art, which recently took the number one spot in the Top 10 UK Craft Blogs. Covering family-friendly crafts that anyone could make, Red Tart Art aims to be both easy and fun. Maggy uses affordable materials and aims to teach kids new techniques and learn new skills. We spoke to Maggy about getting kids to do things in real life, keeping up with trends and working with PR.

Why did you start your blog?
I have always loved to craft and want to pass on my passion for crafting to others. In a world that is super busy and chaotic, I aim to support parents who would love their kids to craft more but don’t have the time to do so themselves. I am your adopted Crafting Auntie!

What’s your favourite craft – can you share the post?
It would be impossible for me to pick JUST ONE craft! As it is topical, I rather like this Paddington Bear!

How do you think physical crafts fit in a digital world?
As kids increasingly spend so much time in the digital world, it is great to get them OUT of that world and into real life – developing their fine motor skills and creating something of substance. You can get great inspiration online (be it from websites like mine, but also computer games and apps – lots of design stimulus there) and then incorporate it into real life things!

Want to work with influencers? Try the Vuelio Media Database and get access to 11,000 UK Bloggers in crafts, parenting, lifestyle & more.

How much do trends in crafts affect your blog?
Lots! As I try and engaged with a busy audience, it is important to make things relevant to them. If fidget spinners are in, fidget spinners we make. I do like to combine traditional crafts with current trends though, which gives kids a wide range of things to make.

What will the 2018 trend be?
Oooh I am not sure yet; I am keeping my ears very close to the ground to try and find out!

How do you like to work with PRs?
I love working with PRs, there are a number of crafts that I adore and have made in the past that I would not have come up with if it wasn’t for the challenges the PRs set me.

What one thing should PRs know about you?
I like to plan ahead, so the more time they can give me the better.

What’s your favourite craft brand/company/shop?
I buy a lot of my supplies from amazon, simply because it is convenient or from my local art shop (to support local shops), but generally the ‘big brands’ of crafts are ‘big’ for good reason, ie good quality. If you are using scissors, use 3M, if you are using glue, use pritt stick etc… they usually work much better than alternative brands.

What other blogs do you read?
Oooh there are so many at the moment! I love Make it Your Own, The Art Dream, I Heart Crafty Things, Hattifant, Box of Ideas, Fireflies and Mud Pies, The Craft Train, Left Brain Craft Brain, Babble Dabble Do… the list can go on and on…

 

Maggy Woodley and Red Ted Art are on the Vuelio Influencer Database, which is the UK’s leading influencer database available to the PR and communications industries.

Kids Craft Room

Blogger Spotlight: Emma Smith, Kids Craft Room

Emma Smith is the author of Kids Craft Room, which recently appeared in the Top 10 UK Crafts Blogs. Emma’s blog focuses on child-centred activities to promote self-expression, self-esteem and creativity. We spoke to Emma about families and friends connecting, unicorns and working with PRs.

Why did you start your blog?
I started my blog as a creative outlet and to share easy tutorials with preschool children and parents I was working with at the time. I never dreamed that it would become my full-time job but here I am and I’m loving it!

What’s your favourite craft?
I couldn’t choose an all time favourite craft that I’ve done as each new idea gets my full attention and passion while I’m creating it! They are all my favourites!

What do you think the place of physical crafts is in a digital world?
In our busy digital lives, arts and crafts are a great way for families and friends to connect and relax. They’re a super way to unwind and get into the moment, and a fantastic creative outlet for everyone regardless of age.

Want to work with influencers? Try the Vuelio Media Database and get access to 11,000 UK Bloggers in crafts, parenting, lifestyle & more.

How much do trends in crafts affect your blog?
Trends don’t really affect my blog too much but seasons and holiday celebrations most certainly do. The last few weeks for example have all been about Christmas and then we’ll be moving on to winter and Valentine’s Day. Things don’t stand still for long.

What will the 2018 trend be?
I have no ideas what the trends for 2018 will be! This year unicorns have been huge but next year who knows? I’m not a keen guesser I’m afraid.

How do you like to work with PRs?
I’m totally happy for PRs to connect with me via email and love to chat through ideas with them so that I can come up with something super special for a client.

What’s your favourite craft brand/company/shop?
I love any store that sells nik-naks and odds and ends of craft materials. I love to rummage through and can’t resist the pull of pretty buttons, fabric or paper designs. I’m a bit of a hoarder!

What other blogs do you read?
One of my all time favourites is Red Ted Art. The lovely Maggy Woodley shares loads of creative ideas for kids and grown ups. I also really enjoy Crafts On Sea. Kate shares lovely and simple ideas for doing with preschoolers.

 

Emma Smith and Kids Craft Room are both on the Vuelio Influencer Database, which is the UK’s leading influencer database available to the PR and communications industries.

Public relations santa

Are you on PR Santa’s Naughty or Nice list?

As we approach the end of the year, have you been a good PR professional or will Father Christmas be filling your social media stocking with emoji coal?

There are certain PR bad habits that are easy to fall into, and now is the perfect time to identify whether you’re guilty of anything from the naughty list. After all, Christmas is just around the corner and it’s better to get into good habits now, before they have to become New Year’s resolutions.

PR Santa’s Naughty List:

  1. Mr Mass Emails
    Mr Mass Emails doesn’t have time to build relationships and he knows if he blasts enough contacts someone might run his story. This is lazy PR and only contributes to the bad reputation the industry can have among journalists. There’s a reason the Vuelio Media Database lists detailed biographies of influencers and what they’re actually after – use them.
  2. Mrs Follow Up
    There’s nothing wrong with talking to a journalist about a story or campaign you’re working on, but wait until they’ve reacted to your initial press release. Mrs Follow Up is straight on the phone to check her email has been received while attempting to push the journalist to publish. Of course, if the right relationships were in place, this wouldn’t be necessary.
  3. Miss Single Metric
    How are you measuring your, or your client’s, success? Miss Single Metric only choose one thing, sometimes it’s ‘reach’ and sometimes it’s AVE – either way she doesn’t give anyone the full picture because she believes that if the big numbers look good, then all the stakeholders will be happy. Vuelio Media Analysis allows you to present a multitude of measurements so you can prove your success how it matters most; to the people that care.
  4. Miss But Other Bloggers Work For Free
    Bloggers and social media influencers aren’t like journalists; for the professionals, this is their livelihood and they don’t get paid unless you pay them. Sure, some will work for free, but if you’re trying to work with the best, expect to pay. And don’t argue if they suggest you cough up – these guys are trying to make a living and deserve to be recompensed.
  5. Mr I Missed That Crisis
    If your monitoring isn’t up to scratch, across all channels, how are you supposed to manage crises and fire fight before the story gets out of control? Mr I Missed That Crisis is old school and only monitors print. As he doesn’t have a social media monitoring plan, he didn’t realise his brand was fast approaching headline news for all the wrong reasons.

PR Santa’s Nice List:

  1. Mrs I Make Time For You
    Journalists, editors, bloggers, clients and management are all made to feel just a little bit special by Mrs I Make Time For You. She knows that relationships, both internal and external, take time to build but she also knows that every second is worth it.
  2. Mr Deadline
    PR is busy, fast-paced and soon is never soon enough. Mr Deadline knows how to prioritise the deadlines of all his stakeholders using Vuelio Stakeholder Management. So, if it’s a media enquiry about a big story or a member of the public needing to be contacted, Mr Deadline knows which member of the team is dealing with it and when – all in one place.
  3. Miss Collaboration
    Miss Collaboration works with influencers. She knows which ones are best able to reach her audience and she even has budget to get them on board. But she doesn’t stop there – Miss Collaboration gets creative ideas from the influencers to ensure each iteration of the campaign is unique. She also pushes the bloggers to work hard and provide analytical data, which she can use to prove the campaign’s success.
  4. Miss Presentation
    Miss Presentation used to put PowerPoint presentations together after a campaign, and sometimes managed to fit more than four tweets on each slide. These were the dark days. Now, Miss Presentation uses Vuelio Canvas to gather all the relevant tweets, Facebook posts, Instagram pics, news stories, graphs and charts, so she can present everything beautifully – on one page and with one, shareable link.
  5. Mrs Shares
    Mrs Shares loves reading the PR Club post on the Vuelio Blog, and shares it on Twitter.

 

What bad habits are you going to drop this year, and what do you think PR pros should champion for 2018? Let us know in the comments below.

Nicole Williams

Blogger Spotlight: Nicole Williams, Nicole’s Journey

Nicole Williams writes the blog Nicole’s Journey. Recently ranked in the Top 10 UK Mental Health Blogs, Nicole’s Journey covers mental health issues and wellbeing. We spoke to Nicole about how much writing helped her, the lack of mental health services in the UK and working with PRs who are interested in her blog.

How would you describe your blog?
I would describe my blog as how I see the world around me, through health, wellbeing, mindfulness, gratitude, the good days and the not so good days, each post documenting something I have learnt, something I am learning or something I wish I could have read when I needed it. My blog is my thoughts turned into words, sharing moments of my life, text and photographs I hope not only to make a difference to myself but to somebody else who might be where I am or once was.

Why did you start your blog?
When I was first diagnosed with anorexia, my sister suggested blogging as a way to document my journey and all I was going through, more so for myself than anybody else. I started with writing the positive days, trying desperately to see the light in what felt like only dark. Sure, this positivity helped but at the time there were more bad days than good, so I began to share these too.

I never could have imagined how writing would help me. When going through such a horrible time of my life, writing allowed me to let the thoughts I had out. From this, my friends and family began to understand more and could support me better. I also began to meet people; others who were going, or had been, through their own mental illnesses. This support was invaluable.

Overtime, my journey with blogging continued, sharing the ups and downs of my mental health and engaging with others too. After a little break in writing, I returned with Nicole’s Journey, being able to look at this part of my life, how much I have learnt and in ways I never could have imagined, fills me with gratitude.

What’s the biggest issue facing mental health in the UK today?
I honestly do not know where to begin, I am no expert but I guess the lack of mental health services. People who need support for their mental health cannot always afford to wait. Speaking from personal experience, having a mental illness on the bad days is made one hundred times worse when you are turned away from what should be care and support. It took me every inch of strength I had to ask for help, yet I was put on a five-month waiting list, and, in comparison to others, I was lucky. I cannot express how difficult this wait was for both myself and my family. Nobody should ever have to experience this, yet people do, every single day.

How do you think mental health awareness has changed in recent years?
There has been an increase of mental health awareness through everyday conversations, generating better understanding and knowledge. When I was a child, mental health was never spoken about and when it started to be it was only ever in a negative light. Of course, there is a long way to go but I think people having an initial awareness is such a positive change and one that can save somebody’s life.

What advice would you give someone who was struggling with their mental health?
Of course, this depends on the person and what they are experiencing, mental health is very individual and it is difficult to summarize one answer. I guess I would say to talk about it, to seek help and support, and to never give up hope.

How do you engage with your readers and community?
I adore engaging with my readers, from comments to private messages, I find the most engagement I have is done through Instagram messaging.

How do you like to work with PRs?
I enjoy engaging with PRs who are interested in my blog, who have taken the time to look a little and who share similar beliefs to me, and those who are respectful and considerate of my personal experiences. I like to have a clear idea of what it is they are hoping to achieve from working with me and what kind of things they would be interested in creating.

What one thing should brands or PRs know about you?
I will never share anything that I think could harm a person’s mental health. That sounds obvious, right? But you would be surprised how many times people expect me to share unhealthy factors of my mental health experiences.

What other blogs do you read?
I read a whole range of blogs, of the top of my head and recent browsing history: Time To Change’s Personal Stories, We’re All Mad Here, Girl, Interrupted, Bumble and Be, Mental Health Stories, Rich Biscuit, No Space For Milk – this list could go on!

 

Nicole Williams and Nicole’s Journey are both listed with detailed biographies on the Vuelio Influencer Database – the UK’s leading influencer database available to the PR and communications industries.

Mike Douglas

Blogger Spotlight: Mike Douglas, Mike’s Open Journal

Mike Douglas writes the Top 10 Mental Health Blog Mike’s Open Journal. The blog focuses on mental health, while covering a range of lifestyle topics such as health, fitness, relationships, sex and local events. We spoke to Mike about the stigma around mental health issues, the importance of sharing and working collaboratively with PRs.

Why did you start your blog?
I started to write about my experiences, thoughts and feelings because I needed an outlet. I was in a particularly bad place with my mental health. I could not see a way out of the darkness or how I could continue. Writing, and subsequently blogging, provided me with an opportunity to express my thoughts and feelings, which is something I have always struggled with. As a dyslexic male that may not be a surprise.

Over time I became more confident in talking and sharing my struggles. Sharing for the first time on Facebook was a massive step for me. Since then, I have continued to write about my mental health including how it has and does affect other aspects of my life.

What’s the biggest issue facing mental health in the UK today?
Stigma. Mental health illnesses are bad enough. But for many of us, we are highly affected by something that can be prevented. Stigma will continue to exist until there is better understanding of mental health, mental health illnesses, the support that is available and the language we use in our communities.

How do you think mental health awareness has changed in recent years?
Awareness has improved thanks to national campaigns from people like Mind, Rethink Mental Illness and Heads Together. This has been implemented by use of ‘well known’ spokespeople and Champions (such as Time to Change Champions).

What advice would you give someone who was struggling with their mental health?
Talk to someone. You don’t have to say everything, you don’t have to tell everyone, just find one or two people you are able to talk to.

It could be a friend, family member, a co-worker, a fellow student, or it could be support online available through places like Mind or Samaritans.

Samaritans are not just for emergencies!

How do you engage with your readers and community?
I have created links within my local community to increase my awareness of local events and opportunities. Make Facebook’s local events page your friend.

I love talking to other people about their experience with mental health, just sitting down and talking about our day, habits and our health is a beautiful thing to be able to do. I am fortunate enough to have had over 20 guests on my podcast to talk about their experiences and thoughts regarding mental health.

This can help to make more people aware of my blog and my guest.

Additionally, I have enjoyed attending a range of meet ups and event, meeting new bloggers (and even friends!). This is a great way to really engage with the ‘community’ and actually meet people you talk to online.

How do you like to work with PRs?
Having an open dialogue is great. Sometimes there will be paid opportunities, sometimes they’re not paid. I think that’s fine. By being aware of what opportunities there are you can make informed choices on what you would like to be involved in and what fits with your blog/readers.

If you want tips for working with PR check out Rhiannon Olivia, she has some great content for bloggers new to PR and collaborations.

What one thing should brands or PRs know about you?
I write honestly about my experience/thoughts, because of this there will likely be mention of mental health (specifically mine) within a post.

I enjoy finding out about new products, services and/or experiences. I like sharing.

What other blogs do you read?
I read other mental health blogs, usually because of my interest or relationship with the blogger. My favourite at the moment is Sophie Edwards. There are also a couple of cool people like Rhiannon Olivia, who write about blogging and provide tips and insight that are really helpful.

I enjoy writing (self-promo, haha) and reading about fitness, wrestling, sex and relationships too. Currently I am loving Hannah & Fitness, the occasional post from Emma Luxton and the lovely photos posted by Jordan.

Mike Douglas and his blog are both listed on the Vuelio Influencer Database, which is the UK’s leading influencer database available to the PR and communications industries.

Buzzfeed

Buzzfeed announces staff cuts

In a memo to staff, Buzzfeed CEO Jonah Peretti has announced cuts to staff as part of a reorganisation of the business. Around 100 jobs will go at the firm, including losses from the UK office.

Peretti’s memo highlighted changes in the UK: ‘we are realigning the organisation to focus on content for global audiences and our core U.K. News beats – investigations, politics, media, and social justice – and intend to make reductions across Buzz, Commercial, News, and Admin as a result.’

It is not yet known how many jobs will be cut from the UK workforce, though around 6% of the global staffing pool will go.

A further announcement revealed President Greg Coleman is returning to his former role as senior advisor after three years. He will not be directly replaced but the company is looking for a chief operating officer to ‘help lead in the many areas and opportunities we have for growth’.

Peretti also said the company continues to grow revenue, though Guido Fawkes has previously revealed the UK business lost £3.5m in 2016 and claims it is that, coupled with average salaries allegedly at £60,000, which is starting to take its toll on the business.

Buzzfeed’s planned public offering for 2018 was put on hold and, as the Wall Street Journal reported, it will miss its target revenue growth this year by 15-20%. Buzzfeed’s cuts follow ESPN’s announcement that 150 jobs would be cut as the business struggles.

While Buzzfeed is seen as a digital master in publishing circles, and its investigative journalism and listicles are making their mark on the UK’s media landscape, it is clear the perfect model for a large-scale digital outlet is yet to be found.

Buzzfeed is investing millions in video in the US, in an attempt to attract traditional TV advertisers, though with YouTube and the likes of Netflix and Amazon also presenting ‘new’ competition, this market is already crowded.

In a world where Google and Facebook continue to attract the lion’s share of digital ad spend, publishers will continue to feel the pinch and Buzzfeed is unlikely to be the last that is forced to make cuts.

 

The Vuelio Media Database will be updated to ensure the current staffing roster at Buzzfeed is accurate. 

Vuelio

The Best 14 Bloggers in the UK

The winners of the 2017 Vuelio Blog Awards were revealed at the Bloomsbury Big Top on Friday, 24 November.

Hundreds came together in the fabulous Bloomsbury Big Top to enjoy top entertainment, fire dancers, aerial silk artists, fine dining, the hilarious Ellie Taylor, and the company of the best bloggers in the UK right now! In their third year, the Vuelio Blog Awards continued to show why the UK blogging industry is the world’s best.

With Twitter trends made by guests using over 3GB of data a minute; hundreds of posts; thousands of likes, retweets and hearts; and millions of impressions – the Vuelio Blog Awards proved themselves, once again, as the must attend event of the year.

Congratulations to all of winners from the night:

Best Arts & Entertainment – sponsored by Splento
That Grape Juice

Best PR, Media and Communications Blog – sponsored by Access Intelligence
MK

Best Political Blog – sponsored by PLMR
Guido Fawkes

Best Fitness & Healthy Living Blog
Lunges and Lycra

Best Men’s Lifestyle Blog – sponsored by Jameson
Menswear Style

Best Women’s Lifestyle Blog
Lily Pebbles

Best Food & Drink Blog – sponsored by InterContinental London Park Lane
My Fussy Eater

Best Wedding Blog – sponsored by Sandals Resorts
Rock My Wedding

Best DIY & Interior Design Blog
Swoon Worthy

Best Beauty Blog – sponsored by PZ Cussons Beauty
A Model Recommends

Best Travel and Leisure Blog – Sponsored by Celebrity Cruises
Hand Luggage Only

Best Fashion Blog
Inthefrow

Best Parenting Blog – Sponsored by STAEDTLER
Toby & Roo

Best Newcomer Blog
Best Before End Date

And the overall prize, awarded to one category winner from the night who wowed the judges with his original content, professional blogging and unique proposition:

Best UK Blog 2017
Menswear Style

Congratulations to all of our winners, and look out for the official photos from the night which are being compiled as you read!

Here’s to 2018!

 

As always, the winners of the Vuelio Blog Awards are all listed on the Vuelio Influencer Database

Laura Scott

Blogger Spotlight: Laura Scott, SheHearts

Laura Scott is the blogger behind SheHearts, a luxury lifestyle blog that specialises in beauty, fashion, travel and food. Laura showcases handpicked favourites from each sector with in-depth reviews and quality photography. We spoke to Laura about how her experience as a social media consultant helps with her blog, excellent collaborations she’s worked on and  the importance of Twitter.

Why did you start your blog?
SheHearts started due to my sheer passion for all things beauty, fashion, travel and food combined with my love of photography and creative writing. I brought my interests together along with my professional skill set to ensure that readers came away feeling both visually and editorially inspired.

Another reason is that I simply love helping others when it comes to helping choose places to travel, beauty products to try, and restaurants to enjoy.

Professionally I work as a social media consultant and I’m also a certified photographer, fashion stylist and marketer, so my professional skill set benefits the quality of my blog and brands that I work for.

Can you tell us about your social media consulting?
I have over twelve years’ experience in social media consultancy and it’s something I’m very passionate about. I’ve had the pleasure of working with some truly wonderful brands such as NIVEA UK while they sponsored The Voice on ITV, Monsoon and Accessorise, Celebrity hairdresser Stuart Phillips, and many others.

I love helping brands create personalised strategies to boost their social media performance, and just like SheHearts, everything I do is highly personalised. I always ensure I help brands create unique and personalised social media strategies to help maximise their brand’s online voice.

Want to work with influencers? Try the Vuelio Media Database and get access to 11,000 UK Bloggers in beauty, fashion, travel, food & more.

Which social platforms are most important for your blog?
Before starting my blog, I started off on Twitter which is something that’s incredibly important to my blog. Social media is all about engagement and developing relationships online; I love the people I have met and friendships developed through Twitter and also through my blog.  Twitter is my favourite social media platform in general because it’s so simple to use and an effective way to continually engage on a daily basis, I love it.

Instagram is also important especially for travel photography, I love showcasing images of beautiful places I visit.

SheHeartsWhat advice would you give other bloggers looking to be successful on social media?
To simply be yourself, talk about things you personally love and engage with your following. Develop relationships with others and always be genuine. Kindness is something which is incredibly important when it comes to social media.

Remember your blog is your brand, it’s so important to be yourself and be passionate about what you talk about. It’s important to start a blog out of sheer passion and enthusiasm.

You cover a diverse range of content, is it a challenge combining it all?
Not at all, the topics I cover all tie in nicely together underneath the same bracket: a luxury lifestyle.

Approaching things from a generalised luxury lifestyle perspective gives SheHearts readers a variety of things to choose from whenever they visit; I like a slight element of surprise too and creating posts which are slightly different.

How do you like to work with brands and PRs?
Developing relationships with brands and PRS is so important to me, I’ve worked in PR before and I’ve had the pleasure of working with bloggers before I became a blogger myself, so I understand the importance of brand/blogger relationship.

Relationship is the key word here, when working with a brand you feel passionate about, it benefits both brand and blogger, the pieces you create are always passionate.

It’s great to create a personalised piece between brand, PR and blogger to create something unique. That’s something I particularly enjoy so that it benefits both, that’s the beauty of a successful collaboration.

What one thing should brands and PRs know about you?
Delivering high quality content for brands I work for is incredibly important to me. Ensuring I deliver high quality photographic imagery and engaging editorial are aspects I always ensure to deliver when it comes to collaborative project.

Engagement is also something I really enjoy and generating conversation with my readers, bringing them great content excites me and it brings me joy when others enjoy the features that I create for them.

Can you give an example of an excellent collaboration? What made it so good?
There are a few favourite collaborations across my different specialist areas:

Fashion – I always enjoy collaborating with luxury international designer Omar Mansoor; he’s showcased at London Fashion Week International several times and I’ve had the pleasure of showcasing some of his samples straight from the catwalk and onto SheHearts. Interviewing Omar on my blog has allowed me to give features a personalised touch, and allows me and my readers to really get to know him as a designer.

Beauty – One of my favourite beauty collaborations has been with the Charlotte Tilbury team. The brand is very close to my heart as I hired a pro-artist from the Tilbury team to do my wedding day makeup last year, so showcasing her beautiful products on SheHearts really was extra special. Recently I showcased some of my favourite picks from the brand and also products I used on my wedding day. The collaboration was a success as the brand truly understood my vision for the feature and passion for photographic.

Travel – One of my travel highlights this year was a stay at the Abadia Retuerta Le Domaine, a five-star hotel in a restored 12th-century abbey tucked away in the city of Valladolid, Spain. The hospitality during our stay made this such a positive press experience.

FoodCollaborating with The Ritz London was a favourite foodie feature of 2017. The entire experience was incredibly personalised. We enjoyed a VIP tour around The Ritz exploring their private rooms which really was such a pleasure and, of course, enjoying their cocktails and moreish canapés!

What other blogs do you read?
I read a variety of different blogs, one of my favourite lifestyle blogs is A Glass of Ice run by Gabrielle who is also a great friend of mine. We have similar interests and both share a love of photography, fashion, beauty and chocolate! Another blog I enjoy reading is The Style Contour for fashion and great styling tips. For beauty I absolutely adore Kandee Johnson‘s YouTube channel and Lisa Eldridge‘s tutorials. There are just so many!

 

Laura Scott and SheHearts are just two listings on the Vuelio Influencer Database, which is the UK’s leading influencer database available to the PR and communications industries.

creative food

Blogger Spotlight: Grace Hall, Eats Amazing

Grace Hall is the author of Eats Amazing, a food blog focused on making healthy food fun for kids. With a special knack for getting kids to eat their greens (along with other fruit and veg), Eats Amazing was recently ranked in the Top 10 Food Blogs. We spoke to Grace about creative lunch boxes, mum being the best cook and working creatively with brands like Disney.

How would you describe your blog?
Eats Amazing is all about making food fun for children. Whether it be fun food craft tutorials or easy recipes that children can cook themselves, I create ideas for getting kids and parents engaged with and excited about making and eating healthy foods (with a few treats thrown in too!).

Why did you start your blog?
I originally started Eats Amazing when my oldest son started school as a place to share and record the creative bento style lunches that I was packing for him each day. I was excited about this new way of packing lunches and wanted to share my experiences. Over the years the blog has evolved a lot and although I do still share plenty of advice and inspiration for packing lunches, it’s now the place to go for easy fun food tutorials, totally doable food art and family friendly recipes.

What are the latest trends in food and cooking we should know about?
I don’t tend to keep up very well with what’s trendy to be honest, if it looks fun, I’m usually willing to give it a try, but I’ve never been one to follow the crowd. Having said that, it’s been all about the rainbows and unicorns on the fun food scene this year and I’ve enjoyed creating some really fun recipes inspired by those themes, so I look forward to seeing what 2018 holds!

What will the next big thing be?
I’ve noticed a lot of alternative foods appearing in the news this year, like edible insects, seaweed pasta and lab-grown meat substitutes. People are looking for more sustainable food sources and I think it’s going to force us all to be a bit more adventurous and step outside the box when it comes to our food.

What and where was the best meal you’ve ever had?
Though I love eating out, nothing beats a meal cooked by my mum! I grew up in a busy household as one of seven children but she still managed to create amazing home-cooked meals that we sat down and ate together every day of the week. Our family Christmas dinner has got to be the highlight, it gets better every year!

What’s your favourite ingredient to cook with?
It only takes a quick look at my blog to spot my favourite ingredient – edible candy eyes! Not the most serious of ingredients, but a couple of googly eyes can make anything fun!

bento box for kids

How do you like to work with PRs?
My favourite campaigns are those when I have a lot of creative control so that the branded content fits in perfectly with my usual style. Several of the most popular posts on the Eats Amazing blog were created for brand campaigns – provide me with the inspiration and I’ll run with it!

What one thing should PRs know about you?
I am quite selective in who I choose to work with, only promoting companies that I feel I can truly recommend to my readers. I’m also a bit of a perfectionist so when I do collaborate with brands I make every effort to create the very best content possible for each campaign.

Do you have an example of a great campaign or collaboration you’ve worked on?
One of my favourite campaigns this year was a collaboration with DisneyLife – I created five different family picnics, each themed around a different Disney film, then worked with the PR team to film video tutorials for them all. It was an intense campaign with a lot of hard work all round but I loved every minute of it!

What other blogs do you read?
I love the community to be found around blogging and like to dip into lot of parenting, craft and of course food blogs. My favourite blogs are My Fussy Eater, A Mummy Too, Charlotte’s Lively Kitchen and Le Coin De Mel. They all create fantastic family friendly recipes and showcase them with gorgeous photography in their own individual styles.

 

Grace Hall and Eats Amazing are both listings on the Vuelio Influencer Database, which is the UK’s leading influencer database available to the PR and communications industries.