Paul Devine

Blogger Spotlight: Paul Devine, The People’s Movies

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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?

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

Get in touch

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?

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Get in touch

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.

Food – Collaborating 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

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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.

stressed man

5 PR mistakes to avoid when sending a press release

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Press releases are still a fundamental cornerstone of the PR industry, and while social, digital, events and meetings may yield strong results, the humble press release is here to stay.

PR pros are generally well-practised in the art of sending a press release but there are still common mistakes that can easily be avoided.

1. Don’t be generic
Journalists, editors, bloggers and influencers are already receiving an ocean of content from brands and agencies looking to secure coverage. On top of this, they’ve got their own story agenda – few professionals are just waiting for the next great press release to land on their lap. As such, good content needs to be original, unique and ideally include strong research – at the end of the day people want to read interesting stories and the latest iteration of your office move might not cut the mustard. Your company excels at something, otherwise it wouldn’t be an operating business; tell that story and coverage will come.

2. Don’t forget to know your targets
This ties in with our first point – you need to know your contacts before you send, or your press release will be from a stranger. Good media relations start with knowing your target audience and the right influencers to reach them. The Vuelio Media Database lists thousands of contacts across thousands of outlets and includes detailed bios and content topics. Find the right people, give them a call to introduce yourself or, better still, take them out for a coffee (when they’re available) so in future it’s not a stranger pitching to them, it’s a friend.

3. Don’t forget to proof
Any media contact worth their salt will rewrite your press release, use your comments as just part of a feature or expand in their own ways. That said, if your press release has spelling mistakes, uses poor grammar or is just full of unreadable jargon, you may put your journalist contacts off before you’ve started. Keep it simple, and before you send it: proof, proof, proof.

4. Don’t fail to follow up
This doesn’t mean you should call up seconds after pushing ‘Send’ and lead with: ‘Hi there, I’ve just sent a press release…’

Make sure you’re monitoring the content with Vuelio Media Monitoring. That way, if the story is used online, in print or even broadcast, you’ll be able to track all of that coverage in one place. And, if a journalist uses your press release, send them a little note to thank them for the coverage – that lets them know you’re reading their content and also available to help with future stories. And if you’re working on a paid-for campaign with bloggers and influencers, you can ask for metrics to help measure the success of the campaign – work with the bloggers to get your results.

5. Don’t be sales heavy
Your ‘amazing product’ or ‘innovative solution’ is not what a journalist wants to print. The more salesy the press release, the more it will put off a journalist who is looking for a great story for their readers, rather than an advert for your buyers. While a journalist will probably just take these terms out, having too many in will make the whole thing seem like an advert and the journalist could skip it altogether. If you don’t have anything but sales content, then it’s not a press release.

 

What top tips would you give someone for a perfect press release? Let us know in the comments below:

Binny Shah

Blogger Spotlight: Binny Shah, Binny’s Kitchen and Travel Diaries

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Binny Shah is the author of Binny’s Kitchen and Travel Diaries, a blog in which she shares recipes for dishes she loves and restaurants she’s tried. She also travels and writes about the destinations she visits and reviews hotels around the world. We spoke to Binny about getting out of your comfort zone, PRs appreciating quality and the best meal she’s ever had.

How would you describe your blog?
I am a writer, dreamer, serial wanderluster and travel addict and my blog captures my passion for food and memorable travel experiences.

Why did you start your blog?
I was always being asked by friends and family for tips on where to go and which restaurants to eat at, so it made sense to put them all online on one platform. I’ve always had a passion for writing and Binny’s Kitchen and Travel Diaries launched as a creative outlet where I could share my recipes and document my adventures, both in London and internationally, covering events, restaurants, hotels and destinations I have been to.

It’s also like a digital diary for me and I love reading back on some of my earlier posts from time to time and reliving the memories and experiences.

What’s the best thing about being a blogger?
What I love most about blogging is that it has really enabled me to move out of my comfort zone, meet amazing people, make some brilliant friendships and the blogging community is simply amazing. I hope that in five years’ time my blog has made a valuable contribution to the blogosphere and that it continues to inspire people to move out of their comfort zones and to travel off the beaten track and try new things.

What’s your favourite place to travel to?
As I was born in Kenya, it continues to be my favourite destination to travel to and I love discovering new places and sights every time I travel home. I also love exploring Italy and Spain.

Where haven’t you been yet that you’d like to visit?
The destinations at the top of my wish list are Tahiti, Fiji, Anguilla and Santorini.

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

Get in touch

What and where was the best meal you’ve ever had?
The best meal I ever had was a BBQ on top of a Catamaran in Mauritius. It was surreal! I also love the Butter Chicken at Jamavar in London, which was recently awarded a Michelin Star. Whenever I am craving Indian food it is 99.9% of time that particular dish.

What makes your blog successful?
I think the key to a successful blog is to be consistent, committed and dedicated to it. It is also wise not to compare yourself to others unless it is to inspire, and to focus solely on growing and improving your blog, finessing your writing style and loving what you do. Personally, I try to blog at least four to five times a week and I have focused on improving my photography as well, which has motivated me to blog and share my experiences even more. I think dedication, commitment and self-focus are the most important factors.

How do you like to work with PRs?
I like to establish ongoing relationships with PRs and agreeing upfront what expectations are from both parties every single time. I have been really lucky to have worked with some amazing PRs and I like the fact that PRs are becoming more switched on to quality rather than quantity when it comes to aspects such as follower numbers, content engagement and reliability. I like it when PRs actually read your blog too and so know what kind of content you enjoy collaborating on. I keep in touch regularly with my PR contacts to always keep on top of what is new or coming up in the pipeline.

What one thing should PRs know about you?
I love travel, taking my own photos and I don’t accept infographics on my site.

What other blogs do you read?
My favourite blogs to read are SilverSpoon London, Fresh and Fearless, Follow Your Sunshine, Adventures of a London Kiwi and The ZRW.

Binny Shah and her blog Binny’s Kitchen and Travel Diaries are both listed on the Vuelio Influencer Database, which is the UK’s leading influencer database available to the PR and communications industries.

The Money Principle

Blogger Spotlight: Maria Nedeva, The Money Principle

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Maria Nedeva created The Money Principle, a blog that aims to help its audience get out of money trouble and build wealth. The blog recently featured on the Top 10 UK personal Finance Blogs. We spoke to Maria about building wealth, the effects of Brexit, her rules for financial health and how she is direct with brands.

How would you describe your blog?
The Money Principle is a blog that helps people leave their money troubles behind by taking them from ‘no money at all’ to ‘building sustainable wealth’.

Why did you start your blog?
I was in financial trouble myself; more specifically, £100,000 worth of consumer debt. Through learning about money and doing, we flipped out finances – in five years we went from £100,000 of consumer debt to £100,000 new investments. We didn’t stop there either.

I started The Money Principle to share what I learned and to support others on their way to financial health and wealth.

What’s the biggest issue facing personal finance today?
I believe that one of the biggest issues in personal finance today, and one that I’m very interested in, is about women and investing. All research shows that women do well when investing but very few of us invest. This is a problem at a time when the future of the state pension is uncertain, more women are on their own and we live longer.

I also believe that this matter is not going to be solved by education. Knowledge can get you far only after the fear and motivation have been taken care of.

How do you think Brexit, once enacted, will affect our finances in the UK?
Ha! This is a good one.

I think that we’ll have a very hard decade or so (and this is optimistic). Brexit will negatively affect our finances in variety of ways including:

  • low pound
  • consequently, all imported goods will be more expensive
  • this will be bad with food (or we can revert to eating mainly root vegetables)
  • inequality in the UK will increase (and poverty as well)
  • crime will rise with it (beyond a level of poverty opportunistic crime rises)
  • education and health will be (predominantly) private and costly
  • we’ll experience labour market gaps (jobs for which our people are either over- or under-qualified)
  • weaker pension funds will fail

This is one of the cases where I really hope that I’m wrong. Getting out of profound economic, social and identity crises is very hard work.

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What piece of advice would you give a young adult in relation to how they manage their money?
Here are The Money Principle rules for financial health:

  • Make sure you don’t waste and remember that frugality is over-rated
  • Pay off all debt before you are in your mid-30s (probably except your mortgage)
  • Earning more is very easy: just remember that it is about contributing value to people’s lives
  • Start investing and don’t be scared. Make use of digital wealth managers and low-cost index funds
  • Do not lust after material things – it is just rubbish that empties your bank account and kills the planet
  • Buy experiences instead – much more satisfying

And the main thing: whatever you choose to do, remember that life is for living with joy.

How do you engage with your readership?
I mainly write aiming to educate and entertain. Sometimes I make videos, but Hollywood is not on the cards!

I also talk to my readers on Facebook and Twitter and I always respond to emails.

What makes your blog successful?
Honesty. This is something I learned from my martial arts practice.

Honesty not only tells my readers that I’m fallible just like them; it also makes me think about things much more deeply so I become better.

How do you like to work with PRs?
I suppose the key is in mutual respect. Here honesty rules again – I only work with brands I love.

What’s the one thing all PR pros should know about you?
No messing about, no ego, no bullsh*t. Just value!

What other blogs do you read?
I read many blogs and am always on the lookout for new ones. I have preference for blogs that focus on big issues in personal finance like paying off debt, money management and investing. I regularly read: Budgets are Sexy, Listen Money Matters, Reach Financial Independence, Monevator, Rockstar Finance (which has very good curating), and Miss Thrifty.

 

Maria and her blog The Money Principle are both listed on the Vuelio Influencer Database, which is the UK’s leading influencer database available to the PR and communications industries.

Miss thrifty blog

Blogger Spotlight: Karyn Fleeting, Miss Thrifty Blog

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Miss Thrifty Blog recently ranked in the Top 10 UK Personal Finance Blogs. Written by Karyn Fleeting, the award-winning blog focuses on spending and living well. We spoke to Karyn about the return of fashionable thriftiness, her advice for young adults and why PRs need to get to know her first.

How would you describe your blog?
The Miss Thrifty Blog champions the idea that you can spend less and have more. In other words: you can live within your means, get out of debt and begin saving for the future, without resorting to recycling teabags. My posts tackle all areas of spending, from food and fashion to personal finance.

Why did you start your blog?
When I launched Miss Thrifty in 2008, I was thousands of pounds in debt, but talking about money just wasn’t ‘done’. With the exception of my grandmother, who lived through the Blitz and still makes do and mends, my friends and family had zero interest in hearing about my new passion for making ends meet. So, I began sharing my money-saving tips, tricks and discoveries online instead. As the recession hit, traffic to Miss Thrifty soared. Thriftiness became fashionable again – for the first time since the 1940s.

What’s the biggest issue facing personal finance today?
The pension’s hole and the difficulties facing younger people who want to save. When house prices are going through the roof, rental prices are going the same way; you are saddled with an exorbitant amount of student debt and you are expected to plonk down tens of thousands of pounds for your wedding. What can you – and will you – put aside for your pension?

How do you think Brexit will affect our finances in the UK?
Generally, I avoid writing about politics on Miss Thrifty, because I have found my audience doesn’t engage with that subject on my site. People come to Miss Thrifty to discover good ideas and to cheer up! However, Brexit goes beyond politics, because the financial implications are going to affect so many of us. I think we are going to be in the soup.

What piece of advice would you give a young adult in relation to how they manage their money?
Never borrow against a depreciating asset. Don’t take out a car loan, or pay for electronic goods with a credit card if you can’t pay off the balance immediately.

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How do you engage with your readership?
I serve Miss Thrifty readers on a variety of platforms. A number of email subscribers communicate with me via email, asking questions and sending ideas. The blog has been around for a long time now, but I always try and reply personally and promptly. Right now, I enjoy engaging with Miss Thrifty readers via Facebook Live. I like the immediacy of it, and the ability to engage with my audience in real time.

What makes your blog successful?
It makes frugality fun and the editorial voice is distinctive. I am not a domestic goddess; nor am I a 1950s housewife. But this, I believe, is where much of the blog’s appeal lies. What really sets the Miss Thrifty Blog apart is its strong, active community of readers, contributors and followers. They range from schoolgirls to great grandmothers. What they share is the love of a good bargain.

How do you like to work with PRs?
I don’t do much with the news releases I get, but I like to work with PRs and their clients on a more meaningful level: brand partnerships and exclusive, in-depth features are more my thing.

What’s the one thing all PR pros should know about you?
I live with my young family, in a modest semi in Greater Manchester. Why am I taking the trouble to point this out? Firstly, if you invite me to your after-work event in London, I probably won’t make it. Secondly, journalists at a women’s magazine once asked if they could come and photograph me in my ‘craft room.’ I was amused by the assumption that I lived in some sort of Pinterest mansion, but had to let them down gently.

What other blogs do you read?
When I started the Miss Thrifty Blog, there weren’t many other UK money blogs around – but now there are lots, and I enjoy reading them. Current favourites include Debt Camel, Be Clever With Your Cash, The Money Principle, Skint Dad and Emma Drew.

 

Karyn Fleeting and Miss Thrifty Blog are both listed in the Vuelio Influencer Database, which is the UK’s leading influencer database available to the PR and communications industries.