Speedy Spotlight: Manface

Manface will be featured in this week’s Media Updates. Author Thom Watson spoke to Vuelio about beating the glossies, needing to chill out and the importance of his audience.

Why should people read your blog?
I’ve worked in the beauty industry since I was 16. I’m accredited in skincare, dermatological concerns and level three beauty therapy. I have now been blogging for two and a half years. People should read Manface because there’s years of qualified experience that goes into each and every article and I try to simultaneously educate and inform on the important and sometimes confusing conundrums surrounding the world of skincare, grooming and beauty.

The most important issue in your blogosphere is… keeping up to date and being able to share the hottest skincare, beauty and grooming tips, tricks and products. And where possible, sharing it ahead of the glossy magazines and printed press.

What’s your favourite blog and why?
My favourite blog is Bright.Bazaar by Will Taylor. His taste in design is unquestionable with his seamless blend of premium luxury and handy how-tos. It makes for highly addictive reading.

How often do you aim to post?
It used to be every day, and sometimes there are periods where it still is, but since setting up my new branding and design consultancy, Stocksbank, I’m finding it’s more like two to a max of three times a week.

How do you feel about guest posts?
I enjoy doing them for other people but I’m always wary of posting them on my own blog, even though I have done in the past and will continue to do so. I guess when your blog is your baby you have to make sure everything is just right; anything that’s not yours puts you on edge a little. How will the readers react? Will they enjoy it? Is the style the same? Ok, maybe I need to chill out.

How does a good PR work with you?
The majority, if not all of PRs I work with are excellent at what they do. I suppose a good PR recognises the position of a blog within the blogosphere and filters certain information accordingly. Working with some individuals for two and a half years now, you earn trust as a publisher which manifests as giveaways, exclusives and more insight into some of your more preferred brands, which can then be fed back as great content for readers. Without readers, I’m just a madman at a keyboard.

What do PRs do that’s bad?
This is a tough one because my bad experiences have only ever been with individuals rather than a global bad habit of PRs. I suppose I see and hear a lot of people whinge about mass emails but really, how much time does a few poorly-directed mass emails for knickers and bras take out of my day? On the whole PRs are excellent at what they do and more often than not instil great passion about their brands, which drives me to deliver great content for my readers.

Editorial information on Manface, Thom Watson and thousands of other media outlets and contacts can be found in the Vuelio Media Database.