WeBlogNorth Featured Content Creator of the Week - Sophie's Scran
This is a space that showcases all of you awesome WeBloggers in the North and gives everyone a chance to get to know each other, as well as raise your profile (and your DA!). This week we're chatting to food, travel and healthy lifestyle blogger Sophie at Sophie's Scran.
Interested in being featured? If you're a member, get in touch at [email protected]!
Location: Cheshire
Blog URL: www.sophiesscran.com
Twitter followers: 3,956
Instagram followers: 2,516
Other social stat: 3k monthly views on Pinterest
Only you can make things happen...Don't overthink things, or bother yourself with what others are doing. Just do you, babe.
How long have you been blogging/vlogging/creating content?
I've been blogging at Sophie's Scran about food since 2014, worked in digital marketing for a few years, and now I freelance as a digital marketing consultant, which involves creating all sorts of content for my clients. I mainly focus on food and travel related topics, but love writing about freelancing, my digital marketing expertise and health and fitness too.
Why did you decide to start your blog?
At the time, I worked in IT as a resource and project manager, a job I stumbled into after uni, after graduating in the height of the recession. I loved my job as I split my time between Machester and London, but after a few years, it bored me senseless. Too. Many. Spreadsheets. I was already Instagramming my food daily and had always loved cooking for friends and family, so I took the leap and started a proper food blog. It subsequently ended up teaching me so much about digital marketing, that I also used the blog to bag me a job in marketing, and the rest is history!
Do you see this becoming a career or part of your career?
Yes, it very much already is, as without my blog I wouldn't have been able to switch career paths like I did. It has opened so many doors for me and still continues to do so today! Most of my current freelance clients came to me as a result of collaborations they did with me as a blogger.
What do you hope to achieve for your content in 2018 and what’s your big-picture goal?
Hmmm, my main focus is growth for my freelance business and a blog rebrand. I need a better platform in which to showcase my content, so working on that first of all and will be redesigning the site myself!
What is your favourite social media channel & why?
It used to be Instagram and always will be in a way, as it's just so stunning and visual. But, the new algorithm has made it lose its charm (that's me putting it politely) and engagement levels (for everyone) are lower than ever (thanks, Facebook!). So I'm channelling more energy into Pinterest which I love, although not strictly a social media channel.
What is your favourite tool or app that helps in your content creation?
I use a self-hosted WordPress site and to be honest, with the endless plugins and tools it has built-in, you can do everything you need from within this amazing CMS. But If I had to pick another, I'd say Google Drive and Google Photos are my life and I literally couldn't do anything without them!
Who is your blogging/vlogging/content inspiration and why?
My two fave bloggers are Victoria from InTheFrow and Cate from Cate in the Kitchen. Both seem like such genuine, easy-going women that are great at what they do and make it all look so effortless!
What do you like to do on weekends? Where can we find you hanging out?
In the kitchen, or eating out! I love getting my scran on at home, trying new dishes and experimenting with new recipes. One of the reasons I did Veganuary this year is to force myself out of my comfort zone and learn some new dishes. I also love going hiking, so probably up a really big hill in the Lakes with my camera in tow.
If you could go anywhere in the world or experience any one thing, what would it be?
To swim and scuba-dive with whales like they do on Blue Planet 2.
What're your tips for staying motivated and/or organised in your work?
Only you can make things happen. If you've lost your mojo, remove yourself from your work and social media for a while to give yourself time to think and reflect. Then head back to it with a fresh mind. I am a big believer in downtime, as well as being a busy-self starter. We are only human after all! My tips for how to be a boss freelancer can be found in this article here, too.
What is the one piece of advice you’d give other content creators & aspiring bloggers/vloggers?
Just do what you love. Don't overthink things, or bother yourself with what others are doing. Just do you, babe. And it should all come into place.
Fun/Random fact about you (go on, surprise us!)
1. I once swam with whale sharks in the Philippines!
2. My secret-ingredient is often Marmite (sssshh) and even the haters love it 🙂
The Featured Content Creator of the Week series is available to all bloggers, vloggers, influencers and content creators subscribed to WeBlogNorth. If you are a subscribed member and would like to be featured, then please get in touch. You’ll receive exposure to the entire WeBlogNorth family, as well as coverage across the @WeBlogNorth social channels and website. It’s great exposure for any content creator looking to get noticed and grow their following.
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