WeBlogNorth Featured Content Creator of the Week - Cat Crawford
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 with Cat Crawford, who works in content marketing (so you'll wanna listen to her tips) and runs her own content and consultancy business as a side hustle.
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Name: Cat Crawford
Location: Manchester
Blog URL: catcrawfordmarketing.com
YouTube URL
Twitter followers: 460
Instagram followers: 343
Less is more...It's better to do 1 post a week that is super helpful or offers a lot of value to your audience, than trying to blog 3 times a week about stuff that is a bit wishy-washy.
How long have you been creating content?
In total, I've been blogging for about 6 years on and off, but on my current blogs, I've been doing it for about 2 years. Now I also do it as a full-time job in a marketing agency!
Why did you decide to start your blog/vlog?
I was bored during the summer of my first year of university and I started blasting through makeup tutorials on YouTube. I decided I wanted to give it a try for myself and so started with a YouTube channel talking about my favourite makeup products. That's when I moved into blogging so I could have something else online to support my video content!
Do you see this becoming a career or part of your career?
Absolutely. I started with an internship in content marketing after university, which I landed because of my blogging, then I got a more established internship, again because of my YouTube channel and blog, which soon turned into my full-time job.
I've been hopping from content marketing jobs and social media management for the last 4 years. What I'd really love to do though is work more one on one with smaller businesses and content creators, to help them turn their own blogs into businesses. I already do some freelancing on the side of my agency job, but blogging is something I would love to make full-time.
What do you hope to achieve for your content in 2018 and what’s your big-picture goal?
This year I just want to build up my blog traffic and community/contacts as well. I'd also love to keep building my resources page so that I have a whole directory of free resources for my blog readers to use.
What is your favourite social media channel & why?
Probably Twitter as it's the place I talk to people the most and keep in touch with people I meet at offline networking events. It's just the easiest place to have proper conversations with people!
I do have a love/hate relationship with Instagram, I've always loved photography so I love posting to Instagram, but the engagement side is just a bit crap and it's become way too much of a numbers game.
What is your favourite tool or app that helps in your content creation?
I absolutely love VSCO for image editing but Canva is also the greatest invention of all time. I create all my Pinterest images in there, social images, workbooks, Instagram story covers and pretty much any other type of image I need to create!
Who is your blogging/vlogging/content inspiration and why?
Vlogging, I love Peter Mckinnon, I've learned so much about photography and video creation from him. Blogging-wise, I love World of Wanderlust as her blog, photography is always stunning and her content is super helpful and easy to understand.
I also really love XOMisse by Elaine Malone. Back in the day, I used her blog a lot to help with any coding or blogger issues. I took a lot of inspo from her when starting my blog, as I loved that she didn't bullshit her way through explaining things, she just got straight to the point and helped you solve your problem.
What do you like to do on weekends? Where can we find you hanging out?
Because I work 9-5 during the week, I usually spend time at home working on my own projects at the weekend. However, for the next few months, I'll be doing a lot of hiking to train for my Great Wall of China trek. I love to get outdoors as it helps me switch my brain off, so I try and use weekends for walking or just catching up with family.
If you could go anywhere in the world or experience any one thing, what would it be?
My dream trip has always been to go to Iceland or Norway to see the northern lights and go husky sledging. I want to stay in those cool glass igloos that allow you to sleep under the stars.
What're your tips for staying motivated and/or organised in your work?
I've tried a few things to keep myself organised, but I like to create spreadsheets that I can colour code and keep track of tasks I've done and that need doing. Also, bullet journals are also crazy useful.
I do so much that I do burn out a lot, but all it takes for me to reset is to up my more fun workouts like Yoga or I've just started aerial arts, that helps me to switch my brain off and just take a rest from thinking. I always come back the next day feeling refreshed and ready to tackle my to-do list.
What is the one piece of advice you’d give other content creators & aspiring bloggers/vloggers?
Ironically, less is more, not work wise, can't say that or I'd be a hypocrite! But more along the lines of what you are creating. It's better to do 1 post a week that is super helpful or offers a lot of value to your audience, than trying to blog 3 times a week about stuff that is a bit wishy-washy.
This includes social media, it's better to choose 2-3 channels you can create really amazing content for, than trying to master them all.
Fun/Random fact about you (go on, surprise us!)
I make the most amazing gingerbread men you will ever eat in your life. They are famous with my family and friends and I have managed to convert non-gingerbread lovers!
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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