WeBlogNorth Featured Content Creator of The Week - Pinecones and Study Days
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 Chris, who writes to raise awareness of baby loss and the support that's available.
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Name Chris Binnie
Location Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Blog URL pineconesandstudydays.co.uk
Instagram followers 622
Life is fleeting and transient and frankly too short not to do things you love.
How long have you been blogging/vlogging/creating content?
About 7 months
Why did you decide to start your blog/vlog?
I've done a lot of presentations (mostly to maternity professionals) since our son Henry was stillborn in 2014. There's a real taboo that surrounds baby loss and I've tried to break it down - it starts with better understanding and care from professionals, but as time has gone on I've understood more and more about the struggles that society as a whole has dealing with it.
I've always loved writing, so I decided I'd start a blog to try and better explain it to anyone who reads it. There is quite a bit of content out there now about baby loss, but very little from the perspective of a dad, so I think that perhaps gives my blog a slightly more unique perspective. Blogging about this issue is actually very cathartic, but it's a difficult balance to try and write about such an upsetting topic in a way that engages people and keeps them coming back.
Do you see this becoming a career or part of your career?
I've been a trustee of a baby loss charity (Our Angels) here in Harrogate since 2015, and I'd love to get it to the stage where I could take it on full time - I could get SO much more done! If I ever get to that point, then I think my blogging will form an integral part of that.
What do you hope to achieve for your content in 2018 and what’s your big-picture goal?
I have two separate strands running through my blog - taking people through our journey from back in 2014 and talking about the issues in the here-and-now. At some point, the blog will be up to date on our journey and they'll blend into one - perhaps divided instead by 'our personal journey' and 'wider issue'.
The big picture is to keep raising awareness and helping people understand more. Raising awareness is a key part of breaking down stigmas and taboos.
What is your favourite social media channel & why?
I'm a recent convert to Instagram but I think it's far more personal than Facebook, and it clearly provides a real support to many parents in our situation, enabling them to connect with posts ranging from the very simple to the far more detailed.
What is your favourite tool or app that helps in your content creation?
This is something I really want to learn more about, to understand what sort of tools I can use to improve my content!
Who is your blogging/vlogging/content inspiration and why?
I'm really inspired by the work of my good friends Jess and Heidi in the space that I blog in, as well as Elle - her content is incredible.
I love the quality of the content on Goalcast, and it's always good for a pick-me-up too!
What do you like to do on weekends? Where can we find you hanging out?
When I'm not working or doing charity stuff or blogging, I love rugby. I referee to a decent level, so most Saturday afternoons you can find me on a rugby pitch somewhere in the North of England bossing 30 other blokes about!
If you could go anywhere in the world or experience any one thing, what would it be?
I spent a year studying in New York and that's just my favourite city. I also LOVE New Zealand and I'd love to go back there now I'm a bit older and (arguably) wiser.
The one thing I want to experience more than anything in life now is to be able to bring a healthy little brother or sister for Henry home one day.
What're your tips for staying motivated and/or organised in your work?
Love what you do. I love my day job selling orthopaedic implants, I get to spend time in operating theatres and have a real impact on people's lives. The charity work and blogging is a passion of mine too, of course.
If you don't love what you do, find something else to do. Life is fleeting and transient and frankly too short not to do things you love.
What is the one piece of advice you’d give other content creators & aspiring bloggers/vloggers?
Be true to yourself with your content. Some content is easy to make, some is hard. Some content is easy to read, some is hard. But make it all real.
Fun/Random fact about you (go on, surprise us!):
Am I the only person left out there that's never watched a second of Game of Thrones?
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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