WeBlogNorth Featured Content Creator of The Week - Simmy and Her Life
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 Simone, "A generation renter proving art, culture & food exist outside of London" on her blog Simmy and Her Life
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Name: Simone (Simmy)
Location: Manchester
Blog URL: www.simmyandherlife.co.uk
Twitter followers: 570
Instagram followers: 1,711
Proofread everything. As a former English teacher, I still cringe when I find grammar or spelling mistakes on my blog.
How long have you been blogging?
I started my first blog not long after I finished my degree in 2004. I've been blogging on and off ever since. I started Simmy and Her Life in January of this year.
Why did you decide to start your blog?
I decided I needed a career break so I left my job as an English Tutor and Lecturer and moved to Manchester. I wanted something to occupy my time and give me a creative outlet. I sat down and thought about the things I was most passionate about and decided to use my blog to write about them.
Do you see this becoming a career or part of your career?
Writing is my passion so I have a feeling that I'll always be writing in some form or another for the rest of my life. Whether that's blogging or content creation more generally I don't know.
What do you hope to achieve for your content in 2018 and what’s your big-picture goal?
To continue to expand my blog and write about the things I feel passionate about. My blog started off as an interiors and home décor blog and it has now expanded to include everything from restaurant reviews, feminism, my journey to cut down on single-use plastics to book and theatre reviews. My head tells me I should have a niche but my heart tells me that I shouldn't limit myself, in life or in my writing.
What is your favourite social media channel & why?
Definitely Instagram. For me, Facebook has had it's day and Instagram is so versatile. I still haven't got to grips entirely with Pinterest and I don't tend to watch vlogs, I'd prefer to watch Insta stories instead.
Who is your content inspiration and why?
For general social media, it's @annaelerihart on Instagram. She runs her own Influencer Marketing firm One Roof Social and it's great for industry info. In terms of interiors, I love @thehomethatjomade
What do you like to do on weekends? Where can we find you hanging out?
If I'm not at a food festival or eating out then I'm usually browsing charity shops for books. I'm a massive geek and an avid reader and love nothing more than buying tonnes of cheap books and sitting somewhere quiet and consuming them all.
If you could go anywhere in the world or experience any one thing, what would it be?
Since I write about food a lot it would have to be Italy. I've never visited but I love the idea of being able to eat pizza and pasta to my heart's content. Although, I would have to be rolled back onto the plane home.
What are your tips for staying motivated and/or organised in your work?
I plan ahead as much as I can. I have a diary and I schedule at least one post/idea a week and make sure that I've planned a month in advance. This way I know that even if inspiration doesn't strike I have a backup plan and have something to write about. For example, if I know I'm going on holiday I'll plan to write at least one blog post about a place I've eaten in/ book I've read/review of the hotel etc.
What is the one piece of advice you’d give other content creators & aspiring bloggers/vloggers?
Concentrate on finding your writer's voice. Everyone's voice is unique and if you're passionate about what you write then that should shine through in your writing. Also, proofread everything. As a former English teacher, I still cringe when I find grammar or spelling mistakes on my blog.
Fun/Random fact about you (go on, surprise us!):
I hate sellotape. It makes my skin crawl.
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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