Blogger Q&A with @stressedmum01

Please share this assignment with other bloggers.

Bloggers name:
Samantha Donnelly

My blog:
https://www.stressedmum.co.uk

About my blog:
StressedMum is a parenting and lifestyle blog that covers everything from daily family life, with a bit of travel and days out thrown in. I also talk about chronic illness and how it affects our lives

My main blogging category is:
Mummy/Daddy

You can find me at:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/StressedMum01/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/stressedmum01
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/stressedmum1/
Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.co.uk/stressedmum1/pins/

How and why did you get into blogging:
I started blogging when my daughter was just about to finish Primary School. It was an emotional time as she was preparing to say goodbye to her school and friends and start her new journey in Secondary School. Which meant I would have more time on my hands and be able to start something for myself, which is where StressedMum started.

Where do you get your writing inspiration from?
I write about personal experiences, things I have experienced. This can be daily life ups and downs. I also write about Chronic Illness the battles we face daily, as this is something that 1000’s of people experience across the country and one illness that medical professionals know little or nothing about. It means I can speak up and let others know that they are not alone. When I do get the chance to escape I will write about days out or trips away.

If you could offer some words of encouragement to a newbie or frustrated blogger, what would they be?
My advice is talk and write from the heart, be passionate about what you are writing as it does come across. Research keywords and hashtags when sharing on social media.
Never compare yourself to other bloggers, we each write differently and some have been blogging for a long time. It is hardwork and will take time to start getting followers. Join blogging groups as most offer support and will answer any questions you have.

What has changed most about blogging culture/the blogging industry since you started?
Blogging seems to be getting more and more popular with people thinking it is easy work. I have seen a few give up over the years. Because there are more and more bloggers companies often think we will do things for free.

What daily tools and platforms do you use in your blogging routine, for research, promotion, sharing and other:
I usually start my post depending on whether it is one of my ramblings or a review by looking at the title, there are many keyword sites but it is a personal choice on which one you find easier to work with.

I then write my post, making sure that it is reader-friendly with headings and various pictures to break the post up and make it more reader-friendly. I use sites like Unsplash for pictures if I have none, or ask the PR for hi-res images if it is a review.

Once the post is written, I read through and make any amendments and check for spelling mistakes.

Once the post is looking ok, I head over to Canva to make the feature image, Pinterest image, twitter image and Instagram image. I add the feature image and Pinterest image and publish the post. It is then shared on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Tell us about your greatest blogging achievement to date?
Although I have a few achievements I think it is when I had people contact me after reading one of my posts about chronic illness and how it made them feel better by knowing they are not alone. It makes it all worth it

Where do you hope blogging will take you in the future?
I hope that my blog continues and I am still sharing my life, which is currently the menopause with my new series. I love that through my writing and my posts I can reach out to others and through my experiences they can talk about theirs.

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