The Lesser Spotted Helpful Blogger
This blog is starting to resemble a diary at this point, isn't it? When you tell someone you have a blog I'm sure most assume it is a diary and we hate that so I may be doing myself a disservice here but hey, whatever makes me want to open my laptop..Following on from my last post (which, by the way, I realise may have seemed like a threat, I'm not packing in anytime soon! I'm actually feeling really good about blogging at the moment, it's more YouTube that I think is negatively affecting me and if I go back to work full time and hobby-blogging I may regain what I lost there) something popped up on twitter today (likely from 3 days ago) that inspired me to pick up an idea I had in my drafts.Blogging is a solo pursuit (or it used to be) and people play their cards pretty close to their chests. In a normal job you'd have colleagues to share best practice (or at least some basic training) but this is all on you which is why bloggers who do share their knowledge are extra special.I am certain that lots have advised me over the years so I apologise in advance if I'm offending anyone but there are 3 stand outs who supported me early on.MakeupSavvyFee is top of the list because she was the first and she (to me) is what the community is all about. We still exchange info from time to time and although we've never met, she's one of my oldest blogging friends. Fee has managed to build a successful blog outside of London without rubbing shoulders with PR's or being pictured at events. She gives me hope that it's possible to be successful wherever you're based and proves that you can be kind and helpful to others without sacrificing your own progress.BritishBeautyBloggerJane is my favourite person to rant to. She is like me in temperament (though she may disagree) and wont sugar coat anything. She's who I'd go to when I have a dilemma and need an honest opinion or when something has really f*cked me off and I need someone to say 'yes, you're right, they're all total b*st*rds'.. I'm obviously paraphrasing, Jane would never be so profane. In a world of fluffy, fake friendships I am grateful to have met someone who knows her stuff but doesn't take herself too seriously.HayleyHall (previously LondonBeautyQueen) On the other side, Hayley is much more serious about the business of blogging. This isn't to say she isn't lovely too (though I think Jane would take exception to being described as such) but things are a little more black and white. She has a wealth of insider knowledge, working with both bloggers and brands and has helped me on countless occasions. From encouraging me to 'know my worth' to outlining terms and conditions I should be enforcing. Her blog is an excellent resource if you're looking for blogging tips.
These days I have a group chat with ItsEmChannel, CallMeKim, GingerGirlSays & DiamondsnPearls where (in between chat about The Greatest Showman and when we're next meeting for a booze up) we can sound off about day to day stuff and share what's working/what isn't. We all live in totally different areas of the country and I personally don't know anyone in my 'real life' who blogs so having that connection to long distance friends who do is invaluable. It's hard to find genuine friends who actually want to help you so I try to keep that in mind and be as supportive as I can.Whether it be responding to a direct message from someone who needs advice, retweeting a post you've enjoyed or just following new bloggers, this is what made blogging fun before the allure of the glitz and glam was even a thing. There are people starting new blogs every day, new opportunities to start your own support group and to remind yourself what blogging can be. Bottom line, not everyone will be successful doing this but wont you feel better when you look back at it knowing you didn't sacrifice kindness in your attempt?