Why Do You Blog? Part 21:Louise

For today's Why Do You blog post, I have the lovely Louise from Inspire Magazine. She's actually a real-life friend of mine now that I have made through blogging so please do pop over and say hi!
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Hey, thank you for appearing on Futures. Could you tell me a little about yourself please? 

My name is Louise and I run Inspire Magazine. I started my blog when at university, I was required to make a print magazine for my distinction and originally set up the blog to coincide with that. But I enjoyed blogging so much that I continued to blog after my distinction was handed in. Writing is pretty much my whole life, I studied Magazine Journalism at university, I write as a career, I'm a blogger, freelance journalist and more, and I love to write about almost anything in my own time. I also love to read, and I'm a huge movie buff.

What is your blog about? (life in general, beauty, books etc)

It's tough to define my blog as it covers many different things, but I guess as a whole I'd say it was a lifestyle blog. I tend to blog a lot of reviews and personal posts about my life, but I also occasionally like to blog about money saving, crafts, cooking and more. My blog has a bit of everything, but I think that's what draws people back each time as there's something for everyone.

Why do you blog?

I blog for both personal reasons and as a business. I love being able to inspire people - hence the name - and I hope that when I post inspiring photos or make up looks, it inspires ladies. Basically if someone looks at my blog and sees a top they like and goes on to purchase it - if wearing that top gives them that little boost of confidence or cheers them up after a bad day then I know I've done my job. I love to write anyway, writing is an escape for me and as a passion I love to voice my opinion and write about things that are important to me.

I also do blog for business purposes - it helps getting the word out and getting me known as a writer and when it shows that I'm constantly writing and gaining experience. This was important when I wasn't working, because it showed that I was still doing something productive with my time.

Finally, I have plans to turn my blog into a magazine/set up my own magazine, that will again be along the lines of inspiring people.

What are your thoughts on PR samples and reviews? Do you think PR samples or payment for sponsored posts should be disclosed, or do you think that it is the blogs prerogative? Do you in fact disclose?

I don't think its necessary for them to be disclosed, but I can see why it's beneficial. If you know PR samples are free or the post is sponsored, it helps you trust the blogger in a bit more in that knowing they could have lied about this point. However, readers should trust bloggers to only accept samples that are beneficial to them or the blog - in the readers interest - and that the review is 100% truthful. Sometimes readers feel that if something has been sent as a sample, bloggers may feel pressured to be completely positive about the product even if they don't necessary share this opinion. I think it all relies on trust within the blogger/reader relationship.

I do disclose when I have received samples, but again I trust that my readers believe that my opinion will not be wavered because of this and that if I felt negatively about a product, I would state so in the post.

Some people view giveaways as a way of gaining more readers. Do you hold giveaways? If so, do you  hold these to reward your loyal followers, to gain a wider readership, or a bit of both?

I do hold giveaways and I do them for both reasons. Of course I love to reward my followers, but I'm not going to lie about the fact that I hope it does grant me a wider readership, because everyone knows that holding giveaways are a beneficial method for doing this. I understand that in this case, you may gain followers simply for the sake of a giveaway and that they will unsubscribe afterwards, but it also means reaching someone who hasn't yet seen your blog and loves it and goes on to become a loyal follower. Also, you can do different giveaways, such as ones that require only a comment to enter which means it will likely be a loyal follower to win. If you'd like a giveaway that also gets you some new readership, you can require the entry steps to include a bit of promotion. You can mix things up and do different giveaways like that, perhaps your first giveaway can simply be for existing followers, with your next hoping to reward your followers but also gain more readership.

What are your opinions on PR events? Do you think these are necessity in blogging, in order to keep in the know? Have you ever attended a PR event, whether it was open to all, or invite only? Tell me a little more.

I haven't attended a PR event so I don't have much experience, I don't think they're necessary to keeping in the know. Everything you learn at a PR event you can find online with a bit of research anyway, I think PR events are attended to help you feel a bit more glamourous at being able to attend said event, or to network!

Do you ever contribute to bloggers forums or certain conversations on Twitter such as #bbloggers or #blogdebate? What are your opinions on these?

I contribute to #bbloggers (when I remember too!) and find it can be helpful to find new blogs to follow and get hands on advice. It's also quite nice to get involved with just to feel a bit more important and as part of a community.

Have you ever felt disillusioned with blogging?

Yes, sometimes I sit and wonder about whether or not certain posts even interest my readers. I often try and think about what they'd like to see, and at times I get a bit overwhelmed and feel like I'm not really fulfilling the proper role of a blogger. Then I remember that generally blogging is only a hobby and that if I don't enjoy writing about something, I don't have to. Once I remember this I tend to feel a lot better and get back into things.

Tell us a random fact about yourself

When I was younger, I wanted to be an archeologist because I loved anything to do with egyptions and wanted to have adventures like in The Mummy! Then when my best friend told me she wanted to be a journalist, I immediately decided that I wanted to be one too, without even knowing what the word meant! College only confirmed this for me when I studied Media - at college I dabbled in all different types and platforms of media and loved them all - I got to make a music video and direct documentaries and more. But it was the journalism I loved the most, and it was then that I knew it was definitely the path for me. I'm very lucky that I've known what I've wanted to do my whole life, I know some people struggle with this issue!

What has been your most popular post on your blog so far? 

My most popular post of all time was this one, a post about how hot Ian Somerhalder is! It's not exactly inspiring but I'm not really surprised at how popular it is - he is one very sexy man! 

Finally, please link us to your 5 favourite blogs, whether they have 1 follower or 1000.

Well other than your blog, my other favourites would have to be -

I am Kathy B - because I love her unique writing style and how she can write about the most random things and still be hilarious

Pretty Making - because I love the different make up looks and love trying to recreate them myself

Media Marmalade - I'm constantly lusting over her clothes and the beautiful looks she creates with them

Victoria's Vintage - because her blog also offers a bit of everything and I too love her style

And finally Jennifer Rosellen - because her blog has loads of great advice and tips on how to get internships etc.

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Aww, thank you lovely! Do you want to get involved with this feature? You can email me here.