I started blogging at the back end of 2011. My boys were very young and writing about parenting just felt like a form of escapism. Furthermore, I wanted to document our life as a family, all those special memories and adorable things they would say. Children grow up so fast, I was keen to remember as much as possible.

However, over the years my blog transformed into so much more. I will admit I was pretty clueless when I first started blogging. I probably was a little too excited to work with my first brand! Even when they offered a review product worth about 50p! An item that I could quite easily have gone out and bought myself saving myself a whole lot of work in the process. Somehow it still didn’t wane my enthusiasm.

What I have learnt?

I guess my biggest takeaway from so many years blogging is to value yourself, really know your worth! These days I am much more selective about my brand partnerships. Back in the day I would have happily reviewed rice crackers, that I have never eaten since thinking it might lead on to bigger and better things. Be selective and cherry pick your opportunities. You do not need to work with everyone thinking you are building relationships with PR companies. You can say no if something is an unsuitable match and they still will come back and work with you again.

Also don’t fall for the carrot on a stick! When a company dangles the promise of something nice in the future in front of you if you publish some press releases. In my experience you end up doing lots of work for them and nothing actually transpires. I won’t name the hotel brand but let’s just say I have never used them because of this.

Favourite Brand Partnership

Sorry I cannot settle for just one brand partnership. Both my press trips were big highlights for my family and felt like a big steppingstone for my blog. I really enjoy featuring travel and family attractions companies. In my opinion holidays are the best way to make lasting memories with your family so gravitating towards opportunities in that field was very exciting for me. I don’t mind writing about lots of different subjects, but travel holds a special place in my heart.

We went to Orlando as guests of SeaWorld and even had a photographer with us (who is now a firm friend!) as part of the press trip.  We did all kinds over our stay, meeting a sloth, feeding tropical birds, and walking underwater.

Then in December last year we stayed at Les Villages Nature in Paris which again was an incredible experience. The boys relished the chocolate making activity and having a day in Disneyland Paris.

Sadly, COVID has thrown a bit of a spanner in the works with holidays at the moment. But hopefully I can continue in that direction when life returns to some kind of normal!

How To Grow

If you’re a fledgling blog my advice would be to stick with it. Don’t be disheartened if you are not working with brands straight away. Keep yourself busy building your social media and working behind the scenes on your site. Try and network with other bloggers, learn what techniques seem to work for them. Your hard work with pay off eventually. Mine definitely did and I am so grateful that my blog opened up the world for us with those two wonderful travel opportunities. Hopefully your blog journey will be as successful! Good luck.