Name: Debbie Stokoe
Age: 34
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Blog URL: London vs Newcastle
What is your blog about?
Fashion, arts and event in London and North East plus self development/motivation and inspiration. I wanted to do a blog about beautiful things but go deeper, a lot of fashion blogs are just about selfies and trends, and can be quite empty and narcissistic. I like to write about fashion history and innovation, as well as what’s going on and events I go to in London and Newcastle. I wanted to combine my passion for the arts with my ten year self development journey which is ongoing, and be able to inspire others to go delve deeper into themselves and discover their true path.
Is this your first blog?
No, I made attempts for the past two or three years to start on different platforms but didn’t regularly blog. Now I’ve made it part of my daily routine and blog every day.
When did you start your current blog?
October 2013
What made you do it?
I needed a creative outlet and have always like to write but didn’t dedicate the time to it or didn’t do it with any regularity. I need to do it just as much as I need to exercise and eat!
What was your first blog post about?
Something about self-development/how to be happy. I’m really into self development.
What do you think is the most useful tool to you as a blogger?
Bloggers networks online and Twitter so I can keep up to date with what is going on.
Do people in your real life know about your blog?
Yes
Has your blog helped you career wise?
Not yet – I am hoping that it helps me get a job in marketing/PR as it involves quite a lot of skill to make it look good, publicise it and create interesting content and images.
What has been the one thing (blog post, project, etc) that you have been really proud of?
A post I did on mental illness (I suffered so it was a risk for me to do that).
Where do you see your blog in a year?
I hope to monetize it and learn more about SEO. I am getting a friend to do illustrations to make the blog more representative of me and my style, and a designer to make it look as cool as possible!
What do you wish you knew when starting your blog?
More about blogging networks and the technical side of things
What do you wish you know more about now?
Advertising and monetising blogs.
How do you keep motivated to post?
I am inspired by things I read about during the week – I love doing it so I don’t find it difficult to be motivated. I love the topics I write about. I could write about fashion all day every day for free. I am in love with it. And I love to go to events and it feels natural to write about it afterwards – like a long winded diary. I also like to keep people informed about what’s going on. I get a buzz when someone says they read about an event on my blog that they wouldn’t have known about otherwise.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I’d like to inspire people.
