Name LaMesha
Age 32
Location San Diego, CA
Blog URL www.fakefrenchgirl.com
What is your blog about? My blog is about so many things but I mostly write about and critique various aspects of beauty, motherhood, music, style, travel and French culture. I want to examine things through a feminist lens as well. For example, I have a blog post about being conflicted on the number of “haul” videos and posts I see other bloggers put out, but I still post “beauty hauls” sometimes because I am a consumer and love buying things too. I know that sounds pretty broad, but I’m still trying to find my niche.
Is this your first blog? Yes. I used to have a myspace blog way back when, but don’t count that because I didn’t own the domain. This blog is all me.
When did you start your current blog? I started blogging back in January of 2014, so a little over a year now.
What made you do it? I wanted something that was just for me. At the time, I was a stay at home mom and missed being “busy” and at work. Of course, I was busy taking care of my kids, but I had no creative outlet of my own. I had made zines in the past and had been fairly successful at that, but wanted to expand, reach more people faster and just write. My husband bought me a pretty basic digital camera for Christmas to encourage me, and I just went from there. My only regret is not starting sooner.
What was your first blog post about? My first post was called “makeup as self-care”. I’m still really proud of that post and love going back and reading it.
What do you think is the most useful tool to you as a blogger? My most useful tool as a blogger is definitely other bloggers. There are so many successful bloggers out there and most of them are really nice and eager to help. I learn things from their blogs all the time. I see who helped them design their blog, I look at what they are posting and I try to buy their e-books and online courses when I can. I like having all of that information right at my fingertips and I love the community of blogger friends that I have now.
Do people in your real life know about your blog? If yes, has your blog helped you career wise? My blog hasn’t helped my career because the subject matter was extremely different. My background is public health and social services and my blog is definitely not about that. Having my blog made me realize that I was burned out on my career and wanted to try new things. When I was at work, I was constantly thinking about my blog. I’m currently contemplating getting a certificate in social media management. My friends know I have a blog though, every once in awhile I’ll promote a post on facebook, but I don’t want to overwhelm them with content.
What has been the one thing (blog post, project, etc) that you have been really proud of? My husband went to school for graphic design and I am most proud of the fact that I don’t ask him for help at all. In the beginning, figuring out WordPress would have me nearly in tears every night. There is so much stuff to know and it just felt really overwhelming, but I stuck it out and just kept problem-solving. I took a WordPress class, bought my own domain and eventually hired a company to transfer my site from WordPress dot com to WordPress dot org and install a fancy new layout all with my own money. I’m most proud that my blog is all mine.
Where do you see your blog in a year? I want to have a more consistent posting schedule, a header, to start sponsoring other blogs (my advertisements) and to start doing giveaways. Content wise, I just want to keep posting things that I would want to read. Sometimes I try to do things that other people are doing, and it doesn’t work out well. I’d also like to get a newer camera and start taking better pictures. So basically, I just want to keep growing and learning.
What do you wish you knew when starting your blog? I wish I had known the difference between the two different types of WordPress websites.
What do you wish you know more about now? I still don’t really know much about SEO.
How do you keep motivated to post? I’m not always motivated to post. But I’m just committed to my blog because it’s mine. I guess I keep myself motivated.
Anything else you’d like to add? At first I was really apprehensive about starting a blog and thought “does the world really need one more blogger writing about clothes and makeup?”. That type of thinking almost kept me from starting a blog. But then I remembered that I’m not in competition with anyone else and that there’s room for me online because the internet goes on forever. I’m happy to be here.
