Name: Laura Anderson
Age: 25
Location: Leeds
Blog URL: www.aforteforfashion.co.uk
What is your blog about?
Mainly fashion but lately I’ve mixed in more lifestyle.
Is this your first blog?
I’ve had blog’s from being a teenager – I think I started on Livejournal sharing my purchases, those were the days!
When did you start your current blog?
In 2008, I was studying Journalism at university and found it to be often not as creative as I had wished.
What made you do it?
I started my blog because I loved fashion and I wasn’t able to write about it within my degree. This led on to me being entertainment editor of the University newspaper. I’ve never looked back since then.
What was your first blog post about?
It was about my backless lace dress I bought for my birthday and my quest to find an appropriate bra to wear with it – as you can see down to earth from the start (ha ha)
What do you think is the most useful tool to you as a blogger?
Twitter has really helped raise the profile of my blog – I can speak to such a vast amount of people and it puts me in touch with brands at the click of a button.
Do people in your “real life” know about your blog?
Yes – I took part in a #lbloggers chat about this recently. I don’t see why you wouldn’t tell people you know about it, I’m proud of all the achievements I’ve made because of my blog. If you are scared of what your friends might say, I’d say they weren’t friends to begin with.
If yes, has your blog helped you career wise?
My first job out of university was secured because of it. I’ve been able to go to London Fashion Week and make some great contacts within the industry. I’m now a Content Executive for a fashion retailer.
What has been the one thing (blog post, project, etc) you’ve been really proud of?
Getting a blogger pass for London Fashion Week (although this will probably prove difficult in the future, with the new rules) – this is something I’ve dreamed of attending since high school. My first fashion show was something I’ll never forget.
Where do you see your blog in a year?
I am trying to learn HTML 5 myself, I’d like to re-design my blog and continue to grow my readership.
What do you wish you knew when starting your blog?
To blog more often – I think I could have a larger audience than I do if I’d of put that little bit of extra time into it at the beginning. 2008 was the year when fashion blogging was starting to blow up.
What do you wish you’d know about now?
That aesthetics mean a lot in the blogging world – no good having great content if your blog looks like crap. Squashed pictures are a big no no.
How do you keep motivated to post?
It’s not hard to keep motivated when blogging is something you enjoy. I try and have an evening a week where I can sit down and plan ideas, that way I never feel bogged down.
Anything else you’d like to add?
If you are thinking about starting a blog – go for it! It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.
