Name Zoë
Age 32
Location Dundee
Blog URL ikiwn.com
What is your blog about?
My blog is a fatshion blog, looking at dressing boldly without spending incredible amounts of cash to do so. I sometimes post about beauty products, and have dabbled with DIY / craft posts… but I’m finding that fatshion is what I’m most passionate about. I have recently started writing articles and opinion pieces to go alongside the outfit posts, which I’m really enjoying.
Is this your first blog?
No, I’ve had quite a few false starts over the years. My fear of failing miserably, or being judged, held me back for a long time. I always knew what I wanted to talk about: body positivity, self-love and dressing fabulously, but struggled with how to say it. I’m very pleased to have finally found my people and my voice.
When did you start your current blog?
I decided to start this blog in July, and just went all in – grabbing the domain name, setting up a simple WordPress theme, and writing posts straight away.
What made you do it?
I had just moved to Dundee and had no job, no friends and no money. I figured it was the perfect time to get out there and get on with the blog that I couldn’t stop thinking about. My own financial situation pushed me towards coming at plus size fashion from a ‘budget luxury’ angle – I know that sounds like a terrible oxymoron but I promise you, it is possible!
Or maybe it was just straight up narcissism that made me start the blog!
What was your first blog post about?
Aw, it was quite innocuous really, it’s just a bunch of photographs from a walk I went on when I still lived in Bristol. I’m not sure what my thinking was behind that post, perhaps a sort of introduction ¯_(ツ)_/¯
What do you think is the most useful tool to you as a blogger?
For me, Instagram has been the most incredible tool. It’s enabled me to get my message and face out there to cool people, collaborate on some fun projects, feature on other blogs, make actual friends and generally gad about complimenting fat babes at every turn. I’m really enjoying the sense of camaraderie on fat Instagram.
Do people in your real life know about your blog? If yes, has your blog helped you career wise?
Initially, I didn’t tell anyone in my real life and just buzzed about in the background slowly making posts and building up an audience. One of my good friends found my blog entirely by accident and was very encouraging about it, so I went full disclosure with my friends and family not long after that. In all honestly, it hasn’t impacted on my career one way or the other. If I were in some kind of media related job then maybe this would be a consideration.
What has been the one thing (blog post, project, etc) that you have been really proud of?
I’m proud that I started the blog in the first place, I’m proud I got my belly out on Instagram (more than once) and I’m proud that I’m still posting.
Where do you see your blog in a year?
I’d like it to be looking a little more ‘polished’, rather than still in free WordPress template territory, and I’d love to have steadily gained an engaged, interested audience – basically, I’d like to meet all the cool fat babes.
What do you wish you knew when starting your blog?
You can’t try and predict what people are going to like, and you can’t pretend to be something you’re not to appeal to followers / readers. It sounds fake, forced, and switched on readers can always tell. You just have to keep plugging away at doing your thing and the people that love that sort of thing too will find you.
What do you wish you know more about now?
I wish I knew more about the practical side of running / hosting / designing / managing a blog, but that’s one of those things that you learn over time.
How do you keep motivated to post?
The social aspect of blogging keeps me going, I like having new content to share and chat about. I also love clothes, bargain hunting and general fabulousness – so new outfit posts are never a struggle. I guess that’s why it’s important to blog about something you love and enjoy, who wants a hobby that feels like a chore? I try to maintain a strict Tues / Fri schedule, but I’m frequently quite rubbish at this and forget which day of the week we’re on. I do make sure I post a minimum of twice a week though, guaranteed.
Anything else you’d like to add?
“If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else? Can I get an Amen up in here?”
