Name Zoe
Age 30
Location London
Blog URL The Z Factor
What is your blog about?
It’s about anything that catches my eye. Because I live in London this tends to be London-based things, with a heavy focus on food and restaurants. I also write up my favourite recipes and blog about entertainment too.
Is this your first blog?
Yes. I’ve been in the “bloggersphere” since about 2003, but this is the first blog I’ve really put any concerted work into.
When did you start your current blog?
I started it in the summer of 2012.
What made you do it?
I’d worked as a journalist for about 6 years at that point, but had found my way into a niche of journalism I wasn’t particularly enjoying anymore. I needed a new creative outlet and somewhere where I could remind myself that I enjoy writing. So, I started blogging and absolutely loved it. It really reignited my passion, and made me take the plunge professionally and go after what I really wanted.
What was your first blog post about?
It was about me! Haha. You have to introduce yourself, right? It would seem strange to just plough straight into a post about a restaurant I went to the night before or whatever.
What do you think is the most useful tool to you as a blogger?
Aside from WordPress, probably Twitter. A part of blogging that I’ve really enjoyed is meeting other bloggers who are interested in the same things as me. It’s also a good way to alert people who are interested that there’s a new post.
Do people in your real life know about your blog? If yes, has your blog helped you career wise?
I suppose so, in a way. As I said before, it gave me confidence that I had lost somewhere along the line in my writing. As my career is entirely based not just on my ability to write but also confidence in my writing, it’s really been invaluable.
What has been the one thing (blog post, project, etc) that you have been really proud of?
I love my “My London…” interview series, which is where I ask interesting people who live in or around London a few questions about why they love London, what they do when they’re in the city etc. I find it so interesting to talk to people about London and am always discovering new things from them. It also is nice to have a fresh voice on the blog so it doesn’t just feel “me me me” all the time.
Where do you see your blog in a year?
Hopefully continuing in the same thread. I’d like to post more regularly, and do more interviews. I’d love my blog to be something that people just enjoy reading and if they find it useful too, regarding things to do etc, then all the better. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for my blog – people to enjoy it. If that happens then I am very happy!
What do you wish you knew when starting your blog?
Good question! I don’t know! I suppose I just wish I started blogging earlier, because I enjoy it so much.
What do you wish you know more about now?
I WISH I knew how to code properly. It’s all so above my head and sometimes I just want to tweak one thing and literally break the entire blog.
How do you keep motivated to post?
I think watching my audience grow spurs me on – someone is obviously reading it. And feedback from friends, family etc, who I don’t think read it and then casually drop it into conversation that they’re reading – it’s a lovely surprise.
And I just love coming up with ideas for posts. It’s what I love about my job too – conceiving feature ideas and then seeing them through. It just makes me really happy!
Anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you?! Haha.
