Welcome back to the latest edition of Wise Words Wednesday, today we have Donna joining us from Skirting Boards and Chandeliers. It is great to have a new blogger taking to the hot seat as it is always great for our readers thinking about starting a blog to hear how someone who has taken the leap is finding it all.
So I am going to head you over to Donna to share her journey with you.
Tell us a little bit about you & your blog:
I’ve set up an interior design blog called Skirting Boards and Chandeliers to inspire us all how to create a home we love and help it to express our unique personality. I want to help people enjoy the creative process of improving and designing rooms in their home and hope to inspire through writing about decorating, where you can source interesting items for your home and celebrate inspiring homes and good interior design in South East London.
What inspired you to start blogging?
I think I always knew in my heart that I wanted to set up my own business but wasn’t sure what. Previously I worked as a freelance dance teacher and choreographer but lost my passion for this after my second child was born. I spent the whole year of 2016 in a hazy fog not sure what I was going to do. Then after reading a parenting blog I realised that what I had to do was set up an interior design blog! I have no training in interior design and am definitely not an expert but when you’ve renovated two properties you learn a thing or two.
What has been your highlight of blogging?
Well I’m only a month into it but I think the highlight so far has been when readers comment on what they’ve learnt or how I’ve made them think about something in a different way. Getting my first freebie has also been pretty cool (even though it was only being on the guest list of a local vintage fair)!
Is there anything you have learnt about blogging which you wish you knew when you started out?
Well I am only starting out so probably making a whole lot of mistakes, but I’m really enjoying it. Even more than I thought I would! So if I’d known that I might have started it sooner! Also the blogging community is super friendly so there is always someone willing to help.
Bloggers sometimes get a lot of stick however many work really hard and are reaping the rewards, what has been the most rewarding part of blogging for you?
I love working for myself and having a project to work on and a focus outside being a mum. Being creative is the most important aspect for me as in the past I’ve had to leave jobs that didn’t give me enough creativity.
What would be your 1 tip you would give all new bloggers starting out?
What someone said to me that really helped me is that it doesn’t have to be perfect to begin with. Just write with passion and you will learn and develop as time goes on. Consistency is the key and listen to your audience (when you find out who that is). I believe that interior design is about creating a HOME and homes are for PEOPLE who are living out their life. So I’ve realised that an important part of being on social media is relating and engaging with your audience.
Who do you find inspiring to read/watch in the blogging world?
I have a long list but off the top of my head I would say my top five are Sarah Akwisombe, The Pink House, Melanie Lissack Interiors, Mum of Boys and Mabel and Sophie Robinson. What I love about all of them is that they bring exciting content on their niche subject as well as share daily aspects of their life making them relatable and help you understand how blogging fits into their everyday lives. They are also mums creating their own career and I find that really inspiring!
Lastly – do you have any big plans/dreams for your blog in the next 12 months?
Well the biggie is that I want to be getting paid for blogging and create a service within the Interior Design industry. I have a few ideas up my sleeve and I’m really excited (and a little bit scared) but I’m going to keep blogging and growing my audience. Watch this space!
Thank you for taking part this week Donna! It has been great to have you 🙂
