I’m incredibly honoured to be able to share a bit of the magic that goes on behind some of the blogs I love – and today it’s all about Victoria Brant – creator of the blog Diary of a Wimpy Eventer.
Why did you start blogging?
I started my blog as a bit of a ‘self-help’ outlet. I was merely documenting my fears, my frustrations, my highs and lows. I wanted to vent to an audience that ‘got it’ and save my husband’s ears.
How do you measure its success at Diary of a Wimpy Eventer?
Success for me, is measured in how many people I am touching the lives of. I tend to judge this based on the volumes that privately message me, opening their hearts and disclosing their inner most fears when it comes to horses. I respond to around 30-40 private messages per week. Statistics have mesmerised me recently too, each post reaches around 30,000 people, with never less than 200 interactions – Success for me isn’t just about follower numbers.
Tell us about the post you’ve most enjoyed writing/has been the best received
The posts that I dearly love to write are the ones reviewing a particular issue (usually one I am secretly dealing with inside), everything is first draft and straight from the pit of my belly. The best received post by FAR, was the hunting post from January. Documenting my terror and then sheer elation start to finish. This post reached 67,000 people in 48 hours.
How you promote your Diary of a Wimpy Eventer?
I spend around £20 per month page boosting to over 300 target groups that I have individually selected on FB ads. I have ensured that I guest write for some big names, that not only improves your SEO by ‘freeloading’ off a bigger company, but it gets you noticed by people you may not have reached otherwise. I ALWAYS plug it on my commentator notes when I run BE, I have Wimpy Eventer on my XC gear and make sure I give recognition to every single share that I get, even if it’s just a ‘like’, Retention is JUST as important to me as acquisition.
Any tips you’d like to pass on to first time bloggers/people who are interested in blogging?
DO NOT SPEND ANY MONEY UNLESS YOU KNOW HOW TO SPEND IT. It is a TOTAL waste of a very nice bottle of wine unless you make the money work for you. Put in the time to VERY carefully select who you want to target.
Content is King – Stop posting cr*p that doesn’t breed emotion or engagement. If no-one can relate, no one will respond. – My BIGGEST bugbear!
Be honest – don’t try and be someone you’re not for the sake of an audience. People appreciate authenticity, copy cats are smelly rats!
Has anything ‘good’ come out of blogging?
Wow, has it ever! I have never had a lot of money to buy nice things, I now wear brands that I could have only dreamed of before September 2016. I love it when people come and support us at shows and the recognition you get when you’re out and about, essentially, just for being you. I have made some wonderful virtual friends that I can turn to for support, advice or just a chat.
I am writing my first book!! (It still seems so surreal) due to come out in May – this would NEVER have happened without the blog. I am finally doing something that is worthwhile, that is helping so many people and that I actually love with every inch of my person.
Find out more about Victoria here – you won’t regret it!
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