The Blogger Interviews: Penny Golightly
It’s been an absolute pleasure so far interviewing all of the bloggers involved in our Blogger Interviews series. This week’s interviewee, the lovely Penny Golightly, is certainly no different.
I can’t quite remember when I first met Penny, but having worked with her on the lastminute.com blog recently I’ve come to realise Penny is actually a seriously good blogger. I suspect that is partly due to the fact she is a journalist by trade, but also because Penny blogs about something of real interest to her.
This is a theme that comes across in all of the blogger interviews I’ve conducted, write about something for which you have a genuine passion. I couldn’t agree more. It is impossible to write a blog on a topic which you aren’t very passionate about.
Correction, to write a good blog.
Penny is also a blogger who’s gone to the extra effort of creating a brand for herself, with a unique logo, look, feel and of course name. I wonder, is Penny your real name…
In any case, enough of the introduction, let’s cut to the chase. Penny Golightly, this is your blogger interview (said in a This is your Life style)…
1. What’s your blog called and what’s the URL?
The site’s called Penny Golightly, and the home page uses blog software, but there’s also a small forum and other things on there too. The URL is www.pennygolightly.com
2. What’s your blog all about ( in 20 words or less)?
The site’s dedicated to bargain hunting and getting maximum fun from your budget, whatever you have to spend.
3. When and why did you start blogging?
Confession time: I started blogging many years ago as part of a job whilst working on a website that shall remain nameless. It was a spoof blog, written in character and pretending to be a brainless socialite blundering about London. Looking back, it’s amazing that nobody sued us. *whistles and sidles away*
Since then I’ve done a few other paid blogs for people, mostly very straight laced and professional. Penny Golightly is more fun and personal, and it’s a break from other more serious things I might be getting up to with the day job. London is ridiculously expensive, but it’s also an amazing city, so it’s very enjoyable to be able to pass on some of the great things in it that are either free or represent good value for money.
4. Which blog platform do you use?
I’m using WordPress at the moment, which seems to be working out fine for the most part. It has days when it’s glitchy, but then who doesn’t?
5. Can you give an example of how blogging has enriched your life?
The best part is meeting lots of other people who are all so fired up and enthusiastic, whether that’s in person or online.
I love it when people pass on rumours about sales or send in their favourite cocktail recipes, or tip me off about interesting events.
6. Are there any blogs you recommend reading and why?
More confessions: most of the ones I read regularly are geeky technical, scientific and educational ones. On the bargain side of things I like The Lean Times, FruGal, The Frugal Life, and many others. Have a look at my Mwah Mwah (favourites) list for the full rogues’ gallery.
7. What three tips would you give to someone just starting out in blogging?
That’s a toughie… I’d say getting on with the writing/other content is the most important, because it usually takes time and practice before you really find your own style. You can always edit or delete entries later if you read them back and cringe. Don’t do it with the sole motivation of finding fame and fortune either, do it because it’s something you feel passionate about, or because it’s a subject area where you have some knowledge already and you’re continuing to learn. You’re writing in public, so make it an interesting read, and enjoy the conversations and contributions that follow.
Finally, I’d say be aware that some bloggers are being exploited at the moment – by all means do the occasional guest post for people you like, or support causes that you believe in, but don’t unquestioningly let people use your blog for product placement (your readers will start to question your integrity), and if you’re a good writer, set a limit on how much of your copy you’re prepared to give away for free each month to other publications (after a certain point, you should be getting a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work).
8. If you could change one thing about your blog what would it be?
There’s a whole list of things that need changing…. oh, the guilt.
Most of the content is practical/factual so a search function should have been added months ago. Oops. Naughty.
9. What is the key to getting readers to your blog?
I don’t know where half of my readers come from, truth be told. Maybe it’s word of mouth, but I don’t really have any active input into that, or control over it.
Some people drop by after social media comments, especially via on Twitter, and I run regular competitions which help too. Having said that, getting people to stick around and contribute is more enjoyable than concentrating on simply driving traffic.
That just made me look like a massive slacker, didn’t it?
10. And finally, why do you come to the London Bloggers Meetups?
Because you have the best canapes, darling. Oh, and the speakers are varied and excellent, and because it’s a friendly, unpretentious crowd who are lovely to meet.
Penny, thanks for your observation in point 7. I think it’s worth discussing right now because I’ve been getting that feeling too. Andy. perhaps a controversial discussion for the next LBM??
For some reason the PR people have latched onto bloggers recently and I’m getting a lot of unwelcome invitations to review things, cover events etc where they clearly haven’t bothered to read beyond half way through the first post on the blog.
I don’t mind being approached about London arts and culture events, or photography-related stuff in general (I’m a keen snapper) but some of the requests I’ve been getting lately are just bizarre. Clearly they’re just trying to take advantage of our high search rankings :)
The rule I have adopted is – if it’s London-related but not really my thing I reply with a polite refusal but tell them if something more in my area of interest comes up I’ll consider it, but the completely unrelated stuff just gets deleted. If they can’t be bothered to get a feel for my blog I can’t be bothered to reply…
Hi Pete,
That’s a very interesting idea – the Blogsploitation Meetup!
Exploitation can come from a number of sources (PRs, newspapers, magazines, websites, employers and more…) and it would be interesting to find out where different bloggers would draw the line. There are certainly grey areas where different people will view the same approach as either an opportunity or someone taking the mickey.
My personal low point was a nameless building society who emailed me to tell me (not ask me, seriously) that they were going to put a massive banner ad on top of my home page, oh, and I wasn’t allowed to take ads from anyone else for the rest of the year. A quick look at the site would have told them that I don’t run ads…
Anyway, sounds like your personal bugbear is badly targeted PR. Keep a stock response handy for the woolly ones, and when the more professional/smart PR people get in touch make the most of it.
Hope things improve,
Penny x
Pete, Penny, you’re on. the next meetup is going to be all about the love hate relationship between bloggers and PR agencies. Details coming soon, so keep your eyes peeled.