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The 6 Job Titles of a Top Blogger

03/11/15 ᛫ 16 Comments

In under a decade, the concept of blogging has gone from a niche online community to a global phenomenon. Bloggers are now a part of mainstream popular culture and are featured everywhere from television adverts to broadsheet newspapers. Marketeers are now opting to pay for an Instagram post over an advert, and Zoella was the first blogger to have her very own waxwork made at Madam Tussaud’s London. It’s all positive stuff.

blogging-prblonde.com2

Photo: www.prblonde.com

In other words, this blogging lark is pretty much everywhere these days. It doesn’t take long to set up a blog, and it’s even easier to brand yourself a blogger. But it does take a certain collection of skills to actually grow a credible blog that brands want to work with and readers want to return to time and time again. Unlike traditional journalism, top bloggers wear many hats in order to get their final content published.

In recent months, I’ve realised just how many layers and skills it takes to run a successful blog. It’s not just about being a good writer, or having an eye for photos. Blogging is now a competitive game, and to be the best, you need to nail every aspect. Here are the 6 job titles of every good blogger:

DSC_1289

1. Writer

Above anything else a blogger needs to be able to write, and more importantly, they need to enjoy writing. Part of being a blogger is being able to effectively communicate the product, person, place or process you are talking about which starts with words. Part of being a wordsmith is also being meticulous about proof reading and editing posts. Bloggers need the literary finesse to string sentences together that will engage the reader right down to the bottom of their post.

2. Photographer

Good photography has the power to transform a blog from average to spectacular, which means bloggers have to learn at least the basics of photography. Taking the right shots allow bloggers to enhance their storytelling through compelling images. The technical stuff can be taught, but deciding how to frame a photo and finding the perfect angle comes naturally. Along with the photo editing process, bloggers can spend hours at a time on achieving the perfect photo. Good bloggers are perfectionists about their imagery and only choose to feature their very best work. The best bloggers even become known for their distinctive photography style.

3. Social Media Manager 

What’s the point of doing all that hard work on a blog if you’re not going to promote it? Social media is the single most powerful platform that bloggers can use to drive traffic to their blog, engage a new audience and increase their reach. The best bloggers seriously use social media to their advantage, and are on top of all the emerging trends and platforms. There’s no text book guide to being ‘good’ at social media, but bloggers take it in their stride and stay one step ahead of the pack.

blogging-prblonde.com2

4. Web Designer 

Whilst bloggers may not be coding and designing the website themselves, picking the right design is a huge decision for bloggers. There are plenty of options when it comes to picking a design, from a ready made template to a completely custom-built design. Many other bloggers choose to evolve an existing theme and make it their own. What ever the approach, bloggers are constantly tweaking and improving the design and layout of their site. They have an eye for detail and a good understanding of website navigation and usability.

5. Influencer

With an established blog comes a loyal community of readers. These readers see blogs as a trusted resource for knowledge and inspiration. This is when a blogger becomes an influencer – a very powerful thing to be. As an influencer, it’s the blogger’s responsibility to manage their community of readers by engaging and responding to them. It’s also the blogger’s responsibility to be transparent about what they are doing and how they are doing it. This is particularly relevant for travel blogging, which is where I specialise.

6. Head of Business Development

I’ve saved the most important ’til last! So here it is: to run a successful blog you have to know how to sell yourself and be a confident networker. You are in charge of the business development of your blog. Naturally, the bigger your blog becomes, the more people will approach you and ask to work with them. But top bloggers aren’t afraid to do the approaching. They will hand pick the brands they want to work with and strategically pitch what they can offer. If you don’t know your own worth, nobody else will.

As with most media industries, blogging is often all about ‘who you know’. The more contacts you have, the more opportunities will come along. Blogging can be a very insular and solitary activity, so it’s important for bloggers to get out there and meet new contacts face to face via event platforms such as Traverse. Particularly in London, there are lots of networking events available to bloggers, which is a great place to meet brands, PRs and fellow bloggers.

What did you think of my 6 job titles of a blogger? Can you relate to this post or has it taught you something new? I’d love you to leave me a comment in the box below and let me know what you think! X

Have you read The 10 Commandments of Travel Blogging yet?

the-travelista-blog-jess-gibson

16 Comments

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Comments

  1. Marthine says

    19th February 2016 at 6:41 am

    Hi, can I ask what temperatur/layout you are using for your blog it is very nice to look at.

    Reply
  2. Poor Northern Veggie says

    18th February 2016 at 12:56 pm

    Thank you for this, it is super helpful, I can’t wait to give my blog a major overhaul! I’ve just discovered your blog and will definitely be a regular reader, you’re giving me major travel envy! 🙂 x

    Reply
  3. Sophie Nadeau says

    16th February 2016 at 10:55 pm

    I really enjoyed reading this and liked that you put writing as the first point as content is most definitely king!

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      16th February 2016 at 11:07 pm

      Thanks Sophie! So glad you enjoyed and that you agree. Happy blogging xxx

      Reply
  4. traveljumeirah says

    13th December 2015 at 8:08 am

    Great post, enjoyed reading it and the rest of your blog : )

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      17th December 2015 at 9:15 am

      Thanks so much!

      Reply
  5. queenbeady says

    28th November 2015 at 4:12 pm

    What a great post girl. Although you know you are doing all these things, until you write it down you just don’t realise how much you actually do! It’s crazy isn’t it? Also, a huge congrats on your win at the Cosmo Blog Awards!
    Bee | QueenBeady.com

    Reply
  6. Luxury Columnist (@LuxuryColumnist) says

    10th November 2015 at 1:41 pm

    It’s good if people read this and realize how much work is involved. Lovely to meet you at WTM by the way, Jessica

    Suze | LuxuryColumnist

    Reply
  7. The.Restless.Worker says

    4th November 2015 at 5:36 pm

    Definitely agree – you could probably also add digital marketer in that list as well!

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      8th November 2015 at 7:37 pm

      Absolutely, that’s a great one! I feel as if I could have included loads more too. Thanks for reading x

      Reply
  8. Emma (@LondonKiwiEmma) says

    3rd November 2015 at 5:15 pm

    This is spot on – us bloggers are jacks of many trades, aren’t we! The skills you learn are fabulous though and amazingly transferable to real life…!

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      8th November 2015 at 7:38 pm

      Hi Emma! This is exactly the message I was trying to send – really glad you agree. I’ve found my blog to be so helpful to my career and I’m sure many others have too. x

      Reply
  9. chloepierreldn says

    3rd November 2015 at 4:32 pm

    I can relate to it a whole lot! Thanks for featuring this post to help describe what it is we do! http://www.chloepierre.com

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      8th November 2015 at 7:38 pm

      You’re so welcome Chloe! Thanks for your comment and really glad you can relate. x

      Reply
  10. Angie Silver (@SilverSpoonLDN) says

    3rd November 2015 at 4:00 pm

    I totally agree with this post. Starting a blog for many people is totally starting from scratch and it takes a lot of work to build photography and social media skills even if you’re already a good writer. It’s a big investment in time and work and is often on the side of another full time job!
    Lots of love,
    Angie

    SilverSpoon London

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      8th November 2015 at 7:39 pm

      Exactly! I hope it makes people realise how much work goes in to blogging. Thanks for your comment Angie 🙂 x

      Reply

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Jess is an an award-winning travel blogger based in Yorkshire, navigating the world as a new Mum to baby Theo. Blogging about adventures both local and global.

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Yesterday I had knee surgery to repair my torn car Yesterday I had knee surgery to repair my torn cartilage and finally unlock my knee. After a long wait and 3 cancelled surgery dates, I managed to get transferred to the trauma list at Leeds General Infirmary, which was a very, brilliant, last minute plot twist. 

I will need a second surgery to repair my torn ACL ligament in a few months, but yesterday’s surgery will allow me to get back on my feet and walking again which is the most important thing. Yesterday brought many PTSD triggers surrounding Theo’s birth, but I kept reading over the affirmations I wrote with @naomipsychotherapist as well as calming breath work. I am proud of myself for getting through the day.

I’m now back home recovering, very sore and drowsy from meds but feeling relieved and grateful that everything went well. The staff were wonderful and all truly deserve medals for what they do. Now time to rest, start gentle movements and ultimately get back on my feet ☺️💪🏼💫
Do you ever find yourself day dreaming about that Do you ever find yourself day dreaming about that first holiday post-Covid? Do you ever think about how profound it will feel? I wrote a poem about it to escape these long, dark days.

Warm skin, 
Frizzy hair. 
Soul alight, 
Without a care. 

Tanned legs, 
After sun. 
Mind is calm, 
Just having fun.

A day of new experience, 
Has just taken place. 
You embrace the unfamiliar, 
And every new and friendly face. 

The sun begins to set, 
And tomorrow is unplanned. 
You sip on something cold,
Toes buried in the sand. 

Midas touch is on the horizon, 
Peace is in your heart. 
Surrounded by those you love,
This moment is a work of art. 

Something feels different, 
You've seen sunsets before. 
But all your sense are heightened, 
You feel it at your core. 

Over a year of loss and struggle, 
The entire world is healing. 
Simple, little, wild things, 
Now have so much meaning.

As the sun sets, 
You realise the magnitude.
All you’re feeling in this moment, 
Is a new found sense of gratitude. 💫
Hey guys 👋🏼 This is my little self-developme Hey guys 👋🏼 This is my little self-development project. On 1st January I set some new intentions (not resolutions). The main one was to try and start waking up 1 hour earlier (I am not a morning person). But I wanted to make a change to start each day slowly and mindfully; to wake up and put my own needs first. Usually I would roll out of bed and be straight into Mum mode. Now I sit in silence with a hot cup of tea. Honestly, it has transformed my mornings and I can’t believe I’ve not done it sooner. Here are a few things I’ve been doing in my new daily hour of mental self care; 

⭐️1. The 5 Minute Journal - This book has been the greatest gift I have received in a long time. It has helped me to find gratitude in the smallest things, even when the world feels like its falling apart. I start my hour by filling out this journal. @fiveminutejournal 

⭐️2. Affirmations - I bought these beautiful affirmation cards from @lovaine_store on Etsy. Each morning I pick out a new affirmation and write it in my journal. Then I pluck another from my head. They're definitely teaching me to be kinder to myself and make me feel mentally stronger.

⭐️3. Mindfulness - After my journal I practice a guided meditation using the @calm app. 13 days in, I feel a lot more clarity. Tomorrow I’m also starting an 8 week mindfulness cognitive behavioural therapy course with @natalieenglander. I am a novice and I am excited to learn more.

Whilst we all feel like we have very little control over our lives right now, the one thing we CAN still control is our mindset. If you’re feeling frazzled and overwhelmed by the world right now, I really can’t recommend trying things enough ✨ 

What are you doing to look after your mental well-being right now? It’s brutal at the moment. Take care guys 💓
When your knee surgery gets cancelled AGAIN. If I When your knee surgery gets cancelled AGAIN. If I don’t laugh I’ll cry 😅 Another month on crutches for me. At least I got to see my boy experience snow for the first time today instead. Will keep being grateful for the small things ✨
Hey guys! I’ve decided to sign off IG for the fe Hey guys! I’ve decided to sign off IG for the festive period to focus on my family and my mental health. My knee surgery was booked for today but it has been cancelled last minute as the surgeon has tested positive for Covid. Classic. To say I am devastated is an understatement. I’ve cried many, many tears.

This means despite already isolating for 14 days, we need to continue isolating over Christmas in the hope that I can get the surgery on 29th December instead. So like all of you in tier 4, we will also be having a merry ‘little’ Christmas as a family of 3. We’ve spent Christmas before in hospital with Theo in an incubator, so to have him home and healthy is still a big step up from that. 

Still being on crutches after 7 weeks, I am stuck in a very frustrating situation. I am feeling low but trying to pick myself up and focus on the one thing I can control right now: my mindset. I still want to make Christmas special for our little boy despite the unwanted plot twist (shout out to my dad who is currently scouring supermarkets trying to piece together a Christmas food shop for us). 🙌🏼🥴

Merry Christmas guys. What a year. We can only try to make the very best of the cards we’ve been dealt. Stay safe and keep it little. See you all soon ✨🎄✨
⚡️FESTIVE NEWS FLASH ⚡️ 🌟You don’t n ⚡️FESTIVE NEWS FLASH ⚡️

🌟You don’t need matching family pyjamas to have a good Christmas.

🌟You don’t need to make a Christmas Eve Box to be a great parent.

⭐You don’t need expensive Christmas days out to make it magical.

🌟You don’t need to watch Christmas films in a tidy, ambient room.

🌟You don’t need a perfect, colour coordinated Christmas tree.

🌟You don’t need to overindulge if you don’t want to.

🌟You don’t need a sprawling mass of presents under the tree.

🌟You don’t need to cook everything featured on the Jamie Oliver Christmas special.

🌟Hell, you don’t even need to change out of that trusty loungewear set you’ve been wearing all year.

💓 Embrace the chaos and all the things that make your Christmas unique. Stop letting social media trick you into thinking you don’t have it all. Honey, you do 💓

Merry Christmas and thank you for following us this year, love from me and Theo 🎄✨

(Inspired by Bd Blogs)

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