Blogger Behind the Blog {Life as Mrs D}

Here’s this week’s instalment of Blogger Behind the Blog where I interview a blogger all about their reasons for blogging and what it means to them. This week I’m joined by Sophie from Life as Mrs D.

Here’s Sophie with more about her blogging life:

Where did your blog name come from?

I’d recently got married, and wanted something to reflect that and what our life was like. I think it is a name that so far has, and will stand the test of time as well, and so won’t need to change as our lives develop

When did you start your blog and why?

I started it at the end of December 2013, but only blogged sporadically for a couple of years. It’s only the last couple of years that I’ve been posting regularly. I think I started it as I was bored one afternoon between Christmas and New Years. I’ve blogged on and off over the last 15+ years, but never really kept the other blogs up, this one seems to be different though.

What did you do before you blogged?

Before I blogged I had so much more free time, I watched all the TV I wanted, I did a lot more gardening, I even did my ironing! But I love blogging…and ironing can always wait!

What was your first post?

My first blog post was just a brief introduction about me. It’s a bit embarrassing, but I’m hoping my writing has improved over the years!

What inspires you to blog?

My daughter, Isla, inspires me to blog. I write a lot about what we get up to together. The blogging community also inspires me a lot. It is so friendly, and helpful, and I’m sure without them my blog wouldn’t still be running as I couldn’t figure out how to do something in WordPress, or have linkies to join up with.

What post has had the best response, which post are you most proud of and which post did you enjoy writing the most

My most read post is a review I wrote about our Tassimo coffee machine not long after I started this blog….it would probably do with updating a little bit now though. Another thing to add to my to-do list! The post I am most proud of it the post I wrote about my Grandma dying from cancer. I was meant to be watching my husband playing squash, but was inspired to write about how strong my Grandma has been throughout her battle. I still can’t read it now without crying like a baby

And the post I enjoyed writing the most was a look back on how far our allotment has come since we got it as I got the chance to see how much work we had done on it over the previous 2.5 years. We keep thinking about moving house, but it’s our allotment that is keeping us here at the moment!!

Have any of your posts not had the response that you expected?

I don’t think there is any specific post I can think of. I think it shows if you put in the effort to promote your post or not though when you’re a small blogger like me.

Where do you see your blog in a year’s time?

Hopefully doing a lot more successfully, I’d love to do a bit more brand work, but I think it would help if my stats and engagement were a bit better! And I’d love to go to a conference or something and have someone recognise me from my blog!

What is your favourite thing about blogging?

The blogging community! Everyone I’ve come across so far is so friendly, and will help you at the drop of a hat.

…and your least favourite?

That people who don’t blog don’t understand the work that goes into keeping a blog running, the writing a post, getting photos, all the background stuff etc. It takes a lot of time and effort

What’s the best blog post you have ever read?

I honestly can’t think of a specific blog post. Most blogs I read are in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep, so have forgotten about most of them by the morning!

What blog do you love to read and why?

I loved to read Write Like No One’s Watching, Charlotte has moved more to vlogging now, but still does the occasional post. I first came across Charlotte’s blog when I was newly pregnant with Isla, and still not telling anyone yet. Charlotte was a few weeks ahead of me in her pregnancy with Daisy, so I could avidly read her posts about her pregnancy so I could find out what to expect next etc. I also love reading Garvin & Co. It’s an American family blog, but I’ve been following Jessica and her family for over 5 years now. Jessica is just so down to earth, and I loved her little chalkboard updates on her pregnancies, so creative!

Do you do anything differently now to when you started blogging?

These days I do bits of SEO, add photos to my posts, share them on social media, add internal and external links, schedule some posts etc etc…. back when I started I used to just write a wittering post and publish it, even if it meant I published three posts in one day and then no more for another 4 weeks!

Is blogging what you expected it to be?

I think it is a lot more competitive than I thought it would be, and a lot more hard work now that I take it more seriously!

What’s been your favourite blog collaboration to date?

Last Summer I got to work with Tom Kerridge’s Pub in the Park food and music festival. We got tickets to review the event, and got to meet so many amazing Michelin starred chefs, and try their fabulous food. We’re going again this year, but not to review it though, and I cannot wait!

Are there any brands you would love to work with, why?

I would love to work with Snuz and Stokke if we were lucky enough to have more children as I think their products are so reliable, as well as aesthetically pleasing. I’d also love to be a Bluestone Blogger…but we never seem to be able to do the dates!

Have you had any blogging fails so far?

Nothing major really, some horrific spelling mistakes, which my mother always picks me up on!! But thankfully nothing really when working with any brands.

What is your biggest blogging hope, dream or ambition?

I’d love to have a big name brand contact me asking to collaborate with them. For a small blogger like me, this would feel like I’ve finally made it. I get so excited when big bloggers I know comment on my blog or like my photos of whatever.

What do you do when you’re not blogging?

Chase my daughter around! She is my world, and is so full of energy, and does not like me doing any work when she is around, so likes to have my sole attention. I also spend time down at our allotment when we have the chance.

and lastly, tell us all a random fact about yourself

I have malaria. I caught it when I was travelling out in Malawi and Zambia in 2005, as did quite a few of my friends I was travelling with. Thankfully it is the type that remains dormant for the rest of your life, so I won’t get relapses…and hopefully I’ll never catch it again!

Now that you know all about Sophie from Life with Mrs D, make sure you go and read her blog. Make sure you follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram too. Thanks so much Sophie for being involved!