Blogger Behind the Blog {92three30}

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 Erica from 92three30.

Here’s Erica with more about her blogging life:

Where did your blog name come from?

My blog is named after the hours of the school day: Nine to Three Thirty.

When did you start your blog and why?

I set the blog up just before my son started school, hence the name in part.  I started the blog for a number of reasons: partly as a family record, but also because I’d started working on another blog as a freelancer and I was finding that I was enjoying writing.

What did you do before you blogged?

Before I blogged for a living, I used to work for a bank, but I gave that up to be a full time mum when I had my son.  Then when he was two or three I started writing for The Green Familia, which is where I got the blogging bug.

What was your first post?

My first post was a sort of welcome to my blog and introduced me.

What inspires you to blog?

My inspiration is my son and my family.  I love writing about the things we do together and the fun we have.  As time has gone on, I’ve enjoyed the photography side of blogging more and more, so that is an inspiration to me now too.

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 visited post is one about school reading schemes.  There are so many reading schemes out there and they all have a different numbering system, which makes it all very confusing.  I’m a school governor, so I was able to put this post together.  I think I’ve most enjoyed writing about our family history and this post is one I look back on fondly because it’s about a trip we made to see some sights relating to a very interesting ancestor. I think though that the one I am most proud of is another family history one about my Great-Uncle who died in World War One.

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

I can’t think that any haven’t had the response I expected, although I have been surprised by comments I’ve received at times. Other people can have quite a different perspective and sometimes that’s a lovely surprise.

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

Tricky to say.  I am not an especially ambitious person, so I think I’d like it to be better in some way, but I haven’t got a clear idea how.  I know it will change as it has every year of the last 5 that I’ve been blogging.

What is your favourite thing about blogging?

The lovely people we have met and the great experiences we have been given as a result of it.

…and your least favourite?

The fact that many people don’t take it seriously as a job.  It’s what I do for a lot of my working day, so it would be nice it was appreciated.  Although, it does provide an interesting talking point.

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

I’m not usually very political, so it seems odd that I should pick a political post for my best blog post. This one written about the EU referendum by my friend Tas of Not My Year Off was the best I read on the subject and one of a few campaigning posts that she’d written which were very impressive.

What blog do you love to read and why?

It is really hard to pick out one blog, especially when most blogs I read are written by people I know and talk to on social media a lot.  It’s very difficult for me to choose between Susan K Mann and Mum of Three World.

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

Lots of things.  Blogging has changed so much in 5 years so it is inevitable.  I’ve embraced more social media.  I’ve got better at self promotion, although I still hate it.  Generally the changes are gradual though as I adapt to a changing online world.

Is blogging what you expected it to be?

It’s what I expected, but much more.  I had some insight because I was writing on a blog before I set up my own blog, so I think I had a better idea than many.

What’s been your favourite blog collaboration to date?

I really enjoy working with Hotter Shoes.  The ladies there are so lovely and they always look after bloggers at events.  I’ve met them quite a few times over the years and it’s nice to have a strong relationship.

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

My son would say Lego (because he is a monster Lego fan) and I’d certainly be interested in working with them more than the limited amount we have to date.  For me though I think I’d pick Boden or Laura Ashley as I love their clothes and interiors, or maybe a travel company as we do love our holidays.

Have you had any blogging fails so far?

That moment at BritMums when you realise that the blog you have been reading and commenting on for the last year is actually written by your ex-boss and you didn’t realise.

What is your biggest blogging hope, dream or ambition?

My biggest blogging dream is to continue being able to earn a living from blogging even when my family moves beyond the bounds of Nine to Three Thirty.

What do you do when you’re not blogging?

Family time, but also yoga, lots of reading and German classes (been going for years, but I just aim to stand still as I don’t put much time in).

and lastly, tell us all a random fact about yourself

Whenever I got asked this question in work courses, I always used to say that’s I’d done a parachute jump, but given that I did it when I was 20, it seems a long way away now.

Now that you know all about Erica from 92three30, make sure you go and read her blog. You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – thanks so much Erica for being involved!