Blogger Behind the Blog {Me and B Make Tea}

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 Emma from Me and B Make Tea.

Here’s Emma with more about her blogging life:

Where did your blog name come from?

I procrastinated for ages and in the end settled on me and b make tea. B being my son and we used to make fun food. The blog’s grown into more than just food and I feel now the name doesn’t really go as we don’t do much “tea” at all!

When did you start your blog and why?

Back in Sept 2015. I felt low. I’d felt low for ages. I wanted to do something that I felt truly passionate about. I used to write a lot when I was younger and blogging seemed the natural step for me.

What did you do before you blogged?

Erm, sit around moaning I was bored!

What was your first post?

My very first post was about making food fun! It makes me cringe now. In fact all my older posts do.
If learnt so much since I started blogging and found my way over the years. I’ve learnt what works and what doesn’t work. And I’ve learnt more about social media and SEO than I ever thought possible.

Here it is – the first post. I’ve since gone and updated it with images and a pinnable image !

What inspires you to blog?

This is a tricky question because as much as I love writing, for me I think it’s about putting together good content, something I’m proud of. And I love documenting what’s worked for me and what hasn’t in terms of parenting and life in general.

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

The best response was a post about Elf on the Shelf last December. This did really well. I can’t say it’s one of my proudest.

The ones’ I’m most proud of are our trip to Ladram Bay and Cofton – I love the videos and the work I put into the infographics. I genuinely love putting infographics together. They are so much fun.

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

Hmm not really because when I started the blog, it was purely for me. I didn’t overly care if people read what I’d written or not.

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

I’m not sure to be honest. I probably need to think about monetizing it. I get good traffic, I have a fab DA and I don’t do much with that. I don’t often take on sponsored posts and we don’t review loads.

What is your favourite thing about blogging?

That’s it’s all mine. If I want to blog, I can blog. If I fancy a night off to watch Netflix, I can do that.

…and your least favourite?

The least favourite part for me is that feeling of “what’s the point”. Sometimes I hit a block and just think why am I bothering? If this is the case I usually take some time out and reset my mind.

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

It was probably something from the Unmumsy Mum – about motherhood and how frickin’ hard it is!

What blog do you love to read and why?

To be honest I don’t read loads of blogs. I take part in one link up now and I enjoy reading some of those posts. I find a lot of content is just reviews or sponsored content. And it doesn’t feel so genuine. And honestly, I don’t overly care about reading too much about other people’s kids unless I really know that person and have invested time to get to know them. I’d say the one blog I enjoy reading and relate to is Fi’s A Mum Track Mind. She’s honest, open and down to earth, and often says what everyone else is thinking.

I also enjoy reading blogs about book round-ups. I don’t have any specific blogs to recommend but I enjoy reading anything where people suggest books to read! I love the Guardians “Tips, Links and Suggestions” every Tuesday!

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

Oh goodness, LOADS! When I started writing, I wrote. Now I edit, add photos, make sure they are SEO optimised. I add images that work on Pinterest. The list is endless. Sometimes it isn’t as fun!

Is blogging what you expected it to be?

Not at all. It is far more than I ever expected. I’ve learnt SO much. I’ve been lucky to have some amazing experiences through the blog too.

What’s been your favourite blog collaboration to date?

I really enjoyed the 12 Days of Christmas with Jade from…

I also really enjoy co-hosting the KCACOLS link up with Franca from A Moment with Franca

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

I’d love to work with brands I genuinely love such as The Works and Neal’s Yard. It helps if you genuinely love their stuff.

Have you had any blogging fails so far?

Hmm blogging fails…I got hacked before Christmas and again around Easter. And I literally have
every WordPress plugin you could ask for to protect me. And paid for!

Another fail would be doing a review post for a branded mug. Yep – a complete post, photos and social promo for seven quid. You learn!

What is your biggest blogging hope, dream or ambition?

Goodness, I don’t know. I’d like to say this could be a career but you know what, it’s bloody hard.

You don’t just set up a site and start raking it in. It’s a lot of work. My hope is that I continue enjoying it and making a bit along the way and having some fun. I guess I’d like to make more friends too in the blogging world.

What do you do when you’re not blogging?

I read, watch Netflix, oh and try and be a good mum to my son!

and lastly, tell us all a random fact about yourself

I’m really not a big ice-cream fan. Everyone loves it. I’d rather a glass of vino.

Now that you know all about Emma from Me and B Make Tea make sure you go and read her blog. Make sure you follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram too. Thanks so much Emma for being involved!