Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging almost 6 years ago and back then it was really just a hobby - I had a lot of free time as I was living in the Cayman Islands, which is very laid back.
It was also a great way to connect with new people, old friends and people I found influential at that time since Twitter wasn’t really the big deal that it is now back then.

What made you focus on the fashion & lifestyle market?

I decided from the very beginning that I wanted to focus on a blog that was about the things I liked and did which included fashion, but also a lot of other lifestyle elements.
At the time I wasn’t particularly aware that I was starting a lifestyle blog, it’s just what happened.
As an expat in the Cayman Islands, I didn’t know anyone who’d had a similar experience so I thought it would be cool to share my life on the island, but that’s what a lot of bloggers were doing wherever they were and over the past few years we’ve all learned a lot from each other.
Everything that’s featured or has been featured on my blog has been something that I loved at one time or another and that’s where the focus comes from.

How influential do you think blogs are within the industry? Will their influence increase or diminish over the next 5 years?

I think blogs are hugely influential. We all have this information super highway at our fingertips that wasn’t so readily available 15 or 20 years ago.
Consumers can research products they buy more efficiently via blogs, YouTube videos or user generated reviews.
It’s amazing that you can actually get a “word of mouth” style opinion about a product from someone you relate to on some level, but have never met before.
That said, I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about influence. My little hobby happened to turn into something rewarding that I still enjoy doing.
I write a blog because I love to write and love what I’m writing about. If my work influences people, it’s a rather flattering bonus, but if it didn’t I don’t think it would be a good enough reason to give up something I enjoy.
I personally think that the people out there producing creative product they really believe in, whether it be a blog, books, film, architecture or whatever will always be influential on some level because they’re authentic in their intentions and often their enthusiasm about what they’re producing is infectious.

What approaches from brands and PR/ search marketing agencies annoy you and what makes you want to work with a brand or product?

The worst thing I think a brand or agency can do is send out a mass e-mail that starts with “Dear Blogger”. It’s a turn-off from the very start.
When I’m approached with appropriate subject matter, a nice e-mail and professionalism, it’s a winning situation. Knowing someone’s blog before you approach them is also a great start and in my opinion makes the approach more likely to be successful.

What advice would you offer to brands and agencies approaching you?

I personally don’t find blanket press releases at all useful unless they’re accompanying something like a review sample or an experience.
There are so many ways to work with us, many that cost nothing and personally, I don’t want to write the same thing as the other 10,000 people you sent that press release to including all major news & media outlets.
What makes a blog special is the personal approach of the writer, so I encourage brands & agencies to approach each blogger as an individual.

Would you review any product or do you pick and choose?

I’m pretty picky about what I’ll accept for review and if the product isn’t up to Pink Julep standards, I don’t review it which is clearly stated on my blog. Products don’t have to be expensive, but they do need to be a good fit for my blog and they need to work well.

Do you use a variety of media on your blog (e.g. video, images)?

Yes. I mostly use photography, but occasionally I embed music playlists from Spotify or video content from outside sources. I am currently looking into the possibility of producing my own video content, but I think it will be a while before that happens.

What posts, or types of posts, have been most effective for you?

I occasionally write posts that encompass several different lifestyle aspects centering around one specific theme and they tend to be rather successful with my readers.

As social is a must for all bloggers, what channels work best for you and do you plan to change your activity in the future?

Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest are working best for me. I’m hoping to do more with YouTube or a similar video platform in the future, but we’ll see.

If you could offer any advice to young up and coming bloggers, what would it be?

Be yourself - there are a lot of blogs out there, but the one thing that distinguishes your blog from the others is you!

For more of Ashley and Pink Julep, check out her twitter here.