It is time for our monthly blogger interview, in fact this will be the last Confessions of a Blogger for 2014! I still cannot believe that it is almost Christmas, never mind the end of another year!!!
So this will officially be our Christmas Interview! Today we meet Leana, from Hipstyler, Pretty & Ginger. Leana is a gorgeous local blogger, with a wicked sense of humour! I have gotten to know Leana a bit better over the past year – she is really fun to be around and no matter what kind of day I am having, she always makes me laugh! {Online and in person š }
Ā Hi my nameās Leana and I am an equally proportional hipster, beauty lover, corporate paralegal, Sponge Bob lover, supporter of the āHug a Gingerā initiative and generally a dysfunctional 20 something year old. Iām a born and bred Capetonian corporate law compliance officer by day and raging indie band groupie (amongst other things) by night.
- When did you start your journey as a blogger and why? I started blogging in May 2013. At the time, Iād just started the Hey Gorgeous Twitter account and I needed a platform to direct potential Hey Gorgeous clients to as the brand didnāt have a website yet. A blog seemed like the easiest thing to do and so Hipstyler Pretty & Ginger was born.
- Do you blog fulltime or do you have a regular 9-5 as well? The dream is to earn loads of money from my blog, but for now, I have a full-time job, two part-time jobs and the blogā¦ and studying. *phew*
- Tell us a little about your space on the interweb and what you blog about?Ā I like to write about anything that comes to mind, which is why my blog is so unorganized (I think) but the chaos is also the inspiration behind my new blog theme and look. I have a deep fear of commitment so I try not to restrict myself to one topic alone. I love writing about beauty products and new brands but I love music and hippy stuff too. And I was thinking of bringing in a new category called āDrunk postsāā¦ yes? No?
- Being a blogger is not always easy – what motivates you and keeps you going?Ā Itās not easy, but you have to be disciplined in posting as often as you can ā not for any reason other than ābeing the best you can be in whatever you doā. Whenever I feel like ātaking a breakā, I stop and think āNO! You might miss an opportunityā and then I carry on. Growing up, I imagined a person with a whip standing behind me, running me down in whatever I did, until I finished it. In the last couple of years, I lost this imaginary person, but recently, he ācame backā and even though itās tiring, I feel extremely proud when I pull through a difficult task. Another great motivation is the amazing friendships that Iāve developed over the last year and a bit. If it werenāt for them supporting me, I wouldnāt have made it this far. Iāve made some real friendships that will stand the test of time. Alsoā¦ wine helpsā¦
- How important do you think it is to have a niche blog?Ā You donāt want your blog to be ājust another blogā. In a world where it feels like every second person has a blog, itās easy to become invisible in the Blog Ocean. This is where I firmly believe that everyone has something to offer. Instead of trying to āfit inā, I choose to embrace my uniqueness (code for weirdness). Eventually, if youāre true to yourself and through hard work, youāll succeed. So whether youāve got an interest in dancing in front of your exotic fish tank while doing your makeup or whether you like to eat strawberry shortcake, youāll end up portraying āyouā in your blog. Butā¦ if you donāt, youāll probably end up hating blogging.
- What have your biggest blogging challenges been?Ā When I first started blogging, I was too hasty. I think my biggest challenge was to be “OKā with where I was at any given time in my blogging career. Since this realization, Iāve been able to grow. I still get mail from new bloggers moaning about brands not noticing themā¦ but it takes time if you donāt have the right connections. Rome wasnāt built in a day ā Iāve had to learn this as well.
- What do you love most about being a blogger?Ā I have absolutely no idea what it is ā¦ but Iām addicted to it. I love every facet of blogging: coming up with content, taking and editing pictures, uplifting other bloggers through my Project feel Good series and also making friends with other amazing people. I think THE biggest high I get is when the big shots take the time to comment on my posts. Alsoā¦ the events and the wine at the eventsā¦ Ohā¦ and this banner that City Girl Vibe made for me. I think it pretty adequately describes a little bit of me.
- If you had to choose a favourite social media platform, what would it be and why?Ā Itās a tossup between Twitter and Instagram. I like to be visual ā I feel like it makes more of an impact.
- Ā What has your journey as a blogger taught you {about yourself or in general}? Has it changed your life in any way?Ā ABSOLUTELY! Pre-blogging me was a shy ācanāt doā person with loads of insecurities. I canāt even REMEMBER this person prior to Hipstyler Pretty & Ginger, but Iāll tell you this, Iām a better person for it, Iām richer in true friendships, Iām happy with who I am and I donāt allow people to walk all over me anymore. Itās a wonderful feeling when you find a place where you fit in.
- If you had to give a newbie blogger any advice, what words of wisdom would you impart?Ā This is an easy one. Everyone started somewhere. Think about the most successful blogger you know. If you dig long and hard enough, youāll find that their first couple of posts were not what the posts are today. Donāt be discouraged and always remember that if it was easy, EVERYONE would have successful blogs. It takes time, commitment and passion. So, just work hard and one day youāll pick the fruits.
Thanks Leana for sharing a bit more about your life and blogging journey with us! Please pop over and connect with Leana here:
Blog link: www.hipstylerblog.com
Facebook:Ā https://www.facebook.com/hipstylerprettyandginger
Twitter: @leanahenke
Instagram: @leanahenke
If you would like to be featured on Confessions of a Blogger or would like to see a blogger featured here, then pleaseĀ emailĀ Fiona or leave a comment below.