GPC: Please introduce yourself to our readers (i.e. your name, occupation, hobbies, etc.).
LT: Hi everyone! My name is Liz Taylor. I am 25 years old, live in Charlotte, NC and I am aspiring author currently writing my first novel, blogger, and an Office Manager (to pay the bills, ugh life.)
GPC: What is the name of your blog(s)?
LT: My blog is Fitness Blondie. www.TheFitnessBlondie.com
GPC: What’s your blog all about (i.e. genre, niche, etc.)?
LT: It is difficult for me to classify my blog. I write about my life and my weight loss journey, share recipes I create, and fitness/exercise tips I have since I have been NASM certified for 6 years with so much experience in the industry, but my passion is writing motivational and inspiration pieces to help and empower women.
GPC: What inspired your blog name?
LT: I wanted to blog; but I had no clue what to do name it. I put two words that describe together and well, Fitness Blondie was born. I wasn’t thrilled with the name, but it has grown and now I feel it is a part of me!
GPC: When did you start blogging?
LT: I started Fitness Blondie in June 2014.
GPC: Why did you start blogging?
LT: I truly started blogging because I wanted a scrapbook of my life. I love looking back at memories; even the most boring and monotonous. I knew never my love and passion it would grow into what it is today.
GPC: Is blogging your full-time job or do you work elsewhere full-time or part-time?
LT: I blog about 25-30 hours and I work a full time job. It is hard work, but I enjoy it immensely. I hope one day to write full time.
GPC: How did you grow your blog numbers to its current pageviews, unique visitors, etc.?
LT: The best way to grow is through visiting other blogs and making friends. It’s simple and it works. I have a passion for people and I am naturally curious and I enjoy being inspired. Therefore making friends and networking with blogging comes natural to me. I also started a weekly “blog hop” which is dedicated to bloggers making new friends. I join other blog hops and linkups, I advertise on different blogs, and I just put my heart and soul into it. It’s that simple.
GPC: What do you like about blogging?
LT: I love so much. I love being able to share my life and my afflictions, I LOVE making new friends and hearing about the latest beauty products, fitness fads, DIY projects, recipes, and helping other people. There is so much positivity that can come with blogging.
GPC: What would you consider your biggest accomplishment to date as it pertains to your blog?
LT: My biggest accomplishment is being honest and raw. That may sound odd, but it can be hard trait to find in bloggers. Everyone wants to display the perfect pictures and life. I do too a lot of times, but over the past year, my life has been anything but. I am getting over a debilitating heartbreak and because I connect with my readers on such a deep level, I could not hide that. So I opened up, which was really scary, but the amount of support and encouragement I received was incredible. I have helped other women and they have helped me. For me, that is what it is all about.
GPC: What do you consider the biggest challenge you face blogging in your genre/niche?
LT: Getting the rest of my weight off. I have lost 65 pounds since November and I have 30 more to go. For months and months I did fantastic; perfect almost. However, with my anxiety and stress levels over the past couple of months, it has made it very hard. People consider me a “fitness” blogger obviously – look at my name. I truly need to look the “part” 100% and I am trying, but sometimes the pressure can be hard.
GPC: What has been your most exciting event you have participated in or attended as a blogger?
LT: Partnering with Quest Nutrition for giveaways and products. Quest emailed me about my story and told me how much they believe in me. Since then I have worked alongside them many times giving away products and being featured on their Facebook and Instagram. It is incredible to have one of my favorite company’s in the world believe in someone like me!
GPC: What tips or tricks do you use to encourage engagement from your readers on your blog?
LT: Your audience and readers can tell when a person is “fake” and/or “staged” and people generally gravitate away from that. My approach is being honest about my life and people relate to it. When people relate, they want to engage with you. They want to help you and share their experiences. It is probably my favorite part about blogging.
GPC: What advice do you have for a newbie getting started with blogging?
LT: I wrote a whole post to help someone who is getting started! http://fitnessblondie.blogspot.com/2014/10/my-tips-and-truths-about-blogging.html
GPC: What do you think is the biggest misconception about blogging?
LT: How EASY it is. Blogging is so, so fun, but it is very time consuming. It is grossly underestimated.
GPC: Who are some of blogger inspirations?
LT: Raven Smith at “Don’t Quote the Raven”. She was one of the first blogs I ever read and her raw and unapologetic posts are absolutely hilarious. She has taken me under her wing and really helped my blog grow. She is my number one source of page views of all time and I can’t thank her enough. I also love Danielle at “Blissful and Domestic”. I first read about her on Yahoo in April of 2013 about how her family of 4 lived $15,000 a year! She was the FIRST blog I ever read and SHE inspired me to make one. She has fantastic recipes and tips on how to save money; which is super important to me.
GPC: Please share your blog information and any upcoming events you would like to share with our readers.
LT: I have a giveaway on my blog right now that ends this upcoming Wednesday at 11:59 PM EST. I have teamed up with Quest Nutrition and I am giving away a variety box of their famed Protein Bars AND protein chips – every flavored included in both and there will be 3 different winners.
Feel free to keep in touch:
www.Facebook.com/FitnessBlondie
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