Last month I launched a blogger Q&A where people can have the opportunity to ask me anything.
Today, I will share the questions I received from followers and fellow bloggers and reveal my answers. These questions are in no particular order but just in the order I received them:
1. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
If I could aave a superpower, it would be mind-reading because I’m really curious about what people and animals are really thinking.
2. How did you start to make money from your blog?
I’m still in the early stages of the making money process. I’m using the WordAds feature but I need thousands of views a week to make enough income and I’m still in the hundreds.
I also have a donation button where readers can donate money to my blog. The largest donation I’ve received so far is £100. If others can share more tips, I would appreciate it.
3. What is your disability and how does it effect you?
My disabilities are quadriplegic cerebral palsy and I’m registered blind. I cannot walk at all and have no sight in my right eye & approx. 20% sight remaining in my left eye. I use an electric wheelchair and have assistive technology to complete tasks such as reading, writing and watching TV.
4. What annoys you most when using council-run facilities or accessing council services?
The thing that annoys me most is the lack of social care funding I’m receiving and their lack of concern for my safety and welfare. They just suggest the cheapest care provider rather than the best quality plus expect family to do my care if carers are inadequate or unavailable. My greatest fear is one day my family may become unable to support me, I won’t be able to secure a good quality care team and eventually end up in a care home with no career or social life.
5. What was the first album you ever bought and why?
As a passionate music fan, I regret to say, I honestly can’t remember. I think it was either Aquarium by Aqua or Oops I Did It Again by Britney Spears. I was raised to listen to local chart pop radio as a kid then my friends at secondary school transferred me to a rock chick – thank goodness!
6. What are you watching on TV at the moment?
Recently, I finished watching an original Netflix series called Special which is about a 28-year-old gay man with cerebral palsy who gets an intern job in journalism and tries to live independently.
I’m also watching the 10th series of the British comedy Not Going Out, starring comedian Lee Mack.
I’ve also discovered a new BBC comedy called Ghosts which is about a young couple who inherit a house but after a head injury, the woman, Alison, can hear and see the ghosts of past residence of the house and the ghosts are trying to get rid of them.
7. What would be your advice to a blogger struggling to fit into one category?
Create a category schedule. For instance, I write Music blog posts on Mondays and Life & Disability blog posts on Fridays. Then when promoting blog posts, as well as sharing on your own social media platforms, share on groups and forums relating to your niches.
8. Do you play any musical instruments yourself?
I can play a bit of the keyboard but only one handed. I would like to learn to play an instrument more professionally, but I’m rubbish at reading music and need adaptation to factor in my physical impairments.
9. Did you go to college or university? If so what did you study?
At aged 16-19, I went to college to do my A-Levels in English, Media & Film then in 2016, I graduated with a degree in Journalism at the University for the Creative Arts.
10. As someone who blogs a lot about children’s books, I would like to know what is your favourite book from your childhood and why?
Without a doubt – Harry Potter. I’ve been in love with it since the age of 3 when the first book was released in 1997 and I have continued toread them at least once a year ever since. (I’m actually reading Order of the Phoenix at the moment).
J.K Rowling is my hero and was the person who inspired me to be a writer. The stories are incredible and every time I read them it brings the sense of escapism. Also, Stephen Fry is the best audiobook narrator ever. I still dream one day I’ll get my letter from Hogwarts.
11. Do you listen to any recent popular bands?
If you’re referring to pop music, then no. I listen to rock and alternative. I mostly discover new music on a digital station called Radio X. My recent favourite new tracks include hi/lo by The Black Keys, Harmony Hall by Vampire Weekend and Better Than Me by Ten Tonnes.
12. Can you share any tips on how to attract your audience more on your blog?
To be honest, I’m still trying to figure this out. One suggestion I would make is to look at your previous page views stats, see which ones received the most views, and try to write your future blog posts on that topic or style. Plus keep re-sharing your posts on social media to gain more views.
13. Can anyone blog or is it a profession on its own?
I would say as long as you have an idea for a niche, you have a creative mindset and enjoy writing then yes – anyone can be a blogger. I do not currently do this as my full-time job but as an extra on top of my freelance and voluntary work in writing and marketing.
14. If you could only eat the same meal for the rest of your life what would it be?
Beef burger, chips with extra mayo!
Thank you to those of you who sent in questions and I hope you enjoyed my answers.
