Archive for: Media Database

Carl Thompson is a face and name known to many throughout the blogging world and recently ranked in the top 10 UK men’s lifestyle blogs. With his eponymous blog, Carl covers a broad range of men’s lifestyle but specialises in fashion following the success of his menswear label. We spoke to Carl about the joys of Brazil, the best grooming products for the men’s market and how he likes to work with PRs.

How many different areas does your blog cover, and do you have a primary focus?
My blog covers quite a range, but all centred around my personal lifestyle and interests that still largely focus on fashion. This past year I’ve spoken more about travel, the drinks industry, e-commerce and the current state of the high-street. I can’t ignore what’s going on with British retail, it’s more addictive than any soap. Above all, I’d say that my interest in the car industry has been the biggest lure. It’s also been my favourite as I get to flex some creative muscles.

What are the main differences between men’s and women’s lifestyle blogs?
I tend to find women are more thorough. When they want to explain what works with an outfit they’ll back it up with proof and 1,000 different pictures. I think guys are more content with looking good, but not necessarily getting in the weeds with why an outfit works, or the qualities of different fabrics.

I generally find women have more hustle in the blogging sphere and perhaps that’s just nature, it’s a far more saturated market. I also feel that the women’s blogs that I read, for example Sophie Milner’s Fashion Slave and Beth Sandland xo, focus on real life emotions and experiences, whereas men’s blogs tend to be more explaining and product focused.

Who is your favourite designer?
Tom Ford. Has been for a long time and still remains tip of the sphere for me. Every outfit exudes luxury.

What’s your favourite grooming product or service?
My favourite grooming product right now is the Panasonic ER-GB86 clipper. I’ve been waiting ages to find one that can tackle a thicker, unruly beard like mine, this comes with a high-torque motor so does the job nicely.

I’m road testing the Lab Series Oil Control and I think they’ve done a great campaign – got a lot of the right influencers onboard. Right now, I’m using the American Crew Boost Cream to control my slightly dry, frizzy hair that I apply on wet hair and blow-dry with my new Dyson hair dryer.

Fragrance-wise I’ve been experimenting a lot lately blending different scents and I’m going to share my two favourite combinations. The first is by Jo Malone: Oud & Bergamot combined with Honeysuckle & Davana; the second is by Tom Ford: Tuscan Leather combined with Plum Japonais.

What’s the best night out near you?
These days my best night out is actually a night in with a Deliveroo on order, a tub of Oppo Ice cream in the freezer and a Netflix boxset! Of course, I joke, I’m still partial to a good night out although I’ve left my clubbing days behind me and enjoy bars that serve good spirits and great food more.

Near me, I tend to spend most of my time in a bar called No32, the atmosphere is great, always busy on a weekend and most importantly the music is set at a level where you can still have a conversation. A good night out is always followed by a great roast dinner the next day and there are a few near me namely Trinity in Clapham Old Town, The Nightingale, The Avalon in Clapham South and The Grove in Balham.

What’s your favourite travel destination?
Ibiza is still king, holds a lot of nice memories for me. Although I’ve been to Morocco this year and the hotels and resorts in Marrakech are just sublime. Perfect for decompressing, fine food and most importantly, great Instagram pictures. A few off-the-beaten-track travel destinations that I also love are Los Roques in Venezuela, Fernando de Noronha and Jericoacoara both in Brazil… just google them and you’ll be booking your next trip away.

What one thing should PRs know about you?
They should know I’m very hands on. I like to be involved with every level of the campaign and have a vast amount of experience in what works and what doesn’t. I execute my deliverables to the highest possible quality, hiring the best videographers and photographers, often at my own expense.

I’m sometimes guilty of being quite curt with emails, but that’s only because I want to optimise time for all parties. For example, if there is no budget for a campaign that will monopolise a lot of my time, it’s best to get those discussions out of the way in the first exchange.

I remember a friend once telling me he asked his future wife if she wanted to have kids on the first date. It sounds nuts but his argument was he wanted kids and he didn’t want to waste anyone’s time. You can apply that logic to a lot of things I think.

What are the best campaigns you’ve collaborated on recently?
I have to compliment the team that put together the Menabrea Beer press trip in Milan last week. The itinerary was engaging, the deliverables were clear and transparent, and they really showed off the best parts of Milan. Some bloggers have a myopic view of Milan; complain about the energy, or lack of. It’s really getting to know where the locals hang out.

I’ve also had a lot of fun working with Mazda. I’m really proud of the videos we put together for their marketing campaign and I know it really resonated with some people, which is great.

Do you think bloggers need their own industry association?
I’m not sure. Ultimately, I don’t know what it will achieve. How will it be regulated? I think we could do with some kind of independent body. I had a recent case where an agency owed me, and a lot of other influencers, money. They ghosted a lot of people, stopped returning phone calls, answering emails etc. They eventually released a statement declaring themselves insolvent, which happens in business (all too easily) but hundreds of bloggers were left in no man’s land and out of pocket just because an agency decides to disappear from the face of the earth. That’s where bloggers need help.

What other blogs do you read?
I actually read quite a few. Fashion Beans is a decent hub, Mr Porter Journal is something of an addiction and I like Pete Brooker over at Human Research. He runs his mouth a lot, he’s just given up pampering to brands. If I need grooming advice, I read Man for Himself by Robin James and finally, for the best visuals, I love browsing Fashitects by Toni Tran.

Ape to Gentleman recently ranked second in the Top 10 UK Men’s Lifestyle blogs. Written by Chris Beastall and his team of experts, Ape to Gentleman primarily focuses on grooming and style but also covers cars, tech and drink.

We caught up with Chris to chat about the best travel destination, the need to stay on brand and his recent whisky trip.

What are the main differences between men’s and women’s lifestyle blogs?
I feel as though the men’s blogs are more factual and educational, whereas the women’s blogs tend to be more inspirational. For example, we wrote an article on the best aftershave balms. Whereas the women’s blogs I follow might focus more on the influencer editor, and how to get her look. Very much a sweeping generalisation here!

Who is your favourite designer?
Currently, Alexandre Mattiussi of AMI for modern classics. For all-time, it’s Ralph Lauren.

What’s your favourite grooming product or service?
Favourite grooming product would have to be my Philips beard trimmer. Great build quality and keeps my stubble the right length.

What’s the best night out near you?
Sheffield – mainly because everyone’s so friendly. It’s a big enough city, but with a small-town feel.

What’s your favourite travel destination?
The South of France. A bit cliched but it’s sophisticated, has good weather and is old school chic.

What one thing should PRs know about you?
Everything has to be on brand for Ape.

What are the best campaigns you’ve collaborated on recently?
A recent trip to the Isle of Jura for Jura whisky was great – full of interesting creative types, and great whisky of course. And ‘Barbershops of America – Then and Now’; Rob Hammer, a photographer, documented barbershops old and new across the US and his images just ‘feel’ emotional. They conjure thoughts of all the stories shared in these places.

Do you think bloggers need their own industry association?
Probably. It would legitimise the category. There’s a lot of bloggers creating some seriously good and original content out there.

What other blogs do you read?
Honestly, I don’t. We have an extensive editorial schedule which we stick to and therefore, don’t need inspiration from others. I tend to read or view photographers stories and work. And, of course, scroll through Instagram to check in on the people I follow.

Chris Beastall and Ape to Gentleman are both listings in the Vuelio Media Database along with thousands of other blogs, vlogs, outlets and opportunities.

Sarah Harradine writes That Squat Bot, which recently joined the Top 10 UK Fitness and Exercise Blogs. Covering workouts, strength training and Crossfit, That Squat Bot is the one-stop-shop for all things fitness no matter what your level. We caught up with Sarah to find out what exercises newbies should learn first, why regular exercise is more important than heavy exercise and why working in-depth with brands is the way forward.

What keeps you interested in blogging?
It gives me a real opportunity to learn and try new things, as whenever I want to write about something I like to research as much as possible, so my content can be used by beginners and more experienced people alike. In a weird way I miss researching essays for uni, and blogging helps me scratch that itch.

At what age do you think you’re fittest?
It depends – the age where you can balance out sleep, stress, strength training, eating enough and moving enough. For some of us this could be 21, for others it could be 61. So far in my life I was ‘traditionally’ fittest at around 28, but I was also stressed and eating too little! I hope my fittest years are yet to come.

How easy is it for someone to incorporate fitness into your daily routine?
It should be achievable for most of us to add in a 30-minute brisk walk or low-impact home workout into each day. Doing something consistently is more important than going all-out once a week or less.

What exercises would you suggest someone starts with if they’re just starting out?
I would always suggest you learn to squat, hinge, push and pull. Once you’ve got the movement patterns nailed, add some weight.

What’s your favourite healthy snack?
Mangoes, pomegranates and watermelon, or anything with peanut butter!

What one thing should PRs and brands know about you?
I also work in health and fitness marketing, so I like to ensure the campaigns I work on are fair for all parties involved. I also like a list of deliverables to follow when creating content for a brand – it prevents ambiguity around what the brand really wants.

What are the best collaborations you’ve worked on?
I have a collaboration coming out soon with a big running brand that I’m really proud of, not least because we spent over eight hours filming it in a very sweaty room on the hottest day of the year so far! I also absolutely loved walking the Camino de Santiago with G Adventures last year.

Do you think your relationship with PRs and brands is changing over time?
I find that I’m working more deeply with fewer PRs – I love doing as much as I can when I have a great relationship with an agency or individual at the agency.

Do you think bloggers need their own industry association?
I think that we’re certainly on the cusp of needing some set guidelines for the industry. Many new bloggers are taken advantage of by companies, and some bloggers use underhand tactics to try and get ahead.

What other blogs do you read?
I love Carly Rowena, Imperfect Matter, Keep It SimpElle and Break The Loop!

Sarah and That Squat Blog is listed in the Vuelio Influencer Database along with thousands of other blogs, vlogs, outlets and opportunities.

Diane is the author of Oui in France, the living abroad lifestyle blog. Originally from New Jersey, Diane now lives with her French husband Tom in the Loire Valley and writes about French culture and living abroad, as well as everything lifestyle from healthy living to wine and pets.

Diane spoke to us about the joys and challenges of living in France, how she writes for her international audience and the most creative ways she likes to work with PRs.

Why did you start your blog?
I started Oui In France in 2012, shortly after moving to France, as a way to stay in touch with people back home, share my experiences as a foreigner trying to navigate a new culture, have a record of my time in France, and just connect with others who might be able to relate. I wasn’t sure where it would go but figured I’d jump in and see where it would lead me. As time went on, I realised how much I enjoyed blogging and sharing my stories along with tips and cultural observations. I’m still at it over six years later!

What makes your blog unique?
I’ve been blogging weekly on the good and the bad of life abroad (and about lifestyle topics), and while my blog isn’t a personal diary, I think my candour is unique with the fact that I don’t romanticise life in France. In addition, I am not a student or someone who is retired or here temporarily on a long-stay visa. I also don’t live in Paris.

What was the biggest culture shock moving to France?
I think my first year or two here was when I experienced culture shock the most. Little annoyances would get under my skin like stores closing early or not being open on Sunday or just the way that French people cut in lines. There are so many little differences that took some getting used to and I’ve adapted for the most part. The annoyances are just a normal part of life now.

Beyond the annoyances, I think a big shock for me is feeling like an outsider – even years after moving. It’s something that I didn’t expect to feel so deeply. Although I speak French, I’m not French and being different isn’t always easy in a small town. It’s been difficult for me to make close friends and find like-minded people. But I try to keep things in perspective and look at all the positives life in France has to offer and do my own thing.

What’s the best thing about living in France?
That’s a big question. On the surface, I could tell you about the wonderful food culture; amazing wine, cheese, and bread count for a lot. Also, the fact that healthcare is a right and not something you lose if you’re laid off is a huge weight off my shoulders. Medical debt isn’t a problem in France and the peace of mind just knowing you’re covered is amazing.

But if I go deeper, I love living in a place that challenges me every day. Nothing is comfortable. From the language to the culture to the bureaucracy to even more mundane day-to-day struggles like when the pharmacy closes 10 minutes early just because they feel like it (when you really need a prescription), France pushes me to be better. Living abroad has pushed to be more patient and understanding and to prove to myself that I can succeed in a foreign land and go with the flow. The best parts are the lessons in self-discovery that I would never have learned staying at my job in New York City.

Maybe my favourite part of living in France is that I’m experiencing my husband’s culture first-hand and getting to know his home while having him by my side. Discovering new regions of France is something I really enjoy as well – especially Brittany which is a short drive from where we live.

Is there a blogging community in France, and is it French or American or something else entirely?
There aren’t many Americans (or English speakers) in my local area, so any blogging friends or communities I’m a part of have been online. Connecting with others has been a godsend and I’m so thankful for people I’ve met through my site.

How do you track your audience and write content with international appeal?
I use Google Analytics to track my stats and it’s been a great tool for figuring out who is out there and to see what content performs well. The majority of my audience is in the USA and I try to write about things I’ve experienced, so my content has a bit of an American slant. I am not sure I’ve ever consciously set out to write content with an international appeal. Sometimes the topics themselves will naturally attract an international audience. I think foreigners abroad – regardless of nationality – can relate to the topics I cover (like having an accent, or the dark side of expat life, or a shift in identity) even if I don’t set out to write for an international audience.

What advice would you give someone thinking of moving to a new country?
Living abroad is a rewarding and a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so I encourage anyone considering a move to go for it but to do their research and figure out what they want most from their time abroad. Are they looking to move for a year and have an extended vacation or move more permanently, integrate, and work?

It’s important to ask ourselves the hard questions and examine our motivations for wanting to move abroad and then make sure those reasons are worth the potential negatives. Then spend some time beyond a week or two of vacation to get a real feel for the area you’re considering. Talk to everyone you can and browse forums and blogs to see what experiences people have had, good and bad. I can’t emphasize the planning and research stage enough. Then go for it!

How do you like to work with PRs and brands?
I’ve only started working with PRs and brands in the past year, so it’s new territory for me. I’ve had the most success reaching out to companies myself instead of going through influencer networks, which primarily serve bloggers in North America. I think for product-based campaigns, it’s sometimes hard for those of us who live abroad (even if we’re American with a majority American audience) to receive product through networks so I usually reach out to brands who might be a good fit for the Oui In France audience.

I love it when brands give creators the freedom to do what works best for their audience and recognise that there isn’t one specific way to collaborate. I’ve heard horror stories from other bloggers where brands micromanage the collab every step of the way, so it’s much better when brands trust creators enough to do things their own way and provide direction but don’t overstep. It’s also really important for brands to understand a content creator’s value and to pay us what we are worth.

What are the best campaigns you’ve collaborated on and why?
I loved working with Lazenne, a Europe-based wine luggage company, for a few reasons. First, they create amazing products that are a perfect fit for my audience, but beyond that, they were super laid back and let me do my own thing. There was no stress and the final post and video were a hit!

Do you think bloggers need their own professional association?
I don’t think they need it but it can certainly help. Many people blog as a career and any type of association to further community and professional development is a positive step.

What other blogs do you read?
There are so many bloggers out there creating amazing content, and I tend to gravitate toward bloggers who have a distinct voice where you get a sense of who the person is behind the blog.

Here’s a short list of bloggers I enjoy:

• The Everywhereist
• Forever Amber
• Afford Anything
• Alex in Wanderland
• The Blog Abroad