In case you missed Part One of the information packed interview with Ember Grey, click here to learn about blogging and networking! Emily has so graciously answered several questions that I had about blogging in general. Her answers have helped tremendously and have given me direction. In this section she answers questions about blog photography, organization, and promotion, PLUS a few just for fun questions!
Interview with Ember Grey – Photography, Organization, Promotion, & FUN!
1) How do you make your blog pictures look so interesting? Photoshop, Illustrator, PicMonkey? Camera phone or DSLR?
Ugh, my poor husband bought me Illustrator soon after I started Ember Grey and I think I’ve opened it up twice. (oops!) All of my pictures have been taken with my iPhone. Perhaps at some point I might want a nicer camera but it really has just come down to convenience. My phone is most always on me and therefore makes it easy to quickly snap a funny moment or pretty scene. I was just gifted a GoPro for my birthday and will be using that in the near future for certain things.
I do filter a lot of my photos and am obsessed with the app PicTapGo. Out of all of the filter apps, this one is definitely my favorite and the easiest to use, I think. PicMonkey is my go-to for applying words, graphics, or my water stamp to photos.
2) Name five of your favorite blogs to read.
This is seriously a hard question to answer… I have SO many blogs I love to read, which is also sometimes a problem because there just simply isn’t enough time in one day! While I do tend to follow a lot of other faith-based and lifestyle blogs, I also love fashion, beauty, and food bloggers too. I don’t think there are rules as to who or what you should be reading… if you find a blog you love, you read it 
3) How do you get your blog organized? (Do you have a laundry list of topics to write about, do you always post on a certain day (besides GH Mondays), do you pay attention to analytics and use that information?)
I think of things to write about or discuss at all hours of every day. Really. There are so many times in the middle of the night where I’ll wake up and grab my phone and then email myself an idea. I’m sure there is a more organized way of doing this, but I really do email myself ideas throughout the day or week and then save them to a folder in my gmail titled Inspiration/Post Ideas. I go back to this folder frequently when I’m ready to write a new post. For the times I’m feeling uninspired, I’ll open a book of my favorite poems, go to my photography or quotes Pinterest boards, or even go for a walk. I don’t know what it is about the minute you’re away from your computer or pen/paper that you think of a million things you want to write about.
When I first started Ember Grey, I was worried that I wouldn’t have enough to write about so I decided to have 3 days that would be ‘themed’ or part of a series. This is when Grateful Heart Monday began, and then I had two other days that I’d always write about the same things, or I would link up with the same link up each week. Linkups can be really fun and helpful, especially in the beginning, because not only does it connect you to other bloggers but it also gives you a writing prompt.
I would say, first and foremost, get or make your own editorial/blogging planner! This was SO huge for me. Writing down your post plans for each day, and in advance, really helps you plan everything out and focus on what to write and share. Plus, if I’m having a day where I have a lot of blog post ideas, I can go to my planner and write them all out – weeks in advance!
I only recently linked Google Analytics to my blog and honestly? The only time I look at that info is at the end of the month when I’m tallying up my numbers.
4) How do/did you promote your blog?
In the beginning: I joined linkups, blogger hangout groups, sponsored other blogs, and read/commented on other blogs.
Currently: I still read/comment on other blogs, promote my blog and posts via social media, and will occasionally sponsor other blogs (especially if I’m going to be out of town and won’t be able to promote my own posts).
Each morning, the first thing I do is schedule for my post to be promoted on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and sometimes Google+. I will also take this time to schedule tweets to promote my sponsors. I use Buffer to schedule all of my tweets throughout the day.
I also apply to work with certain companies (I do this through Adproval), as well as reach out to certain companies on my own via an email pitch.
5) Name one character trait that you are NOT.
Crude. ha! I don’t know why that came to mind first but it’s true. Sarcastic at times, of course, but I’m definitely not one to intentionally try to offend with bluntness or a joke.
6) What do you like to do for fun?
I am a big TV/Movie gal. I love a good movie marathon! I also love going to concerts or any kind of live music, going for walks with my husband around Nashville, and hanging out with family and friends! Cookouts are one of my many love languages.
7) What is something you want to learn how to do, and why?
There are a lot of things, but one thing is to learn how to do more with graphics and prints. At some point, I’d love to make prints and cute and funny cards for people. One of these days 
8) List 2 pet peeves.
Mouth noises when eating and people who don’t use turn signals.
9) Are you doing anything awesome this summer?
My husband and I just got back from Italy and Paris so I feel pretty “set” for awhile in the travel department This summer still brings lots of awesome things though: my one and only brother is getting married, this is my first summer as a southerner, and I practically live for the 4th of July.
PS- Not sure where I might fit this in above but Pinterest is an AWESOME (and never ending) resource for blogging tips and how-tos!
I hope this interview series helps all new, curious bloggers out there! I appreciate Emily taking time out of her schedule to talk with me – she really is a fabulous person and I can’t wait to get to know her and other writers like her in the community of blogging! One networking resource that I just found TODAY is on Facebook. It’s called The Peony Project, and it’s a Christian based blogging community. I just signed up to swap snail mail with another blogger and I’m excited!
Do you have any other suggestions for networking or blogging? I’d love to hear them in the comments below!
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