Capres Willow Turner calls herself a smiling 20-year old passionate individual who believes everyone can make a difference in the world. She studies anthropology and sociology at the University of London and spends her spare time wandering around the world.

Her blog is called Willow’s Wanderlust

Here’s her interview.

Tell us about your blogging journey

I began Blogging to help myself unwind and keep myself occupied. I was applying for universities after finishing secondary education, and I felt I needed a hobby to relax after my exams and revision.

Blogging was a way of letting off steam as well as documenting my passions. I felt if others enjoyed reading what I had to say and watching my videos, it was a bonus!

What’s life like for a blogger?

Life as a blogger for me is motivating and fun. I enjoy challenging myself and coming up with fresh, creative and exciting content. It is not always easy, but it keeps you thinking and keeps you active.

As the university is my primary focus, I have had to learn to manage my time.

What emotional, mental and physical needs does blogging fulfill?

Blogging is most definitely a release! You are given a blank canvas, and you are free to release all your deepest, darkest and Strangest Thoughts into the wild world wide web.

I blog when I’m happy, when I’m sad, when I’m hungry, and you most probably will be able to tell how I’m feeling by what I am writing.

Like any writer, your work is very personal and with every piece you write, you leave a bit of your personality on the page.

Physically it can sometimes be demanding as using the internet to figure out how to run a site does mean sitting in front of a bright screen for ages fiddling, reading and watching tutorials. Or you can just pay someone to do it (if you’re full of cash). In all fairness, I’ve enjoyed what I’ve learned so far and I know I still have so much more to find out.

If you had to start all over again, what would you do differently?

If I were to start all over again, I would most definitely treat my blog like a newborn baby.

I would learn what I need in order to give it the best possible start online, I would connect with others who are going through the same experience, and share tips and tricks and I would 100% give it more love and attention.

I was not consistent with my posts, and now over a year later, it feels as though I am just starting out. Tut. Tut. I have learned my lesson.

What was your biggest challenge when you started?

My biggest challenge was staying consistent. I would write these fantastic posts and then not put anything up for the next two or three weeks… Terrible!

How do you monetize your blog?

I haven’t begun monetizing my blog as of yet. I feel I need to create more content to bring more readers in. However, I do monetize my YouTube using Google AdSense. With this I have too just started out so I am looking forward to having an income from my hobbies.

What are your favorite blogging tools?

My favorite blogging tools are Adobe Premier Pro and Photoshop 2017. I also make use of social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest.

What is that one strategy that has generated most of your blog traffic?

Interacting with social media has most definitely produced the most significant percentage of my traffic. Taking the time to reply to comments, follows and like pictures and posts all makes a world of difference.

How do you network with other bloggers?

My favorite way to network with other bloggers is through the Google Plus and Facebook Communities. Everyone is very supportive and willing to share their tips and tricks on SEO, making interesting content and just generally giving feedback.

What advice would you give someone just starting off as a blogger?

I consider myself to be just starting out as a blogger, but I am still happy to advise others in my position to stay in the loop within the blogging community, follow trends, look at what’s hot and what’s not, understand the do’s and don’ts.

Use social networks correctly in order to help gain recognition and readers. Of course stay motivated. You may sometimes feel as though your readers have turned on you but don’t give up, you may be going through a bad spell and must keep going in order to become successful.

What’s your favorite travel destination and why?

My favorite travel destination so far (as I have a list from my head to my toes) has to be the Swiss Alps.

I traveled there alone on my first Solo Trip, and their beauty did not fail to impress. Although my fingers felt like they were going to drop off (as I had forgotten my gloves), I had the most amazing time exploring and learning about the peaks. This is a very tricky question to answer though, I’m sure you could ask me in a week, and I’ll have a new answer haha!

Readers can connect with her on Willow’s Wanderlust

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