Gosh, I feel more autumny than ever this year and earlier I’m sure. Normally I cling onto summer, but this year I am ready for the cooler weather to set in and autumn to officially begin. Maybe it’s because the summer started so early and we had a long heatwave? I feel satisfied with summer for once in the UK. I don’t particularly like the cold weather, but I do hate this in-between stage where the temperature raises and drops so much every day and you’ve no idea if you’re hot or cold all day! I think I’d rather have a summer, then winter, just like that. No in-between seasons, though they are pretty to see the changes outside.
Here are 27 reasons I personally know that autumn is here:
I can see my breath early in the morning.
My bedroom window is covered in condensation in the morning (it’s a bit like a waterfall, quite gross actually, I need a new window!)
I’ve already worn my bobble hat and blanket scarf.
It smells like bonfires outside.
The kids have been collecting conkers.
The conker tree has shed all its leaves already.
The heating has kicked in as temperatures have dropped below our thermostat level.
I’ve been considering lighting the log burner.
I’ve started sleeping in my jogging bottoms quite comfortably.
All I want to drink in the evenings is hot chocolate (I go for almond milk with raw cacao and maca – yummy).
My garden is out of bounds (well, it’s not really, but I just have no interest in being in one place outside and being cold).
Having goose-bumps becomes a regular part of my day.
I start really looking forward to Christmas.
I’ve done all my Christmas shopping (seriously, all wrapped in the attic… just cards to buy and write nearer the time!)
For the morning school run I’m in my bobble hat, for the afternoon one a t-shirt with jeans and flip flops is fine.
I’m wearing layers and I really have no idea what to wear. Too hot if the sun comes out, but freezing if it goes.
It’s no longer refreshing to walk on our hard floors at home, but instead I want to hop over them quickly like they were burning coals, but cold ones! Now I need fluffy socks to walk around at home.
My showers are longer and hotter.
The fluffy throws are out and on the sofas.
I’m lighting scented candles daily.
I’m driving around with my car lights on most of the day and definitely late afternoon.
Extra blankets are on the beds.
Instead of fruit for breakfast, I’m craving porridge and lots of hot drinks!
My TOMS are making less of an appearance and instead I have boot socks and boots on (I love the Blowfish vegan leather boots).
My thick winter coat has been worn more than once.
I’ve booked the chimney sweep.
The kids are wearing vests daily.
There we have it. 27 reasons that I personally know autumn is here! Roll on fireworks night!
In the topsy-turvy world of freelancing, the modern home-based business has to cater to more than a generalised market. And so, with veganism being a major trend, not just health wise, but business-wise, then surely it makes a lot of sense, especially if you have some passion for veganism, to start your own vegan business? While it's not a simple as that, what do you need to make sure that your vegan business stays ahead of the herd (or curd)?
You can look online on how to nurture your supply chain relationships, but it cannot be underestimated that your supply chain is one of the essential composite parts of any business relationship to ensure that your products reach the customer. Because running a business, especially from home, can be a logistical nightmare, especially if one link of the chain doesn't work, either due to a lack of communication, or problems that are out of your hands, which can result in a very poor public image. This is why it's so important for you to ensure that you nurture good quality communication, but also nurture these relationships effectively.
Do you need to appeal to more than just vegans?
Veganism is a big market, but when you are starting out, the temptation can be just to hit the vegan market, because it's a very logical thought. But now, you should consider your options outside of vegans. There are those “militant vegans” who have been living this lifestyle for decades, and then there are others who are intrigued about how you can physically live off beans and tofu, and this is where you could make a killing, marketing wise. Providing that intrigue to potential customers is an age-old fundamental of effective marketing, and when you are starting out, especially in an industry that has so much competition out there, you can't keep afloat by appealing to vegans alone.
How passionate are you about the vegan industry?
It's worth asking now, because it's your passion that will keep you pressing on. In any business, there are going to be extreme highs and deep lows, which is why you need to have never-ending passion for the industry, seeking out new items, different approaches, and generally keeping up to date with trends in the industry as a whole. Are you passionate enough that, when you have a bad month, you will keep on going?
Because it is this that every business person needs, not just the necessary skills and knowledge. A lot of people would choose the vegan industry as a business venture now because it's an easy way to make money, but this isn't actually true. Every business has numerous competitors, and when you are brand new, why would someone buy from you in the first place? They have a supplier that they trust already out there. So when you are knee deep in bills and logistical problems at 2 in the morning, this is where your passion will keep you alive and focused!
The Vegan Society is targeting the UK Government with a petition calling on public sector institutions to provide at least one vegan food option on every menu every day.
Campaigners say there is potential for England to become the first country in Europe to enshrine a right to good quality, affordable, plant-based food in law.
Offer at least one vegan option on every menu, urge campaigners
Veganism is a protected belief under the Equality Act 2010 in England, Scotland and Wales but many hospitals, schools, universities, councils and prisons fail to offer vegan food, with patients and schoolchildren "often going hungry".
During the Party Conferences season this autumn, The Vegan Society is campaigning to protect the rights of vegans and for our health, the environment and animals.
The charity will hold a series of fringe events and hold stalls at the conferences, educating attendees about the rights of vegans and lobbying for change.
Louise Davies, Head of Campaigns, Policy and Research at The Vegan Society, said: “The Government is responsible for ensuring that our public sector provides for vegans in the UK and the proposed legislation would assist in fulfilling that obligation.
“Provision for vegans in the public sector is lacking, with hospital patients and school children often going hungry.
“We hope that vegans and non-vegans alike will agree on the importance of our petition and join us in urging institutions to provide healthy and environmentally-friendly vegan food.”
The Catering for Everyone campaign has been encouraging public sector institutions (schools, hospitals, universities, councils and prisons) to increase their plant-based options.
An English county council, universities in Manchester and London, and a Welsh health board are among the many public sector institutions making positive changes to their menus due to this campaign.
Welcome to my Money Making Blogger interview series where I interview bloggers who are making money from their blogs!
Scroll down if you've been here before, or if it's your first time then read this intro first to understand why I'm doing this interview series.
I've been a full time blogger officially since May 2017. For one year before this I made a part time wage from my blog and worked a part time job. I started blogging in April 2013 and never even realised I could make a real living from my blog and thought it was just a hobby. So for the first three years I didn't make any money from my blog.
Before properly monetizing my blog I did have a few opportunities land in my inbox which I politely declined as I wasn't really sure what they were. Then I stumbled upon some blogger income reports and realised there was some real money to be made. I’ve never looked back and I started collaborating with brands and putting a value on my time and worth, instead of accepting unpaid collaborations. I now make a full time living from my blog and I want you to realise you can do this too, if you want to.
I get to write every day and make money by doing what I love. It’s amazing and still amazes me each day, even two years into making money from my website. It’s not without a lot of hard work though, so don’t be fooled into thinking you simply set up a website and voila, income starts rolling in. If only! I work 30-40 hours per week currently and my blog is my life!
In this series I am going to interview other bloggers who also make money from their blogs to hopefully inspire people to start a blog if they wish or to make that leap to monetizing content. I also find it so interesting to learn what other bloggers are up to and even us full time bloggers can learn from each other and inspire one another.
Hello, please introduce yourself and tell us all about your money making blog.
Hi, my name is Sam and I blog over at Made From Beauty 5 times a week. Made From Beauty is mainly beauty and fashion focused, but also covers some lifestyle topics. I have been blogging now for nearly 3 years, during this time I have totally transformed my photography and writing skills and am now working towards becoming a full time blogger.
How long have you been blogging for and when did you begin to monetize?
Although I have been blogging for nearly three years, it has only been in the past year and a half that I have monetised my site.
What's your monthly blog income like? (Pocket money, part time, full time or the figure)
Currently I am making about a part-time wage from my blog, but this figure dramatically differs from month to month depending on the opportunities I accept.
How exactly do you make money from your blog and tell us more about your favourite method?
I make money through Affiliate Links, Banner Ads, Sponsored Posts and Sponsored Social Media Posts. I would say that Affiliate Links & Marketing are my favourite way to make money through my site. If my affiliate income goes up during one month then I know that I am sharing things that my readers are interested in, which for me is the ultimate goal.
Were there any steps you took in the early days to prep your blog for making money?
I made sure I brought my own domain name as soon as possible. Before I stepped into the world of blogging, I just assumed that you could have a WordPress/Blogger site & then start to make money - this isn't the case.
Has it been an easy process to make money from your blog? Why?
Not always. I found Affiliate Marketing really easy to incorporate into my blog, after attending the AWIN Affiliate Conference last year. But, I still struggle with pitching to brands to chase down those sponsored post deals.
How many hours per week do you work on your blog? Has this changed over time?
I would say now I dedicate at least 25 hours a week to my blog. Most weekends are filled with shoot days, location scouting, outfit planning, product sourcing. Then every week day, after my full-time job, I write, post on social media & deal with emails. This has slowly crept up during my time blogging, but when I first started (for the first few months) I was trying to post 7 days a week - which was mad!
What are your aims for your blog in the future?
I would love to be able to earn a full-time wage from my blog. But also, I am really loving being more creative with my content!
If someone is totally new to blogging, what should they concentrate on most to make money?
Good content & a good DA. If you have good content, readers will come in time. DA takes a while to build up, but once you have it & maintain it, it's easy money.
What are the drawbacks to running a money making blog?
I find competing deadlines between my blog & full-time job to be difficult to manage sometimes; as both are equally as important to me.
What inspires you to blog and what is the best thing about blogging?
Ever since starting my blog, I have been approached in my local supermarket, or messaged online by people who say they love my blog. Although Made From Beauty is about makeup & beauty, you do not have to be a makeup artist to enjoy my content, which I think a lot of people find accessible & helpful. That is why I love blogging, just sharing my knowledge & hoping someone out there enjoys it.
Would you still blog even if you couldn’t make money doing it and why?
I would. I am a very creative person & have always wanted a place to share & explore that creativity, so for me this is most exciting part of blogging.
Do you think blogging is here to stay and why?
Blogging has been around in some form since the birth of the internet (think forums) and I think it will continue to be an important part of the internet for a very, very, very long time yet. Do I think that blogging in its current form will continue to be popular? No, absolutely not. People's habits on social media & the internet constantly change, and I think bloggers need to develop their content to match this.
Thank you so much for taking part in my Money Making Blogger interview series and best of luck with your blog!
As the sky is becoming greyer and the nights are getting colder, you can’t help but begin to think of your next holiday. There are your classics: a European city break, a couple of weeks by the beach, or perhaps just escaping to the English countryside. There’s nothing wrong with any of them, but have you considered going on something slightly different for your next destination? You’d be amazed at the number of ways you can see the world.
Glass Igloo, Iceland
By Tarja Mitrovic (Flickr: Rovaniemi - Igloo village) [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The Northern Lights manage to make their way onto many a bucket list. It isn’t hard to understand why, the natural beauty can illuminate the sky and creates an unforgettable moment. Most people aim for a remote spot and hope for the best - you need a clear sky and no light pollution. Did you know you can stay in a glass igloo in Finland and sleep under the stars? It is a luxurious experience, bringing you all the wonders of nature in a cosy and comfortable setting.
If you have a passion for classical music, why not combine it with your next get away? There are some amazing opera holidays available. You can explore the beautiful country and experience opera the way you’re meant to, in beautiful, historic buildings with just the right acoustics. Take a sip of Italian wine, listen to the opera and take in the scenery. Your senses will be blown away and you’ll leave with memories that are sure to last you a lifetime.
When you hear Croatia, you’re most likely to picture crystal blue waters and ancient cities. You can get the best of both worlds by exploring the beautiful country by bike and boat. It can be a tour like no other as you get to experience the best that Croatia has to offer. You can cycle through pieces of history, before boarding a boat and absorbing all of the beautiful sights of this gorgeous country .
This recently has been voted as Europe’s top hidden treasure. It has something for everyone: historic sites, glorious beaches for sunbathing, numerous hikes and delicious dinner spots. It is adrenaline, adventure and ancient all wrapped into one. You can make your holiday exactly what you want to be. You can go kayaking or quad biking. Equally you can spend an entire day exploring important places of Spanish history. Just make sure you go out and discover this gem for yourself.
