Dealspotr’s network of influencers includes notable bloggers and social media personalities across a wide range of topics and interests, but all with a focus on frugal living and saving money. In our weekly Influencer Spotlight, we invite one influencer to share their experiences and success stories with the rest of our community. If you’d like to be featured, send me a message via Dealspotr.
A lot of bloggers got their start later in life, after they realized their love of writing and knack for turning their thoughts into words on the web. For this week's featured influencer, the same thing happened - only it happened to her at age 15. Now, at 19, Parie Joshi is running her lifestyle blog, Class & Glitter, while she attends teaching school. Parie is here from all the way across the pond to share her blogging wisdom - including a free Photoshop alternative and a way to beat writer's block - in this week's Influencer Q&A.
My name is Parie, like Marie but with a P! I’m from a kind of large city in the United Kingdom called Leeds and am now at the grand old age of 19 years old. I’m a Hindu, which means all the Indian food you can dream of and dessert – by far the best thing life can offer. I am currently in my second year at university in Liverpool, another kind of large city, studying to become a school teacher, it is a lot of fun but very hard work! Also the complete opposite to what my part time job is, working in a bank – being social is one of my favourite things to do.
My blog is classandglitter.com, which features everything from beauty and fashion to lifestyle. I love talking about the luxury products that are available to buy as well as the budget items, which are just as good and great quality!
I started when I was 15, at which point life was very stressful. Full of exams, revision and stress – your typical teenage issues. Blogging about the things I love to buy and talk about allowed me to escape from the stresses of everyday life and relax a little bit through writing.
There isn’t just one post that is extremely popular above the rest, there are a few that all go under the same category. Posts all about things that I have found on Ebay, products that are great to use every day and alternatives to higher end products.
My blog is definitely unique in its own way, but what way I am not sure. It’s just a bit of everything and anything for anyone.
There is so much I love about Dealspotr, one thing I love is that everything you ever need about becoming a money saving shopper is under one roof. You can find new deals, codes and freebies for every single one of your shopping needs. No need to go through hundreds of sites to find that one deal, sometimes it ends up being expired or wrong – with Dealspotr you don’t have to waste time.
Has to be the sharing to social media. Without the likes of Instagram and Twitter my blog would not be where it is today. Sharing with other people and interacting with fellow bloggers has made a huge difference. Sharing and shouting about things I’ve written about has proved to be a huge hit.
Do it, but don’t expect to become a superstar overnight. There are so many blogs out there, doing all different things. At first it’s hard to make yourself become known but slowly and surely it happens. When it does happen, the feeling is amazing but don’t expect it to be sudden and as soon as you publish your first post.
Photography is such an important part of blogging and the editing side is just as important - this doesn’t mean you must spend money on a fancy software. Websites such as PicMonkey are free to use and offer the same tools as Photoshop. Since discovering it, my photos have improved a huge deal and no need to pay to download a software. Using a fancy camera is hard enough, so why not make the editing part easier with simpler settings and an easier format.
Tell us about the most exhilarating moment you've experienced as a blogger.Sounds cheesy, but every moment is amazing. Whenever someone comments on a post, likes a photo on Instagram or even shares something on Twitter is fills me with this buzz. A buzz like no other and it really makes me appreciate blogging and the people who support me, real or not.
I am in absolute awe of Victoria from Inthefrow, she is just her own girl boss. Every time she publishes a blog post or a video, you can tell that she has put 110% effort and time into it. Every day she gets better at what she does and it is people like her who I aim to be like one day.
Every so often I go through this ‘writers block’ phase, and at that point I am more than ready to quit. There’s just nothing coming out, no ideas are bubbling, just nothing. I guess everyone gets to this point sometimes but I seem to be getting it a lot. To combat this, I’ve started keeping a mini notebook to jot down random words. These random words include products I’m loving, seasonal adjectives, even food that I’ve eaten. In turn they turn into post ideas – works wonders.
This is an impossible question for anyone who loves TV as much as me, but now it has to be "Designated Survivor." Each episode has me gripped to the edge of my seat and makes you realise just how hard overseeing a country really is. Another current favourite now is "Jane the Virgin," the whole cast are hilarious and make such a touchy subject so much fun.
I love anything that contains sugar, from cake to tea!
I would love to wine and dine with Gandhi, learn more about the person he is and where he found the motivation to do everything in his life. It would be such an eye opener to see the world like he did, discover what he enjoyed and just listen to him talk. I have a feeling he would have a lot to say and tell.
Never try to please anyone but yourself, it’s not worth the time!
You can read Parie's blog at classandglitter.com. You can also follow her on Dealspotr, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
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