Blogger Spotlight: Alison Tinlin, Plans and Presents

Former wedding and event consultant Alison Tinlin created Plans and Presents as a way to share creative wedding ideas. Highlighting both traditional and themed wedding days, the blog offers all the information you need to plan your big day – including supplier details, venue reviews, wedding event information, and wedding fashion collections. In this spotlight, Alison, who was recently featured on our top wedding blog ranking, chats to us about what makes her blog different, how she likes to work with PRs, and the challenges of promoting her content through social media channels.

Why should people read your blog? What makes it different? Firstly I am crazy about love and crazy about Weddings and being together whoever you are, and whatever choices you make in this life and that was a huge push in launching the Blog.

I love the diversity of wedding blogging and as such I personally feel that a blog doesn’t have to be classified, it doesn’t need to fit a tick box.

Brides, grooms, and couples don’t come in a one size fits all. The resource I wanted to provide is wide ranging in all sorts of wedding genre and advice that adapts to the individual and their needs.

How do you measure the success of your website? I measure the success of what I do when someone says that what I have shared or advice I have given has made an impact on them and their lives. A great deal of the time people get so obsessed with stats and numbers but making a difference, and helping is what’s important to me.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a blog? Never be under any illusions that it’s going to be easy. It can be incredibly rewarding but my work takes up so much time and life. Work balance can be such a challenge. Bearing that in mind I wouldn’t want to do anything else but life as a self-employed person has to be something that is carefully considered and it has to work for you and your situation.

How do you work with marketers and PRs? I am usually approached by PR companies with reference to the work of their clients. I prefer to work only with brands that are wedding specific in their service, or have a product that is suitable for weddings. I will work with venues that provide wedding ceremonies and receptions also.

How do you use social media to promote and share content? What are the challenges? I share through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as well as Linkdin and Google +. Time is probably the biggest challenge but I find that scheduling content helps me have time to pursue blog content creation, admin and personal time.

What can PRs do in working better with you? If someone is contacting me I like to know that they have researched me and my Brand, it’s never nice to feel like you are just someone on a list. Its also very nice to get invitations but I receive many invitations with just a few days notice  and usually a great distance away. I am Glasgow based with family commitments and if a brand has researched me they should know that. It can be a little frustrating at times when that isn’t considered.

What will be big in your blogosphere in the coming months? I have just rebranded so that’s been a big change but continued improvement is key and the blog is always a work in progress.