Blog Spotlight: My Custard Pie
December 06, 2015 Blogs
Sally Prosser of My Custard Pie spoke to MediaSource about food blogging in the UAE, her experience of PR in the region, her thoughts on sponsored content, and shared some of the highlights of her blogging career so far.
What inspired you to start your blog?
I'd been blogging for a non-profit business I helped set up and then launched a blog documenting a charity trek I was doing, which acted as a focus for fund-raising. I started discovering a lot of great food blogs and, on a whim, set one up. I loved writing about food from day one - I was hooked.
What has been the highlight since you started blogging?
So many highlights, but number one is being part of a diverse, talented, friendly and supportive community of food bloggers - Fooderati Arabia - here in the UAE. I have learned so much about food from many different countries from the generosity of sharing skills, advice, friendship and cooking prowess from this great group of people.
How do you make a blog stand out from the crowd?
It's difficult, but not impossible. There are so many blogs out there and many copy successful formats, or styles of others. But when you think you've seen everything, something comes along that looks completely new and original. Be true to yourself and blog about something you really care about - if it's a niche subject then so much the better.
What’s your favourite food blog?
Just one? So difficult as I read a lot. I'm always inspired by the simple food and stunning photography on Things We Make, the irreverent writing style of Food Stories keeps me reading and licking my lips at the same time, I Live in a Frying Pan is an inspiration about how to find an original style and blog about something you care passionately about - it makes you want to run out of the door to demolish even a simple shawarma with its impeccable prose. The Hedonista is a very accomplished wordsmith with a wry wit too. There's always at least one sentence in her posts which I want to print out and frame (as well as stunning photography).
Are you happy to be contacted by PR and marketing professionals?
Always - if it's relevant. My background is marketing communications and I understand the potential of collaborations. This has given me the chance to meet, be fed by, and even cook with some of my food heroes here in Dubai. I've learned new skills and tasted some incredible dishes and ingredients. I'm obsessed by food, drink and travel, so if the information is interesting and pertains to these topics I will always give it my attention.
But I think there is a lost opportunity when connecting with digital influencers. My inbox is awash with information in press release format with hi-res images, neither of which I will use. If I am sent a short paragraph, low-res image and a link then I am quite likely to share it on my social channels. Even print publications are constantly in search of good shareable content for their online platforms.
The option to opt out of receiving press releases would be a welcome move, and it’s so easy to provide with the list management systems available now.
How do you feel about paid placements or sponsored content?
I'm fine with it, but have taken the decision not to accept this on my blog. I write content for other people for my day job, so if I do it on my blog it's like homework! Sponsored posts can be very boring to read too. My food is about simple ingredients and most companies with budgets for sponsorship represent processed or packaged foods which I'm just not interested in. I do accept review copies of cook books as I'm a complete addict - but the reviews are always honest.
How important is it for bloggers to disclose freebies and paid content?
Bloggers should always be honest if they've received something free or have been paid for the content. In many countries this is a stipulation of law, and it preserves the credibility of the blogger and the client. True PR professionals will never request a blogger not to disclose if something is gratis.
Prev
