Blogging for The Kidderminster Shuttle

In November 2012, I started blogging for my local newspaper, The Kidderminster Shuttle. My blog posts for this publication significantly differ from the content seen on Material-Media. Found at, www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/blogs, I review films, express my opinions on topical news stories and write lifestyle posts related to the local community. 

I post a new story every two to three weeks and receive positive feedback from not only my family and friends, but also from The Kidderminster Shuttle's Editor, Clive Joyce. I once blogged about an interview I had conducted with the Chief Constable of West Mercia Police, regarding the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections. Clive Joyce then featured my story as breaking news on The Kidderminster Shuttle's website homepage. 

I believe blogging for my local newspaper has helped improve my writing skills and has given me vital insight into interviewing techniques. Blogging every two to three weeks has also encouraged me to keep up to date with newsworthy material. Further to this, I have received a taste of what being a journalist or writer is like. As a blogger, I have to stick to deadlines and find inspiration and information for a new story regularly.

Click here to view my profile and blog posts for The Kidderminster Shuttle, or alternatively use the link at the top of my media portfolio. I hope you find my writing interesting and please feel free to leave a comment.

Abbey Hartley

Introducing Material-Media

Since May 2012, I've created and written a glossy magazine styled blog called Material-Media. My writing for this publication specialises in celebrities, fashion, beauty, culture, lifestyle and opinion. I really enjoy working on this project and I'm so proud that I've received almost 5,000 page views in ten different countries! I believe this blog has helped me identify my personal writing style and has improved my feature writing techniques. 

As well as posting on the online blog, I also promote Material-Media through social media platforms. I created a Facebook page, found at www.facebook.com/MaterialMedia, to help receive more readers and to provide more information to Material-Media fans. I alert readers when a new post is online and treat them to smaller features, such as 'Bargain of the Day' and 'This Week's Top 5 Must-Buys'. To add to this, I use my personal Twitter account to advertise Material-Media. These activities have significantly improved my online promotion skills, which are useful techniques needed within the PR industry. 

I use many glossy magazines and online resources to inspire my writing for Material-Media. Heat, More, Grazia and Now are just some of my favourite showbiz publications. I also visit the websites of high street stores, such as Topshop and River Island, to help gain inspiration for my fashion themed posts. I believe I'm as up to date as possible on showbiz news and current affairs thanks to Material-Media. To add to this, reading these publications so regularly gives me a massive insight into successful magazine writing.

In the future, I hope Material-Media opens doors for me in the showbiz world and helps me achieve my aspirations of becoming a journalist. Visit www.material-media.blogspot.com to have a read of my blog posts or you can click on the Material-Media link at the top of my media portfolio. I hope you enjoy reading!

Abbey Hartley