Youtube stigma and paid promotions? | Chats with Liv Rook (Interview)

Hi guys!

So this is a bit of a different post tonight. Recently, I reached 1000 followers on this blog! I’m forever grateful and it’s something that means so so much to me but after having this blog for an extremely long time, there’s many things that have become apparent to me with time-Positive and negative. However, with quite a small following, I assume that these effects of being on social media and putting out content only become more prominent as your following increases. Therefore I’ve decided to start a new series on my blog where I interview other bloggers, youtubers, social media influencers and advocates in general to present the effects that the industry has. This post, I interviewed the absolutely amazing Liv Rook. Liv has been an absolute star and she was so patient with me and extremely polite. I’ll leave her links at the bottom for you to check her out.

A overview of Liv: An inspiring mental health advocate who posts videos online ranging from hauls and updates to mental health check ins and information posts which include my personal favourite (anxiety bakes). She’s managed to rack up an amazing 24.6k on her channel with her inspiring videos and she’s helped so many people come to terms with- and recognise- their mental state. This post isn’t about me but as an anxiety sufferer I can assure you that Liv helps you to cope with yourself and not necessarily get rid of it- which I think is essential. She is also a music photographer who takes amazing and vibrant photos, which quite frankly as a photographer I’m extremely jealous of.

Let’s get onto the questions!

–Have you done a paid promotion? If so, do you regret the first one? (Eg:did it too early or for the wrong reasons)

I have done many paid promotions during my time on Youtube and I think the only thing I regret about my first one is that they were able to pay me less due to the number of subscribers I had. I should’ve asked for a bit more.

-is this something you want to do as a job or is it just a hobby?

My Youtube channel was always a hobby, and in fact I’ve stopped producing videos for now to focus on my dream career; to be a music photographer.

-You’re known quite widely for your mental health and self care work, have you found it difficult trying to sustain your channel doing something different to the crowd? 

In terms of getting my content seen by a wide audience: yes. The algorithm only shows exciting/ clickbait/ prank videos on the home screen. It’s a shame that something important such as mental health awareness is being ignored due to the more popular content.

-If there was one thing you could change/stop about YouTube what would it be?

I think the algorithm definitely needed changing a good few years back. It only allows popular/ big Youtube videos to be seen and it really excludes smaller Youtubers. I would maybe add ‘topics’ like Netflix, where you can select videos based on your interests rather than finding the most exciting looking thumbnail in your subscription box. A mental health section would’ve been amazing.

-was/is there a stigma around YouTube/blogging at your place of education?

There was. I knew people made fun out of my Youtube at the very beginning, but then as my numbers went up people thought it was cool. Then I entered Sixth Form and the external students based a judgement off of me being a Youtuber, rather than the rest of my personality.

-What’s your favourite thing about your channel?

I love the community it’s formed. I think with studytubers and mental health Youtubers, you will always have a loving, supportive community. You will have an audience who are open to education and learning and I love that. I love people trying to become less ignorant and just give something new a go.

-if when you started your channel, YouTube was like how it is today, would you still start it?

I think I would just because I made my channel because I loved making videos and loved speaking about what is important to me. It would definitely be harder with today’s Youtube and I probably wouldn’t have the same numbers, but I would still have my channel.

-What’s your funniest/best memory that has come out of your channel?

Ah there’s way too many but all of them include my Youtube friends. I’ve been lucky enough to meet some amazing people and travel the world with them and a lot of good memories have come out of that.

-What’s your worst memory from your channel?

I’ve never really thought of this before? Maybe when my boyfriend got a lot of hate from my GCSE results vlog? That annoyed me quite a bit.

-What’s your favourite video of yours? Why?

I really like my relaxing, cinematic videos. I’d say maybe my Prague video because it reminds me of a happy time in my relationship. It didn’t get many views but I think it represented me as a content creator quite well.

-Were your parents and family supportive of your channel from the start?

They were. They didn’t really understand it but as soon as they saw it made me happy and that I was gaining support, they supported it.

-If you could immediately go to 10million subscribers or go back to 1000, which would you choose?

1,000 for sure. I love a close-knit community and at that time, I was really producing the content I wanted to make. 

-if you had to choose between all of your subscribers and your friends you’d made from your channel, who would you pick?

Ah no this is a horrible question! I can’t choose! They both mean so much to me.

-As most people know, youtube is not the same as it was in 2012-2017. Do you think that the ‘new youtube’ (Logan Paul, dangerous challenges, etc) is as bad as it’s being made out to be?

I think it is. As someone who advocates for good influence, their content really pisses me off to be frank. These types of Youtubers will say ‘oh it’s just for a laugh, it’s just to get views’ but they don’t understand the effect it has on their viewers. Young kids are so influential and can easily copy half the stupid stuff they put in videos. It really does worry me about the new generation.

-Is there times where you regret making your channel? Why/ why not?

No. It’s made me who I am today and although I have stopped making videos, I know it was meant to be like this and has been a massive part of my teenage years.

Finally, a fun, unconnected question that I like to include at the end of them all:
-What flavour and brand of crisps would you eat if you could only eat one for the rest of your life?

Probably prawn cocktail!

So they’re all the questions I had to ask Liv! Got to admit, think I agree with the prawn cocktail answer, it’s a very divided community! Seriously though, blogging and youtube has so many positives but it’s not always so glitz and glam, which I think Liv highlights perfectly here. Thank you again to Liv for agreeing to be involved and let me know who else you would like to be involved in this series!

See you next time!

Emma x

Q:What’s your favourite crisp flavour?

Liv’s Channel

Liv’s Instagram

Ways to aid your self care | ATypicalLife

Hey guys! Sorry I’ve been a bit vacant, blogging resolution going strong (not) but I’ve been giving myself time to get back into my college routine and making sure I have time to do all my essays and tests I’ve been given. I also had a dance show two weeks ago and have another one in just less than three weeks (so please bear with me) which is pretty exciting! However, I’ve also had some time off to focus on self care, which is what this post is going to be heavily focused on. Towards the end of last year, from October really, my mental state plummeted. I’d just started a levels, I didn’t want to go into college, I was constantly worrying about my future and having break downs to my family- I never really admitted to anyone how bad it was. However, the new year started off positive and, give or take a few mishaps, has stayed that way. I love going to college, except full days pretty obviously, and this new mindset is predominantly the result of one change but there are a couple of tips I want to share with you, literally some so trivial they probably make you want to laugh, but have a big effect.

1. Be selfish and get rid of anything negative: I know this sounds so obvious and vague but there’s a reason for that. Whether it be a friend or a situation that’s giving you anxiety, drop it as soon as you feel something isn’t right. I know If it’s a friend you’re getting rid of then it’s ridiculously hard to do without making things awkward for everybody else, especially in school or the workplace but if it’s going to make you feel better, it’s really worth it. For me, it wasn’t a friend it was school stress. As you know from earlier in this post and other posts, I’m a dancer. I go to two different dance schools and am currently in my college’s dance company. I was also doing level 3 BTEC dance as my fourth a level which at the start I loved. However I just felt so out of place and it was so much stress. Obviously a levels are stress but it was unnecessary stress which was making me hate dance- something I NEVER want to do so I dropped the subject. I want to enjoy dancing and make it fun and it wasn’t like that anymore. It was so hard for me to do as I hate quitting, it’s not me. But one message I really want to express is quitting is okay if it’s affecting your mental health, do everything for yourself.

2.

Clean room: Okay so if my mum reads this she’ll be laughing right now thinking I’m very hypocritical. Hear me out, though my room has only been clean for a solid week and a half. It’s like a massive weight that’s been lifted from my shoulders. They say: tidy room, tidy mind and it couldn’t be more correct. A massive declutter is essential to make you feel less stressed and disorganised. However, don’t do what I used to do and just shove everything into draws- it comes back to haunt you! I’ve had a clear out of my wardrobe and plan to do my dressing table draws tonight- let me know if you would like a post on this because a decluttering post is actually something I’d really like to do.

3.

Music: I ADORE a good music playlist in the morning when I’m getting ready. As you’re reading this, make a playlist of your favourite feel good tunes. There is always an urge to put some slower ones on but don’t! Make this a separate playlist if you want but keep your morning one as positive as you can to get you ready for the day. Some of my favourites currently are ugly heart-GRL, Party in the USA- Miley Cyrus and Classic by MKTO. They’re some older ones but absolutely essential to get me in a good mood for the day!

4.

Buy a new razor, loofer, toothbrush, flannel etc: Something so simple but makes such a big difference. It’s the little things that can affect how you’re feeling. Also buying yourself new things doesn’t exactly mean new expensive makeup or clothes. You should swap your toothbrush every 3 months, I know I don’t do that but it’s actually really important for hygiene. I don’t even want to think about when I last got a new loofah, all the bacteria on it makes me feel a little ill

5.

The correct way to make to do lists: So for me, to do lists make the world go round. I don’t think I’d be able to get through the day without one, It helps me to remember everything I need to do and those tiny squares you need to tick really do motivate you to get going! My favourite way to do them is to actually buy a cute to do list booklet, I’m not completely sure where mine’s from but I know it was some place cheap like Wilko or Poundland, and it’s SO cute! The physical doing of writing your goals for the day is scientifically proven to motivate you more to achieve them. So you can write them on your phone if you want – but it’s not something I recommend, it’s way more satisfying to actually tick the box. Also, break your goals down. For example, a lot of my old to do lists would be:clean my room. And it wasn’t quite specific enough and if I’d spent ages cleaning my wardrobe but never got my desk done, I’d feel as if I’d failed for the day. So it’s best to break down your list into smaller categories like ‘clean desk’ ‘clean wardrobe’ to get more done in the day. Also, there’s nothing I stress more than putting fun aspects or less stressful tasks on your to do list. For example on mine I include:wash hair and shave. Sometimes even: put on a face mask. To do lists are great out if you’re not including self care, it can spiral into days of constant work. My final tip on to do lists is to categorise them into subs. I split my list into Urgent, semi important, and relaxed. That way I know to do all my urgent ones straight away and work down, because I used to always have a habit of doing the easy ones and not tackling the harder ones with deadlines!

6.

Go get your hair done!: This is one is pretty self explanatory, whether it’s going for a whole new cut and colour (which can be very refreshing and motivational) or just a cut and a wash, getting my hair done is one of my absolute luxuries and something I look forward to majorly when it’s just around the corner. Speaking of, I need to do exactly that very soon as it’s starting to be nearer to spring, and I love my blonde hair in the warmer months.

7.

Do some exercise: I know this is probably the most hated, and when I used to see things like this on YouTube and blogs I would ignore it but that’s why I’ve put it last. When you think of treating yourself you think of chocolate and a movie, and though that can be great, it’s not always the case. Getting a sweat on is the best self care you can give yourself, whether it’s dancing, running or just some simple stretches. The endorphins released make you extremely happy and the chemicals in sweat do your skin more wonder than any other cleanser or moisturiser ever could. Plus, getting blood pumping round your body and making yourself healthier, fitter and more toned can never be a bad thing right?

So they are my tips! I know a lot of these types of posts are usually read and ignored but I PROMISE you that these work an absolute miracle. Please give them a go, none of them are insanely big changes and don’t cost you an extreme amount of money (unless you do go for the whole new hairstyle) and have helped me dramatically, I swear once you do this you’ll never look back. If your mental health is deteriorating please never fret to talk to someone about it! I’ll leave links below for anyone struggling and my social media’s are always open to talk. Again I’m sorry for the hiatus and posts might be a bit wobbly for the next few weeks or so but I promise I’ll get back into a schedule when the chaos is over! Byee!

ATypicalLife

Q: What is one of your self care tips?

https://www.mind.org.uk

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk

https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/what-are-mental-health-problems/mental-health-help-you/other-useful-organisations -list of mental health and suicidal hotlines

5 tips to boost your blog and its views for beginners | ATypicalLife

Hey guys! It’s just a short post today but hopefully it’s extremely useful! So at the start of December, I had had my blog for four whole years, and that is crazy. However, there are so many things I wish I had done and known at the beginning to kickstart my blog a bit more. In the first year of blogging, I only had 10 followers by the end up of it. That’s why it amazes me so much to see you guys with 100s of followers when you first start! Recently, after 4 years I have hit 900 followers which I’m extremely grateful for. For the ones who aren’t blessed with getting so many followers straight away, I wanted to share a few tips that I learned over the four years that I’ve been blogging! Let’s get on with it!

1. GET YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY ON POINT – You have to include pictures. It brings way more people to your posts because of the obvious – it looks good and it attracts people. Since I’ve added pictures, I’m happy with the way my website looks and so is everybody else. My views have increased a lot because of it. If you can, choose a theme for your photos. I find it quite hard but if you had a common colour, it increases the aesthetics a lot. Photography is something that I love but I don’t have a lot of time for it outside of school so don’t worry- you don’t have to make your photos amazing or really complicated, just simple and pleasing to look at. Additionally, try to include something common in all your photos. For example, I include my title in all of my thumbnails with the same font and backing.
2. USE TAGS AND CATEGORIES ON YOUR POSTS-People need to be able to find your posts in able to read them. Tags are the ones that help people to find them, and categories let people know what the post is about before it is read. Try to use as many tags that relate to your post but don’t use ones that don’t relate to the post, people will get annoyed and most likely switch off or unfollow.
3. COMMUNICATE- Possibly the MOST important on here. Without this one, the rest of the tips don’t take as much of an effect. You have to build a community in your blog. If you expect followers and likes, you have to follow and like other people too. And i don’t mean just anyone, make sure you’re following the people you like and whose posts you’re attracted to or it won’t become enjoyable. Comment on their posts and they’re sure to check yours out too. Don’t be afraid to ask them to check out your blog if people aren’t looking at your page, sometimes a prompt is needed. Making friends is the best thing I’ve found about blogging, it increases your views but as most of you know, blogging isn’t just about the numbers and the happiness radiated from other people always makes one positive.
4. GET AN INSTAGRAM- These days, instagram is the biggest social media platform. Also, unless you have a blog yourself, not many people read blogs casually. Therefore, it’s a really good idea to attract new readers through your blog Instagram. Having your link in your bio receives more clicks than you would think and it attracts a whole new set of readers to your posts.
5. TRY TO MAKE UNIQUE POSTS BUT FOLLOW THE TREND- Im aware that contradicts itself but hear me out, try to make posts that aren’t done by every single blogger ever. Obviously if there’s some you really enjoy, keep doing them but don’t do some just for the sake of doing them. For example, if you need a post and can’t think of one, don’t just stick to a tag or something simple (unless it’s something you’ve always wanted to do). Your readers would rather see you miss a post or two than post something that only has half effort, they won’t read it. ONLY POST POSTS YOU ARE HAPPY WITH – YOUR VIEWERS WILL KNOW. Also, when I say follow the trend, we know Christmas advent posts are extremely popular and everyone is doing them throughout December, they will get you views. However, sticking to the unique aspect- there’s an idea that I’ve heard about called a reverse advent calendar where you give away items to charity. Keeping to the unique aspects but while going with the trends will get you a ridiculous amounts of views. That’s just one example, put a twist on any of your favourite trends.

So they are all of my tips! Obviously there are other things like post consistently, do collabs etc but I don’t really think they matter if you don’t have the others. I hope this has been really helpful as it’s what has helped me gain what I have throughout my blogging journey! Please let me know if these affect you!

Bye!

ATypicalLife x

My 2019 goals | Collab

Hi guys! So the new year is officially upon us and it’s time to start thinking about resolutions. I’m not going to lie- this year I have a lot. Some are ones that will take me a while to achieve whereas some are very quick and hopefully easy ones. I was very sceptical about making resolutions this year as they can be very bad for your mindset. Thinking about all the things you want to change about yourself is obviously not a positive thing but if you look at it with optimism and see them as positive changes, they are wonderful. Also, I try to set them as goals instead of resolutions because the world resolution has negative connotations. This post is a collab with the amazing IWasATeenagePolarBear- I’ll leave her link at the bottom. Make sure to check her post out too as we have some of the same resolutions!

As well as making resolutions for 2019, there was a lot of life lessons that 2018 taught me. One of the main ones I want to talk to you about is putting yourself first. I’m aware how cliche it is and I don’t know about you guys but once I’m in a situation, I feel a lot of pressure to stay there. When I started my 4 a levels. I told myself I would stick to 4 because I’m not one to quit things. However, one of my a levels was causing me extreme stress and though it meant letting people down, sometimes you have to be selfish and do what is best for you. Anyway, enough deep chats and onto my resolutions!

1. Drink more water : This is a very strange one because some weeks (especially when I’m at sixth form) I will drink ridiculous amounts of water and I’ll be really hydrated but other weeks I will not drink anything! I feel the benefits in myself when I’ve drink well but I just forget! So that’s definitely one of my goals for 2019
2. Eat healthier: 2018 was possibly the most up and down year for my eating habits. I put on a fair amount of weight and it affected my mental health quite a bit to the point where i would cry to my mum if an old outfit didn’t fit. I don’t want to set a goal to lose weight because quite honestly I don’t really care about numbers I just want to be healthy inside my body. Additionally within this I want to eat less meat. My best friend is a vegetarian and through her I’ve seen the benefits of eating meat less – for the body and the environment and obviously the animals. I don’t want to set a goal of being vegetarian as it’s something I want to do gradually but having a few days a week where I don’t eat meat is definitely a goal.
3. Blog more: A very obvious one for those of you who have followed me for a while. When I’m not at college, I post quite consistently if I do say so myself. However, I go to school and it just drops out of my head. So I NEED to post more. My blog feels like a place for me to completely offload so it’s something id love to do more next year.
4. Do the splits: So obviously a bit of a silly one but it’s something I’ve wanted to do for ages. As a dancer it’s something I really want to learn, and just increase my flexibility in general.
5. Travel more: Quite a hard one for me as I can’t afford to send myself or my family on holiday. However, if I could get abroad just once this year it would be amazing. I love seeing the world and travelling is something I want to do massively when I’m older. Backpacking and seeing different cultures appeals to me so much and I’m very jealous of everyone else who can do it. As I can’t go abroad frequently, I’d love to see more of the UK. Scotland is somewhere I’d really like to go. So is York and London.
6. Read more: I am a HUGE reader but throughout 2018 I haven’t had the biggest chance to read. I read for my English a level and though I have liked Othello and Jane Eyre etc. I want to read for my enjoyment. Goodreads do a challenge where you set a goal of the amount of books you want to read. Many people go for 100 but I think I might go for the 50 purely because of my lack of time at the moment and I don’t want to force myself to read. Obviously if I don’t hit 50 I won’t mind, it’s just a guideline.
7. Get a sleep schedule: Again, this is something I do really well with while I’m at school because I have to wake up early, but in the holidays like this week I will stay awake until 1am and wake up at 11am. I hate it when I do this because I’m so unproductive and I feel like I’ve wasted the day. I also feel groggy and very unrefreshed so it’s a habit I need to change.
8. Get a job: I NEED MONEY. Therefore I need a job. I used to have a job and since then I’ve had some on off chances but nothing serious. I feel bad scrounging off my parents to go out with all my friends who have jobs so I really need to start earning money somehow! Something like waitressing or working in a little shop would be perfect.
9. See my family more: This was one of my goals last year and I’m really ashamed to say I didn’t really accomplish it. I get too wrapped up in my own life and am very lazy. However, events of this year have made me appreciate the time I spend with my family and friends. This year I’m very motivated to see my extended family and treasure every moment I have with them.
10. Be more organised: Another recycled goal from last year. I’ve said before I’m not the worst at organisation, I get all of my work done and it’s always handed in on time. But, I’m always doing it last minute. I hope to do a bullet journal this year so I’ll have to update you on it!

So they’re all of my goals for 2019! Actually that’s a lie, i have a few more but honestly I don’t think I can make this post any longer. I’m aware 10 is a lot but by not setting number goals, even a small improvement in any is an accomplishment.

Thanks for reading and don’t forget to read IWasATeenagePolarBear’s post!

IWasATeenagerPolarBear’s post

Bye,

ATypicalLife x

Q:What’s one of your 2019 goals?

Q: What type of things would you lot like to see in a giveaway?

What I got for Christmas 2018 | ATypicalLife

Hey guys! Christmas is not-so-officially over. Most of the Christmas food has been eaten, the games have been played and the Christmas decs are.. still up. We don’t take our decs down until New Years Eve but Christmas lives on for another week so I am very very happy about that. But now Boxing Day has gone, Christmas has basically finished for me. However, that means: What I got for Christmas! I haven’t done a full one of these before but these year I was well and truly spoiled and wanted to show you all what I received!

Collabs and q&a questions needed

Hi guys! Just a quick post that will most likely be deleted soon. I’m looking to do some collabs, if interested just leave a comment below of your site and what type of collab you’d like to do.

Also, i’m looking to do a q&a in the new year so any questions please also leave them below. Thanks!

ATypicalLife x

Life update -Where have I been?! | ATypicalLife

P.s: im aware it’s not Tuesday but Tuesday ended up being Christmas Day

Hey guys! Long time no see, I’m genuinely sorry! I keep planning to get back into blogging and then quite honestly, i can’t be bothered. I feel like i sort of have some excuses though? Sort of being very key there. So the last time i properly blogged was summer 2017. It’s now nearly 2019. Oops. There were a couple of posts in October 2017 and June 2018 but nothing that I really kept up with. So I’m sort of just going to give you a little update really – I love reading these sort of posts and since I haven’t spoke to you at all in like six months. It’s probably a good idea.

Music I’m loving in June | ATypcalLife

Oh hi! Didn’t see you there! I’m just listening to a cheeky bit of Shawn Mendes: the album, which leads me right into this post! I think we can all agree that summer brings the best music, so I thought I’d share my favourite summer tunes with you. DISCALIMER: no I’m not a Shawn Mendes crazy fan- he’s just got some proper tunes out at the minute

My GCSE 9-1 experience and what grades I’m expecting | ATypicalLife

Hey guys! Well I bet you’re wondering where I’ve been, either that or you don’t care. But I’ve just finished year 11! So for the last 7 months or so I’ve been doing my GCSE’s and on Friday I finished high school. I feel a little bit old, a little bit nostalgic but mainly happy to have finished. So as most of you my age probably know, I had to deal with the new, very harsh GCSE’s graded 9-1 instead of A*-G. I thought I’d talk through every subject and how I’ve dealt with them in the new system so for anyone doing the new GCSE can know how to approach them! I’ll leave a translation below so you know what grade is what.

HULL FAIR?! | ATypicalLife

Hey guys! Oh my if only you all knew how much I’ve missed you. School has been so stressful and I haven’t had time to blog at all! However I did get a few good days within all these boring ones, I went to hull fair!

So if you live in Yorkshire you know what hull fair is. Every year us yorkshires look forward to it. The luscious hotdogs, the crunchy brandy snap, the sickly but amazing fruit cables, and then seeing it all up again after we’ve been on the waltzers about 9 times.