No longer for hire | New blog direction

Last week I started my new job as a Digital Copywriter for a marketing agency in Bolton. I genuinely can't believe how lucky I am to have been offered the job. All the panic of 'what am I going to do after uni' seems to have subsided and now I'm focussed on starting a real life for myself in Manchester.

After putting an deposit down on a new flat I started to question what my next move should be. I'm constantly working towards a goal and now I feel like I'm floating in limbo! Of course, I do feel blessed to be in this position, but it's definitely a lifestyle change!

This big change also means the content on this blog will no longer be about my time at uni. I intend on keeping this blog alive - I really do! So I'm putting together a lil plan. Due to the fact all of my followers are fashion&beauty bloggers, I'm going to post marketing content with you guys in mind.

You can expect tips on SEO, content, social media and everything in between! 

"So basically, your project is just about women moaning."

This response is exactly why my FMP will focus on women's rights campaigns. I've always had an interest in both campaign journalism and feminism, so it would only be fitting to let my passion drive my final degree project. It's just a shame some of my friends evidently do not share my outlook!

Whilst pitching my ideas to my tutor, I realised the potential my project has. Not only does it lead itself to various mediums, there are some great opportunities to try something completely different in terms of online journalism. I just hope I do the subject justice.

My initial plan entails: 
Reclaim the Night - video project
International Women's Day - marathon live blogging with OnLocation
Does the UK need Femen? - feature on extreme feminism in the UK
No more page 3 - campaign coverage
Rape Culture - Mini doc, potentially historical
What makes me a woman? - My own campaign working with transwomen.

I have left four spaces for potential breaking news and surplus work. Hopefully some of these stories will catch your eye as I will be using my blog to heavily promote my work, amongst other things.

A lot of thought has gone into this. I knew I wanted to focus on some form of feminism/women's issues, but I just had to find the right title. Although this is a very stressful time for any student, I am so blessed to have a topic that I can get excited about.

(Image: NQ street art by MOZE)

A little bit of everything

This week I started as the Cosmo On Campus campaign manager for Salford. It's a great honour to represent such a respectable magazine, especially considering I've been a long-term reader! I'm really going all in on this project. Despite the recent weather conditions, I'm not put off about the idea of hand to hand distribution. It's going to be really nice getting out on campus and having the opportunity to have a natter with fellow students!

I've also got some good news regarding Allié! We've had a huge increase in traffic to the website and have smashed our monthly target. I've very proud of all the writers and the effort they've put in! Admittedly I've become rather obsessed with Google Analytics Real Time.

University is also keeping me busy. Anyone who follows me on twitter will know that for my last Print Journalism project I chose to write a news feature on the sex industry in my home town. This was a huge task. Despite the risqué subject, I found many interviewees were willing to talk about their career choices. Whilst I had a great response from the workers, I struggled getting comment from official bodies. I had been very worried about how this let my piece down. However, I got my grades back yesterday and can proudly say I finished the module on a 2:1 grade!

Out with the old, in with the new

Just a quick little update!

Moving out

Moving in

I'm in the process of moving at the moment! I moved out of my flat in Salford and I'm staying back home in Blackpool for a few weeks before moving to my new place near Eccles! I have new flat mates so expect some new adventures as I get used to living with my new fellow journos Jodie and Amy.

I've got a lot of spare time over the summer and I'm already going insane. There is only so much daytime TV I can take! I've been applying for some work exp everywhere I possibly can and will let you know when I hear back :)!

I've not been completely idle though! I blogged on Bon Vivant Clique about the idea of western beauty (Click here to read). I'm looking to get some opinions flowing from you all so get reading! There will also be some follow up posts because it's such a broad subject and it's something I feel needs to be discussed.

I've also been brushing up on my Indesign skills. I'm still following the magazine dream even though I've been exploring other avenues such as radio and online, I think feature writing for magazines will always be at the forefront of my aspirations!

So that's about it for now!

What have you all been up to? Holidays, awaiting results, festivals, or just trying to enjoy this sad excuse of a British summer?