Every week we bring you a featured blogger who inspires us. This week we’re so excited to share with you Ashley of A Lady Goes West! Though her blog, Ashley has been named one of the “Top 20 Blogs based in the San Francisco Bay Area” by TripAdvisor’s FlipKey, featured on POPSUGAR as a writer, as well as a POPSUGAR “Blogger of the Week,” and is part of several influential networks, including POPSUGAR Select Fitness, FitFluential Ambassadors, SweatPink Ambassadors, IDEA Inspired Bloggers, as well as BlogHer Publishing. Read more about Ashley here.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
Hi! I’m a writer, fitness professional and the writer of A Lady Goes West, a healthy-living blog about my adventures living in the San Francisco Bay Area.
What 3 words would you use to describe yourself?
Fun. Charismatic. Friendly.
What Profession other than yours would you love to attempt?
I’d love to be a performer on Broadway!
What is your favorite quote?
“Work hard and be nice!” — (That’s from me!)
What inspired your blog?
Shortly after getting married, my husband and I moved from Florida to San Francisco. I started my blog to stay in touch with my friends and family back home, and eventually I started writing much more about fitness and wellness, until the blog became my business.
What is your favorite social media platform and why?
I definitely enjoy Instagram the most. I love the quick and visual aspect of it.
Where do you find inspiration for blog posts?
I get inspiration for posts every single day. Whether it’s from a question asked to me by a reader through email, or throughout interactions with members in my group fitness classes, ideas come to me all the time.
What do you think it is about your blog that keeps people coming back for more?
On my blog, I talk a little bit about my life as well as offer fitness tips for people to apply to their own lives, so I’m sure to open up and share some personal information along with the other content. People always comment that they love the fact that I keep it real with them and do more than just preach about healthy living.
How does a brand get your attention for a feature?
I love it when a brand representative reaches out to me and has clearly read my blog and mentions something that I’ve written about. It’s even better when a brand representative tells me how their particular product would fit in my life or in my regular blog features. Love that! Reaching out to me on Instagram or Facebook is great too.
What do you love most about blogging?
While I love to write and create content, perhaps the best part about blogging for me is the relationships I’ve made with readers and fellow bloggers. It’s all about the people behind the computers!
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Writing, teaching group fitness and loving life!
In your opinion, what separates a great blog from an unsuccessful blog?
A great blog has a clean design, an authentic voice, colorful pictures and a consistent theme for topics. I love to see simple aesthetics and learn from the person writing the post, as well as get a look into their real life. It’s also important to have a regular posting schedule to keep your readers entertained. Even if it’s once a week, let your readers know when they can expect a new post.
