My Blogging Essentials ft. Askborg

I have been blogging for almost five years, my little blog is five May and yes, there will be a big blog birthday giveaway to celebrate! Over that time, I have learnt so much not just about blogging and writing but photography, SEO, networking and emailing with PRs and having to know new terms (keywords, domain authority, page authority and the guidelines associated with blogging were all new to me) as well as trying out so many products that I might not have if I didn't have a blog.

I've come to the conclusion that there are some blogging essentials that I need on a daily basis as well as items that make blogging that bit easier (as it definitely isn't!). I think the items I've mentioned will be a perfect starter kit (remember those old days of Youtube when makeup starter kit videos were a thing?) for new bloggers.

Charging Cable 

Ok, this first one is pretty basic and it is an item that everyone with an iPhone or iPad needs - a good and reliable charging cable. I have gone through so many official apple and...*cough* not so official 'apple' charging cables and every single one breaks on me within a few months but this one feels so durable. Mine always break at the ends because of the wire twisting but this *Askborg ChargeTube with Lightening Connector (£9.99) is made of braided nylon and the ends feel really stiff so they won't twist and break. I've been using this charging cable for the past couple of weeks and it's perfect; it's one of those basic items that you just need and it works so well.

iMac/iPhone

Another pretty basic item but both are so essential for me, my iMac which I blog and edit photos on and my iPhone where all of the social media promoting, editing and scrolling happens, far too much scrolling. My iMac is just perfect for blogging because of the massive screen, easy to use apps and it's super reliable as we've had this one for about eight or nine years.

Back in the old days of the Nokia 3510 and the wonder that is Snake, I never really used my phone and I'm known by my friends and family for never answering or having my phone on me but all of that changed when I received my iPhone 5C as a present a couple of years ago and now I can't be without it. I use the various photo editing and social media apps on my iPhone and I use it to take part in the #lbloggers (7pm on Wed/Sun), #bbloggers (8pm on Wed/Sun) and #TheGirlGang (6pm on Mon) chats on Twitter.

Blog Props

There's one aspect of blogging that I'm always trying to improve and that is my photography. I am never 100% happy with my photos, don't get me wrong some are gorgeous (if I do say so myself) but I always want to make them look better. One thing I never used in the first couple of years of blogging were props but now I always use them. My favourite blog photo props including: books, blankets, towels/fluffy jumpers, candles, fairylights and of course flowers. I like props that looks right with the products, I've seen some photos with props that look odd with the product but I think you can never go wrong with fluffy blankets, candles , fairylights or flowers.

Canon 750D

Cameras for blogging have been the topic of numerous blogger debates and chats and here's my view of it: you need a descent camera to get the best photos you can and also to progress, develop and work with brands, in my opinion. I can't imagine using my iPhone for my blog photos! I bought my Canon 750D last year with money I'd earned just from blogging which was a fantastic milestone for me and I now couldn't live without - it's by far the best camera I've ever used. Before I had the Sony DSc H200, the Nikon L110  and the Nikon L120, which are pretty good and I'd recommend them all but I adore my Canon 750D! Just look at my photos now compared to two years or even three years ago to see the massive difference in quality, sharpness and clarity.

Notebooks

Another basic, inexpensive and definitely essential item, notebooks and stationery! I have far too many notebooks but I do use them constantly along with memo pads and to do lists that I use to keep track of items I'm expecting in the post, tasks that I have to do and notes, blog ideas or recipes. I always have at least two notebooks/pads on the go!

Storage

The penultimate essential is one that isn't really discussed or thought of but it's so important! I use various storage boxes, drawers and crates to store blogging items - I have drawers next to my desk for general office/iMac items, stationery, blog prizes (yes, I do have a blog prize drawer) and for items that I need to post about in the next week. I also have a box filled with items I need to photograph which helps me to stay organised, especially around christmas when I'm lucky enough to receive small mountains of products and gifts. Additionally I have a canvas bag that I use for cardboard and paper recycling which is one of the many unglamorous aspects of blogging. SO. MUCH. RECYCLING.

Numbers/Excel 

Last but not least, another organising tool that has been helping me organise my blogging schedule - Numbers which is the Apple/iMac version of Excel. Spreadsheets are so useful to plan out and organise blog posts; I usually plan a month or so ahead and it lets me see if I have space to post about new products or if my schedule is too full.

What are your blogging essentials? Do you use any of the products that I do?