Welcome Christine | Adventure, Baby!

Why hello there!

Today I welcome another Aussie blogger to share a bit about her family and insights to the blogging world. Christine Knight from Adventure, Baby! is a professional writer based in Sydney and her blog encourages us all to "turn every moment into an adventure!".

Thank you Christine for taking the time to answer my questions. 

Christine and her daughter Cheese

1. You have such an impressive writing career – DOLLY magazine, Google, Huffington Post, Mommy Nearest just to name a few; what has been your career highlight?

I’ve had a few that stand out. The first time I saw my name was in print for an article I wrote (it was for Juice magazine), my amazing 6 years at Google, where I learned so much about the digital space, and recently when  I had an article I wrote for MommyNearest.com get picked up by the Huffington Post and go viral. It had something like 150K shares, and was a real confidence builder to have written something that so many people felt they could relate to.

2. If I was only in Sydney for one day – what would be your number one pick of child friendly venues?

The Grounds of Alexandria is my absolute favourite. It’s crazy busy, but the food is so good, and there is so much to see and do that kids don’t want to leave. The little play area is fun (and gated!) and the animals (including the famous pig, Kevin Bacon), are happy to be patted. It’s a wonderful experience for everyone.

3. You’re always out and about at fantastic restaurants and cafes! (I love your IG account by the way) What’s your favourite food?

Savoury: Cheese. I’m liable to eat a whole block in one sitting if I’m not restrained.
Sweet: Gelato from Gelato Messina. I’m addicted and go at least once a week. I love their chocolate chip and salted caramel best, but their specials are amazing as well.

4. I’ve never been to New York. It must have been an amazing place to live and raise your child. You say it was challenging, yet built you into the happy and confident person you are today. Could you give us Aussies an insight into a day in the life of a toddler in New York City?

We lived in south Brooklyn, and a typical day would start with be a stroll down Trader Joe’s, with my big stroller for carrying back the groceries. We might stop by my favourite bagel shop for a bag of plain or blueberry bagels, or pick up clothes from the alterationists, etc. Everywhere we went was on foot, so I got plenty of exercise without even trying. After running errands in the morning, we’d go home for lunch and a nap.

In the afternoon we would regularly stroll down to the DUMBO foreshore and meet friends at the playground there, or take a spin on the beautiful Jane’s Carousel which sits right on the waterfront. I’d admire the view of Manhattan across the river and pinch myself that I really lived there. If it was summer, we’d stroll home through Brooklyn Bridge Park and grab an ice cream from Ample Hills Creamery.

5. Any plans to visit South Australia in the near future? I’d be happy to give you some tips on places to visit.

Yes, absolutely! I want to take a trip down to Melbourne, Adelaide and Kangaroo Island. We have a huge overseas trip this June, so it won’t be this year sadly.

6. I see your little girl ‘Cheese’ loves her ballet lessons at the moment. What is her favourite activity/art/toy of the moment? Would you mind including a photo?

Cheese is a real performer. She loves dancing, at any time of the day, and also singing. She’s got a great memory for songs and she’s starting to learn dance sequences, too. She’s got so much passion in her little performances, it’s a joy to watch her.

Cheese enjoying her ballet lesson

7. I loved your recent post ‘How I do it – Blog Monetisation’ and it was just what I needed to read at the moment as I’m about to embark on this next step. What’s a good starting place for a small blog? Affiliate links, side bar advertising, develop a media kit?

Thank you, and I’d say a media kit! Absolutely the first step so potential advertisers, sponsors or partners can learn about what you and your blog can offer. A media kit is essential if you want to work with brands or businesses, even if you don’t intend to make money from your blog.

While developing your media kit, do a “rate card” too, that has your advertising options, and make sure it’s easy for people to contact you. A “work with me” tab lets potential advertisers know that you invite their business, with a contact address for them to request your advertising information and media kit.

8. How can an ordinary mummy/teacher blogger like me improve my writing? I think I’ve found my blogging voice and tend to just let the words spill onto the keyboard, rather than scrutinising every word and comma (like when I’m writing school reports for example) ☺

Find a mentor who is an experienced writer or editor to give you feedback on a few of your articles. Another perspective will help you see where you can improve your writing, from basic things like grammar and punctuation, to things like tone, consistency of voice, areas where you need to expand the text, and areas where you need to be more economical with your word choices. You could do a mutual article swap with another blogger, too, so you’re helping each other improve.

9. Favourite social media platform and any tips to optimize it?

Instagram. I love images. I think the key to gaining an engaged following is consistency. Posting every day, one to three times on average, and keep the types of images consistent too. Think of your social media feed as a blog and your followers as readers. They “liked” or “followed” you because they liked what they saw, so keep posting similarly to keep them interested. Network to gain more followers. On Instagram, look up other IGers in your niche and comment on their photos and get to know them. It’s a good way to grow your following.

10. Favourite quote you’d care to share?

made with wordswag app

I have to remind myself of this pretty much daily. It’s far too easy to look at people who have bigger followings or are getting bigger sponsors and be envious. The way to happiness is to be grateful for what you’ve got.

Christine with her husband Alec and daughter.

Thank you so much Christine for sharing your words of wisdom. 

Christine Knight is a writer, editor and marketing strategist. Her blog, Adventure, Baby!, is a guide to navigating the world and parenthood. Follow her travel, food and parenting mishaps over Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.

Read my previous interviews in the series here.