I’ve been hit pretty hard with the flu – full on body aches, shakes and cold sweats. So nothing remotely funny to report today. This is literally me posting and running today. Hope you’re all fairing better than me.
If you’re a blogger or business wanting to take part in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup:
Only link directly to the giveaway post/s and include the prize and end date in the linky tool below. Link each giveaway separately. If you need to delete it, hover over your link, wait until the red “x’’ appears and click.
Giveaways must be open to Australian residents.
Grab the button below to add to your post.
A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly.
Start entering the giveaways! Entry is at your own risk. We do not take responsibility for unfulfilled prizes or a blogger/business not abiding by their own terms and conditions.
This image is taken from The Advocate Newspaper. Read the full article here.
Matthew Woodberry was a 19 year old with the world at his feet. He had a promising career ahead as a boilermaker/welder and was on track to make Olympic selection in his chosen sport of track cycling. Nothing could touch him.
Then, on Boxing Day in 1999, driving along the highway with a mate, Matthew decided to see if his car could fly. And fly it did. At 200km/hour, his car veered out of control, hit a telegraph pole and rolled.
His head made contact with the ground, resulting in him losing near half of it. With substantial brain damage and a host of other serious injuries, Matthew was taken to Hobart hospital primarily as spare parts for someone else in need. He was not meant to live.
On Saturday night at the Rotary Devonport North changeover dinner, one of Rotary’s elite spoke about Matthew’s involvement in the RYDA program – Rotary Youth Driver Awareness. Through that program Matthew has now spoken to over 6000 high school students about his accident, the volume of gravel surgeons took from his head, the state of his car after the crash and the long rehabilitation process he still undertakes today. Some of the contents is graphic. And his story has brought seasoned school teaches to tears.
Matthew is also frank about the fact he was never meant to walk or talk again. Although, by all reports it’s often hard now to shut him up. And he’s finally made it back to the cycling track, going so far as to tie a hand and foot to the bike to make it possible.
After telling this story, and with Matthew by his side, the Rotarian began talking about the Paul Harris Fellow Award, Rotary’s highest accolade for individuals and one that isn’t given out lightly – especially not to non-Rotarians.
Tears began to fall from each of the faces that adorned the room as everyone realised Matthew was being honoured as a Paul Harris Fellow. While many in Matthew’s position hide away, not willing to share their experiences, Matthew regularly relives that horror day again and again. All for the sake of saving one young life; to stop one young driver taking a stupid risk on the road.
Knowing some of the things I did – stupid things – as a young driver, I wish I’d had a wake up call like this. I was one of the lucky ones. As a woman in my life keeps telling me: “my time wasn’t up”.
At the end of what was an incredibly moving speech, the Rotarian turned to Matthew and said: “Matthew, it’s been an honour knowing you”. To which Matthew quickly replied: “I’m not dying, you know”. While everyone else at the dinner was in hysterics, I’m sure his parents were quietly thinking: “Thank god”.
If you have a young person in your life who holds a license, I recommend getting them to attend a RYDA program. It may make them think twice next time they take to the road.
Thinking back to your own youth and the risks you took, what do you worry most about with your children getting older? Is it speeding, drugs and alcohol or something entirely different?
The Bloke in The Shed discovered Li’l Holly crying, with a sheepish-looking Ella nearby. The Bloke in The Shed: “Did you hurt her, Ella?’’ Ella: “No, she hit me first, then I hit her, then she hit me, so I hit her again.’’ Sisterly love. Got to love it.
After eating four mains and four desserts at the incredible The Hive Kitchen in the Crown Complex, Melbourne last Monday night I confessed to the chef: “I can’t eat all of that last one. I’m so sorry. I’m so full.’’ Then another dessert came out – and I couldn’t resist.
Both girls have been quite unwell with colds and high temperatures this week. At the height of Ella’s sickness, she asked: “Mum, could you please make me a `get well’ card?” How could I refuse?
Ella: “I’m going to be on stage when I’m 16 and I’m going to be a mum when I’m 77’’. There’s no point rushing these things, is there.
OK, time to start clicking to score yourself a win. What’s been the highlight of your week?
If you’re a blogger or business wanting to take part in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup:
Only link directly to the giveaway post/s and include the prize and end date in the linky tool below. Link each giveaway separately. If you need to delete it, hover over your link, wait until the red “x’’ appears and click.
Giveaways must be open to Australian residents.
Grab the button below to add to your post.
A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly.
Start entering the giveaways! Entry is at your own risk. We do not take responsibility for unfulfilled prizes or a blogger/business not abiding by their own terms and conditions.
If someone had told my 17-year-old self that one day I would be writing a book, I’d probably have gone red, cowered into a corner and felt generally embarrassed that someone was mocking me. Now, 18 years on, it doesn’t seem like such a bizarre concept. Here I am, finally living my dream.
Princess Ella and I regularly have the “when I’m a big girl…’’ talk. Mostly she talks about singing and dancing on stage. That’s all she wants to do. She’s highly disappointed she hasn’t been able to achieve that already in life – at the tender age of FOUR!
We stopped ballet lessons late last year. Although the elephant and giraffe dance live on, I assure you. We’re now on the hunt for some other form of dance for her, because there are only so many home concerts one mum can bear.
I’m going to compare myself to Katy Perry here. I know, don’t cringe. Just be thankful I didn’t marry Russell Brand or I could be telling a really creepy kinda story right now.
Katy’s new event movie, Katy Perry: Part of Me is a 3D backstage pass into the fun, heartbreaking, inspiring and crazy world she leads while on the road. You can only imagine, right? It includes these quotes:
“She was not an overnight success’’.
“People said she couldn’t do it.’’
“I think Katy is a dreamer.’’
And in Katy’s own words: “I feel a real connection to fairytales and I think in some ways I live in a fairytale’’.
These all ring true for me. If I’d listened to the naysayers, I wouldn’t have become a journalist. In a community where it was expected you’d work on a farm pulling calves out of the back end of cows or in a factory sorting out chips from potatoes, it was odd to say you wanted to write for a living. It wasn’t a realistic dream. And yet, a decade and a half in journalism and half a book later…
All I really want for Ella and Holly is to be happy and healthy. Whether they become singers, Zumba instructors or street sweepers is irrelevant. As long as they can jump out of bed each morning and love what it is they do. And if it helps look after their parents financially in their retirement, all the better. Just sayin’.
Sure, it won’t be a perfect red carpet ride – and I certainly haven’t had one – but passion and a positive attitude will help get you there. Katy has proven that. I have proven that.
Katy Perry: Part of Me, which is released in cinemas on July 2, is all about how Katy overcame obstacles to achieve her dreams. It’s a film I think young girls would take a lot from to show they can be whoever they want to be. Just make sure you’re happy with your version of YOU!
“You don’t have to feel, like a waste of space, you’re original, cannot be replaced’’.
Along with Paramount Pictures and Nuffnang, we’re offering five cinema passes to see Katy Perry: Part of Me in 3D. To go in the draw, simply answer the question:
Flying into Melbourne today for what will be a whirlwind trip this time. I haven’t seen The Bloke in The Shed for three days, but will get to see him for 10 minutes at the Melbourne airport when he boards the plane I’m disembarking. It’s been a crazy week here.
Ella preparing herself for motherhood. She was growling at Li’l Holly for something or other. I told her it wasn’t her job to growl at her sister. Her response: “But I’m just practising to be a mum. I’m getting really good at it’’.
I have had too much of the glass of wine I’m drinking and therefore am forfeiting coming up with three things this week!
OK, time to start clicking to score yourself a win. What’s been the highlight of your week?
If you’re a blogger or business wanting to take part in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup:
Only link directly to the giveaway post/s and include the prize and end date in the linky tool below. Link each giveaway separately. If you need to delete it, hover over your link, wait until the red “x’’ appears and click.
Giveaways must be open to Australian residents.
Grab the button below to add to your post.
A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly.
Start entering the giveaways! Entry is at your own risk. We do not take responsibility for unfulfilled prizes or a blogger/business not abiding by their own terms and conditions.
I was asked if I would be willing to show an example of a blogger to brand pitch letter. I thought about writing up a blank one to give you a bit of a guide.
However, to be honest, I nearly pulled my hair out 18 months ago trying to find something a little more concrete to help me. So, I’m giving you a REAL pitch letter that I send to brands – just taking out some names. I also modify this for PRs too, especially if there’s a particular brand they work with that I like. I’ve also found this pitch changes slightly every time I use it and is now so far removed from the original.
Basically, before I share the pitch,
The format is:
Introduce yourself and give them just a little background on who you are and what your blog is about. Don’t go overboard, but do “sell’’ yourself.
Tell them why you want to work with them – do you use their product, have you experienced their service before, did you hear about them via a friend, can you see how their product would help you or your readers?
Tell the brand what you want and what you’ll do for them in return. Give them an example of what you’ve done for other brands if you want to.
Blogger-brand collaborations need to be mutually beneficial – and don’t forget your readers! –Tweet this!
So, onto
My pitch letter:
Hi (insert the person’s name),
I’m a former Tasmanian journalist who started the mum blog Three Li’l Princesses. It’s a follow on from a successful long-running Mum’s the Word column in The Advocate newspaper, which reached 90,000 readers. The columns were last month launched into an eBook and promoted through The Advocate and the blog.
Three Li’l has also received national exposure through an interview with Australian Associated Press (AAP).
As part of the blog, we run the My Tasmanian Backyard series, which highlights family-friendly tourism experiences and services throughout the State (https://threelilprincesses.com/thepalace/my-tasmanian-backyard/). We have mentioned (your business) before, but not in great detail (include a link to that post). (Include a line about your history/connection with their business. Why you love them).
We’re putting together a My Tasmanian Backyard feature on (your area) and wondered if you were interested in being part of that?
We will write a post of 200-300 words with images and links to your site about our personal experience (with your business), all with our trademark humour. In return, we ask if you would be able to provide (whatever it is you want them to provide to help make the experience possible).
I have a strong and very engaged audience of brand savvy mums on the blog, as you’ll notice from the comments section – not to mention Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and Pinterest.
Here’s an example of what we did for (insert an example that will show them what you’re going to do for them). We’d be happy to discuss a giveaway as well, if you’re interested.
Let us know if this is a possibility and how we can go about organising it.
Take care Regards, Kellie
That’s it!
What do you think? Could you pitch a brand or PR for your blog? Or, if you have already, what sort of success have you had?
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