We’re delighted to launch our new Q&A series with Mothers and Shakers founding mama Uju Asika, who is a Nigerian-born, British-raised blogger, screenwriter and author-in-progress. Uju is ‘Babe-in-chief’ of popular London blog, Babes about Town, and ‘boy wrangler’ to two cheeky lads about London (three, if you count her husband). Read on to find out why blogging has been a gamechanger for her.
How Blogging Changed My Life with Uju of Babes about Town
What is your blog about and when did you launch it?
I launched Babes about Town in 2010, just before my youngest turned one. I’m one of the original British mummy bloggers, we like to call ourselves the ‘grandmas’ of the internet! Blogging was quite rough and ready then and it’s been exciting to see it evolve over the years. Babes about Town connects cool, likeminded parents with fun things to do (stuff that’s fun for grownups, not just kids). I publish a weekend guide of things to do in London, as well as writing about family travel (local and abroad), lifestyle and foodie spots. I’m a big fan of food.
Why did you decide to start blogging?
When I had my first child, I’d just moved back to London after living in Lagos, and previously in New York. My personal network felt scattered, I didn’t have family nearby or friends who had kids. I was clueless about what I could do and where I could go with a baby in tow. So I had the idea to create a city guide to help parents like myself navigate those early years. Then I sat on the idea until 4 years later when I just decided to go for it.
Did you have a clear plan or were you just winging it?
Definitely winging it. My background was in journalism and I’d worked as an online editor in New York. But there was so much I didn’t understand about blogging, from the importance of SEO (you should see my early blog post titles), to being part of the blogging community. There was tons of trial and error, but I think that’s one of the best things about blogging. Your blog can be a platform and a launch pad, but it’s also a canvas and a scratch pad. A place to test things out, work out who you really are and where you want to go. Blogging is a wonderful tool for growth.
When did you realise your blog might be bigger than you’d anticipated?
I remember feeling amused/flattered when I got an invitation to my first PR event. I’d only been blogging for a month and was surprised anybody was taking me seriously! Several months later, I was guesting on BBC London radio, talking about hot parenting issues. Maybe my proudest moment was when a fan came up to me at Southbank Centre in 2010 (she recognised the boys). She told me my blog had changed her life! Since then, I’ve had a number of encounters with readers out and about. It’s humbling to remember that you’re not just chatting to yourself behind a screen. Your words have the power to inspire and influence real, flesh and blood people.
How has blogging changed your life?
Blogging has changed my life in so many ways. My kids have grown up with my blog so Babes about Town is like another member of the family! I’ve experienced so many ‘firsts’ thanks to blogging — from camping at festivals to my first trip to Italy. I launched Mothers and Shakers with a group of amazing women whom I’d never have known if it wasn’t for blogging.
On a personal note, blogging helped me find my voice again after having babies. Blogging regularly has given me the confidence to keep stretching myself as a writer. I transitioned from cultural journalism into screenwriting and script editing (for some of Africa’s biggest TV shows). Right now, I’m working on a novel draft and a non-fiction book. I might have some exciting announcements to make soon, so bookmark this space!
What’s the best thing blogging has given you?
Friendships, without question. There can be a lot of weirdness and side-eye and general bitchiness in some areas, but it’s easy to avoid if you stay true to yourself and stick with the right people. I love having a girl gang of fun, fierce creatives who ‘get’ what I do. Aside from that, the best thing is making an impact and some extra income doing pretty cool shit. Oh, and winning an all-inclusive holiday to Antigua via a Brit Mums contest. That was rather spectacular.
What do you think is the future of blogging?
If only I had a crystal ball… Some people like to bang on about how blogging is dead, but we are fully pro-blogging at Mothers and Shakers. That’s why we run workshops and we’re creating courses to get more people blogging like they mean it. It’s a very exciting time to be an independent content creator, especially if you keep up with trends in other niches and overseas.
Sure, the industry feels saturated sometimes. But I see blogs making a comeback, as people get fed up of social media algorithms. As a reader, I still enjoy longer-form content and I get so much value out of my favourite blogs. I don’t think it’s necessarily an either/or thing though. I love following creatives on Instagram too. It’s like slow food versus snacking. There’s room for both.
Thinking about starting a blog? Check out our brand new beginners’ course – Launch Your Blog in 30 Days!
Follow Uju @BabesaboutTown on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and keep up with her adventures at babesabouttown.com
Honest Mum says
This post is everything girl, and Uju, you are my original blogging bestie, the first friend I made thanks to this glorious sometimes bitchy af online world. Love you forever and love your amazing analogy re snacking/ full course meal. Give me 7 courses please every time! So excited for all that is to come for you, and so incredibly proud of everything you’ve achieved, you’ve touched my heart, and changed my own life with your words, love and friendship, and I’m getting tearful just writing this comment (yes, I’m a softie but I mean it). You and the girls are the greatest gift blogging has brought me.
Big fat Greek love, always xxx
Uju says
You big fat Greek softie Vicki, love you and your high-energy, always giving personality. Pretty sure all we did was laugh and talk about food when we first met and proud to say that nothing’s changed over the years lol. You are a huge inspiration and frankly what you’ve achieved as a superstar blogger blows my mind. Big love to you, the OG mother and shaker x
Nomita | your DIY family says
Loved reading this. I feel honoured to not only work with you but to call you a friend. We’ve shared loads of ups and downs with MaSH but it’s been a great ride and I wouldn’t have it any other way. We’ve laughed loads (should I mention the J word?!!) and can’t wait to grow MaSH with you even more. Truly the best thing blogging has brought me is friendships like you and the other wonderful girls xx
Uju says
Haha Nomita don’t crack me up with the J-word, I can’t stop giggling! MaSh has truly been a journey and I can’t wait to see where it takes us next. So many plans in the work, let’s keep shaking it up x
Mirka Moore @Fitness4Mamas says
Loved reading this, my lovely friend. It’s been wonderful knowing you all these years, and love the expression “blogging grandmas”. Being part of MASH is definitely one of my blogging highlights xxx
Uju says
Thanks darling Mirka, it’s been fab getting to know you and work with you too. We might be the blogging grandmas but we look damn fine with our ‘elderly’ status lol! x
China says
Where some of the cast of BRAVO’s all-women shows may call each other “PALM trees” for the shade they dish against each other, you instead are a BALM tree…one, because it sounds a lot like you’re “da bomb,” which is true, you are, and two because you are a balm…you dish light unto the world. Love it all!
Uju says
Haha I love it, a balm tree 🙂 I’ll take that for sure. Thanks for the love and support x