DIARY directory recently caught up with Liv Purvis from fashion, travel and beauty blog What Olivia Did. An early member of the blogging community, Liv started blogging in 2010 and her blog has grown into an outlet for everything from personal style, travel, food, music and beauty - as well as interviews with inspiring women that she admires and looks up to. She's worked with a number of big brands including YSL and Kate Spade, and has won several blogging awards including; Best New Fashion Blog at Cosmopolitan Blog Awards 2011, Best Established Fashion Blog at Cosmopolitan Blogging Awards 2013, Best Designed Blog at Company Style Blog Awards 2014 and was a Best YouTuber nominee at the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards 2017

UK Fashion, Beauty & Travel blogger & YouTuber

Worked with YSL, Kate Spade, Liz Earle, Gap & Estée Lauder

Cosmopolitan Blogging Awards winner 

Listed in DIARY directory in the digital influencers subsection, along with 1500+ categorised influencers for PRs to work with, Liv discusses the changes in the industry, unsolicited gifting from PR's and the Instagram spam bot furore.

How did you get into blogging?

I first got into blogging after starting a blog during my A Levels - I was studying photography, interning and started it almost as an online portfolio (that and it was one of the only websites that worked on the school computers)...! My best friend introduced me to blogs though, as she knew of someone local who had a cool fashion blog, and that's where it all began.

How has the industry changed since you first start?

Oh one hundred percent it has. When I first started blogging I didn't know it could be anything more than a hobby, and at the time I really didn't think it could. I remember being first invited to a press day about six years ago and not being able to go and thinking it was going to be the end of the world and that I'd never be invited to anything again.

What’s been the highlight of your blogging career so far?

I feel very lucky to have had a handful of amazing highlights. Being able to travel to some of the most incredible places across the world, in the name of work, is amazing. Last year was a bit of a whirlwind as I got to go to Kenya, Australia and New York - I still can't believe it! I also feel incredibly lucky to have been able to meet some amazing women I'm now lucky enough to call my friends, which feels like a huge highlight.

Do you think it’s important for bloggers to be on YouTube now too? Will it ever replace traditional blogs?

I feel quite divided on this really. Initially, I thought it was but I do think it's so important to nurture your own platform and not feel the pressure to do it all. My blog will always be my baby and the thing I take the most pride in (despite doing YouTube too) and I'm totally happy for it to stay that way.

Instagram has obviously grown hugely these last few years (to the point where there are Instagram-only influencers!), do you feel pressure to curate a feed on Instagram?

Sometimes. I've become a lot less worried about things looking perfect on Instagram, as I know as a user how unrelatable it can sometimes feel. I do like to try and see how things will look, but I'm definitely not governed by the grid, although I probably should be a little more strategic with it!

Which social media channels do you use the most?

I absolutely LOVE Twitter (contrary to what most people say) and do like Instagram the majority of the time.

Surrounding the furore recently surrounding influencers using bots & buying followers how do you see the industry moving on?

Oh god don't start me. I think it's integral that there is more awareness of the usage of bots, and the people using them because the majority of people have spent years growing their engagement and following organically, so it can become really demotivating to see it happen. I'd like to think since then people are more aware and savvy about the kind of things they're looking out for, and I definitely think it can help the industry move forward (providing it's not done in a name calling situation, which never does any good).

What do you think PR’s can do to be more aware of the 'fake follower' situation?

I suppose just do a little bit more research. I've never worked on the PR side of things so don't want to assume that people aren't aware, but I think having your eyes open to the warning signs, and not solely looking at large numbers is key - and just being open more authentic creative content over figures.

What are your PR pet peeves?

There's nothing off the top of my head. PR's probably having more peeves about me (and my slow emailing) haha!

"I think it's integral that there is more awareness of the

usage of bots, and the people using them"

Which brands are you loving right now?

Oh so many! I'm a real high street girl through and through, so love Mango at the moment, as well as Urban Outfitters and Topshop and Finery. Designer wise I love Staud SO much, as well as Sophie Hulme's rainbow bags, Mansur Gavriel and Alexa Chung's new collection. I think I probably got a bit excited there!

You get gifted frequently, how do you chose what to talk about and post? How do you feel about unsolicited gifting?

It usually solely boils down to whether I genuinely like a product, and whether or not it's something I'd repurchase again and would be happy to spend my own money on. In terms of unsolicited gifting, I think it's very generous (naturally) but often would rather a heads up, as if things are too busy I don't like things to go to waste when they could be at a better home.

What have been your favourite collaborations to-date?

Anything that means I can get a bit creative! I loved working with Topshop and Kate Spade, and did a project with Lenovo which was so fun as it felt a bit like a school art project, which was nice to relive!

What catches your eye in a press release?

Probably imagery! I'm a bit lazy...

Do you have any outside help with your blog and do you have management?

I have management, yup! I also have a hand with photos from my boyfriend (without being a parody of myself) and my friend Rosie helps edit my YouTube videos too as at the moment I'm currently uploading 4/5 posts a week with a video, so things can get a little hectic, so it's nice to have someone help bring ideas to life after filming and coming up with concepts.

Where do you see your career going in the future? Is there an area you would like to break into?

I wish I could say! I'm currently doing a blog redesign which will hopefully really show off archived content better and make things a little more hub like. There's lots of fields I'd love to stretch in to but never like to get ahead of myself!

Your boyfriend is in the industry too, did you inspire him to start? Would it be harder if he wasn’t?

You'll have to ask him! I know it would definitely be harder though, and I do feel incredibly fortunate that I do have him to work with. He's incredibly patient and is amazing at what he does.