Lindsay Blair is a freelance editor, writer and content consultant with a focus on home design, interiors and lifestyle.
Follow Lindsay @lindsay__blair and check out her work and services at lindsayblair.co.uk. Subscribe to Lindsay’s newsletter, The Home I Made, at thehomeimade.substack.com
How did you get started in journalism and what titles have you written for over the years?
I knew I wanted to be a journalist from quite a young age. I remember speaking to a careers advisor when they did the rounds at my secondary school and they told me to try and get first-hand experience with local newspapers and magazines to see if it was really something I would enjoy. I spent some of the school holidays at the Evening Chronicle in Newcastle and very nervously did vox pops in the city centre and helped the reporters there write up small stories. I remember the newsroom felt massive and very daunting but doing things like that really set me up to carry on finding different placements through sixth form and then when I did my Journalism degree. I did stints on other local papers, an arts and theatre magazine, various websites, S Magazine and worked on the student newspaper. I loved it – there’s nothing quite like seeing your work in print with your name next to it. Fast forward a few years (!), I’ve been the editor of Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine where I launched its sister website thesethreerooms.com and hosted the How To Buy A Kitchen Or Bathroom podcast, and I write for titles including The Times & The Sunday Times and Real Homes, as well as for businesses in the homes and interiors space.
Why did you become a journalist?
I watched How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days and thought working for a magazine looked like great fun. True story.
What career highlight stands out to date? It could be someone you’ve met, a trip you’ve got to go on or a piece you’ve filed you’re particularly proud of!
I’m really proud of becoming the editor of Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine. I’d worked at the brand for six months as features editor and was promoted to editor, my first time in this role. It was a learning curve and I got to experience so many new and different things. I loved redesigning the brand and putting a new stamp on it.
What advice or tips would you give someone wanting to start out in the industry?
Don’t be shy. Get lots of varied experience and push yourself out of your comfort zone.
What is a typical day for you as a journalist?
This is probably the most typical answer, but there really isn’t a typical day. As a freelancer, my days are never really the same as I work with different brands with different audiences and tones of voice so I’m often switching my ‘hats’ from one project to another. I love that my job is varied – it’s what keeps me motivated.
How do you think journalism has changed over the years?
When I did my degree, you had to choose whether to specialise in print or multimedia. I think that says it all. I chose print but since then being a journalist encompasses so much more than that, from online content to social media, video, podcasts and lots more. Nowadays, digital media is the powerhouse, but I’ll always have a soft spot for print.
What do you expect for the future of print and journalism?
Brands with great heritage and those that invest in creating high-quality content will stand the test of time, in my opinion. I hope there will always be a place for print products that stand by their values and give their audiences what they want and need.
What do you think makes a good story?
I love a real renovation tale with quirky details and a fun or interesting background. It’s often the homeowners’ fearlessness to totally be themselves in their choices that makes a story stand out. I find them particularly inspiring.
What do you think makes a great PR agency?
Quick response times, access to great imagery and having lots of information readily available. I always say don’t be afraid to ‘bombard’ my inbox because I’d rather hear about new launches, news and updates, or simply a hello, rather than radio silence. Journalists and editors get so many emails so staying on their radar with regular contact is invaluable, even if you don’t always get a reply. When I’m researching, I often scour my inbox for ideas and file good emails for later, even if they’re not immediately of use.
What are your dos and don’ts for PRs?
Do be present. Don’t be shy!
What has been your favourite press trip/press event?
I was lucky enough to be invited to an awards event at Gleneagles in Scotland a few years ago. It was a fantastic experience in beautiful surroundings and even the long train ride from London to Edinburgh was great fun and very scenic, although I think being treated to first class seats certainly helped! The coastal views in between Newcastle and Edinburgh are stunning and something I often tell people about, whether they’re off to a fancy hotel or not.
What makes a brand/product stand out for you?
Imagery is so important and as the saying goes, can speak a thousand words. An interesting backstory of heritage or why a brand was founded or product was launched is always good too and the ones with a personal touch often stick in my mind most.
If you weren’t a journalist what alternative career would you have chosen?
My plan B has always been to train as a midwife.
Is there a big story you wish you could have written/broken?
So many! I wish I had the guts to be an investigative journalist. I really admire reporters who get out there and do amazingly brave things to get to the heart of a story. Rather than break these myself, I watch lots of investigative documentaries and I also love the podcast The Tip Off which delves into how stories were broken – totally fascinating.
