LivingWithKids is a blog-style website aimed at subscribers of the KidStart website. This week, FeaturesExec caught up with editor Liz Jarvis, who is also a freelance journalist. We discussed the site, how PRs can be helpful to her and what she’d do if she had a day off to relax.
About the publication:
Tell us a bit about LivingWithKids:
LivingwithKids is a blog-based site aimed at the registered users of earn-as-you-shop site KidStart, and non registered users as well.
How do you differ from other media outlets in your sector?
We’re aimed primarily at parents of babies, pre-schoolers, schoolchildren and teens.
Describe a typical reader for us:
A busy mum who wants to know about the best holidays, shopping offers, entertainment, beauty products, clothes, books and toys for her family.
How do you decide the content and headlines?
Everything we cover has to be relevant to the users/potential users.
How does the editorial process run? Do you have specific days when you focus on different aspects or is the planning on a much more ad-hoc basis?
Because it’s a website, I try to make sure everything is as topical as possible. So if there’s a big story in the news that’s relevant to parents I’ll cover it, and if there’s a special event coming up e.g Father’s Day, I’ll cover that.
Do you produce a features list?
No, we don’t.
About PRs:
Do you work closely with PRs?
Yes.
What information/input from PRs is most useful to you?
Press releases, press trip suggestions, Competition prizes, days out suggestions, entertainment suggestions, book review suggestions, Tried and Tested suggestions, recipes.
What’s the best starting point for a PR who wants to tell you about their client?
Send me an email to editor@kidstart.co.uk
Do you have a PR pet hate?
PRs who don’t bother to look at the site before they contact you, and PRs who offer things without consulting their client first and then withdraw the offer!
When is the best time for PRs to contact you & when is your deadline for contributions?
No deadline so any time.
About you:
What do you love about your work?
Although I still work for print media, I love the fact the web is so immediate, and seeing the instant reaction from the users – so you know exactly what works and what doesn’t – is amazing.
Where have you worked previously, and how did you end up in your current position?
I’ve worked on numerous magazines and newspapers, including TVTimes and Woman. Previously I was the acting editor of Shape, the health and beauty glossy, lifestyle editor of Closer, associate editor and contributing editor of love it!, and editor of Full House!
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
‘Remember the back of the magazine is as important as the front’ Mike Soutar
If you weren’t doing this, what would you do?
Surfing and writing books.
What’s your idea of a relaxing day off?
Probably relaxing at home with my family, lunch or coffee with friends, maybe a beauty/hair treatment!
[lnk|http://www.featuresexec.com/publications/info_features.php?pubid=14914|_self|LivingWithKids]
[img|jpg|Lliz Jarvis]