A lifestyle expat travel blog about culture, history, Brexit, the Royal Family, travels around the world, Europe, and being British in Berlin!
Posted on October 24, 2016 by thebritishberliner
It’s my blog birthday!
Hip! Hip! Hurrah!
OMG!
I can’t believe that on Friday, October 21st, my blog was 3 years old.
Honestly, I can’t quite believe that 36 months ago on an Autumn Sunday evening, I decided to put pen to paper and open up a social media thingy. I mean, when I first started I didn’t even know what social media was all about, and I had never ever met a blogger.
Never, ever.
In real life!
And apart from Facebook and who isn’t on Facebook? I knew zilch about social media.
Yep! Yours truly had known nothing about Twitter. Nothing at all!
I mean, I knew it, but I didn’t know it – know it!
But I quickly learnt.
I went to a workshop at the ITB in Berlin and one afternoon, the Head of the European Branch of Twitter did a workshop and showed us step-by-step how it worked. And that was it!
My Twitter page was open and ready to go!
Oh, I used to have a travel diary that was purely set up for friends and family, but this blogging thing was something else.
This.
Was.
Real!
Three years.
Wow!
So much has taken place that I can hardly stand it.
As a result, this week’s post is going to be about that journey from when I wrote my first blog, to right now. Three years later. Here we go!
Before we go on, why did I start this blog anyway…..?
At the beginning of 2014, I told you that The Tall Young Gentleman was a member of the Boy Scouts of America: Troop 46. Some of the American mothers were new in town and not only was I the only British parent but I was also the New Parent Co-Ordinator…..
One of the mothers asked me about skiing in Europe. I recommended the Czech Republic.
Lots of my corporate clients ask me about Britain, I recommend London and my original home-town – Manchester. Thousands, OK, hundreds of people asked me about Germany. I recommend Berlin and then I thought, why don’t I write about my favourite places and they can see for themselves? So here we are!
My blog is three years old.
Golly!
It’s been an amazing ride. In fact, the last three years have been fantastic!
My blog is a thriving toddler.
And I am exceedingly proud.
I’ve had an amazing collection of marvellous stories, visits, and adventures. As I told you when I published my 100th post, a lot of people, bloggers in particular, don’t like the notion of luck and quite frankly, I’m not one to talk of fate, but when I happen to be in the right place at the right time, I don’t know what else to call it.
So I’m going to say it as I see it.
Are you ready?
Here it comes!
My toddler blog has been a resounding success because of the jolly good luck I’ve had, flowing with masses of enthusiasm, buckets of really hard work, and shaken and stirred with all the people I have met along the way, who have helped and supported me on my quest to being a fabulous British blogger.
There. I’ve said it!
But before we go any further, I would just like to thank some very important people.
You!
Yes YOU!
All of you.
Where would I be without your comments, your likes, your opinions and your reads?
Without you this blog would just be an empty piece of cyber-paper floating in the blogosphere. You have all been so amazing and supportive, reading my blog every week, and sharing it with all your friends, family, and associates.
I’ve even had people smiling and recognising me on the streets.
In Berlin.
One woman’s smile was so wide, when she discovered that I was just about to sit opposite her on the commuter train! Another guy saw me on my residential gentrified street and screamed outside his van window “Are you that blogger? The British one!” In German of course, so it sounded rather different!
A group of teenaged girls followed me about and giggled as I went shopping in my local supermarket. And being that I live in Berlin and not New York, I got thumbs up, the gruff “I saw you on TV” and appreciative looks when running around town with my signature stripped, dotted or Union Jack pop socks!
I’ve been on TV. I’ve been on a documentary. I’ve been on the radio. I’ve been in the newspaper. I’ve even been in an independent film. I’ve already travelled to 10 countries this year. And all because of you.
Thank you so much! I love you all!
So let’s go back in time.
WHAT IS THIS BLOG ABOUT?
The British Berliner is a lifestyle expat travel blog about culture, history, travels around the world, Europe, and being British in Berlin.
It’s about a British girl from Manchester living in Berlin with her German husband and her half British – half German son, her promotion of British-German life, culture, history, literature, theatre, style, Europe, travels around the world, what she does in normal every day life and where she goes.
THE MOST POPULAR POST EVER
The most popular post is the one that I wrote about Poland.
It was very tongue-in-cheek. Most people got it, but at the same time most didn’t, so I got a lot of abuse for it.
Ah well!
The blog post was called: Going to Poland: 10 reasons not to go! This post shockingly went VIRAL and I received 145 comments and up to 42,000 hits in my social media feed!
Forty two thousand (42,000) views, hits and shares!
Can you imagine that I wrote it two years ago. And it’s still going as strong as ever!
Absolutely Amazing!
Thank you Poland!
I looooove you!!!
THE MOST POPULAR BRITISH POST
There’s no point in being The British Berliner if I can’t tell you how to, in fact, be British. You found this post charming: How to be British: Oh and by the way, you need to queue! And so did the trolls and naughty people. Some were so naughty that I had to ban them from my blog!
You also liked my post about Bristol and were intrigued by the wealthy maritime city after reading this post: 48 hours in Bristol – 48 things to do! I’m sure the Visit Bristol people are delighted by the number of people who have decided to visit the city because of my post. When you do, let them know that it was me!
THE MOST POPULAR GERMANY POST
The most popular post is still actually the very first post, that I ever wrote on my blog! The title was: Germany is Boring. Ooops!
Yeah, I got insults and abuse for this post. Mainly from people who never read it.
It received 72 comments and over 5,000 views, shares and hits! I wrote it exactly three (3) years ago, and it still hits a nerve!
Ah well, I’m famous now.
Right. Right?!
THE MOST POPULAR BERLIN POST
It seems that when you think of Berlin, you think of it as creative, intense, full of energy and free. Yes, you like music, entertainment, glamour and suspense. You loved the Friedrichstadt-Palast – the venue that is the Las Vegas of Berlin in the post: It’s bizarre. It’s quirky. It’s THE WYLD!
Guys. It went VIRAL too and I don’t know how, but you must have loved it, ‘cos I received close to twenty-two thousand (22,000) views, hits and shares!
THE MOST POPULAR INTERNATIONAL POST
This title went to the post about Riga. In Latvia which was my most popular post in 2015!
The people of Latvia were astonishing and really came out and supported my blog on the following post: Riga is gorgeous. Go there right now! This post shockingly went bloody VIRAL too, and I received 77 comments and up to 25,000 hits in my social media feed!
Twenty five thousand (25,000) views, hits and shares!
Absolutely Outstanding!
Thank you.
Thank you Latvia!!
THE MOST POPULAR MOTIVATIONAL /ADVICE POST
You obviously love, or want to travel, and need help doing so, as the most popular post of advice was: How to use the train in Poland: 10 tips to help you.
Wow!
I have promised you a post about how to travel by train in Europe which I will write very soon… and I have also been asked to consult a few people on this very issue.
If you’re concerned about travelling in Europe, and need a helping hand, I would be available by Skype or by Email to advice you for an initial introductory fee of €50.00 for 60 minutes. Communication would be either in English or German. Send me an Email with your details, and we’ll take it from there – victoria@thebritishberliner.com
THE MOST COMMENTED POST EVER
You people!
As you know, Poland is one of my most favourite places. And so was this post: Going to Poland: 10 reasons not to go! Interesting stuff it seems. You couldn’t stop talking about, it so I received 145 comments and up to 42,000 hits in my social media feed!
THE MOST COMMENTED POST ABOUT BRITAIN
You love British people. You love how quirky we are and the fact that we tend to be particular about certain things, and you said so in the post about being British: How to be British: Oh and by the way, you need to queue! I had 82 comments. Thank You so much!
THE MOST COMMENTED POST ABOUT GERMANY
Well, umm – Germany is boring!
That post gave me 72 comments and over 5,000 views, shares and hits! More comments than shares, but then, you can’t have everything!
Coming in second (2nd) place was food. Contrary to expectations, even though German cuisine has a hard, long reputation of being rather stodgy and boring, food in Germany can be pretty awesome, if you know where to look! You obviously did look and you proved it with 67 comments in this post: 10 surprising reasons why food in Germany isn’t just grit and stodge but is pretty awesome, in my opinion! Yummy!
THE MOST COMMENTED POST ABOUT BERLIN
You felt that the post that spoke to you most was the one that I wrote about an alternative walking tour, in the cool trendy neighbourhood suburb of Kreuzberg. I used to live there so I know what I’m talking about.
Kreuzberg has some of the best gay clubs, quirky bars, underground vibes, and great food. It’s not as cheap as it used to be unfortunately, but it’s still a great neighbourhood with a river, and teeming with tourists looking for the “real” Berlin.
In fact, I made my German TV debut right there! Here’s why: If you’re looking to make a change: Choose life. Choose a job. Choose a family. Choose an alternative walking tour in Berlin! It had 72 comments.
It seems that you guys like to paaaaaarty, ‘cos you were enormously interested in some of the hard-core underground clubs that I mentioned in: If you’re going to dance the night away – Do it in Berlin!
Back in the day, I was a serious clubber.
Now I hardly go dancing unless I’m on the VIP list and there’s a driver to collect me…!
THE MOST COMMENTED INTERNATIONAL POST
THE MOST COMMENTED MOTIVATIONAL / ADVICE POST
At the beginning of every new year, it’s the norm to think about what you did last year and what you’re going to do this year. Travelling and living a life of quality struck a chord with many of you, as readers were worried about how to travel on a budget, how to get holidays / vacations, or even how to take the first step, so I told you how I do it in this post: How I can afford a life of travel. Don’t choose. Have it all!
Most of my readers are professional upper-middle-class people. Just like me.
Staying at a €5.00 hostel or jetting off to Cambodia on a whim, just isn’t an option. I mean who would look after the dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits or giant iguana?
No seriously. Who?!!
In 2015 I travelled to 11 countries however, in 2014, this post got me a whopping 73 comments!
Nevertheless, I shouldn’t fail to tell you that the post that totally changed my career from being just another blogger to being totally awesome was: A light, a camera, and a broken arm: Action and drama at the Berlin Music Video Awards. It had 50 comments. I know the big bloggers have a hundred comments and more, but that post was written in May, 2014. A little after the 6 month mark.
You were fascinated by the fact that Queen Elizabeth came to Berlin and I got to be a part of that story and had more requests of interviews that I even knew what to do with. I actually had to turn some of them down!
And why?
The Queen came to Berlin. I’m British so pass me the Pimms. That’s why! – I hope I did you all proud. You seemed to think so with 49 comments.
I’m delighted!
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
THE TOP 10 MOST POPULAR COUNTRY, OF PEOPLE WHO READ MY BLOG IN 2016
Surprisingly, I also get a significant number of readers from the Czech Republic, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, & Singapore!
It’s amazing that even though I only blog once a week, consistently I might add LOL, I still manage to attract a huge number of subscribers and happy Twitter fans who read my blog on a daily basis, and all my funny two-line quips! You too can join in the fun and games right here: http://twitter.com/britishberliner
Not too shabby I might add!
COUNTRIES I HAVE BEEN TO IN THE LAST 1 YEAR
THE MOST POPULAR GROUP PRESS or FAM TRIP
Even though Northern France is my first press trip, it’s very much worth writing about, so the most popular post was: My first press or FAM trip ever to Nord-Pas de Calais otherwise known as, Northern France! It was amazing. I’m so honoured to have been invited. It was great, but bloody hard work LOL!
The readers have spoken, now what do I think?
MY TOP BLOG ACHIEVEMENTS
MY TOP 6 FAVOURITE POSTS IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER!
Thank you so much everyone. I really appreciate it lots.
Thank you for making this blog real, reading, commenting, and connecting. You’re all amazing. Here’s to the next blog year. Cheers!
Next week, it’s back to work. It’s November and I’ll be starting a new job!
Winter’s coming.
Yay!
This article is not sponsored. It’s my blog birthday!
Do you have a blog? How long have you had it? Was there anything that you found surprising?
See you in Berlin.
Category: AWARDS, BADGE OF HONOUR, birthday, blog birthday, blogging, blogs, British, celebrations, digital publishing, EUROPE, EXPAT, INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL, new media content creators, social media, social media influencer, THOUGHTS & IDEAS, TRAVEL, women in travelTags: 3rd, award, Berlin Very British, birthday, Blog, blog achievements, blog birthday, blog year, blogger, Blogging, British, comments, cricket, europe, most popular post, social media, thank you, the British Berliner, third, third year, three years, Travel and Tourism
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I'm a British girl from Manchester living in Berlin with my German husband and my half British – half German son. My blog is a lifestyle expat travel blog and puts a focus on my promotion of culture, history, travels around the world, Europe, Brexit, the Royal Family, British-German life and being British in Berlin - I am The British Berliner!
Make A Donation
Donate so that I can continue to write hilarious stories and create amazing content! Thanks so much!
€1.00
Happy Birthday!!
Thank you so much for all that you do – it is really enjoyed and appreciated! x
You’re very welcome Lawrence! What would you say is your favourite post?
I love them all! Ha of course. But I guess I’ll pick out the one which led me to your blog: Poland (10 reasons not to go!)
I am quite interested in the countrry so it’s what got me interested in your blog 😀
Thank you Lawrence! You’re awfully sweet! I don’t blame you in the least. It really was a very, very good post lol! 🙂
And I WILL make it to Poland in 2017 😀
I ended up going to Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia this year – I highly recommend them btw. Slo and Cro are SO beautiful and Bosnia is very interesting (and pretty too)
Nice one! I know! I know! ‘Hoping to make the Balkans next year. I was going to go to Russia, but Asia opened up instead, so I had to take it up. I mean, who wouldn’t want to go to the Philippines and Taiwan..!
I’ve heard grans things about both Croatia (Game of Thrones) and Slovenia (Lord of the Rings)! 🙂
Well I don’t blame you for going to Asia! 😉 And I’m totally with you on Russia – I’m desperate to go – I’ve actually been learning a bit of the language.
Oh and for Slovenia – you’ve GOT to go to Lake Bled (and Ljubljana) and in Croatia, Dubrovnik is a MUST (as well as the Dalmatian coast) They are stunningly beautiful.
Thanks Lawrence. I will! Keep an eye out! 🙂
Amazing! Congratulations! Quite an achievement!
Thanks so much Caroline! That’s awfully kind of you. What would you say was your favourite post?
Very cool! Congratulations! Here’s to another 3. From what they say, if you can make it past 2 , you’re head and shoulders above the rest 🙂
Thanks so much KemKem! praise from yourself is praise indeed! 🙂 Indeed, lasting 2 years is a dream. Lasting 3 years, and you’re on the way to being a rock star!
Thanks for all your support and genuiune friendship. 🙂 🙂
Great post! Wow you have done so much in the three years. Long may it continue. I started blogging recently and love it too.
Thanks so much Oonagh! That’s really nice of you to say so. And yes, I am pretty proud of what I have achieved. Blogging is hard work but if you stay the course, you will be rewarded!
If you have any blogging questions, don’t hesitate to ask! 🙂
Congratulations, you’ve done some amazing things with your blog! Here’s to the next three years and more 🙂
Thanks so much Amy! It’s been a delightful ride, here’s to the next three years. Cheers! xx
Pingback: My second huge FAM / Press Trip to the Philippines – How to work with #TBEX, and how to do it right! | The British Berliner