Jen Riley is the author of the highly successful beauty blog A Beauty Junkie in London. She also writes for Groupon's City Guide. We asked her to share her experience of what it's like to be a full time blogger and how her blog rose to success.

How did you get into blogging?

In a quiet moment in a previous job, where I was a bit bored and lacking a creative outlet - I started it whilst on my lunch break whilst thinking it would be a way to do a bit of fun writing in my free time.

How long did it take you to become a successful blogger and what's the secret of your success?

It depends what you call a successful blogger - I quit my full time job to do this after just under five years of blogging - so could say five years? My success was down to hard work and dedication I guess, just keeping at it, keeping content going and always adapting to changing styles and trends - constantly trying to improve.

How did you get such a big following on Twitter?

I think people maybe just love to hear what I'm having for lunch or what lipstick I'm obsessed with that week...! Seriously though, I think it's just about being active on there - not just tweeting out your blog links and that's all. Chat to people, ask questions and get involved in conversations.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about starting their own blog?

Go for it, but do it for the love of it - if you're going into it with money as the goal then it will feel like a lot of hard work. Do it because you love it and then if opportunities come your way it's an amazing bonus rather than the goal.

If you have a full time job, where do you get the motivation to blog in the evenings/on weekends?

I blog full time now, but did it alongside a full time job for five years - the motivation was always just because I loved it. It was something that I had created from nothing and had total creative freedom over - so that always kept me blogging!

If you had to blog about one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?

Probably spas... I love pampering and whilst I love beauty in general - reviewing spa treatments is definitely something I can't get enough of! Especially far flung exotic spas...given half a chance that is!

Where do you think blogging is going? Do you think blogs will still be relevant in 5 years? Do you need to adapt to stay current?

Oh, a big question I could probably write an essay on - I think blogs are currently going in a direction where them and magazines are sort of merging into one- magazines wanting to be more like blogs and blogs more like glossy magazines. I think there will be fewer and fewer paper copies of magazines and blogs will become more the norm - but I think the market will become more competitive creating a bigger 'gap' between those who do it as a job and those who do it for fun. I am hoping they will still be relevant in five years...or else I'm out of a job! But I do think the key will be to adapt and change and never rest on your laurels.

What are your favourite blogs?

So many to name - Vivanna Does Make-up, Zoe London, The Londoner, Pearls and Poodles and many many more!

Click here to read Jen's inspirational articles