THISDAY Style

SO, YOU WANT TO BE A FASHION BLOGGER?

- BY Konye Chelsea Nwabogor

Fashion blogging isn’t a new concept. These days it’s a road well traveled—in heels and dream-worthy wardrobes, of course. While it may sound like a glamorous job, it takes hard work. If there’s even a tiny part of you that aims to become a fashion blogger—and not only become one, but also a truly successful blogger—you know it’s a crowded, competitiv­e space. The best way to learn how to navigate it is simple: understudy the top bloggers themselves, and try to figure out how they did it. To help you out, we sat with some of them and picked their brains on the best way to climb the blogger ladder from unknown to unforgetta­ble.

Name Your Blog

Coming up with a name is one of the hardest decisions to make when creating your blog. Take your time, and choose wisely. Pick something that defines you and your niche. It’s always a good idea to self-title or include your name. That way readers can build a relationsh­ip with the person behind the blog.

Find Your Niche

Before you can start a blog, you need to decide what makes you different from everyone else and focus on that. Set yourself apart by coming up with creative ways to stand out. If someone has already done it, go back to the drawing board—or your closet. Invest in High-Quality Photograph­y

It’s essential to invest in a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera to capture high-resolution images. If you publish pretty pictures, you are bound to get traffic on your blog.

Stay true to your personalit­y

There are only so many ways to shoot a photograph, but if you have a fun personalit­y and you showcase it in positive manner, you are sure to stand out. Don’t try to be someone you think everyone wants you to be. Be genuine.

Plan and Set Goals

Consistenc­y is key. Set realistic goals about how often you will post. You want to keep a steady publishing schedule so your readers know when to stop by your blog. If you post too sporadical­ly, readers can lose interest and stop visiting.

Social Media Is a Must

Social media plays a crucial part in building your following. Every blogger needs to have a Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter. Those are the most popular social platforms and the ones that brands will want you to have. Don’t spread yourself thin by jumping on every social space.

Set Up Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a powerful tool for monitoring and analyzing your website’s traffic. It lets you know who is visiting your site, what they’re looking for, and how they’re getting to your site. It also keeps count of your page views and unique visitors, which you’ll need for your media kit.

Build a Media Kit

Create a polished and profession­al media kit. It’s like a resume for your blog that informs potential sponsors about your mission. Your media kit should include a small paragraph about yourself, a small paragraph about your blog, your social media stats, blog stats, author rates, advertisin­g rates, and how to get in contact with you via email and social media.

Working with Brands and Affiliates

In order to monetize your blog, you need to reach out to brands. When emailing a brand, keep your message short and sweet. Always offer ideas of how you can work together. Brands and affiliates more often than not always welcome ideas.

Stay the Course

Prepare to hear a lot of no’s before a yes. Don’t get frustrated. It’s important to stay focused, continue to evolve, and keep up on the latest technology.

Networking Is Key

Networking is key to expanding your brand. An important aspect of networking is business cards. Make sure you create business cards for your blog because they’re a great way to quickly give someone all of your contact informatio­n. Also make sure to attend a lot of fashion related events.

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