Fashion blogging....everyone thinks they can do it, and from someone who takes this very seriously I am here to say...it's not true so STOP! (proceeds to hit the computer screen as if I was smacking the shit out of someone). Fashion blogging, when done right, can be a very profitable and fulfilling business, but is also a trend and looked at as a joke thanks to half of the female population. Why? Because every female who is somewhat "fashionable", or at least what we conisder fashionable in our society thinks that all they have to do is post a few decent outfit posts and boom, they're a fashion blogger. To all of my real "fashion bloggers" out there I know you can feel my frustration because it's simply annoying. Fashion blogging is, what should be, and more importantly what our brand represents is original opinions on different topics in fashion (besides outfits) that spark conversation which makes the reader think, and gets the mind going. More so, a fashion blogger needs to have some basic skills as well. For instance, a fashion blogger needs to learn how to construct a grammatically correct sentence let alone a few paragraphs. Blogging equal writing, and to not look like a fucking joke, using your English education in the proper way is necessary. Developing a basic skill of photography is helpful not only for original pictures on your blog, but also in social media promotion as well. Speaking of that, you have to learn, understand, and eventually master how to effectively promote yourself and your brand on different types of social media outlets. Then there's SEO optimization, understanding CSS and HTML codes when designing your blog template, the list goes on and on, like you jokers don't understand what all goes into being a TRUE FASHION BLOGGER! And I haven't even touched on spending your own dime to review products and go to fashion shows in order to get somewhat of your foot in the door. I understand that people looking from the outside in see the perks of well established bloggers, but do you all really think it comes without any hard work? Well it does, and unless you're willing to treat this as another full time job, you're going to fall flat on your face, and I'm just that petty to laugh right in your face. It's an insult to real bloggers who work hard every day and night just to get half the recognition they deserve.
Long story short, fashion blogging is for the big boys, enter at your own risk.
Interesting take.
ReplyDeleteThere is a big difference between a fashion blogger and a personal style blogger. All bloggers aren't trying to go into business - that's not the only point of a blog. And many trying to go into business aren't producing great content. People have been blogging forever and I know plenty of great bloggers who have been around since the LiveJournal days who have no desire to ever be a business. In fact, some of the best bloggers I know refuse payment because that's not their goal, and they prefer to maintain an ethical, journalistic approach (church & state) to content. There isn't anything wrong with that.
"Blog" and "job" aren't synonymous and shouldn't be, in my opinion. I love that there are a lot of individuals out there seeking to support each other and help each other grow. To each their own, especially when it comes to writing stories! That's why MWIN offers personal development to help bloggers achieve their goals... not the goals we set for them, but the goals they've set for themselves.
Good point!
ReplyDeleteBut i think where the frustration comes, especially from a lot of bloggers who I have talked to about this, it's just some people think it's really that easy and they kind of "dis credit" the hard work that a lot of us have put into this and continue to invest in our blogs. I just don't understand how people think it can happen over night, just like with anything, hard work and dedication is the key to any kind of success
It is very clear that you care a lot about your blog and take it seriously. It's beautifully designed and you do a phenomenal job of posting regularly.
ReplyDeleteI can see how it may be disheartening when someone you feel isn't "up to par" is getting work, or recognition, or maybe complaining in a group setting that they aren't getting "paid enough", etc.
I always read that you can't think about others, or let what others say or do, or how they fail or succeed, get to you. You do a phenomenal job, and that's all that matters!
A couple other things I always try to consider are that a.) Everyone has their own goals, and everyone is ALLOWED to have their own goals. Someone may have a blog because they enjoy taking outfit photos because it gives them a sense of confidence they once lost, or because it inspires them to put themselves out there which could be something they've struggled to do in the past. And b.) Brands are always looking for the "perfect fit" and it can sometimes be surprising who ends up falling under that umbrella. So many factors are taken into consideration - from content nature to content quality to engagement to key words to personal aesthetic to personal opinion to location and so on, and on, and on. After having worked on hundreds of campaigns over the last six years, I am still surprised by some brands' selections, but I understand the 'why' in the end.
There is something beautiful about empathy and perspective, so I try to see everything from another's point-of-view whenever I can. If a blogger gains even one second of confidence from their outfit post (crappy photo quality, typos and all), more power to them.
As for you, you are obviously on a different path and are carving out a future for yourself that goes above and beyond outfit photos and confidence-boosts. Keep on doing you, Ak! (+ Diamond!)