Blogger 101: Things Nobody Told You About Blogging

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Blogger 101 is back with another interesting post that I'm sure a lot of bloggers can relate to. When people hear the word 'blogger', there are pre-conceived notions as to what being a blogger is about. Oftentimes, these are negative notions that put blogging in such a bad light. But that does not nearly define what blogging is about or what it entails. Don't be fooled by the top fashion bloggers out there - they might make it look so glam, but they're hustling behind the scenes, some working up to 12 hours a day or more!

To break the cloud of mystery surrounding fashion blogging, I'll break down four things that nobody told you about blogging:

You're more than just a blogger. Even though we got called as "blogger" there is more to blogging than meets the eye. We become photographers, photo editors, content editors, social media marketers, SEO analysts, marketers, and web designers, to name a few. In fact, a lot of bloggers invest a great deal of money on online courses that will help them acquire the skills needed to be all these. It's no joke! It isn't something that you decide to do one day and then wake up the next expecting to be successful. You have to put in the time and work.

Competition is stiff. As I've mentioned in my post about fashion blog opportunities, it can be tough to compete for opportunities as there are thousands of other fashion bloggers out there. And all of you are doing your best to make a break. It can be daunting when you realize exactly how much competition you have. But competition can be viewed both ways: you can either let it get you down, or you can use it as fuel to excel in what you do. Competition makes blogging more fun, but also means you have to work doubly hard.

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A post takes more than an hour to be ready. This is one of my biggest peeves about brands or potential collaborators. Some of them make ridiculous requests when sending out items for review, or posting about a product launch. Hence, I had to turn down some of them because I feel exploited. From the outside looking in, a blog post is just that, a blog post. You write down a few words and then hit publish. Easy, right? Unfortunately, writing a blog post takes more than hour. In between taking photos to writing the post and then sharing it all over social media or linkups, time can easily slip away.

You're human. In life, you have your highs and lows. There are instances wherein life gets in the way of blogging and it makes keeping up with your blog schedule a little tougher than usual. But some people are left to wonder when there are days wherein you just can't seem to update your posts as often as you normally do. You have to understand that we do have a life to live and attend to. Blogging is a priority for most of us, but the people in our lives always come first.

As a blogger yourself, what do you think is one aspect about your blogging journey that is often misunderstood?

Blogger 101: How to Support Other Bloggers

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Whoever said or thought that blogging is a competition is dead wrong. I might sound hypocritical but never did I ever feel like I had to compete with any blogger. I guess I am lucky to be able to get that kind of perspective; after all, it was primarily after reading a fashion blogger that I got inspired to start my own so maybe that is where most of the feeling is from (and I am so glad I have retained that kind of feeling about this whole fashion blogging venture). As I said in my previous Blogging 101 post on Fashion Blog Opportunities, I think most of the blog jealousy and competition springs from the sense of having to compete with other bloggers for these opportunities. But I beg you, don't. The world wide web and fashion industry combine to offer an endless array of opportunities for everyone. You might not get the same opportunities or collaborations that one blogger is having, yet you also have your own set of collaborations that they don't have (and maybe even dream of having).

I would like to steer this conversation towards a more positive light - let's all show support towards our fellow bloggers. Here are some of the ideas I've thought of:

Talk About Them in Your Blog

I used to do a segment here in my blog called "Style Crush" (you can see my latest installment here). From reading fashion blogs every week, there are a few looks that stand out in my mind and I get so inspired by, which is how I come up with the list of bloggers to feature in this series. There are several other ways you can share the love on your blog and help your fellow blogger gain exposure. One of the fun things I was able to take out from doing this series is when other bloggers leave a comment saying they've never heard of the bloggers I've featured and are excited to read more from them, which is exactly the whole point of doing the post in the first place. 

Read Their Blogs (and Comment)

This is the easiest way to show support for other bloggers and I do this often. Every day, I read about 10-20 blogs on my free time (or I try to squeeze it into my schedule). It is fun and a great way to immerse into the blogging community, or meet blogging friends!

Join Their Linkups

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I do have a few bloggers hosting linkups that I regularly join in. Again, like blog commenting, this is a great way to become involved in the blogging community. You can see the full list of linkups I join in regularly here. 

Share Their Content

If you liked a blog post that another blogger wrote, share it on your social media accounts. Or, you can also re-tweet or share their other posts. If you find something of value to you and to your own followers, this is a worthwhile move. It is also a great way to capture the other blogger's attention and they would be more than happy to reciprocate. Just don't forget to mention them when sharing your post!

Buy Stuff They Blog About

Contrary to what is being written about fashion bloggers (maybe it could be true for select bloggers), but we don't earn six-figure income from our blogs. Most of us, like me, do this for a hobby only and any other earnings are considered a bonus. Therefore, it is a good way to show support to your favorite blogs to buy through their affiliate links, especially if you intend to buy the items they featured anyway. You are still going to get the item you intended to buy and help out a blogger in return!

In this world where the comparison game is as strong as ever, it is your turn to change the tides. We all need cheerleaders. But before you can get a cheerleader, we have to become a cheerleader first. 

How do you support your favorite bloggers?

Blogger 101: Refresh Your Blogging Attitude

This year marks the 3rd year that I've had this blog. The thought inspired nostalgia. It has been fascinating to look back on the past years that I've had this blog; looking back on my earlier posts, I often cringe and maybe feel slightly embarrassed with some of my posts. But then I give myself a pat in the back because looking back also made me realize how far I've gone. Hey, we all had to start somewhere!

At the same time, the earlier years of blogging provided a wonderful insight into my blogging attitude. I was blogging for me. I wasn't out to impress anyone. There was no inherent pressure at all. Today, the growth of the blog has added pressure of trying to "maintain" the integrity of the brand. There is also an added pressure of coming up with regular posts. Although this pressure has not pushed me to the point of having to take a blog break, it is no doubt a lot of work! 

It is therefore important to constantly refresh your blogging attitude. It makes the experience of blogging novel. It also fights any boredom that might arise from having to constantly brainstorm ideas. 

Step Outside the Comfort Zone. Weariness from blogging can often arise from doing the same thing over and over again. Introduce novelty in your blog, not just in terms of the posts you write but also in the processes you use. Read other fashion bloggers who exhibit style that is totally different from yours or the ones you normally read. This could spark up a new idea that will inspire you to try something different in yours. Your readers will appreciate your effort to change things up.

Share Blogger Love. One of the things I loved about blogging is the opportunity to meet new people outside of geographical boundaries. This is the best thing about the world wide web - I can talk and be friends with someone from halfway across the globe where I live! In fact, there are a few bloggers that I have gotten close to such as Janine from A Blissful Blog (who is based in Cebu), or Lauren from Exploring My Style. I love both of these ladies' styles and the fact that we've had conversations online. I would love to meet them one day!

Stop Comparing. According to a quote I once read, "comparison is the thief of joy". Therefore, do not discredit your own blog success by comparing yourself to another blogger. We all have different timelines to follow in our blog journey. Just because someone got to where you want to be first, it does not mean that you haven't made any progress. Give yourself credit where credit is due. If you look back, you will be inspired to keep pushing forward. 

What other tips can you add to refresh blogging attitude? How do you keep yourself motivated?

 

Blogger 101: Am I A Blogging Addict?

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Before I put you off, I'd like to confess right here and now: I think I'm addicted to blogging. A couple or more years ago, fashion blogging was not such a big deal to me. I started it to provide an outlet for my love for fashion and all things related. In fact I probably posted about once in two weeks, or a week (if I'm not being lazy) at that time. I'm sure the blogging gods will despise me for that but hey I've come a long way.

Today, I am grateful and thankful for the steady stream of readers. And I do love the interactivity that comes with the whole blogging experience. Even though I do not promptly respond to the comments on my blog (or social media), I do read them as soon as I am notified on my e-mail (thank you, from the bottom of my heart). This and more have accumulated to develop more enjoyment for blogging. What was once a hobby has now become an extension of myself. As of now, I cannot imagine taking out blogging from my routine - which is impressive given how busy I already am with work. I still manage to squeeze in time to write posts for my blog.

You can therefore call me a blogging addict and I wouldn't argue with you on that. So, how do you know if you are addicted to blogging? Here are tell tale signs:

1. You find yourself constantly planning about what you want to do with your blog within the next 6 months or a year. Okay, this could just be me. My OCD strikes again. But yes, I do have short- and long-term goals for my blog. And I believe that any serious blogger should to. You've already invested so much time and effort into your blog, so why not dream big and aim for the next step, right?

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2. You are constantly thinking up possible blog ideas. You might be at work, on commute or just reading other people's blogs - it will always go back to your own blog. What posts should I write this week? When will I shoot the photos for m post? The posts are the heart of your blog. Hence, you find yourself constantly brainstorming ideas.

3. You are worried about dud posts. It's embarrassing to admit but there are times wherein your posts prove to be a dud. It can be frustrating, too, given that you spent hours putting the post together... but then your readers do not share the same level of interest as you do about it. Just move on from it. It's not the end of your blogging career!

4. You are always on social media - either connecting with other bloggers or promoting your blog. It's fine. Social media has become somewhat of an extension to your blog.

If you pass the criteria above, then you are a certified blogging addict. But don't fret - if you enjoy every minute of the blogging experience, then it's still a good thing. As the famous quote says, "Do what you love and never work a day in your life." While it is true to some extent, blogging is undeniably a lot of work. But being happy with it and enjoying the experience that you get to share with your readers make every work you've put in worthwhile.

Do you consider yourself a blogging addict?

 

Blogger 101: When To Say NO to Sponsorship or PR Offers

As a small-time blogger, most of us earn from our blogs through sponsored posts or PR campaigns. Hence, it can be tempting to say "yes" to every offer that comes your way, especially on those times wherein there seems to be little to no PR activity on your blog. But I advise you: DON'T. That is if you care about the long term goals for your blog. 

This is not to say that you have to be snobbish either. Instead, this is a simple reminder that you have to take good care of the credibility of your blog that you have worked so hard to build. Thankfully, I haven't had weird or ridiculous emails from brands or PR companies. But in case you do, use these guidelines I follow to be able to assess if a particular offer is good for your blog or not:

Check Their Website


Most companies that reach out to you via e-mail will leave their URL for you to check out. This is great because you not only get a chance to know what products and/or services they have, but also use this opportunity to assess the quality and credibility of the company itself. As bloggers, we like to put our best foot forward by enhancing the look and theme of our blog. After all, it is a visual representation of you, as a blogger! The same goes with online companies or brands. You can assess their quality and credibility based on their website.

This is not to say that companies with less than impressive looking websites are not credible or honest. However, if you find that the website is shady, has spammy content or do not provide contact information, you need to be wary. The least you want to do is promote a fraud company on your blog. You would not want to be associated with them.

Keep it Niche-Related

This is a very simple guideline to remember: you have to stick to your blog's niche when working with companies or brands. Ask yourself these questions:

Will I consider writing about this topic even without this company contacting me?
Is this product or company something my readers will be really interested in?
Will I be using these products myself? 

The whole idea is it should reflect your personal interests, as well as that of your readers. If not, then there is no point in writing that sponsored post in the first place. It will no doubt stick out as a sore thumb.

Staying Control of Your Blog

There are instances wherein a PR opportunity is too good to resist. A company with products or services that you think will be in line with your blog's niche offers you a really good price. However, the company wants to bombard your post with links and keywords. It's no good for your SEO. Even if they pay you a good amount of money in exchange for the post, the long term drawbacks on your blog's SEO performance can be worth more. 

Do not fall for the bait. Set your own rules when working with companies on sponsored posts. Remind them that it is your blog and you make the rules. You are doing them a favor, not vice versa.

How do you evaluate offers from online brands or PR companies?

 

Blogger 101: How I Used Twitter to Grow My Blog

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Twitter is one of my favorite places to "hang out" when I am not working on my blog. It is also the best place to promote my new or old posts due to the interactive nature of the website. Aside from being able to share your links or posts, you can discuss trending topics using hashtags, and also reach out to a wider audience that you probably haven't connected to before. The concept of using hashtags, specifically, started off on Twitter that makes it easier to interact with other users around the same topic. The use of hashtag became so popular that it has now been adapted by other social media sites including Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. 

I do not have a major following on Twitter, although I have come a long way with almost 900 followers. If you want to follow me there, you can check it here. 

Here are some of the strategies I've used for growing my blog following with the help of Twitter:

I use hashtags when updating my tweets. This is important. Unless you have a huge Twitter following, you have to leverage hashtags for other Twitter users to see the content you're sharing. 

Research on the most relevant hashtags. The tip above will provide futile if you do not use the right hashtags. It is best to look around the website in search of the top hashtags that authority accounts are using. That way, you can use the same hashtags for when you update your tweets. 

Time your posts well. Just like any other social media sites, you need to know the best times to update your tweets. There are certain times within the day wherein people tend to check their social media accounts or are active on these sites. 

Introduce variety in your posts. When you keep tweeting posts with blog links, people will become disinterested in your feed. Try to vary it up by posting images or retweeting other interesting content you find on your own feed. The more varied your posts are, the more interested others will become because they do not know what to expect from you.

Connect with tweet sharing accounts. There are several Twitter accounts created mainly for sharing tweets focused on a particular niche. Make sure to connect with these accounts and mention them on your posts so you can get retweeted. The more retweets you can get, the higher the possibility of your posts gaining exposure on the site. 

Have you used Twitter for promoting your blog? You can find out other Blogging 101 posts here. 

 

Blogging 101: How Often Should You Update Content?

When browsing tips for blogging, one of the most often repeated tip is to update content regularly. But how do you define 'regularly' in this case? Some say three times a week would suffice. Others insist on posting fresh content daily. Meanwhile, I've also encountered some tips that say publishing multiple posts a day is better for SEO. If you're a budding fashion blogger or writer, this can be a daunting task. So, which of these is correct? 

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The theory behind regular updates on blog content hinges on the idea that it provides your readers with something new to look forward to. When your visitors come to your website and they don't see fresh and updated content, they will probably never visit again (or not as often as you'd like for them to). But if you have something new to offer, then this will keep their interest up - resulting in a higher likelihood of return visit. 

Based on my own experience, I try to maintain 3-4 blog posts per week. I do have a full-time job and keeping up with daily posts is something that I simply cannot handle. However, if you work on your blog full-time, then you should consider daily posting to attain maximum traffic and growth. Just make sure that you can handle the writing and marketing of your posts. After all, your job as a blogger does not end with writing fresh content - you have to market and promote the content, too. 

If you are looking to maintain a steady growth in traffic and followers, posting once per day or posting 3-4 times a week should suffice. However, you should not lose sight on the main goal for posting - enticing your readers and providing them with fresh information to digest. Are you compromising quality of your posts for the sake of publishing a new post? If that is the case, then you might want to re-think your strategy of posting frequently. Also, what you do off your site is of equal importance to what you do on your site.

Use your own judgment when determining the frequency of updating content on your website. Here are parameters you should use to determine your blog plan: 1) the availability of time, 2) your blogging goals, and 3) your off-site marketing plan. 

How often do you update content on your blog? 

 

Blogger 101: Thoughts on Fashion Blog Opportunities

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In an ideal world, fashion bloggers wake up to tons of email every single day from companies offering us free clothes. Unfortunately, the real world is far from ideal. The world of fashion blogging (or blogging in general) is not nearly as glamorous as it is portrayed. Posing for photoshoots is not easy, either. And that is saying a lot given that that is the easiest part of the job (yes, I do refer to it as a job!). There is a lot more going on behind every single post before you can even hit the publish button. 

Hence, you can imagine the frustration that every fashion blogger feels when their email inbox is empty - not a single PR company or brand representative has taken the time out to even notice all of the hard work you've put in. It is more than just frustrating - it makes you question your decision to blog in the first place. Is this really for me? Do I have to re-think my decision to blog and shift my focus elsewhere? 

Don't get frustrated yet. I did have the same dilemma when I was starting off as a fashion blogger. I went on for months without anyone contacting me for a collaboration, etc. I just went on doing my usual round of posts, sharing things that I enjoyed. I tried to focus my attention back to my original intent of starting the blog. It's because I wanted an outlet for sharing my passion for fashion, and other related subjects. "I did not start out blogging to get free clothes or make money, right?" I reminded myself. 

When I adapted that perspective, it was only a matter of time until I got my first email and collaborative opportunity. When I entered my first year, more opportunities poured in. And this year, my second year of fashion blogging, I had more opportunities than I had the first year. I realized that fashion blogging is all about showcasing a part of who you are - your genuine personality. Eventually, brand representatives and PR companies will see through you. Brands will recognize that and find you a valuable representative for their brand online. Then, opportunities will come to you without you even having to look for it. I am not saying that it is guaranteed but if you can do that, you will put yourself in a much better position than when you first started. If you're working too hard to leave an impression, it will come off as unnatural. 

Hence, if you are starting out (say on your first year of blogging), don't stress yourself out over fashion blog opportunities. It will happen when it is meant to happen. Just do what you set out to do. Focus on making your blog a haven for other bloggers to get inspiration from, or share things that inspire you. Also, it is important to be genuine at all times. Your blog should represent your personality and style - not someone else's. 

I've read the London Beauty Queen's Blog Advice series, touching on this topic, especially on the area of jealousy. She raises an important point that I believe any new or budding fashion blogger must know: "I've experienced huge periods of jealousy, begrudging others' success when I really should be celebrating it - after all, someone has to pave the way and start opening doors!" I could not agree more. Unlike common perception, the pie is big enough for everyone. There is an opportunity waiting for you! But unless you are able to showcase who you really are, these brands can't see (and appreciate) that! Focus your energies on building your own site because that is where it's ought to be.

I hope you found these tips helpful. I am no expert when it comes to fashion blogging nor do I claim to have several opportunities to consider myself a major influencer in the field of fashion blogging. However, I felt the need to share my experience and perspective on the subject to help out those who were just starting out, because I know how it felt to be there. Don't get frustrated. Stay inspired and motivated. 

This is just the first of a series of posts that I am planning to write this new year to help out more bloggers in the community. I hope you stay tuned for the rest of this series. Or, if you have some questions or concerns, feel free to leave those questions in the comments or email me. I could possibly address them in a future post! Thank you! xo