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: Blog Linkups - Are They Worth Your Time?

Blogging can take on different values in a blogger's life. Some consider it as a hobby while others make a living from blogging. Whatever your long term goal might be, we all strive for a common thing: to get readers! Blogging has evolved into not just a one-way form of communication; it is more interactive now with readers sharing their thoughts on blogs they read through comments. And social media has opened up more possibilities for making blogging a shared experienced between the blogger and the readers. 

Based on my own experience, joining linkups or blog hops has helped me grow my readers. It has also enabled me to tap into a reader base that I normally would not have had access to. If you have not heard of linkups before, it is basically a venue wherein bloggers can share links to their posts for other bloggers to see. You can therefore get exposure for your blog posts and see posts from others as well. All bloggers who join linkups are encouraged to visit other blogs and interact. That's what linkups are for. 

Participating in linkups might seem like a lot of work (and time-consuming as well); for the most part it is! But if you want to reap the benefits, then you have to make that investment of time. It has personally helped me grow my blog. To be honest, I don't think I would be able to have a steady stream of readers if not for these linkups. As I've mentioned above, it allows you to reach out to readers that might not even know your blog exists. At the same time, it helps you to find new blogs to read to connect with or get inspiration from. 

You can maximize linkups by sharing posts that you think others will be interested in. Or, if you find posts from others that will pique your interest, go ahead and visit their blog. Leave a comment if you're compelled to. Let them know that you enjoyed reading their post and you can even invite them to your blog. Just be polite in doing so. The worst thing that you can do is to leave your links and not interact. It dilutes the essence of the linkup. 

The more you join these linkups, the more interesting and fun you will find it to be! Go ahead and give it a shot. You might even be rewarded with new readers or blogger friends. It's a win-win situation! 

To see which blogs I am linking up to, visit this page. Have you joined any linkups before?

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: How to Overcome Instagram Pressure

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If Instagram was any evidence, keeping up with the Joneses is not easy. It never was. Today's society has become so engrossed with materialism and social media was no help at all. In fact, it only encouraged social approval and fueled desire for validation based on what is seen aka the material things. If you are a personal style blogger, like myself, who had to use the app (Instagram) to promote your blog, you might have felt the pressure to keep up as well. 

Therefore, I felt the need to share my thoughts about Instagram and this whole social media culture. Remember the time when catching up on each other's lives meant inviting your friends over for dinner at your own home and showing off your photos to them until they're bored? Things have changed dramatically in this era. Now, you can update your friends and even strangers who follow you about every detail of your life in real time. It sounds creepy but that's how most Instagrammers function. 

If you are on the other end of the spectrum, there is a huge pressure on your back when it comes to living up to the pressure of Instagram. How do you keep up with top fashion bloggers who are constantly jet-setting? One day they're posting sunset shots of New York City and then the next they're posting photos of the gorgeous beaches in Cancun (with a cocktail in hand, of course!). Or, maybe they're rubbing elbows with fashion designers at a fashion gala? There is no doubt a seemingly unattainable standard that celebrities, models and other famous personalities have set for Instagram. 

Don't frown just yet. It is all but normal to feel that way. A tinge of envy is part of being human. But do I let it distract me from what is going on with my life? Even I can't manage to create the perfect flat lay. But who cares? 

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Try these three methods that I've used to overcome the inherent pressure that goes with maintaining an Instagram account:

1 – I do what pleases me.

Much of the social media struggle hinges on the need for validation, for social approval. I have let go of that idea when managing my social media accounts. I do whatever pleases me. I post whatever I like or enjoy doing. I refuse to be dictated by what would consider others click the ‘like’ button. I have attained a certain level of belief in myself that my existence is not validated by a mere ‘like’ or ‘follow’. In this social media era, it is understandably easy to be consumed by this type of appreciation but do not let it define you.

2 – I follow whoever I like.

This is another healthy step to overcoming the pressure of a seemingly glamorous social media life. Choose to follow people you genuinely like. When you follow someone because of their gorgeous photos or awesome flatlays, you could be easily swayed to look life through an ideal. You will look up to them as the ideal and be frustrated when you can’t live up to that standard. Instead, I follow people for the genuineness and for the stories that each photo has to say.

3 – I try not to spend too much time on Instagram.

On an average, I probably post 3-4 times a week on Instagram (or once a day at most). I do the occasional flooding of posts when I’m on a roll. But I try to live my life, not live a life that would look good on social media. There is a huge difference!

Have you ever felt the pressure to craft an idealized version of your life on social media, particularly Instagram?

Blogger 101: How to Simplify Your Blogging Life

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Most bloggers like myself have started off this venture as a hobby - something to do on your free time. Eventually, as you get more readers and more opportunities come knocking at your door, it requires a serious commitment of time and effort. Even when you are doing blogging as a part-time venture, your schedule can be pretty hectic fairly quickly. Blogging looks a lot like this:

* Outfit planning
* Taking photos of your outfit
* Writing the post
* Promoting the post (across all social media channels)
* Networking and blog commenting
* Publishing posts to your social network sites
* Checking and responding to your emails, etc.

Suddenly, what would normally take up an hour or so in your day-to-day routine will look like a full time job of its own. Not so easy, right? It's hard to fathom that these tasks are only scratching the surface as far as your long-term blogging goals are concerned. You have to make editorial planning, brand negotiations, handling affiliate and partnership programs, and many more. There is so much to do!

With so many tasks to accomplish (on top of a regular day job), you could easily get burned. Poor habits and procrastination won't help either. Here are a few tricks that I've used to simplify my blogging life and get more done (in less time):

Batch Your Tasks

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I do this a lot. And it has worked wonders. When you have so much to do at once, you could easily neglect a few duties that you need to take care of. To avoid that, I do my post scheduling, photo shoots, and blog writing at once. This will help me accomplish more in less time, especially when I get some free time. This will allow continued posting on your blog and social media even when a few unexpected things arise in your schedule.

Scheduling

As I mentioned above, scheduling posts is one of the best things to happen to blogging (and social media). There are a lot of websites or apps that allow you to schedule your social media posts in your preferred time and dates so you do not have to be on your Twitter or Facebook all the time!

Figure Out When You're Most Productive

Some bloggers are more productive in the morning while others prefer working at night. Figure out which time of the day you are most efficient. In some cases, you have no choice because you have to depend on what is available in your schedule, but get as much as you can get done when you are in the mood.

Plan!

I admit - I am a little obsessive compulsive. I plan my activities at least a week in advance because I hate cramming! I do keep a little spreadsheet wherein I create a schedule of my post for the next week or two. That way, I don't end up scrambling for post ideas and I can brainstorm without worrying about not having anything to publish today or tomorrow.

Got more tips to simplify your blogging routine? I'd love to hear them!

 

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?

 

Blogging 101: How to Deal with Blogging Block

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Blogging block. I just coined this term or read it somewhere. I'm not really sure. However, it is the blogging world's counterpart to writer's block. And it is something that I know too well. Do you have those days wherein you sit in front of your computer or laptop and you wanted to write but nothing, absolutely nothing, is coming out? You're just staring at a blank space. You doodle some words but nothing makes sense. Hence, you end up deleting everything you've written. 

In the world of fashion blogging wherein regular update and posts is of the essential, this can be doubly frustrating. And it's not for the lack of trying. There are some days wherein you simply feel uninspired to write anything... and yet the deadline is closely ticking on you. You have to produce something!

Here are some of the tricks that I've used when dealing with blogging block to produce new content and keep the blog going:

1. Seasonal posts. If you are literally out of ideas to write, think of the season and its prevailing trends. Then, write a post around a generic topic or zero in on a specific topic that you love about a season. For example, during specific holidays, you can create a gift guide or tips for shopping, etc. It might seem like a common post idea but we all love to hear your insight on these topics, so don't be scared to jump in!

2. Do your research. What are the things that people are talking about on social media or search engines? This is also a good way to optimize your blog content - write about things that people want to read or know about!

3. Read! Like I've said before, the best way to generate new ideas and be inspired to write is to read, read, and read! I read at least 10 blogs a day (on a really busy day!) to get some new inspiration or to promote my blog. You'll never know where the next source of inspiration will come from.

4. Take a break. Do not beat yourself up in an effort to produce new content. If the inspiration won't come to you, take a short break. This will refresh your mind and give it a re-boot, so to speak. It is better to take a break rather than force yourself into producing low quality content.

Have you encountered blogging block before? How do you produce fresh ideas all the time? 

 

Blogger 101: Dealing with Haters

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Disclaimer: Before I start, let me make this clear: I don't have as many haters or online bullies (luckily) as others do. But I do have fair share of it and I think many of my fellow blogger friends and readers do as well. Hence, I decided to come up with this post as part of my Blogging 101 series to address the issue and for others to gain some perspective about it, especially those who are getting a great deal of hate and/or criticism online.

No matter what you do or how successful you are, there will always be people who will try to dis-credit you. In general, I am a fun-loving person (except for when my PMS strikes and I have major mood swings). I like to talk about things I love with people I equally love. This is the same reason why I think I have thrived in the blogging industry - I get a lot of support from fellow bloggers in the community and I try my best to share the same kind of love and support. You do not know the impact that a simple encouraging message can do to others - it can turn a bad day around!

Hence, I am still surprised when even major bloggers (I prefer not to disclose their names here) have their fair share of haters or trolls online. I know that there are also people who feel that way towards me. I won't deny it. And I acknowledge it! But when people go out of their way to ridicule or send hate messages, my initial reaction is "why?". Is the hate too big of a burden to bear that you really had to take time off of your day to say negative things about another? And if I may insist, negative things toward somebody you barely or have not even spoken a word to? What basis do they get their negative feelings from?

It's a sad fact, I know. But for us on the receiving end of these hateful acts, it is important to change our perspective. Instead of moping around and doubting yourself, why not think of these instead:

Blogger 101: What You Did Not Know About Fashion Bloggers

It's no secret that a lot has been said about bloggers. Fashion bloggers, in particular, are at the receiving end of the worst of that. For one, we do showcase our bodies and outfits to the whole world. It takes a lot of guts and confidence to be able to do that... sadly, some people make light of it. After all, fashion blogging showcases two areas that a lot of people relegate as trivial and shallow pursuits: fashion and shopping. 

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However, not all fashion bloggers are the same. We are not walking billboards drumming up publicity for certain brands. There is a lot more to fashion blogging than meets the eye. 

We do have other careers aside from blogging!

This is probably the most common misconception that people have of fashion bloggers - women who freeload off of others and get items from various brands or sponsors. Sorry to break your bubble, but we're not. I do have a full time job and several contributing stints in some of the top beauty magazines online. I blog out of hobby... anything else that comes with it is a bonus!

We buy our own clothes!

Getting free items or samples for review is nice. But majority of the outfits and articles of clothing that I feature on the blog are purchased by me. I believe the same applies with most other fashion bloggers, too. 

We do have other interests aside from shopping and fashion!

Just because you see us talking about shopping and fashion all the time, that does not mean we don't have other interests. I like to share a bit of my personal life in the blog. However, that is not even close to 10% of what is really going on in my life. 

We don't always monetize our blogs!

Yes, there are a few sponsorship opportunities that come my way through this blog. But if there aren't any, it's not like I am going to stop blogging.

We're not models!

Sorry for the awkward photos and poses... I'm still working on it. 

We don't shoot like fashion magazines do!

In order to distinguish myself as a fashion blogger, I try to focus on styles that reflect my everyday wear - things that I would actually wear in real life. Hence, I don't have a slipper or rubber shoes hidden somewhere that I quickly slip into once I finish shooting in high heels. What you see is what you get!

What are your thoughts on how fashion bloggers are perceived?

 

Blogger 101: How to Use Social Media

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Any fashion blogger would tell you that your blog would be basically non-existent if you do not know how to utilize the power of social media. In this day and age, social media is utilized for a number of reasons - getting connected with your loved ones and sharing common interests. Thus, you can leverage these tools to let more people know about your blog. In fact, the top fashion bloggers in the world have built up a huge following on their blog by staying active on social media. You can therefore take these cues to promote your own blog and tap into that connection.

However, your social media accounts are only as powerful as you take advantage of them. Make sure you know how to promote your blog through social media: 

Build Your Profile

I've been to a lot of Twitter accounts or other similar social media accounts wherein the profile is left empty. I believe this is one of the major no-nos to social media marketing, especially if you want to leverage traffic. Make sure you provide basic information about yourself and provide a link to your blog on your profile. This is also an essential step in branding yourself, alongside your blog. No need to recreate your About Us page here. A brief and concise description about you or your blog will do.

Update Often

Another important tip to remember if you want to use social media for blog promotion - update often. How do you suppose your followers/friends know you updated your site with a new post if you do not share it? Even if you're not sharing links to your blog, update your page often. Build connections with fellow bloggers, readers and brands. Socialize! Interact!

Automate Content Sharing

There are websites like Networked Blogs that allow you to syndicate new content on your blog so they will automatically update your profile. Social media marketing could easily drain up your time. Hence, automating some aspects of your promotion will save you a great deal of time.

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Add Social Buttons

While you're promoting your blog on your social media profiles, you should also do the same on your blog. Add social media buttons on your website so it is easier for readers to know where to find you on social media.

Monitor Your Traffic

It is important to trace back which of your social media sites are generating the most traffic to your website/blog. This will enable you to focus your time and effort on social media sites that bring most traffic. 

Use Hashtags

Remember when hashtags were unique to Twitter only? Today, things are far different. Almost every social media site has their own hashtag algorithm. Take advantage of it! Most importantly, do a research on the top hashtags for your industry so you can maximize them for following or interaction.

How do you use social media to promote your blog?