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: 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. 

 

Blogger 101: Why You Don't Need to Buy New Clothes All The Time

To call myself a fashion blogger is a misnomer; I don't really talk in-depth about fashion trends or latest fashion events. I am more of a personal style blogger - blogging to showcase my personal taste in fashion and other ways I incorporate (or not) trends into my day-to-day looks. There are certain challenges to becoming a personal style blogger, though. Budget is one of the most pressing of these issues. We're not celebrities or models that get free clothes to model or wear for photoshoots. Hence, it is always a challenge to re-mix pieces on your closet to come up with new looks. 

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An easy solution for that? Buy new clothes - right? But this could come at a high price, literally speaking. Not everyone of us can afford to buy new clothes every week, every month! If you do feel the urge to do that, stop now. Here are a few tips I've learned along the way (from others and from myself) about coping with the urge to buy new clothes as frequently as you are compelled to.

Organize Your Closet

I bet you've encountered the phrase "shop your own closet" before. Most of us think that we have nothing to wear. However, this could be a case of simply not being organized enough so you can't actually see what you have! The moment you organize your closet, you'll find pieces you haven't worn in ages! It will be exciting to try them out again and see how you can style them.

Evaluate Pieces You Own

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If there are items that you have never worn or worn only a few times, ask yourself why. This is an important step so you can determine what to change about your shopping habits in the future. It is all about smart shopping not the frequency of your shopping trips. 

Visit Your Tailor

Are your old pieces torn or need fixing? Have you not worn an item because you don't like the fit? Invest on getting them mended or tailored to give you the right fit. It is more affordable than buying a new piece of clothing.

Do Some Purging

After running through your items, are there any items that you do not want to wear anymore? Sell them! Or donate. Either way, you can free up space in your closet to become more organized and get some money you can use for when you really need to buy something.

I know me giving out these tips is easier said than done. Even, I myself, struggle with the need to impulse shop. But hopefully, this will give us a broader perspective on the idea that it is more fun and creative to style pieces that you own rather than buy something new! 

Are you guilty of shopping new clothes all the time? How do you fight the urge?

 

Blogger 101: Commenting Etiquette

Blog commenting is one of the most useful techniques available to bloggers to build readership and connection. I, too, depend on this method to get new and maintain readership on my website. It is also a good way to spread out word about your blog because social media promotion alone is insufficient.

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However, blog commenting has earned a bad rap, especially in the SEO world. It has been relegated as a spammy approach to promoting a website. But I refuse to believe so. I think blog commenting can be a very powerful tool when used correctly. 

Thus, in this edition of my blogging 101 series, I'd like to share my two cents on the proper way to leave and manage blog comments:

DO's

* Be sincere. Make sure you add something of value to the conversation by leaving an honest and insightful comment. This might even encourage other readers to add their comments. It is a good way to build a conversation within the blogging space.

* Leave your blog links. I personally appreciate it when others leave a link to their blogs on their comments. It makes it easier to reciprocate the act of commenting. 

* Stay on topic. 

* Keep it brief. It can be easy to be overwhelmed but be straightforward in sharing your thoughts. Do not leave your own personal blog post at the comments section.

* Check for responses. It can be frustrating when you start a discussion and then be gone forever. If you are expecting a reply, check back on your comment. Do not leave the other person hanging. 

DONT's

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* Do not spam! This is the number one rule in blog commenting. As I've said, it is completely okay to leave your blog link. But it is best to limit it to that. If I decide to visit your blog, I will find the links to your social media accounts. No need to leave a link to every social media link on your post.

* Do not be impolite. If you read something you do not agree on, be polite in sharing your disagreement. You have to respect the blog's space and that you are merely a guest on that space.

* Do not make it hard for others to leave their comment. If you are concerned about troll or spam comments, impose a filtering method so you can moderate comments before they are published.

* Do not make generic comments. Or else, you will be leaving out an impression that you did not read the blog at all. 

These are just some of the things that I would like to remind everyone when it comes to posting comments on other blogs. Do you have other tips you can add?