Tuesday, September 10, 2013

How to Be a Good Blogger, by a Not So Perfect Blogger

Hey guys!

So today, I wanted to write about something. I know I usually show outfit pictures, but this is a post I've been thinking about doing for a while now.

I, am by no means, saying that I am a the best fashion blogger ever and you all should listen to my advice! But I am a pretty good fashion blog follower, and I can tell you some things that make me stick around to see what a fashion blogger posts next, and what things make me want to never come back again. In this post, I just wanted to share a couple of the things I've "learned" from the blogging world.

1. Be Consistent

I make this number one because it is probably the most important thing a blogger can do, and because it's probably the number one thing on this list I'm the worst at. Being consistent is very important in the blogging world. That doesn't mean you need to post everyday. Though, I will say that those who do post every day are amazing and I do check back every day to see what they've posted about! So if you're really looking to gain a following, I'd say that's a great way! If you're not interested in posting every day, or maybe you can't find the time, then at least make a schedule. I used to post every day - Then I got busy. Since I got busy, I made a schedule where I posted every other day - Still too busy! I have yet to find a schedule that works for me, which can be frustrating. The point is, whether you post once a week, three times a week, or every day - People will check back in if they can expect something. 

2. Be Patient
This ties into the first tip. It can be hard to stay motivated to post every day when it feels like nobody is reading. Whether we blog for our personal use or to entertain others, we're putting something out into the world and it's always discouraging when your efforts go unrecognized. Be patient. When it comes to posting every day, it might not seem like it matters because you only have a handful of followers. That handful of followers notice, and every person you see that has 200,000 followers has had five followers at some point. 

3. Know your Content & Be Original
This is something that really annoys me with fashion blogging. There are a lot of people out there who will do little mistakes like call a sleeve or collar by the wrong term, or say a pair of shoes is a Mary Jane when really, it's just a t-strap heel... My point is, if you're going to be a fashion blogger, know the terms, know what looks best on you, just know the subject in general! You don't have to be Alexander McQueen to have a fashion blog, but you do at least need some knowledge of fashion if you want people to take you seriously. That brings me to my next point under this heading, which is being original. I will not subscribe to somebody who posts pictures of themselves in a tube top and jeans. Sometimes, it's nice to post a casual outfit - We all do it sometimes. It's when it's most or every outfit post done on super simple outfits that I'll get bored. Be original. It takes more than just that knowledge of fashion I talked about, it also takes style. Many people, including myself, look to blogs for inspiration, ideas, and knowledge; knowledge of what we like, what we want to buy, what we want to try! I don't need to see 100 pictures of you in skinny jeans before I know I need a new pair. Originality wins over everything, every time.

4. Be Neat
Another thing that is an instant red flag to me when it comes to subscribing to blogs is the layout of their blog in general! Maybe it's just my personal asthetic, but it seems like a lot of the most popular blogs are the simple ones. With a fashion blog especially, things should be neat. You know how in stores, they use no frill manaquins? It's the same reason why fashion designers use long, skinny girls with blank facial expressions on the runway - It distracts from the clothes! If you have a million ads framing your posts, a distracting background, too big of a header, etc,etc. (The list really does go on!) It really does take away from your content. You can have the best OOTD posts or fashion advice online, but it won't get as much recognition as it deserves if your layout and background objects are taking up it's spotlight! Find something that works for you. It doesn't have to be lacking of personality, but remember, it's to display your content - Not take away from it. 

5. Don't Stray!
This is another important one, I think. There are of course, exceptions to this rule. However, if you're going to have a fashion blog, have it be a fashion blog. Not a fashion/baking/diary/music review blog. If you're interested in blogging about other things though, I think that's great! This also goes back to the neatness thing. Have separate tabs or areas to go for each topic. I hate it when I'm trying to find a girls outfit posts, but I'm stuck scrolling through pages of recipes! If you're going to have a blog with many different topics, make sure your layout can accomodate them. That being said, I don't mean that if you're a fashion blogger you can't have little random throw ins now and then. I personally like seeing aspects of bloggers that I like in their everyday lives. This post for example, has very little to do with fashion. But it's only one post - Once you have a bunch of different posts about a bunch of different things, it can be confusing for the reader. 

Well, those are my top five tips on how to have a nice blog. I left out stuff about promoting yourself and what not, because I think there is plenty of information out there about that kind of thing if you just do a simple google search. These are just my thoughts on blog aesthetics, content, and concept; a few tips on how to make your blog more reader friendly.

Do you have any pet peeves when it comes to bloggers? Is there anything that can turn you away from a blog you might otherwise enjoy?


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1 comment

  1. My pet peeve is when they have a really unprofessional theme, one that looks like a five year old designed it! These are definitely some good tips!

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