Let’s play a game. When I say “fashion blogger”, you say…
Airhead?
Vain?
Hobbyist?
Try this one for size: hard-working professional writer.
Fashion bloggers have a bad rep lately. Industry veterans see us as an amateur trend that should’ve died already, while the average internet citizen thinks we’re all self-absorbed model-wannabes.
Having been a style blogger for more than four years, I can tell you that we’re not these shallow beings who take selfies all day (well… not all of us!). We’re stylists, photographers and, like you, writers.
Many of us have taken our “hobby” to the next level — launching businesses, opening boutiques, even starring in an ad or two. I started freelance writing and doing social media for small businesses when I figured out that I could build a career on my fashion blogging experience. Reading awesome blogs like this one, I realized that the fashion world and the freelancing arena aren’t all that different.
They’re both tough businesses that need tons of creativity, a relatable personality, quick thinking, and the courage to put yourself out there for the world to see.
Still not sure how fashion and writing work together? Here are my takeaways from fashionista land that you can use no matter what types of blogging you do.
Give Popular Topics Your Own Flair
Every time a new fashion trend comes out, everybody and their mom is wearing it (and telling you the same three reasons why it’s so fabulous).
So. Boring.
How many times have you seen the same blogging tips rehashed over and over? Yeah, your eyes just gloss over them. And if your article reads the same way, your editors’ eyes will do the same thing.
That’s why you need an angle on that topic that only you can bring. Three ways you can do that are:
1. Incorporate your own experiences.
- Example: 7 Things I Learned About Freelance Blogging from Interviewing My Clients puts a unique spin on writing advice by getting tips from the author’s actual clients instead of other bloggers.
2. Talk about how your day job influences your writing life.
- Example: Heiddi Zalamar uses her experience as a mental health professional to discuss writer rejection in her post 6 Steps to Rise Above Rejection and Be a Better Writer.
3. Combine two topics and have a Tim Gunn “make it work” moment.
Every combination gives you a different angle, as in these examples:
- Spice Girls + Guest Blogging = 4 Guest Blogging Lessons You Can Learn from the Spice Girls
- Movies + Blog Pitching = Your Blogging Audition: How to Pitch Like a Movie Star
Be Your Awesome Self
Listen, anybody can take photos of their clothes and call themselves a fashion blogger. But no readers will care unless they relate to you as a person.
Beyond the Louis Vuitton bag, that blogger better have a story to tell — and not about how awesome she is because she can afford a Louis bag. Not interested!
She should be willing to share her not-so-fabulous moments that helped her learn the tips she recommends. That’s how we connect to our readers, showing them we’re human, trustworthy and likeable. Once you develop that kind of authentic relationship, people will read (and buy!) anything with your name on it.
On the freelance side of fashion blogging, editors are looking for traffic and reader engagement. They want the type of content that’ll have customers lining up on their site like it’s a Black Friday sale. And many editors judge you by your social media profiles as well as your writing portfolio.
OK, so how do you forge those genuine connections with readers?
- Share the experiences that relate to what you’re writing about. If you’re a business pro who had 12 failed start-ups before finding success, write about it. If you’re a mommy blogger whose kid’s public tantrums taught you to think on your feet, share the insights you gained from every embarrassing moment! People will readily take the advice of someone who’s been in their exact position.
- Use social media to share your personality as well as promote your expertise. Tweet an insight you learned today, share a picture of your cat on Facebook, or show off your cooking skills on Pinterest. Sharing personal info every so often lets people know you’re a real person and not a robot just posting promos.
Think (and Plan!) Ahead
Fashion moves at lightning speed. When the New Year starts, we’re already writing about swimsuits while watching fall coats on the runways. Staying up-to-date with industry trends is a must, because no one wants to read about yesterday’s news.
As a freelance blogger, you need timely and relevant article ideas, no matter what industry you’re writing for. You want to show editors that you’re in the know and are really passionate about your niche.
Plan ahead by:
- Getting a calendar or day planner and marking out special events, conferences, etc. in your area of expertise. Then set deadlines to pitch stories about those events way ahead of time. (Don’t scoff at the spring dresses you see on racks right after Christmas. Those stores have the right idea!)
- Reading influential blogs and sites in your niche on a daily basis. Sign up for email newsletters, subscribe to podcasts, or use a feed reader service that lets you read all your favorite blogs in the same place. As soon as big news breaks, you’ll be one of the first to know (and write about it!).
Sell Yourself
For fashion bloggers, taking pictures of our outfits has benefits besides gaining readers. We learn how to sell our style choices, and ultimately ourselves, so we can catch the attention of brands we want to work with.
Knowing what makes your work unique and valuable is important. Knowing how to sell it to potential clients is crucial. Just like a pair of shoes can make or break an outfit, your client’s first impression can make or break your career.
How can you put your best face forward?
- Make sure your professional website looks fabulous! It’s often the first thing editors see, so make sure it not only looks good, but highlights your services, best work, and ultimately the reasons why people should work with you.
- Take your time crafting your pitch letters. Do your research and figure out how your work and talent fits in with each individual publication.
- Show your skills on social media (it’s not the place to be shy!). Let people know you’re knowledgeable and the go-to person for what you do.
- If you’re a financial guru, flaunt your financial tips in daily tweets.
- Mommy bloggers can share their favorite baby products on Facebook.
- Pinterest is the perfect platform to show off creative arts and crafts, with a link back to your instructions.
However you choose to do it, let your unique style shine through. Then work it, baby!
Your turn: How have your non-writing work experiences helped you in your freelance writing career?
Darlene Strand says
Congradulations Margaret! Good luck on your success in your new business. Your concept was very interesting and made easy to understand, how you were combining your ideas, between ‘Fashion’ and ‘Business’ and writing as a ‘free lance blogger’. Before retiring two years ago, I worked five years in Security. Reading your awesome post, made me think, how that idea could be defined in a way to almost ‘every’ working industry. I believe in a personal way that fits me and helps me to understand; writing as a free lance blogger can make my ‘plan’ of being ‘alert’, of being ‘strong’, and of making ‘sure’ I can ‘follow’ most suggestions but always improve where I need to most to my best effort of ‘thought’ and wanting to be a better writer as I keep blogging and expressing and sharing with client and others what happens in life that can be applied in whatever I may write!
Margaret McGriff says
Hi Darlene!
You definitely have the right idea! Using the skills you learned working in security in blogging paves the way for finding a writing style that helps you stand out from everyone else.
I’m so glad you found this helpful and good luck to you!
Lynn Silva says
It’s never a nice feeling to be judged, tried and convicted for something you’re passionate about. Your article provides several ‘doable’ tips that validate authenticity and allow us to be, and flourish as the exact person we are. Thanks for bringing that wonderful feeling of authenticity. : )
Margaret McGriff says
You are so right Lynn. Great writing comes from a passionate and authentic place. Your freelance blogging business can be successful regardless of what you love to write about! 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment!
Margaret McGriff says
You’re so right Lynn. It’s not cool to be judged based on what you love. Great writing always comes from a passionate and authentic place, no matter what you write about!
Gabby smith says
That’s right people seem to judge people buy what they write and they don’t understand that what people write is something that might help other people out their
Kerry Congdon says
Margaret, love this! I have a little bit of a background in fashion myself and can sooo relate to the shallow, airhead, etc., image people have of anyone who shows an interest in style. Great tips that can be applied anywhere in the freelance writing realm; thanks so much!
Margaret McGriff says
I’m soo glad you can relate Kerry! If people could only learn about the fashion bloggers who’ve been in the game just as long (and longer!) than me they’ll see the business-like and innovative spirit that can be found in other industries.
Jordan Clary says
Enjoyed your article & great tips! I could really relate to your post too — I write about jewelry, something I kind of fell into from writing about gem mines. That led me to writing about stuff I’ll never be able to afford in my wildest dreams! I definitely went through the feeling trivial stage, but now I find it a lot of fun. It’s like living a double life and I’m learning there’s more to fashion than I realized.
Margaret McGriff says
Can I justsay that I am such a jewelry fanatic it’s insane! LOL
It’s awesome that you were able to push through that and find the fun in it. If what you’re writing about isn’t appealing to you, there’s no way you can get to that next level (and stay there!)
Carol Ann Gegg says
I loved this post. I want to develop a blog about agriculture. That is my passion. I can see that I can take many of your suggestions and focus on my passion and love and share that in a blog.
Thanks so much.
Margaret McGriff says
That’s awesome Carol! I would love to see how you apply these ideas to agriculture.
Jennifer Brown Banks says
This post definitely shows that you “got the moves like Jagger!”
Looking forward to more encore performances. 🙂
Margaret McGriff says
Haha! I love it Jennifer! Thanks so much. 🙂
Bree Brouwer says
I know we’ve discussed this before in the forums, Margaret, but I definitely think you’re accurate there when you say you have to be your own self and exude your style from every pore of your body if you want to be hired. Seems like this is more necessary in fashion and entertainment than other industries!
Margaret McGriff says
Absolutely Bree! In this day in age, it really pays to be yourself!
Nina Grdic says
I absolutely love this! Very insightful and extremely helpful – thank you!
Margaret McGriff says
Thank you Nina! I’m glad it could help you. 🙂
Kathleen Krueger says
I spent 20+ years doing accounting in the construction industry prior to launching into freelance writing. Those two areas, accounting and the construction trades have helped me secure several blogging jobs. My background in small business in general provides not only a resource for writing but a good handle on the business side of being a freelancer. Nothing in your background should be wasted when you’re a freelance writer. It’s all resource material.
Margaret McGriff says
Having solid experience in a field and being able to write about it are gold stars in a writer’s portfolio. That’s great you were able to use that experience to get writing gigs! You hit the nail on the head – Nothing in your background should go to waste in your writing career.
Miriam says
I totally agree that sharing your experiences is a great way of connecting with your readers even if you are writing about “set in stone” subjects like medicine because when readers feel your pain they are more likely to adopt your solutions and possibly follow you for more tips. Thanks for sharing.
Margaret McGriff says
No matter what you write about, there’s a human story to share and at the end of the day, readers want to connect.
Thanks so much for your comment!
Anca Dumitru says
Awesome post, Margaret! And thanks so much for mentioning my guest blogging audition post. 🙂
You hit the nail on the head by highlighting the aspects of planning timely ideas ahead and covering them from various angles along with the discipline of setting deadlines for stories to pitch. Creativity and discipline are crucial in the freelancing landscape regardless of industry. Thanks for pointing that out.
Margaret McGriff says
You are so welcome Anca! That was a great post and so timely for me as I was gearing up my own queries.
During a summer fashion job we always worked at least two seasons ahead of the one we were in and it taught me that staying ahead of the game prepares you for any potential opportunities that may come up in the future!
Jenn Flynn-Shon says
Yes! I was recently hired to write a guide for DIY foundation repair based solely on my enthusiasm for the topic because of my past life as a home renovation flipper (aka: basket case with no money). It was a great experience because I had to research a lot of info but already had an idea of what I was reading so absorption of the material was easier because my brain wrapped around it.
I love this post, your ability to connect these 2 subjects is seamless and really easy to relate to my own experiences. Thanks!
Margaret McGriff says
Congratulations Jenn! That’s awesome how you were able to use that experience to land a gig and it was something that you enjoyed learning about as you wrote it. Those types of jobs are the best!
Jordan Walker says
This is a great article, and it really helps me as a follow fashion blogger. Lately I wasn’t sure as if I mattered and it was bringing me down, but this article helped me realize the mistakes I’ve made within in my blog, so thank you so much.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
So glad that Margaret was able to lift your spirits, Jordan! Thank you for stopping by. 🙂