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Beyond the Sponsored Post: Brands Want Your Social Media, Too

12:00:00 PM

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I know this is beating an obvious fact into the ground, but social media has firmly planted itself as a key form of communication in today’s society. As bloggers have evolved in their savviness around using social media to promote their blogs, so too have brands put time into learning how social media benefits them. Brands have turned a lot of their marketing department’s attention (and budget) to social media, and in working with bloggers active on Twitter and such. Brands are essentially paying to cultivate relationships with brand ambassadors. Influential ones, at that; those who aren’t just consuming social media, but turning around and sharing it with a sizable audience.

A few years ago, a brand sponsorship often only consisted of a sponsored post. Nowadays every brand is interested in far more than just a blog post or two. There’s social media content I’m asked to share across different platforms. At times there’s a “real-life” part to the contract which requires event duties – as simple as showing up or as big as a full speaking presentation on fashion and/or blogging. What does this all mean? It means brands are looking at more than just your blog – they’re looking at all the different places on the web you have an influential presence.

From my own experience with brand sponsorships, here are some ways in which brands might want to work with you on each of those sites – and what to tend to with each.

Twitter

Sharing tweets is one of the most common actions brand sponsorships will want you to take on social media. They’ll ask you to promote any blog posts you write. They will often include tweets crafted by the brand for you to send out through your Twitter handle, with specific hashtags related to this specific brand campaign. The tip here? Pay attention to your hashtags and use them every time! Hashtags are essential in keeping track of how well a Twitter campaign spread.

Facebook

The other most common social media ‘ask’ from a brand is Facebook sharing. Usually brands keep it pretty simple, requiring you to promote your sponsored blog posts to your FB page fans. Brands might also ask you to contribute to a Facebook live chat they host, or that you share some prepared status updates to your FB page. Make sure your blog’s Facebook page is fairly active, and make sure to appropriately tag them too! (How to tag pages on Facebook.)

Instagram

I’ve observed countless bloggers make some serious dough from Instagram campaigns alone. Brands will often ask bloggers for an Instagram photo/video set during a campaign they’re working together on. In it, the blogger captures anywhere from 10-15 Instagrams of various shots. Tag and hashtag correctly here, too, and do your best to create visually-appealing, evocative photos. Filters are your friend!

Sometimes brands will ask you to create and pin several images to Pinterest board on a specific topic, trend, or campaign keyword. I’ve also had brands request I embed one of their Pinterest boards into my sponsored posts. In either case, it’s a great way for brands to engage bloggers’ audiences and easily lead them back to their website.

YouTube

Brands might also request video content in your brand sponsorship, where you’re required to take footage of or share pre-recorded footage on your blog and other social media profiles. The bloggers who can bring some serious spunk and personality to their YouTube presence are often booked for brand campaign event host duties or other speaking presentations. You never know where that beauty haul video could take you!

What other unique ways might bloggers and brands work together on social media sponsorships?

How to Build Good Relationship Beyond Reviews and Giveaways

8:45:00 AM

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blogging tips

One of the biggest challenges I've experienced as a blogger is building a more long-lasting relationship with my favorite brands. It’s been my experience that getting the review or getting the giveaway in the first place is a lot easier than turning that relationship into more than a one-post stand. But at the same time, who wants to turn their site into nothing more than regurgitated press releases?

What are you looking for in a relationship with a brand? Free swag and gifts for your readers can be great, but I think ultimately (like our real-life relationships) we’re looking for something mutually beneficial. Maybe you’re hoping to grow that relationship into a brand ambassadorship, paid sponsorship, or a full-time job with the company. Regardless of what your end goal is, getting from the point of making the contact to the point of a mutually beneficial relationship IS HARD. I've got brands I've worked with for years, who I still have to beg for a lookbook each season!

TIP NO. 01 - I suggest asking what some of their (the brand) objectives are. From there you can get a feeling of where they are even willing to go and grow…and if what you may want to do aligns with their goals! When you know, you’ll have a prime opening to pitch your idea, showing them how their objectives can be reached.

TIP No. 02 - You can also do the direct, but laid back approach - In order to move the relationship beyond the status quo, ask them, in a casual manner, if they may be interested in X (a paid opportunity) that would even more thoroughly spotlight the brand on your site, or casually send them your media kit, in case they might be interested in some sponsored opportunity in the coming months. Keeping it professional, but casual, should make it comfortable to approach.

When you've been blogging a long time, you inevitably come across some challenges when working with a brand for so long. One of the old one issue that several times happen is when "you've had one solid contact at a brand for a very long time, and that point-person leaves." It’s almost like starting from square one to build your relationship up again with a new person.

Another biggest struggle in taking the next step is that “we can either underestimate or overestimate ourselves.” I have found that I surprised myself when I pitched a major brand and they loved it. I had history with them and had an idea and went for it! Was I scared? You bet. But if I did not believe in myself or had the courage to go for it, I wouldn't be here.

TIP NO. 03 - When it comes to remaining memorable, we that you show some common courtesy: In any kind of relationship, being attentive, diligent, and making them a priority (i.e. attending the brand’s events, posting info about them as soon as it’s released) is much-appreciated…doing something courteous and considerate, that requires minimal effort, like sending a thank-you email or even hand written note after you've worked with them on something really can make a difference in distinguishing yourself from the rest.

TIP NO 04 - Believe in yourself, have a game plan, and be professional!

Have you been successful in moving your relationships with brands past giveaways, reviews, and press releases? What tips do you have for the rest of the class?

Email me at blair.villanueva@gmail.com

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Fashion Blogger's Guide to Covering Events like a Pro

12:21:00 PM

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fashion

A Question for Credibility and Integrity? Bloggers Word War for Suzy Menkes's Complaints about Bloggers

10:29:00 PM

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blogging tips

As fashion bloggers, we are very glad that our readers appreciate the styling and art that we've created - which includes studying not only the basics, but also accessorizing it, make it stand-out, unique and show our true-self. Aside from receiving unexpected comments from our worldwide readers, and social media exposures, we are very felt "giggly" when our names are been recognized by different company brands, and PR agencies. And our "giggly" turns into more exciting when we've started to received exclusive invitations for appearances in various society events, and brand launching. And what IF you have received an exclusive invitation to attend the FASHION WEEK seating in the FRONT-ROW?! .... obviously our hearts and minds are in the Cloud 9..

Why I am telling you this?

It is because these things makes us happy, right? We are happy that our efforts are going to its right track. Like in my case, I started blogging for the sake of my hobby.

If you are following what's going-on in the recent New York and London Fashion Week - fashion sites, online newspapers and magazines, tells that fashion is now dominated by the newest crowd - The Bloggers. Most of the people in the industry likes it, but not ALL, including the essay, The Circus of Fashion of Suzy Menkes (published in T Magazine) laments that the focus of the biannual Fashion Week has shifted from the actual presentations of the people who stand and "peacock" outside them, waiting to be captured in outfits seemingly engineered to make photographers pay attention.

"You can hardly get up the steps at Lincoln Center, in New York, or walk along the Tuileries Garden path in Paris because of all the photographers snapping at the poseurs. Cameras point as wildly at their prey as those original paparazzi in Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita.” But now subjects are ready and willing to be objects, not so much hunted down by the paparazzi as gagging for their attention."

Menkes's article, which ultimately questions whether bloggers have been good or bad for the industry, received so many responses that the International Herald Tribune issued a press release. To date, Susanna Lau of Style Bubble, Leandra Medine of Man Repeller, Isabel Wilkinson of The Daily Beast, and Khadijat Yussuff of Youth Savage have penned or promised responses. Here's a look at just a little of what's been said.

Leandra Medine: "It doesn't seem quite fair to peg the bloggers that have actually become 'famous' as such just for being famous. When I think Tavi Gevinson or Susie Bubble or Emily Weiss or, on the street spectrum, Tommy Ton, I think recognition based on the merit of astounding work."

Susie Lau: "I do want to address this issue after Fashion Week hubbub has died down, as I haven't quite figured how I feel yet, but for now, I suppose I have nothing to do except to go right ahead and confirm Menkes's exact suspicions: that we are all peacocking, however much we doth protest."

Isabel Wilkinson: "You can't hate on all the fashion bloggers in the world just because you can't get into your seat at a fashion show without having to walk past a few of them. And they may be swaddled in astrakhan when you see them, but not all fashion bloggers have had it easy. . . . Many have started their blogs from scratch and invariably hustled to make money off of them. Some are real entrepreneurs."

Khadijat Yussuff: "I think she fails to take into account the fact that a lot of these people are dressing for one another and themselves. . . . The point of personal style is that there is a trademark that is uniquely yours that you have developed and edited over time. And so what if it's out there, crazy, or impractical?"

... and now, your witty comments on this (issues). :)

Email me at blair.villanueva@gmail.com

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Reasons Why The ‘Follow For Follow’ Technique Hurts Your Blog

7:30:00 AM

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blogging tips

"Please follow me and I’ll follow you back. Have a good day.”

Does this sound familiar?

We are talking about the “follow me and I’ll follow you” comments that often fill up under a post, your email box, Facebook and Twitter notifications.

I can understand why some of you are vocal about your frustration with this tactic — and I’m here to say I agree with you. While self-promotion is a part of the blogging game, sending out floods of mass, impersonal messages could actually hurt your blogging reputation more than help.

Here's our top reasons WHY?

First, and most importantly, you should really only follow and promote blogs you genuinely enjoy. Readers pick up on who you are endorsing and, in a way, it’s a reflection on you. Stay true to what inspires you and save your “follows” for bloggers who actually matter to you.

The “I’ll follow you if you follow me” tactic may get you a sweep of initial followers, but the reality is that it’s not a long-lasting plan, especially for engagement. Sure, they may “follow” you, but are they commenting on or sharing your posts? Are they offering advice and engaging in conversation? Probably not. In fact, if they aren't even reading your blog, you’re not even getting more page views. What’s the point of having a follower if they aren't a genuine reader?

For the people you are messaging, it may feel like spam or disingenuous. When you are constantly bombarding people with vague “follow me!” messages, it leaves a sour taste much (akin to junk emails). However, if you are genuinely interested in collaborating with a blogger, write them a well thought out email about why you like their blog, what your blog is all about, and why you two would be a good fit to work together. This way you are building an organic relationship that could be lasting over time, not just a temporary boost.

Have you tried the “follow me and I’ll follow you” tactic? What do you think about it?

How Do You Reward Yourself For Good Work?

3:43:00 AM

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blogging tips

In a typical “day job” you have co-workers, a team, a boss — and everyone has to answer to a higher authority. But being a independent fashion blogger means you are your own boss, and for many, the whole team. So while you may not have someone checking your work or reprimanding you when you over sleep, you also don’t have someone rewarding your jobs well done. You may soon realize that you are a tougher boss on yourself than you might have expected.

Being rewarded for good behaviors is just as important as being tough on yourself. We’ve talked about how goal setting can be the most efficient way of getting your blogging business started (and maintained). But rewarding your progress along the way is just as vital to keeping your sanity — you don’t want to end up feeling like you are constantly running up hill. Take a breather. Reflect.

Maybe you exceeded your monthly traffic goal, or maybe you landed an awesome campaign, (or maybe it’s just Friday!) — whatever the reason is, giving yourself a little pat on the back for your accomplishments is imperative to from keeping yourself from having a blogger burn out.

Whether it’s a manicure, brownie, a day off, or a little retail therapy, it’s healthy. Giving yourself rewards is a way of keeping yourself motivated, especially when there’s no one else motivating you.

How to Reward Yourself for Your Accomplishments

Think about things that really relax you or items you may want to purchase, and write them down so you have a tangible list. Make one column for “big ticket” items (like a vacation) and one for smaller treats (like a new pair of heels). Making your rewards tangible will help you remember to treat yourself (it’s easy to forget).

Rewards work best when they are realistic. For instance, don’t promise yourself a trip to Paris if you can’t afford it. If a cupcake is more your budget, take that into account.

Now go ahead, treat yourself.