Scroll down to enter the $250 Nordstrom gift card giveaway!
Blogiversary Outfit Details: Tularosa Audrey Pintuck Dress (also love the pink version!) | Gucci Soho Disco Bag | Steve Madden Gerard Sandals | Baublebar Slim Bar Pendant | Sugarfix by Baublebar Earrings |Daniel Wellington Classy St. Mawes Watch (c/o) | Urban Decay Lipstick (Sheer Lavender)
My Blogiversary: What I learned in the First Year of Blogging
So I finally had my one year blogiversary! Thank all of you who read this blog for your support and encouragement over the year! Your support truly means the world to me.
I started this endeavor on a whim last summer. I had just lost all my baby weight (which wasn’t exactly easy after having four kids) and gotten my body back in shape. Having spent the last ten years in mommy mode, I was a bit fashion clueless at the time. My sister-in-law told me one day, “April, you need new jeans!”. I looked at her rather dumbfounded, but took her advice. I decided I needed a whole new wardrobe revamp! So I was surfing online and happened across my first fashion blog – Cute and Little. After reading a few of her posts, I thought, “I can do that.”. I knew all about taking pictures, having been a professional maternity and newborn photographer for the last seven years. I had given it up to focus on family, but I missed the creative spark that photography afforded. To me, picking out clothing was not at all different from styling a newborn baby for their first portrait session, And I didn’t have to deal with clients! So I trained my daughter to take a few pictures (she is a natural at it) and set up a WordPress website. That was only the beginning….
Fashion Blogging is a Tremendous Amount of Work
If anyone tells you fashion blogging is easy, they are lying. Fashion blogging is just like any other self-employed job and you get out of it only what you put into it. A great deal of effort goes into each and every blog post. Planning the post takes time. What is the topic going to be? What outfit will I be wearing? Where will I take the pictures? Once that is accomplished, then there is the photo session itself. I’m not into the “keeping it real” casual look, so hair and makeup take time. Then there is the session itself. That can take between 15-25 minutes. Editing the photos takes 20 minutes (I use Photoshop and Lightroom) and then writing the post takes another 30-60 minutes. Then of course you have to promote your post on social media (something I really didn’t do as a portrait photographer) if you want anyone to see it at all. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest are all important. Making your post for the world to see is central to building your blog following. When it is all said and done I put 20-30 hours a week into this blog, and that is on top of a full time job as a physician, and of course taking care of my family.
Making Money is Even Harder
Some people think that fashion blogging means easy money and an easy life. Nothing could be further from the truth! Ten years ago, when no one even knew what a fashion blog was, perhaps that was true. But now, it seems like there are thousands of fashion bloggers, and it can be tremendously hard to stand out in the crowd. You are not really selling a physical good, and you have to produce quality content. Your blog needs to be seen by thousands of people for anyone to consider you. This is where “alt tags” become important (so Google can find you) and of course social media is important. Your posts shouldn’t really be about the cute outfit of the day, but they have to be engaging, creative topics that people will actually want to read! This doesn’t happen overnight, and often takes months or years to build a name for yourself. Persistence really is key. The longer you can keep your blog active and engaging, the more people will get to know your brand.
Making any money at all in the beginning is tremendously difficult, and you really shouldn’t expect it. For me, the rewards initially came through (and continues to be) clothing that was given to me in exchange for a blog post. I have some pretty discerning tastes, so I have been fairly selective about which brands I will partner with. The longer I do this, the more I realize that it is OK to turn down a company if it isn’t right. Then there are “affiliate links”. Each item I post about is linked through an affiliate link. ShopStyle is what I used initially as anyone can do it. ShopStyle is a pay per click affiliate linking program, so if you don’t get a lot of clicks you won’t make any money. RewardStyle is an invitation-only service, and I was accepted into it about 5 months of blogging. RewardStyle pays a higher commission, but people actually have to buy what you are advertising. If people don’t see your site, then that isn’t going to help.
Then there are sponsored posts. These are posts that are paid for by the company who wants their brand to be discussed. This is something that really only happens after you build a substantial following. I am just now starting to do sponsored posts.
Social Media is Key
While your blog is the ultimate representation of you and really the only thing you own, you cannot forget the importance of social media. Instagram is where it is at when it comes to this, and building a presence on Instagram is so important to retailers. You can’t just post a picture and be done with it (maybe if you are Kim Kardashian or you were on The Bachelor it works but I’m not quite that famous). You have to like and comment on lots of other people’s pictures and that in turn generates interest in your page. This in itself is a huge endeavor! Of course Pinterest is equally important, and that tends to take much less time. Facebook is important, but not like it used to be (pages are typically hidden from your followers unless you pay to promote them). Twitter can help too. How can a person keep up with all of it? This is where Pinterest schedulers such as Tailwind can help. Hootsuite is what I use to schedule posts to Facebook and Twitter.
Have a Niche
With thousands of bloggers in the blogosphere, how can you stand out in the crowd? It is so much easier when you have a niche. For me, it is about living as a petite woman. at 5’2″ I can’t wear typical sizes, and so it is only natural to blog about style for the vertically challenged. Of course I also love to talk about photography as this is what I truly love doing!
It’s not the Destination but the Journey
Isn’t that what is always said about anything that takes a lot of work? But it really is so true. I have made so many good friends through this journey, and for me that is the most rewarding aspect of blogging. The best thing I did was join Style Collective. This group of ladies was instrumental in allowing me to meet other bloggers! And by meeting other bloggers, I made good friends, and had more opportunities to network with others. My life has never been the same since doing this! Overall, blogging is an incredible investment of time, money, and creativity, but because of the friends I meet I want to keep doing it. Time will tell where the future leads…
*This blogiversary post contains affiliate links.
And speaking of friends, I have teamed up with my friend Jessica of PetiteStyleScript to host a giveaway! The winner will receive a $250 Nordstrom gift card! There are multiple ways to enter, an each separate entry counts as a chance to win. The giveaway begins tonight at midnight and ends August 16th. Good luck!
Congrats on one year, chica!!
Congratulations on your one year anniversary!!
One year down and many more posts for me to enjoy reading.
Happy One year anniversary for you too Jessica.
Congrats on the year of blogging! Such a fun milestone! Can’t wait to see what this year holds for you!
I agree it is hard work but each day I just keep going!
Nicole
Thank you so much for explaining the affiliate links and sponsored posts. I was always curious about it all. Happy anniversary!
You look great and I love the embroidery on the dress! Thanks for hosting a great giveaway as well!
Jessica–congrats and happy anniversary! Wishing you the best!
What a generous giveaway! Thank you and happy anniversary!
Happy Anniversary April!! I couldn’t agree more with everything you said about blogging. It definitely is hard work!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
I’m so glad we are celebrating our blogging 1-year anniversaries together! Fashion blogging is definitely a journey and a lifelong learning experience. Thank you for your support this past year; here’s to many more 🙂
~Jessica
Happy 1 year anniversary!
Congratulations on the first year anniversary of your terrific blog, April!
Big congratulations to Jessica, as well! Hip, hip hooray!
Congrats on one year of blogging! I loved getting to know more about your blogging journey, how cool that your daughter takes all your photos!
Congrats on the anniversary!
Congrats, very cute dress.
Congrats on the anniversary and the outfit is darling.
Thank you Jessica of PetiteStyleScript for the giveaway.
Congrats on one year, and thanks so much for hosting this great giveaway!
Congratulations on your blogiversary!
Congrats on a year of blogging.
Happy one year! Hope there are many many more milestones you continue to reach 🙂
Happy blogiversary to you! One year is such a huge achievement. I’m sure you were incredibly excited to celebrate this day. It’s amazing what you learn after being in the blogosphere for a little while. Here’s to even more great posts and new adventures!
Congrats on your first blog anniversary! Time to celebrate!
I love Jessica’s blog as well! Happy blog anniversary.
April, you couldn’t have summed it up any better! On the outside, fashion blogging looks extremely easy. Only those who wear the shoes know how much of yourself you have to pour into it. I’m so proud of you and Jessica and congrats on your one year blog anniversary! Feeling a little bummed about to going to NYFW. Would have loved to meet both of you.
happy one year anniversary. Keep blogging
Thanks Jessica for the giveaway!
Congratulations on your one year blog anniversary!
Happy blogiversary!!! Love your blog.
Congratulations…that’s a pretty dress.
Congrats on the anniversary!
Congrats on 1 year of blogging. Hope you have many more!!
Wow! I am very impressed by all your success in one year! Congratulations!
https://www.dressedinfaith.com
Congrats on your anniversary
Be well!
Happy 1st Blogiversary!!! Great post on the ups & downs on blogging…
Happy 1st Blogiversary! 1 year is such a fun milestone!
xx,
Amanda || http://www.fortheloveofglitter.com
I love to see people succeed!!
Congrats on one year! That’s awesome! Go you!
This dress is super cute on you! And CONGRATS on your blogiversary!! xo
Happy Anniversary.. I love reading your blog.. your pictures are always so pretty.. Thank you!
Happy 1 year anniversary!
Congrats on the anniversary!
Happy 1 year anniversary!
Happy Blogiversary!!! I really love your dress! That is so beautiful and looks so comfortable!
Happy Anniversary! I love reading your feed!
Congrats!! I must say that your style is perfect for an Arizonan like me. Whimsical, flowy…
This is such an AWESOME accomplishment!!! I’m someone who keeps making excuses of why I can’t start a blog, but I really want to. So you should be very proud. God bless!
So many great tips! Nice to see you’ve learned so much in your first year of blogging. 7 years of blogging for me, and honestly I’m not even good at that stuff still LOL
Congratulations! Great looking dress and shoes!
Very nice
Congratulations on your one year anniversary! What an awesome achievement. It must be incredibly satisfying
Thanks for your participation, Jessica
Happy Anniversary! Good luck on many more to come!
What a beautiful dress on you! Also congrats on your blog anniversary!! So exciting:)
xoxo, Hannah
Congrats on 1 year! Thanks for the blog ideas, I’ve thought pretty seriously about starting my own blog. One of the things I need to do is narrow down the ideas for my niche!
Happyanniversary!
I love the dress, congrats on your blog anniversary.
Following your both, love both of your styles. Enjoy reading your posts.
Have a happy blowout anniversary and many more to come.
Your blog is so developed for only having a year under your belt! Wishing you continued success 🙂
Birdie Shoots
CONGRATS, GIRL (:
Congrats to both of you on your one year blogversary and wishing you both many years of success! I love both of your blogs and follow both everywhere because I enjoy your awesome fashion features and styles. 🙂
Congratulations!! So exciting.
How stinkin cute is this???!!! Work it girl.
Congrats on your milestone! It probably seems like soooo long ago that you started and just like yesterday at the same time! Keep your head up and do what you love, when people have a passion for something always makes for a better end product!
Thank you Kari for your kind words!
Thanks Jessica for partnering up for the giveaway!
Congrats! Awesome dress and you look terrific in it. You wear it well!
Congratulation. Hope you have many more. I love these clothes here.
Congrats on the anniversary!
I love that outfit especially the embroidery on the dress, it’s cute!
Happy Anniversary April!
Thank you for the giveaway
that dress is so gorgeous!!! and you look fabulous. happy blogiversary!
You look really cute. Thank you for the giveaway.
Best wishes! God luck on giveaway!
Happy Anniversary. It is always exciting to celebrate milestones. BTW, I absolutely love the dress!!!
Hello, Jessica: I absolutely love the Fall Ready: Army Green Jacket. This is a perfect fall color.
Happy blogiversary! Love this post and I totally agree that most people just have no clue how much time blogging takes. And I didn’t know you were a physician- what type of medicine do you practice? Ps. I’m an urgent care PA!
xo, Kristina
Congrats on your first year, and many more to come.
Love the style of your blog.. interesting clothes and accessories.
Nordstrom has the most fashionable shoes I’ve ever seen. I would buy a pair for sure!
Happy Happy Joy Joy
Congrats to you!!!
congrats on one year!! that’s truly amazing!
Congratulations on your blogiversary!! That dress is so pretty on you. Thanks for this opportunity to win–I can’t imagine someone not being thrilled to win it.
I wasn’t sure but I commented on Jessica’s blog on the giveaway post for her comment.
Thanks again.
Congratulations on your one year Blogiversary April! May you be ever inspired in all of your endeavors. By the way, the Tularosa Audrey Pintuck Dress you are wearing is lovely on you, Thank you for sharing your insight on the details of fashion blogging. It really opened my eyes to the hard work and perseverance it takes.Thank you for this generous giveaway!
Big congrats on your first year!
Jessice,
Congrats. Happy happy joy joy.
Congrats on your success! Love the dress!
Thank you Jessica over at PetiteStyleScript!
Congrats and Thanks so much for the chance 🙂
Congrats Jessica Thanks so much for the chance 🙂
Congrats and your outfit is darling!
Lovely blog. Thanks for sharing your styles!
Nice to meet you Jessica
Happy 1st anniversary!!
Congrats!! All the hard work is really paying off. Keep up the great work and thanks..
Jessica and April are both so amazing.. Keep up the great work you two..
CONGRATS TO YOU JESSICA!
CONGRATS APRIL AND GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE!
thanks so much for this post and the chance to win!
Happy anniversary – Jessica thanks for the chance to win such an amazing giveaway.
CONGRATULATIONS APRIL I love your nice posts in your blog. Thanks for the chance to win BIG and keep up the hard work.
Happy Happy Anniversary! Such a beautiful dress!
I love the style of the dress! It is stunning and chic. Thanks for the chance to win.
Congratulations on a great blog and post Jessica!
Congratulations on a great blog and post April!
Congrats on becoming “proper” blogger! Thankyou for the insight!
Naima | http://www.sincerelynaima.com 🙂
Thank you Naima!
Great blog
Thank you Lynda!