10 Quick Tips on How to Make Money Being a Fashion Blogger
Fashion bloggers are changing the entire scheme of the internet. Bloggers are altering the social media game entirely from its original intention and looking stylish as can be – while making money. If you want in on the action of being glamorous while profitable, here’s 10 quick tips on how to make money as a Fashion Blogger.
How to make money being a Fashion Blogger is a process of understanding your niche, audience, brands you want to work with, marketing to them, and more. Consistency is key, as well as quality content to gain the attention of brands you seek to collaborate with. To monetize your fashion love, it will take a thoughtful blog name, gripping photography, effective SEO, and sheer talent.
It’s not as easy as it may look and can take big commitment on your part to build that following. Without an audience, it’s difficult to get brands on your side for that real boost in numbers that you need to be successful (and not to mention, lucrative). This guide will serve as your comprehensive how-to for Fashion Blogging and becoming profitable in your niche!
Women's Boho floral party dress
(Click image to check price on Amazon)
How to Make Money Being a Fashion Blogger:
You’re up for the challenge. Beautiful. The next step will be understanding that you are now apart of a highly competitive and crowded field. Every girl with a sense of fashion wants to think others will idolize their style.
What you really need to ask yourself is – Do I bring anything new to the table? And are my looks really that good?
If they’re not, find your other strengths. You’ve got hundreds, and we’re all destined for amazing things! But if fashion blogging isn’t yours, that’s absolutely fine.
You may not be a natural-born Fashion Blogger if:
- No one ever runs up to tell you your outfits amazing
- You don’t really even like fashion and you’re just doing it for likes
- You’re only doing it for the money. People see through that and we want authenticity. If you love fashion, your audience will feel it and the process will be a million times easier. If you don’t they’ll smell it like raw fish through their screens.
- Perhaps you should be honest with yourself if only Aunt Shirley and your mom think you dress like a queen. Sweet as this is, you’ll need the internet’s support which will require more than maternal bias.
I’m a huge proponent for self-awareness. I know what I’m good at and what I should avoid. You don’t need to be a blogger or influencer to prove anything to anyone. Ask yourself if you’re doing it for the right reasons or to impress people.
That becomes an endless trap of trying to impress people you don’t even know or like, working a job you hate, to buy expensive cars you can’t afford, to again – impress people you don’t like! A vicious circle so I’ll start right now by saying popularity or internet exposure will not bring your happiness or fulfillment. That comes from inside you.
But!
If you’re a wise soul who’s already done the self-work and you simply know you’re on trend – do it! Get that exposure for your fashion talents and get paid for your natural aptitudes. Welcome to the lion’s den babe, cause it’s fierce competition.
10 Tips to Become a Fashion Blogger:
You’re up for the challenge. Beautiful. The next step will be understanding that you are now apart of a highly competitive and crowded field. Every girl with a sense of fashion wants to think others will idolize their style.
What you really need to ask yourself is – Do I bring anything new to the table? And are my looks really that good?
If they’re not, find your other strengths. You’ve got hundreds, and we’re all destined for amazing things! But if fashion blogging isn’t yours, that’s absolutely fine.
You may not be a natural-born Fashion Blogger if:
- No one ever runs up to tell you your outfits amazing
- You don’t really even like fashion and you’re just doing it for likes
- You’re only doing it for the money. People see through that and we want authenticity. If you love fashion, your audience will feel it and the process will be a million times easier. If you don’t they’ll smell it like raw fish through their screens.
- Perhaps you should be honest with yourself if only Aunt Shirley and your mom think you dress like a queen. Sweet as this is, you’ll need the internet’s support which will require more than maternal bias.
I’m a huge proponent for self-awareness. I know what I’m good at and what I should avoid. You don’t need to be a blogger or influencer to prove anything to anyone. Ask yourself if you’re doing it for the right reasons or to impress people.
That becomes an endless trap of trying to impress people you don’t even know or like, working a job you hate, to buy expensive cars you can’t afford, to again – impress people you don’t like! A vicious circle so I’ll start right now by saying popularity or internet exposure will not bring your happiness or fulfillment. That comes from inside you.
But!
If you’re a wise soul who’s already done the self-work and you simply know you’re on trend – do it! Get that exposure for your fashion talents and get paid for your natural aptitudes. Welcome to the lion’s den babe, cause it’s fierce competition.
10 Tips to Become a Fashion Blogger:
1 Find Your Blog’s Niche – Before you can upload photos, name your blog, create a profile pic/ bio, etc – you need to know what direction your blog is going in. This will take some time researching other blogs and seeing what you like and don’t like. Filter everything through your personal vision and unique way of seeing fashion. Stay original and figure out a very pin-pointed niche. This will help people find you easier than a broad subject.
For example – If you’re a ‘50’s Vintage Pin-up Fashion Blogger,’ that has many keywords and the person looking for these subjects will be able to find you easier. But if your niche is, ‘Boho Fashion,’ you’ll be competing with millions and it will be hard to stand out, and therefore be found/followed. Don’t let yourself get buried by not being specific enough in your direction or hashtags.
2. Pick a Blog Name – Naming your blog is a fun step. They’re really all fun steps if you enjoy fashion and connecting with people. Your name should resonate with many but still feel unique. I’ve followed pages just because they’re name made me repeat it allowed or chuckle from it’s cleverness. A favorite of mine is, “@TextsfromyourExistentialist” hilarious and quality content. Be creative and have fun with your title. It will grip people or make them yawn.
You can put in your birth name if you want it to be more public. If looking for more privacy you can just name yourself something catchy and anonymous, like, “Fashionbloggersupernova,” but I’m sure that’s taken so you can’t steal that one!
3. Purchase a Domain – It’s important to have an idea of your name but then before creating the Instagram and linking to your blog website – be sure the domain is available. There are billions of people on this planet in case you didn’t know. Many domains are gone and the best that seem obvious are probably gone but that’s ok. This gives you an opportunity to create something unique! We recommend using Bluehost to begin building your site. At Bluehost you can purchase the domain, start up an account with WordPress and set up your business email.
This is a good thing because it pushes you to be more creative and original. You want to have an idea of the name you want to use then experiment with the domain. I’ve instructed clients of mine that I create logo’s for to check this first because it’s often changed their entire blog name. You’ve got to roll with the dice and if it’s not available, you don’t want there to be two of you under the same name.
You may need to change your initial name, but it could be even better! Dig harder.
4. Design Your Website – You can either do this yourself or hire a Web Designer. There are tons of options online that are quite simple to build your own. So if you have a simple vision and any technological skills at all, I say save money and build it yourself. One of the easiest ways to do this is through WordPress via Bluehost.
If you want to have the most beautiful blog in the universe, you may want to hire a professional to do it for you. It will give you an edge. Another idea here is to start with your own, then once you’ve built a larger following and are more lucrative, invest in a reboot with a professional designer.
You want to cut costs as much as possible up front so it’s good to keep the designer in mind for down the line. To build it yourself you can use websites like Wix.com, WordPress, and many more. Google Website builder and check prices, layouts, read blogs on what people recommend for building your Fashion Blog.
I have a Wix site and it was very simple to purchase the domain through that platform as well. If you have an Adobe account, you can also use their Portfolio feature that is available for all users to create a free website.
5. Collect Outfits – This is another fun step. Deciding what pieces you want to feature first and catch people’s eye immediately. First impressions are huge. We all know this and it can make or break someone choosing to follow you or not. Be sure your first posts are what you love and you’re not just trying to appeal to the masses.
Once you know the style and direction you’re going in – it’s photoshoot time!
6. Quality Photographs – There are tons of photographers with serious talent that would love to do a photoshoot with you. You can find them on websites like Freelancer, Upwork, Airbnb Experiences in your city, or just on Facebook/Instagram. Social media is your friend and you can even post to let people know you’re looking for a quality photographer and to for friends to refer some your way. Community makes these things easier as you can’t do everything on your own.
Another option is to have a friend or family member do the photoshoot for you. Be sure they have basic camera knowledge and an eye for capturing the right angles. This can be a fun date and also free. Go exploring the city and bring some outfit changes. You’ll be the model looking chic as can be in urban environments, historical settings, parks, wherever you see fit for your aesthetic.
7. Editing Photos – You may want to invest in Lightroom, Photoshop, or some kind of photo editing program as well. Quality images need to be bright, clear in resolution, and have a sense of balance. Use your creative eye to crop out distracting things, highlight where you want the eye to go and clean up the photos.
Have fun experimenting with fun blurs, tripping color effects that feel other-worldly, or whatever you think would work with your vibe. An example of this is if you’re a Fashion Blogger posting vintage corsets that feel very Marie-Antoinette/18th century, you might play around with some ‘oil-paint’ filters to make yourself look like an old painting. Be creative and make it yours.
8. Social Media and Marketing – This is where the consistency is crucial. Post every day, sometimes 3-4 times a day if you’ve got it in you. I’ve heard that Instagram is changing drastically in the next year and will be filled with more and more advertisers and influencers. This is good and bad news, but the algorithm is very different right now than it will be.
Since the algorithm is changing, you need to take advantage of the getting while it’s good. Right now, it’s free and easy to get noticed in your posts, but in a year they may get buried under content and your 3-4 posts a day will get substantially less likes.
You’ll want to optimize your SEO (Search Engine Optimization). If you didn’t know the abbreviation without the breakdown in parenthesis, hire an SEO Specialist. It’ll save you time and probably be much more effective if you don’t understand anything about it.
Focus on things closer to your niche but SEO is very important to be found on Google and trust me, you want it done correctly.
9. Be Adaptable to New Platforms – Use this year to establish yourself before this changes as people may be moving off Instagram and finding a new platform. This tends to happen because people love authenticity. We don’t like to feel sold things and it needs to feel genuine to work.
If Instagram and Facebook get crowded, everyone will just leave like they left Myspace and Snapchat (on the downhill). Facebook is as well, and Instagram is mostly younger people. If they get sick of Insta, looks like TikTok and YouTube may be on the rise. Keep an eye out and adapt for changes in the market. You have to go where the work is so don’t get stuck in one place or attached to one platform.
Set up Google Analytics which is a wonderful tool to monitor your website’s traffic. Be proactive and do things to get yourself noticed by the brands you want to work with. This leads us to the final step –
10. Be Intentional – If you want to be a fashion blogger, actively be messaging and reaching out to designers and fashion pages. You have to make things happen for yourself and connections won’t happen out of thin air. You’ll have to put in the work and don’t be shy.
This is not the time to be meek or modest. Tell the brand exactly what you have to offer them and what an asset you are to their brand. Make yourself sound as amazing as you are. They’d be stupid not to work with you and that’s the attitude you need to have to succeed.
Brand’s don’t have time to come up with what you can do for them, so often the connections that work are the ones where the blogger has the idea and brings it to the brand. Make it easy for them and your chances will raise substantially.
As far as pricing, research your niche and what similar bloggers charge. Know your worth and if it’s not enough money, don’t waste your time. Time is the biggest asset so place that above any amount of money. It will make you richer in the long-run, I promise.
Bonus Tip – Also make sure to apply to companies that will work as the middleman for you! This makes it easy and they’ll help you connect with brands and make that introduction. Some to look at are RewardStyle, Mode Media, and StyeList. You’re welcome.
Working with Designers You Love:
These influencers are partnering with brands and marketing their products while creating a cohesive style for people to connect with and follow. You’ll need to stand out to get paid by the bigger companies and designers. This will be easiest If you have a cohesive style that works with their aesthetic.
If you know what brands you want to work with – this is a great step to model your blog off the people they’re already working with. You know the brands you adore. You connect to them, wear it with pride, you feel it. If those are the brands you want to work with, get on their page of thinking.
Being on that brand’s wavelength is the only way it will happen; they won’t get on yours. This isn’t to say you should copy them. Accent what you like about their style and make it unique. You want them to see their brand in what you bring to the table. Find that balance between being original and working with their goals.
Expect Some Rejection:
This is how you monetize your love for fashion so keep it professional yet fun. This is a balance that will take some time to understand so just stay the course. Be consistent and expect some nos. This is part of life and I find it very refreshing to get the timewasters out of the way and off my to-do list.
I’m an artist and writer who’s probably had over 5,000 rejections in my career. I love rejection because it sorts out what’s not for me and what is. I’m lucky enough to make great money off painting and writing as it’s the path I’ve chosen. I’ve been rejected for a $1,000 project and accepted for a $5,000 in the same day. Don’t give up.
If you know what you want and that it’s what you’re meant to be doing – no amount of rejection can shake you off-course.
Women's Dress Sweet & Cute V-Neck Bell Sleeve Shift Dress
(Click image to check price on Amazon)
Final Thoughts:
Being a Fashion Blogger can be an incredibly fun lifestyle filled with glamour, parties, and fun. If you can make it a profitable venture, that’s always the best of both worlds. I’ll end by saying that no blog will get noticed without quality content.
If you’re just getting started out let me throw out this bit of encouragement to you. Don’t quit! There are a thousand successful sites out there where men and women have built up brands from scratch, many even within the last 5-10 years. Our site is even just a fledgling site, starting only in the late Spring of 2019.
Even though LaRiviere is new we’ve already made it to the top 100 list for fashion blogs as determine by Feedspot.com (which you can check out here: Feedspot top 100 Fashion Blogs) and we’re just getting warmed up!
It makes me think of a quote from Seth Rogan I heard recently that he said he wanted to be a Stand Up for 5-6 years until he realized how much other people wanted it. He said something along the lines of, ‘I thought I wanted to be a Comedian until I went to the club every night and saw people who really wanted to be a Comedian.”
If fashion is the love of your life, then don’t give up. It may take some perseverance and consistency though. Gary Vaynerchuk is an entrepreneur and motivational speaker/podcaster. He was one of the first investors in Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and more. Gary’s been posting content for over 10 years and only this year got very famous on Instagram, blowing up to 6 million+ followers.
His adept advice is to stop looking at the numbers of likes and followers. Create quality content that adds value to the viewer’s life. Stop asking yourself what it’s doing for you. Because if it’s for the viewer, they will feel that.
He posted consistently without worrying about the results and the decade-later payoff was huge. If you can’t stay committed that long, find something new to try. It takes grit and most of all, patience.
But if you’ve got it honey, flaunt it and happy blogging!
(If you are looking to make some more cash through fashion, you can make money from cleaning out your closet!)
