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February 9, 2013

Independent Fashion Bloggers 2013 Conference Rundown

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                                                     [Image via heartifb.com]

Dressed to the nines and ready to learn, network, and indulge in sponsored services such as hair and makeup, the Independent Fashion Bloggers Conference had all of the elements in place for a memorable and meaningful event. We summarized some of the most important tidbits of info to come out of the conference, so that newbies and seasoned bloggers alike can consider some new pointers to boost the business of blogging.

Content is EVERYTHING This point holds true whether are you just beginning your blogging career or you have been writing a blog for a few years now. During the panel, “Business in the First Year of Blogging,” the main focus was to understand why content trumps everything else on your blog, and the answer is quite simple. Your ideas, thoughts, and opinions is all you have to establish an authoritative voice, while gaining loyal readers who value your opinion. You want your readers to keep coming to your site and see what you have to say on a certain topic or issue. BUT another important thing that was stressed is to always be true to your opinions. Don’t just say something because you think this will be what your readers will want to hear.

[The MailChimp newsletter subscription service was a sponsor (and had these adorable hats!)]

Be Selective with Affiliate Brands You always want to think about your audience when it comes time to working with affiliate marketers for your blog. Stick to working with brands that highlight the style and voice of your blog. Your readers are your first priority and want to work with brands that have something to contribute for conversations between you and the reader. As it was said at the conference, you are allowed to say “no” to brands that don’t fit.

Crisp Pictures is Essential Continue reading…

September 26, 2012

Independent Fashion Bloggers Conference 2012 Recap!

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[Image via heartifb.com]

Ever wonder about the behind-the-scenes inner-functioning and operations of the blogging world?We attended the two-day Independent Fashion Bloggers conference, affectionately referred to as IFBCON, in order to share the ins and outs of the business side of blogging as well as how to expand (or create) your site and brand.

What we learned:

1. Having an agent: As a blogger, having an agent can be helpful for establishing partnerships and ensuring a check arrives in the mail every month, but it is by no means a necessity to have a successful blog. In some cases it can even be damaging. No one knows what is best for your site better than you. Its important that you partner with companies that fit with your blog and honor your creative vision. In regards to contracts, you should only seek advice from an attorney. They can help you negotiate deals and protect you better than an agent. As long as you stay true to your blog and have confidence, there is no reason you can’t succeed on your own.

2. Controlling Traffic: The recognition your blog receives is entirely dependent on how you post, rather than what you post. Posting during peak internet hours is key. This means that posts should be published when people are most likely to be online. Also, be sure to share your site and update followers on all social media platforms. Take a look at your analytics and see where your posts are receiving the most views and how viewers are being directed to your site. By giving credit to different brands you feature, companies you worked with, etc. is a great way will expand your reach. However, be sure to incorporate the credit naturally – no reader wants to be bombarded with featured products and partnerships.

3. Compensation: This is probably the most difficult and confusing aspect for bloggers. How do you get paid?! Being a fashion blogger, it typically comes from avenues such as giveaways from brands, designers etc., but the promotions you do with these products generally doesn’t involve payment. However, establishing partnerships with companies can often lead to special projects and campaigns, which definitely deserve compensation. Time is money, so don’t be shy about ensuring  you’ll receive payment and make sure you have a contract in place to protect you and your work.

4. Iman: as the keynote speaker of Day 2 at IFB CON, Iman offered incredible tidbits of information, perfect sound bites, and useful advice that anyone can consider to better themselves in their career and their brand. Iman, who recently started a blog, which operates like an online magazine (DestinationIman.com), discussed her move from modeling to cosmetics, and now has a line of apparel and accessories at HSN. Some of the best quotes from her from the panel: “I stopped modeling and attending fashion shows so that I would be taken seriously,” “any self-respecting model of color carries their own foundation with them to jobs,” and “Make yourself irreplaceable and indispensable.”

-Danielle Sepanek & Julia DiNardo

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August 24, 2012

Cherry Bomb!

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As part of the Independent Fashion Bloggers and Uncommon project, I needed to pull together a Fall 2012 trend that I would like to see created as an iPhone case. I always like to have distinguishable, brightly colored wallets and phone cases to easily find them in my handbag, aka the bottomless pit, and upon a few minutes of thought, the idea was literally flashing red, like a blinking traffic light or stop sign, before my very eye — red!! A vibrant, cherry hue, a mixture of true primary red with a tad of orange, has been one of my favorites to wear for nearly a decade now, and it was literally all over the runways for fall 2012, from handbags and accessories to footwear and apparel. The song “Cherry Bomb” by The Runaways kept coming to mind whenever I thought about this trend, as it’s hard to avoid this bright, in-your-face color!

My inspiration for the choice of this hue was further reinforced upon flipping through the latest J.Crew catalog and seeing red dresses everywhere (my favorite, pictured above, coated in dots). I immediately whipped out my iPhone and started photographing all of the items I could see, which seemed to be practically every other page. Later that night, as I was flipping through the bench-press worthy tome, Vogue‘s September issue, my eyes kept catching the color everywhere and as I “iPhone documented” my favorites, the ah-ha moment that confirmed the season’s shade was evident. From the looks of things, the “little red dress” is going to be a major player for fall, and expect it with adornment, in great textures like taffeta, soft silk, or sexy lace (all pictured above). For accessories, think waxen, sturdy, and even of lucite, plastic- like appeal (see the Prada heels, and Yayoi Kusama collar for Louis Vuitton pictured at top).

Will you try this shade of red for fall 2012? Please do, and join me!

–Julia DiNardo

Disclosure: As part of this project, the eight winners selected receive a case as a gift from Uncommon,  a 2-day pass to IFBcon, and featured in Uncommon’s booth at IFBcon.

May 4, 2011

Levi’s Curve ID is for Every Body

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[Getting fitted to find out what Curve ID I am!]

Back in February at the Independent Fashion Bloggers Conference during New York Fashion Week I learned about, and received a custom fit of Levi’s Curve ID, a new way to think about finding and selecting the perfect pair of jeans. Launched in August 2010, Curve ID thinks about more than just your wasitline, and considers measurements from other areas of your body to determine what will provide the most ideal fit in the hips, thighs, butt and waist.

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