In honor of my 100th blog post I decided to share some tricks of the trade I’ve learned over the last year and a half! Now I’m no expert, but I have found some techniques that have worked and thought I would share.
Stay Authentic
This is something I try to live by not only on my blog but in my daily life. I was made fun of plenty of times in school for dressing in unusual ways, but I didn’t let it bring me down because I was just being myself. We are all different in our own ways and that is what makes blogging so rewarding and exciting to be a part of. I follow many bloggers and while they may be wearing some of the same things, they style them in their own way.
Don’t take every collaboration opportunity that is offered to you and don’t represent something you don’t like. For example, I received a handful of emails for the wood watches… I HATE THEM. So even though I was offered product and compensation, I didn’t take it because it was not my style. You will never grow an audience if you aren’t true to yourself. I want everyone to know that I will only work with a company that I really like and want to share my opinions on with all you.
Great example of being authentic, sharing moments where you look like an idiot to show you are real!!
Engage and Grow Your Audience Organically
Before starting my blog, I had no idea what I was going for. Although that has been half of the excitement, there is another ugly side to the blogging world that I wish was not there. I’m sure you have all noticed that person on Instagram who has 10,000 followers, but they hardly have 100 likes. If it isn’t obvious, they bought their followers. I have learned by watching closely and engaging with other bloggers, there are lots of untruthful ways to ‘get to the top.’ What those people don’t understand is that, they are not only hurting themselves by putting a price tag to their worth, but they are bringing other bloggers down by making followers and companies believe they are something they are not. I know this subject is very taboo, so hopefully the blogging gods do not strike me down on my way home from work today. This subject I am very passionate about. To my point, if you do not struggle through the process, the end results won’t be rewarding.
Build a Girl Gang!
There are plenty of great bloggers out there that genuinely do want to connect with other bloggers– find them! I have some gals on IG that we have followed each other for years and support each other through and through! I have met some really cool people locally too that I would have probably never have met if it wasn’t for Instagram.
PSA. HUGE thank you to Gina of G.E. Creative for saving my life and not letting me tumble to my death for these photos at the top of 5 staircases 🙂
Shop my Look
Sunglasses – Exact | Jacket – exact & similar (have this too and LOVE) | Scarf (men’s) – exact | Belt – exact| Earrings – similar | Jeans – similar | Booties (Old) – similar | Handbag – exact | Watch – exact | Rings – exact & exact
This Post Has 20 Comments
tashahass
15 Mar 2018Amazing tips for any new blogger. Loving your style as well!
whatrivawore
16 Mar 2018Glad to help out a fellow blogger 🙂 Thank you!
Dafrastar
15 Mar 2018I love your take on authenticity. I believe it really makes a difference; people want you to be YOU, not a magazine. It is always fun for me to feel like I’m actually getting to know someone through their blog.
Your boots are fab btw.
whatrivawore
16 Mar 2018I SO agree! It’s hard to look up to someone when they are fake or you can’t relate to them. Thanks for reading!!
karen
15 Mar 2018Great pictures! Love your outfit and the tips are awesome!
whatrivawore
16 Mar 2018Thank you Karen!
Rachel Barter
16 Mar 2018Love these tips! I think staying authentic is one of the most important aspects of having a blog. I try to remember that every time I post or comment on someone’s photo/blog!
Xo Rachel | http://www.thesassroom.com
whatrivawore
16 Mar 2018Glad you are with me! Thanks for reading Rachel, I appreciate it 🙂
Candice
16 Mar 2018YES YES YES to all of this! I’m still “newer” to this blogging world, but I am quickly finding out that there are a lot of FAKE personas out there…to each their own, but I’m going to focus on organically growing my following and really attract and connect with REAL people. Thanks for posting this, and glad to meet another fellow SC sister. 🙂
whatrivawore
16 Mar 2018EXACTLY! It’s kind of an ugly world, but finding real and unique people is the fun part! Thanks for reading Candice!
Cristina
16 Mar 2018I love these! So simple but true. I absolutely agree with being authentic. I feel like even if it takes me longer to grow because I am being very selective about the opportunities I take, at least I will have an audience that trusts me. Once you lose that trust and are seen as someone who will take any opportunity for free product or money, it is so hard to change that perception. Thanks for sharing!
whatrivawore
16 Mar 2018Exactly. I know it can be so exciting in the beginning to get free items and find new opportunities, but being selective will set you apart! Thanks for reading Cristina!
shannon silver
16 Mar 2018I am in LOVE with that fabulous belt! Totally agree – authenticity is KEY these days, especially when everything in this world is so instagram filtered 😉 Great post! xx Shannon || http://www.champagneatshannons.com
whatrivawore
17 Mar 2018So true! Thank you!!!
Daf Wejebe
16 Mar 2018Girl!!! I love the post! everything is soo real and something that I am definitely applying!! thanks for sharing your thoughts! SC SISTER 1:)
Hugs 🙂
whatrivawore
17 Mar 2018Thanks for reading!!
brianatrev
17 Mar 2018I seriously so needed this! I always struggle to keep up with all my blog interactions!
Briana
https://beyoutifulbrunette.com/
texaslawstudent
27 Mar 2018So I’m not usually into fashion but that’s an awesome outfit! Oh and I followed you on Pinterest! I just got it and have no idea how it works but yours looks way better than mine lol
whatrivawore
27 Mar 2018Oh awesome, thank you! The fun thing is there are no rules on Pinterest 🙂
texaslawstudent
27 Mar 2018No rules? What do you mean?