Browsing Category:

The Lovely Lessons

4 Common Ways Bloggers Make Money + How You Can Too

September 11, 2018

One of the questions I get most is, “How do bloggers make money?” So I’ll be addressing that today. Blogging can be a great way to earn an income; however, monetizing isn’t as easy as it seems. Before I kick this post off, I want to caution that there’s a lot of work involved. I started blogging in 2012 and it wasn’t until July 2016 that I took my hobby full-time. It’s important to remember that what works for one person may not necessarily work for you, and everyone’s timeline looks different. If you’re looking to monetize your blog, I’ll be addressing four ways bloggers make money along with some practical nuggets on how you can too. The various methods listed below are great starting points for everyone no matter where you’re at in your career.

Keep Reading Ways Bloggers Make Money

Behind the Blog, Learn, The Lovely Lessons

How to Promote Your Blog or Website

September 6, 2018

If you already have a blog or want to start one but you aren’t sure how to promote it, I have great news! We’ll be chatting all about how to promote your blog today. Spreading the word about your new hobby and driving people to your site will be one of the most difficult parts of getting started. You want to promote your blog because it will build brand awareness, help you establish authority, and ultimately generate sales. Most people think a blogger’s job is to simply create content. However, it’s actually making sure we’re visible to the right people on the right channels – and that means marketing. I have a few tips that were extremely helpful in my early days, which I think can benefit you too. If you want to know what they are, read on!

Keep Reading How to Promote Your Blog or Website

Shop This Look:

Learn, The Lovely Lessons

The Biggest Misconceptions About Fashion Bloggers

July 31, 2018

It’s been a while since I’ve shared some lessons behind the blog, but I’ve been wanting to bring this segment back. I know that so many of you are looking to embark on this adventure and it can be tricky to figure out when everything looks impeccable on Instagram – and the market is so saturated! You guys know that I always try to keep everything as real and candid as possible, which is why I started this segment in the first place. I recently spoke at the Create & Cultivate Style Summit and wanted to share a little more insight today by speaking to the biggest misconceptions about fashion bloggers.

Keep Reading Biggest Misconceptions About Fashion Bloggers

1. Bloggers live perfect lives

I confess that everything looks picture perfect on Instagram, but what you’re seeing is a creative lens of someone’s life – and not necessarily their actual life. I’m aware of how my feed looks. It’s vibrant and cheerful, but I can still assure you that it’s far from perfect. Sometimes, a fashion blogger’s feed is about a creating a very specific feeling or providing outfit or travel inspiration because it’s part of our business. And as a creative, I can honestly say that my feed is curated for creative purposes because I have a background in art and design. But that’s where this blog comes in! I share very real and personal stories here like this one!

2. Bloggers don’t have real jobs

This is probably the biggest misconception about bloggers – that we don’t have “real jobs”. Blogging is an all hours of the day, everyday of the week kind of gig. I work through weekends and vacations – I actually work more on vacation than when I’m at home! I’m also juggling multiple roles constantly from writing to managing my team, planning photoshoots, and delivering content for brands. It takes up a ton of time, and by the end of the day, there isn’t much time for anything else. (I would love to hear what you guys have to say about this, so chime in below!)

The Biggest Misconceptions About Bloggers Explained

3. Bloggers don’t pay for anything

When most people think of fashion bloggers, they think of fashionable getaways and free clothes. But the truth is, NOTHING is free. I am so lucky to be able to work with brands I love, and I do receive gifted items from time to time, BUT there’s always work associated with anything that comes for free! I don’t accept any free clothing that I do not personally pick out, and because of that, I do buy a lot of the items you see on my site myself. Running a blog also comes with large expenses like paying my team, paying for photos, planning my own trips so that I can create fresh content, and buying props to produce a set. There’s a lot that goes on behind-the-scenes when it comes to expenses and costs. (I also pay for a bookkeeper who keeps track of said expenses and taxes because there are so many!)

4. Bloggers are dishonest about sponsorships

While every blogger has their own concept of what it means to run a business and partner with brands, I pick my sponsorships carefully because authenticity is incredibly important to me. This means collaborating with brands I naturally wear and use – or new ones I’ve tried and love. It’s also about introducing new items that I think you guys would enjoy. Transparency is everything to me, so I always disclose my sponsored posts by placing a very clear disclaimer at the bottom of every sponsored post. I feel that this is the best way to be honest about sponsored content!

What are your thoughts on fashion influencers running their blogs as businesses? Is there anything else I can clarify for you?

Photos by Lainey Reed

The Biggest Misconceptions About Bloggers Explained

Behind the Blog, Learn, The Lovely Lessons

3 Lessons from My Experience as a Female Entrepreneur

March 8, 2018

This post is a compensated collaboration with QVC. As always, all opinions are my own.

With International Women’s Day here, I wanted to open up about my journey to blogging full-time and share some important lessons from my experience as a female entrepreneur. This is a topic I’m extremely passionate about because I believe that one’s personal journey and experiences can help and guide others to find success.

I’m excited to collaborate with QVC in today’s post to share lessons I’ve learned along the way in my blog-to-business journey. Plus I’ll be sharing my picks from their female-made beauty brands that share the same #dreamdaredo empowerment that International Women’s Day embodies. In honor of International Women’s Day, QVC® and participating vendors will donate a minimum of $250,000 to benefit Nest, a global nonprofit committed to the social and economic advancement of women by supporting female artisans who might not have the resources they need to flourish.

Keep Reading Lessons as a Female Entrepreneur

Learn, Outfits, Spring Outfit, The Lovely Lessons

4 Easy Tips for Delegating Better

February 13, 2018

Delegating was a weakness of mine for the longest time because I always felt the need to do everything myself. It’s natural to want full creative control when you’re blogging or running your own business. After all, no one understands your goals and vision better than yourself. However, I learned last year that it’s nearly impossible to grow and have a healthy work-life balance without people to help you. I’ve slowly brought a team together in the last few months, which I mentioned in my 2018 bucket list, and it has made a world of difference. I know many of you can relate to this, so I wanted to create a dedicated post about tips for delegating better.