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The Lovely Lessons

5 Productivity Hacks for Getting Things Done

October 4, 2018

Running a blog is a one-person show – and even though I have a small team helping me today, it’s so easy to get pulled in different directions. Since my blog is my business, I’m constantly having to juggle between strategy, creative direction, and brand collaborations all the while being present on social media. And I’ll be the first to tell you that it is no easy task! In the past, my days would start super early and end extremely late, but by the next morning, it’d somehow seem like I had more to do. I learned quick that this was a fast track to burn out. Since then, I’ve put a new routine in place to help me get more done in less time. If distraction is your enemy, click through to get my top productivity hacks.

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How to Stay Motivated With Your Blog

September 26, 2018

Today, I’m chatting about a blogging topic that hits close to home. Although blogging sounds like an easy task, at the end of the day, it’s a full-time job. And just like any other job, it can be difficult to stay motivated all the time (especially with social media comparison so often being the thief of joy). Having the drive and desire to create fresh content daily can be rough – but it’s especially important for new bloggers because it’s key to building an engaged audience. Plus, it gives any new potential reader good reason to keep coming back. I know how disappointing it feels when you’ve been blogging consistently for a few months and you don’t see the growth you expected or a lull in engagement. So, I wanted to share some tips on how to stay motivated with your blog if you’re going through a blah period. This happens to everyone – even me after years of blogging!

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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!)

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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!