Most bloggers complain about how the blogosphere is such a saturated industry, and how difficult it is stand out or get noticed. Some bloggers wonder how they would ever get noticed with new blogs popping up every minute, with new bloggers thinking they could be the next Zoella. I kind of understand where this ideology is coming from. I mean, all you need to do is to go through the #prrequest, #bloggerswanted or #bloggersrequired (I use these hashtags too) on Twitter to understand this point of view. The blogging world is a lot noisier now than when I set up Fashion and Style Police, three years ago.
Call me crazy, but I don’t see other bloggers as competitors, I see them as colleagues, and I don’t see any other blog worthy of me copying. I believe every blogger has something new to offer, a story to tell. We all go through life and have different experiences which influence our blogs, and that is our you-niqueness. It could be through how we style our outfits, our writing voice, our photographs, what we photograph, the critical eye we use in reviewing products or anything, every blogger is unique and every blog has the opportunity to shine.
The problem really is bloggers not setting up blogs to stand out, not bothering or wanting to offer their readers something different. They want to go down the ‘safe route’, which they believe is guaranteed success, so they publish tried and tested posts like ‘this month’s empties’, ‘outfit of the day’, ‘product review’ and so on. They go for blog content that they believe is guaranteed to get them noticed. There is nothing wrong with this post ideas (I feature some of them), or getting inspiration from other blogs or magazines (we all do that), the issue is bloggers taking inspiration a little too far by copying other blogs, and not bothering to put their own spin on their posts.
The issue is bloggers not being confident enough to celebrate their voice, they feel they have to write what everyone else is writing, wear what every top blogger is wearing, but the question is how do you stand out when you follow the pack? How do you make a name for yourself when you have nothing that sets you apart.
You copy other bloggers’ poses, writing style, tweets, outfits and you want to get noticed?
Everyone else is taken so I rather do ME. I celebrate my blog and all it represents, and I make sure I keep it a 100 every time I hit publish. I am not afraid to stand out. All the pictures in the post are from my early days of blogging in 2012 with my good old point and shoot Fujifilm camera, and my style being all over the place. My pictures are a lot better now with a Canon DSLR, and I have twerked my style as well, but sometimes I like to look back to where I started, so I can appreciate where I am, and keep my eye on where I want to be, and just ignore the noise.
Fashion and Style Police will be 3 in few weeks and I will be featuring a big giveaway soon so keep your eye out for that. In the meantime, enter my current competitions here and here, if you havn’t already.
Do you struggle to blog the way you want? Do you struggle to stand out from the noisy blogging pack? Drop me a comment, let’s chat.
To be honest, the people who are worried that they can’t stand out amongst all the other bloggers are just not being unique enough. Blogging isn’t for everyone – you have to have your own voice.
Yea I agree Dannii. Blogging is definitely not for everyone.
I wear what I want regardless of what others might think. In this post I think you look amazing in each outfit and I absolutely love the blueness of your coat x
Thanks Rachel.
What a fantastic post, I completely agree. I think everyone has their own opinions and thoughts if they only dared to do write about what they wanted to rather than picking safe options or looking at what others have put. x
Yea exactly Rhian.
So true!! Love your view on the blogging industry – wish more people thought the same as you! Also I love your electric blue coat!!
Thanks Laura.
Thanks for this inspiring, encouraging post Stella! Love, Kathleen
Thanks Kathleen.
Very unique post. I always love your styles.
Thanks Osime.
Your words are so true, I often wonder if what I amazing writing us ok but it shouldn’t matter because it’s me. Fab post x
Thanks Cathy.
I totally agree. However, I only consider blogging a hobby. Yes, I like comments and knowing people read it but I didn’t start blogging to get hung up on figures. It’s a fun hobby. Anything else is just extra.
Cool. Thanks Tori.
So very true! There’s room for everyone because we each bring something different from our own experience and life 🙂
Yea there is.
Well said and well written!!
So true, thank you for writing this one!
xx
Thanks for reading Dana.
We all want to have a unique voice but sometimes it takes practise to be able to project that voice. I like to see a blogger developing their own style but don’t expect it to be there from day one.
Yea true. It takes time.
I agree that it takes time to find your voice sometimes, but we should all strive to find our own voices. x
Yeap we should. Thanks for stopping by.
I totally agree with you, I love blogging but for me it’s a hobby. Although it’s nice to get inspiration from other bloggers, copying isn’t really going to get you anywhere in the long run. And endless comparing yourself to others isn’t going to make you feel very nice
Yea. We all tend to compare ourselves (depending on our mood) but I try not to. Copying is a deal breaker for me.
I am so with you on this – the blogging world was such a different place when I started as well – but I don’t see the competition, I’m always going to be there bigging up other bloggers when I can and blogging my way when I can as well. x
I know you don’t Sarah. You are one of the few ones who have been blogging for years and don’t feel the need to compete aggressively.
Here, Here, my blog was five in the summer and I never run out of things to say – your blog is your voice, why would you mimic someone else?
I wonder. Guess not every blog will still be around in another 5 years.
Loved reading this and the message how you see all fellow bloggers as colleagues! x
I am glad you enjoyed reading the post. Thanks girl.
I agree, Stella. For me, blogging is a way to develop my writing voice and skills, and explore my passions. Being unique and true to myself is VERY important.
These are old photos? Love all the outfits haha. Go uuuuu. 😀
Yea pictures from 2012. Thanks girl.
I agree so much with all of this! Why be someone else when you already have you!? You know what you love and like and dislike. And those things will come easy. If you try and pretend that you’re interested in say beauty or fashion when actually you’re obsessed with food and crafting that will come across in your blog and people will realise that. You don’t need to be a “niche” either, you just need to be you!
Lauren // OhHay Blogs!
xxx
Yea so true. Thanks Lauren.
This is really good Stella! I agree you do need to have your own voice since your blog is a representation of you. I’m new in the game and I have a lot to learn. I’m always asking for feedback positive or not so I can know if I’m heading in the right direction. Insecurities might set in once in a while due to certain reasons I might get a chance to share with you one day. My love for fashion and writing keeps me going. My perfect support team assures me I’m heading in the right direction. My ability to always stay true to myself before the birth of my blog keeps me grounded. One of my mantra is “always remain unique”.
Thanks for this piece. Very inspirational.
http://www.somodishlychic.com
Glad you found this post inspiring. Thanks for stopping by.
You’re a very talented writer Stella! Thank you for your honesty and inspiring bloggers to be unique and confident.
I love all these photos of you. You look gorg and fabulous! Congrats on your 3 years. That’s amazing!
http://laceandpearlsblog.com
Thanks Asa. Glad you liked the post. It’s been 3 long years.
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