Category Archives: Blogging Tips

Are the Days of Influencer Marketing Numbered?

November 5, 2018 By in Blogging Tips Tags: , , , , , , 31 Comments

There has been a lot of buzz about influencer marketing over the years. What started as getting celebrities to mention brands on social media has now turned into a sophisticated marketing strategy.

Influencer marketing advanced so much that those who have made it big on social media are also considered as influencers. This is because of the large crowds they are able to pull with their engaging content online.

From YouTubers to Instagram superstars, every influencer’s marketing strength was tapped by brands (big and small) who wanted to make sure that their products and services reach their target audience.

However, influencer marketing was seen as a mere marketing strategy used to trick target audiences into thinking that their favourite stars are using particular products. Some people are more skeptical than ever when it comes to buying products because influencers use them.

 

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Influencer marketing is estimated to be around £8 billion industry by 2020. This by every indication shows that influencer marketing is here to stay. Here’s why:

 

It creates an earning potential for influencers

Without a doubt influencer marketing has turned into a means through which influencers can create their income. Although a lot of people feel that influencers can be easily bought over by big time brands, conscious influencers have shown that they only stand behind brands that they believe in.

If you’re an influencer and you have the interest of your audience at heart, you would never endorse a product that you don’t like. A lot of influencers value their audience and will not compromise their own integrity for just a few bucks.

The good news is that there are now ethical guidelines to influencer marketing that ensure that consumers are protected. The guidelines also ensure influencers don’t exploit their audience.

 

It makes brands relatable to their target audience

If there’s anything influencer marketing was able to achieve it’s its ability to put before consumers content that they find relatable. That’s one of the reasons why influencer marketing is so powerful.

When one sees a post on social media from their favourite influencer using a product, it makes the product instantly relatable to the person viewing the post. More often than not, it motivates them to purchase the product because they think “if he/she can use it, then so can I”.

 

It gets brand awareness to the exact target audience

One of the challenges brands face is getting their product and services in front of their ideal target audience.

Influencers are able to command large audiences through their content. Their audience is easily defined. This makes it easy for brands to target specific audiences through influencer marketing.

 

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Verdict?

Influencer marketing is here to stay and there is no sign of it slowing down any time soon. As influencer marketing grows in popularity, it will continue to evolve. The rules of the game are becoming more and more defined such that the interest of consumers is protected all the way. It’s definitely worth a try both for the brand and for the influencer.

 

What do you think of influencer marketing?

 

 

 

 

Blogging full-time is dangerous

October 10, 2018 By in Blogging Tips Tags: , , , , , , 24 Comments

Many of us bloggers blog full-time, which means we have no other job/income. Many others bloggers and earn a living doing other things, which is what all bloggers or self-employed person should be doing. I am all for blogging full-time. I do blog full-time but I do other jobs from home that fetch me money. Blogging full-time is dangerous because work can be so busy and you think you are on the right track. And it can go suddenly quiet for months without any notice. If you are relying on money from your blog to pay your monthly bills and you don’t make anything in a month, what happens?

 

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What full time bloggers don’t tell you

You would be ok for a while if you have some form of savings. Or if you are still living at home with parents or a partner who could help. But if you have none of these, you would be in a bad position. I see many bloggers aspiring to blog full time and it makes me worry because they have no clue what is really going on behind the happy smiles on Instagram. And the fancy life they see “full time bloggers” living all over social media. If most of these “professional bloggers” are honest with their fans, they would tell them how tricky it can be to rely on a blogging income alone. You could make as much as £5000 in good months and as little as £100 or less in really bad months. Bloggers who have been blogging for many years would have experienced both sides of the coin but may not necessarily share that with anyone.

Blogging is hard work but it is so worth it. It is possible to earn a good income from your blog but relying on a blogging income is not advisable. Especially when you have dependants to cater for. I always advise anyone to have at least 8 sources of income. I currently have 7 sources of income and I am working on another source to add to it. One of my sources of income – eBay is more work than it is worth so I am thinking of replacing it with something else.

 

My Sources of Income

My 7 sources of income in other of priority are –

  • Fashion and Style Police – Blog
  • Social media promotions – Social media ads/collaborations
  • Blogger Outreach Services – Working with brands in recruiting bloggers.
  • Freelance Writing – Writing for other websites.
  • How to Cash In as a Blogger eBook- My eBook on blogging.
  • eBay – Selling new and preloved items on eBay.
  • Social Media Management Services – Managing social media platforms for small businesses.

 

 

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I am working on an extra source of income and looking to replace eBay so it is not among my main 8 sources of income. I am hoping to get these done before the end of 2018. If I only relied on my blog income, I would struggle on some months. The blog is still my main source of income and that is one of the reasons why I focus on it. But I won’t risk having only a blog as my only source of income because anything can happen.

My advice to anyone blogging full time or think of going full time is to have other sources of income. Whether a part time job doing something else. Or other working from home gigs. May the forces be with us all!

 

 

How to Sound More Relatable on Your Blog

September 28, 2018 By in Blogging Tips Tags: , , , , , 39 Comments

Blogging is a lot different from other forms of writing. It’s more informal, personal and relatable. I like to think of blogging like having a good conversation with a good friend at Starbucks. But instead of talking, you’re writing it all down.

As a blogger, it took me time to ease into the unique style of writing blogging offers. I had to learn to be more relatable to my audience. With a lot of practice I was able to master the art of effectively communicating with my audience through my blog.

 

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If you’ve also been struggling with trying to sound more relatable on your blog, here are some tips that may help.

 

  1. Look for a common ground

Imagine you’re meeting someone for the first time. What’s the best way to get a conversation started? Of course, by talking about something that they’re interested in. But what sustains the conversation? It’s if the thing they’re interested in interests you too.

That’s exactly how it’s like when you’re blogging. To sound more relatable in your blog you need to find a common ground that both you and your audience are interested in.

Share similar experiences. You can also use the same words and expressions they would have used. Identifying the similarities you have with your audience is a great way to create content that they can easily relate with.

 

  1. Show empathy

Before you start crafting content for your blog, always have it at the back of your mind that your audience wants to connect with someone who is as human as they are. So when you’re blogging, show empathy. Let your content show them that you care about their feelings, their challenges and their goals. Show that you understand them.

 

  1. Inject gratitude and appreciation

Your blog is nothing without your readers.  So the least you could do is to thank your readers for stopping by your blog or taking time to read your blog post. You may not necessarily write a long thank you note in your blog post. A line or two in the comments thanking your readers for their time can make a big difference.

 

  1. Imagine you’re having a conversation with a good friend

I think this is the key to writing that perfect relatable blog post. And the funny thing is that this is the tip that most bloggers miss the most.

Ask yourself: How would you talk about your blog topic with your close friend?

Don’t look at your blog as a place where only you do the talking. You need to picture yourself having a conversation with a member of your target audience. It’s so much easier to relate with someone who is trying to engage you in conversation than with someone who is trying to pour all the information in one swoop.

Add some personality.  Use words (no swear words) you would use in real life like “duh”, ”yay” or “ouch”.  Such words make your audience feel like they are having a conversation with a real person. Don’t be afraid to throw in some insider jokes that your audience can relate with.

 

What are your thoughts on these blogging tips? How do you sound more relatable on your blog?

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