How to Start a Fashion and Lifestyle Blog
This is your essential guide on how to start a fashion blog or lifestyle blog in 2021. Maybe you look at the content by your favorite fashion influencers and think “I could do that”. Starting a fashion and lifestyle blog is easier than you might think.
It’s a niche on the internet that is growing every year, but the basics have remained the same. While the industry is a little different than when I started, you still need the same elements to get you started. By following this guide, you’ll be ready to launch your own fashion and lifestyle blog in no time!
#1. Decide Your Blog Niche
The key to creating content that your audience can relate to is by writing content that you would read yourself. Try and determine exactly what your niche is. You can find bloggers who focus on preppy fashion, along with other bloggers who mix high-end luxury fashion with pieces you can pick up at Zara. When you have decided on your niche, the rest of the process of your blog will be even easier.
#2. Choose a Blog Name and Domain
The next big decision you need to make is to decide on a name for your blog. Some people chose to use their names, but consider how easy your name is to pronounce. It’s best to draw up a list of several names to start you. Test them out with your friends and ask them what they think. If you chose a phrase or a blog name that isn’t your own, make sure it reflects your niche.
Once you have a shortlist of two or three names, you’ll need to start searching the internet. It’s easiest if you can have the same handle across all social media channels. You need to start by checking Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter. If your blog name is on the longer side, you’ll have to decide on a shorter alternative to using for your social profiles. When you find one of the names on your list that is free on all the websites, make sure to snatch it up. You’ll want to buy your URL or domain for your website at the same time.
You want to create the best first impression with your blog. Although free blogs are great to experiment with, you are at a disadvantage when you have to use a WordPress or blogger URL. You can buy your custom domain from as little as $10 a year from sites like GoDaddy. You can easily attach your domain to any of the most popular blogging platforms.
See How You Can Set Up a WordPress Blog in 15 Minutes at Bluehost.com
Now things get real. You have your social media profiles, domain, and logo. The next challenge is to choose a platform for your blog. Most fashion and lifestyle bloggers start out on either WordPress or Blogger. You can also try Wix or Squarespace, especially if you’re more tech-savvy. Try out a free version of each platform and decide which one you feel most comfortable using. You can easily change your platform in the future as your blog develops.
#3. Get Hosting for Wordpress
Hosting is super important when starting a blog. Knowing the difference between WordPress and wordpress.org is super important. Wordpress.org is what most professional bloggers use as you’re able to earn ad income from it. I began with a bluehost but ended up switching to siteground. To get siteground click here
Once you have your platform chosen, open your account. You should be able to attach your domain to the website during the setup process. Some platforms, such as WordPress, will require you to buy a subscription in order to use a domain. These subscriptions are fairly inexpensive and a great investment if you’re looking at bloggers as a side hustle.
#4. Work on Your Branding Your Lifestyle Blog
Don’t worry, you can start out small. You’ll want to create a logo that represents your blog. If you’re not very tech-savvy, you can use free software like Canva, which offers hundreds of logo templates for you to choose from. You can also look on Etsy for a personalized logo by a graphic designer if you’re looking to invest in one long term. To begin with, you can start with a simple logo. This logo will primarily appear on your website, and you can also use it as your icon on social channels.
It’s also helpful to have a color scheme in mind. Choose two or three colors that reflect your aesthetic and keep them in mind when you’re making your logo. You can incorporate these colors into your blog and any infographics that you make.
#5. Start Writing
When your website is all ready to launch, your next mission is to start writing. You want to post consistently on your website. It’s always a great idea to be creating content well in advance by using a content calendar. Aim to post at least once a week. You can increase this if you find that you have extra time. Write out a list of ten blogs that you want to write and prepare a few of them before you launch your website. You can schedule your posts to automatically publish, which makes it easy to maintain a consistent posting schedule.
#6. Quality Photography and Camera for Blogging
Blogs perform best when they use multimedia. You want to incorporate photographs and videos throughout your website. This helps drive traffic to your website and allows your reader to build a more personal relationship with you. The photos that you take for your website can be posted on your social media to drive traffic to your website.
When you’re starting out, the camera on your smartphone will be your best friend. Ask friends to take photos of your outfits while you’re out and about. If you’re not comfortable posing in front of people, you can invest in a tripod from Amazon and take your photos with a timer.
As your blog grows, you might decide to invest in a camera for your fashion blog. The Canon EOS 400D is a popular choice amongst influencers as an entry-level DSLR. If you want a more compact camera, you can choose a camera like the Olympus PEN E-PL9 if you want a portable camera with a retro look.
When it comes to editing your photos, it’s a personal decision of aesthetics. Some bloggers prefer to keep their photos as natural as possible and make them part of their brand. Others use custom presets to give their photos a distinctive and uniform look. There are hundreds of free editing apps that you can use on your smartphone to edit photos in the blink of an eye. Adobe Lightroom is a popular choice for fashion and lifestyle bloggers. You can install your pre-set and edit your photo within a few seconds. Other apps that you can use include VSCO, which you can also use to help improve the quality of your photos with its in-built camera.
#7. Build Your Audience
You have your website. You have your niche and branding. You’ve got your photos and blog posts all ready to go. The next step is to go online and find your audience. Think of your target demographic and where you’re likely to find them. Fashion blog readers tend to spend hours scrolling through Instagram.
People who read lifestyle blogs are usually Pinterest users with dozens of boards. You want to maximize your exposure across all platforms. Reach out and engage with fellow creators in your niche. Don’t be afraid to ask if you can guest post on their blog or collaborate with them.
Make sure to engage with everyone who interacts with your photos. Always reply to comments and visit the profiles of people who follow you. You want to build up a community within your niche. Creating relationships with your early followers will help drive traffic to your website. Try and post about your latest blog post on all your social media platforms. It can be tricky to learn social media algorithms, especially as they change frequently. The best way to get your social media posts to perform well is to keep your engagement high.
#8. Grow Your Blog on Social Media
After a few months of running your blog, you should hopefully be in the swing of things. Once you have found your audience, you’ll want to start thinking of ways to expand. Lots of bloggers venture out into the world of YouTube. You can tap into a whole new audience on YouTube and direct traffic to your blog. More of us than ever are consuming video content and it can help build your online profile.
If you’re camera-shy, you can consider offering a digital product. This is a great way to monetize your blog and to develop a form of passive income. If you are using your own presets that you’ve created, you can sell these to other fashion bloggers.
#9. How to Make Money and Monetize Your Blog
Now for the best part about blogging; earning income. Many bloggers do not earn money overnight but with hard work and dedication, you can get there. There are several ways to earn an income as a blogger. You can earn money through sponsored posts on Instagram.
Affiliate products
Creating a product to sell to your audience
Writing sponsored posts for brands
Advertisings on your blog
Final Thoughts
I hope these tips help you start your fashion and lifestyle blog. I know that it can feel overwhelming at the start, but it’s worth sticking with it. Break the process down into sections. The key to building an audience is to be consistent with your posting and to engage with your followers. Trust me, you’ll love the journey, and you’ll meet amazing people along the way!
