Tag Archives | Blogging

10 Really Amazing Things I Learned at the Independent Fashion Bloggers Conference

The Scene at IFB

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This post is part of the “Erin’s Guide to Better Beauty Blogging” series. 

Well, it’s 10:43pm. I’ve been up since 3:30 am, and for some reason I just can’t sleep! My eyes are glazed over in exhaustion, but I had to give you the details because this is insomnia is kicking my ass while they were fresh! Be sure to join the IFB community online, it’s one of my favorite sites!

10. As I watched the Twitter chat from the Lucky FABB conference, I realized that it was mostly a guide to brand’s success. Not bad at all, but I was looking for insight on blogs. Not entirely sad that I missed it, but glad that I got to follow it.
9. You need to wear your outfit, don’t let the clothes wear you! I know many people were excited to be in a room full of fashion bloggers, but many were trying too hard to look different. This is one of my fashion pet peeves. Be the most outstanding you that you can be, not what you think others would swoon over.
8. Don’t over edit! @Latherblog says “Personally, I love style blogs that allow me to get to know a person…thoughts, quirks, flaws and all! That makes me come back.” She also says “Don’t get caught up editing your blog posts too much, the whole point is to be authentic. Let your thoughts flow.”
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Erin’s Blogging Tools: Things I Can’t Live Without While Blogging

When I’m about to blog, there are certain items that I can’t be without. I never really thought about it, until I found this post via Independent Fashion Bloggers yesterday. I thought it would be cool to add to the fun, so here’s my list!

Erin's Beauty Blogging Essentials

The Essentials:

1. Laptop
I started blogging on a desktop PC in 2005. Then, I bought my first MACBook in 2009. One cracked screen later, I purchased my newest MACbook in 2010. I use my old MACBook as a desktop, since it still has many programs that I need. I travel with my laptop [although I do so a lot less, now that I have an Ipad. Yes, I'm part of the Apple cult.]

1.5. Ipad

You definitely don’t need an Ipad to blog, and I don’t use it solely to blog. I hate lugging my laptop everywhere, especially when I travel. It can get heavy, and the Ipad is a quick fix to this. It’s sync’ed perfectly with my other tech stuff. Sometimes, I’ll blog on my laptop and prop my Ipad up to watch Sex and The City. Ya never know.

2. Cell
A smartphone is so good to have. I finally got an Iphone last month. I use it to get lightning fast pictures, great video, and crap loads of awesome apps. I tweet pictures of beauty products in stores that tell me it’s prohibited, and I re-blog all the good stuff that I read. It’s not pictured, because I’m using it to take this picture. (I used Instagram to take this shot, if you’re on it, I’m ErinScandalous.)

3. Camera
Perhaps my biggest purchase was my DSLR, the Canon T2I/550D.  I wanted more crisp video and images, thus my new baby. I still only know how to use 21% of the features, but they quality is really great. I’m no photographer, but I snap a helluva lot of pictures.

4. Beauty Products
I’m a beauty blogger. I’ll usually swatch and try on products to really get a shot at understanding them. I don’t want to lead people on, ya know?

5.Notebook
There’s no way around it for me. All the gadgets and I-things in the world don’t amount to good ol’ pen and paper. I’m a black pen enthusiast. Never any other color. Ever.

6. Natural Light
It’s so much easier to get post pictures of accurate colors on a sunny day. I sometimes get this beside a window, other times I take the pictures on my porch. I used a DIY lightbox and viewed tutorials on all kinds of other lighting tutorials, but God given sunshine is easier, more beautiful–and free.

Non-Essentials that always seem to be near by:

Record Player or other means of listening to amazing jazz, classical or old r&b music.
Candles Vanilla scented, always.
Iced Coffee It’s almost psychological, I think. I almost always have a yummy drink beside me when I work.

What’s in your Blogger Toolbox?

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Hauteblogger: 30 Topics and Ideas To Discuss on Your Beauty Blog

If you’ve ever felt uninspired or bored with your beauty blog, there’s still so much that you can write about! Here’s a quick list of 30 topics that your readers would love to hear about. Don’t forget, there are new people starting blogs everyday. Seriously, there are LOTS of beauty blogs. Be bold, be different, write the way you speak and think, keep us coming back for more! Your blog is your property, make it reflect you! If you are looking for examples, I’ve attached some of my blog posts to give more insight. For more blog tips, check out the ongoing Haute Blogger guide here.

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Links

My Tumblr: UrbanScandal.com

There hasn’t been a day in the past year that I haven’t jumped on Tumblr! You find the most amazing content on there! Anywho, I use my tumblr to showcase awesome fashion, facts or whatever the hell else I find that seems cool. It’s a “microblog”, aka a way to share quick bits of info. If you have a tumblr, share it!

visit: urbanscandal.com

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Hauteblogger: The Blogger Comment Challenge

While perusing one of my favorite blogs, Independent Fashion Bloggers,I found a really cool article. It proposed the idea of commenting on ‘x’ amount of blog posts. ASHEMISCHIEF’s goal was to leave 250 heartfelt comments on blog posts in one month. It’s a really smart (and considerate) way to alert the blogger that there is actually a person with a heartbeat reading their content. Sure, it’s nice if you leave a message on their facebook post or tweet them back with a reply to their blog, but leaving an actual blog comment is visible to everybody! Time and time again I find great articles that have 40 or 50 Facebook “likes”  and 2 blog comments. I understand that people may like a blog post, but not enough to comment.  I totally get it.  That’s why I’m joining this challenge!

I follow a few hundred blogs on bloglovin. And by a few hundred, I mean well over 400. Most of them are fashion, interior design, food, tech and of course beauty blogs.  It’s the fastest way for me to check in on what everyone has written, and it’s easily categorized.  Gone are the days of opening blogs individually, with 44 tabs open and a slower laptop!

If you’re going to start commenting on blogs, whether you have one or not, get a Gravatar and/or OpenID! When you fill in your email address, your gravatar image will automatically pop up.  It’s a great way to put a face/logo with your comments. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve read comment sections of blog posts and read the commenters blog just because of their profile picture!

I’m not going to set a goal of how many blogs to comment on, but I’ll definitely be sure to do it more.  I want these hard working writers that I follow to know I appreciate them enough to respond.

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Choosing Your Domain Name

What  a Domain Name is

Your non domain name is what you create using your blogging platform.  It’s usually pretty long, depending on what you decide to name your blog.The difference is your website address and domain is this: http://www.scandalousbeauty.blogspot.com vs. http://www.scandalousbeautyonline.com.

Do you have to have a domain name?

No.  It’s definitely not necessary, but it looks good.  Not only that, it’s a lot easier to remember.

Does My Blog Title and Domain Name Have To Match?

No.  But doesn’t it make more sense if it does?

Should I use .com, .org, .net?

Well, naturally (in the United States) we tend to type .com’s.  So I’d say that’s your best bet. But, condition your readers to embed your web address in their memory.  That way, they will never get confused and type in the appropriate web name.

Where do I Get a Domain Name?

I’ve been a happy Go Daddy user for years. I purchase all domains and hosting there.

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Your Personal Blogging Assistant: THE EDITOR

I woke up this morning to a post by one of my favorite Fashion sites, PR Couture. Today’s topic du jour is THE EDITOR. This is a physical notebook companion for all types of bloggers.  I’m in love with this because when it comes to blogging, I need physical reminders.  I like lined paper that I can make notes on.  I like to complete tasks on the list and cross them off.  I don’t like having to do nit-picky things in Google Docs or Notepad!

This wire-bound planner on linen paper is not only beautiful, it’s strategic and helpful!  There are pages for product logs, contacts, notes, monthly editorial calendars, and so much more.  Here’s an example:

You can purchase THE EDITOR for just $25. For more information, click here.

Image courtesy of THE EDITOR.

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