Become Your Own Blog Star
Hello friends! Last Monday I kicked off a new 20 week series (#20blogtrends) to run on decor8 where I talk about some of the blog trends I'm seeing. My first column was all about Slow Blogging - quality over quantity. What did you think about that topic? I really enjoyed reading the comments, it was an interesting discussion! This week, let's talk about another trend - becoming your very own blog star or web celeb.
This is the exact flip side of last week's slow blogging trend discussion, but pushing for fame is very alive and well and for those who aren't interested in the slow movement, and you want to hustle like hell, you could jump on the extremely fast track and go from zero to hero pretty fast thanks to your talent, some good ideas, follow through and a ton of hard work.
I see lots of bloggers who have and are currently becoming web celebs, i.e. their own version of reality stars by simply using their blog, social media platforms and/or other services like YouTube, Vimeo, etc. These ambitious folks aren't satisfied with merely writing a blog post. OH NO. They want to become a pretty big deal (good for them!) and are willing to put in the time for it at any cost, even sometimes to their health, family life, social life and LIFE in general (many I've talked to say that outside of their web life they don't have much else going on). BUT still. For some this is totally worth it and they are pushing because they want to accomplish certain goals for themselves. Some are producing their own photo shoots, hiring props and teams of people to produce videos for their blogs, opening up studio spaces and getting staff, partnering with companies for products to include in their posts to pay for their more elaborately produced content, starting their own product lines, pumping out fancy classes that they can then turn into even fancier blog content, doing amazing things on their YouTube channel... the magic goes on and on.
When it comes to becoming your own blog star, the key thing is that EVERYTHING BECOMES CONTENT. Your lunch with a friend. Your calligraphy class. Your mani pedi visit. Your dressing room try-ons. It's all one big blog post, video, selfie, Instagram moment. For some people, particularly those who have a bit of a reality star trapped inside of them, this really works. I see some become pretty influential and cranking in 6 figures each year. If they are continuously providing value to their audience and can keep the pace, or even increase it, their fame quota and earnings become a byproduct of all of those amazing selfie shots, how-to vids and photos of their cute kids.
If you think you'd like to be your very own blog reality star or web celeb, I advise to look at the bloggers out there who are doing it already and see what you could add that would make your approach unique and fun. What do you want to share? I also advise to not over think things. Then fear takes away what could be a really beautiful spontaneous moment of enjoying that "I have nothing to lose" approach. You may want to think of a few ideas and just start doing one of them and see where that takes you, right?
So what bloggers do you think have done this very well and what do you like about what they are doing? Or do you have questions on this topic? What are some problems with blogging with a goal to really become a big name? Remember, you can comment below and also keep the discussion going online elsewhere by simply using hashtag #20blogtrends.
(image and lettering: Hannah at Pommel Lane)