What Does It Take To Become a Fashion Blogger & How Not To Get Into Debt Doing So!

The most common question I get all the time is: How did I start blogging and why?

Seven years ago, around this time, I started this blog during one of the most desperate and depressing moments of my life. I felt lost and I was just looking for something new to do in my life to pick up the pieces of myself again.

Growing up, my mom who is a single parent, owned a made-to-order clothing shop, so I’ve always had a love for fashion. Buying inexpensive but cute clothes became my therapy so my mom encouraged me to start a blog and show how to wear certain pieces and what to wear. Back then, blogging was fairly new and nobody really knew what a fashion blogger does or even what blogging means. Most bloggers were blogging about making money online and not really about fashion, food, lifestyle or travel.

If you want to read my full story, click here.

When I first started this blog, I must admit that I really wasn’t clear as to my goal and purpose with it. I really couldn’t even look at the archive of this blog from 7 years ago because I cringe each time I see the photos and think to myself, “What was I thinking?” It was horrible. HAHA! At first, I thought I wanna blog about asian fashion but didn’t quite like the idea in the long run. What’s asian fashion anyways? *Rolls eyes*

Eventually, I found my own style and had a little bit more direction in what I wanted to do. I’m so grateful for what this blog has become, for the opportunities that I’ve come to experience and the full-time income I’m making through this channel.

(Continued below)

A lot has changed since then. The industry now is insanely competitive. Everybody and their mother wants to become a fashion blogger. Influencers are everywhere and chances are you might be following a gazillion of them, including yours truly.

There’s nothing wrong with it though. The universe is abundant and there’s always a piece of the pie for everybody! The competition might be more stiff these days but it doesn’t mean that nobody can’t get in anymore. It just takes a lot more effort to get the attention of the brands, influencer networks, and PR companies, so if you’re considering fashion blogging and you have what it takes, by all means, go for it!

So what does it take to become a fashion blogger? 

1. An eye for fashion.
First of all, you have got to have an eye for fashion. Thus, fashion blogger. People will follow you and look up to you for fashion ideas. They will visit your blog to get outfit inspiration. I will be blunt but will say this respectfully,  if you have sucky style, you just won’t cut it. This doesn’t mean that you can’t learn fashion though. Everything can be learned. If you really want to do fashion blogging, follow some really good fashion bloggers, observe their style, and create your own from there. I personally had to discover my own fashion voice for this blog. I didn’t get it right the first time.

2. Money. You have got to have some money.
It is fairly cheap and easy to get a fashion blog started. If you want to know how to start one, check out How to Start a Fashion, Lifestyle, Beauty, Food, or Travel Blog and Make Money From It. However, sustaining one the way you see how I do it here and how other fashion bloggers do it costs money. It takes money to buy clothes, shoes, and accessories. Not only that, it takes money to do some type of promotion, be a part of a giveaway among other things.But there’s always a couple of ways to do this while you’re building your blog and I will get into it in a bit.

3. Patience and determination.
Growing a blog and having thousands of followers does take time just like any business. Anyone who tells you that you can have a profitable blog overnight or in a week is outright lying. However, it is possible to start earning sooner than later. The amount of time and effort you spend on growing your blog on a daily basis will determine the length of time your blog picks up. Blogging has its up and downs but it’s also very rewarding once it takes off.  You just must be patient and determined.

Now, I’d like to put a little more emphasis on the money part. Reason being was that I recently read an article (and it’s not fake news) about a blogger/influencer who got in a $10K or more debt trying to live the “life” while living as an influencer in New York and working in PR. She eats out constantly in nice places just so she can take photos of the food and shops like crazy. Basically, living beyond her means.

Please know that I am not bashing her. We all make mistakes. But that is why I’m writing this post for those who are wanting to do fashion, lifestyle or travel blogging really or for those of you who already started it yet don’t know how you can keep up. Don’t. You don’t need to keep up with the Joneses. You don’t have to have Gucci bag, Hermes belt, and Christian Louboutin to be a fashion blogger. Now if you have the money for the designer pieces, by all means, go for it. But fashion and style isn’t just about expensive and designer items. In fact, there is a good portion of the human population that probably can’t afford designer but still would like to be stylish so you can cater to those.

Ladies, you don’t need to get into debt in trying to build your blog. There are several ways to go about doing it without spending a fortune.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Start with budget fashion. Talk about how women can find nice pieces for less. You can also find some nice designer pieces from eBay or Poshmark for less.
2. Borrow clothes from friends and relatives. I know this may not be ideal for most people but if you have a really good friend or relative who likes to shop and got some nice pieces, borrow if you wear the same size.
3. Work with local shops. Some boutiques may let you borrow their clothing for photos. Introduce yourself and tell them what you’re doing. It doesn’t hurt to ask.
4. You can also create shopping guide, gift guide, or a Polyvore-style blog posts to start with and pin them on Pinterest.
5. Use some browser extensions to help you save some money when shopping. Check out: 10 Clever Ways to Save Hundreds of Dollars Effortlessly While Shopping Online

Brainstorm. Think of ways you can start your fashion blog without spending too much money. It only takes $3.95 to start a blog  but normally costs more to keep producing style content. Be creative. But don’t get into debt. It’s not wise and it will ruin your life financially. Your goal in building a blog is to make it profitable financially and not just to earn money to keep paying your shopping expense debt.

Hope this helps! Happy blogging and I’m cheering for your success!

Eliza J. Plaid Midi Dress | Raye Bow Mules | Shiraleah Klo Pompom Straw Tote | Similar Cat Eye Sunglasses | Sugarfix by Bauble Bar Sunglasses | Swatch Watch