Beauty blogging: how to become a better blogger
Okay, so here’s one of my infrequent contributions to the topic of beauty blogging. For those who have missed, I began with my first topic on how to make your blog better looking last month. As I’ve last mentioned, this series is for those who are serious about taking their blogs a step further. So today, let’s look at 5 tips on how one can become a better beauty blogger.
1. Be prolific
If you seriously want readership, then you need to publish your content regularly; preferably on a daily basis but otherwise, at least every alternate day. You can see blogging like a skincare routine – you have a routine for your skin and you should have one for your blog. In case you haven’t realized, there are plenty of beauty blogs out there so what will make readers “stick” to just reading yours? Frequency of publication is one way and soon, readers will make it a habit to visit your blog when they know they can expect fresh content on a regular basis. On the other hand, I find that over publishing can be quite a turnoff too and so you need to find some sort of a balance in terms of blogging frequency.
2. Be original
I don’t know about you but I see so many girls looking quite the same these days; long wavy bleached hair, colored contact lenses, long eyelashes, and makeup gao-gao (thick makeup). Likewise, if I visit some blogs and they all look about the same, with the same content, design and ideas, chances are, I’ll stop visiting them altogether, especially if they come across as copycats. Okay, I’m taking the opportunity to take a dig at some of these bloggers by writing this but truly, if you want to be good, then you gotta be original. However, I do reckon that this is a tricky topic as where should one draw the line? Some bloggers can turn around and tell me that I’ve copied their ideas by blogging on this very topic about beauty blogging too eh? I think it’s all right to get blogging inspirations but you need to develop your own style and voice. This means that you work on your strengths instead of trying to get inspirations for areas you’re weak in. My principle is, always strive to be better than the original – bad copycats irk me and they’re telling.
3. Be different
So while it is fine to use the same makeup as other girls, some are just able to do it way better. So this comes back to what I’ve said about developing your own style and voice. If you’ve got a sense of humor, capitalize on that; if you’re good with graphics, show off your skills. As for content, well, find your sweet spot. I started off not really knowing what I could cover but as I blogged, I found my niche. So if it’s a common topic that most other beauty bloggers are focusing on such as makeup, then ask yourself what can you contribute that is so different from others. For example, putting up a tutorial is probably more useful than just publishing a plain review. And oh, I really wish more beauty bloggers are selective about what they cover on their blogs instead of regurgitating everything sent to them by the PR agencies. Don’t make your blogs like notice boards!
4. Be respectable
While we do form impressions based on looks, but rarely or never do we accord respect just because someone is handsome or beautiful right? So if you want to be an established beauty blogger, you need to have the correct blogging ethics. One of the basics is don’t lie to your readers. Next, do not copy blatantly, whether it is the text, content or designs of other bloggers. Finally, you also need to be transparent in terms of your relationships with brands if you’ve received payment or products to promote the sale of a product or service, or if you’re being compensated for any marketing work you’re doing for the brand. This is simply declaring your interest – if you’ve received the products on a complimentary basis, say so and if you’ve received payment to promote them, label the post as an advertorial.
5. Be friendly
If a lady is well-groomed and is friendly, chances are, you’ll like her. Likewise, bloggers should be sociable when it comes to online interactions and this means watching your tone as you try your best to answer to all comments and emails, even the impolite ones. I admit that I’m still trying to learn in this area but generally, I’ll say we need to be polite. Would you tell someone you barely know that “you’re wrong” in their face? Then don’t write that in your comments! Additionally, I want to say that if you’re a blogger trying to build your traffic, please ask help from other bloggers wisely; it is one thing to share in the name of community building but it is something else to use other bloggers for your selfish purposes.
I hope you have found these tips useful for your blogging. I’m not going to take this series very far as I find that I don’t have that much to say that others are already saying. If there’s anything you need to know, please put it in the comments. If you’re a reader who does not blog, I certainly would like to know what you think make a good blogger.
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Don’t stop sharing Sesame ? Its always good to hear from a “veteran” in the field and there are some good tips you’ve raised. We can all say the same or similar things, but it goes out to different people and we say it differently so I think similar topics can hardly be deemed to be copying (although I won’t say the same of design, text, layout, photos/images etc) Keep up the excellent work!
I’m glad I seem to be following all the tips you mentioned already! It’s a lot of work – but I want my blog eczemablues.com to offer practical advice to parents, not simply sharing by just another blogger who happened to have followers (hope I didn’t offend anyone there). It’s my style – fun on Monday with my cartoons, practical on Wed with easy to read info, no grandma story please, and friday – a short and sweet Eczema Q&A.
Thanks for supporting me in some of the RT too. The newest post on number of ingredients in skincare product is also applicable to non-eczema users!
Spot on, Sesame. Wise words indeed. I think for beauty bloggers to stand out, they have to have a point of difference. There must be something about them that is different from the rest, that makes readers want to go back for more. How I know what you mean about the girls who are copycats of each other – the big, big googly-eyes with circle lenses, platinum blonde hair, staring up at a camera where their chins are so small (oooh I’m so going to step on many toes here), and like you said, makeup gao gao. I don’t know, they just don’t work for me.
Tine last post is: Bloggie Wednesdays: Are You A Trend Blogger?
Thank you for this post, Sesame. This is very helpful to new bloggers like me. ?
I don’t have anything to add but something to share. As a new blogger, one of the biggest challenges I faced was finding my own voice. I “know” my own voice by heart but I’ve never used it to talk about beauty or wellness…. ever. I’ve always been a very extreme person. Either I’m too casual, too informative or too poetic in my writing voice. I used to write only poems (most of the time, Shakespearean sonnets), everyday rants (usually too offensive), research papers (plain dry information) or TV scripts (a different genre altogether). So when I first started blogging, my brain and my draft folders were a mess. I didn’t know what voice to use and I usually ended up with redundant kilometric posts. Hopefully, with more practice, I can finally pin my dot.
There’s more and more beauty bloggers popping up these days, all wanting to outdo each other – if you don’t have that point of difference, why would anybody read your blog? All the points you have raised here are very valid and I know that I do try to follow them. And there’s no point having multiple shots of the same face with the same silly big-eyed look every single post. Boring.
Celeste @ Becoming Beautiful last post is: Review: Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in 550 – Cherry Candy
Thanks Paris! I just don’t have so much to say on this topic but some readers had requested it and so I gave it a go.
Yeah, practical advice is good because readers need a hook. I haven’t been visiting your blog that often but I’ll come by again soon. I like cartoons! ?
I read your entry about trend blogging but haven’t got anything to say about it. However, in this context, I find those who write for trends tend to read about the same after a while and it can be boring…so agree with you about having a good mix.
There are so many beauty blogs these days and most of them look so alike. It is hard to find some that will take your attention for longer time and contribute with something new and original.
If I ever start my blog, I will definetely try to follow your advice, because your blog is one of the few that I read regularly.
I think you write well. Anyway, finding the right voice can be a learning process. When I started here, it was more impersonal, almost like speaking from a third person. But overall, my voice here is quite serious although I’ve blogged in other spaces and most people thought I was witty with a wicked sense of humor. Somehow, I cannot portray that voice too well here.
Too many and it can be hard to sieve out good ones these days. And about FOTDs, I get bored with them, even from the really good blogs. I think daily FOTDs are too much. Once or twice a week is about good.
Oh thanks Nika! I think with the older blogs, there is the advantage of being around longer and readers tend to make it a habit to read. So the newer ones have a harder time in that sense. But then again, it’s always good to be looking for areas to improve…I try to challenge myself in that area all the time cos I can get bored reading my own stuff. Haha…
My biggest problem is being original. Every time I attempt to blog about something new and different, I immediately find a whole bunch of girls who have blogged about it already.
How do you keep up to date with the latest beauty news and information?
Vanessa last post is: Does Trilastin Work Or Is The Hype Worth Nothing?
Hmm…if it’s something along the lines of beauty trends or new releases, it can be tough to be different. The only thing is presentation. Like how you present the products in pictures or consider taking on an unusual voice to present to your readers. Stock images are a major culprit for having blogs look alike…so consider using your own images as far as possible.
Yeah I think what I’m going to do is focus on video content now and see if I can offer my opinion on some of the latest releases as they come out.
Really awesome post girl ?
I say you hit home run on some important points such as allowing your content to be dictated by brands to get into their good books and have your site presented like a “notice board.” Irks me to see them at several events – why we get to be in the same company when you don’t exert the same amount of effort?
Hmmm, do those big eyes, blonde hair girls blog about beauty? I must have missed them out altogether… … hmmm.
These are good tips! Like what Paris B has said, I think people do want to hear from a veteran, no matter how infrequently you touch this topic.
Jyoan last post is: Keeping Fresh and Fragrant – Philips Satinelle Ice Premium
That’s a good strategy! Videos are pretty precious and I know it takes a lot of work!
I don’t think they’re keen to become better bloggers; many of them are just blogging for freebies as we know.
Jyoan: Those I’ve come across are not beauty bloggers but more lifestyle bloggers? Anyway, I was just making an analogy about girls looking the same with blogs but it could have come across like I was talking about this group of bloggers too. Haha…
I didn’t address Paris’ comment about being a veteran blogger…sounds old. ?
old in terms of blogging years and exposure of your blog. =) it’s an achievement when a blogger gets into traditional print media, like ST Urban. =D
Jyoan last post is: LOTD – Ribbons and Bows
Jyoan: Haha…just a tease…old in the online world only. ?
great tips Sesame!!! and, you should not stop writing because everyone’s perspective is different.
Swati last post is: Importance of Oral Care
Okay, I’ll try but it’ll be infrequent…
So, so many beauty blogs out there, but you’re really one of the few that’s very credible and I really respect your work! (=
Oh thanks chenyze for your kind words! ?
I’ve been posting on my blog regularly, once every 2 days Sesame. And i do visit other blogs leaving comments. I still don’t get readers… *sign* sad* ? I also try to promote as well but some of my posts have like “0” reader.
Tina @ BeautyToasst last post is: Eyeshadows for Different Eye Shapes
Are you sure you don’t have readers? Do you have a stat counter installed to check? If it’s new, it might take a while…
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