Fashion: Content Ideas For Fashion Bloggers

As a blogger I always strive to optimise my content as much as possible so that my readers can enjoy my posts and also take something valuable out of them, once they've finished reading the piece. I've recently been a bit short of time and also lacked motivation which I feel was reflected in the way I pulled together my posts and wrote my texts. 

Now that I got a 2h commute everyday, I have had a lot of time to rethink my content strategy and to come up with fresh new ideas. I do like to publish more fashion related posts (this month ideally another two!) but I do get bored of them quite easily. I mean an OOTD post usually takes me a good 6-8h including running back and forth to the tripod, then shooting a couple of picture series in the automatic shutter mode, then editing those 600+ pictures on my PC and reduce them to a max of 8 and finally, the online editing via Picmonkey. Once I reach the stage that I can FINALLY start working on the write up, I'm already massively annoyed by all the picture stuff that happened beforehand. #takesadeepbreath

Once all of that work is done, I hit the publishing button. In most cases, the posts receives between 5 to 7 comments max which usually all go like this "Love the outfit, here are my links to all of my social media. Now follow me immediately or I will never come back to your blog". 

Do I really want this??????

No, I don't. I want actual reader engagement and meaningful comments. 'Is that even possible when writing about a light-hearted topic such as fashion?' I can hear you ask. Yes, sure. I'm a firm believer, that any topic can be processed and prepared as quality content that triggers quality engagement. I'm not satisfied with a few comments that show me little interest from my readers so I see a direct correlation between the quality of my content and the engagement. Hencewhy in order to get more interaction from my readers, my content needs to work harder to trigger reaction.

Readers engage with content if it can offer points of identification, which Freud defined as 'an emotional tie with an object' (in this case: the blog post). If the post includes an emotional reference, the point of identification, readers feel involved and chances of triggering a reaction (in this case: feel inspired by the post and in the best case scenario leave me a comment) are high. 

Over the last few weeks, I therefore worked out which fashion-related content ideas work best for an online audience: 

Content Ideas For Fashion Bloggers

1) General Fashion Opinion

Everybody can form an opinion or at least let the writer know his/her thoughts on a specific topic. The Fashion Opinion post can be anything from commenting on celebrity style, rating looks, give trend prognosis or analyse industry observations. They all show your expertise and knowledge that you've gained from reading magazines, watching fashion shows or any other amazing opportunity that your blog has given you and offer points of discussion. Celebrity style is also highly searched online so chances that the post will drive additional traffic to your blog are high.

Example: I did an opinion piece on my relationship to Vintage Fashion and also if Vintage Goes Too Far in the fashion world.

2) Fashion Related Events

Events are great opportunities for bloggers and people love reading Fashion Event posts. This is partly because a) they are bloggers too and have attended the same event and would love to know your thoughts or b) they didn't attend the event and with your post, they get the chance to receive an unbaised first hand 'fashion insider' view.

You can cover anything from fashion weeks via runway shows to press days. The later, however, should be covered moderately, as press days tend to be boring for readers and you could come across as bragging. 

Example: So far I've covered the Gemini Fashion Press Day as well as Bristol Fashion Week and Berlin Fashion Week. In 2015 I had the chance to attend two London Fashion Week shows, but instead of giving them two seperate posts, I included them in my Life Lately round up series. 

3) Review (s) of Fashion Items

Most fashion bloggers receive occasionally fashion items or show their latest haul posts. This has the advantage to show readers what's new in stores (or worth snapping up in the sales) and also draw attention to new brands. You never know what exciting companies you may discover and with a thoughtful review, influence your reader's consumer behaviour.

Reviews can make fantastic content for your blog, if you structure them well and include pro's and con's of the product to show a versatile approach and knowledge of the product. However, reviews have become the all-time classic of content for bloggers, so you'll see an overflow of reviews and an  oversaturated blogosphere. In that case, give your review a creative twist and that 'certain something'.

Example: Two jewellery brands gifted items to me and instead of posting a 'Jewellery Review', I 'disguised' the post as a styling advice Dainty or Statement Jewellery? How You Can Rock Them Both!

4) Get The Look // Styling Advice

As mentioned in my first point, celebrity style is a highly demanded keyword and searched online. Seen a celebrity with an amazing outfit and you may have similar items in your wardrobe? Voila, a post idea is born! I don't have a specific celebrity crush and get most of my inspiration from reading fashion magazines regularly. 

Personally, I love reading these posts, as you can easily recreate an outfit, that would have costs a fortune. Get The Look Posts show items for less, as celebs tend to shop high-end products that barely anyone can afford. It's simple to copy an outfit and give it your personal note. This content works very well for your blog's SEO, as celebrity names plus their styling are high-ranking keywords with a high search volume and will drive natural traffic to your blog. 

Example: Have you seen my Gwen Stefani Style or Olivia Palermo Style post yet?

5) How To's or Three Ways To Wear ....

These posts basically provide advice and solutions to styling problems which are very popular. Think 'How To Dress for a Summer Wedding' or 'How To Dress For Work?' ect. How To's address very specific events and occasions and are therefore unique content opportunities for bloggers and to show off your individual style and fashion sense. Readers and consumers in general want to get inspiration and solutions to their fashion problems, that's why they spent a lot of time researching trends and styling advice from magazines and fashion blogs. 

The Three Ways To Wear Post (or One xx, three looks) also offers styling solutions and it is very easy content to produce. Bullet point your post to make it an accessible piece of content as (most) readers skim read. Use one item and show three different looks how to style the item. This is not only fun, but also inspiring and educational as you can show off your fashion combination sense and present diversity in your styling. 

Example: In the summer I posted a What can I wear to work? post and presented three different looks for the office. 

6) Geeky or Fantasy Fashion Posts

These post are mainly for fun and entertainment. I'm not a cross-player but I've seen very interesting fashion posts in which fashion bloggers recreated the look of a famous cartoon character. With the right setting, these fashion posts are so much fun. I came across a blogger, who dresses up as the Little Mermaid and posed with a fountain. The post was amazing and the pictures so dreamy! Though I'd never dress as a fictional character IRL, these posts simply stirr your imagination and can take you into a different fashion world. 

Playing around with style in fashion is so creative and also shows a great sense of humour, too. The main aim is to inspire and have fun. 

Example: I've only done this once, but it was definitely a lot of fun creating my Harry Potter fashion post.

7) OOTD // OOTN post

And lastly, the famous OOTD (Outfit of the Day) or OOTN (Outfit of the Night) post. Though these post are very common and offer moderate to low engagement, readers are interested in your style and want to know what you wear daily. Fashion is not only high-end or represents complicated art...fashion to me is first and foremost wearable and for the everyday. And since the holidays are over, I can now show you my Back To Work outfit, including a Chloe handbag look-alike which I bagged during the ASOS sale:

Here's What I'm Wearing:

Shirt: Oasis (current AW15/16 season, £18)
Leather Skirt: Vero Moda (current AW15/16 season, £45)
Pendant Necklace: Accessorize (bought AW14/15, £8)
Boots: Jones Bootmaker (bought AW14/15, £90)
Colour Block Patchwork Scarf: Stradivarius (current AW15/16, sale £13)
Leather Structured Saddle Bag: ASOS (current AW15/16, £45)
Watch*: Hippie Chic (current 2016 season, £22)

Thank you so much for reading today's post and I hope you've enjoyed it. Always remember, to keep your content fresh, interesting and individual for your readers to show your creativity and expertise as a fashion blogger. What fashion posts do you like reading the most? Did you bag anything in the sale this year?

Till next time,

xx CAZ xx

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*PR Sample.