Elements of a Good Fashion Blog

1. KNOW YOUR BUSINESS & USER NEEDS

Identify who your users are and why they are on your website. Consider that each user has a different background, literacy skills, socioeconomic status, beliefs, goals... (you get the idea). Although you may get a lot of traffic from IFB, consider your reader's that are coming from different sources.

Identify what your blog is offering and make sure that both your blog and your users understand what they are getting from visiting your site.

2. STRUCTURE

The Man Repeller is a great example of effective structure, making it really easy to navigate.

A good structure has labels up at the top so people can easily navigate the website. Labels on the side are also helpful for users.

3. INTERACTION & VISUAL DESIGN

Understand where things are on your home page. Focus on creating space between elements so that users can easily navigate the page. Use strong typography, fonts, photos and colours. Consider what colours fit your blog's personality. Put engaging fashion photos on your blog.

4. A STRONG BRAND

Hypebeast, one of the most popular fashion blogs on the web, is a great example of a really strong brand.

How are you communicating your blog brand to your users (especially if you are a personal style blogger)? Your brand needs to be defined so that the content and design can abide by the brand purpose. (If you are a personal style blogger; have consistent style in all of your photos so your reader's know what to expect when they visit).

5. CONTENT

The MOST IMPORTANT element is content. Write unique content to attract new visitors and fill a niche.

Source: Writing for the Web, Open2Study

How to Host an Awesome Giveaway on Your Fashion Blog

Original image by Roberto Trm

Don't you hate it when you click on someone's giveaway link and the contest sucks? Or they ask you for too much information? Or the product doesn't make any sense with the blog content? I know I do.

Here are some steps in simplifying your blog giveaway and getting more people to enter:

1. GIVE AWAY A PRODUCT WITH HIGH VALUE.

People don't want to come to your blog and enter 5 pieces of information on 5 different websites for a bracelet worth 10 bucks. 

Here's a perfect example: I hosted a giveaway on another blog that had 2 products under 8$. It was a stationary item and a nail file. Doesn't make much sense on a fashion blog does it? Nobody entered. Two weeks later I hosted a Topshop giveaway for a leather backpack worth $50-60. Approximately 10-15 people entered.

2. ADVERTISE PROPERLY.

Don't advertise your fashion giveaway on different lifestyle blogs being hopeful people will want to enter anyways. People MIGHT, but usually it's a waste of your promotion time. 

Promote to your fellow Heartifb.com friends (not crazily, just with a sweet message), promote on http://www.freegrechen.com/submit-a-giveaway/, promote on fashion blogs you follow and social media sites linked to your blog. A big tip that I discovered is to create a great photo of the product with the words "FREE GIVEAWAY" and share the photo on Pinterest making sure it links back to your blog. In my Topshop giveaway, it worked very well. People shared the photo and it translated into traffic and more people entering.

See example below (created using Serif Drawplus):

3. MAKE IT SIMPLE TO ENTER BY USING ONLINE TOOLS.

Don't make people jump through hoops to enter your contest. People don't have time for that. Some sites simplify the process for you, making it easier to navigate for your users, check out: http://www.rafflecopter.com/ and https://www.punchtab.com/giveaway-page. \

4. BECOME AN AMBASSADOR FOR GUMBALL.

Gumball approached me and said they'd love if I signed up as a co-host for their giveaways. I checked it out and discovered it was a great way to promote my blog and givea away high value merchandise to my readers. Although your reader's won't have as high of a chance to win, the products are awesome. Apply here to become an ambassador: http://www.getgumball.com/fashion/22-Fashion-blogger-#.UXbJ7LXyL4c or email Kelly@getgumball.com.

To close off, just remember that blog giveaways should not just be about increasing traffic. Giveaways are a great way to give back to your readers and show them you appreciate them.

-Tara