Once you discern how one fashion blogger collaboration can rake in 4x your monthly income, you realize quickly you’re in the wrong business.
But first, you’re probably wondering, “How in the hell?!”. Lucky for you, Zanita’s divulging the ins & outs of banking on blogging today! So if you were wondering, here’s how fashion bloggers make money (and now you can too):
#1 Brand Collaborations
This is the most obvious and commonly seen method of creating income that we see from bloggers and influencers. Sometimes referred to as advertorial, it’s where a brand will pay for a feature on a blog or social media. We see some pretty impressive brand collaborations coming from bloggers today - like this beautiful post for H&M by Oracle Fox or this one for Chanel Beauty by Gary Pepper. A brand collaboration can be as simple as wearing a garment for a brand or a full-fledged fashion production. This is not a new concept. Magazines have been producing editorial content for years and it’s been an exciting development to see bloggers and influencers make their own commercial interpretations.
#2 Affiliate Marketing
Anyone with a website can utilize affiliate marketing. Sites like Shopstyle and Rewardstyle are the most common platforms used by bloggers - the latter being the brainchild of blogger Amber Venz-Box and her husband Baxter. Amber hatched the idea after realizing she’d cut herself out her own work as a Personal Shopping Assistant through creating her blog. Her clients were able to get style advice from her for free! She created Rewardstyle as a method to support her recommendations with commission from online stores. By using affiliates, the reader doesn’t pay any excess through links - rather, online stores like Nordstrom and Net-a-Porter, pay a commission for products purchased through influencer leads. This method isn’t exclusive to bloggers. Almost every fashion site you’re reading has these links, including Vogue, Fashionista, WhoWhatWear, and more.
#3 Product Lines/Book Deals
Once a Blogger/Influencer has established an audience, it’s an obvious step to create a product that they believe will suit their audience! Jules Sarinana from Sincerely Jules has created a hugely successful business out of selling t-shirts - and now other pieces, Shea from PeaceLoveShea has her own swimwear line called Same Swim, and Louise Roe has a fashion and lifestyle book, Front Roe. It’s also quite common for bloggers to create capsule collections in collaboration with existing brands for a percentage, such as Jacey Duprie (Damsel in Dior) for Splendid.
#4 Consulting
The business of blogging and social media is a totally new frontier not only for individuals, but for brands and small businesses. Therefore, it makes real sense for those in the know to capitalize from their newfound knowledge and share it with those who need it - at a fee! Bloggers who have worked and strategized to cultivate an engaged following can help businesses do the same by acting as consultants. It’s a perfect match!
#5 Modeling/Marketing Campaigns
This is simple - in the 90s, models were featured in brand campaigns and today, it’s shifted to social media stars stepping into the spotlight. We’ve seen Leandra Medine (Manrepeller) for Uniqlo, Kristina Bazan (Kayture) for L’oreal, and Chiara Ferragni (The Blonde Salad) for Redken.
As the influencer industry grows, this is only going to become a bigger part of the income they generate.
#6 Creative Services
More than just pretty faces, many bloggers use their skills beyond their own sites and channels to generate income. Take for instance, Bryan Yambao and Susie Lau, who contribute their writing skills to major publications. Then, we have bloggers like Zanita herself and Amanda Shadforth (Oracle Fox) who lend their photographic talents to fashion brands and magazines.
#7 Appearances and Hosting
Many brands will take advantage of a blogger’s following by enlisting them to host or even attend an event in the same way celebrities have done for runway shows or parties. Often the blogger will be contracted to promote or mention the event on social media and invite their followers to join them.
You Should Also Read:
How to Use Instagram to Build Your Brand
What Makes A Successful Fashion Blogger
How to: Start An Amazing Fashion Blog
