Become a Fashion Writer
So you want to be a fashion writer? Yes, you and millions of others!
Still, there's never been a better time to succeed in this arena. Why? As fashion has become more democratized (who woulda thought that Target would now have some of the best, most original designer choices?), so has fashion writing.
It used to be that the only way to have a platform for your opinions on clothes, beauty products and style, was to be a part of traditional media.
Now anyone can be a fashion writer, as long as you can set up a blog. And while Vogue is definitely still in vogue, other outlets are just becoming just as influential - maybe even more so.
As most of us need to make our dough go farther without sacrificing style, we're prowling for advice and options online.
You can be one of the sources that becomes a must-read. That's what happened to Trisha Okubo. She's got a day job in Silicon Valley, but she's also turning her fashion dreams into a reality viaOmiru.com.
Pronounced "oh-MEE-roo," the site's name comes from the Japanese word meaning "to see," and it's an apt name considering Okubo's mission: "We want to serve as your guide through the world of fashion and style so that you can see everything there is out there and make it your own."
Its great advice and presentation have helped grow its audience and clout and even earned Omiro kudos from traditional sources such as the Wall Street Journal and Real Simple magazine.
An original voice is another element for fashion writing success. Okubo's conversational, girlfriend-to-girlfriend writing is a winning element.
And focusing on a fashion niche - so you can uncover and deliver unique options for your audience - is another way to earn credibility. Ecofabulous.com, for example, specializes in tackling the green goods realm, catering to fashionistas looking for choices that fit their values as well as their personal style.
Of course, you can't do it all. And you should start by contributing to an established source before you venture out on your own.
And your success won't depend solely on your expertise or your ability to spot what's fresh, new and affordable. You'll stand out from the crowd by making sure you place yourself in the center of the crowd.
What I mean is that when you do create your own blog, make sure you also add links to other fashion blogs and sites. What works on the Web is being a one-stop-shopping source. When your audience visits you, you'll convert them into followers by making it easy for them to browse other voices. Remember, you can't - and shouldn't try to be - all things to all people.
Now, get going: Your fans are waiting!
