Fashion Blogging
How do you curate your social media to increase your fashion blog´s traffic?
Once your blog is up and running, it’s time to focus on finding your audience. But how do you set yourself apart when the competition is so fierce?
With platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest, fashion bloggers have the chance to brand their content and reach out to potential readers. Let’s learn more about what content curation means and how you can make a start.
What is social media content curation?
When it comes to social media, content curation refers to shaping your content around a dedicated theme or topic. By carefully selecting and integrating third-party materials into your own content, you can create a consistent voice and more easily connect with an audience.
As the social media platform for your fashion blog, your readers will come to see each post or item you share as an extension of your blog. If the content resonates with them, they’re more likely to share your posts with their followers. Then, you’ll see newer and frequent visitors to your site. That’s a worthwhile investment.
The 5 systems of curating your social media content
There are few different schools of thought and options when it comes to curating your content. Choose a system that naturally makes sense to you and fits with your schedule, so curating your content will feel less like an effort. You’ll be more inclined to keep this process going.
1. Aggregate content
First up, the most straightforward of content curation styles: aggregation. This simply means collecting content on a single platform, all with a consistent tone and topic. Pinterest fashion channels are a great example. Most bloggers who start out on social media work with this style.
You will generate a stream of content that reinforces your original message by reposting or sharing. The only downside is that it can sometimes be a little more difficult to plan, and be perceptively sporadic to your audience.
2. Filtered content
The closest system to aggregation is filtering where you reduce the sources from which you share content. Fashion bloggers give their social media platforms a more tailored feel by being more selective in which content to post. In turn, this helps build credibility and authenticity, as your audience are less likely to think you’re just posting anything you come across.
3. Distilled content
In this system, your social media platform not only becomes a way for you to share news and updates but also summaries of content. One of the most popular ways is by creating an Instagram story around a specific topic.
Although this might sound backwards, like how to become a blogger on Instagram rather than using your Instagram to support your blog, it’s actually an effective funneling tool. Tools like swipe-up links ensures your followers are not only engaged with your content, but are also prompted to visit your blog.
4. Blended content
If you’ve tried distillation and found it effective, a simple way of taking your content curation to the next level is to begin blending the summaries of your content with other resources. This creates conversation around a topic. A great example of this is the Instagram account, Diet Prada.
Diet Prada often summarizes controversies in the fashion industry but then invites other sources to comment and contribute to their discussions. This methodology that has seen their follower numbers increase dramatically within a short time.
5. Chronological content
The curation style that makes the most sense for fashion bloggers is likely content chronology. The seasonality of fashion means that while audiences do enjoy retrospectives, they’re most often looking to the future for forecasting trends.
As a fashion blogger, taking an “as it happens” approach to your content is an effective way of allowing your followers to join you on your content journey.
This can be as easy as a simple daily update style of posting on Twitter or even taking submissions like user generated content. Whichever way you do it, chronological curation is great for things like following a global trend from multiple perspectives.
What benefits are there to content curation for fashion bloggers?
Content curation has a few benefits for fashion bloggers, especially on social media platforms. Putting time and thought into how you present your content pays off in site traffic – and potential profits.
1. Curating helps shape and fill your content calendar
Generating incredible content every day for both your blog and the relevant social media channels can be an incredibly time-consuming process. However, by curating posts from other resources that are both relevant to your blog and your audience’s interests, you can save time without losing the engagement of potential readers.
Even by simply replacing a third of your social media posts with curated content, you will have shaved off 10 days from your monthly workload. As long as you are dispersing the curated content carefully amongst your own posts, your readers will still be able to identify your specific voice with your social media channel.
2. Content curation is networking
A common question for fashion bloggers is how to make your Instagram popular enough that your blog benefits. One effective way is to share content between social media platforms. This will raise your profile with other influencers and bloggers.
With simple additions like fashion hashtags, Instagram can connect you to broader topics and audiences. The key rule here is to always credit and tag your resources properly. This gives them recognition for their own work but will also flag your post on their own account.
3. Careful curation creates more brand awareness
It’s the age of the influencer, and there’s no better time to take advantage of the value social media can generate for your brand. Establishing yourself as a credible voice in the fashion field can be as simple as being thoughtful about what you share and promote from other businesses.
For example, if your fashion blog is specifically about sustainable fashion, sharing news and information around environmental concerns would increase your credibility as an eco-friendly fashionista.
Once your audience perceives you as a trusted resource on a particular topic, your reputation can only benefit and your followers can only feel more comfortable in sharing your content too.
4. Curating keeps things fresh
As important as it is to have a focused tone and presence on social media, it still helps to mix things up. Post after post that is just about you is unlikely to engage your audience – nor attract new followers.
A common reason for people to lose followers is an oversaturation of sponsored content. Although a recommendation here and there can be perceived as helpful and even take as valuable advice, spamming your followers with promotional content is risky.
Not only will your audience begin to doubt your motivations behind pushing particular products, but it also just makes for a boring feed or grid.
Include curated content from other sources, too. You’ll not only avoid the trap of your content becoming too self-involved, but you will provide a natural hindrance to filling your channel up with paid posts. A more engaging and diverse timeline is a win-win for both you and your site traffic.
How do you get started with content curation?
It’s easier than you may think to start integrating content curation into your social media channels. Firstly, fashion bloggers and influencers have the luxury of content curation being an industry standard. Third-party content in your own feed won’t be too jarring for your followers.
Next up, simply take a look at your editorial calendar. Identify a post amount that suits you. Trying to keep the posts to one or two a week is ideal, so you don’t dilute your own content messaging too much,. It’s always an option to start out and adjust your strategy as you go.
Lastly, if you’re stuck for inspiration, head to your own follow list for ideas. The fashion accounts you follow are likely great resources of their own and will also follow interesting and relevant accounts too.
Let’s do it! Make a start on integrating content curation into your social media strategy today, and enjoy the increase in site traffic it brings.