London Fashion Network: The Power of the Blog – Making Money
Thursday August 06, 2009 / Categories: Marketing, Online Marketing, Online PR, Events
I chaired the final online event for the London Fashion Network; this one was about the power of the blog.
One of the hot topics was making money from blogs.
Charlotte from Glam Media was keen for fashion bloggers to monetise their websites with Glam’s network adverts but the panel of bloggers weren’t so sure.
Some thought it would put readers off, whilst others just didn’t want the hassle.
It is possible to make a living by having affiliate links and adverts on blogs, but it can compromise the content; a lot of bloggers in the fashion space don’t want to risk that.
Blogger Mademoiselle Robot charges for personal styling (see here)
My own view is that blogs can be used to enhance how someone already makes money offline.
Mademoiselle Robot is using the following she has built up on her blog to launch a new online personal styling consultancy.
I think the team at Glam, and many other ad networks, will just have to accept that some fashion bloggers just don’t want adverts.
It doesn’t mean they’re commercially dim or afraid of advertisers, it just means they don’t want to make money from their passion – because then it becomes a job.
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Daily online fashion news The Online Fashion Agency.
Comments
Wed 5th Aug
My personal take is that a lot of design at the moment is template style - if fashion bloggers (and bloggers in general) take a step away from utilising template styles and branch out into custom designs they can build a dynamic space that allows for both their own unique content (the focal point of the website) while still allowing space for advertising programs and affiliate banners.
I think too, with fashion blogging, a good opportunity is in advertorials - utilise content space to spruik a product - use full disclosure and the fact that it is a sponsored post along with the reputation of the blogger (& their authority within the niche) you can utilise the online space to place not only an advertisement in the line of attention of your target audience but also follow through with the recommendation of this product from a voice the readership knows and trusts (that is, the style blogger, who the readers should expect would not compromise authority for a false advertorial).
By Kate at 11:48 pm
Sun 27th Sep
I was not impressed to know you charged blogger to hear you speak! Bloggers are the new start up? What was your logic behind charging a fee?
By leila007 at 12:08 pm
Sun 27th Sep
Hi Leila007,
I’m not sure what you’re implying. Anyway, The London Fashion Network charges a small fee for entry to cover the cost of the event.
The LFN team have run a series of successful events and I was delighted to chair two online events for them.
Maybe you want to reply with your email address or real name?
Thanks,
Leon
By Leon Bailey-Green at 12:19 pm
Sun 27th Sep
I am implying that if the panel suggested that not everyone is in it for the money, then the panel could have footed the bill since all they wanted to do is self promote. I did not learn anything from your event. I just heard people self promoting and not listening to the voices of tomorrow.
In the case of the young inspiring bloggers like myself who want to do it for the love not the money they should have been embraced by the people who get paid to write for bloggs or who can afford to write from their Chelsea or country homes because not everyone has that luxury especially in this economical climate. Especially since you asked them to pay to get into a Pub in Kentish town! The panel should have covered the cost in hopes invitees would buy drinks.
Also I was there to hear Michele Obi from my fashion life speak why didn’t she turn up? She is an inspiration to us young fashion bloggers! Oh yeah and a part of he Glam Network if I am not wrong?
If the advertise is the evil beast how am I going to pay for my hosting fees, new camera etc on a student budget? Any suggestions?
There was also more interesting comments that evening other than the women from Glam, so I don’t understand why your piece about the event was more focused on what she had to say, she wasn’t even one of the featured speakers!
As a journalist shouldn’t you have been more objective?
My real name is Leila! I don’t think my identity is the issue here; I am trying to get to the root of your events and how you think you are relevant to the online community? It seems to me that don’t have an open mind about everything on-line. You put people on you top 100 which have since gone bankrupt, lost their jobs, or you didn’t understand their roles in the company, just put a list together to put a list together.
Why should I leave my email address, what is the value to you? Will you even allow my post?
In all your events and interviews we always see pictures of you next to the interviewee turning the piece back into a self-promotion.
I think the entire industry forgets were Blogging came from and the little blogger.
Warm regards,
Leila
By Leila007 at 1:26 pm
Sun 27th Sep
leila007
I’m the co-founder of London Fashion Network – over the last year we have brought to our audience a wide variety of topics and the speakers have all been of a very high calibre. The audience is very varied from head of trend at Marks and Spencer’s to start up niche internet businesses. We charge a nominal amount of £10 to try and cover our costs – the LFN is a labour of love and is done with passion of giving back to the industry. Attendee’s get an opportunity to learn from very established people in the industry and the opportunity after the event to network. Over the last year we have been able to help attendee’s to make a real difference to their business.
If you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to contact me vicki@puresauce.co.uk.
Vicki Day
By Vicki Day at 1:42 pm
Sun 27th Sep
Hi Leila,
You have obviously followed me for some time.
And yes, as you can see I have allowed your post.
So anyone coming here can see your comments, all my blogs and make their own minds up.
Charlotte from Glam started a good debate, surely if you were there you would have noticed. She made a valid point that it’s ok for bloggers to make money.
Thanks,
Leon
By Leon Bailey-Green at 1:52 pm
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