Just a little sneak peak

I may have entered a certain contest on a certain Austin, Texas fashion blog.  I may be slightly poking fun at how many fashion bloggers (myself included) think we should be on America's Next Top Model.  And I really did wear this outfit to work with a pink poof on my head.

First off I must say a huge thank you to the fine women of 365 Fashion Rehab, my kindred sisters in all that is denying oneself of in-season striped shirts, black shorts, and pretty dresses.  I was one of the winners of their No Shop Challenge.  I won this AMAZING fascinator from I Heart Accessories.  I am going to be really honest.  I love it too.  The first time I wore it was to Rachel of MouseVox Vintage's birthday party that I swung by on my way home from New York City.  I honestly wish I had a pretty Little White Dress to pair this with.  Oh hell, I'll just make something.

A few other things, I had a great 4th of July weekend and I didn't take a single picture.  I did however, light a lot of fireworks, get chased by one, and the next day go to an amazing theme park in Santa Claus, IN.  A very fun, and very relaxing weekend.  Well, except for the temper tantrum I threw because the black shorts I was going to make were too small.  Yes, I made them too small.  If anyone has a 14 year old that would like some hand made shorts in a juniors size 7/8 then let me know. 

*Special note, Adored Austin did not ask me to promote this contest, I'm posting about it because I don't have an outfit shot for today but had this picture in the archives.

Where have all the comments gone?

A lazy day:
American Apparel gray v-neck
American Eagle sweater vest
Green Old Navy shorts
Fake Birkenstock's Urban Outfitters
Necklace: Beacon's Closet

Let's talk blogging for a second.  So, after some very amazing publicity on IFB, I had a completely life altering disaster happen to me and all of that great publicity kind of went out the window.  I'm not saying it does not matter and was not effective but the timing of everything was not on my side, and instead of swinging with that momentum... Alyson Is Neat took a major crash landing.  I took some time away from my blog to get my life figured out, and ever since then, my little beloved bloggy blog has been struggling.  So I want to ask my audience, readers, lurkers a few questions.

Why the silent treatment?  I'll be the first one to admit, yes I've been doing this blog for over six months and it is way frustrating to be lacking in traffic, but I've always made up for it with loyal commenters.  However, somewhere along the way... you guys disappeared.  I have more readers, however, I'm not able to keep you attention...  why is that?

What would you like to see?
Are my outfits getting tired?
What would you like to see more of?
What would you like to see less of?

And I invite you to answer these anonymously if you don't feel comfortable sharing.  Come on, be BLUNT HONEST AND HARSH.  I need some criticism or something. 

Fashion and SEO - Mix #1 - How sponsored content works

image source we heart it

So I am about to talk about something that isn't fashion related but is definitely blog related.  Most of the people that comment on my blog are definitely fellow bloggers and so I know that this post will not neccessarily fall on fallow ground, but it may go over your heads a little bit.  Trust me, search engine optimization and online marketing are extremely tricky and hard to understand.  I want to attempt to bring to light some recent situations and concerns I see happening in the blogging community.  First and foremost, my job is internet marketing.  That's what I do, on an every day basis.  I go to conferences and get to meet some of the most gifted people in internet marketing.  There isn't a whole lot of crossover between online marketing and fashion, but I'm going to start building that bridge.

Yesterday, @_IFB tweeted: "if bloggers don't talk, companies will continue to take advantage of them. #justsayin"

Let's get real for a second.  There are companies out there, reputable companies out there doing some pretty shady things on the internet.  Unfortunately, there are too many bloggers out there hoping to make a little bit of money off their blogs.  Basically, what these bloggers do not realize is that by taking these companies low ball offers for links or content, they are pretty much whoring themselves out as well as damaging the entire fashion blogging community.  I know that is harsh, but its the truth and the truth is harsh.  Let me get on my soapbox for just a second and say: your voice is important.  Your audience is important:  Your audience is worth more than the $25 a company paid you to post sponsored content.  Please, know no matter how low your traffic is; your voice and your potential audience is worth more than that.

How do you know if a company is trying to take a advantage of you?  Let me give you a few tips.


They should offer you:


1.  Money or product equivalent of $50 or so dollars if you are beginner upwards of $1000 if you have a large dedicated following,
2.  Editing freedom over the content you write or they write,
3.  AND (oh yes these are all things they should be supplying) a link from their site to yours.


You should offer them:

1.  The option of writing content yourself,
2.  An honest review,
3.  AND an anchor text link (anchor text means that you link to their site through a keyword that company is trying to rank for).


I definitely realize that this asking price isn't cheap.  But considering the advertising prices for print are incredibly high... this cost is relatively low.  Companies receive a lot of bang for their buck because unlike print ads, sponsored content is searchable, trusted, greatly benefits your online presence, and isn't used to line the bottom of a bird cage a month after print (yeah, I just said that).


Let's look at a recent example between Payless and Chictopia.  Basically, when you join Chictopia, their terms of service allow them to use your images however they like.  This includes a widget that they provided to Payless that allows users images wearing Payless shoes to run.  Although in theory, Chictopia and Payless were probably thinking how great this would be.  However, the main problem with this is that the widget does not allow a visitor to the site ability to access the Chictopia user's profile or their blog.  Basically, these bloggers images are being used and it does not benefit them one bit.


For more on this, definitely head over to Independent Fashion Bloggers most recent post concerning reading the fine print.  I agree whole-heartedly with the words of Erin, Jennine and the other bloggers mentioned.  As a fashion blogging community we cannot be oohed and ahhed by the fact that our picture is in a noted publication or brand site.  The relationships between bloggers and companies should benefit both parties, not one at the expense of the other. 


What do you think about advertising and blogging?  Do you feel like companies under appreciate the influence of the blogging community and the exposure provided by the blogging community?