Curated Magazine

Curated.

Dhs 10

By bloggers for bloggers

THE CREATIVE ISSUE 1 VOLUME 1 | APRIL 2017

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Editor’s

LETTER

elcome to the first edition of Curated – a magazine by bloggers for bloggers.

Whether you are new, aspiring, or just plain curious about how we do it, it’s my utmost pleasure to share trade secrets from some of the industry’s topmost bloggers with you. When I started my blog, Damsel in Desert, a year back, I had to learn the art of blogging the hard way – by making millions of mistakes. While I still make mistakes today, there are so many things I wish someone had told me before I began. Most of what I learnt was by meeting other bloggers, getting inspired by them and making mental notes every single time.

The sheer amount of voices in the blogging industry can be overwhelming, and so, Curated aims to curate these voices and put them all together in one place. While making this magazine, I realised that it doesn’t matter if you have a 100 or a 100,000 following; if you do what you do with passion and not because you want to be famous, it will all be worth it in the end. My heartfelt gratitude to everyone who took out precious time to be a part of this journey and provided valuable tips that I now have the opportunity to share with you. I hope you enjoy this read and are empowered to carry on your blogging journey with more fuel and creativity than ever before.

Love,

a

R

c ebec

REBECCA GILL Editor-in-Chief

@damselindesert

@damselindesert

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Contents.

06.

The Perfect Grid

11.

Blogger Things We Love

12.

Get Taken Away by Jayven

17.

Ask Bianca

18.

All About Bloggerang

22.

Concert Looks

27.

4 Incredible Shooting Locations

29.

Camera and lenses to get you started

30.

PR tips for bloggers

34.

2017 Trends

12.

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27.

Curated.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Rebecca Gill CONTRIBUTORS Abeer Acero @lookingforabura Annie Grijalva @unlavish Bianca Danise @biancadanise Injeel Moti @injeel_thebeautyblogme Jayven Tabernilla @takenbyjayven Mariyah Gaspacho @mahryska Neha Patel @neha_style_diaries COVER PAGE ILLUSTRATION Nabeela Ismail @bihadesigns FOLLOW US @curatedmagazine @curatedmagazine

Printed by Emirates Printing Press, Dubai

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the perfectGRID They say that if a photo is worth a thousand words, your Instagram feed is worth a million.

Gone are the days when Instagram was just about photos; now, it’s all about visual consistency. The lighting, the filter, the color - it all makes a difference, and who better to give us a little info on how to master this trend if not the queen of it all? With her perfect warm aesthetic that makes us want to sneak under our sheets with a book and coffee in our hands, Abeer from lookingforabura shares (literally) all her secrets with us!

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1. So, tell us a little something about yourself, how did you get into blogging?

Well, I’ve been Instagramming since I moved to Dubai which was 4 and half years ago. When I moved to here, I had no friends and the online world was my world where I got to mingle with people. So I started off with posting a picture of a book that I was currently reading (of course!) and then I began getting messages from my followers asking me to post more about books, and their encouragement was pretty much the start of everything, and the rest is, well … history.

2. Pretty sure everyone in Dubai loves your theme, how did you start with your dreamy aesthetic? What was your inspiration behind the warm tones?

“Don’t ever go out of your way just to make a photo look good if it doesn’t really make you feel happy.”

To be honest, I actually tried doing cold tones, with blue and saturated photos that don’t have any color and are very minimal. But I just felt like it didn’t fit my personality; I like all things warm and cozy and I just like to stay at home mostly. And here in Dubai, almost 365 days of the year it’s warm, so when I take a photo indoors it’s basically either warm, yellow or orange and hard for you to edit it in blue tones (laughs).

3. So basically if a person is still trying to figure out a theme for themselves, you’d say they should use a color that inspires them or is easy to find in their surroundings. Right?

Exactly. My first instinct is not to do what everyone else is doing. When I first discovered Dubai bloggers I saw that most of them had a minimal, white or a stylish feel to their feeds, and I realized that it doesn’t fit my personality. BUT, if you are a new blogger and you feel that this is your thing, then go for it. It doesn’t matter even if others have the same theme, as long as it suits your personality. Don’t ever go out of your way just to make a photo look good if it doesn’t really make you feel happy.

4. What kind of subjects do you take pictures of to keep things interesting and not make it look monotonous?

I used to be a hardcore book blogger; I blogged about books, posted about books and all things BOOKS! But last year I transitioned into more of lifestyle blogging, and I started posting about food. Sometimes I try posting #ootd, but I still try to make sure I stay true to what I really like doing, which is reading. So what I do is, I post two photos about books and then I try to make sure that the third photo is about something else - like food or fashion - and then repeat the process. Always look at your feed in sets of three.

@lookingforabura

@lookingforabura

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5. So now for the question everyone is the most curious about, how do you edit your photos?

Do you use a filter?

Haha yes I get this a lot.

The thing is, it’s simple; I use my phone. I hate the hassle of first taking a photo and then sending it to your laptop to edit it on Photoshop, just to send it back to your phone and post it on Instagram.

I hate it, it’s too much work. Sometimes I use my camera to take photos, but most of the time I use my phone, especially when I am on the go. I mainly use VSCO for editing and filters. I make sure that my editing is cohesive to my recent photos - I just edit the temperature, saturation, brightness and shadow on VSCO, that’s it. Also, I don’t always stick to the same filter; I try different ones as long as it has earthy tones and matches my feed.

6. What apps do you recommend for editing Instagram photos?

Well, like I said, my go-to app is VSCO and I use it for pretty much everything. Sometimes I also use Snapseed, just to clarify the photo when I want something to stand out - there is a tool on Snapseed that allows you to just brighten certain areas of a photo.

7. Are there any bloggers whose themes you love and take inspiration from?

Yes, I love Christie Tyler whose Instagram handle is @nycbambi. I absolutely love her and her theme; we have also been talking through Instagram DMs, and she’s super sweet and a great inspiration.

8. Finally, any last comments or advice you would like to give followers on curating the perfect Instagram grid?

Just do what you do best, and always stay true to your own aesthetic and to yourself. Never compromise your style, what you love or your passion, just to make a photo look good or to make your feed look ‘cool’. A lot of bloggers do this just for the sake of it, but trust me, when you are not comfortable with your feed, people can see it. So last words, post something that you do in your everyday life but make it aesthetically beautiful.

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�Post something that you do in your everyday life but make it aesthetically beautiful.�

- Abeer Acero

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Blogger things we There are a few items every blogger should have up their sleeve, like a Daniel Wellington watch or Aimee Song’s new book that decodes Instagram to its roots. So, we scanned through the blogging world and curated a special list of everything we are loving this month - that you need in your life right now! Whether it comes to flatlays, content or staying focused on your blogging plans, there’s something for all.

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Phone Cover Kate Spade, Dhs 199

Classy Winchester watch Daniel Wellington, Dhs 495

Blogger’s Journal Paperchase, Dhs 125

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Mini Marquee Letter Typo, Dhs 25

Capture Your Style

by Aimee Song Barnes and Noble, Dhs 46

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Get Taken Away By Jayven

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Sitting with a cup of coffee and looking ever so relaxed in his camel hooded coat, retro glasses and a contagious smile that never seems to fade, Jayven shared a little about his life and social media journey with us.

H

e’s been in Dubai for just three years, but that’s been more than enough for him to create a beautiful niche, be it his signature Insta stories or impeccable flatlays. His passion for photography started off with him filling up his dad’s phone memory with tonnes of photos of landscapes, food, himself or anything that looked interesting. Little did he know this passion would soon become his fulltime career because here’s a little something you don’t know about Jayven – he’s Huda Kattan’s social media photographer. Yes, you read that right.

the photo to reflect my life more, and hence I make sure that it’s something I generally do and I try to make it as creative as possible because I just have this one medium to offer – photographs”.

Having a USP or your signature when it comes to blogging can be difficult and he says that “you need to make sure that whatever you do is constant and you have to love this USP. I used to be awkward but then I had to keep changing it till I got something I was finally happy and comfortable with”. You can get inspiration from other too, but there’s a thin line between being inspired by someone and copying someone, so always remember that. The Jayven is more of a social media influencer than way he started his Instagram signature was all a blogger, the difference he says is that you don’t trial and error, but that’s the best way right? have a website or a blog, you influence others just through your social media content. For example, He always wanted to be an actor and because that “whenever you post something that encourages was a little impossible for him to achieve he says others to want to try it out or buy the same outfit that he started acting like he had fans calling them then you are basically influencing them. In a way, “Jayveners” (which is his nickname by a friend). your lifestyle on social media influences others He then started using “Jayvenatics” instead, lifestyles”. He has been wanting to start a blog which is a popular name used for fan clubs in the for a while now but the timing or place was never Philippines but people started complaining that right, so social media was his way of getting his they liked the previous one more. Then he realised passion out there. that “I wouldn’t be able to please all the people in the world and finally ended up making the line – See, I have a tough time writing Instagram hey Jayveners, Jayvenatics and all the people captions because I love writing long posts and of the internet. It was a slow process, and it took expressing myself so I asked Jayven how he some time working around it obviously, but I am manages to catch attention in a matter of words. glad that I can now say that this imaginary fan The trick he says is “looking at the photo and to club now actually exists in real life”. see if the photo already has something to say then just go with the flow”. “It also depends on why I While quickly wrapping up our meeting, drinking am posting this to begin with, is it for a brand? almost cold coffees now, Jayven shared his last Do you want to share your experience? Is it a food bit of tips for aspiring bloggers and inspirations review, clothing, brand or hotel? So there are a lot with us. “I know a lot of people say this but just be of things to consider before you start writing your yourself. It’s not about the brand you are posting post and I start with my purpose and then move for; it’s about you and the part of your life that onto the caption” he adds. Because he doesn’t you want to share with the world”. have a blog, Jayven says that as a social media influencer he focuses on creating quality content So tell me, are you inspired to start your journey which is essential. He tries his best not to make and create your USP dear readers? photos for brands look sponsored saying “I want @takenbyjayven

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@takenbyjayven

I try to make it as creative as possible because I just have this one medium to offer – photographs�.

- Jayven Tabernilla

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Ask Bianca

Q. Dear Bianca, I am just starting out as a blogger and I am a bit nervous on how to survive the blogging world. It’s such a competitive environment and I am scared on how I will be able to make time for everything along with saving some quality time for myself. Could you give me some tips to keep in mind as I start?

Bianca Danise

Is a Travel & Lifestyle Blogger who is busy stirring up magic around the world when she’s not answering our questions!

A. That’s an interesting question. The fact that you mentioned the word “survival” shows that you already know how blogging can take up so much of your time.

You have to be consistent with your posts, brainstorm ideas all the time, do photo shoots, manage your social media accounts, and the list goes on. It is a big responsibility and is definitely a constant survival.

Here are a few tips that go hand in hand to help you balance out your time.

worry about your consistency.

1. Time management: As cliché as it sounds, it works.

Plan the time you’ll need to brainstorm, when you need to create content, when to take photos, etc. Work on it in advance so you can schedule content ahead of time. Put each task in your calendar, if you have to, to accomplish your goals.

4. Honesty is the best policy: Personally, this is my golden rule in blogging. People know and they can see if you’re being honest with your work, so always be yourself and be truthful about everything you post online.

2. Consistency is key: I cannot stress this enough. If you want your audience to keep visiting your site, then you’ll have to be consistent with your posting schedule. It doesn’t have to be every day; it can be once a week or even once every 2 weeks. Just be sure to let your audience know your posting schedule so they’re not expecting for nothing. Also, consistency goes hand in hand with time management so if you’ve ticked off everything on your to-do list, then you won’t have to

3. Take a break: Again, this goes hand in hand with managing your time. As you schedule the dates and hours of your blogging work, NEVER forget about yourself. You deserve time for yourself just as much as your blog does. DON’T feel guilty for being away from social media because sometimes, a break is what you actually need to get back on track.

It might be overwhelming at first, especially when you’re just building yourself out there. But passion beats everything else that’s stopping you, so here’s my last advice: Believe in yourself, always!

Love,

Bianca

@biancadanise Do you have a question for Bianca too? Send them through at myquestion@curated.com

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All about

Let me guess: you too have seen a “Blogger Gang” going to places together, doing themed shoots, hosting events and eating some really amazing food. And so, you’ve been wondering: how did they all get together? Don’t worry, you won’t have to be curious any longer because we met with the founder of Bloggerang, the completely selfless and inspiring Annie from Unlavish and asked her all about this new and interesting community of bloggers in Dubai!

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1. So what is Bloggerang?

Bloggerang is a community of content creators who aim to promote collaborations and networking in the world of bloggers.

2. What was your inspiration behind starting this community?

As a blogger, I felt frustrated every time I was going to events because I felt that nobody was talking to each other! Plus, it was always the same bloggers in all the events thus I felt that there was a need to create something where bloggers from all backgrounds could come together and actually talk to each other. I also realized that a community was needed because I love sharing invites and collabs with fellow bloggers. This job it’s only fun if you get to share it with others, at least that’s how it is for me.

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“The most valuable lesson I have learned so far is that blogging is only fun if you get to share it with others.”

4. How can one be a part of Bloggerang? Are they required to go through a process or can anyone join?

This is a community open to everybody who wants to grow their network and their careers as content creators. We organize monthly meetups in which we interact with bloggers and instagrammers from a wide variety of backgrounds. We do have a Content Creator’s Program which is an exclusive group with special access to collaborations and event invites.

5. And how do you choose bloggers from all the applications you receive in this program?

3. Did you start with a plan or just let things take its course?

I did plan ahead actually! I spent months just doing research in the region and brainstorming with my partner. I wanted to create something that could bring tons of value to content creators and brands.

I wanted to make it super fun but I also knew that I had to find a monetization strategy to this idea. After so many brainstorming sessions, I drafted three different business models and just starting testing them in the market.

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Our criteria is pretty basic; we look for great engagement, amazing content, bloggers who are professional and above everything, bloggers full of positive energy. We have realized that it is essential to collaborate with happy and kind people. It’s just contagious! The team feels it, the sponsors feel it and the community over all just loves it. I always tell the team “No divas allowed!” haha I swear!

6. This one’s a bit tricky, but are there any bloggers you would never allow to join the community, if so why?

I love this question. It’s not that we are like the cool kids saying who is allowed to join and who is not. Everybody is more than welcome to join us on meetups and events.

The only reason why we have an application process for our Content Creators’ Program is because our sponsors and all the brands that we collaborate with have certain standards that we need to meet.

The positive energy part was added by the team, how cool is that? I love listening to our team because they always have the best insights. We promote tolerance and we collaborate with bloggers from all backgrounds thus there is no room for discrimination at all in this community. Nowadays the blogger community sometimes discriminates not by race but by the number of followers. This is something we don’t support. Everybody can go online and buy followers. We believe in organic engagement and delivering value to our community and sponsors.

Whether it’s a community made of 1000 or 1 million followers, if you have genuine engagement we want to meet you!

7. What do the bloggers get in return for being a part of the community?

9. Even though the Bloggerang events look great fun, I can imagine how difficult arranging these events might be. What goes on behind the scenes?

Oh yes! There is so much work, I don’t know what I would do without the team. From arranging props for the photoshoots to dealing with social media bullying live in events. I know most people don’t talk about it but there is a lot going on in the world of bloggers behind the scenes thus, this is why we protect our community.

10. How do you think Bloggerang became such a huge success in such a short period of time?

I think it was the community who did this. In our generation we are always craving for connection beyond social media, right? I think we all just wanted to quit the glam, sit down and have a coffee with fellow bloggers.

They get awesome invites, cool collaborations, access to private meetups and now we are also providing access to gigs for those content creators who want to take it to the next level. We promote mostly collaborations but sometimes, our sponsors end up hiring our team to create content. Then everybody is happy because we get to do what we love and to get financial compensation for that.

11. Must be inspiring working with other bloggers, what would you say is the most valuable lesson that you learnt through this community?

It is extremely inspiring, I love our team and I love our community members. The most valuable lesson I have learned so far is that blogging is only fun if you get to share it with others.

8. How are approaching brands as a community different from approaching them as a single blogger?

12. What’s next in store for Bloggerang?

So many things! The next level for us is to create an automatization tool that facilitates collaborations among influencers and between brands and influencers. We are also working on an annual conference and on getting our team hired for content creation gigs. We love to keep ourselves busy but we love even more to see the results of our hard work thus check in with us in six months from now and let’s see what happens!

I also love this question. It’s easier to approach them as a community than as a blogger. Our community is made of mostly micro influencers and brands are realizing more about the importance of collaborating with people with high engagement even if they don’t have a million followers.

@bloggerang

@bloggerang

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Concert Looks

Going to Justin Bieber’s “Purpose World Tour” on the 4th of May? Thought as much! Now that you have gotten your tickets, haven’t you been wondering what to wear? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered with some amazing looks created by the Bloggerang girls in collaboration with Ardene. Their new collection in line with Justin’s world tour screams simple yet chic; you won’t be saying “Sorry” to anyone, we promise! (P.S these looks are selling out fast, we are guessing everyone’s going to be there at this epic concert, so you might want to get your hands on them ASAP).

Safa wearing Ardene Sweatshirt Dhs 120 Sneakers Dhs 69 Jeans Dhs 129 Choker Dhs 39 22

Angela wearing Ardene T-shirt Dhs 70 Jacket Dhs 100 Jeans Dhs 120 23

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Rebecca wearing Ardene T-Shirt Dhs 70 Jeans Dhs 120 Jacket Dhs 100 Choker Dhs 30

Neha wearing Ardene T-Shirt Dhs 70 Skirt Dhs 60 Jacket Dhs 99 Glasses Dhs 40

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4 Incredible Shooting Locations ft. Mahryska Taking outfit photos is a task on its own, but finding the perfect locations to take these photos can be even more difficult. And when it comes to scouting locations for shooting, no one does it like Mariyah, the blogger behind Mahryska. With a mix of Photography and Fashion, Mariyah is a strong believer in finding backdrops and visualising them in a way most people won’t, like walls, trees or secret corners not everyone can find. Living in a city like Dubai has its perks because we have the most beautiful architecture to take advantage of, but that again can be overwhelming. So we asked Mariyah to list some of her favourite spots around town that don’t require you to get any permissions beforehand (YES, you read that right!)

Palace Downtown Hotel

“Your individuality in blogging lies in your presentation and vision”.

- Mariyah Gaspacho

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Cactus Garden

Cactus Garden This one is a blogger favourite because what better way to capture UAE (think deserts) than in the midst of a Cactus Garden? Located in the Dubai Creekside Park, this unusual park will leave your readers craving for more!

Tip: Stay away from the prickly little plants, just use them as a backdrop!

Arabian Tea House

Arabian Tea House

Cafés are perfect for capturing that girl next door look, but a café that looks like it belongs in Greece? Now that’s gold. Located in Bastakiya, Arabian Tea House is truly a hidden gem. This indoor café is perfect for those hot summer days where it’s impossible to shoot outdoors, your makeup and hair will thank you later!

Palace Downtown Hotel When it comes to the perfect whimsical setting for lace dresses or flowy gowns, Palace Downtown Hotel is the place to go. The entrance to the hotel has the perfect ramp, enclosed by a mirror-flat lake and palm trees -it’s a picture-perfect view. Being walking distance from Souk Al Bahar, you can kill two birds with one stone and shoot two outfits at once!

O-14 Tower

0-14 Tower

This all white building is perfect for all the minimal and monochrome lovers. Also known as the Swiss Cheese Tower in Business Bay, this skyscraper looks like a giant, you guessed it, Cheese. Get creative and find a spot in one of the many circular holes in the building or just use it as a backdrop, we’ll leave that up to you!

This is far from a complete list, but it’s a good start to get your creative juices flowing.

However, remember that photography is subjective, and Mariyah says that it’s all in the taste and creativity of the person. You probably won’t be able to capture the location the same way that she does but stay original because “Your individuality in blogging lies in your presentation and vision”. @mahryska

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@mahryska

C AM E R A and lenses to get you started...

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 Whether you are a new photographer or a professional looking for a quality compact camera, the Cyber shot Rx100 will not leave you disappointed. With exceptional quality and SLR-like functions in a refined pocket friendly package, we’d recommend this one to all those travel and lifestyle bloggers out there who want to take their point and shoot photography to the next level without making a huge hole in their pocket.

that is good for everything from outfit posts to food photography.

Specs - Mega Pixels: 18MP | Lens: 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 | Screen: 3-inch | Movies: 1080p Find it at yallashop.com for Dhs 1,599 Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

Ever wondered how bloggers get those perfect outfit shots with blurred backgrounds? Here’s your answer in a budget. While there are many Specs - Mega Pixels: 20.2MP | Lens: 28-100mm prime lenses out there, the Canon 50mm /1.8 f/1.8-4.9 | Screen: 3-inch | Movies: 1080p lens is a classic that is perfect for product and portrait photography. Considered to be Find it at Jumbo for Dhs 1,499 the “nifty fifty” lens of the market, the wide f/1.8 aperture give you the power to blur out Canon EOS 600D the background and bring your subject or products into focus.

When it comes to entry level DSLR cameras, Canon 600D is among the most recommended Specs - Lens: 50mm | Aperture: f/1.8 | Type: camera for beginners. With 18 MP, this award Prime winning camera is perfect for those bloggers who are looking for a jack of all trades camera Find it at Souq.com for Dhs 339 29

PR

r o f s tip

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Public Relations – two scary words for bloggers aren’t they? We often take care of everything right from content,

b r

s r e g log

photography to even SEO at times, but we forget about this one important thing. We get it; it’s time-consuming and over-overwhelming all at once. But today, as much as a brand needs PR so do bloggers and we need to get in the habit of putting our best foot forward when dealing with the public. So we spoke to Injeel Moti, who has been in the industry for over 5 years and works as a Public Relations Manager, as well as being a beauty blogger. As a blogger herself, she has “been there, done that” so no one gets the do’s and don’ts of Blogging + PR like her!

Tip 1: Find your niche Don’t try to be a jack of all trades blogger. While it’s okay to be interested in various things, you need to focus on one main niche for your blog, for example - Fashion. Injeel says that switching between interests not only confuses your audience but PR agencies too. Because PR agencies have different lists on fashion, food, beauty and these

are used as per client requirements. But if you are doing everything and the PR professional isn’t sure of what your focus is and what list to put you in, they might just omit you all together.

Tip 2: Database According to Injeel, there are over 300 PR agencies in Dubai already, and this number is growing every day. With an average of 7 people per company, that is a lot of contacts you need to be communicating with. They look across a variety of brands, and therefore you need to target them according to your niche (another reason why your niche is important). She recommends that if you are a blogger, you need to get yourself on www.cisionpoint.com right away! It’s an agency lifeline to get blogger contact details from and is also the only legalised data base system in the region for any media contacts.

Tip 3: It’s all about the pitch Have your blog and a database of PR agencies ready? Great! Next step is the most crucial one – how to approach them. You need to remember that agencies get hundreds of emails from bloggers every day and what really will help you stand out is your pitch. DO NOT send out mass emails; it’s not going to work. Send individually customised emails according to the brands that they support, and that you are interested in.

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Draft an email with the basics such as your name, blog, social media links and media kit.

Tip 4: Networking Now that you have gotten in touch with 5-10 agencies and have started to get invites – Network! These events are your opportunity to put a face to your blog. Always remember to greet the PR professional who invited you, don’t just go to an event, look around, take a few pictures and scurry out without anyone even noticing - you are only harming yourself. Injeel says that you should look around and show some genuine interest in the brand, don’t be that blogger who just comes in for the goody bag.

Tip 5: Return on investment The last and most important tip. When you work with brands, agencies or even other bloggers, you need to remember that they are trusting you with their brand identity. So when you propose collaborations you need to focus on what you are offering, what you are getting back and ultimately what you are giving back. Don’t just disappear after a product has been given to you without responding to the agency. This doesn’t put you in a good light with the agency because they are only chasing you as their client is chasing them.

@injeel_thebeautyblogme

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@InjeelM

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TRENDS

Dress over pants

Vintage Aviators

Bloggers are wearing in 2017 (and you should too!)

Neha from NehaStyleDiaries is definitely up the curve when it comes to styling the latest trends. We are barely 5 months into 2017 and there has already been a streak of million trends to follow, which does not make it easy for us bloggers, does it? But worry not, we spoke to Neha to make a list of her top favorite trends of the year that you NEED to have in your closet no matter what! @neha_style_diaries

Slogan T-Shirts

Mesh Details

Fishnet Stockings 35