3 Successful Fashion Bloggers Spill About Working with Brands

What is the trick to working with the top fashion bloggers? There may not be a secret recipe to follow, but we have interviewed a handful of our favorite bloggers to find out some tips on getting their attention and having your clients featured on their blogs and social media.

We interviewed Grace Atwood of The Stripe, Amy Roiland of A Fashion Nerd, Nicolette Stocks of Fashionably Stocked and Brittany Xavier of Thrifts and Threads! Below are their answers to some of our most commonly asked questions!

What do you look for in a brand when you are considering to feature on your blog?

Nicolette: When I am considering working with a brand, the first thing that I look for is compatibility.  Are our styles in sync? Do we share the same style and tastes? This one is major because usually your readers and viewers choose to follow you based on you having a similar style to themselves. I know the bloggers I follow will often provide me inspiration, so I follow ones that have similar tastes so that I can see new ways to style the pieces that I love.  I also look for some sort of connection and common interests (i.e. a brand that is making girl’s feel beautiful in their own skin, or a brand that is helping animals by donating portions of their sales to charities, or brands who love unique pieces and bright statement pieces). I like when there’s a connection that creates a sort of bond between the two channels so that we can really feel good about working together and therefore passionate. When you’re passionate about something, that’s when it’s authentic, and that’s when people love it.

I like when there’s a connection that creates a sort of bond between the two channels so that we can really feel good about working together and therefore passionate.

What do you consider a successful blog post? How do you measure the success of content?

Brittany:A successful blog post for me is high readership even after the post has been up for a little while. My “popular posts” section on the right-hand side of my blog are my highest read posts to date. I measure success by comments and e-mail feedback, I want to be a resource and inspiration for my readers and I always respond to every e-mail regarding blog questions!

What is the best way for a publicist or brand to get your attention?

Amy:Email me, I check my email 24/7 or comment on one of my photos.

If brands have little to no budget for sponsorship fees, can they still work with top tier bloggers?

Grace:That’s really hard. For editorial content, of course… but if you are asking a blogger to work, to create dedicated content for you and use your hashtag, then probably not. Bloggers receive so many offers and are inundated with request after request for coverage – paid or non. The blogger needs to be getting something out of the arrangement. Be it exclusive content, an offer for their readers, affiliate commission, a really great gift, or payment… there has to be some incentive for the blogger. I probably get around 400 pitches a week sent to my inbox, which can be tricky to navigate. Organic content comes first, then the paid stuff… and when there’s time I will look through the other pitches.

Bloggers receive so many offers and are inundated with request after request for coverage – paid or non. The blogger needs to be getting something out of the arrangement.

Can brands be featured on your blog without paying a sponsorship fee?

Brittany:Yes! Anything I buy myself is featured, but if a brand reaches out and asks for a specific time frame for it to be posted or for me to use a specific handle or hashtag when posting, that would be considered sponsored.

How do you determine sponsorship rates?

Grace:I determined my rates based upon my traffic and social following + talking to my peers. I’m also fortunate to have worked on the other side of things, so I know what the going rates are for bloggers like myself.

Photo Credit: Idhren

PS: If you’re interested in working with bloggers on Instagram campaigns, check out Instappable, a 4-week self study course aimed at helping fashion marketers and brands develop seamless, successful collaborations plus access to influencer and digital media stats and contact information.