Cloak of Invisibility

For some, a benefit of online communication is the lack of face-to-face communication. Why would someone see interacting with a computer as opposed to another person as more equal, as silly as that sounds. The computer is able to mask the identity of a person and put everyone on an equal playing field. When it comes to first impressions or judgements, the computer makes it hard to discriminate against someone based on elements such as gender, age or physicality. 

The lack of face-to-face communication online does act as an equalizer and benefits individual bloggers tremendously, but how would this help a company who benefits (in some aspects) specifically from someones gender, age or even physicality that a computer has the ability to hide? If a large fashion corporation decided to expand their company online, it is only natural that they will be judged based on some of these elements. 

When reading a fashion blog, especially if this blog is an extension of a company, readers want to hear from the experts on a topic. There are a set of standards the blog must withhold just as the actual corporation does. Going beyond just the knowledge one must have to gain credibility, sometimes being a certain age is just what you need in order to represent a certain trend or designer. I can also see gender as an element to fashion blogging that is taken under consideration by readers. Looking at the men and women who represent a company's menswear or womenswear lines on a blog, their thoughts will resonate well with a gender specified audience. 
#Thoughts? 

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Why Heather Can Write

Political Power

The reasons behind a personal blog is easy for me to understand. Looking at the progression of this online forum, it is essentially an online diary or journal. Most known diaries/journals probably intended to have no public audience, and yet most wind up being read and possibly even published for the world to read. I think of a personal blog in the same way, we similarly write down our thought to express what we're feeling. Although the blog might be for you, your private life eventually becomes public in some way. If this is essentially the evolution of a personal blog, then where and how did the idea of blogging for a company come into play?

Although its roots might be a combination of many things, early political journalism seems to best describe what the purpose of blogging for a company is. Different genres such as a pamphlet, editorial or the opinion column have been around since the 17^th century, all used to express political opinion. These independent publications were overthrown by the birth of newspapers and all the restrictions that come with them. However, this particular genre of work craves a large public audience and aims to implement social opinion and action. There needs to be less restrictions and more independence in order to carry these things out (hello blogging). 

Fashion blogging requires the same independence that a blogger gains in the political community. Although blogging for a fashion company does not aim to engage in political propaganda, there are some similarities in their purpose. Each blogger takes on the role of separating from the “corporate” media aspect to gain direct and personal access to their intended audience. 

#GodBlessAmerica 

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Blogging as Social Action: A Genre Analysis of the Weblog

Digital Slave Labor

At some point in every one's life, I believe there to be time when their number one priority is work. From what I have come to find, exactly when or for how long this "stage" lasts is unique to each individual. However, when it comes to blogging, it sounds like nothing ever seems to slow down. Is it possible that by becoming a blogger, you are essentially a slave to this medium for as long as you both shall live? It's no secret that blogging is demanding, there is a huge commitment of time and effort if you want to make it big in this online realm. Constantly checking and updating its content is what keeps a blog alive. 

This fast paced trend we see with blogging parallels with the ins and outs of the fashion world. In this world, trends and fashion movements are constantly fed and nurtured with attention. Essentially, this is how we create blog posts, with tons of love and affection. A place where these two combine into one is when someone holds the title as a "fashion blogger", or as I’d like to call it, a modernized “victim” of slave labor. 

Leandra Medine, creator of Man Repeller, is a fashion blogger whose life is now synonymous with slaving to a digital medium. During her college years, what began as a place to fire out her thoughts on all things fashion, dating and quirky daily struggles is now a full time job. There is no other medium involving writing that is more fast paced and creatively informal than a blog. Medine has created a brand that does not involve a line of clothing or handbag collection but rather a brand that is comprised with her "stream of consciousness thoughts". 

Online communities have existed for many years, so what makes blogging so different. From the fast paced environment and freedom of speech, a blog has the ability to transform your thoughts into conversations that matter. 

#iSlave 

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Psychology of Blogs (Weblogs): Everything Old is New Again

Blogging like it's 1980

It appears, blogging has become insanely popular for so many different people, places and things. The truth is, this whole "blogging" concept has actually been around before I was even born.....maybe our parents aren't so old after all. The idea of online communities have been around since the 80's but just recently have the coined terms, "blogging", "blogger" and "blog" really come into play. So what makes it so different now than from what it was over twenty years ago? Looking at the industry on a large scale, people writing about fashion isn't anything new. Now suddenly holding the title of "fashion blogger" is practically considered a godsent from this new(?) phenomena. 

One of the biggest elements to the concept of blogging that has changed over time is how much more seriously it is being taken, so serious that you can actually get paid for it...good luck trying to explain that one to mom and dad. Since blogging has become so universal, every aspect of the fashion industry can be found online in some shape or form making it even more appealing. Fashion blogs offer total access into the brand, including the people that create it- now you too can become a part of the process. 

In fashion, there are always going to be so many different opinions circling the product(s). Fashion blogs have given a voice to consumers that has never been present. No longer do you have to be considered a "professional" in the field to voice an opinion, as an online reader your opinions are heard. You have the ability to openly say what you think about a particular article of clothing, designer or seasonal collection. Fashion companies strive to get positive feedback published on their sites and use this consumer feedback as a living, breathing advertisement to help promote the brand. 

#VersaceVersaceMedusaI'mBlogging 

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Psychology of Blogs (Weblogs): 2002

Blogging 101

There is an online market full of job opportunities that is growing rapidly. What still is the duty of a PR or Advertising Manager, Social Media Management is growing into its own line of work. Ultimately their job is to further promote the brand online. In this space of hashtags on Twitter, Instagram photo filters and repins on Pinterest, a blog is the connecting platform that is bringing everything full circle. Personally, blogging in my mind did not go beyond personal use. I had this misconception that a "blog" was just a place where you could express your thoughts (no matter what they may be), and yet now we are seeing blogging as another task to uphold in the office. 

So what exactly do one of these blogs look like? Take BLDG 25 for example (DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IF YOU BECOME CRAZILY OBSESSED WITH THIS BLOG). This Free People blog promotes their brand through social media while also combining different elements of lifestyle, love, food, DIY, music etc. that all equally represent the company. Each post can be shared on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ with the click of a button. 

A blog is a way to connect the brand with its customers- as a true Free People fanatic I want to know what they think about style, food, beauty and decor. "A weblog has the ability to transform both writers and readers from "audience" to "public" and from "consumer" to "creator."" Don't mistake blogging solely for personal use, because this growing platform could be the path that leads to your future career. Don't believe me? 
#yourloss 

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weblogs: a history and perspective