Muse Monday {IStyleLikeMe}

This Monday's Muse is so near and dear to my heart (violins please).

Kee from iStyleLikeMe and I have been friends for a while. I first met Kee back at a college fashion show where I was one of the event photographers.

But her and I are not the kind of friends that call or chat every day. But the kind of friends that respect each others hustle, and encourage one another along the way. I value her opinion and I would like think that she values mine. We have blogversations at least 2 times a month, and with each one our blogs grow and blossom.

It's awesome to have someone like Kee. She has great style (as her blog shows) and she's game to help you push to the front of the "standing only" line just so you both can get a good seat at the L.A.M.B show, LOL. I could go ON AND ON about Kee but I will let you make up your own mind as to how amazing she really is.

Learn more about iStyleLikeMe.

I AM STILL FULL TIME FAB - just not a Finalist :(

I was totally bummed when I saw that one of my "ex-followers" from twitter @jinnaboo had great news to share with her tweethearts in 8 days. I thought to myself they didn't call her. She's lying! Then common sense took over me and I realized they did call her. She had to wait until after the Thanksgiving holiday to share her good news and my bad news.

Fast forward life to today. A week or two into the blog off, and I am totally over the fact that I didn't become a finalist. I am still FULL TIME FAB. You know the saying, "Everything happens for a reason".

I decided to check out who the judges were (although the blogosphere leaked Wendy Lam and Bryan Boy), and what bloggers actually took my spot.

 

I must say, it must have been hard for the judges. The 9 they selected (1 voted by the public) are pretty talented bloggers ...and really cute! My favs are Kristy and Mattie.

I love Kristy's writing style and she has a great eye. She would make an awesome professional photographer. You can really feel how excited she is to be a part of the competition.

Mattie is a super gorgeous woman. She totally embodies the term "black girls rock". Her audition video was pretty good and her announcement video was even cuter!

So as I move "on to the next", whatever that might be, I send a huge congrats to all of the contestants. Good luck bloggeristas!

Check them out and let me know who your fav is?

Friend Friday - How Connected Are You?

If you have stumbled upon my blog by accident - lucky you! LOL.

Each Friday I participate in a blog group where we answer questions on a topic related to blogging. Kudos again to Katy from ModlyChic for being an awesome moderator.

This week we are discussing how connected with are with YOU .. the reader, and what we can do to improve.

 

1. How important do you think reader connectedness is to the success
of your blog? Just as the image above implies, if no one is reading your blog it doesn't matter. You might as well just stand in front of your bathroom mirror and ramble to yourself all day. Successful blogs are the blogs people go back to and read faithfully.

2. What do you do to draw readers in and create that writer-reader
bond? I am new to blogging so I am still finding my way and trying to gain more readership. But I plan to do more giveaways and surveys to connect with my readers.

3. What is one way you could improve this connection? I find that when I post something giving my honest opinion people comment more and really feel more connected to me and my blog. In 2011 I will try to blog more about the things that I like. I am my niche!

4. Is there a blogger you think does a great job creating that writer-
reader bond? Why? Someone once told me that personal blogs are the hardest to brand because they have no "niche". But I find that many of my favorite bloggers (BryanBoy, LoveBrownSugar, CurvesAndChaos) are folks who blog about their random finds, and their journey in fashion. I believe when you are honest, and more importantly vulnerable to your reader, a bond is created. Now your reader can relate to you. They saw that same skirt or blouse in Bloomies and couldn't afford it either!

5. What do you do to cultivate new readers? How do you get them to
your site in the first place? Again in all of my newness I haven't figured it out yet. For now I use twitter heavily. I started using hashtags, like #fashion or #fashionblogging, to draw new readers in.

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*The Friend Friday project by Modly Chic is a way for fashion bloggers to share more about themselves and create a friendly connection with other bloggers. Join the conversation by joining the Fashion Beauty Friend Friday Google Group. (thanks GritandGlamour for the "exact" wording)

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