Blogger Edit: What’s Your Angle?

You may remember, last week I shared that in celebration of my blogaversary, I was inviting the women who most inspired me to share their two cents on how to conquer this space, enter into this industry – learn from the best! Enter Nicole Santa aka @narrativeofnic (TheNarrativeofNic.com)

A little background. Years ago a friend told me that I just had to follow @narrativeofnic, for her edgy style and photography that was so good and nothing like anyone else in DC, so naturally I did and have been hooked ever since. When I decided to launch the blog, I reached out to her and asked if she had any tips or advice for someone starting out on how to stand up a site. She asked for my email and actually EMAILED ME bulleted lists of how-tos that were so sound and helped me formulate the back-end of my website. Like who does that?

Since before Day 1, she’s been my biggest cheerleader, mentor and as I refer to her – my guiding light, so it felt apropos to have her come on and share her tips about how to work your angles if you are in the early phases of content creation or thinking of starting. She drops some serious knowledge bombs so without further ado, my friend –

Nicole Santa

Narrative of Nic

Know Your Angle – Your Brand Angle.

This has a two-part meaning: knowing yourself and the angle of your brand that you want to share with the world, and knowing your body angles for photography. 

Before you begin accepting brand partnerships, you have to understand yourself and the brand message that you want to put out there with your content. If you don’t, the industry can change you and a year in you may find yourself accepting product exchange for things you would never wear in real life. Understand your own style and your own brand before you begin sharing it.

That’s not to say it won’t change as you grow, but if you accept every partnership, whether it fits with your brand or not, your readers will lose trust and you will lose authenticity. Know your worth and be paid for your value but you don’t have to accept every offer if it doesn’t fit with your angle.  

And then there’s knowing your body angles.

I cannot stress enough how much of a difference a head tilt or putting an opposite foot forward or even just turning your waist 2 inches to the right can do for your images. Don’t be afraid to ask a photographer to crouch down to make you look taller or ask for feedback if it would look more effortless if you drop your shoulder. Knowing your body angle can completely change not only an image, but an entire outfit!  If you’re going to put out content, I am a firm believer in putting out your best or nothing at all. Be confident in who you are and the message you want to share and stay true to that.

*besitos, Nic

So good right? Breaking the fourth wall a bit here to tell you this – I say no to 95% of offers, because how can you trust me if I “love” everything? She told me in so many word to be particular and not to do just anything for a buck or a free something. I only align with brands that I genuinely believe in and love. I’ll add one other tip on top of this. If your ultimate goal is to make money in starting a blog or IG, please think long and hard about that. If you aren’t inspiring, educating or engaging your audience authentically, your cool photo doesn’t f-ing matter. Focus on building a great tribe and the rest will fall into place.

Till Next Time,

P

xo