Spring Stripes and Blogging over 50ish
Do you feel like a chapter right out of Blogging for Dummies? Or are you a smart fashionista over 50 who understands how to market yourself? If so, I need to talk to you!
The Story
I pride myself in being able to read and follow instructions rather well. In fact, I’m really handy around the house because I prefer to attempt to do things on my own before I hire a professional to rescue me. The running joke in our family is who is going to Grandpa Charlie’s tools when he’s gone. That would be me. I love getting my hands dirty and learning a man’s craft. Does this sound sexist?
However, I am so”wet behind the ears” when it comes to website design, SEO, Tagging, the rules of engagement, email marketing, social media marketing, and anything else I need to know about being a fashion and lifestyle blogger. I am a self taught blogger and pride myself in learning everything but dear Lord, (yes I’m praying to a higher being, emphasis Lord) this is such a challenge as a working woman.
I am a successful interior designer who has never, repeat never, worked this hard on attracting my design clients. My design work speaks to all who seek out a professional because they don’t have the time or the knowledge to get it done.
Writing a blog about fashion and lifestyle for women over 50 is another beast that takes so much more of my attention and this week I have spent every day on the computer learning about marketing on social media, wordpress, and I have realized I am spending way too much time researching everything! Why can’t there be a class about being a successful blogger over 50ish?
Instagram is the biggest pain in my 50ish tush! I am spending way too much time trying to learn how to gain more followers and I’m learning so much that it’s like taking courses online that no one wants to share with you. If you’re building a business with your blog like I am and want brands to collaborate with you, the brands want to know your numbers on all of your social media platforms, not just Instagram and your blog. They want to know if you are worth the risk of working with them. What is the brands ROI working with a nano influencer like me? Beside having great photos, posting daily, having great content, and engagement with the people you follow on your social media as an influencer there are many ways to gain followers but as a 60 year, I find them stupid and childish! I have been googling so much that Google and I are on first name basis! The more I have learned, the more I realize that there is a sneaky little underworld of growing your business on Instagram and it’s very competitive. What’s with the follow/unfollow rule to gain followers? I am all about following someone if they are following me, except weird men from other countries, then poof these women unfollow me! What did I do wrong? Or people are commenting and liking you post then suddenly deleting the comments and the likes? Again, stupid because I see everything going on with my social media accounts on apps and software that watch all of my accounts. I see people on a daily basis doing this and I wonder why? I have done giveaways ( a way to get followers) where I gain 500 followers (rules of the giveaway) then watch them disappear in the blink of an eye! It all comes down to gaining followers and likes on Instagram. I have been overwhelmed with my new knowledge on how to gain followers because I realized all the money spent is about marketing myself. I pay to market my interior design business, why shouldn’t I market myself as a 50ish woman? I am running a business that needs to be advertised. I might try the ads on Instagram and Facebook next. I wonder if people will like the ads then immediately unlike the ad? Never ending quest for the truth!!
I can’t begin to tell you that I was ready to call it quits on my fashion & lifestyle blog!! It’s not the writing that is hard, it’s the marketing that is hard for me to make my blog successful and attract readers to want to stop by and see me. There are women who write daily and post new outfits daily! I can’t do that because I have 2 careers but this is definitely the baby who needs to be picked up every time it cries. I started my blog just to connect with women over 50ish and write about life after 50, all the weird stuff that was going on with my body but it’s become bigger than that. It’s now as big as my interior design business and needs to be respected for what it has become. I now have brands reaching out to me because I am a woman who can be their voice to other women over 50ish. They see me making connections with women over 50 who follow me here, on Instagram, Pinterest, and my Facebook page.
The Outfit
How adorable is this blouse? I fell immediately into love when I saw it at my local Chico’s store and knew it was going to be a part of my spring wardrobe. My white jeans and earrings are also from Chico’s.
I’m still looking for answers on how to be a successful over 50ish blogger. I will keep looking under the bushes and keep asking Alexa, Siri, and my Google dot, “How do I gain followers?”
Alexa’s response, “Sorry. I’m not sure.” Or she’s not telling………..
Shop my Look
[sc name=”chicos spring”]
The post contains affiliate links which may generate income for Hello I’m 50ish.
Thank you for stopping by today!
If you’re a blogger I would love to know what are your challenges for your blog or marketing yourself?
I would love to know!
Hugs,
Yes, I love this post and can also relate! I also am not good with promoting my blog. I haven’t even set keywords and done the barest basics. Eventually I will, but I like to spend most of my time creating good content. I agree it is challenging. And must be very difficult for you as you work as well.
I hardly use Facebook and I’m not on Pinterest in any meaningful way but I do love Instagram. For me that’s the most straightforward platform and perseverance is the key to gaining followers.
This outfit is fabulous. I love the white with the blue and the pop of red in this beautiful sandals.
I really admire your style.
❤️❤️❤️
Elle
https://theellediaries.com/
Elle,
You just made me realize that I haven’t set keywords for my blog either!
Holy crap!
I need an intern to be my PR person!
You have a lovely blog by the way.
What is your IG account? I will follow you!
Hugs,
Robin
Robin, you are doing very well! I love your top and the lace detail with your white jeans, so classic and fun with a twist ! I have been blogging for 4 yrs now, but certainly don’t have the numbers on IG I think I should have. i understand your frsutration! There is quite a bit of things to figure out, with the certain algorithms, when to post, what … commenting on like minded blogs.. etc.. There isnt enough time in the day! I began IG later… i wasn’t on it for a year and a half after it began, thinking do I have to?? I just do the best i can, and thats it! 🙂 i do find that the other social media sites are easier to grown, without as much effort.
Enjoy your weekend and weather!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Jess,
Do you follow IG analytics for when you post?
Mine tells me to post at 3:00 but all of the women I like post in the morning, then I don’t see you at 3:00 when I’m on Instagram!
I hate all the extra work I’m doing to stay engaged!
Hugs,
Robin
You are rockin’ the Chico’s spring look AND your blog! I am sorry all the metrics are so frustrating; I don’t understand half of what you said. LOL! But I DO know that I so enjoy reading your posts. 🙂
Camille,
You are so sweet!
Social media is definitely very strange and I spend way too much time googling for solutions.
Hugs,
Robin
You look fantastic in this outfit and I’ll be back to read more of your blog. I have been blogging since 2010 and just not able to grow followers. So, I have decided to blog for Fun. To tell the truth, it’s become therapeutic since I am now retired. I am sure this post will bring some followers, because there are so many of us that can relate.
Thank you for your comments about blogging!
Yes, I am treating this as a new business, but I am a self taught blogger on social media and no one wants to teach this stuff to us!
That is why I google so much and read so many articles!
I have paid in the past to learn from bloggers who proclaim they will teach you how to grow your social media, but it’s all about content, professional looking photos, engagement, and posting daily, commenting and liking on every follower, which takes me over 4 hours to do a day, which I don’t do!
Maybe I’m doing it all wrong!
Have a great week!
Hugs,
Robin
You hit the nail on the head! I am having the same problem with Instagram followers. I look one day and I have so many followers, then a few hours later I have 5 less. At first it hurt my feelings, until I googled it and found it was a common practice. And what is with the random men following and leaving creepy messages? I too am looking to collaborate with companies and having men followers won’t help with that. I only started my blog six months ago, and I told myself I would give it a couple of years, because I know it takes a very long time to grow a blog. So far I am enjoying that part of it. I will be happy when our Montana weather warms up so I can style some outside photos because the lighting and background is so much better! I work full time as well and don’t always have time to comment and like as many posts as I should, but I do what I can! Keep it up. I enjoy your blog and your style and I will keep supporting you!
I have to chuckle about the creepy men!
I find that so weird but I think they are fake accounts.
I immediately decline them.
Yes, I noticed a huge drop in a week and saw so many people unfollowing me, unliking posts, and deleting comments.
Still don’t know what that’s all about!
Hugs,
Robin
The shirt is beautiful, I love bass with crochet! A very beautiful and soft look.
Thank you Josep-Maria.
Enjoy your day.
Robin
Hi Robin. LOL. I have no aspirations with my blog except to have a good time with it. I have a small following that grows at a slow pace and it works for me. I think it all depends what we are looking for. Instagram is a trip. There’s a lot I don’t like about it–for instance those who “buy” followers. It’s a common practice for some IG’ers and it is vile and dishonest. The same thing with the “follow-to-unfollow” and I have an app for that so if someone follows me then unfollows, I unfollow them back!
I’m happy to have some brands reach out to me because it’s fun to review stuff. I’m just here for the party!!! XOXOXOXOX
Catherine,
You have a very loyal following and so many people engage with you!
Do you follow all of them?
I follow a lot of people via Bloglovin.
I also have an app that shows who is following me too.
I also have been unfollowing people who don’t engage on my feed too.
Hugs,
Robin
Hello Robin 🙋🏻♀️
The blouse with the lace is very pretty. And you look absolutely great in the whole outfit. You may want to
add a little bling like a long chain😁
Thank you,Robin for sharing!
Blessings always,
Raquel
Raquel,
Thank you for your comments.
I appreciate your suggestion.
Hugs,
Robin
Man, isn’t this the $100,000 question, Robin? There are some days you feel like things are going well, and then others that you’re doing everything wrong.
I love the idea of not going by the metrics. If only we could sell that to the companies!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Jodie,
I cant believe all the hard work that goes into social media.
I need to sit on IG for 4 hours to make sure I see everyone and I don’t have that kind of time!
I don’t know how you do it!!
Hugs,
Robin