7 Secrets to being a successful fashion columnist

Today, social media is flooded with too many fashion magazines. Not all of these are quality platforms and have much impact on readers and their fashion choices. However, there are a few of them which have a reputation of their own.

Known for their extensive coverage of relevant, high-quality content, these magazines are run by editors who invest a lot of their time in studying and analyzing the fashion industry. These editors keep a constant tab on the trends, gossips in and around the industry, upcoming events, and whatnot. But, how do they become who they are? What is the secret behind becoming a successful columnist and attracting millions of followers on social media?

In this article, we are going to unravel 7 such secrets that make fashion columnist successful.

1. Be Active
   The first and foremost thing is to develop an active social media life. You cannot create accounts on social media or start your blog on one day, and forget about them for many days. It takes time, consistency, and patience to build an audience—and the audience expects from you a certain degree of regularity. Hence, be mentally prepared to update your accounts and blog regularly. For your blog to be successful, you will need active marketing on social media. So, do not lag.
2. Choose Your Area Wisely
   We often make decisions impulsively. Driven by the adrenaline rush, we do things thoughtlessly as a result of which our initiatives remain futile in the end. Before you decide to start filling in your blog with content, analyze what kind of content you want to share. It is highly advised that you keep a broad theme in your mind and focus your energy on that for a while. Do that until you have enough content and then switch to another theme. Do not choose a theme just because it is popular; choose the one about which you are confident and knowledgeable.
3. High-Quality Pictures and videos
   Successful fashion columnists know the value of engaging videos and pictures on posts. So, you will find plenty of these on their magazines and social media handles. Whatever content you decide you write, make sure you embellish it with pictures and videos. Instead of getting Getty pictures, you might want to click pictures yourself or hire a photographer if your budget allows. Also, whatever picture and video you upload, make sure they are of top resolution.
4. Interact With Your Readers
   You aim to expand your reach, and you cannot do so in the absence of poor or no interaction with readers. Readers talk, and you must want them to talk about you to others. For that, they must feel interested in you and your content. A user-friendliness is a great tool that all successful columnists employ. There are many ways to interact with readers such as go live with them on social media, do a giveaway, and ask them to be guest writers on your fashion website.
5. Be original
   There are millions of fashion-related articles on the Internet which mean not every one of them is original. Originality is the key to success and you must embrace this truth. For people to respect you and your content, you must give your fashion website a personal and unique character. Do not copy because people will know. Do your own research and provide your own analysis. As a fashion columnist, you are free to agree or disagree with the general trend—you must stand your ground and tell the world stories from your perspective.
6. Do not complicate
   You will have all kinds of readers: those who know fashion on the tip of their fingers and those who barely know a thing about it. Your content should be tailored in such a way that it is readable, easily comprehensible, and friendly. Just because you know in-and-out what the fashion industry is all about does not mean everyone else too. Make your readers comfortable by not resorting to complicated content. Use simpler language if possible.
7. Patience
   Nobody impatient achieved great things in life. Competition out there is tough. You are up against thousands (maybe more) potential fashion columnists many of whom would be incredible at what they do. There is no option to back off, but you cannot hold on without patience. Give time. You will see the results of your hard work with time—but for that to happen, stay patient!