Yes, blogging is a crowded market. Perhaps even the most crowded, but it’s also a market with a ton of opportunities. With the right amount of talent mixed with a smart strategy, anyone can make it in blogging. Each day thousands of bloggers emerge and hundreds of them get to paid collaborations. But how do they do it? How do they set themselves apart in a crowded market? Well, let’s talk about that…
Zig Zag
The zig zag theory is something I talk about all the time. It’s basically when you do the opposite of what everyone else is doing… but in a smart way. When you zig zag you see an opportunity to go against the grain and have it work to your benefit. For example, you could be the blogger who never shows her face or who only wears one color. In fact, the zig zag theory is exactly what @ihavethisthingwithfloors and @muradosmann did which got them to where they are today. No influencers took that perspective but now there’s a ton of copy cats. There are so many ways to be different it’s just a matter of figuring out what works for you. And if you can’t think of anything aesthetically creative, then just show your personality because that in itself is different.
Add Value
Adding value to your readers’ lives is something that should be at the forefront of creating your brand. They can get healthy recipes, styling advice, and travel recommendations anywhere, so what can you bring to the table that keeps them coming back for more? I’ll give you a hint: value.
Here’s an example of how a fashion blogger can stand out from the crowd by adding value:
She posts a regular #ootd on Instagram except her caption says something along the lines of why she chose to style the outfit the way she did for her body type (value #1). Then she adds where she got her entire outfit from (value #2). And then she adds what size everything is (value #3). She also tags where she is in case people want to go there and take a similar picture (value #4). As a fashion blogger you can choose to add all this value in your Instagram caption or a blog post, it’s up to you. But regardless, you should be adding massive value in one way or another if you want to stand out. I mean, how many bloggers do you know that state all that information? Not many!
Innovate
Another way bloggers can stand out in a crowded market is by innovating their brand constantly. The digital world changes so rapidly that it’s important to keep up with the times and create content/products/services based on those changes. A great example of this would be Insta-stories. Instagram totally changed the game when it came out with Insta-stories which took a lot of users off Snapchat.
Because the feature was so new, everyone who posted a story was shown front and center on their followers’ feeds. Today, Insta-stories is based more on engagement so whoever’s story you watch the most will show up at the top of your feed in front of all the other Insta-stories. And the bloggers who took advantage of this feature first were the ones who were able to benefit the most when the algorithm changed since their engagement was already high from using Insta-stories from the beginning. You still with me? Basically the bloggers/influencers who try new platforms, new ways to create content, new mediums, etc. are the ones who end up dominating because their innovation sets them apart from the crowd.
Of course, there are plenty of other ways to stand out from the crowd as a blogger, but these 3 are easy adjustments you can make right now. Don’t wait for someone else to come along and take the risks. Pave the way and watch the doors of opportunity open.
What is one thing that is super unique about your blog/brand that sets you apart? Tell us in the comments below!
xx Britt
Follow Me – Blog Instagram YouTube Snapchat @notanothrblonde
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I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with my blog, and the information out there is so overwhelming. I love to create, share, and help inspire people, so I’m definitely going to try to create a solid strategy to try to stick out while staying true to myself and my creativity. This was nice to read, because I love simple and direct solutions. I’m feeling inspired! Thanks!
Ashlynn | http://thecrimsoncardigan.com
It’s so easy to get distracted with everything out there… there’s SO much information but I always say… trust your gut and what feels good to you. Personally, I offer 1-on-1 blog mentoring so that’s always an option too if you’re interested just shoot me an email [email protected]! Thanks so much for reading Ash. xx
I so wish I got on the Insta stories bandwagon when it first emerged! I’m obsessed now, but I know that I’m way way back on the list of insta-stories. Next time a new thing emerges I’m definitely going to look more into it!
Steph – http://www.nourishmeblog.co.uk
Yes Steph! You have to offer something unique and valuable that will get people to want to watch your story then track your views and if they increase obviously you’re doing something right!
Also, if you’re interested you can join the NOT ANOTHER BLONDE secret Facebook group and exchange ideas and tips with other bloggers. The girls are so supportive I’ve never seen anything like it. I also do exclusive Facebook lives just for the group. You just have to search NOT ANOTHER BLONDE under groups and add yourself!
Thanks so much for your comment. xx
I never really like Insta stories but you just gave my yet another reason to get on it. Maybe it’s time for me to try it out.
Jolie
Joliecious.com
Absolutely! It’s an amazing resource to reach your audience Jolie. Glad you’re feeling inspired!
I’m just going to go down the list and extend the invite to all the girls who commented to my secret Facebook group. It’s a bloggers only group and everyone in it is SO supportive and they share all kinds of blog tips and tricks. I also do exclusive Facebook lives just for the group. You just have to search NOT ANOTHER BLONDE under groups and add yourself! xx
Just sent a request to join. Can’t wait to be part of the group!
It really is hard to stand apart in such a saturated market, but these suggestions are super useful! I love the idea of trying to add value to your posts. I post #ootd outfits all the time, but that is a helpful idea of how to increase engagement.
-Helen
http://www.sweethelengrace.com
Thanks so much Helen! Value is KEY.
I’m just going down the list of all the girls who commented and extending the invite to my secret Facebook group. It’s a bloggers only group and everyone in it is SO supportive and they share all kinds of blog tips and tricks. I also do exclusive Facebook lives just for the group. You just have to search NOT ANOTHER BLONDE under groups and add yourself! I think it will be especially helpful for you if you’re looking to increase engagement. xx
I’ve noticed that one of the best strategies to stand out is not to follow all the tips other bloggers are sharing. Yes, those tips have probably worked for them but if you just keep following others you will never be a leader, just a follower.
Oh that’s an interesting perspective! I definitely think trial and error is key. However, I’m a big believer that if you’re following someone who has what you want, you should do what they do. There’s no harm in applying their strategy to your own blog… especially if it’s proven to work! xx
What a coincidence! I was reading the part about the zig zag theory and i saw “against the grain”, just the name of my blog. ‘Cause that was the whole beginning, I wanted another blog than all the others. ((:
Oh that’s amazing Britt! This post was made for you girl! Too funny.
If you read my comments to the other girls, I invited them to join the NOT ANOTHER BLONDE secret Facebook group for bloggers only. Everyone in it is SO supportive and we share all kinds of blog tips and tricks. I also do exclusive Facebook lives just for the group. You just have to search NOT ANOTHER BLONDE under groups and add yourself!
Thanks so much for your comment. xx
Love this!!! Thank you for sharing! I’m still in the beginning phases of travel blogging with a job which takes up a lot of time. So finding time to create consistent content can be difficult at times. But then I get inspired when I find a new blog like this one, so thank you! x michelle
http://www.livingincinnamon.com/
You’re welcome Michelle! Thanks for dropping by.
I’m inviting everyone who commented on this post to join the NOT ANOTHER BLONDE secret Facebook group for bloggers only. Everyone in it is SO supportive and we share all kinds of blog tips and tricks. I also do exclusive Facebook lives just for the group. You just have to search NOT ANOTHER BLONDE under groups and add yourself!
Hope to see you there and let me know if you have any questions! xx
Thats great! It will be so nice to meet some fellow bloggers. I have just signed up! x michelle
This is really good… as a beginner I have been struggling so much to keep my blog updated with quality content. This was truly helpful. https://www.dailylifetalk.com/
Aw that makes me so happy! My tip is to focus on what your readers want. Survey them and find out what types of content they want and it makes creating it much easier. Thanks so much for reading Jane. xx
Also… I’m inviting everyone who commented on this post to join the NOT ANOTHER BLONDE secret Facebook group for bloggers only. Everyone in it is SO supportive and we share all kinds of blog tips and tricks. I also do exclusive Facebook lives just for the group. You just have to search NOT ANOTHER BLONDE under groups and add yourself! Hope to see you over there!
Great tips! I think all of this is especially relevant to Instagram, where a lot of the content starts to feel very similar after awhile.
Yes! Agreed. Thanks so much for reading!
Also… I’m inviting everyone who commented on this post to join the NOT ANOTHER BLONDE secret Facebook group for bloggers only. Everyone in it is SO supportive and we share all kinds of blog tips and tricks. I also do exclusive Facebook lives just for the group. You just have to search NOT ANOTHER BLONDE under groups and add yourself! Hope to see you over there!
xx