Double Take - Fashion bloggers and changes in Social Media

Hello !  Todays post is a bit different than my usual posts. I kinda just wanted to sit here and chat about something that has been on my mind lately. I've been thinking about this all summer and I've mentioned it in passing on my youtube channel and my instagram but I haven't really sat down and written it down. I feel like now more than even social media is overwhelming. I might just be speaking for myself here but there is just so much to create... and its not even because of the pandemic and the rise of TikTok/reels or even the algorithm (Thats a whole other conversation) its the large amount of content you have to create across different social media platforms... or is it just me ?? 

  Maybe I'm overthinking it, or this this is just me trying to do it all, but I'm so conflicted on how to balance what and when to post on social media. I want to create the best content I can across all platforms, but that means I end up showing the same content over and over and it becomes repetitive. This is probably because I post on youtube, my blog, Instagram feed AND instagram stories....Not to mention the algorithm forces you to post on reels now.... I don't have TikTok, but most people just repost their TikToks on reels, which goes back to things feeling repetitive. This is assuming your audience follows you on different platforms and not just one. Which I understand isn't always the case, there is always one platform that has the most followers. And at least for me I would want to have one community, not a bunch of different ones across different platforms. 

I used to have a rule where I wouldn't post an outfit on instagram if I hadn't posted it on my blog or youtube yet. But it was a good way to organize and to keep track of the content I put out. However this was before instagram stories. Sometimes I share what I'm doing on a certain day on my story but I don't post the blog post (or video) until a week or two later. I do this so I don't end up  posting 3 days in a row and then there is a big gap until the next post. But I'm thinking Maybe I should just try that and keep my blog and youtube as current as possible even if it means there are a few gaps?  But then I wonder do people even read fashion blogs anymore? are fashion videos on youtube even relevant ??? short form video content is the current format of choice on social media, so am I just drowning myself for no reason?  

As sad as it makes me I don't think we will ever get back to the days of high quality content being posted on social media. Allow me to get nostalgic: Back when instagram first started all the fashion bloggers first started posting on there. It was an extension of their blogs... the behind the scenes, their daily life, the moments "in between the photos" if you will. The content was fun and an amazing way to be able to connect with your favourite bloggers. Instagram was also great to promote their newest blog posts or videos! During this time People would slow down and read blog posts, they took the time to get to know the person in front of the camera. 

And can I just say these girls were creating high quality, editorial style content on their blogs! A style of photos that you simply don't see anymore. It was so glamorous! This was the first wave of fashion bloggers that started to be invited to attend fashion week and we all waited around for their daily blog post talking about what they wore and what their thoughts on the fashion show. These girls put in so much work running around from show to show and taking blog posts on location in between shows. It was my favourite time to be on the internet. I remember spending hours just browsing the latest content from my favourite fashion bloggers. Now the influencers that go to fashion week take an instagram before the show (or use one they are tagged in) and thats it, barley anyone talks about the show and it seems much less monumental. So what happened?   

I think its partially due to the change in the audience and how instagram affected our attention spans. We began to quickly scroll through countless photos on instagram so the new wave of bloggers/influencers began to put a little bit less effort into their content because there is so much content to look at (Also the rise of relatability....but thats another conversation) I feel like this is also the reason people stopped reading fashion blogs, it takes too much time. Why would you read a whole blog post when you can scroll through 50 photos of outfit inspiration in the same amount of time. Even TikToks/reels show 10 outfits in under a minute!  I want to stop and look at all the details but they all go so fast. It's like we all hopped on a rollercoaster and it's going too fast to look around and think its too late to stop it... Before blogs I grew up, like the generations before me, reading fashion magazines. I would  look through a magazine a million times reading every article and looking at every single photo.... I can't imagine the younger generations reading fashion magazines outside of a doctors office, it's too slow paced compared to social media. 

I know I kept talking about fashion bloggers but its the same for Youtubers. I used to spend hours on Youtube, there were so many amazing fashion videos being put out and now they seem non existent. It has all shifted to TikTok and instagram. However Youtube isn't dying, long format videos, like deep dives are thriving on there!  Just not fashion... For years I feel like I'm the only one who posts lookbooks filmed on location! All I see is short videos with someone standing by a white wall and a garment rack beside them, they show each outfit for like 20 seconds and thats that. And of course I'm not saying it's wrong to film that way, their audience clearly likes it and its a more popular formal to film in! But it also rises the question, why would they put in more effort if the same amount of people will watch either way. Audiences used to expect more. 

I feel like it's also the audience not feeling connected to the influencer. Keeping up with someones blog or Youtube channel feels like more of a commitment than following someone on instagram or TikTok. The OG fashion bloggers would get swarmed outside fashion week as if they were move stars, same with Youtubers are Vidcon or at meet ups. Instagram influencers and TikTokers just don't have that same pull. There are exceptions of course, but there are more people with millions of followers on TikTok than on Youtube (or blogs) yet those creators won't draw the same crowds. I've had this conversation with multiple people in real life (Mostly at influencer events) and they don't see this as an issue? They are more concerned about having a larger number of followers and getting paid to work with brands because of it. Building a loyal following with a connection isn't on their radar. And I'm not saying they are wrong, everyone has a different mind set and priorities but its definitely a huge shift in mind set in this new wave of influencers. 

 

Clearly the newer generation is interested in simple/fast paced content, and maybe I should just get on the roller coaster with them and try to adapt. But I've always had a hard time with change and maybe I'm the only one who feels this way.... But I think we could all slow down a bit. I love creating and doing the most I can to create content You and I can both love! But maybe I'm overthinking and stressing myself for no reason.... well for an outdated view on social media. 

OK... I'm not sure how me trying to figure out how to balance my content turned into a discussion about fashion bloggers and the changes in social media... I just started writing and it evolved somehow.....but going back to my original topic LOL. 

I have all of these ideas for topics and I don't know what platform to put them on... Truthfully it would be much simpler if I just chose one social media platform and put all of my creative energy onto one. But each platform is SO different! So don't worry I won't stop posting on any of my platforms.... I just have to find my balancing act (Tips and suggestions are welcome in the comments!!!) 

 During the pandemic I focused on my Youtube channel because it was too hard to create blog content when we were locked inside the house. But now that things are better I have rediscovered my blog and I am loving it ! I won't lie... I think thats because I focused so much on my Youtube channel these past couple of years, I feel a bit stuck creatively on my channel. Its also because I don't see a big interest in fashion videos on Youtube I think I need to sit back for the rest of the summer and plan out some fashion videos for the fall.  But I have a huge google doc with all of these ideas for blog posts!  I'm still trying to figure out if its worth creating all of this content for my blog when barely anyone sees it.... But I guess if I love it its worth it. I hope I'm not alone in reading this... let me know your thoughts in the comments below.  

* PS: I'm doing a final proof read: And there are SOO many more things I could add or branch out from this conversation. If you are interested in more blog posts like this PLEASE let me know*