Why “bloggers” need a “blog”
Ok ok ok. I know we are now using the term “blogger” to interchangeably mean “influencer” as well as “a person with a blog.” But, here is some honest truth that I want all of my blogger babes to understand: you cannot protect just your instagram page or your Tik Tok, etc. You need a “thing” to protect before you can get brand protection. Once you get that brand protection, you can then use it in many different ways. Your trademark can be used to protect your social media accounts from hackers and copycats to licensing your name to be used on products made by other companies. Bottom line: trademark protection can make you a mogul. Without it, your social media presence is built on a foundation of virtual sand.
Here are the top three reasons why I want all of my blogger babe clients to actually take the leap, create and USE a blog:
1). You need a way to protect your brand presence online.
Because the laws of brand protection were established before social media even existed, the concept of protecting your social media accounts also doesn’t exist. If you don’t have another product - meaning, a course, podcast, online store, etc., I want you to have a blog/website so that you can apply for and get protection of your brand.
If you are asking yourself right now if you even have a brand, as an influencer/blogger the answer is: YES. All of that work you are doing to create content, film your DIY projects, and shoot your amazing outfits has been culminating in what is known to the online world as your brand.
Why protect it, you say? The protection of your brand is two fold: you want to be sure that you can prevent others from copying what you are doing (ie. your names and slogans) AND you want to be sure you aren’t infringing on anyone else with the brand you are building. Imagine building an amazing online presence with a certain name and then getting a letter one day saying you have to change it because you are infringing on someone else’s trademark. More than a bummer, I would say.
2). You need to get your followers off of the platform they found you and onto your OWN digital space.
Here’s the deal: I love social media. I think it has incredibly valuable tools and resources for creators. It’s the hub for marketing yourself and your brand. For many of you, it is where you created your brand. However, it is not fail safe. At any moment, your account can get suspended due to a false claim or maybe an ex-boyfriend and there goes your business.
Get your audience used to joining you at your own digital space for the aspect of selling, information gathering, and general interaction.
Does anyone remember that single day that Instagram went down and every social media creator on the planet had a thousand panic attacks? I think it was Fall of 2021. We will all be telling our grandchildren about it.
Sell from your own digital space. Period. Use social media to bring the audience in and then pivot to your own space. You do not own your space on Instagram and you do not own your space on Tik Tok. Those companies own that space and allow you to use it. You can own your own website, blog, or online store through ownership of your domain. So, even if your accounts are randomly banned - you still have your usual location for your audience to find you.
3:. Monetization to Mogul
You can monetize your blog/website and add to the income you are already making from brand deals. You do this with ad dollars through the same brands. You may also find different brands with different ad strategies that will advertise on your blog but don’t have the budget for a full campaign.
These brand deals can turn into licensing agreements which takes you from simply being a social media personality to being a social media mogul. HOLLAAAAA.
I hope I have convinced you that you need a blog and that you will be motivated to get it started. If you already have, then I am so so proud of you. If you haven’t yet, take the weekend, dive in and create one!