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This post is by Tierra Wilson from The Fashion Techie

With 2010 fast approaching, the number one thing bloggers always ask me is, “what’s going to be new for blogging next year?”. Of course, that’s a loaded question, especially when you start thinking about blogging trends, tools, templates, software, etc.

But fashion bloggers have a unique situation that other bloggers will never truly understand. We have to be full out techies like the “tech bloggers” and we have to stay up to date on the latest trends and news in the fashion industry like the “fashion writers”. We are passionate about the two fastest changing industries in the world…fashion and technology; which is exactly why we have to stay one step ahead of the competition to make sure our blogs survive the future. So what are the 2010 fashion blogging trends to look forward to?

5. Fashion Blog Turned Social Network

The Problem: 2008 was the year of web 2.0, 2009 was the year of social media and 2010 will be the year of information overload. All ready people are trying to handle all the information that’s thrown at them online. From Facebook, Twitter, blogs, online magazines, news feeds, rss, email newsletters, etc… it’s beginning to be a nightmare to keep up with.

The Solution: For fashion bloggers, sharing is the key to our success. Making someone leave your page to post to their facebook or share it on twitter is a major “no”. Try and make sure that your readers can stay on your page while sharing your content. Also, try to do more short quick posts, image posts and video posts to grab readers attention quickly. Also, adding a forum isn’t such a bad idea anymore. Eventually, blogs will evolve. Most predictors think everyone’s posts will go to one place depending on your topic (more on that later) so readers won’t have to go to 5 blogs a day to get their fashion, some say blogs will become social networks.

Best Tools For Fashion Bloggers: Google Wave (Coming Soon), Outbrain Star Ratings Widget, Add This, Web2PDF Online, forum software, Lifestream for WordPress, and if you are not already using it…Linked Within

4. Video, Video, and More Video

The Problem: Video was so hot this year, just about every blogger had their own mini shows during fashion week. Bloggers were taking video cameras with them while shopping, showing readers their closets, and more. But video was evolving on fashion blogs but not in fashion retail. Enter the product video. Today, more and more online stores are using video to talk about their products, they are hiring producers, models, YouTube experts and more to embed product videos and rich content right on the product page. Where does that leave us?

The Solution: First, if you haven’t started implementing video, you really should think about trying to add that to your blog, it’s essential. You don’t have to have video every post…just put one on your sidebar once a week or every other week. If you do already implement video, think about investing in a High Def video camera and taking your videos to the next level. Also, start connecting with your favorite brands. Let them know that when they start adding rich content to their product pages (and I promise you they will) that you would love to get involved with producing, hosting, styling, or whatever your interest is.

Best Tools For Fashion Bloggers: Flip MinoHD Camcorder, A customized YouTube Channel for your blog

3. What’s A Desktop? Laptop Who? Give Me My Mobile!

The Problem: The iPhone. The iPhone has really changed the lives of fashion blogger, and it doesn’t really matter if you are a PC or a Mac. iPhone apps are elusive to bloggers, they take lots of tech skills, and they are just a pain for our blogs because no one likes to be on a computer anymore unless they are at work…leisurely, they prefer their mobile.

The Solution: It’s time to get an iPhone app for you blog. (Mine is in the works now). Forget all that difficult coding, the tools below can help you turn your RSS feed into an iPhone App immediately and some even allow you to charge others for your app. If your fashion blog is in the top 10…maybe you can get away with charging…but other than that, don’t even think about it.

Best Tools For Fashion Bloggers: PhoneGap

2. Click and Point

The Problem: Online shopping has evolved. The one thing that we do well as fashion bloggers is get brand names recognized and send sales. We started doing it as a passion…as a hobby, but now its evolved into something new. Most readers will go to a website and click and buy after reading your blog. Or go to a website and add it to their wish list or saved shopping cart for later. Now, other bloggers in other topic areas are adding shop now features to their website. However, with the new awareness bought by the FTC promotion rules, how do you keep your readers “connected” without stepping on toes?

The Solution: Affiliate Programs. I know they are not new, but for fashion bloggers, affiliate programs are essential for 2010. Write about a product or brand you really love, the brand knows exactly where the sales come from, and you get a nominal fee. The key to not spamming your readers is “LOVE”. Don’t promote a brand that you wouldn’t wear just for additional dollars, promote one that you love and that’s present in your archive posts.

Best Tools For Fashion Bloggers: Commission Junction, LinkShare, Affiliates Lifestyle, Fashion & Beauty Directory

1. The Death of Magazines

The Problem: This is one topic, that as fashion bloggers, we all understand… hey, let’s be honest, regardless of the economy, technology will always evolve…and it’s definitely good news for us in the long run. No matter how much I love my Vogue coming in every month…the smell, the feel…I can’t deny the obvious. Magazines are dropping like flies. But where are all their readers going and How can we get their attention?

The Solution: The online magazine. I’m not talking about a magazine Blogger or WordPress template, I’m talking about a real online magazine. 2010 will be the year of merging content. Other bloggers don’t care if it’s a portal or a RSS feed. But, as fashion bloggers, we love beauty and the thought of throwing our content into a “portal” is a little heart wrenching. Instead consider partnering with other bloggers and aggregating your content into a real glossy online magazine for next year. No extra work needed as far as writing. Just put your best content from your blogs each month, focus more on layout and high resolution pictures, and you are ready to go.

Best Tools For Fashion Bloggers: OpenZine

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