On New Year’s Eve for 2011, I wrote a list of predictions of the ‘Evolution’ for fashion bloggers in 2011… on the list was mobile blogging, without really knowing how it would manifest my actual routines as a blogger. Five months later, I’m finding that mobile blogging is an essential part of my daily life. For years, I’ve been using Twitter as the main vehicle for live coverage, but these days tools like Instagram makes it easier to add beautiful photography to the conversation, which in fashion, plays an important role as it’s such a visual field.
Why now?
Simply put, the tools make it simple to do. The last thing you want to do is be disconnected with your surroundings when you’re on the go. Tools like smart phones, (I use the iPhone.. 3GS) enable you to be connected to the internet anywhere you can get reception. A few years ago, someone asked why I did not “live blog,” and the most straight forward answer is that mobile image quality was too poor to use for a post on a blog that heavily relied on imagery. It’s practically impossible be present and simultaneously take photos with an SLR, download them to my laptop, find a wifi connection, get connected, upload my photos to the computer, edit the photos, upload them to the blog, write a paragraph or two, tag everything post and distribute the post. Holy moly, that list just gave me a headache. I’m sure those of you who attempted ‘live blogging’ with quality posts have experienced the same headache.
When You Can’t Bring Your Regular Gear
These days, apps like Instagram, it makes it easy to mobile blog, as all you need is an iPhone, and you can take great photos and share them with your readers instantaneously. A few weeks ago I was really put to the test when attending Coachella, an event that did not allow SLRs, and not owning a point and shoot… my mobile phone was the only way I could share with my readers the experience of the event. As the festival unfolded, I shared with my readers stylish people, fun things and when everything was done, I had enough quality material to make a post for the blog.
Event Coverage: Improving the Conversation on External Social Networks
Last night I went to the Missoni x Haviannas event. Like a good blogger, I brought my regular camera for a full post, but to include my readers on a live conversation mobile blogging is a good way to do that while gathering information for more in-depth coverage. Within communities like Instagram, the social interaction is notable:
Give Your Readers a More Personal Perspective
Lastly, mobile blogging is probably the best way to include your readers in your life behind the scenes. For content that really doesn’t go on your blog yet still notable enough to share with your readers.. I find that mobile blogging is the best way to do that. Twitter used to be the main way I shared with my readers, little snippets of my consciousness, but I’m actually more of a visual person than a verbal one so sharing the beautiful things I see on a daily basis is a nice way to give my readers a more personal perspective. It’s one thing to tweet: “Pink tulips on Park Avenue are beautiful.” It’s another thing to tweet: “Pink tulips on Park Avennue” and show them this…
Mobile Blogging Won’t Replace Regular Blogs:
When Twitter became popular, people announced the death of blogs. I don’t think that’s going to happen when mobile blogging becomes easier. It’s still important to hash out ideas that take more space than 140 characters. However, like Twitter and Facebook, microblogging adds depth to your brand and might bring a surprising development to the relationship with your readers.
Have you been mobile blogging more lately?
This is something I’ve been working on and want to incorporate more, especially using Instagram.