We all loved Tierra M. Wilson's last post on IFB ‘Fashion Bloggers Claim Your Media Credentials Today‘ so I was delighted to get her tips on creating the perfect holiday gift guide…
As a fashion blogger November and December can be record readership and/or subscription months for your fashion blog if you understand holiday spending and consumer habits. However, more importantly is taking that knowledge and using it to leverage your blog creatively.
Did you know that according to the National Retail Federation 62.2% of shoppers plan to buy clothing or clothing accessories as gifts and 45.4% plan to buy beauty items? That covers just about every topic a fashion blogger could blog about! Additionally, according to the American Research Group consumers plan to spend approximately $536 each while holiday gift shopping online. What better way to pull in new readers and promote your blog than by writing the perfect holiday gift guide? Here's how:
Know Your Keywords
When it comes to creating a holiday gift guide that will tower above your competition's guide you have to know your SEO keywords. Some bloggers my choose to use the words ‘Christmas Gifts' in their title not knowing that ‘Holiday Gifts' would have been a better choice due to the 8,854 search hits it receives a day. Other hot keywords include gifts, gift baskets, gift cards, and buyers guide.
The key to this strategy is to combine a unique title with the keywords so you won't look spammy to Google. For example “Independent Fashionista Holiday Buyer Guide” or “IFB Guide to Fail Proof Holiday Gifts”.
Be Comprehensive and Creative
It's easy to list a bunch of gifts and link to how to purchase online, but your holiday gift guide can stand out by adding a something that only your fashion blog can offer. For example you can create eye catching collages, include consumer coupons, or describe the product in your own words. It's important that your guide stand out using your personality and love for fashion.
Create A Strategic Timeline
Spread your guide out over a period of time and offer a set of products every Monday and Thursday, or whichever days or day you choose. Also, remember that most online shopping is done before December 16th due to shipping and holiday discounts. Therefore, the ideal time to push out your holiday gift guide would be December 1st – 16th.
Stick To Your Mission
Why are you talking about a great foot scrubber when your blog focuses on runway fashion? Stick to the mission of your site by allowing current readers to be satisfied and give a professional impression of organization. Plus, people come to your blog to hear what you have to say on a certain topic. If I wanted to know about how to get the latest purse for a friend this holiday I'm going to visit a purse blog and browse through their guide; it just makes sense.
Network
A holiday gift guide is a great way to advertise your blog and increase your networking opportunities. There are many ways to do this including the obvious of sending out messages out to all of your friends on Twitter, Myspace, Facebook or your email address book and let them know your guide will be out. Also, you can let the fashion PR people know about your guide and see if they want to promote any clients.
Have Fun
Everyone loves your blog because of you and what you bring to the table. They want to hear your voice and personality during the holidays so have fun and enjoy. Let your holiday gift guide be a reflection your fabulousness.
Ha! This is great timing as I am currently selecting what to put in my holiday guide 🙂
xxx
These are fantastic tips.
great advice! thank you!
I’ve just finished reading this post, and I’ve started to look through your archives. Wow, your writing is so fresh and personal.
And your tips are great!! I’m a member, but I had read only a few posts from you, now I am a Fan of this blog 😀
x
what great advice this is! i just published my first post on my holiday gift guide and this will definitely come in handing as i continue making the guide. thanks so much 🙂
Great ideas! This year I did a bit different twist on a gift guide–it was devoted to handmade ideas found on Etsy and ran each day in November-my pick of the day for items under $20. Now that that is done, I am going to do a guide for any price range 🙂
I love reading these great tips.
Thanks for this! It was awesome! I’m actually currently working on my holiday gift guide.
Another great article filled with more tips to add to my gigantic to-do list! YAY IFB!
Great Info! This is was a great help.
@karley… that was a great idea! I just finished browsing your site and checking it out; very creative.
Thanks Tierra for this post! I have been intimidated by gift guides myself as there are a lot of them out there, and some people start thiers in october… yikes!
And in classic last minute nature… I’ve yet to actually do mine!
🙂
Thank you so much for this, I was thinking about running a little xmas competition to do with gifts on the blog and I’m sure this will only make it more successful!
LM
x
@jennine.. thx! like you, I’m starting realize I have to get a little more serious and professional with my blogging.. looking forward to discovering some more untapped venues!
This is a great approach to make a gift guide stand out. I’m always afraid to write one because there are so many out there and I wonder if readers will take my recommendations seriously. Thanks Tierra and IFB!
not sure if anyone will have money for all those carefully chosen gifts in all those holiday guides…??
@idil: true.. but isn’t that a great way to add economic friendly gifts to your list? Gifts under $50 dollars; are a Budget Friendly Holiday Gift Guide?
Love all your suggestion…I’ll start now…
Whis me good luck!!!!!
Xo Xo Iole
Beautiful article. I am using to plan 2009’s holiday gift guide.
Awesome Thoughts !Thank you for giving new ideas on gift guide.it is helpful to me.