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- Nicole Martin
- New Jersey
- Remixing my wardrobe to create buzz-worthy, office-approved outfits! Find out more at: Creating Panache.
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Showing posts with label IFB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IFB. Show all posts
Thursday, November 4, 2010
IFB: Links à la Mode
Hey everyone! My "Sheer Shirt Remix" post was featured on the Independent Fashion Bloggers weekly roundup! You've probably/hopefully have already seen it, so please check out the other featured bloggers.
The Power of Words
One story dominated my thoughts this week, and I was glad to see an IFB member tackle it in a post. I'm talking about the Marie Claire article. I'm not going to link to it, or even say what it was about, since I assume you dialed in people are familiar with it. [Pulls out soapbox.] The problem with the article, and its apparently apologetic writer, isn't the ignorance it exhibited, or the hate it might engender, or even, I would argue, the sentiment expressed, although it was certainly the worst example of each. The problem was she used the most demeaning language she could think of to describe a group about which she apparently cares. She used this language and neither her nor her editors nor anyone at Marie Claire saw fit to deny it. And Marie Claire's ridiculous mea culpa, where they celebrated the "discussion" they had fostered, was like saying the Titanic sinking was good for discussions about marine safety. Worst of all was the author's own apology: "I never wanted anyone to feel bullied or ashamed after reading this". So you used the most demeaning language you could think of--edgy!--and called people gross--keeping it real!--and were shocked, SHOCKED, to find them taking offense. I would call her a liar but out of deference to liars, she might just be an idiot. Think before you write - words are powerful.
Links à la Mode : November 4th
- A la Modest: This is vintage...now.
- Beyond Fabric: Portraying the essence of Autumn.
- Closet Hound: Do you wear his pants in the relationship?
- Dans Mon Boudoir: Tying scarves for Fall.
- Daisy Dayz: Menswear trousers the new way to cover up this winter.
- Employed Panache: Finding new ways to remix my wardrobe.
- Grit and Glamour: Why I'm not on Weardrobe, Chictopia, Lookbook, or Hypeed.
- Houndstooth and Tortoiseshell: The retail blues.
- Independent Fashion Bloggers: 5 Sites to Strengthen Your Writing Skills
- Kitsch by Kat: Better than reality TV!
- One More: Taking a risk.
- Other Dutch Animals: Champagne sequins: Worn two ways.
- Seamstress Stories: Cuteness and female rivalry.
- Shopgirls Blog: Jewelry with a story to share.
- Sidewalk Chalk: 6 perfect photo locations that are right in front of you.
- Style Activist: I love me. And I don't care if you don't.
- Stylish Thought: Five lessons Nicki Minaj can teach you about personal style.
- The Coveted: Women at work.
- The New Professional: The long and short of it all.
- The Sunday Best: Caring about what you wear is just caring.
- Tickle Me Chic: Everyone deserves to be happy - a response to Marie Claire's "Should 'Fatties' Get a Room".
SPONSOR:
Shopbop Exclusives: Club Monaco, KAIN, Theory, MiH, Madewell, JNBY, VPL, Tucker, Rag & Bone
Friday, September 17, 2010
Personal Branding IRL: Don’t Compromise the Value of Your Brand!
A little bit of a story to kick off your weekend… The other day, I received an e-mail with a proposal for a giveaway here on Employed Panache. OMG, did I just read that right? My first giveaway!!! My heart fluttered a bit as a read it… this is exactly what I’ve been working my tail off for. A giveaway could bring EP to the next level – for some reason, this is one thing (of many) that is proof of a legit blog to me. Chalk it up to high expectations for myself, but either way, I was psyched!!
I started to re-read the e-mail, taking in the details… I’d never heard of this company before, but hey, I do love to support small businesses. I clicked the link to their website to check out their products. First impression was that the items for sale weren’t really my style, but I continued to explore the site, looking for the right product for my giveaway. (Grand assumption here that I would be able to choose which product I wanted to feature!)
As I looked through the site, I became increasingly disappointed. Anything that I thought could work for the giveaway just didn’t feel right… not exactly my style and not my typical price point either. Not that EP is about fashion on a budget, but that’s how I shop and I’m pretty sure my readers notice! In any case, I just couldn’t relate to what was being offered.
Then I started thinking about the IFB Evolving Influence conference recaps. There were so many talks around the value of your blog and your brand. Overall, the message was to be sure not to sell yourself short. Also, it was stressed to not compromise who you are and your reputation.
Excitement turned to disappointment and doubt. Not sure what to do, I went for a run to think things over (I seriously do my best brainstorming this way!) 35 minutes later, I knew 2 things… first, that I had a topic for my next post. Second and most important, I was not going to pursue the offer any further. I’ve replied back with a polite decline, and if I ever hear back, I’ll post an update.
The moral of this goes way beyond blogging. Know and understand well who you are and what your values are – in other words, everything that makes up your brand. Once you know this, do not compromise it for anything! It’s easy to be tempted by bigger companies or seemingly great opportunities when it comes to taking on new clients or even job offers. But don’t be swayed – be true to yourself!
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