It’s been a banner year for celebrity bloggers, with the likes of Miranda Hart, Gaby Dunn and most recently, Sarah Mclaughlin creating viral content at a speed we’ve never seen before. As the public become more familiar with the magic of the internet, more and more people are turning to blogging as a way to share their life experiences with the world.
But how did we get here? How did a relatively unknown 23-year-old become an overnight sensation, gaining 1.4 million Instagram followers in just three months? Why do some people seem to attract thousands of regular followers, while others struggle to gain a few hundred?
We took a look at the evolution of celebrity blogging, the key strategies to help you create an entertaining and influential blog, and the importance of finding your unique voice.
Where Did Celebrity Blogging Come From?
Before we go any further, it must be said that not all celebrity blogs are created equal, and it takes some serious talent to pull off a successful blog. As with any other form of creative business, there is more than one way to skin a cat, and not all celebrity blogs will end up being as influential and entertaining as, say, Hello Giggles or Bonjoro.
What is more, not all bloggers will end up being famous, and many of those who do will likely never have had millions of fans just waiting to hear their thoughts on anything. While it’s always great to have fans, it’s not always the most practical or convenient way to run a blog.
So, let’s be clear: not all celebrity blogs are created equal, and you should never say, “I hate blogs. I’ll never be famous,” because you might be surprised by what can happen if you put in the work. You’ll never know until you try.
Key Tips For Successful Blogging
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get to the good stuff: what do successful celebrity bloggers do that makes them so influential?
Whether you’ve been blogging for a while or are just getting started, there are numerous tips and tricks you can follow to become a successful blogger. Many bloggers will tell you to keep your content fresh and exciting, but that’s easier said than done. Stale content is quickly becoming the bane of bloggers everywhere, as people are growing tired of the same old ‘roundups of celebrity fashion trends or ‘braggy’ biannual bloggivers’ awards ceremonies.
So how do you keep your content fresh? One way is by being hyper-selective about the kind of content you feature on your blog. You don’t want to feature every piece of content your celebrity contacts send your way, as that will quickly make your blogborhood look like a content dumpster fire.
It’s also a good idea to think of how you can make your content easier for your readers to navigate and understand. Sometimes adding more visuals can help, like infographics that break down complex topics into easy-to-digest information.
The Importance Of Authentic Content
If you’ve been following along so far, you’ll know that we’re strong believers in the power of authenticity when it comes to blogging. When people can relate to your content on some level, it can be the key to gaining a large and engaged audience.
One of the things that makes Miranda Hart’s blog so relatable is the way she writes about her own experiences. In a world where so much content is regurgitated press releases and boring ‘tweetspeak,’ it’s always a breath of fresh air to read a blog post that is as honest and unadulterated as possible. As someone who has struggled with depression and anxiety, Hart writes about these issues with such an open and authentic voice that her readers can’t help but feel like they can relate.
On the subject of authenticity, it’s also extremely important to establish yourself as a reliable and trustworthy source of information if you’re going to be inviting people to follow your blog. When our brains are overloaded with information, it’s easy for something to go viral just because it’s catchy or amusing. But if you want to be taken seriously, you should never do or say anything just for the sake of popularity.
Choose Your Medium & Platform Carefully
The medium you choose for your blog can have a significant impact on its success, so it’s important to put in the time to find the right balance between content quality and audience reach.
For example, if you’ve got a strong following on Instagram, then you might want to think about creating a podcast instead of a traditional blog. Podcasts are all the rage right now, and many successful bloggers have made the jump from page to screen, often appearing on podcasts or talking about topics on panels. The advantage of a podcast is that it’s often easier to engage with your audience on a more personal level. You can talk about your own experiences or what you’ve learned from celebrities, and you can sometimes even include audio clips from your interviews with famous people.
The Disadvantages Of Blogging
While there are numerous perks to blogging, like the ability to build a community and create fresh content, there are also some serious disadvantages. One of the biggest is the time commitment. Just like with most other creative businesses, you’ll be spending a shit ton of hours a day, if not more, in order to build a significant audience. And let’s be honest, building an audience isn’t exactly quick and easy. It usually takes a lot of trial and error to figure out what works and what doesn’t when it comes to blogging.
Another disadvantage is that not everyone is cut out to be a blogger. If you’ve got a lot of charisma and you can keep your content interesting and captivating, then sure, go for it. But if you’re looking to establish a serious blogging career, then it might be a good idea to look into other options.
No matter what, though, establishing a successful blog isn’t easy. It takes a lot of work, and it’ll vary from person to person, but above all, it takes an open, authentic and creative spirit. Don’t let the stigma of ‘being on the Internet’ stop you from trying something new. Every blogger started out somewhere, and if you put in the work, you can certainly make it to the top. Good luck out there.