Whether you’re on eBay or etsy, if you’re selling online, good product photography is one of the most important aspects of product sales. In the case of fashion items especially, looks matter–people are more likely to shell out their hard-earned dough for items they can’t test in person if the merchandise looks good on the screen.

So, what’s the secret to beautiful product photography? Lighting. Luckily, it’s easier to create and control light in the small spaces suited to items like jewelry and accessories. Here are a few tips:

Camera

You don’t necessarily need a fancy camera to take good product photos. Sure, a nice camera helps, but an inexpensive point-and-shoot can be just as effective as a DSLR if used properly.

Quick tip: Most cameras will adjust the focus if you half-press the shutter button. Repeat this technique until the image is as sharp as possible and the camera won’t focus any further, then take the picture.

For honest, thorough camera reviews from a pro, check out KenRockwell.com

Settings

If your camera allows, try adjusting the aperture, the size of the hole through which light comes through the camera (commonly known as the f-stop or f-number). Small aperture settings are useful in product photography because smaller apertures provide more depth of field. A shorter depth of field is great when you’re trying to emphasize the foreground and blur out the background.

Quick tip: Get to know your camera’s macro setting. It’s usually denoted with a picture of a flower, and is specifically for taking close-up pictures with fine detail.

This is when keeping (and reading) the camera’s manual comes in handy!

Lighting

When it comes to lighting, natural light is best. If you’re indoors, shoot near a large window with indirect light when possible. If you’re using a lamp, you’ll probably need to increase the size of the light source by using a diffuser. You can also use a reflector to add light to the shadowed side of the product.

Quick tip: Avoid using the flash when shooting indoors– it usually results in overexposed areas and uneven light. However, you will want to use a flash outside. It sounds backwards, but the flash will “fill in” the shadows caused by sunlight.

There are plenty of online tutorials on setting up your own macro studio–most are really simple and can be made using inexpensive materials. There’s even a Flickr group dedicated to homemade light boxes and the results they produce!

There are also plenty of tutorials showing How to make a homemade light box, Making a lightbox using household items, and Setting up for jewelry photography .

Framing

As the focus of the photo, the object (earrings, headband, craft item, etc.) should take up most of the frame. When you’re taking the picture, use the viewfinder to crop in tight on the object, leaving a bit of space around the edge of the image to allow for blurring.

Variety is important here: try different angles, zoom in and out, move closer and further away–the more options you have to choose from when you’re selecting the final photo, the better!

Accessories

Use a tripod. A tripod will hold the camera still so you can take pictures with longer exposure times–a must for shooting in low light. A decent tripod costs as little as $25, and most digital cameras have a standard tripod socket on the bottom.

If you’re taking extreme close-up shots, you may want to invest in a remote control to avoid the vibration that occurs when the shutter button is pressed. It sounds picky, but high magnification makes camera vibration even more obvious, and your images can look blurry. If you don’t have a remote, try using the camera’s self-timer.

Post production

If you need to make adjustments, use a free photo editing site or a program like The Gimp or Photoshop to correct the coloring and exposure, and crop, rotate, or sharpen your pictures.

Online images don’t need to be high-resolution (72 ppi is standard web resolution), so save your pictures as JPEGs and you’re ready to upload!

Keep in mind that a really beautiful photo is usually the result of a lot of crappy ones. Keep shooting and practicing your technique, and you’ll get better!

More resources:

Table Top Studio
Jewelry photography tips from etsy sellers
Jewelry photography success tips

Last week we reviewed some of the best ways to create an online visual portfolio, but what if you’re a writer who creates with words instead of images? Don’t feel left out! You should have an online portfolio, too.

An online portfolio boosts your Google-ability, raises credibility with editors, and makes it easy to share and organize writing clips. Instead of sending huge, space-consuming files via email (most editors don’t appreciate that–ahem), send a link to your organized, well-thought-out site!

What to include

Your portfolio should contain three to seven writing samples demonstrating a range of styles. Include:

• a how-to article
• a review
• an interview
• a personal experience essay
• an article based on research
• an article that demonstrates your knowledge in your area of expertise.

Organize your clips and samples

Make sure you have permission to post published clips, and organize your clips by subject or type of publication (i.e. magazine, website, custom publication, etc.).

Show off your ancillary skills

Take a few lines to explain your contribution to each sample (editing, writing, layout), and the tools and software you used to create them (Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe InDesign, HTML).

Post the clip in context

Allow editors to see the clip in the context it was published. You can do this by linking to the site on which the clip appeared, or by the scanning the hard copy. If you choose to scan, save the clips as PDFs instead of JPEGs–you can always include a link to the PDF on your site, or upload it to a site like Scribd, DocStoc, or issuu if you wish to embed it directly into the page.

Keep your clips updated

Sometimes links change once an article gets archived, so check them frequently. If you’re concerned about a website removing your article, take a screenshot and save it for your portfolio. Searching Google’s cached pages is another way to retrieve “dead” articles.

Creating the portfolio

Now that you’ve gathered everything you need, it’s time to set up your portfolio. Some options include:

Writer’s Residence

For $8.99/month, Writers Residence helps you create your own website and easily edit pages, add writing samples, and create a writing resume/CV–all with no need for HTML.

Big Black Bag

With Big Black Bag, you get a free domain name, multiple templates to choose from, Paypal integration for sending invoices, an e-commerce feature, and custom form creation for $8.99/month.

MediaBistro Profile

Your MediaBistro profile features a customized display of your professional background and experiences, provides you with disk space to upload your work samples and writing clips, and is searchable by the 100,000+ editors and managers in mediabistro.com’s member database for $21/month or $145/year.

Book style

Set up a “clip book” by inserting  your clips into a document or page layout program, then creating a PDF to upload to a site like issuu or Yudu. If you need PDF creation software, you can do it online at Adobe.com, or try a free PDF creator like CutePDF.

Your Blog

If you blog about more than your writing (and really, who doesn’t?), create a separate page for your writing portfolio. Develop categories for the major writing areas or topics you cover, and tag them for greater refinement. Add a link to your sidebar or main navigation to take visitors to a page dedicated to your work.

Many social media gurus say that a blog also serves as an online resume of sorts–and that’s pretty accurate. If you’re into visual arts like photography, illustration, styling, modeling, graphic design, or anything else that shows off your creative skills, a blog gives readers and potential clients insight into your personality and work ethic, as well as the caliber and quality of your work.

However, if you’re dealing with agencies, educational institutions, or more traditional clients, they may want to see your work presented in a more traditional portfolio style–well, as traditional as it can be online. If you find yourself in need of an online portfolio, here are some of the best options:

Free

Carbonmade

Carbonmade‘s no-frills setup makes it easy to get started, though customization is limited. For busy creatives, the site features fast and easy batch uploading, video hosting, and web analytics. The free service (called “meh”) allows you to upload 5 projects and 35 images, while the paid (“whoo!”) service costs $12 per month and includes room for up to 50 projects, 500 images, 10 high quality videos, and your own custom domain name.

Behance

One of the best known online portfolio sites out there, Behance allows you to create a free portfolio that incorporates text, image, video, and audio as well as embedded media from sites like Flickr, YouTube, and more.

Deviant Art

The other well-loved and well known online portfolio creation tool, DeviantArt‘s basic service allows you to use their wizard to create and publish your work. You can host up to 100 images for free, or pay for the Premium portfolio service for more benefits.

Coroflot

Coroflot includes a personal URL, traffic reports to see how many hits your portfolio gets, and unlimited file uploads. Bonus: if you’re available for freelance work, you can sign up for job alerts.

Create a separate page on your blog

If you want to keep everything in one place and set up a portfolio on your current blog or site, it can be as simple as creating a new page and uploading images of your work. This method will likely require more design and formatting work to look professional, so it helps to know basic HTML and CSS. You may choose to organize by project, client, or skill.

Paid

Dripbook

Dripbook makes it easy to create your portfolio using their drag-and-drop organizer, saves countless hours of tedious work by automatically reformatting and resizing your images, instantly synch updates to external sites, blogs, and social networking sites. The service costs $10 per month for a standard portfolio, but you can sign up for a free 30-day trial.

Viewbook

The Viewbook platform makes it easy to you to create unlimited portfolio pages and albums to target to different audiences. You can publish galleries on blogs, social networking sites, and other websites. A standard portfolio costs $9/month and gets you up to 2500 images. You can also sell prints of your work (as a hard copy or digital file) through the site.

Design Taxi

Design Taxi is a paid service (9.99 or 19.99 per month), but it is a service. The platform allows viewers to export your portfolio to PDF (much more efficient than emailing a large file), and the company conducts portfolio reviews, publishes interviews with users, and sponsors events that showcase subscriber portfolios.

A few additional tips:

• Your portfolio should be a representation of your best work, so choose carefully. It’s not necessary to include everything you’ve ever done, as long as the overall body of work presented is a clear depiction of your style and skill.

• When including photography, illustration, or other visual work, use high-quality images and scans. You want your creative to look as crisp and clear as possible on screen.

• Make sure your portfolio is accessible (all-Flash sites are more difficult to index) and easy to navigate.

• Include a way for people to contact you. Either a contact form or an email address will work– both is best. The easier you make it for potential clients to get in touch, the more likely they will.

Issue #8 of Style Sample magazine is ready to go and chock full of style: film noir-inspired fashion photography, shopping for a tropical vacation (or just hot and humid weather), colorfully subversive illustrations, packing for a stylish vacation in Madrid, and advice for hosting giveaways, in addition to independent designers, your favorite (and future favorite) bloggers, and much more!

Click to read!

Personal Styling feature

The print edition of issue #8 also includes a fantastic special feature on personal styling! Six professional stylists from LA to London share their insights, experiences, and advice regarding what it takes to make it in the business and the best way for you to get started. If you love fashion and are interested in being your own boss, it’s a must-read! You can order your copy here.

Contributors

Sincere thanks to all of the wonderful people who contributed to this issue:

Confessions of a Fashion Editor
‘Cause I’d Rather Waste My Life Pretending
Swa-Rai
Hurricane Lemonade
Shonwer
Wearable Dreams
My Little Fashion Diary
My Fashion Insider
If You Seek Style
Belgrade Flapper
Iva Messy
Time Enough for Drums
Mariel’s Castle
Style & Cigarettes
English Rose
Transient Withdrawal
Fashion Speak
Wangie
WIT & Whimsy
Polina Osherov
My Life as a Magazine
New York Design Shop
Black Milk
Candid Couture
FashionNerdic
Return to Sender
Free!Grechen
Closet Full of Nothin
Passport Glamour
Black Mary Jane
B. Jones Style
Gabrielle Teare
Amanda Skoda
Closet of Style
TopStylista

Stop by and visit everyone, follow the contributors on Twitter @StyleSample/stylesample8, then settle in and enjoy the issue!

If you’d like to contribute to Style Sample, complete the submission form.

It takes a lot of work to open an online shop, so what must it be like to open a brick-and-mortar clothing store in a less-than-perfect economy? We headed over to the opening of 4U Urban Fashion Boutique and spoke to freshly minted shop owners Andy and Gio for advice, pictures, and a bit of style inspiration.

Setting up shop

We talked to Andy how they went about getting the store up and running in what seemed like a record amount of time–they were painting and putting together furnishing as recently as Mother’s Day!

“For us, it was a magical experience. When we found the space, everything else seemed to fall into place very quickly.”

Got it: For a retail store, location is a top priority. However, not everything is candy and roses all the time, is it? We asked for advice regarding the top three things entrepreneurs opening their own clothing boutique should know:

1. Know the permits, procedures, and processes related to opening a retail store.

This includes setting up a corporation, obtaining a tax ID number and business license, understanding zoning regulations, and a bunch of other legalese. “It can be a bit frustrating, because you need certain permits and documents to get started, but you have to have some things in place in order to obtain those pemits!” Educate yourself as much as possible before and during the process.

Some good resources for those located in the US:

• SBA.gov
• Findlaw.com
• Business.gov

You may also want to check in with your local chamber of commerce for contacts and information.

2. Have a clear vision.

As someone heavily involved in theater, Andy notes that he always took notice of scenery and decor both onstage and in restaurants, retail establishments, and other public spaces. A well-developed eye helped them determine the vision for the shop before everything was up and running–essential during the planning and execution phases.

“If you don’t have a vision, find someone to create one.”

3. Take a lot of deep breaths!

Some things will be difficult–you will get frustrated, you will work hard, and you will get tired. Be sure to remember to breathe and relax as you go through the process–after all, it’s all part of the fun!

Says Andy, “Now we get to focus on the fun part–sourcing clothing and accessories. We have great relationships with some really amazing vendors.”

With most of the heavy lifting done, it sounds like Fall will be a breeze.

In the current issue of Style Sample, Kristina of Pretty Shiny Sparkly wrote a great article detailing how to set up your own YouTube channel and video blogs. One community that seems to have perfected the art of video blogging is beauty bloggers. These ladies know how to blend–and they aren’t afraid to share their skills. Covering everything from application tutorials, to product reviews, to swatches (sampling and showing all colors of a particular product), beauty bloggers are spreading ideas and information all over the ‘net.

Many have combined their talent for creative color combinations into entrepreneurial ventures–from developing product lines, to working as makeup artists on photo shoots and runway shows, to writing instructional books! Here are a few of our favorites:

Frantastic Makeup

Fran started as a homemaker full of good old fashioned entrepreneurial spirit, and now works as a freelance makeup artist. How’s that for inspiration? In this video, she shows us how to create a dramatic fire and ice look.

Xsparkage

Leesha aka xsparkage is extremely friendly and personable in front of the camera, which makes it that much easier to relax and (try to) follow along. Here are her tips for creating the perfect red lip.

Lauren Luke

Reigning queen of DIY makeup Lauren Luke has parlayed her popularity into a book, her own makeup line, even a video game! Check out her take on an Egyptian Goddess makeup look.

Misschievous.tv

Self-taught makeup artist Julia does freelance work in addition to her regular day job. This is her inspiring version of an Arabic eye makeup look. Seriously, the “tape technique” is brilliant!

We’re always intrigued by the segregation of the fashion and beauty blogging communities–the two niches are so similar you’d think they’d be more closely intertwined. Do you keep up with beauty blogs or watch makeup tutorials? Who are your favorites?

In Part I of How to Write a Media Release, we talked about the basic format for writing press releases and different types of media to include. Now, let’s talk about what to actually do with what you’ve created.

A few options

Once you’ve written your release and created accompanying audio, video, or imagery to go with it, you need to make it public! There are a few ways to do this:

• Send it directly to people or publications you think would be interested in your news

• Submit it to a press release distribution site

• Post it online for increased Google juice

Send it!

If you know who you’re trying to reach with your news, the most effective way to distribute your media release is directly, usually via email. Send an email to specific writers and editors at blogs and publications that regularly cover your area of interest.

A few tips:

Include a good description in the email subject line.

You may want to include the “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:” with a brief description of your news so the receiver knows that you’re sending a press release without having to open the email.

Include the release in the body of the email

Don’t send the release as an attachment as most people don’t have time to open documents. It’s also best to include a short, personable introduction and a brief reason for sending the release in the email. For example:

Hello NAME,

I hope you are doing well!

YOUR NAME/COMPANY, a popular fashion blog(ger) in CITY, is proud to announce YOUR NEWS. It’s a great PRODUCT/SERVICE that FEATURE, BENEFIT, BENEFIT [include 3-4 features your product/service includes and the way in which those features help your target audience] .

See press release below.

I would love to speak to you about this exciting new PRODUCT/SERVICE since you are an integral part of the NICHE industry.

Please feel free to contact me at PHONE NUMBER or EMAIL if you would like more information.

Best,

YOUR NAME

–Start media release text–

Don’t send email blasts

It’s unprofessional to send the same blanket message to every single person you’ve ever contacted. It looks careless, and we all know how annoying it is to receive irrelevant emails…so don’t send them, either.

Follow-up

If someone does contact you, get back to them in a timely manner. They’re doing you a favor, so be professional and stay on top of it.

Submit it!

Another way to spread the word about your news is to submit your release to media release submission sites. These sites accept submissions across different industries, and may serve as a place for journalists in need of story angles to search for news. There are a number of paid services, but we like free stuff around here. A few reliable sites include:

PR.com You have to register, but this site distributes releases to several online news sites and allows visitors to subscribe to RSS feeds for new releases.

PitchEngine is a social media press release builder and allows for easy integration of images, video, and audio alongside your text release.

PR Log Lets you include HTML links in your media release, as well as an SEO dedicated webpage and PDF version of the release.

Free-Press-Release.com The site looks like Digg, and the most-read releases that are part of paid plan rise to the top of the site.

iNewswire Free submission service that requires registration

Online PR News You get one live URL within the release, and there’s no expiration date.

A note on submission vs distribution:
Submission sites basically allow you to build Google rank by posting your content on several different outposts, and help people find your news by including it in an aggregator.

Distribution includes publishing the release to multiple syndication channels, pushing releases to subscribed editors and journalists, and more traditional wire services like Associated Press and Reuters.

Post it!

If you have a blog or are part of another online community, why not post your release there, too? Your readers and fellow community members (if the community allows it–check the guidelines first) might be interested in using your product or service, interviewing you about your news, or pointing you towards their cousin who happens to be an editor at Vogue. You never know, right?

A few weeks ago, Ashe Mischief wrote a thought-provoking post called Finance and the Fashion Blogger, and many of us expressed our opinions on the issue.

As many people try to cut back on habits of conspicuous consumption, it can be especially daunting for fashion and style bloggers, who often use new purchases as fodder for posts. In addition,–and we’re just keepin’ it real here– shopping is fun, and as bloggers, we know where to find the good stuff. It’s a hard habit to break.

So, having said all that, we’re curious: Are you shopping more or less? And how often do you actually buy stuff?

[poll id="3"]

A media release (or press release, as they’ve been called since ye olden times) is an announcement issued to the news media and other targeted publications in order to let the public know about news and developments.

Many enterprising fashion and style bloggers are starting their own independent ventures–from online shops, to personal styling services, to marketing consultancies–and everyone deserves a shot at success. Part of that includes treating your small side business like…well, a business, and letting your target audience know what you have to offer.

When might you need a media release?

If you’re opening a new shop, offering a new service, partnering with another blogger or company on a project, or engaging in any other newsworthy activities, a media release might be just the thing to help spread the word.

Traditional media release format

A traditional press release usually includes background information about your company or blog, the announcement about your new product or service, quotes from the people in charge, boilerplate text, and contact information.

The basic template is shown below. Obviously, you’d want to replace the text in capitals with information that applies to you and your product or service, and the tips in brackets would not be included!

Headline with keywords people looking for your product/service might search for
Interesting sub headline further describing your news

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CITY — Month Day, 2010 — YOUR NAME, of COMPANY OR BLOG that DOES THIS STUFF, is proud to announce NEWS. NEWS will become effective as of DATE.

The release of PRODUCT/SERVICE is intended to PURPOSE OF YOUR VENTURE.

[Now you'll explain a bit about your history and include relevant facts/statistics]

YOUR NAME, a YOUR PROFESSION, created COMPANY OR BLOG after seeing an opportunity for HOW CUSTOMERS WILL USE YOUR PRODUCT/SERVICE [it helps if you can relate this to a well-known current event/news item]. Today, the COMPANY OR BLOG has FACT, FACT, STATISTIC [include 3-4 facts and statistics regarding traffic, readers, buyers, clients, etc. about your blog or service.]

“QUOTE FROM YOU ABOUT YOUR PRODUCT/SERVICE,” says YOUR NAME.

NEW SERVICE/PRODUCT was created to fulfill the need for WHAT YOUR PRODUCT/SERVICE DOES and help YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE improve their WHAT YOU OFFER. FEATURE, BENEFIT, BENEFIT [include 3-4 features your product/service includes and the way in which those features help your target audience] make your PRODUCT/SERVICE an essential destination/opportunity for people in need of KEYWORDS.

[Include a bit about future plans:]
Additionally, the PRODUCT/SERVICE plans to include BENEFICIAL FEATURES in the future in order to further help people DO STUFF.

“QUOTE FROM YOU ABOUT HOW/WHY PEOPLE NEED YOUR PRODUCT/SERVICE.”

PRODUCT/SERVICE is available at LOCATIONS [online or in real life].

–

[This is where your boilerplate information goes. A boilerplate includes basic information about your blog/company that answers the who, what, where, when, and why of its existence:]

COMPANY/BLOG is a fun and informative site focused on WHAT YOU BLOG ABOUT. Founded by YOUR NAME in MONTH YEAR, COMPANY/BLOG addresses the interests and desires of YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE. Created as a platform to provide style inspiration, shopping tips, and a sense of community, COMPANY/BLOG fulfills THESE NEEDS. For more information, please visit YOUR SITE.

[This is how people that want to know more can get in touch with you or your agent:]

INQUIRIES
For more information, please contact:
NAME
PHONE
EMAIL

###

Make sure to:

• Write professionally. Spelling and grammar mistakes won’t cut it. Proofread, rewrite, and have someone else look it over for you. Then rewrite and proofread again.

• Include the full URL for links. Some services don’t allow embedded hyperlinks, so mentions of your blog or related sites should be followed by the full URL, for example: YourSite.com (http://www.YourSite.com)

• Identify the source of the information. People want to know who’s “talking” to them–if it’s you, include that information. It builds credibility.

• Tie your announcement to recent news, social issues, or trends if possible. Current events make it easier for the writer to find a hook.

• Show how your newsworthy product or service solves a problem. Don’t expect the reader to make the connection between what you’re doing and how it helps people, even if it seems obvious. Make it easy and tell them.

• Include the pound signs (###) at the end so the reader knows that’s the end of the release. Try to keep it to one page or less.

Adding media

Now that you have a basic media release (undoubtedly the most important part), you can choose to add additional types of media.

Social media releases allow you to add download-able images, logos, audio, or video related to your product or service. You might:

• Include a crisp, high-resolution image of your logo.

• Upload high-resolution images of your product, or of you hard at work.

• Create a video showing off your merchandise or explaining how your service works.

• Conduct an audio interview with a client or customer in which they endorse your product or service.

• Include a shortened URL and 2-3 Twitter-ready statements of 120 words of less to make it easy for people to re-tweet your news.

• Add social media sharing buttons so people can Digg, Stumble, share on Facebook, add to Technorati, and subscribe to your RSS feed.

It’s easier than ever to spread your news, it just comes down to taking the time to do it–and it does take time. Set aside 2-3 hours this week, try your hand at writing your own release, and let us know how it goes!

In Part II, we’ll go over some of the best ways to distribute your media release online and to publications and individuals who would most likely be interested in your news.

Last weekend, I finally had a chance to really take time and flip through the print edition of the newest issue of Style Sample magazine–and I have to say, it looks great!

Individual issues are mailed in a sealed poly bag for protection–no scratches or tears here!

Images are clear and bright:

Text is crisp and legible:

As a lifelong magazine fiend, I love coming home to find a pristine new magazine in my mailbox (even though I already know each issue practically by heart!) and it’s just nice to feel the weight of the paper and leisurely flip through each page.

You can order print issues for about $8 here. Enjoy!

~Tamia

Style blogger Jessica Schroeder of What I Wore just announced some great news: she got a book deal!

I’m sure there are plenty of other bloggers who are aspiring authors, and while working with an agent and an established publishing house is the most desirable way to write a book, there’s also another option: self publishing.

What is self publishing?

“Self publishing” is just the term for when authors produce and distribute their written work themselves, instead of working through third-party publishing specialists. Self publishers are usually able to keep a larger portion of their profits, in addition to having more control over content and promotion. The web, blogging, and the increasing number of media channels have spurred the self-publishing movement, and several services make it easier than ever to create your own book!

Print on demand technology (similar to the service we use to create print editions of Style Sample) is probably the best bet for independent authors and bloggers without a lot of capital to invest. You’ll want to look for a company with low-to-no set up fees–which vary depending on the size of the book, number of pages, binding, and cover (hardcover vs softcover).

Book binding options

Some of the most reputable services include:

Lulu

Lulu is one of the longest-running printing and distribution services online, and offers free publishing (no set-up fees) as well as paid marketing and design services. You choose your book’s binding, size, and paper, upload your files, build a cover, set the price, and start promoting!

Blurb

If you have a lot of high quality images you’d like to turn into a photo book, Blurb is your best bet. You can download their free BookSmart book-making software (or do it yourself if you’re comfortable with page-layout programs), add graphics, text and images, and place your order for as many as you’d like. I’ve seen some great results with Blurb.

CreateSpace

Formerly BookSurge, CreateSpace is owned by Amazon.com and allows you to upload a PDF of your book to their site. You can create a cover using their cover creator, choose distribution channels to sell your book (including Amazon.com, of course), and they’ll provide you with a free ISBN.

A word of caution

Beware of vanity presses, which charge exorbitant fees (up to $10,000) with the promise of printing large quantities of your book (likely more than you need) and distributing it to big box retailers. These presses are similar to the “modeling agencies” that charge hundreds of dollars for headshots and modeling classes–you don’t need all that if you create a valuable product.

Other things to consider:

• ISBN: You may want to look into applying for an ISBN (International Standard Book Number), which allows a title to be searchable and listed for sale on websites. It’s the barcode you usually see on the back of the book.

• Design: You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but let’s face it, people will (especially aesthetically-oriented fashion people)! If you’re not a designer and can’t afford to hire a professional, keep it simple and use a high-impact image or text for your cover image. You’ll also want a nice photo of yourself for the author bio page.

• Promotion: If you already have a blog, you likely already have an audience. Make sure your readers know you’re publishing a book, put a prominent link on your site, contact other blogs, sites, and publications and offer to do interviews, find a podcaster in your niche and do an interview, contact your local indie book retailer and offer to do an in-store reading, set up a booth at fairs and trade shows…there’s a lot you can do, so be ready to work!

• E-publishing: Keep in mind that the iPad, Kindle, and other e-reader devices are opening doors for independent publishers. If you’d prefer to stick with an e-book (a book available in electronic format, usually a downloadable PDF), try SmashWords.

The barrier to entry for book publishing is diminishing as technology advances, so I encourage you to put in some work and get your piece of the pie!

Issue #7 of Style Sample magazine is filled with interesting articles: a midnight romp with a Topshop visual merchandiser, surf-inspired shopping, instructions on how to create a video blog and set up your own YouTube channel, advice for writing professional reviews, independent designers, fashion illustration and photography, and much more!

Thanks to all of the wonderful bloggers who contributed to this issue:

MyFashDiary
Fashion Hippie
Queen of Hearts
Unconventional Morning
Dirty Hair Halo
Walk the Sand
Closet Full of Nothing
PYT in PTY
ChiChi Says Robyn
EmmaEmme
Ou Est la Mode
Red Sole Diary
Lala NYC
Obsessionista
Saucy Glossie
Style Eyes
Haute in the Heartland
Mary Catherine Moody
Park & Cube
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Fashion Trend Guide
PrettyShinySparkly
Tuolomee
FashionArtExpression
Polkadot Stripes
Student Flair
Fabulous Doodles
Marvelous Things
Everything Style
Fashion Intel

Be sure to stop by and say hello to everyone, then settle in with your computer (or the print edition, available at MagCloud on May 11th) and enjoy the issue!

If you’re a fashion or style blogger and would like to be a part of  Style Sample, complete the submission form.

We’ve really been feeling the entrepreneurial spirit at Style Sample lately. Maybe it’s the spring weather and the promise of a new start, or maybe we’re ready to change direction, but we’re looking to past and current Blogging + Business features (and obsessively watching clips of “Kell on Earth”) for inspiration:

“The best part is being able to create this business from the ground up on my own. The worst part is being able to create this business from the ground up on my own… it’s hard work but also extremely rewarding.”
~Rodellee of Adore Vintage, Issue #1

“Engage in Twitter, write a blog, do free PR for your friend with the cute handbag line. If the opportunities aren’t there, look for ways to create them on your own terms.”
Crosby of PR Couture, Issue #2

“I’m in love with storytelling, which makes the pieces intimate and meaningful to the owner. The personal touch is best.”
~Wendy of Wendy Brandes Jewelry, Issue #3

“Whatever I put into it is what I get out… so at the end of the day, there is nothing as rewarding as this.”
~Mimi of Brook&Lyn, Issue #4

“Just write about something that you are passionate about and it will come easy. If you really love what you do and work hard at it, then you will be successful.”
~Krista of MyLookbook, Issue #5

“I guess the most crazy part of it is how quickly it’s grown from a small online store to a business which has over 100 stockists.  Rach and I literally squeal when we see girls on the street wearing Stylestalker.”
~Sue-Ann and Rachel of Stylestalker, Issue #6

Are you interested in building your own fashion-based business? How do you get inspired?

This is a guest post by Tiffany of I’m a Shoe Whore. If you’d like to write a guest post for Style Sample, check out the guidelines and submit your idea.

When I first started blogging I quickly found out the importance of great/fun photos. Photos are the key to your blog, they help pull viewers in and keep them entertained for the time they spend on your site. Sometimes your photos keep readers coming back to see more fun and sometimes inspiring pictures!

After being bored by my own pictures I went on the hunt for some great free online photo editing sites that would help me dress my photos up! Here are three of my favorites:

Photoshop

I use Photoshop whenever I edit my photos. Its interface is so easy that it makes editing photos incredibly simple. You do have to sign up for an account, but it’s free and your images can be stored online for family and friends to view. I love that you can preview how the image will look just by scrolling over the edit options. I also love the pop color feature on this site. Make sure you have a fast connection–it sometimes takes a while to load the photos.

DrPic

DrPic is a great site if you need to do a quick edit or crop your photos. There are some fun options you can use to add frames or a Polaroid effect to your images, and I love the grayscale feature on this site. You don’t need an account–just load a picture, edit, and then save to your computer. Simple! One minor annoyance: the Google ad bar at the top of the picture while you edit photos.

FlauntR

FlauntR has some great editing features and frames you can add. The main reason I use this site is for the text feature–I love that there are so many fonts available. I have never seen so many different fonts offered on a free editing site, and you can move and rotate the text anyway you choose. You do have to create an account to use this site-but it’s free!

Get animated

I remember the first time I saw an animated graphic. I was awe-struck, then jealous because I wanted my own! Soon I was off on an internet hunt for sites to help me create animated graphics. There are a few sites out there, but I always turn to one site to help me create my own animated images.

Gickr

Gickr is free and easy to use–no account needed. You can select up to 10 images at once, the size of the image, how fast the image will move, then hit create. That’s it! Wait for your image to load and you should see the animated image. (I often hit create a few times trying out different image speeds to get the right one.) There are many ways to save it, but I always right click on the image and click “Save Image As”.

Now, loading the image on your blog can be tricky. You first have to upload your animated image to a hosting site like tinypic.com (it’s free). Once you’ve uploaded it to the site you can select the “HTML code for Websites” or “Direct Link for Layouts” code. You’ll then have to put the code into your post via the html/edit page. I’d be happy to help if you ever have any questions!

It’s here! Issue #6 of Style Sample magazine is packed to the brim with Spring shopping picks, an interview with two friends who started their own design business, advice on working with blog sponsors, commentary on what happens when bloggers limit or – gasp! – remove their comment sections, independent designers, fashion illustration and photography, and much more!

Thanks to all of the wonderful bloggers who contributed to this issue:

Beauty and the Budget
A Stylized Hysteria
Kansas Couture
Coop Style
Come Over to the Darkside We Have Candy
Mode-moi-selle
Glisters and Blisters
I Know What You Wore
Zanita
SORINO
Looking Sharp!
It’s On With Allegra BJ
Closet Full of Nothing
Accessory Pirate
Fashion Trend Guide
Gotham Hipster
Intrinsically Florrie
Confessions of a Fashion Editor
11:11
Nonsense on Stilettos
NIC*FISH
Stylestalker
Natural Disaster
Late Afternoon
Holier Than Now
Style Eyes Fashion Blog
Song of the Exile
Fashion for All Mankind
Give Me Platforms
Savile
TRY a Fashion Blog

Be sure to stop by and say hello to everyone, then settle in with your computer (or the print edition, available at MagCloud on March 9th if you prefer not to cuddle with electronics) and enjoy!

If you’re a fashion or style blogger and would like to contribute to Style Sample, complete the submission form.

With one fashion week behind us, one underway, and two to go, fashion bloggers–and by association, blogging–are being discussed by new and traditional media alike. It’s up to all of us to keep up with the good and bad press, so here are a few links –just in case you missed something:

“The new celebrities are the fashion bloggers, who are courted, coddled and charmed like never before.”

from Fashion’s New Fever: Bloggers in Spotlight As They Aim for Fame

Social Media: The New Front Row of Fashion

Style Bloggers in the March issue of Vogue

Social networking pulls mask from fashion world

“Mary Katrantzou…said bloggers offered her useful input, but most critically, put her in direct touch with consumers.”

from Designers embrace power of fashion’s blogging crowd

Bloggers are snapping up front row seats at London Fashion Week

Fashion is Burning!

Highlight of The Week: IFB Fashion Blog Conference

New Digital Era Spells Trouble for Fashion Bloggers

What’s your take on the attention fashion blogs are getting? Is it a boon or a curse?

In the last issue of Style Sample, Alicia of Instant Vintage shows us how to set up an online shop step by step. Setup is relatively simple, but once you have your store up and running, you have to get out there and promote it! Here are some easy and (mostly) free ideas:

1. Put a link to your shop in your email signature, blog comments, and forum and message board signatures.

2. Create a Facebook fan page for your shop or line. Post pictures of customers wearing your products, links to articles about your shop, and info about how you create your merchandise.

3. Create a behind-the-scenes video like this one about The Brush Factory. Post it on YouTube, Metacafe, MySpace, blip.tv, Vimeo,  and others using an all-in-one video posting service like tubemogul.com.

4. Use descriptive keywords in your item description so people searching can find it easily. Instead of “vintage dress”, try “red cotton vintage sundress size 6.”

5. Post classifieds on free sites like Craigslist and Kijiji.

6. Send email newsletters announcing a new line or collection. If you have a small list (under 500 subscribers), try a free service like MailChimp.

7. Promote offline, too! You can get inexpensive business cards from Moo.com or OvernightPrints and hand them out to friends, family, and potential customers.

8. Participate in area craft fairs or trunk shows. Hand out those cards!

9. If you’re interested in selling offline, create postcards to mail to businesses and publications who might be interested in selling or writing about your products. Be sure to do your research when preparing your pitch.

10. Write press releases when something big happens–a new collection comes out, you snag an investor, or you’re carried at a new store. Submit your release to writers who would be interested in your story and online newswire services like iNewswire and PRLog.

11. Join an ad network–as an advertiser.

Besides blogging, how do you promote your store?

Ann Colville Somma of Holier than Now covered the IFB Evolving Influence Conference for Style Sample. Here’s her insider’s take:

IFB (Independent Fashion Bloggers) is a community made up of more than 6,000 bloggers around the world. The Evolving Influence Conference, held at the Helen Mills Theater in New York on February 15th, provided a forum to discuss growth opportunities for this now-highly influential arm of fashion media and sought to address the future of monetization, ethics, and influence for fashion blogs.

L to R: Bryanboy, Tavi Gevinson (Style Rookie), Susie Lau (Style Bubble/Dazed Digital)

The day brought together a global who’s who list of successful independent and corporate-sponsored bloggers including Gala Darling (iCiNG), Tavi Gevinson (Style Rookie), Bryanboy, and Susie Bubble (Style Bubble/Dazed Digital). Representatives from new and traditional media like Business of Fashion and The New York Times also spoke. Minx provided complimentary must-have manicures by day, while the Couturious Cocktail Party capped off the event that night with food, drinks, and a photo booth by Weardrobe.

Highlights

The conference consisted of four panels, each rich in ideas:

Philosophy and Pragmatism

Seated, L to R: Pamela Castillo (Market Publique), Corinne Leigh (Threadbanger), Erika Miller (Elle.com), Melody Biringer (The CRAVE Company), Nichelle Pace (StyleMom), Shubhankar Ray (G-Star Raw)

The Fashion Blog Marketing Workshop kicked off the day. Shubhankar Ray, Creative Director of fashion brand (and conference sponsor) G-Star Raw, provided a refreshing context for fashion bloggers. Drawing a parallel between the inception of indie style magazines like I.D., which began as home-made media in punk-rock rebellion against traditional fashion magazines like Vogue, Ray reminded the audience that blogs represent the “democratization of journalism.” Ray urged independent blogs to “be careful about branding” because blogs’ individualism made them relevant partners for traditional brands looking to be “part of culture.”

Practical marketing advice was also shared. Erika Miller (Elle.com) lent her expertise on SEO, stating that “the long tail is your opportunity if you want to capture traffic.” Her tips for optimizing ranking included tagging images with specific, keyword rich descriptions and adding RSS feeds of blogs within your niche to your homepage. D.I.Y hub Threadbanger’s Corinne Leigh reminded bloggers that a simple call to action like “Follow me on Twitter!” is a surprisingly powerful tool.

A Wealth of Business Advice

The Business of Blogging panel brought together experienced blog monetizers including Gala Darling (iCiNG) and Lauren Dimet Waters (Second City Style). Professionalism, integrity, and relationship-building were key themes.

L to R: Gala Darling (iCiNG), Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond (BlueFly.com), Dina Fierro (Eye4Style, Attention! Agency),  Lauren Dimet Waters (Second City Style), Aubree Nichols (Urban Signals). The panel was moderated by Yuli Ziv.

The panel reminded the audience that their blog was the “first impression” on the web and should be a place that brands are proud to be featured. Bloggers were urged to maintain a high level of professionalism in their blog’s appearance and editorial content, and when participating in social media and interacting with marketers.

Knowing your blog’s metrics, understanding the ad rate marketplace through resources like BlogAds, and devising unique revenue streams (Gala sells podcasts) were all cited as powerful tools for monetization. While ads and sponsored newsletters can be key revenue sources, the panel warned bloggers to “read the fine print” before signing up with ad networks.

Opinions and Outbursts

Navigating Blog Ethics paired bloggers like Jessica Schroeder (What I Wore) and Diane Pernet (A Shaded View on Fashion) with new and traditional media gurus including Imran Amed (Business of Fashion) and Clark Hoyt (Public Editor, The New York Times) to discuss this controversial topic.
Alluding to the strict ethics code of the Times (journalists cannot accept gifts of any kind), Hoyt pointedly asked Schroeder and her fellow bloggers why it was “O.K. to accept gifts from someone you’re covering.”

Schroeder offered up honesty and transparency as the solution to this complex issue. Gina Garrubbo, EVP of women’s blog conglomerate Blogher suggested that a “separation of church and state” can ensure ethical practices, describing the company’s defined “reviews” sections (which are set apart from blogs’ editorial wells).

Amed felt strongly that compromising ethics meant compromising the blogger-reader relationship. He reminded bloggers that “the whole reason blogs have emerged as such a powerful and influential force is because everyone was really saying what they think” without the bias of financial incentive. “That’s why your audience is coming to you.”

The panel and audience struggled with the idea that blogs should be held to a higher standard than traditional fashion press, who receive countless incentives from brands, P.R. firms, and advertisers. A particularly defensive audience member drew gasps with a comment about the age-old practice of “bartering,” an outburst deemed highly inappropriate for its reference to a particular religion. Scandale!

A-List Inspiration

Tavi Gevinson (Style Rookie), Susie Bubble (Style Bubble/Dazed Digital), Phil Oh (Streetpeeper)

The Future of Fashion Blogging panel ended the day on a high note. Featuring blogosphere stars Tavi Gevinson (Style Rookie), Bryanboy, and Susie Bubble (Style Bubble/Dazed Digital), as well as Phil Oh (Street Peeper), Britt Aboutaleb and Lauren Sherman (both of Fashionista.com), the panel’s arrival had the crowd buzzing. The house filled with late-coming luminaries including Garance Doré, Scott Schuman (The Sartorialist) and Rumi Neely (Fashion Toast).

The panelists expressed excitement and confusion about their new place at the forefront of fashion media – all with a sense of humor and recognition of their humble beginnings. Bryanboy joked about the reason for his blog’s initial popularity, saying “Everybody loves a trainwreck on the internet!”

The group seemed unified in their wish to be an integral part of fashion media – neither stars nor pariahs in the eyes of the industry. “It’s not about replacing [mainstream] press,” said Bubble, it’s about being “a part of a fashion consumer’s daily routine.”

Sherman summed up the day with a simple maxim for bloggers hoping to rise to the top: “Don’t do it because you want attention, do it because you love it, and people will come to you.”

Why Should I Attend?

Clockwise from top left: Diane Pernet (A Shaded View on Fashion) and Tavi Gevinson (Style Rookie); Scott Schuman (The Sartorialist) and Garance Dore; Rumi Neely and Colin Sokol (Fashion Toast)

The IFB community has been a forum for sharing inspiration and wisdom since 2007. Like Tavi Gevinson and Bryanboy, the organization was thrust into the spotlight this Fashion Week, and Jennine Tamm (IFB’s founder) rose to the occasion by nearly single-handedly pulling off an event that exceeded expectations. For only a $20 suggested donation, bloggers were able to share stories and advice, learn from experts, and mingle with their heroes and heroines at a cocktail party that became the place to be on a night packed with fashion soirees.

The success of this year’s event sets the stage for future IFB conferences, and though they may become larger than this 300-person affair, they will certainly only become more valuable for the blogging community.

The IFB site is free to join and provides access to events throughout the year.