With all of the the hullaballo surrounding the recent MySpace and Gap logo redesign (and de-design, in the case of Gap), two things are clear:
1. People don’t like change
2. Your logo matters

A logo is a visual representation of your brand. It can be simple, it can be intricate, it can be clever, it can be witty, it can be anything you want it to be, as long as it’s clear and it’s you.

Consistency is key

Whether you’re a blogger, designer, writer, or an individual establishing your personal brand, it’s important to develop a mark that you can use consistently. It can be confusing to your audience if your site bears one logo, your cards bear another, and your products yet another! Imagine if one of your favorite brands did that: they’d look disorganized and unprofessional, even if their product was still great.

Please take heed: your site, your business cards, your labels, and your products should all bear the mark that represents your brand.

Simple is good

A logo doesn’t have to have a lot of bells and whistles to be great–as a matter of fact, simpler is often better. Think about your favorite international fashion brands!

If you don’t have design experience, a simple text logo will more than suffice. Creating a logo can be as simple as choosing an appropriate font, using a vector graphics program to create the image, and saving the file. You can follow these step-by-step instructions on how to design a simple text logo.

Looks are important

Fashion lovers know that aesthetics matter. And while substance is important–great content, incredible products, beautiful photos, etc.–how you present your brand is the first step to getting noticed.

This is a guest post by WrittenandPosted. If you’d like to write a guest post for Style Sample, check out the guidelines and submit your idea.

With the Vogue dream in mind and the glitz and glamor that surround the industry, it is no wonder a career in fashion journalism is so sought after. But along with the celeb mingling and backstage passes comes a high reliance on luck, contacts and your ability to shine in order to break into the
business.

More media = more opportunities

Fashion journalism is no longer centered on writing features  for magazines and newspapers, but now includes a variety of possibilities. In addition to writing and editing, you are open to photo shoot styling, public relations work, researching, interviewing and designing. The numbers of media outlets have also increased beyond just writing for print, to online magazines, websites, television and blogs.

Even with the additional options, fashion journalism remains an increasingly competitive career to enter and takes a lot of preparation. But
if you’re ready to put in the hours, hard work, and a little free labor, you can certainly make your way to the top. Here’s how:

Know the trade

It’s not absolutely essential to have a journalism degree–you can work your way up through gaining work experience and building contacts. But whichever path you take, it is vital to know the trade. Study the ins and outs of design houses, brands, and current trends so you can shine when your time comes.

Read, read, and read!

You can never do too much reading. Any spare time you have, pick up your favorite fashion bible or a history of fashion book, and ensure you read the newspaper daily. Browse different publications, including men’s magazines like GQ or Esquire, as reading different sources and styles is key.

Organize placements and internships

During a placement at Closer, I asked the fashion editor how to succeed in the industry and she replied, “Work experience, work experience, work experience!” You have to expect long hours, expensive travel costs, and no wages, but it is crucial in order to succeed in fashion journalism. Read
the secrets of how to become an intern here.

Build contacts

Contribute to as many publications as you can. Find out who the editor is, pitch an idea and get your articles published. Writing for different publications will give you insight into the industry and help you build your portfolio. There are hundreds of sites looking for guest writers, but be prepared to do so for free.

Showcase yourself and your work

Create a source whereby potential employers can view your work. When you apply to write for publications, they will ask to see samples or your website. Blogging is a popular and social alternative to display your writing style and interests, and it’s a great tool for networking.

Lots of people use Blogger because it’s simple and easy. There are plenty of built-in features that make it a cinch to set up a blog in minutes, but some of those features aren’t needed–or wanted–if you want your site to look more professional.

Two not-so-pretty things seen often:

1. The Blogger navbar, which resides at the top of the page and can get in the way. It takes away from the blog design, a definite no-no for people who love style!
2. The double-line border that encloses header text and images in the default Minima template–which often winds up off-center or with the photo overlapping if the header isn’t the right size.

Here’s how to do away with both:

Hide the Blogger navbar:

1.Go to Design>Edit HTML

2. Search (control + F) for the following line of code:

]]></b:skin>

3. Right before that line, paste the following:

#navbar-iframe {display:none !important;}

Ta-da!

Remove the header border

There are two ways to do this:

1. Change the border color to transparent, or
2. Edit the HTML code and change the border size to zero so it “disappears”.

To change the border color, go to Blogger Template Designer > Advanced > Border color. Click the arrow on the dropdown menu, then click “Transparent” (the gray and white checked box) at the bottom.

To edit the HTML, go to Design > Edit HTML
Search (CTRL+F) for #header-wrapper in the HTML code.

Change the border size to 0px under #header-wrapper and #header

Et voila!

In the current issue of Style Sample magazine, Shauna of Meowsk provides an extremely helpful step-by-step process for designing a 125×125 badge for your blog.

What is a badge?

As noted in How to Create a Badge for Your Blog, a badge is like a mini-advertisement for your blog. It’s usually an image link, and can be posted in the sidebar of another site to drive traffic your site. Fashion bloggers exchange links all the time, and badges are just another (prettier!) way to do this.

Here’s ours:

And here’s the code to copy and paste into your sidebar:

If you don’t have Photoshop, here’s a good article with resources for free image editing sites and creating animated gifs.

Make a badge, take a badge!

Once you’ve created your badge, post the code in the comments here and we’ll add it to the sidebar on this site!

The code should look like this:

<a href=”http://YOURBLOG.com“><img border=”0″ src=”http://THELOCATIONOFYOURBADGE.jpg“></a>

UPDATE: Disqus doesn’t seem to play well with code, so just post a link to your badge’s image and your site’s URL. For example:

http://bit.ly/ssm125.jpg

http://stylesamplemag.com

Hopefully, this works…

Get creative and show off your badge!

*Please note: We are accepting graphics from fashion, style, and beauty bloggers only. All designs are subject to review and we have the right to refuse if a badge is deemed inappropriate.

If you’ve ever browsed photographic inspiration on sites like ffffound! and WeHeartIt, you’ve probably seen and admired pictures with the dramatic colors and contrast characteristic of cross processing and Lomography.

While you could achieve these effects using expensive photography equipment or by making multiple adjustments in Photoshop, there’s an easier way: Phixr. It’s free, it’s fast, and the results look pretty good!

Original photo

Upload your photo at Phixr.com. You don’t have to register–just click the green “Get started” arrow and start your upload from your computer or via a link to a photo online.

Once your photo is uploaded, select the Color Effects button, then choose Cross Process. Check the preview and adjust brightness, contrast and opacity as needed. Click Execute when it looks the way you want.

To add the Lomo effect, select Camera and Lens Effects from the left-hand menu, then choose Lomo effect. Adjust the intensity, saturation, brightness, and opacity until it looks the way you want, then click Execute.

How very Mad Men!

When you’re finished, just download your stylized picture et voila! Let us know if you try it!

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.

As bloggers, we spend a lot (a lot) of time online–which makes sense as that’s where so much of our work takes place. Unfortunately, that makes it easy to forget about talking about your online life with people in real life, but doing so is absolutely essential to growing your readership. While social media has made it easier than ever to connect with people on the web, there’s still nothing like a little face-to-face interaction.

Here are a few suggestions for getting out and making contacts:

1. Hand out business cards

They make you seem more professional and help serve as a tangible reminder of who you are and what you do. Someone compliments your outfit? Hand them a card and introduce yourself! People are much more likely to check out your blog if they’ve met you in person.

2. Cover events

Check your local calendar listing and see if there’s an event you’d like to cover. If you email the event organizers beforehand to let them know you’ll be there, there’s a good chance they’ll offer to let you hang out behind the scenes.
Note: Showing up with a camera and a notepad pretty much guarantees a certain amount of credibility–people will think you know what you’re doing, even if you don’t. Introduce yourself to these people.

Be sure to email a link to your coverage to the event organizer, and follow up with any connections you make.

3. Send promotional postcards

Again, these serve as a tangible reminder of your site. As a plus, you don’t actually have to be present to distribute postcards–leave them in your favorite coffee shops and bookstores, and mail them (yes, snail mail with stamps and such) to editors, journalists, boutique owners, designers, galleries, photographers–whomever you think would be interested in your site.

4. Participate in craft shows and street fairs

This is especially useful if you sell stuff–clothing, accessories, jewelry, crafts, even if you offer services. Summer and the holidays are prime time for street fairs and craft shows, so check show listing sites, gather your merchandise or develop a demonstration of your services, and sign up! Be sure to take plenty of business cards to pass out to prospective customers.

5. Join a blogging group

Blogging is pretty widespread, and if you live in a reasonably-sized city, there’s likely a group of bloggers that meet to share tips and advice and generally hang out. If there isn’t one in your area, see if you can find a few local bloggers and start one. Search the blogrolls of a local food/relationship/mommy blogger and see who you can connect with. You could also try searching for Tweetups (somebody’s bound to blog) and local social media groups on Google or LinkedIn.

Bonus: If your group grows large enough and happens to include a few people with connections, there’s a good chance you could receive media coverage!

Now get out there, shake some hands, and kiss some babies!

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.

Issue #7 cover girl Shini’s brilliant do-it-yourself fashion projects have inspired us to at least think about getting creative with our hands. The jury is still out on whether anything will actually be accomplished, but in the obsessive DIY frenzy, we’ve discovered some really inspiring how-to’s!

Here are some of our favorite fashion DIY bloggers from around the web:

ThreadBanger

ThreadBanger is the big mama of DIY fashion sites, complete with tutorials for fashion, home, and their own Threadbanger YouTube channel.

Oustapop

Brimming with do-it-yourself suggestions and tutorials, including working with leather pailettes and shredded tees, Oustapop also runs the Trashionista Flickr group.

…Love Maegan

Love Maegan features plenty of simple designer-inspired DIY projects, from Gucci-like tops to Prada-ish necklaces.

Style Hurricane

Fun and inspiring craftiness from Style Hurricane’s Anni, including her signature scrolled zipper cuffs.

Out of Order

If you’re handy with a sewing machine, check out some of the projects by Meghan at Out of Order. We’ve been promising ourselves to at least try the full skirt tutorial.

Chic Steals

Chic Steals has plenty of ideas on sewing your own creations from upcycled clothing. Check out the “How to make a ruffled top from a men’s shirt” tutorial. Nothing short of fab!

P.S. I Made This

P.S I Made This is a well known do-it-yourself dream haven of simple projects with maximum impact.

2 Bitchez Deep

If you like it raw with studs and spikes, 2BitchezDeep is the spot for you! You can also buy some of their finished pieces at Patricia Field.com.

Adventures in Dressmaking

Adventures in Dressmaking is a great place to learn the things your mother never taught you, from hem-facings to invisible zippers. You’ll find handy sewing tutorials aplenty, and Suzannah makes it look easy.

New York Design Shop

If you need inspiration and materials, check out New York Design Shop, home to how-tos and all of the studs, sequins, and extra bits and bobbles needed to complete them.

Do you have any favorite resources for DIY inspiration? Share ‘em in the comments!

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!

If you’re a fashion blogger, chances are you’ve experimented with taking self portraits. Let’s face it, even if someone else usually takes your pictures, it’s likely that they’re not always around when you need them.

Self portraits can be fun because you can be as creative and goofy as you want sans embarrassment, you have plenty of freedom to practice your Tyra-approved Top Model poses, and they’re a great way to learn to direct other people. On the other hand, running back and forth to re-set the camera mode and hit the shutter while maintaining enough composure to take a decent photo can be a bit of a pain. Here are a few tips to help you get through it:

1. Use a tripod

They’re invaluable for maintaining a steady yet adjustable base for the camera. They’re not that expensive either, and can usually be picked up for around $25-$30.

2. Use a remote

If you have a camera with a remote option, pick up a remote. It’s so much easier than running back and forth from the camera to your photo spot.

3.  Pay attention to your background

A neutral background means the focus will be on you, a busier background adds interest but also means you have to share the spotlight.

4. Take a test or two

Take a few test shots with different settings. Check the images and note the settings that make you look the best (because really, that’s the main concern, right?). Use those settings for your remaining photographs–it’s easier to keep going if you know your lighting and composition are on point.

5. Experiment

Shoot from different angles and position the camera above, below, or to the side. Include a prop that helps your photo tell a story. Over- or underexpose the image. Try something different!

6. Relax!

No one expects you to be Demarchelier on the first try. Play some music, do a little dance, get a little silly, and have fun with your pictures!

In the current issue of Style Sample, Fajr of Stylish Thought wrote a great article about hosting your blog on your own domain. She recommends using WordPress (so do I–both this site and my personal blog run on WordPress), but it can be confusing if you’ve never purchased a hosting account or registered your own domain name. Here’s a great video tutorial series to show you the basics:

How to install WordPress from scratch (Part 1)

How to install WordPress from scratch (Part 2)

This video is a few years old, so make sure you download the most current version of WordPress. As of today, it’s version 2.9.1.

This guy uses Host Gator, but there are multiple site hosting companies to choose from. Some of the most popular are:
BlueHost
GoDaddy
Host Gator
1&1
DreamHost

Let me know if you have questions or need help!

~Tamia

If you’re a passionate blogger, running your site probably feels like a full time job. So how can you make it pay? As a fashion blogger, your content taps into a demographic that advertisers clamor to reach: women aged 13-35.

If you’re open to running ads, ad networks are a great way to get into the monetization game.

Before you begin:

1. Know your numbers

If you understand how many people visit your site and who they are, you can make a strong pitch to ad networks. Install Google Analytics, get set up in Google Ad Planner, and register with Alexa. Most bloggers say it’s not worth compromising the design of your site with ads until you have at least 500 pageviews per day, as you’ll only be earning pennies a month.

2. Own it

Buy your own domain name. Networks prefer that your home page is not a subdomain (“mypage.blogger.com”), though there are exceptions. I use Go Daddy to check availability, buy, and manage domains.

3. Carve out a niche

For ads, that is. Be prepared to place common ad sizes like leaderboard (728×90), medium rectangle (300×250), and wide skyscraper (160×600) “above the fold,” where your reader won’t have to scroll down to see the ads. Many networks require that you place ads in this prime location, which commands the highest rates.

4. Get serious about content (and copyright)

Ad networks love focused, original content and engaged audiences. Update frequently, encourage commenting, and be sure to cite your sources. Some networks will boot you for “adult content,” so think twice before posting those nude Italian Vogue editorials.

Get Started:

Google AdSense, AdBrite, ValueClick and Yahoo Publisher Network (still in beta) don’t require huge pageviews to join, but might not offer the most attractive or relevant ads.

Cliquesound: I co-founded this new network, which targets fashion and beauty blogs with enhanced-content ads. Cliquesound curates and supports emerging indie music. Ads run within a music module that offers readers a free song download a day, without ever leaving your site. We require 500 pageviews per day. To sign up, email beta@cliquesound.com.

Blogads: This network groups blogs into “hives” by subject and their fashion hive is not overcrowded, so there could be great opportunities. They look for at least 1,000 pageviews a day.

Indieclick: The Urban Outfitters of ad networks, Indieclick aggregates hip culture sites. They look for pageviews of 1,000 per day at a minimum.

Glam Network: This network’s requirements reflect their reputation as the leader in women’s lifestyle site aggregation. They look for at least 100,000 pageviews a month (over 3,000 a day), a strong brand/voice, and excellent editorial content.

The bottom line:

Ad networks look for loyal, engaged audiences, so it’s never worth compromising your content to drive pageviews. If you take your site’s design, editorial voice, and readership seriously, your site will grow and so will your ad revenue.

About the author:  Blogger Ann Colville Somma (www.holierthannow.com), co-founded  Cliquesound.com, an enhanced-content ad network.

With over 300 million active users, most people have some sort of presence on Facebook. It’s one of the most popular social networking sites in the world, and can be used for everything from keeping up with your best friend from kindergarten to making business contacts.

Most of us have a personal Profile, but if you want to take promoting your blog a step further, you may also want to create a Fan Page for your site. Before you do that, though, think about the purpose of your page: Would it be to drive readers back to your blog? A place to post extra content? A way to reach friends/family who may not visit your blog regularly?

Setting up a fan page means you’ll need to regularly post content there in addition to your blog/MySpace/Twitter account/wherever else you may be, so think about what works best for you. If you’ve considered the pros and cons and are ready for a fan page, here’s what to do:

Setup Your Page

Log into Facebook and click on Advertising at the bottom of the page. Go to Pages> Create a Page, and start adding your information. Most blogs will fall under the category “Brand, Product, or Organization.”

Add Content

Add some applications: the most useful ones integrate your blog’s RSS feed and your Twitter feed into your page, like SocialRSS. It’s a good idea to link your online presences in order to cross-promote. Try adding extra tabs with Involver.

Now, based on the purpose of your page (which you determined above), add some introductory content so people will have something to look at when you invite them to become fans. Don’t send folks to a blank page!

Here are some ideas:

• Post your best photos or images and links to popular blog posts

• Post a summary of the comments on one of your blog posts if you’ve got a really juicy discussion going on. Encourage your fans to respond on Facebook or your blog.

• Create a contest where the winner will be determined based on a comment posted on your Page, or post a link to a contest taking place on your blog.

• Post some “behind-the-scenes” information or images from your blog. You know the pictures you like but didn’t have room for on the blog? Put ‘em here!

• Post a link to an interview or guest post on another site, or another blog/brand/item you like. Promoting others is good karma!

Try to add something to your Facebook page at least once per week.

Promote Your Page

Invite your personal contacts to be fans of your page. Since they already know you, they’re likely to become your first fans. Try to get some activity going on your page before inviting the general public. Then, you can:

• Embed a “Join our Facebook Page” widget in your sidebar

• Include a link to your Fan Page in your email signature

• Invite your Twitter followers to become Fans

Make sure people know what’s in it for them: Additional content, regular updates, special contests, whatever your purpose. Continue to promote your page to new contacts, readers, and followers on a regular basis to build your fan base.

Interact!

Encourage discussion by asking questions or sponsoring contests that require a comment. Remember, not everything has to be strictly business or blog-related all the time.

Note that setting up a Fan page requires additional work and may not be for everyone, so consider your needs and limitations before taking the plunge. However, it can be a great way to reach your readers where they are!

In issue #4 of Style Sample magazine, Valerie of Beauty and the Budget explained how to use Google Analytics to keep track of your blog stats. Tracking is extremely important as it’s important to know how many readers you have, what they’re looking at, how they’re finding your site, especially if you plan on advertising on your blog. While Google Analytics is one of the best known and most in-depth tracking applications, there are plenty of others, too!

StatCounter.com: Shows your most popular pages, the search terms visitors use to find your site, and the number of new vs. returning visitors.

GoStats.com:
Shows information about unique sessions, sessions per visitor, time spent on each page, and the path visitors take on your site.

SiteMeter.com: Provides detailed information about last 100 visitors to your site including which browser they used and their screen resolution, and visits by hour to see busy/slow periods each day.

AddFreeStats.com: Graphs search engine estimates, visits per visitor, and which Adsense links people click while on your site.

Most are as simple as signing up and registering your site, at which point you’re given a snippet of code to insert into your HTML. It’s easy and free and full of valuable information, so if you haven’t already, start tracking your blog stats!

In the latest issue of Style Sample magazine, Maddie of Sprinkle Diary interviewed the three talented fashion illustration students behind xAZD Design. If you’re interested in trying your hand at fashion illustration, here are some resources to get you started:

Books

• Stylishly Drawn:Contemporary Fashion Illustration showcases the work of 29 of the world’s top fashion illustrators.
• Fashion Artist guides you through key drawing and design techniques.
• Fashion Sketchbook provides a comprehensive course on sketching the fashion figure,fabric shapes, and garment details.

Online

• In How to Work with a Fashion Illustrator, blogger Danielle Meder addresses illustration projects from the artist’s point of view.
• Fashion Sketches offers a step-by-step guide to drawing a fashion sketch, including tools you’ll need.
• Fashion Lessons blog offers basic video tutorials as well as step-by-step instructions.

Video

• Drawing Garments for Fashion Illustration
• FIT grad Tu-Anh Nguyen created a Fashion Drawing for Beginners video series.

Inspiration

• Designfeedr posted a collection of 80 Excellent Examples of Mixed-Media Fashion Illustration
• Final Fashion is a wonderful resource for all manner of information and inspiration.

 Illustration by Kate Yan

Let’s talk about how to pitch an article to real life magazines.
Why is this important? Well, you could be the next Anna Wintour, but it isn’t going to matter one bit if you don’t know how to present your ideas to a legitimate publication. However, once you learn how to share your ideas professionally, you may find yourself snagging freelance jobs left & right! Let’s get started:

Explain what makes YOU special
Tell them a little about yourself: why are you an investment for the magazine, what do you have to offer? Include your résumé, relevant qualifications, or why you think you’d make a fabulous addition to their writing team. But keep it professional and simple—leave out your personal life.

Know the publication
Double check that the subject matter you’ve chosen for your article falls inside the general theme of the magazine. Dog Fancy isn’t going to care about your take on Miu Miu’s Fall 2009 Ready-To-Wear, so use some common sense. Read previous issues to get a feel for the type of content and writing style preferred.

Create your pitch
Share your idea and clearly state why their magazine’s target audience would want to read your article. Include a short & concise description of what your article would be addressing, and attach your piece in it’s entirety if the publication encourages it. Make sure you send your pitch in the appropriate format–some editors prefer Word or PDF, while some are okay with including it in the body of the email.

For good measure, attach a writing portfolio, or a document including snippets of your best writing, any published articles, and your contact information. Be sure to proofread and re-check for spelling and grammar!

Send it to the appropriate person
Make sure that you’re sending your pitch to the right person—as brilliant as your article may be, the director of advertising isn’t going to help you get anywhere! Check out the publication’s masthead or online contact page to get an idea of the best person (or department) to send your idea.

You’re done! Press send, and if all goes well, you could be published!

For more information, visit FreelanceSwitch.com’s ‘The Ultimate Article Pitch’, or How to Pitch a Magazine on eHow.com. Many magazines also contain information about submissions on their Contact page. Good luck!

In the current issue of Style Sample Magazine, Crystal of Ssasy Chic provides some tips on monetizing your blog with affiliate advertising. Check out some of the networks she recommends:

Commission Junction
Linkshare
Amazon
Connect Commerce

More helpful resources include:
Introduction to Making Money on Your Site
Pay Per Post Blog Advertising

Be sure to read the article “Making Money with Affiliate Advertising” in issue #3 for more great advice!