FBFF: Labels

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Katy Rose of Modly Chic wrote a really interesting post about labels a few days ago, which was the jump-off point for this week’s FBFF questions.

1. As a someone who writes/blogs about fashion, have you placed yourself into some sort of blogging category? This has always been a struggle for me, from the moment I decided I wanted to start a blog.  For a little while, I thought if I wanted to blog about fashion, I had to post outfits daily with nice big pictures and very little text.  However, the problem with this is that I thought I only needed a few pictures and I want to write more.  Those who know me IRL would say I don’t talk a lot, but for some reason, when it comes to blogging I want to a couple of paragraphs or so!  Also, I have other interests besides fashion, such as knitting, and I wanted to include them on this blog too.  I finally realized that I can blog however I want to about whatever I want and I’m still finding my groove in that respect.

2. What keeps you from or encourages you to label yourself as a certain kind of blogger? The times I’ve been required to label myself has been when I signed up for certain online communities.  When they have a drop-down menu for type of blog and there’s not a lot of options, that’s when I’ve really thought to myself, “What type of blog do I write?”

3. When picking blogs to read and follow are you drawn to ones that indicate a certain group or way of thinking/being? Being primarily a fashion blogger (I think! haha), of course I’m drawn to a lot of other fashion blogs.  But, like I mentioned earlier, I have other interests and I like to follow blogs about those interests too.  I’m not sure I would say that I’m drawn to other blogs that indicate a certain way of thinking, but I am drawn to blogs where I feel comfortable, as in I can see myself and that blogger getting along quite well IRL :)

4. Do you think there are benefits in labeling yourself or others? I supposed the benefits of labeling would be the specific community that is created by that label, but thankfully we don’t have to limit ourselves by that label!  I like belonging to various online communities such as IFB and Ravelry, as well as the wonderful little community I’ve created around my blog!

5. Agree or Disagree – We’re all just people; we don’t need all the labels. Well I have to agree with the first part of the statement!  Unless someone’s an alien from a different planet and they just haven’t told me yet! ;) Anyways, I don’t think labels are completely terrible.  Like I mentioned in the response above, I can see how they can be useful in creating specific communities where you can turn to when you need help with that specific thing.  I don’t think there’s anything wrong with identifying with a label, as long as you don’t let that label completely define who you are.

As usual, I’d love to hear your answers to any and all of these questions in the comments! :)Fashion Beauty Friend Friday was created by Katy Rose of Modly Chic. Become a member at the Fashion Beauty Friend Friday Google Group to join in the discussion!

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I’m Nnenna and this is my online journal where I write about the books I can’t put down, my personal style, the places I’ve traveled to, the products I love, my favorite spots in NYC, and more!

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22 Comments

  1. Great answers! I think it’s human nature to categorize/label groups. That’s actually how we process and remember information. I think as long as we realize that we are more than a label of any sort—that we all wear multiple hats and shouldn’t be boxed in, it’s all good.

    Posted 7.15.11 Reply
    • Nnenna wrote:

      Thank you Vahni! I definitely agree- labels aren’t all bad, it’s just when we let them take over our lives.

      Posted 7.16.11 Reply
  2. Katie wrote:

    I like your answers, I’m like you I’m really drawn to fashion blogs but due to my other interests (mainly art) I follow a few art blogs. It’s nice to have a taste for something else once in a while.

    Posted 7.15.11 Reply
    • Nnenna wrote:

      Thank you Katie! Yes, I’m glad we don’t have to be limited to one interest and can explore anything that catches our fancy :)

      Posted 7.16.11 Reply
  3. Marielle wrote:

    Thanks, I actually went to france, I love in holland haha! Like this post, great answers babe!

    Posted 7.16.11 Reply
    • Nnenna wrote:

      Haha, woops, I mixed them up! Thanks Marielle! :)

      Posted 7.16.11 Reply
  4. Laura wrote:

    hahah “IRL” is perfect. and this is a really interesting post! i didn’t ever intend for my blog to be a fashion blog, but that’s kind of what’s happened… i’m glad you feel comfortable to do whatever you want, though! i feel the same way. your blog is kind of a reflection of your personality, so it should be as true to you as possible!

    Posted 7.16.11 Reply
    • Nnenna wrote:

      Hehehe, thanks! Isn’t it so funny how big of a difference there is between our original intentions for our blogs and what it actually turned out to be? I totally agree, I’m just going to let it carry me where it may =)

      Posted 7.18.11 Reply
  5. Sabine wrote:

    That’s a really interesting question… I think putting myself into the ‘fashion blogger’ category helps me to focus on what the blog is actually about when I start talking about lots of other things. But in the end I’m more interested in personalities than categories… So would always rather read an captivating blog about other things from a person I can relate to than a boring ‘I want to have this’ fashion blog.

    Posted 7.17.11 Reply
    • Nnenna wrote:

      I’m in complete agreement Sabine- a captivating blog, one that I can relate to, is the one that I’m going to follow! :)

      Posted 7.18.11 Reply
  6. Kimberlee wrote:

    That’s the great things about blogs, we have the power to write what we want :)

    Posted 7.17.11 Reply
    • Nnenna wrote:

      Exactly. Well said! :)

      Posted 7.18.11 Reply
  7. Andrea wrote:

    Hello Nnena, I’m not sure how I clicked and stumbled over here, but glad I did. This was the perfect post to get to know you better!

    DoublClik Photo Blog

    Posted 7.18.11 Reply
    • Nnenna wrote:

      Thank you very much Andrea for visiting! Glad you enjoyed the post! =)

      Posted 7.18.11 Reply
  8. Lynn wrote:

    what a great piece! love the q&a format, your answers are awesome. too right, never box yourself into one category. you’ve obviously got a sweet spirit who is diverse in your passions. nice one, way to keep it unique! happy week.

    Posted 7.18.11 Reply
    • Nnenna wrote:

      Yes, I love FBFF, I think the questions are quite thought-provoking! You’re so sweet- thanks for you kind words and I hope you have a great week too! =)

      Posted 7.18.11 Reply
  9. Vasu wrote:

    Great post, ur blog is really amazing

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/Rosabellebyvasu

    Posted 7.18.11 Reply
    • Nnenna wrote:

      Thank you very much Vasu! =)

      Posted 7.18.11 Reply
  10. Elle sees wrote:

    I read a variety of blogs, too!

    Posted 7.18.11 Reply
    • Nnenna wrote:

      It’s fun to mix it up! =)

      Posted 7.18.11 Reply
  11. Great post and questions. The responses to the questions are well thought out and interesting. I have a personal and professional opinion about labels. On a personal matter, like many, I understand labels and feel we all wear many hats and should not be limited by a category. We should be able to explore everything. However as a PR/communications professional, I find labels as a necessary must to succeed. Having specific niche, keeps the individual/organization focused and helps target a specific group that will in return help the bottom line.
    Sorry, I can’t help it my mind seems to always run on a PR/marketing mode:) I blame the CEOs.
    -Madeleine

    Posted 7.18.11 Reply
    • Nnenna wrote:

      Thank you so much Madeleine for reading the post and commenting! It is really interesting to read your perspective as a PR person. It makes sense that if a company wants to work with a blogger to market something fashion-related, they would work with ‘fashion’ blogger and would need to create those labels to decide who would best fit into that category. Question for you- do you think that if you are someone who blogs about a variety of topics, it comes off as a ‘lack of focus’ to companies? I wonder because I am always reading posts that say you should make your blog specific…

      Posted 7.18.11 Reply