YOUR FASHION CAREER AND YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE

Blinking at a beautiful girl in the dark is a waste of time. You need to be SEEN to make an impact or at least get your foot in the door. – Fibafunjah

In the dynamic and competitive world of fashion, establishing a strong public documentation of your career is more than essential. Beyond showcasing your talent and creations, it's about strategically positioning yourself to attract opportunities and build credibility within the industry. This involves not only utilizing the right channels for advertising but also ensuring that your online presence accurately reflects your professional identity.

In this article, let us explore key strategies for effectively managing the public documentation of your fashion career.

1. Choosing the Right Advertising Channels: As against the common rhetoric that you shouldn’t toot your own horn, advertising plays a crucial role in promoting your work and reaching your target audience. However, with the large variety of advertising channels available, it's essential to select the ones that best align with your brand and goals. Whether it's social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest, or industry-specific publications and websites, your first step will be identifying your intended users. For emerging designers, platforms like Instagram offer a visually-driven space to showcase your designs, engage with followers, and connect with potential clients or collaborators. Utilizing targeted advertising features can help increase visibility and reach a broader audience interested in fashion. Additionally, collaborations with influencers, fashion bloggers, or other brands can amplify your reach and credibility. By leveraging their existing audience, you can tap into new markets and gain exposure within the industry. You can benefit maximally by seeking out these collaborations especially those that can put you and your craft in the limelight. Permit me to use Daniel as another great example. A recent collaboration with another brand and more planned collaborations starts off with a scroll through the Instagram page of the potential collaborator.

2. Crafting Your Online Presence: In today's digital age, your online presence serves as a virtual portfolio and resume. It's often the first point of contact for potential clients, employers, or collaborators. Therefore, it's crucial to curate a professional and cohesive online image that accurately represents your brand and expertise. While it is somewhat difficult to start off owning a website, it should be a milestone for all small businesses especially in the creative industry. Until such infrastructure is available, there are free resources that allow you and your business to own a responsive website that the clients, collaborators can interact with.

Some of the free resources include

• Google Business

•Wix

•GoDaddy

•Shopify

Start by building a user-friendly and visually appealing website that showcases your portfolio, past projects, client testimonials, and contact information. Your website should reflect your unique aesthetic and design sensibility, providing visitors with a glimpse into your creative vision and capabilities. Maintain consistency and originality across all online platforms is of utmost importance. This will set you apart from every other business. Regularly update your profiles with new projects, collaborations, or achievements to demonstrate growth and relevance within the industry.

3. Managing Your Online Reputation: In today's digital landscape, managing your online reputation is paramount. Prospective clients, employers, or collaborators are likely to conduct online research before engaging with you professionally. Therefore, it's essential to monitor and curate your online presence to ensure that it accurately reflects your professional identity. Regularly Google your name or brand to assess what information is available and how you're perceived online. Address any negative or inaccurate content promptly and professionally. Engage with your audience authentically, respond to inquiries or feedback, and actively participate in relevant online discussions or communities.

Consider creating content that positions you as a thought leader or expert in your field. Whether it's writing blog posts, contributing to industry publications, or sharing insights on social media, establishing yourself as a reputable authority can enhance your credibility and visibility within the fashion community. In the fast-paced and competitive world of fashion, managing the public documentation of your career is essential for success.

By strategically utilizing advertising channels, crafting a professional online presence, and managing your online reputation, you can effectively showcase your talent, attract opportunities, and establish yourself as a respected figure within the industry. Our weekly call to action is that you google your name in relation to your craft and see what comes up. Is that how best you can be perceived? Can you improve on it? Is your social media presence the best it can be? These are our tasks for the week.

PS: We are working on improving the website and also include a download links on the website for the free template as promised. You will be notified when its available. Thank you for being here.