11-29-2011

Meet ProFASHIONal: Jessica Quirk, Personal Style Blogger & Creator of the Fashion Blog, What I Wore

by Erin Flynn

Name: Jessica Quirk

 Job: Blogger/Author

Age: 28

Industry: Fashion / Social Media

Twitter or Facebook: @WhatIWore ;  facebook.com/WhatIWoreOfficial

To Buy Her Book: http://whatiworebook.com/

Nowadays when someone states that they are a blogger, people no longer think of the creepy and/or non-showered 28 year old sleeping in the basement of his or her parents’ home. Instead many think of a put together, of course showered, stylish 28 year old with savvy social media skills. This just so happens to be the exact description of Jessica Quirk. You might know her as Personal Style Blogger from What I Wore, but to me she’s a fellow Hoosier who also knows a thing or two about Indiana cornfields, weather, and fashion.

Jessica has mastered the profession of fashion blogging, added author under her title, and has been seen in everything from the New York Post to Marie Claire to The Wall Street Journal. If you’re a fellow fashion blogger wondering how in the world to turn your creative thoughts (a.k.a your blog) into a business or just a fan of Jessica’s impeccable style, look no further. From one blogging Hoosier to another, this Indiana girl sheds some light on what it’s really like to be a fashion blogger, how to monetize it, and what makes it successful. Introducing Jessica Quirk from What I Wore…

 

ProFASHIONal: Jessica Quirk – in black

with

Reality Chic – in pink

From one blogging Hoosier to another…

How and why did you first start blogging?

I just fell into it.  My friends were all blogging and I wanted to try it out. It wasn’t until a few years later that I started What I Wore after seeing other gals post photos of their outfits online.

At what point did you realize you could make a living out of blogging? 

I just tried it out! I made a business plan, outlined my goals, and approached clients. I still had a day job, and I didn’t leave that position until I knew What I Wore had a chance to survive on its own.

I’ve read that you now call your blog half business/half blog, what are some of the business aspects we might not expect a fashion blogger to do?

There’s a lot more to running a full time blog than window shopping and posing for photos! I spend most of my time interacting with readers and clients either negotiating relationships, answering questions, or pitching new ideas.

I’m sure you get asked this question all the time, but how do you monetize your blog to keep it a float as a business?

I run traditional banner ads in addition to integrated content and brand partnerships.

Was your plan always to post photos of yourself wearing outfits or did it just happen?

I started taking daily outfit photos and uploading them to a flickr group called ‘wardrobe_remix’… and I never intended to start a blog about it. I was using blogging as a personal and social tool, and I eventually decided to focus on the fashion side of my life.

Do you have any technical advice or tricks of the trade for bloggers or entrepreneurs on how to grow their online site?

I think it’s important for new bloggers to know that there’s no specific formula for a blog’s success.  I’ve spent the past 3+ years using trial and error to find out what works for my blog, my readers, and my personal growth.  Technically speaking, a little tip that works well for me is to be more content heavy on Monday mornings and taper out through the week. I don’t usually post on Saturday or Sunday.

You’ve been featured in multiple magazines how did you go about working with these magazines?

It’s always different, but before my book was published, writers or editors would approach me to work together.  Around the time my book was released, I started working with my awesome Random House publicist who helped me navigate that promotion.

I believe working in your passion is key, then find a way to “make it work” as Tim Gunn might say. Do you have any tips for fashion bloggers who want to “make it work” as a blogger?

There are two components that I believe make a blog successful: compelling content and business savvy.  You can be the most well read blog online, but if you’re not treating it like a business, you could never make a dime.  On the flip side,  just having a great business acumen doesn’t make your site.  At the end of the day, people want to relate.

What are some of the opportunities blogging has granted you?

I’ve been to New York Fashion Week many times, I’ve collaborated with major fashion brands, and most importantly, I’ve met amazing people!

Taking a photo every day “dressed up” doesn’t give you much time to blog in your pajamas, a nice perk to working from home! Do you ever want to skip a day?

Absolutely, and I definitely do!

What are some of the skills you’d recommend learning for 20 somethings interested in one day starting their own fashion-related business?

Go to business school (or at least take basic business and marketing classes).

For all my Indiana readers, what was your experience like majoring in apparel merchandising at IU (Indiana University)?

It was great. I like to say that the apparel merchandising program at IU is like business school for fashion.  They’re teaching you what you’d learn in your first years on the job and have an amazing reputation, which means great opportunities for new graduates.

Do you feel that you’re missing out on the fashion opportunities by living in Indiana?

Not at all. NYC is just a plane flight away!

Do you think bloggers are having an effect on the fashion/media industry, and where do you think the industry is heading toward?

Absolutely.  Bloggers are both influential and relatable, which can have a huge impact in consumer spending habits. There have been many instances when I’ve seen a blogger wear something and I clicked to buy it right away.  You can’t do that with magazines or television!

 

Tomorrow meet proFASHIONal: Jenny Fleiss, Co-Founder of Rent The Runway

Send us the questions YOU want to hear answered:  erin@realitychicblog.com

If you’re a proFASHIONal & want to be considered as an interviewee send an e-mail at:

erin@realitychicblog.com

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