#BOB: JIAWA LIU
Blog: www.BeigeRenegade.com
Who: Jiawa Liu
Where: Perth, Australia
Age: 31
Blogging Since: 2010
What inspired you to start your own blog?
I’d been following bloggers like Rumi Neely and Margaret Zhang ,and I just wanted to try it for myself.
How important is the name of the blog?
Very. Branding is one of the most important things a blog needs to get right, and yet it’s one of things very few do.
How difficult is it to find a blog niche?
I don’t think finding a niche is as difficult as defining your own identity. Blogging is (or should be) a very personal exercise, both in the sense that you are constantly putting yourself out there, and that you are connecting with people on a personal level. So it often takes time and a lot of trial and error to develop a unique voice.
What is the best way to promote and grow your blog?
First, produce high-quality content and develop a clear brand. Before you have these down, promoting your blog is just a red herring. You might be able to get visitors to your blog with all those “how to get more followers” tips and tricks out there, but unless you’ve got something of value to offer, they’ll just click away and never come back.
What is your main audience and how did you reach out to them?
My audience is the minimalist at heart who is seeking to design and live an ideal lifestyle based on simplicity and sincerity – someone just like me. Social media is currently my main interface with the outside world. Because Beige Renegade’s content is very visual, Instagram has really become my flagship platform.
How important is it for your business to attend fashion week?
As a blog that encompasses style as a key element, that connection with the fashion industry is extremely important. Not only does fashion enrich my content, but I also believe supporting the fashion industry (including attending fashion week) is something of a social responsibility.
What are the best tips for building long-term relationships and partnerships with brands?
In my view, integrity is perhaps the most important thing for building relationships in the industry. This means both having a genuine commitment to delivering value to brand partners, as well as knowing when to say no. It’s tempting to just accept every opportunity that comes your way, but at the end of the day, you have to think about what this says about you.
What is the biggest challenge about running a blog?
The biggest challenge for blogs in recent years is the need to meet an increasing standard of quality and quantity of content. Thanks to the rise of social media, bloggers they have to manage five platforms or more, when previously it was just one. The prerequisit skills for a blogger are now comparable to professional photographers, stylists and writers.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to start a blog today?
Believe in yourself, and just do it.
What are your ultimate plans for your blog/blogging career?
I’ve never been the kind to have an “ultimate plan.” For me, the excitement is in seeing where the path will take me.
Images © Beige Renegade
