Its Wednesday and time again for another Blog-erview!!!
Getting to know the amazing women behind our favorite blogs
and introducing some newbie bloggers you are sure to love,
through interviews here at Agape Love designs!
Lets welcome Sharde from The Style Projects to Agape Love Designs!!
If you are new here, find out about the Blog-erview Series {here}
Previous Blog-erviews:
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Can you tell us a little about yourself and Your blog?
Well, my name is Sharde' (shar-day) and I'm currently living in Northern California, but I'm a Texas girl at heart. I'm a hairdresser by day and a blogger by night. I've got an infatuation with sewing, any kind of crafting, and The Style Projects is a Life and Style blog that allows me to share it with everyone else! I have a very wearable style and you can often find me sporting clothes and accessories that I've made myself. My blog is a great venue for me to be able to share tutorials, style advice, and some hair tricks :) One thing you can always count on from me is to be real.
How did you first get involved with blogging?
Back in the day, I had a Xanga page, a blog on Blogger, and I just wrote about my life to my friends. While today is 7 years later, I still love writing about my day-to-day wins and sharing it with my friends, (all of you!). I started TSP in February when my man started working in California while I was still in Texas-- 4.5 months without my love was going to leave me very bored! So I started this as something to hold me accountable for keeping my creativity in check and to make sure I didn't stop dressing up just because I was lonely and depressed.
How do you come up with material/content for your blog each day, What inspires you?
Everyday at the salon, I'm exposed to throngs of people, day in and day out. All at different ages and stages and that makes it easy for me to see things that inspire me. Sometimes, I see a shirt, a skirt, or a bag and something just "clicks" inside my head and the wheels start turning. Other times, inspiration is harder to come by and I head to my back-up source: Pinterest. I know its become a bit cliche to say that Pinterest is your inspiration, but thats what Pinterest is there for. To connect and inspire people.
What has been the most challenging moment in being a blogger?
The most challenging element of being a blogger for me is to not get discouraged. When I first started out blogging, I had this idea in my brain that it would be so easy, everyone will just "find" it on their own, &traffic would just come naturally. Thats not reality, and it was a hard pill to swallow. But, to have growth you need time. Lots of time to devote to going out and connecting with people on the internet. I've realized that I can't compare myself to other blogs because every person, every blog, is individually unique.You have to have thick skin, keep a smile on your face, and keep on trucking through.
Everyone has a favorite/least favorite post. Name yours and why?
My favorite post is Business in The Front, Party in The Back. First off, its got a great name, and I'm flaunting a dress that I made myself, no pattern, no tutorial. It was such a proud moment for me and to have great feedback on the post really made me happy.
I don't really have a least favorite post, but there's some I definitely wish were better. As weeks go on, its an ongoing learning experience and I strive to be better with each and every post!
Name some of the bloggers whom you look up to and why?
Ashley from Little Miss Momma, for one, because she had incredible growth in one years time, without compromising the quality of her writing. Vahni of Grit and Glamour along with Kristina of Pretty Shiny Sparkly, because not only do they have great style and NEVER compromise their quality for quantity, but they're down to earth, offer blogging tips, and their blogging has got them places. For me, their blogs scream "excellence".
What goals do you have, if any, for your blog/shop right now and in the future?
As for now, my goal for my blog is the same as my goal in life: to be awesome. Long term, I would love for TSP to be featured in magazines and on other blogs; but really, I just want to produce quality content and connect with other awesome people.
What Social Networks are you on for your blog?
The Style Projects.com is on twitter and facebook!
What networking do you do that you feel helps get your blog and/or shop the most exposure?
I feel that the best way for me to get traffic is to go on a commenting spree. Literally, commenting on tons of blogs at a time, making new connections with people. For specifically getting the most exposure, I try to guest post when I can, do giveaways of some of my creations, and enter a few link parties. When I find a new blog I like, I immediately follow them on twitter, comment, and shoot them a quick email letting them know I enjoyed their blog and introduce myself to them. I still have a long way to go, but this is what I find to be effective.
Is there anything you know now that you wish you knew before you started blogging?
I wish I would've known that it takes a lot of time! There's a difference between writing a quick post about your day and creating a post. Creating posts for me is like creating a painting, and I want every detail to be just right.
What has been the best thing about blogging so far?
Meeting new people! Whether its in real life or on the internet, I've been so lucky to have met so many wonderful people! Just recently I've had the privilege of working with Hatcher Studio, (a husband and wife photography team) and working with them has not only made my job easier, but I've started to enjoy my blogging more because I'm putting better quality posts out. I've been very blessed! {All images in this post are by Hatcher Studio}
Is there anything else you would like to share with my readers?
As you can see, I love to talk. Tweet me, facebook me, or you can drop me a line. I'll always answer and I'd love to meet you!
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