Rock My Style and to a certain extent, Rock My Wedding, have never been what you might consider standard “blogs”. It has never been about one particular individuals take on a certain topic or one “face” representing the brand. There’s that too I guess – the fact we are evolving into a recognisable and successful brand?
This topic has come up frequently recently, are we even a blog at all?
We use wordpress which is the most popular platform associated with blogging, we update twice daily and have always referred to ourselves as bloggers, our instagram name is even @rockmystyleblog yet what with umpteen others questioning what we actually are, we are starting to question it ourselves. Goodness, is this the beginning of an identity crisis?
Do you refer to us as a blog? All of our friends and most industry folk we are associated with for whatever reason always seem to refer to us as a lifestyle website, or an online magazine. Rock My Wedding with all of it’s bells and whistles, the hand-picked directory, self styled editorial and a complete re-design coming in a few weeks certainly feels more like a magazine. Although we have just specifically released an online wedding magazine….Jeez, see how confused we are?
Perhaps we are more of an online lifestyle resource? perhaps Rock My Wedding is more of an online wedding planning resource? but then we’ve always been focussed on creating a real sense of community, which we have and do well I think. Does that make us a “community platform”?
Are we an online lifestyle resource website community platform?!
At the risk of sounding like a moron, I’ll endeavour to summarise. We went to a specific “blog” awards ceremony recently, we were super stoked to even be nominated what with being so new and all. But for whatever reason something didn’t feel quite right. We didn’t quite fit the mould, it felt a bit like judging what was the best tennis racket and we were a fishing rod.
To be absolutely crystal clear, just because it didn’t feel right didn’t mean we were not extremely grateful, we are, it’s just very important to us that we represent a business we work so hard towards in the right way.
Your feedback would be much appreciated – please feel free to tell us not to be so self obsessed and that nobody bloody cares what label we’re given anyways, as long as we’re sharing stuff you enjoy.
Is it too early for gin?
Your last two paras I agree with…firstly I don’t think you need a “label” – its a website of nice things and secondly never too early (or too late for that matter) for gin!
Yay for gin!
and yay for RMS / RMW too 🙂
I think (and see) you guys as a blog. I totally agree with what you’ve written above about all the different aspects that you guys have that many other blogs don’t. However I don’t think that this means THEY are blogs and YOU aren’t – I think it just means that you’re one of the best.
[I don’t know how to phrase the next bit without sounding bitchy but honestly this is just my opinion!]…and for this reason, the results from the wedding blog awards that you may or may not have been referring to were not the right ones (yes, yes I know that it’s all subjective blabla but at least one of the winners who I will not refer to by name often doesn’t use spell check and has a confusing/weird layout.).
I’ve not even heard of most of them so RMW / RMS must be doing something right!
Hi Kate, on your first point – thanks so much, glad you enjoy what we do!
On the second point, no – we didn’t mean those awards, we didn’t attend them.
There are a LOT of awards aren’t there, we’ve recently been bombarded by an awards ceremony/body whatever they are calling themselves that we have never heard of, and when I politely asked who they were/what they stood for i.e. – what merit was there in winning one of their awards they didn’t respond. Why would we publicise awards on our social media channels that we don’t know anything about/understand the judging criteria?
I’ll get of my soapbox now….and have some gin!
I see you as firstly a business and secondly a blog. I think the unique-ness of your blog is that you have different voices. These are all very clear through both your content and writing style (I can usually guess who is writing the article without seeing the article). I really like that. I used to read a lot more blogs, particularly lifestyle ones, but I have started to find them a bit…annoying. When it’s just one person writing all the time it gets a bit samey, and especially when it’s lifestyle I find myself not giving a hoot what they do because actually they live a life that is alien to quite a lot of people (I’m thinking of some specific London ones that I don’t go on any more). What is great about RMS (and I’m sure RMW but only a reader of RMS at the moment!) is that this is your business and it is credible. I find it annoying that individual bloggers just get paid to tell us what they did that day through adverts. That is not something I aspire to. What I do aspire to is to 1) have a job I love, 2) be part of a credible business. Which is actually what RMS is about. Instead of just talking about what you do as individual bloggers do, RMS actually adds…dare I say it…’value’ to my every day life. Through this blog I have found out how to exercise for free in my home city, been given so much inspiration for my flat, have a long list of places I want to visit for a weekend, have got loads of ideas for different things to do on city breaks (e.g. the walking tours) etc etc. I also have some very pretty candles. Please carry on just as you are.With Gin in hand.
x
Hi Sian, thanks so much for your feedback, really useful – and very interesting. “Adding value” is such a positive thing to say – I’m so happy you have gained so much from RMS.
I think blogs in general have a very specific following in the main as you are right, one voice will only appeal to a certain audience. x
If I could “like” this comment, I would
Oh no, please don’t start referring to yourself as an online lifestyle resource or website community platform! You are a Big Boy Blog. That’s how I refer to you over on my lil’ ol’ blog anyway 😉 But even the little blogs will have their own versions of a directory, or try and do their own editorials- there are all sorts of ways to diversify and ‘stand out from the crowd’. Blogs started off as lone voices writing diary-style posts but I think once monetization kicks in they all start to become more like an ‘online magazine’ anyway.
But then you compare the Rock My Wedding/Style ‘online magazine’ to the Brides/Wedding/You & Your Wedding websites (essentially online magazines), and they’re SO different. Your layout, your daily updates, your personal voices…. all these things make it a blog and are what people keep coming back for day after day.
That’s my humble opinion anyway x
Hi Sama, ha! Big Boy Blog! like it!
You are right – we are nothing like the magazine websites, and we do try (and want!) to “have a voice” that is recognisable. This post is more about RMS than RMW, the latter is different in how it has evolved where as RMS always started as a team.
You make some very valid points x
Oh yes- I think I’m automatically attuned to thinking more along the wedding side- sorry about that. I guess from my point of view I’m here at RMS because of RMW so I do see the two intrinsically united, even if they’re not supposed to be. I’m interested in Rock My Ltd. because I’ve been here since the (almost) beginning and I’m invested in you (Charlotte) and the business now… but appreciate that RMS is entirely a team effort and enjoy posts from all its contributors! I think the ‘daily post’ thing is what will always have me thinking of this as a blog rather than anything else xx
I am going to add Big Boy Blog to my email signature Sama 😉 x
I too see you as an online magazine rather than a blog. I see blogs as one person reviewing A.. B ..C..
I love what you do and how the brand has evolved, you should all be very proud! x
Thanks Marlene – it’s good to know that we are going about things the right way. It really does mean a lot to us to hear that 🙂
I see you guys firstly as a lifestyle blog which is styled really really well. But most importantly, I don’t care what you call yourself as long as you remain true to your original roots – to me you guys are the morning pick me up which I look forward to over a cup of tea mid-morning at work and the afternoon hug to reassure me that no matter how rubbish my day has been, there is more to life than the ‘work bubble’.
As a lawyer I see a lot of small businesses on a day to day basis grow and change their ‘perspective’. My top tip is to go with what feels right to you and the team. You set this whole thing up originally and have the best vision for where you see it going. x
Thanks Emma, I guess a website by any other name would smell as sweet 🙂
Thanks Emma, we have a clear vision with regards to the evolution of the brand and projects/developments so that perspective hasn’t changed, it’s more making sure we don’t pigeon hole ourselves and allow ourselves to actually evolve, if that makes sense!
Thanks so much for all the comments about both websites. It’s really interesting to see how the concept is perceived by our readers.
From my own point of view I find it difficult to explain to others what I do for a living. I used to tell people I was a professional blogger but noticed I received some very blank looks. Just to confuse the issue I also have another job outside of RMS which is also quite difficult to explain.
These days folks have some very peculiar job titles though so I know I’m not the only one! x
I guess I sort of see Rock My Style as leading the way as a new breed which sort of captures the best of both a blog and an online magazine (sorry if that isn’t helpful!).
Working in PR I know that a lot of content on some online magazines is taken from a press release rather than an actual recommendation or point of view – this is obviously not the case with Rock My Style, I love the fact that you all write about things you love and believe it. Another important difference is that you don’t get to know the journalists of online magazines or even see their personality in posts – Rock My Style is different because, as other people have pointed out, your readers can get to know you all and it helps to build a community.
Rock My Style is also, in my opinion different (and better than!) most blogs as it’s beautifully stylish, updated regularly
Opps posted too quickly!
and there are different writers. It’s also not covered in sponsored posts and branded content – so it’s really refreshing!
Whatever you label yourself as it’s an amazing brand and business with beautiful and interesting content. I personally think word of mouth is better than industry awards, and I know everyone I have told to read this have also passed it on to other friends!
x
Thanks Ellie, and thanks so much for recommending us to your friends.
We’ve had a lot of requests for branded content and we have had to turn down many that we don’t feel are the right fit us or our readers. We do have some exciting collaborations coming up but we will be sure to be authentic with our content and true to what we all believe in.
i see both your blogs as blogs and refer to them as such. However, as your layout is so slick and the adverts less in your face than some other blogs, you come across as more of a corporate blog, if you know what I mean! I hate messy blogs with too much going on around the bit you are reading, bad spelling etc and you don’t do that!
Thanks Kirstie! I do know what you mean on the “corporate” element with regards layout, subtle advertising etc. Funnily enough we’re in the middle of finishing our contact website which is the more corporate side of things for sponsors etc to use. x
I agree with Kirstie, I see you guys as a corporate blog too!
I have to say though, the posts I prefer are the baby posts.
Whenever there is a Mabel post I know that I will enjoy reading it.
I feel like every time there is a Mabel post, you get hundreds of comments and I can see that a Rock my baby blog would be a massive hit!
But again I am sure you get loads of readers who don’t have babies and enjoy the other subjects. I started my clean eating thanks to Miranda’s post about Madeleine Shaw and I will forever be grateful to her for that because it has changed my life!
Oh and I want news from Adam’s house, it is such an exciting project and something a lot of us relate to as I am sure most of your readers are young people moving into new houses.
I hope you don’t mind my honest opinion but I feel like it’s the right post to share it!
Also, interesting fact (well to me anyway) Google has put you automatically in my most used websites!
Thanks for your feedback Marine, I’ll give Adam a kick up the backside to do some updates on his project! x
Great post – I been going through something similar with my own business (completely unrelated but a similar feeling I think not knowing who I was or what I did) and think we women just over analyse stuff.
I think you should stop sweating it, I think you’re just ahead of the game and that is an exciting place to be but also a scary trail blazing place too! I do see you as a blog as it’s opinion whether from one person or several – but I read lots of blogs and something about RMS does feel different, it’s more of a community, a collective without sounding super wanky and it’s been amazing watching the brand of ‘RMS’ build. It feels like a new wave of content and you’re at the forefront.
The difference with RMS, for me, personally:
1. You always seem to post about things that I’m super interested in
2. You always have great visuals and pretty which makes me excited to see the content daily
3. The whole team seem to compliment each other well and bring something unique to the mix
4. It feels authentic, you take time to respond to comments and talk about genuine stuff going on in your life
5. You like gin
You guys rock, don’t sweat it 🙂
Lynne this comment made me laugh out loud! Also I love the expression “super wanky” – I was tempted to put that in the post above, i.e. I hope I don’t come across as such.
I’m glad it feels authentic, we all have specific interests which is what we tend to “specialise” in if you will and I think that seems to work x
Hey guys
I guess I would probably refer to you as a blog, but mainly because as some others have already said RMS is not really like the online magazines around. With online magazines they always just seem to be an extension of their physical magazine and there is not much interaction. Where as on RMS we (the readers) feel like we know you. We comment on posts and you reply, you discuss things that interest you (all of which can be fairly different), and talk about things going on in your lives right now.
Maybe you are just a new breed of blog! A new style where having a team of writers is key in bringing you a much wider audience. But where you still manage to maintain a good community spirit and have good engagement with said audience.
Who says blogs have to be about 1 subject matter, who says they MUST focus on fashion or interiors or health?
Just keep doing what you are doing so well and try not to worry about what label you need to fit under.
xxx
A new breed of blog – like it 🙂 x
Thank you all so much for your thoughtful replies, it’s great to hear what you think about RMS, whatever it is we call ourselves! Sian it’s lovely to hear that we add value to your day. Marine I’m so happy to hear that one of my posts inspired you to start clean eating. And Emma love, love, love that we are your morning pick me up and your afternoon hug!
I agree with all the above comments! I love rock my style- as an avid RMW reader I used to worry what I would read after my wedding. Now it’s RMS that I turn to for my daily comfort break (a hug is a great way to describe it!) The Mabel posts are definitely my favourite but I love reading what you’re all getting up to and having a sneaky peek at your lives. Maybe I’m just too nosy! Whatever label you give yourselves, I love what you do. The comments sections are so interesting and give the whole website/blog a much more personal feel 🙂 x
Exactly Lucy, I don’t know that many blogs that have many comments, it’s so important for us to understand what’s working. it would also be rude not to get back to folks – after they have made the effort to engage with us.
If only Mabel knew how popular she was 🙂 x
As a relatively new addict to RMS since getting married and trying to gradually reduce the amount of wedding related reading I do, I would definitely call you a blog. But with a difference, I often struggle to really relate to any blog without feeling as though I’m just being sold to, with the post fitting around that. I think RMS has a something other blogs lack, relatablity and believability! So really who cares what you are, just keep doing what your doing (and always with gin!
All this gin encouragement – I think we would be constantly tipsy (!)
We can only write about things we like, we turn down a lot of stuff in truth – it just wouldn’t be right to promote a product or idea that we were not excited about. x
What keeps me coming back every day (ok, twice a day… Who am I kidding? 3 times at least) is that RMS feels so much more personal. You write about things that happen to you, with the intention of sharing with, or asking for help from, your readership. It feels like a real community. I feel a connection with Charlotte as a new mama finding her way in the world. I “get” Adam’s posts about music and travel – heck, I even *did* his post about a road trip in Cali! I love Lauren’s posts about decor as we recently moved into a new house and am slowly doing it up. And I aspire to Miranda’s dedication to yoga – I WILL be bendy again!
It is this personal connection and honesty that keeps me coming back, irrespective of whether you’re a blog / magazine / community platform. You are a hybrid and that’s what makes you, you!
A hybrid! Maybe that’s it!
Also loving “I will be bendy again” – I want to be bendy again too! x
Definitely both RMW & RMS are blogs. Magazine formats for me tend to be more about longer features, where as both RMW & RMS offer a nice bite size chunk of literature that’s not too long, nor too short. The brand covers all aspects of areas that I’m interested in, especially maternity and being a new mum. From ideas and inspiration for my wedding, to make up buys and ideas for my baby’s nursery and baby changing on the go, I can’t even begin to tell you how much both blogs have contributed to important aspects of my life. Especially a few years back when I was very unwell, RMW and its features provided me with some focus and prettiness during a difficult time. Sounds corny and dramatic?! But it’s so true. I’ve made contacts and met lovely people through both blogs such as Becky (baby name bunting) and Emily Carlill (made gorgeous wedding bits and baby bits for me) all through your blogs. And all such amazing and talented folk. (And I won a RMW Pinterest competition once – first competition win. Ever.)
I love having that time during my day reading both blogs. The lay out and format is fabulous and way better than other wedding or lifestyle blogs out there in my opinion which is why you are by far the best.
As stated previously the fact there are many different contributors makes it interesting, different and dynamic. I tire of other blogs with a tunnel view based on one individual perspectives. You’re approachable and friendly and that’s what makes you unique to your followers, it’s like having a chat, bouncing ideas with good friends. You feel connected and that is key.
The RM brand is certainly an inspiration and very much a part of my daily life that offers at time some very welcome relief from the daily life challenges.
Thank you.
Hi Emily, what a lovely post. I’m so happy to hear that both RMS and RMW have contributed to your life and creativity – such great people to meet too!
I was actually in a meeting with Becky when I saw this comment and read it out to her, we both wanted to cry a bit – in a good way!
It’s also good to know you like the length of the features, sometimes we do worry that on RMS they may be a bit short but Lauren, Miranda and I prefer shorter posts on the blogs (lifestyle websites – ha!) we read ourselves. Thanks again, I hope you continue to enjoy the content x
I definitely refer to RMS and RMW as blogs. In fact even though I read a few different blogs my husband would say that I only read one as if I tell him about something I’ve read I say it’s ‘from that blog I read’ (firstly from RMW when planning our wedding and now RMS). For me you are my morning and lunchtime ritual everyday and if I post I always tick the notify buttons below so I can follow the conversation. I agree with lots of the comments above and your posts have definitely inspired me to make changes in my life and I’ve mentally bookmarked posts to read again (e.g. the baby posts which I read but aren’t so relevant now). I love the friendliness, the conversation in the comments and the advice so try to stop worrying about a label (easier said than done maybe) and keep going because you are definitely doing something right.
Cheers Sarah, it’s interesting to know that the baby posts are useful to you – even if for the future.
It’s funny, RMS has changed my life too – I’ve had so much inspiration from Miranda, Lauren and all of the super folk that contribute to the comments section x
I refer to you as a blog when I’m suggesting people read an article or when I relay an idea but I call you a group blog and I think that is the difference, it feels like everything you all write is written by a group of friends and we have a discussion about it afterwards with the wonderful community feel and therein lies the distinction for me. I feel like I “know” the writers, I love the comments from the community and I am interested in the wide range of content that you write about…
Basically, please keep doing what you’re doing, I think you are ahead of the curve so there is not a specific label for you yet, but you have a loyal following and make a lot of us smile on a daily basis… that’s got to be mission accomplished, right?!
KateC We’ve been so overwhelmed by the feedback on this post, we do definitely feel that it doesn’t matter really as long as people want to come back. Mission accomplished indeed x
I find this a really interesting conversation and agree with the main sentiment here: you don’t need to have a “label” – blog/magazine/website/community/blogazine – who cares!
It’s interesting to look at the paradigm shift in magazines – in my opinion the original format of lifestyle content that attracted large volumes of female audience. For all those girls who were teenagers in the 90’s: remember position of the fortnight in More, anyone?!
Mags are actually stuck between a rock and a hard place, which i don’t think any modern content business would want to be in. A mag’s heartland is print but their audiences are spending more and more time online but their business model requires them to sell ad space in their print product (difficult when circulation and readership figures of mags are rocky)… They are often offering their online audience for free to advertisers (ie advertise in the print mag and we will chuck in digital – not always, but sometimes…) – this is interesting as ads fund their business model, so they have to chase the audience.
The thing is, (in my opinion) magazines are not thinking of themselves enough as pure-play content BRANDS – they are so hung up the precious-platform that they are missing what really matters to their readers. The sooner the print mags stop thinking of themselves as mags and think of themselves as great content providers, facilitators of creative collaboration and a destination where they can connect advertisers to an engaged audience – the sooner they will be more profitable. But they are too hung up on rescuing the original print format…
So i suppose my advice would be – don’t be hung up on the title of your platform – be title neutral – evolve with your readers to be in the spaces and places they are with content they want, so you don’t fall in to the trap our mag title friends have and be so transfixed by being a “thing” (ie a mag) that you are playing catch up for your audience.
Long and boring comment for the most part, i am sure. But in short – I agree. Leap forward knowing that you are creators and curators of content that people love to engage with. That’s all you need!!
See you at the bar for a gin fizz 🙂
Nicola, this wasn’t in anyway boring, it was very useful, lots of good advice and thoughts. I like the “title neutral” thing, does that make us a bit like Prince when he became “Symbol”? 🙂
It is very sad for print at the moment, I don’t see how it will ever recover. I still have most of the glossies on subscription but I have to say, I don’t spend anywhere near as much time reading them as I used to, I literally flick through. And perhaps it’s always been the case but goodness, so many adverts! x
Ha ha!! Yes, @symbol!!! I’m the se with glossies, I love the tactile nature of flicking and when I’m holiday the crinkly pages from sun, sweat, cream and probably condensation dripping off my beer bottle, but I don’t spend anywhere near as much time with them. Awww… Now I’m thinking of being on a beach..! D’oh!!! Xx
Charlotte – have you checked out Mamamia? I liken your platform to theirs. Although the content of the sites is very different (RMS lighter and more fun), I suspect they have a similar identity crisis! Check out how they describe themselves:
http://www.mamamia.com.au/about-mamamia/
They have a massive reach and online community in Australia.
Something to think about anyway… I agree you are not just a blog…
Good luck!
I love RMS ! It perks up my lunchtimes. I don’t feel like I’m reading a blog – but it is not quite like a magazine. To me it feels like a scrapbook of modern life. I’m at that age (31) where everyone around me, although similar ages, are at different stages of life – some travelling the world, some mothers, some coming out of long term relationships and finding their feet in the single world again. I’m a real homebody who currently is happiest with a paintbrush in hand making the house look pretty but I still love stumbling home and getting up to mischief like a naughty teenager after a good night out. I think it is the different voices of Charlotte, Lauren, Miranda and others that reflect the true mix of people’s lifestyles. I also feel ‘safe’ to post my own opinions without unkind responses as you can get elsewhere! I don’t know if this helps with the definition but keep up the good work ladies !!!!
[…] glossy, like Charlotte and reader Nicola said in the comments section after Charlotte’s Identity Crisis post last week I often spend less time reading it, especially when I’ve bought it on my iPad. […]
Totally agree with ‘I think it is the different voices of Charlotte, Lauren, Miranda and others that reflect the true mix of people’s lifestyles.’
A blog you keep going back to as you like the individual writers style and can identify with or be inspired by the content. Thats what I think about RMS. I definitely have a different life than all the writers but as a 36 year old, married, working Mum of 1, trying to eat more healthily, trying to find time to exercise, trying not to become a frumpy old wifey, trying to find the perfect shade of grey for my new bathroom (!) – I can identify with most of the posts and those I can’t, thats okay as there will be another one along soon 🙂
The thing I hate about blogs is when they become too brand orientated. Of course everyone needs to make a living, but sometimes its a turn off when every single post is recommending another product. I don’t think RMS is like that and you have the balance working really well.
p.s I also got loads of my wedding ideas from RMW and it took me about 6 months to wean myself off reading it every day, lol!