Name: Allison McNamara
Age: 28
Location: Hollywood
Q: How/why did you get into blogging?
I started at POPSUGAR over 5 years ago as their fashion host, writer, reporter, and producer, making tons of videos each and every day for their style channel on Youtube.
Back in 2011, I attempted to start a blog to answer my viewers’ questions on what I was wearing in my POPSUGAR segments. That blog, (called Fashion Chateau, hah!), only lasted a short while because at the time I was overwhelmed with my full-time job at POPSUGAR and couldn’t manage to juggle both. I still wonder to this day where my blog might be had I not stopped in 2011.
Fast forward a few years and by 2014, I was anchoring a daily entertainment news show on a major cable network, TVGN – my dream job. That show was on-air until March of 2015. After the show ended, I decided to pick up blogging again, and this time, I’m sticking with it!
Despite the fact that TV hosting is my real passion, building a brand around that is equally as important, and I’ve found writing my own blog quite therapeutic and liberating.
Q: What’s the most important aspect of what you do?
Aesthetic is everything. The quality of writing and images that we, as bloggers, put out defines our brand. I work with an excellent photographer, Elaine Torres, to capture the right look and feel for all my outfit photos. On the contrary, I also think it’s incredibly important to be relatable. A balance of the two, I feel, is the key to success!
Q: How do you set yourself apart?
This is a question I always have to keep asking myself. How does one stand out? How does one stay relevant?
For me, I put a heavy emphasis on writing. If you read my blog, I always try and incorporate my personal experience or nostalgia into my posts to explain why I love the ’60s or where my affinity for button downs started.
I use my site as a means of self expression, almost like a diary in a way. And I think that sets me apart from other bloggers. Also, blogging is not my main source of income. I am a TV host and writer by trade and still cover everything from Sundance to the Oscars. I even appeared on the TODAY show this week!
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Be you, everyone else is taken. Because it’s true! You can’t set out to copy someone else’s work or style, you have to make a brand DNA that is unique to you.
Q: What has been your biggest mistake in work?
I honestly wish I would have continued with my blog in 2011. If you feel the urge to do something, don’t stop yourself. Then again, I made so many advances in my hosting career during that time, it’s hard to say that I didn’t make the right choice. If I had to do it over, I would have consistently updated my blog 2-3 times per week.
Q: What would you tell someone who’s just starting out in the digital world?
Pick a platform and really focus on that. There are so many, but all you really need is one to start translating them across the board. I, too, am still working on this!
Q: Where do you see blogging headed in the future?
Bloggers are the new wave of celebrity. I do think virtual reality and instant reality, (i.e. things like Periscope), will be the next installment of blogging. But who knows, right?
Wow, what amazing insight! Be sure to follow Allison on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Get a behind the scenes look on Snapchat and Periscope (allisonmcnamara). I told you Periscope was going to be huge!
Do you have any questions for Allison? Ask in the comments below!
xx
In the meantime, check out these Style File archives:
No Comments