Blog Spotlight: My Fash Diary
December 13, 2015 Blogs
Tala Samman of My Fash Diary spoke to MediaSource about writing for modern Middle Eastern women, her advice for new bloggers, and how she prefers to be pitched by PRs.
How has the blogging scene changed since you started blogging?
It's definitely become a lot more saturated these days, but this happens with every new industry. I think it's only the beginning; soon we’ll have top blogs that will continue to put the Middle East and the UAE on the map.
What has been the highlight of your blogging career so far?
Being able to work with brands I've admired growing up, and ones I looked up to whilst at fashion school.
Your blog has won multiple awards. What do you think makes a successful fashion blog?
The content on My Fash Diary is rich and consistent - speaking from a Middle Eastern point of view to modern Middle Eastern women has really put it on the blogging map - not to mention it was the first blog to come out of the UAE!
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a blog?
Don't start it for the perks... start it if you have a passion and feel like you have something new to bring to the table. Why would someone view your blog if it's not going to have different content?
How do you work with marketers and PRs?
It's quite collaborative - I never work in the traditional way of press-release followed by an article. Everything I write about has knowledge behind it, as well as an experience. Five years ago, I only used to blog about things I love, and fast forward to now - I still do!
Which kind of event invitations are you likely to accept?
I don't want to attend an event just for cocktails and canapés. Bring an expert, create an experience, be creative!
Do you have any advice for PR professionals wanting to pitch to you?
• Please don't be too pushy - go ahead and pitch, and if it's the right match - I'll definitely want to talk about it!
• Please don't call me after sending an email. Bloggers don't have offices to direct calls to, and no one likes to get hounded on their personal phone.
• Please don't argue if I tell you it's not the right fit. If it's not the right fit, you're not going to target your market either.
• Be creative with pitches - readers see through commercial features!
• Less is more - I'd like to work closer with a PR who handpicks the bloggers they work with, rather than working with every single one.
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