I often think about where my blog is going; how I can improve it; & how I can remain relevant as I grow older. Where is the future of blogging in South Africa going anyway? And do we even have a future as bloggers? With all these things running circles in my head, I can honestly say that I have given this much thought. I started blogging in 2010 when there were only a few bloggers or people who knew what a blog was. In 2015, just about everyone is calling themselves a blogger. And that is not a bad thing. It’s good because it means that we are all open to creating online spaces we can be proud of, & taking the bold step to put ourselves out there for the world to see.

There are so many different aspects of where blogging could be heading, & if we have futures in this industry. I asked one of my favourite local bloggers, Aisha Baker of Baked The Blog to share what she thought of ‘The Future of Blogging’

I think that in the next 5 years blogging will become a really lucrative industry in South Africa where there is space for many bloggers in various fields not only fashion and beauty! We are really on the cusp of growing the industry I think people can now aspire to be successful both financially and non-financially in the blogging world. With brands supporting us more and more now I look forward to where we find ourselves in 5 years time.

I couldn’t agree more with Aisha. Just this year she became the official South African ambassador for  L’oreal Paris Casting Créme Gloss. And international fashion blogger, Kristina Bazan became the e-ambassador for L’Oreal Paris.  Then, there are the countless magazine covers we are seeing our favourite fashion bloggers on. These are great strides for the blogging industry, & something that would probably have been said to be ridiculous to even suggest 5 years ago. In my experience as a blogger, I have been included in retail campaigns, & worked with brands I wouldn’t have thought even heard of me. This summer I even became a guest blogger for JET, where I am creating content for the retail brand for both online & print media.  I am yet to get onto the topic of money in this blogging series, but I will be getting to it. However, just to give you an idea of how blogging is growing & becoming greater – my blogging income has more than tripled since 2014. And bear in mind, I am not a full time blogger & I don’t take every project that comes my way. Something for you to think about.

Blogs being treated as businesses

Fashion by Brett Robson is already a business for me, & I treat it exactly like that. And many other bloggers treat their blogs in the exact same way. In this way, bloggers are becoming less like ‘writers’ & more like business owners. Bloggers are not just bloggers anymore, we speak at conferences; we teach blogging / fashion / beauty classes; we sell digital & physical products. Bloggers have the potential to earn money from every post or Instagram picture or tweet. The possibilities are endless.

Creating business opportunities for ourselves

This May I launched my own clothing line & online shop, which I am super proud of. Shop Brett Robson is my 2nd business next to this blog.  I used my blog following to create & sell clothing, which has always been a dream of mine. Getting into selling fashion merchandise is actually quite popular for fashion bloggers, & I suppose it makes sense.

• Chiara Ferragni has her own shoe line
• Rumi Neely has her Are You Am I luxury clothing line
• Song Of Style has a jewellery line

And these are not mentioning the endless fashion blogger design collaborations we’ve seen.

I have just touched the surface on where blogging can lead for you. I feel like I could go on & on about where the future of blogging is going, but I would like to hear your opinion. Where do you see your blog going? Do you think the South African blogging industry will flourish like that of the international blogging industry?

Let’s get this conversation started 🙂

Comment below.