The Many Hats of a Blogger

As a freelance creative or blogger, I’ve come to realize the amount of hats you have to wear. I was speaking with local NYC artist @jaima.art (made hat shown in images) about all the things you need to do as an artist just to stay relevant! There is a lot more that goes into the blogging and creative worlds that meets the eye, and some of the most successful bloggers, creatives, and artists are doing these things consistently. I am by no means at their level, but am trying to get better at wearing each of these hats well! So without further ado; the many hats of a creative!

Hat: Creative Director. The Creative Director formulates the direction and style that fits for a brand and their audience. From photo shoots to the overall style of a brand, the creative director has a say in every detail that makes the brand the brand.

Hat: Personality. You’re the one who people are connecting with. Your audience likes you for your authenticity and the way you connect with them as their BFF online. You’re the older sister they never had! They enjoy going through life together with you!

Hat: Data Analyst. Understanding your #s and analytics is important for gauging and growing your audience. Whether it is SEO, google analytics or social media analytics, this data really helps one understand the direction they need to take with their brand. These tools can give in depth information about your audience. Almost like free feedback! Remember to use these #’s to align your brand with growing an ideal audience as it is easy to fall into traps of gaining people for popularity sake. There’s a purpose behind the numbers.

Hat: Website Developer and Graphic Designer. Figuring out layouts, themes, html code for your site platform. Working on the site when it crashes. Finding out what

Hat: Sales Person. Selling yourself and your personality hoping that brands want to work with you is pretty funny when you think of it but that is the reality. It is also making sure that you build relationships with brands so that they want to work with you again.

Hat: Marketing Manager. Let’s be honest, networking is no small game. In any industry you need to MEET PEOPLE. You need to make a good impression and let people know why they should work with you! You have to stay relevant and be consistent (one of many things, I really need help with).

Hat: Researcher You’ve got to do your research. Whether it’s finding finding out the likes and dislikes of your audience, the things brands are looking for, or what is going on in your industry, research and application of that research is what helps companies grow.

Hat: Engineer. As a creative, you are constantly putting out fires and coming up with solutions to the problems of today’s world. Hence engineers making the world go ’round.

Hat: Writer. Getting the ideas and coming up with things that inspire your readers and then finally, putting them to paper aka the computer.

Hat: Hiring and Firing Manager It is your job to find the right people to work with you who will respect your brand and business. If things go south, you’re the one cleaning up the mess.

Hat: Photographer I started doing photography a few years ago because I really wanted to make my visions come to life. It has helped with my modeling because I know what the camera sees. I know my good angles, my bad angles, and it ultimately has made me more comfortable in front of the camera. When you’re the photographer you really can direct the photo for the tone you’re going for and learning to edit has been so fun! I am still learning and hope to have some presets one day so stay tuned! Also, it is really gratifying that after you take 1000 photos just to find the.perfect.shot.  

Hat: Social Media Manager. Not only are you creating and managing the social media content, you are also, scheduling your posts, keeping up to date with algorithm changes, and engaging with others on the different platforms as they are potential clients, customers and people to inspire.

Hat: Campaign Manager. You have to make sure that when you work with a brand, you’re following all of the rules and guidelines. You’re checking that posts are going up in a timely manner and that they reflect you and your brand. Each and every brand or company you work with has an impact or reflection on what that says about you and your company. So you have to pick your campaigns wisely. I remember taking a few campaigns that were ssoooo not right for me and it ends up being embarrassing for everyone. Only work with brands that you actually like and would actually use, no matter the cost because people can tell when you don’t really like something you’re promoting.

Hat: Accountant. Because tax season is no joke. You gotta keep track of all your expenses and money earned so that you don’t end up in trouble. You have to make sure that enough money is coming in to run the business, pay your employees (of you have them), but to also to pay for your regular personal expenses (rent, health insurance, etc). You even need to remember to save and that the money made isn’t necessarily all yours. It is for the business. Quickbooks is a great way to keep everything organized.

Hat: Business Owner. Encompassing all of the above. I must say that this blogging/creative journey is NOT EASY. While some make it look effortless, there is A LOT of work that goes behind some of the most successful and creative people. As a 7 on the Enneagram (basically I thrive off of fun), this is a job that I love and hate, yet I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I enjoy the creativity and flexibility, but I lack the discipline and consistency in other areas. Those places where I lack, are opportunities for me to grow and also (hopefully one day) hire others who have those skills and can teach me to be better at them. I will say, that starting to blog/work as a creative, has made me have a new found respect for business owners in all industries. It’s made me recognize that instead of wishing for the success of someone else, I can admire them for their hard work, and know that I too can have the life I want to live if I put in the work for it!

What are some other hats that business owners wear? Comment below if there is a missing hat!