Chique Home Living is more than just a blog; It is an all-in-one resource for homeowners and dreamers, who are seeking inspiration and advice on how to design the perfect home.
Chique Home Living is an interior design & lifestyle blog that is all about giving you the most authentic insight on home improvement and contemporary living. Since 2019 when it was established, our blog features daily tips and expert advice on interior design, renovation, cleaning, gardening, health, and travel.
Interior design today has become a world of its own, and the diverse content available on Chique Home Living makes it an enthralling read for everyone. The blog is dedicated to inspiring you to create a tranquil home that’s perfect for living and relaxing.
We’ll show you how to update your space without sacrificing style, and teach you how to stay stylish while redecorating. We aim to assist our readers to add a contemporary twist to their homes without breaking the bank. The blog offers readers an inside look at the lifestyle of some of today’s most celebrated interior designers and celebrities’ homes.
From smart lighting solutions to modern furniture pieces and elegant accessories, we have them all covered in our blog! While the blog mostly features articles written by Chique Home team members, we also feature guest content from professionals in a different fields so that our readers can learn from other experts within a specific field.
Founder’s/Owner’s Story and What Motivated Them to Start the Blog
Blogging was introduced to me by a close friend back in 2017, and I found it quite intriguing but complex at the same time. I started developing more interest in this field in 2019. I wasn’t sure if I could fully commit to blogging because I was a full-time student pursuing a degree in Business Management.
I was also working part-time while trying to scale through my final year at the university. It was tough trying to balance everything but eventually, I realized that if I wanted any chance of success in anything related to writing or blogging, I needed to get started first and figure it out as I go.
In mid-July 2019, I started a blog on a niche I was truly passionate about. Chique Home Living has become more than just an idea. Before I started my blog, there was one particular piece of advice that resonated with me. It went something like this:
“Start by writing about things that interest you, be consistent, and connect with your readers on an emotional level. This is what makes a great blog, and it’s the key to building a lasting relationship with your audience”
So, whether it’s interior design or topics that are relevant to my other interests (e.g. real estate and cleaning hacks), I try to write content that is interesting and engaging for my readers. And beyond simply posting content regularly (although THAT definitely helps!), I also use social media platforms like Pinterest and Facebook to reach new audiences.
After several months and blogging, and not making a viable income from it, I focused more on school and my part-time job. Until the COVID-pandemic hit, and lockdowns were enforced in 2020, this was the awakening of my passion. I started working on Chique Home Living full time and I was writing new content daily throughout the lockdown.
Later that year, the traffic began to grow and monetization opportunities slowly started surfacing. I have since had the opportunity to collaborate with reputable brands and currently working on new and exciting blog projects.
So, without knowing much about blogging or SEO techniques, I started posting and learning along the way and eventually grew my blog into what it is now: an authority on all things home design & lifestyle!
The journey hasn’t been easy – there have been times when traffic has DECLINED (this can be discouraging but it happens to even the best of blogs), but through trial and error, hard work ethic, and some support from family, friends, and my amazing chique home team (along with consistency), my blog continues to thrive.
The Challenges in the Industry
The blogosphere is a constantly growing landscape, and there are many challenges that content writers and bloggers face daily. From finding the time to write high-quality content to keep up with current trends and staying relatable to your audience, it can be difficult to stay afloat. Here are some of the most common challenges bloggers face:
Low Income during early days:
While low income is certainly a challenge for any entrepreneur, it can be even more so for bloggers. Blogging requires time and effort that may not always be available if you have to work long hours.
Additionally, while many bloggers make their money from affiliate marketing, advertising or sponsored posts, this does not come without its challenges. The costs of operating a blog can be quite high. These costs can include domain name registration, web hosting, advertising services, and other associated expenses.
Most bloggers start making an income anywhere from six months to one year of blogging, which may seem discouraging for new bloggers.
Plagiarism:
Blog writing requires skills and a lot of research time. A challenge for bloggers is when their content is used without permission or attribution. Oftentimes, bloggers are unaware that their blog posts have been stolen until someone points out the similarities between the two articles. Not only does this violate copyright laws, but it also may result in a loss in traffic for both parties.
Traffic Fluctuations:
Creating better content takes time and effort but ultimately results in higher engagement rates (and therefore more ad impressions). Traffic fluctuation is a challenge for bloggers because it can have a big impact on their advertising income. Bloggers are often faced with traffic loss due to a variety of reasons that can be difficult to pinpoint sometimes.
The Opportunities in the Industry
There are many opportunities that the blogging industry has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a way to build your portfolio, generate extra income, or simply share your thoughts and opinions with the world, blogging can be an effective way to do all of these things. Here are some of the most common opportunities in the industry:
Share Your Passion:
If you’re passionate about something and want to share that with others, blogging is a great way to do it. By writing regularly, you can let your readers know what’s on your mind and how you’re working toward achieving your goals. Additionally, by creating interesting content, you may be able to attract new audiences who will appreciate what you have to say.
Affiliate Marketing:
Affiliate marketing in blogging refers to the practice of commissioning a blogger to promote a specific product or service. When someone clicks on an affiliate link and makes a purchase, the blogger is rewarded with a percentage of that sale.
This can be an extremely rewarding experience for both parties involved as it allows bloggers to make money while also promoting products they believe in.
Get Paid to Write:
If you don’t like the technicalities involved in creating a managing your own blog, you become a freelance blogger and write for a variety of websites. There are many sites that will pay you to write content for them.
You simply need to sign up for a writing submission or blog hosting account and start submitting your ideas for articles. Some of the most popular sites where content writers can earn money include Forbes, The Huffington Post, Business Insider, Entrepreneur, etc.
Become an Authority in Your Field
Becoming an authority in your field can be accomplished through writing quality and engaging content on a regular basis. This will not only attract new readers but also build trust, which is essential for affiliate marketing and online business growth.
By creating valuable resources that help others achieve their goals, you are setting yourself up as an expert in your industry.
Advice for New or Aspiring Bloggers
Have a clear focus and purpose for your blog. What is it that you want to share with the world? Are you writing about interior design, lifestyle tips, recipes, fashion advice, or another topic related to your interests? Once you know what direction your blog is going in, starting building your website with an eye-catchy theme and concise domain name related to your niche
If you’re just starting out, it’s important to be patient and practice moderation. You will learn as you go and eventually your blog will take off. Make sure that what you write is well-researched and unique, so that people can’t help but read your posts. Try to stay active on social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, where you can connect with potential audiences who might be interested in what you have to say.
Additionally, make sure that your articles are well-written and optimized for search engines. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is probably the most important aspect of blogging. When it comes to SEO, link building, targeting, and implementing ranking keywords are crucial for getting higher search engine rankings. You can use various tools like SEMrush or MozBar to find high-quality keywords that are relevant to your niche.
Finally, own (or at least control) your voice ! When starting out, it’s easy to fall into the trap of copying other bloggers’ style without really improving upon what works well. Instead, try coming up with original concepts of your own, meeting people where they are interested, and finding ways to get them engaged.