Blog Biz Blogging and Chika Workshop: How to Earn From Your Blog

Developing my blog is my passion project for this year. I know, there are two months left in 2016, but my deadline for this is September 2017. To help me achieve this, I previously attended the #GetBLISStified Workshop, and I also took online courses that teach me how to blog more purposefully. While I am still in between jobs, I want to use my time wisely by taking advantage of workshops and other resources that will help me reach my goal.

That's why when Frances Sales, a successful blogger and my former office mate from Summit announced she's having a workshop, I immediately signed up, no questions asked!

Before she became a blogger, Frances was the editor-in-chief of OK! Magazine. She was one of the few people from other Summit magazines who became my friend. We went to the same event and talked while were were on our way to the venue. At that time, her husband Vince was also the editor-in-chief of T3 Philippines. I remember seeing them together in the pantry and I always get kilig because their love story is like a book/movie plot.

When OK! shut down, she concentrated on blogging, at first maintaining three blogs (Topaz Horizon, Topaz Mommy, and Beauty For A Living), until she dropped the other two and combined everything on Topaz Horizon. Now, blogging is one of her family's main sources of income. It also allows her to spend more time with her husband and three sons. She's also the co-founder of Beauty Biz Bliss, a community of and for working women.

I am a fan of Frances because aside from her writing credentials, her opinions are always so honest and refreshing. When I read her blog, I know the brands she works with are really ones she patronizes. She's such a credible voice that I often think of her whenever I pass by a Skechers stall and when I pick up Jolly mushrooms/corn kernels at the grocery (she's an ambassador for these brands)!

With Frances. This is the second Topaz Horizon workshop I attended!

Our workshop was held at the main office of Flawless in Ortigas on October 8, a Saturday. The rain was pouring hard that afternoon, but we all still made it. Most of the participants were mom bloggers, because Frances is a mom blogger herself. We introduced ourselves, what our blogs are about, shared our blog journeys, and what we want our blogs to be (aside from earning!). It was great listening to other bloggers because even if we may write about the same things, we also have specific goals we want to achieve for our blogs.

The main focus of the workshop was how to earn from blogging. Just like Frances, the workshop was clear and straightforward. She gave us tips and actionable steps on how we can pivot our blogs to make them earn, without sacrificing what we are about. She even gave us an assignment, to make our own About Page and our own media kit! A media kit is what you present to the brands so they can know more about you and your blog, to help them decide if they want to work with you.

I won't divulge everything that we learned here, of course! But I will tell you some of my key takeaways from the workshop.

1. You need to commit. 

Blogging is hard. Writing is hard. Your blog will not magically earn money even if you do nothing to it. You have to put in the work, you have to put out content that is engaging and will make your readers come back for more. You also need to put yourself out there, as in promote your blog. Because if nobody knows your blog exists, nobody will read you!

2. You have to be consistent. 

This is the problem I am having now, because even if I have the content for the blog, it's the discipline and consistency I'm lacking. I am still trying to work out a writing habit, and I guess it goes back to number 1, which is commitment. It's easy to say I want this blog to succeed, it's another thing to make it happen. But I will! So hold me accountable, dear readers! If you see no content from me for several days, leave a comment and ask me why. You're also welcome to suggest things you want to read here. You may check out my About page and see what this site is all about. I need all the help I can get, so let's do this together!

3. Looking the part comes with the job. 

This may seem trivial and shallow, but Frances underscored the importance of looking good in the world of blogging. Just because you work from home, doesn't mean you can forego fixing yourself up when it's time to go out and attend events. You don't have to look like you stepped out of the pages of a magazine, but you have to look appropriate. Show up like you mean it, not like you were forced to be there.


The third learning is one of the reasons why Frances partnered with Flawless for the workshop. She told us how Flawless helped boost her confidence by helping her with her acne problem. And she wanted us to experience the Flawless service too, so each one of us came home with a free gift certificate for one of Flawless's new offers, the Rejuvelite Insta Facial. I can't wait to try it!

Flawless Marketing Manager Renée Funtanilla also dropped by to discuss what brands look for when building a relationship with bloggers. This was helpful because we got an inside scoop on how we can establish and maintain relationships with brands, which is one of the ways to earn with your blog. I loved Renée's presentation! It was catchy and unique, a tip she also gave us because she kept saying, "You're marketing to marketers." So that's one thing to keep in mind.

Class picture! With Renée Funtanilla, marketing manager for Flawless (fifth from left, standing).

Does this make you want to know more about how to earn with your blog? You're in luck because Frances is having another workshop this November. There's no definite date and time yet, but it will be in BGC, possibly on a weekday morning.

I can vouch for this workshop because you won't only learn about blogging, you'll also love the chika part. And you can't beat her workshop fee at P600. Like her Facebook Page to know more. Leave a comment below if you're interested!

Topaz Horizon x Bobbi Brown: Eye Make-up for Girls with Glasses

I was one of the lucky few who won a slot at Frances Sales's Topaz Learning Workhop for girls with glasses last Saturday. The workshop was held at the Bobbi Brown branch in SM Megamall.

There were seven of us in the class, and we were taught by Bobbi Brown's Training Coordinator, the lovely Tamara Pineda. While she was explaining each step, resident make-up artist Jerome applied it on Frances, who was our host and model for the day. The talk lasted for less than an hour, but we were given a bonus, what any make-up lover or make-up newbie would die to have: a free trial/makeover! This workshop was so much fun and more than what I expected.

My best takeaways are putting your face on doesn't have to take up too much of your time, definition is key, and that just because you're wearing glasses it doesn't mean you have to skip applying make-up on your eye area.

Then, using Bobbi Brown products (great investment I’m saving up for to add to my arsenal), Tamara explained that applying your eye-make-up can be divided into three easy steps: applying corrector and concealer, defining your eyelids, and drawing your brows.

The most important thing to remember upon starting is to apply your skincare before applying any make-up on. Prevention is key so in this case, you must apply your eye cream, serum, and moisturizer. Then you apply your foundation. Now we can begin!

1.  Your eyeglasses highlight the shadows under your eyes so it’s important to correct and conceal. There are two shades to choose from, if you have fair complexion, go with the bisque. If you’re a morena, go for the peach family. Apply the corrector first then layer with concealer. 

What’s great about Bobbi Brown’s concealer kit is it includes a pale yellow setting powder, which you apply after the corrector and concealer. 

2. Next are your eyelids. Remember not to put concealer on your eyelids because it causes creasing of the eye shadow. Apply a primer instead because whatever you put on top of it becomes longwearing, which we all want! 

Then, using the Bobbi Brown eye shadow quad, use the light shade all over the eyelids to highlight them. The other three shades of the quad are mid-tone brown (to create depth), taupe, and dark (for dramatic effect or liner shadow). When using colored eyeglass frames, don’t fight their color but instead enhance them using your make-up. This makes people look at your face and your eyes, and not be confused with your color frames on.  

Most important tip: define the eyes with the liner. What Tamara recommended is putting the mirror just under your chin and look down while applying your liner to make sure you don’t miss anything. Then use a waterproof mascara for your lashes because sometimes the mascara smudges your frames especially when your lashes are long. Curl your lashes before applying the mascara, girls!

3. Last are your eyebrows. You know that eyebrows frame your face, right?  Sometimes just stepping out with your brows on can let you get away without any other hint of make-up. Get your brows shaped professionally, and remember to not use a black eyebrow pencil! Choose one that's at least a shade lighter than your hair. Then using light, feathery strokes, draw your brows from the inside out. With an eyebrow brush, brush your eyebrows in an upward motion, never down.

Et voila! You’re ready to seize the day because you just got your face on! Thank you so much Topaz Horizon and Bobbi Brown for this very enlightening workshop. I'm so happy!

So what did I do after getting all prettified? Went on a date, of course! And, just to add mileage to my Bobbi Brown face, I had my ID photos taken too.