Blogging: Gift Guides. Should You or Shouldn't You?

Image via Kate Spade Holiday Campaign

I'm back again with one final post to help you prepare your holiday blog content. It seems like everyone does gift guides during the holidays, right? But is that because we feel like we have to? Are gift guides truly something that we should devote a ton of time to just because (as the old saying goes) everyone's doing it? Below are a few points to keep in mind as you decide whether or not gift guides are for you. Believe me, they aren't for everyone, and that's ok! If you have questions beyond what I've shared below, please don't hesitate to email me!

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ASK YOURSELF "WHY AM I DOING THIS?"

Number one question. Are you doing it because you really love giving input and helping people shop for their loved ones? Are you that friend who everyone turns to for shopping advice? If so, then you'll probably find enjoyment in putting together gift guides for your blog. If you answered "because everyone else is doing it" to that question, though, gift guides are not something to waste your time on. Direct your focus on creating other great content for your blog. If it's about monetizing your blog, there are other great options. You certainly don't want to feel like it's a chore or for your readers to feel that you weren't committed to making it great.

WHO IS MY AUDIENCE?

If you decide that gift guides are something you want to incorporate into your holiday calendar, then you need to evaluate your audience. Who are you creating these gift guides for? Who is looking at them? Who's getting inspiration from them? Evaluate and plan accordingly.

IS THIS QUALITY CONTENT?

I feel like I say this all the time, but it's so true. Can you devote the time it requires to put together a series of gift guides that are truly quality. Gift guides are a dime-a-dozen, what can you do to make yours special? What can you give your readers that other bloggers can't?

DO I WANT TO DEVOTE MY TIME TO OTHER HOLIDAY CONTENT?

If the answer to this is yes, then that may be the content you want to focus on. As I mentioned in this post from last week, it's far more important to have quality over quantity. Your readers will know if it feels authentic and genuine or rushed and half-hearted.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

Finally, if you do decide that gift guides are a must, keep these things in mind:

1. Don't overload your blog with them. Choose a few "themes" and deliver. 

2. Come up with a design theme and implement that for all your gift guides. 

You can see mine from last year here for examples. 

3. Keep them clean and concise. Don't pack too many pieces in one guide.

4. Promote them on all your social channels.

Please let me know if you have questions about creating or organizing your holiday content! I'm happy to help as much as I can! Get excited, y'all! There's some good stuff happening around here for the holidays!