FashionTap is the social network connecting the fashion world – and everyone else aspiring to be part of it – based on where they are located and what they do, while allowing users to make money from sharing and tagging the brands and products they post. Brands, boutiques and designers can search for bloggers, models and other influencers by location to work with them. Top influencers are finding and connecting with brands, retailers and PR firms in cities all over the world, and vice versa. Users discover, share and purchase thousands of style and beauty products each day. Amy Roiland, fashion blogger behind A Fashion Nerd and the founder and CEO of the app, has achieved impressive growth for her project, which today is measured in an active team of ten, an ever-expanding community of users, and the founders’ presence on panels throughout the US. Read on as Roiland discusses balancing her blogging and entrepreneurial career, putting together FashionTap and expanding the features of her app.
In what ways were your blogging career and FashionTap connected? How is the one inspiring the other today?
Completely connected 100%. When I first started this app, it was for bloggers to be found and make money. Lately, I have been way more focused on designers and retailers for my app (b2b). But when I started, the focus was on bloggers for sure.
Tell us three trends in the tech/app world that have become huge, and that you took into consideration for creating FashionTap.
Social networks, creating work for those who could not get work before IE UBER, POSTMATES, social commerce. I wanted the regular person to make money off of what they were wearing. So if you tag your lipstick to a Nordstroms product and someone buys it from your tag, you make 12% of the sale. I make a regular person into an actual influencer (social commerce). My app is also an entire social network.
Watching your videos on Youtube, I heard you say “I want to help…” numerous times. Does this need perhaps steam from your own experiences in the industry?
I just see a huge void in technology and fashion, and how slow the fashion industry is when it comes to technology. The ones who jump on right away and use it to their best abilities blow up. Look at NYX or Colourpop, they invested 0 dollars in marketing, and just used social media to turn their brand into a multi-billion dollar brand in less than two years. I want to help those who want my help, those who want to open their eyes and really see what is important now. Visibility and a way to drive sales are the two biggest issues in fashion, and I am solving these issues with FashionTap.
FashionTap users get 100% of the revenue they make, and you don’t take any commission from their sales. Has this decision resulted in any challenges?
I was always focused on making my users happy and growing my database. It was never about the money for me. I still give my users 100% of whatever they make. No challenges have come from this. I am focused on brands, designers and retailers at the moment. I have an entire new plan and a new way of looking at things.
FashionTap is targeted towards industry professionals, but does not leave “Fashion Enthusiasts” out either. What prompted this decision?
Like I said before I want everyone in the world to have a chance to be a fashion influencer; they already are. Everyone is a walking billboard, but no one is getting paid for it. I am the person who came in and said “let’s get everyone rewarded for driving sales and brand awareness for these brands.” I love how Meagan in Austin TX, who is a teacher, is now an influencer on my platform making a small amount of money.
Who are the majority of the registered users? Why do you think that is?
Bloggers, brands/retailers, and fashion enthusiasts. I want to grow the makeup and beauty world on my app for sure.
Out of all users, how many of them are guys? Did you initially do or do you feel you have to do something
differently in the future to appeal to this audience as well?
I am all about the men’s market. Once I have enough resources ready to go, I am looking to build something in my app making it way easier for men to find stuff to shop off of, and help them be found. Finding male bloggers is the hardest thing in the world right now. I want to solve this issue 100%. I designed my entire app to be black and white, so men would feel comfortable using it.
You have built a reputation as a professional within the industry; I believe you didn’t even have to market your app. Tell us about spreading the word about FashionTap.
I was able to market my app with my built-in fan base for sure. I also love doing talks and panels whenever I can. I was also on Shark Tank, episode 26 Season 7, so that really helped build up the app, as well. Everyone loves the app; we haven’t had any complaints, which is awesome. I was very surprised actually. I thought out of 10 million viewers at least 1 or 2 would complain about something. I am very happy with how everything has turned out.
You were also a finalist for the “Breakthrough Blogger of the Year” category by Bloglovin. Would you put on hold your one career in favor of the other?
I believe everything I am doing now goes hand in hand. So, blogging helps with my app because I can tell the brands I am working with about it. I am now designing eyewear and clothes, and this goes hand in hand with my app, as well.
What are your future plans for FashionTap? Are you planning on expanding its features or improving the services already provided?
I have a ton of plans laid out and an entire new marketing plan ready to go. I want to make this the biggest fashion social network in the world connecting everyone on one social platform and helping everyone be found and drive sales and be hired! We are more b2b (business to business) now, which is very exciting. Our entire model is changing for the best. More to come!
www.fashiontap.com
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