By: Madina Archakova

Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of growing my personal brand, working with global fashion and beauty icons like Prada, Valentino, YSL Beauty, Linda Farrow, Michael Kors, Banana Republic, MIKIMOTO, Rent the Runway, Rebag, and others.

I’ve walked the carpets at New York Fashion Week, directed luxury campaigns, and had my creative work referenced as moodboard inspiration for brand direction within design offices—eventually featured on billboards and in leading fashion publications.

But before all of that, I was just like many other creators—figuring things out one post at a time.

Today, the influencer world is more crowded than ever, and while creativity is everywhere, I often see talented bloggers holding themselves back because of a few simple but critical mistakes.

If you’re serious about your growth, brand partnerships, or long-term relevance in this space, here are five key mistakes I’ve seen far too often—and my perspective on how to rise above them.

1. Chasing Trends Without a Personal Voice

It’s tempting to jump on every trend, from viral TikTok sounds to the latest fashion aesthetics. But if your entire feed looks like everyone else’s, how will people remember you?

The truth is, brands often don’t need another content creator—they need a point of view. Your style, your energy, your way of telling a story—that’s often what makes you valuable.

When I started, I chose to focus on elegant minimalism with emotional storytelling. I didn’t follow trends blindly; I adapted what aligned with me. That’s part of what attracted luxury brands—they saw consistency and identity.

Tip: Get inspired by trends, but filter them through your own lens. Your unique voice is likely your most powerful asset.

2. Ignoring Professionalism

Being a blogger doesn’t mean being casual. It means being a brand. I’ve seen many creators lose opportunities simply because they miss deadlines, send sloppy emails, or don’t respect the brand’s creative direction.

Professionalism often opens doors. It makes brands more inclined to work with you again. It’s one of the ways I built long-term collaborations with brands like Varley, Rent the Runway, 7ForAllMankind, Quince, YSL Beauty, and others.

Tip: Be organized. Respond to emails like a CEO. Deliver high-quality content on time. Treat every project—big or small—with care and class. Here

Photo Courtesy: @madina_mariposa

3. Prioritizing Aesthetics Over Substance

A beautiful feed can grab attention, but substance keeps it. If all you post are perfect outfits or filtered selfies, but you never connect, educate, or inspire, your audience may not stick around.

Your audience often wants more than pretty pictures. They want to feel something. Learn something. Relate to something.

Tip: Ask yourself: What am I giving my audience today? Is this post about more than just me? Balance beauty with meaning.

4. Forgetting the Power of Storytelling

One thing I’ve learned from my campaigns and features in artistic exhibitions is this: storytelling is what can elevate your content from scrollable to memorable.

Many bloggers just post a photo with a quick caption and move on. But when you take the time to craft a narrative—whether it’s about your journey, your style philosophy, or even a memory tied to a look—that’s often when people connect.

Tip: Every image has a story. Tell it. Let your audience into your world, not just your wardrobe. Here

5. Not Thinking Long-Term

So many bloggers are focused on going viral now, getting free products now, or hitting 10K followers now. But what about five years from now? Are you building a brand that lasts?

If I had focused only on quick growth, I might not be where I am today—directing luxury campaigns, building strategic brand relationships, and speaking on panels about the future of fashion.

Tip: Think beyond likes. Build a vision. Make decisions your future self might thank you for.

Published by Jeremy S.