BeChicMag.com

By Mercedes Sanchez

My Story

As the title says, I was once unemployed, uninsured but never uninspired.

My blogging story goes back to 2006 when I left the New York Post to handle publicity for a politician. I soon realized that I missed the writing, discovering new trends before they hit the pages of magazines and talking to upcoming and A-list stars. That’s when I launched a site (not realizing it was a blog) where I posted my informal opinions on pop culture, beauty, fashion and my neighborhood.

Seven months within the new job at the politician’s office I got a call from WNBC-TV,  three years after I originally applied for a production assistant/segment producer position. Nevertheless, I took their offer. It was an awesome experience but when the recession hit, my one-year-contract wasn’t renewed.

Looking for another full-time position was challenging and at times depressing. I had to remind myself that there was nothing wrong with me. More than half the team from the morning show was let go. However, when I couldn’t find another lifestyle producing position I ‘simply’ made one.

Creating My Own Opportunities

“If I can’t find the job of my dreams, I’ll just do what I love for myself.”

And that’s exactly what I did by deciding to focus all my energy into BeChicMag.com. I updated the look of the site, got serious about posting daily instead of bi-weekly articles on fashion and beauty. I also launched my very own lifestyle channel BeChicTV where I held on-camera interviews with notable experts such as Anna Wintour, Nina Garcia, Vera Wang, Beyonce’s Makeup Artist Jackie Gomez, Nigel Barker, Julissa Bermudez, John Leguizamo and many others!

Passion and Persistence

Sure there were times when I questioned my own ROI, but the time, work and not to mention money that I’ve put into BeChicMag.com are finally paying off. Two years after writing on the latest fashion, beauty and entertainment, reviewing products, covering fashion week and editing videos I realized that my little old blog was becoming a business of its own. And that’s where I am today.

My passion for blogging, my love for informing my readers of upcoming beauty products, sharing my personal style and asking them about theirs in my BeChic Tuesday series and building a community with other bloggers has led to many great opportunities this past year alone such as working with brands and:

*being interviewed by AOL Latino about BeChicMag.com
*asked to be a panelist at the Hispanicize conference in Los Angeles
*becoming a blog ambassador for Kmart and Neutrogena
*making Mashable.com’s “Best Local Blog” finalist list
*named “Best New York Latina Blogger” by Latism.org

Blogalicious

I remember the first time I heard about Blogalicious. I was at home on Twitter and I swore I wouldn’t miss the next one in Miami. Then my cousin planned her wedding for that same weekend and I had to miss it— again! With the upcoming conference taking place in Washington, D.C. — during my birthday weekend—it only makes sense that I hop on Amtrak and make it.

As much as I love it, blogging can sometimes get pretty lonely. Think about it. For the most part it’s just you and the computer. That’s why building a community is essential to survive. I like to think I’m involved with a great group of women but expanding my network and meeting new bloggers of diverse backgrounds who write about various topics is what I’m looking forward to at the Blogalicious conference.

I love creating content and engaging with my readers through comments, Facebook and Twitter but the truth is I have lots to learn on the business side of blogging, and I know that a weekend at Blogalicious will guide me in the right direction.

Keeping my fingers crossed! - Mercedes

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Disclaimer: This blog post is an entry to win a conference pass to Blogalicious.

By Camlyn V.

Did you know that in July Nissan launched what they refer to as their Hispanic Facebook page?

We held a Q&A via phone with Nissan’s Director of Interactive & Social Media Marketing Erich Marx and the woman behind the Nissan Workshop at the National Council of La Raza Annual Conference Victoria Negrete.

When did Nissan start thinking of branching out and launching this new Facebook page? Is the page only in Spanish?
Erich: I’ve been thinking about this project for about a year and it hit home while talking to Victoria. I noticed that this was an overwhelming opportunity in the Hispanic market and social media seems like a natural fit.

Although the page is in Spanish, Marx told us that they want to focus on the Hispanic culture and encourage their audience to post in whichever language they choose — whether it be English or Spanish.

Who are you targeting?

“We realize that social media is growing across all demographic, mainly 18 to 29-year-olds as well as 29 to 34-year-olds,” says Marx.

According to their research, women are much more Internet savvy than men. Marx tells us that they aren’t targeting a certain age demographic; however, as a car company with a motive, they are reaching people who are clearly interested in Nissan cars or sports cars.

What does Nissan anticipate from this new facebook page?

In Mexico, Nissan is the number one car brand, and we are not in the United States. Our goal is to expand and gain that loyalty that we have in Mexico, in the US. We want to build a strong brand among the Hispanic community through social media and build loyalty by engaging in a strong connection.

We are excited about this new project because for the first time in three years there is a unique, original, Nissan Hispanic page along with a new television commercial with its original song.

You can find Nissan’s new page at Facebook.com/NissanEspanol

We want to know: What was the brand of your first car? Tell us below :)

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Disclaimer: We were not compensated for this post. This is an informative blog post for our readers.

By Mercedes Sanchez

Details on giveaway and Twitter Party towards the end of the post

We have exciting news! The folks at Kmart have extended the Latina Smart campaign and this time they’re looking for five additional blog ambassadors! Do you think you have what it takes?

If so, you may have a chance at joining the existing ambassadors (such as yours truly) in judging and promoting The Latina Smart Fund, which will award $25,000 in scholarships to young Latinas!

How To Participate
If you’re a blogger who wants to be considered as one of the new five Latina Smart ambassadors we encourage you to:

1)  Join the Latina Smart Facebook page and tell us why you are, or what makes you, Latina Smart.

2)  Come up with a creative Latina Smart-worthy quote and post it on the Latina Smart Facebook page (similar to the picture above and the images below).

3) Engage by responding to questions posted on the FB page about being Latina Smart.

Then, tweet your quote using the #latinasmart hashtag as many times as you want. The folks behind the campaign (not me) will make the decision. And guess what? The chosen bloggers will be compensated! The new ambassadors will be announced the week of September 5th.

TWITTER PARTY!!

By now you must know how I love hosting a fun Twitter Party! Join us on Wednesday, August 24th at 9p.m. EST/ 6 p.m. PST using the hashtag #LatinaSmart. ‘Celebrating Latina Smarts’ will be the theme of the discussion.

I will be moderating the Twitter Party (from @BeChicMag) which will be co-hosted by the Latina Smart ambassadors @BlogsbyLatinas @TikTikiBlog @BrenHerrera and @CraftyChica. We will have giveaways of Kmart gift cards and Latina Smart tote bags. To qualify for the giveaways, make sure you’re following us on Twitter and remember to use the #LatinaSmart hashtag.

RSVP:
Let me know if you’re participating in the Twitter Party by RSVPing below with your Twitter handle:

GIVEAWAY

I’m also hosting a separate giveaway right here on BeChicMag.com where three winners will each receive a $25 gift card and LS tote bag! I will choose the three winners at random. To enter the giveaway just tell me why you’re proud of your culture!  For the giveaway only, leave your comments below.

Here are some more examples the of the quotes the folks at Kmart have come up with:

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By Mercedes Sanchez

I never thought I would travel from Manhattan to Queens on a private boat much less go surfing! But this Saturday, Nike invited a small group of editors and bloggers to its beach house in Far Rockaway as part of Rockaway 11.

I had no idea a surfing community existed right here in New York City. Before my first surf lesson ever, we previewed the Nike 6.0 Fall/Holiday 2011 and Spring/Summer 2012 collections and learned about the technology that goes into their surfing and snow boarding gear.

Take a look at the photo gallery and brief video below:

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We want to know: Do you practice an action sport? If so, which one? Is there a sport such as snow boarding or surfing that you want to try out one day?

Work out tips from Rihanna’s personal trainer

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By Mercedes Sanchez

Hi everyone! As you know, I’ve been working with Kmart’s Latina Smart campaign for the past 14 weeks with four other bloggers across the country. We’ve led discussions via blog posts, videos and through the LS Facebook page.

In my first video I gave examples as to why I’m Latina Smart. Now in my third and final vlog for the campaign, I’d like to sum up a few things I love about being Latina.

Take a look:

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What are some are things you love about your culture?