Survey Feedback + Upcoming Changes

Doing a reader survey is some scary stuff. I remember getting my yearly performance reviews in corporate America and while most of it was great (pats self on back), the development areas are what I would dwell on for days/weeks/months/years.

OK, maybe I’m not that neurotic. Never mind, I totally am. 🙂

That’s why it’s so important to me that I address a few things with you this week. Recently I sent out a reader survey to gather feedback about an upcoming product line that I want to create with and for you. First off, let me say that you are the BEST readers ever. You guys are SO engaged. You provided me with some absolute gold and for that I’m absolutely grateful. It’s going to be a fun project for us all and should be ready by next spring!

But there are going to be some changes around GYPO that are also a direct result of your feedback. So, thank you for being honest with me and letting me know the good, the bad and the ugly. We all need to be told when we can do better once in awhile, including me (unless it’s my husband telling me, he doesn’t get a free pass).

I kid, I kid.

Let’s get to the results.

Blog/Social Media Content

This sentiment was echoed by many but one of you really hit the nail on the head:

“It’s confusing to me that you have capsule wardrobes in your challenges, but you also blog about new things to buy in addition to the capsules. I’ve had a hard time knowing what you’re about. It seems like your blog is about the latest trends, and just kind of a generic fashion blog. But the challenges are more focused on curating a well planned capsule wardrobe for each season. It’s hard to believe you buy into the whole capsule wardrobe idea when you seem to be adding to your wardrobe pretty often.”

OUCH. This piece of feedback hurt the most because it’s SO TRUE.

And to be honest, I’m being completely selfish with this.

You see, I DO totally walk the walk with capsule wardrobes. You’d be shocked to see how few clothes and shoes I actually own. My closet shrinks with each passing year. Sometimes I feel like a fake fashion blogger because I just don’t have a very big wardrobe.

That’s why you’ve seen me wear this green plaid shirt no less than 1,520 times this fall. (Not really, but close).

BUT, here’s where the selfish part comes in. I LOVE translating trends into everyday, wearable outfits. That’s my creative outlet. It’s where I like to think I shine. Which means, I also feature a lot of different seasonal trends on GYPO. Which means, I send out the impression that I shop a lot.

Which means, I’m a big phony. Because that’s just not true.

My real seasonal shopping consists of this: a few trips to Target for accessories and lower priced trends, one trip to Loft to replace my jeans and get a few tops/sweaters and an online order to Nordstrom for any higher priced quality items. My total seasonal shopping spend usually comes in around $250-$500. It might be a lot to some of you with smaller budgets, but I justify it by style blogging for a living. Relatively speaking, though, it’s not a lot.

GAME PLAN: I need to bring my blog into better alignment. There will be more shop your closet and capsule wardrobe features and I promise to be more real with you about my own wardrobe and purchases. Yes, I will still give into the temptation to translate trends but it won’t be my primary focus (come on, let me have a little fun!) And by the way, it’s the responsibility of all of you to hold me accountable. If you see me veering off course, CALL ME OUT. I get easily distracted by bright shiny things and sometimes need to be managed. It’s one of the downfalls of being your own boss.

Also, it turns out that 60% of survey respondents work outside of the home, so I’m going to start including more work wear options just for you. I love work wear (it’s one of the only things I miss about working in an office) and can vicariously live through all of you by showing more of it!

Video

Turns out you want more video, which really surprises me. I stopped doing it because I got some feedback that you’d rather read tips than watch them and most of you read my blog at work, which kind of kills the whole watching videos thing. So I’ve come up with a solution that I hope works for both of us.

GAME PLAN: I’m working on content and a schedule for Facebook Live. You can either tune in when I’m live to ask questions and interact or you can watch it later at your convenience. Let me just say I’ve done it a few times before and being “live” scares the bejeezus out of me but let’s give it a try and see what happens. (I did one last week that you can watch HERE). If I stop doing it, it’s because I got scared away. 🙂

Style Challenges

I know this feedback doesn’t apply to all of my readers, only to the subset who participate in the GYPO Style Challenge, but it’s definitely worth addressing.

The biggest pieces of feedback I got were regarding price, providing more plus size and work wear options and capsules for subgroups, like stay at home moms and teachers.

GAME PLAN: I’m happy to say that most of these items will be easily and quickly addressed – as early as the winter challenge. Here’s what’s in the works:

Price Decrease – The GYPO Winter Challenge will be $39. I feel that this price point is more in line with your budget than $49. Also, the 2017 annual membership is on sale for $147. That averages to $36.75 per season.
Plus Size Options – I’ll provide more links and options for plus sizes in each challenge going forward.
Work Wear – Although the winter challenge is slightly dressier overall and I won’t be doing “dress it up/dress it down” options for it, I will add these back in starting with Spring 2017. This should help to make the regular challenge more work appropriate. I’ll also consider doing a work wear specific challenge next year.
Mini-Capsules – I’ll have some more mini-capsules available at the $19 price point next year, including for SAHM’s and teachers.

Other Feedback

Your favorite places to shop are also mine: Target, Nordstrom, Loft, Old Navy and Kohl’s
You’d like for me to get an app developed. I have no clue what this entails but I’m happy to look into it!
You want to see more pictures of me in my outfits. Honestly most days they are a variation on my basic t-shirt and jeans outfit formula and don’t seem all that special, so I don’t post. But here’s another development area where I need to check my insecurity and do better!

Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for being so willing to give feedback, always standing by me and helping me do better. I truly have the best job in the world and I’m so grateful for all of you!

The Winter 2016 GYPO Style Challenge opens this Friday, December 2nd. Here’s what’s new for this challenge.

Available for just $39
26 piece shopping list of on trend winter essentials, including accessories.
22 days of cozy casual, casual chic and dressier holiday outfit ideas. Many can be easily styled for your office!
Access to the Winter 2015 challenge which brings your outfit total to 46!
Reuses pieces from both the Fall 2016 and Winter 2015 challenge so you can shop your closet, save money and have more styling options.
Some trends styled will be bell sleeves, winter pastels, winter white corduroy, velvet pants, over the knee boots, faux fur and more!

Getting my pretty on with Style Elixir, The Pleated Poppy, The Mix, Jo Lynne Shane, A Little Bit of Everything, and Two Thirty-Five Designs.

I Feel Pretty Link Up

It’s the day of the week at GYPO where we celebrate what makes us feel pretty. Whether it’s a new outfit, hairstyle, or makeup, the I Feel Pretty link up is about anything and everything that makes your life prettier. Even if you’re not a blogger, you can still play along. Just tell us what made you feel pretty this week in the comments.