November 14, 2004 before dot coms, business licences, business cards, and company logos this blog started with a simple idea on Blogger.com.  That idea was to shed light on to the plus size fashion community on the Internet.  What started off as a place to just post shopping links has evolved into a resource for plus size women and some big and tall men to find what they need in their everyday lives.

Being a man in a field dominated by women has had its challenges but I feel the work speaks for itself and that is part of the reason on November 14, 2011 Full Figure Plus is still one of the major voices on the Internet for plus size fashion.  As a way to reflect today I am going to talk about a few more reasons I feel this blog still exists.

1. At least one person in 148 countries have read a post on this blog(148 out of 196 countries)
2. The plus size community is no longer going to stand for being silent
3. Full Figure Plus was one of the first blogs to showcase independent plus size designers like Monif C, Jibri, and IGIGI
4. The Beauty of the week feature was created to showcase how beautiful everyday ladies are
5. Over 2 million visitors
6. Over 4 million page views
7. Interviews with influential individuals throughout the plus size community
8. Served as a platform for readers to voice concerns
9. Reported plus size related issues from a different perspective
10. Continuously gave the readers what they wanted

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion From A Male Perspective

It has been quite sometime since I gave you guys and update as to what is going on with Full Figure Plus.  Now that I think about it there are so many things going on I honestly forgot that I needed to ask you guys what your opinion was about the changes.  Some are bringing back old things or better yet putting more emphasis on them and other things are totally new.

In one month Full Figure Plus will turn seven years old

A quick rundown of the new changes on Full Figure Plus:

1. A new look
2. More emphasis on the Beauty of the Week
3. Beauty of the Week Hall of Fame on Tumblr
4. Fullfigureplus.mobi went live back in the summer
5. Plus size fashion videos are being tested
6. Longer more in depth posts are rolling out
7. Shopping is more integrated part of daily posts instead of the main focus

Over 2.5 million visitors have come to Full Figure Plus since 2004

The other new item I am wondering about is incorporating video on the blog main page.  I did so to show plus size fashion on Full Figure Plus from another perspective and as you can see the video that just went up today allows you to take action on what you see in the video.  Why video?  To be honest it was something different and long time Full Figure Plus readers know that experimentation is what this blog is about and the reason why I went to grad school to learn more about what I need to do to better serve those that I serve – the plus size fashion community.

That’s all for now as far as what new is coming from my mind.  Full Figure Plus is what I do and have been blessed to be able to do it full time so I have nothing else to do but love on my readers in whatever way you guys need me the most.

The final question I leave up to you guys; What do you think about the changes to Full Figure Plus?

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion From A Male Perspective

The Fall fashion season is almost here which means there will be new things in the stores soon.  To get prepared for the next season Full Figure Plus is also getting a makeover.

As you can see there are many new features to make things easier for you to navigate around.  The biggest changes occur when you are at the home page you will have your pick between several categories.  By clicking on the title you can go and read the individual post.

Not changing:

• Plus Size Beauty of the Week
• Social Media
• Focus on Plus Size Fashion

There will be a few more changes rolling out in the upcoming days.  Stay tuned.  If you don’t see something that you would like to see feel free to speak up and it will be added bat to the fold!

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion From A Male Perspective

Do you spend several hours a day checking your Facebook and Twitter feed?  Are you connected to social media on every electronic device that you own?

If you spend more time on social media on your smartphone than you do serving your clients are you really being a smart business person?

In the past I have written about the pros and cons of social media and after reading some Twitter and Facebook updates I have come up with a few ways this mega popular platform can actually hurt you as a business owner.

Do you really need to check Facebook on your television?

Productivity Killers

1. Spending more time on social media than you do actually working
2. Mixing too much personal business with actual business
3. Thousands of photos that have very little to do with your business
4. Distracted driving – this is a HUGE problem
5. Increased anti-social behavior due to social media addiction
6. Increased company expense used to purchase social media related tools

43 in every 100 internet users visit Facebook.com daily

Try turning all social media off on your cell phone

I want to state again that all social media is not bad.  I have made some solid contacts online and still think it is a great communication tool.  Instead of dwelling on ways it can kill your business productivity lets now focus on how it can help.

Solutions

1. It can introduce your brand to other countries – I am working with people in the Philippines as a result of a tweet
2. Tweets and status updates are cheaper than traditional mail
3. Social media can give you instant feedback to your product or service
4. Social media can help you understand how to promote my blog in a more efficient manner
5. Because updates are limited in content they have to be more focused

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion From A Male Perspective

The last few weeks have been busy and exciting in the blog and plus size event world.  Long time readers know that Full Figure Plus is always evolving to make things easier and the reader response more rich.  The latest updates are not as big as those to come but they are interesting none the less.

Full Figured Fashion Week™ aka #sonsifffweek is less than a month away so lots of cool things are happening as well as closing down.

Today’s speedlinks will cover both.  Happy clicking

Full Figure Plus

• Full Figure Plus has added a Product Review page for companies to send me samples in trade for a product review
• Fullfigureplus.mobi went live last month – 18% of Full Figure Plus traffic comes from mobile devices – more specifically the iPad
• Steps have been taken to ensure the entire blog loads faster for you the reader
• Sponsors are needed for two projects interested businesses email me at glen@fullfigureplus.com for details

• The FFFWeek™ BIGGEST FAN Contest is still underway get your vote in today!
• Full Figure Plus still has two tickets to giveaway to opening night check this post for details
• The hotel blocks are closed check the main FFFWeek™ website for details
• Don’t forget to like the Official Facebook Page to get more interesting tidbits on all of the events
• FFFWeek tix are selling like hotcakes! Have you purchased your tix? Don’t get shut out. Buy here:http://fffweek.com/2011/?p=schedule

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion From A Male Perspective

The Fashion Front (formally the Curvy Collective), serves as the full figured fashion force at the frontlines of Full Figured Fashion Week- bringing the latest news, perspective, and exclusive access to FFFWeek™.  It is hard to believe this June when Full Figure Plus joins the fashion front in NYC it will be the fourth incarnation of Full Figured Fashion Week™ and my fourth time of having the privilege to cover this historic event.

Comprising of  an eclectic mix of the plus size fashion community’s leading bloggers whose unique voice and position within the community is both recognized and respected, The Fashion Front for Full Figured Fashion Week™ was created by plus size fashion bloggers, Marie Denee of The Curvy Fashionista and Johara Tucker of Luvin’ My Curves.

With over 60+ applications, The Fashion Front for Full Figured Fashion Week™ comprises 13 bloggers. From plus size fashion experts, stylists, outfit bloggers, femme fashionistas, bargain shoppers to the luxe fashion fanatics, The Fashion Front for Full Figured Fashion Week™ showcases and celebrates the diversity in plus size fashion with those whose voice and perspective is dominant throughout the community.

Meet The Fashion Front for Full Figured Fashion Week™:

• Afrobella – Created in August 2006, Afrobella was formed to fill a void that existed in print and in the blogosphere – a continual celebration of natural hair and women all shades of beautiful. Follow @Afrobella on Twitter Fan Afrobella on Facebook

• Bella Styles – Wardrobe stylist, plus-size model, the Director of The Plus Academy VIRGINIA  and the Fashion Editor with Skorch Plus-Size  Magazine, Bella Styles knows what’s hot in the fashion market. Follow @bellastyles on Twitter Fan Bella Styles on Facebook

• Curves and Chaos – Curves & Chaos™ is a blog for the CURVY woman. She is glamorous, fabulous, foxy, confident, and more. Monique blogs about fashion, beauty, lifestyle and more. Follow @curvesandchaos on Twitter Fan Curves and Chaos on Facebook

• Fab Finds Under 50 - Launched in January 2008, Fab Finds Under $50 is the place to be for Real Women, Real Fashion, Real Prices to fashion great deals and fashion for $50 or less. Follow @FabKimberly on Twitter Fan Fab Finds Under $50 on Facebook

• Fat Shopaholic – Tiffany’s vibrancy, her intense love of bows and floral prints, bright smile, her willingness to make it fatshion work sets this plus size personal style blogger apart from the rest. Follow @Tiffany104 on Twitter Fan Fat Shopaholic on Facebook

• Full Figure Plus – Glen created Full Figure Plus in 2004 out of a man’s need to assist his wife in her search for affordable trendy lingerie- resulting in a fashionable destination for plus size fashion from a male perspective. Follow @fullfigureplus on Twitter Fan Full Figure Plus on Facebook

• Lespitreries de Vanoue – (France)  In October 2007, Gaëlle began to show her outfits of the day on the web in order to feel better in her own body. Finally feeling at ease with it, she now helps the plus size woman embrace her curves. Follow @Vanoue3 on Twitter Fan Lespitreries de Vanoue on Facebook

• Lips Hips and Fatshion Tips – Fashioned by Stiletto Siren, she is a lover of cocktails, cupcakes, curvy girls and a full closet! She is a well-rounded fiercely real femme who is all about fatshion with a fresh perspective on being a curvaceous woman. Follow @StilettoSiren on Twitter Fan Lips, Hips, and Fatshion Tips on Facebook

• Pretty In Plus (Canada) – Beth hails from Canada as is a self professed plus size fashion fiend. While she loves her body (but hasn’t always) she  hopes to inspire others to love theirs through sharing outfits and the people who inspire her to wear them. Follow @bethamint on Twitter Fan Pretty in Plus on Facebook

• Stylish Curves – Alissa fashions Stylish Curves through the mix of outfit posts, polls, and articles- all helping curvy girls embrace their bodies in a confident and stylish way. Follow @stylishcurves on Twitter Fan Stylish Curves on Facebook

• T Minus T Plus -  Tina launched T Minus T Plus after finding herself in a rut. Challenging herself on all three fronts, that’s when T Minus, T Plus was born; focusing on fashion, food, and fitness. Follow @TminusTplus on Twitter Fan T Minus, T Plus on Facebook

In addition to bringing the latest ongoings of Full Figured Fashion Week™ to the masses, The Fashion Front also hosts the panel discussion- The Pulse of the Plus Size Community.

Hosted by Comedienne Erica Watson, this panel discussion addresses the issues throughout the plus size community from fashion, entertainment, image, and more for the plus size woman. For more information, please visit the FFFWeek™ Schedule.  Stay tuned to Facebook as well as the individual blogs for breaking news about Full Figured Fashion Week™

For all press inquiries please regarding The Fashion Front for Full Figured Fashion Week™, please contact press@fffweek.com

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion From A Male Perspective