You Can Sit With Us
I know this is a cliche title, but quite frankly, you can! This weekend on Twitter has been kind of eventful, for the longest time us bloggers have been aware that other bloggers (and brands) have been using follow / unfollow bots on IG to follow and unfollow hundreds of accounts every single day. Basically to trick people into following them back and a few hours later, the bot unfollows their account. This leaves the blogger looking popular and giving them a few extra likes on each photo. It’s a pretty sneaky trick as I know, I will personally follow back bloggers who are friends of friends and accounts who’s pictures make me go ‘ohhhh!’. It feels polite and it’s nice to see new accounts in your feed. However, it’s disappointing when they unfollow you instantly and gives an unrealistic view of their ‘popularity’. But why does this matter? Because much like brands pay magazine for advertising, they also pay bloggers to host sponsored content. These fees can be big… like huge. There’s a word for it… fraud.
Two Cents
I’m not going to do one of those ‘Here are my two cents’ posts on the subject. We all know it’s bad practice, we all know it’s BS, but at the end of the day bots have been created and some fame-hungry ho-bags, are gonna use them, because they want the short cut. Offended? Then insert cute emoji here to take the sting out of the sentence.
If You Wannabe A Blogger…
The truth is, blogging is awesome, it’s SO much fun and I have met some amazing people as a result of it. But it’s undeniably hard work. Seriously, it’s 24/7 between the writing, photos, emails, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, planning… but it’s fun. You also have a lot of pressure on yourself to be ‘on’ all the time, be funny and insightful, all whilst having great hair and flawless make-up. I have been asked so many times for advice on how to start a blog and my best advice is to just give it a go! Sign up to WordPress and press the ‘Add New’ button, as time goes on you will get better at taking photos, become more confident with your writing and the rest will follow, or maybe it won’t, but it’s better to give it a go than wish you had. Blogging is an open door and we want people to join in and get involved. You totally can sit with us, you wanna hang out and go for coffee, then tweet me, we will see if we can make it happen, I’ve met up with loads of followers and readers in my time. It’s awesome! However, just like the Spice Girls had rules in Wannabe, I have a few rules if you wannabe a blogger…
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Don’t be a dick. The definition of ‘ blogger’ isn’t ‘self righteous online a-hole’
Don’t copy content. Just because In The Frow has 700,000 IG followers, doesn’t mean you should dye your hair grey, dress like her and copy everything from her poses to her photography style. Take inspiration, don’t copy. Copycats aren’t cool.
Just like my friend, LBQ said recently, press samples are a privilege, not a right. You think Chanel gave me my handbags? Hell no, just like Beyonce says, ‘I bought ’em’. Same goes for my house, toaster bags and haemorrhoid cream. Actually that final one is a lie, but probably one day! I do get gifted some very nice lipsticks, but believe me, blogging is way too much work to be in this for the free lipstick.
If you are lucky enough to be invited to an afternoon tea, eat the food. There is nothing worse than being sat next to some size 6 blogger who says ‘oh i couldn’t possibly eat these cakes, I would put on so much weight’. Firstly, why are you here, you could get the press release over email? Secondly, don’t fat shame me and everyone else in the room. Pass me a scone and cream please…
Don’t face tune. It’s embarrassing when you get to an event and people gasp when they discover who you are. It’s a bit like online dating, but instead of looking a bit like the photo, they look NOTHING like the photo. I’m all for good lighting and angles, but don’t change your face shape!
Hauls. Is it really a haul if you return it all as soon as you have vlogged?
Hauls. Is it really a haul if you are given all the items by a press team?
Hauls. Are we even interested?!
Blogger Mail. Unless it’s a never-been-seen-before product, no-one wants to see yo’ jiffy bags.
Finally, have fun. We aren’t saving lives with what we are doing, so enjoy it. Be nice, work hard and have fun. If this week has taught us anything, fakers and cheaters get caught out so just try to be the best person you can be.
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This post! though! Couldn’t have said it any better! Keep been fabulous babe! xx
Aw thank you babe, you are the best! I love our chats!!! xxxxxxxx
This is why I love you muchly! x
Yes face timing during events are the worst this was a cute read.
http://sheismelrose.net/
Thank you sweetie x
So much love for this post and I like afternoon tea with you, you don’t like half the food so it’s win-win for me! x
Yep! It’s true! I avoid all cheese!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE this post! Made me lol! xx
Beautylymin
Thank you so much!!!!!
YES GIRL! This is fabulous.
Thank you so much!!!!!!!!
I don’t know why I’ve only just come across your blog! I’m sorry haha! You hit the nail on the head here. I don’t understand why people would want to be known as a cereal follow/unfollower and get a bad name for themselves. You are a prime example of a hard working and dedicated blogger who earned their status and I admire you for that 🙂
Cally xx
Thank you so much cally, you are so kind x
I love this post, definitely my favourite xx
Lauren Catherine
Thank you so much!!! So glad you liked it!!!!
Slay girl! This post is so true. Every time I get a PR or Brand messaging me I am so grateful and so happy they notice my hard genuine work. If only all bloggers thought like that!
http://www.EmmysBeautyCave.com
Loved this 🙂 smiled throughout xx
Hehe! Thank you so much
I’ve unfollowed a few folk over the weekend because of this. Be authentic or don’t blog at all- what’s the point? Great post darling
Thanks so much susie! I’m such a fan of your blog x
Oh my god I loved this hahahha! But yeah, pretty spot on. x
thank you so much!!!! so glad you liked it xxx
Totally agree with every word Kirsty! I thought I was the only one that hated ‘blogger mail’ hauls. So cringe!
Its a hard industry to get ahead in, and 3 years in im still small time and working away but it’s so rewarding to know YOU did it yourself. Not bots, no BS.
Laura xx
http://www.lelore.com
Thank you so so much!!!!! I’m so glad you like it!!!!
Screaming at the top of my lungs, YES YES YES to all of this! Best post I have read in an age! xxx
Thank you so so so much Lucy!!!!!!!
Love this post! Just saying what everyone’s thinking, haha. I’m not surprised by the whole follow/unfollow thing or paying for bots though. I think the followers are so unrealistic. It’s so fake too x
Thank you so much for reading and I’m so glad you like it!!!! X
ALL. THE. YES. WTF seriously even are hauls that people send back?!
Yep! it’s SO true!!!!!!
You summed it up perfectly – don’t be a dick!
Aw thank you so much!
So spot on! You have summed it up so perfectly and funny but then it left some biiter aftertaste. It is kind of sad what is going on Instagram (and other social media).
Anita,
Anita’s Diaries
Thank you so much, I’m glad you liked it! X