Interesting. I now think there is a whole breed of blogger that is heading down the 'hired hack' route. I haven't commented here for a long time because this is one of the blogs that's getting way too 'professional' for me. I don't want full-time. I don't want ads.
I want someone like me. Does it for the fun. Knows a thing or two because they have a passion for it. But it's a hobby. Not full-time. Not paid.
Sorry, but what you wrote expresses the situation perfectly and clarifies for me whom I want to follow and whom I do not.
Jaljen..thats the great thing about blogs..such a huge variety to choose from and it is always your right to exercise your choice to read the blogs that suit you best. But, I think 'hired hack' really is not fair. If you knew what I turned away from my blog, paid for or otherwise, then you would never accuse me of that. You get my genuine thoughts, my genuine advice and genuine heart and soul in this blog. The only sponsored posts I take are ones where I know the product well and would be appropriate for BBB readers. Why do you think you never see a million and one sponsored posts for random cosmetic surgery clinics, or for brands that I would never have on my blog in ordinary circumstances? Because I say no. I'm very much aware that it changes the nature of blogging but I am trying so hard not to let it change BBB. The only thing I'm asking is that readers bear with me while I turn away other paid work to concentrate on working full-time on BBB. It might never work out, but don't knock a trier.
The only flaw in the whole thing is - the big brands don't need bloggers. They're already big, they're already well known und they're still advertising in magazines despite the blogs.
The small, unknown brands are in need of bloggers and they know it. You rarely hear that a small brand is treating bloggers like useless advertising puppets. Chanel e.g. is turning down thousands of bloggers each day, even going so far as to refuse to give information about new products to a really big and known blog written by a stunniningly beautiful girl because she does not photoshop her pictures to perfection. (Yes, this really happened. She did not ask for products, she just asked for information and was denied because she's not photoshopping her pics.)
The big brands don't care if bloggers are blogging about them or not and I'm sure they won't change their minds.
WaxWhiteRose, I think some big brands may not care about bloggers, but others definitely do.
Jane, I'm nodding at what you say, but my concern is that not every blogger has the same integrity as you. I'm all for bloggers being paid for what they do - I just worry that involving money will attract bloggers with poor ethics & affect the core essence of it all.
Not everyone could/would remain unbiased if cash was involved - & I wonder how paying brands would react to negative reviews?
I think that I would not want to be paid, and in that I am not saying that I don't think that bloggers shouldn't be paid, just that I wouldn't want me to be paid. At the moment I can control everything I want about my blog, it is small and that is perfect for a rather shy and totally lazy collector of all things beauty product related. When I first started a blog I had fantasies of being asked to review things for free - but after a stint reviewing stuff for the Beauty Bible as one of their tester panel (where you pay a flat rate for the postage only of the products sent) I quickly realised that I was rubbish at it, totally disorganised and forgetful. So for me I am completely happy as I am, inept and a bit clumsy but answerable to only myself and my very dear but few readers. Thankyou Jane, always thought provoking but never ever boring xx
As someone who works in online media (not beauty, I would hasten to add), I both understand your frustration AND want to inform you a little more.
Brands who have a content outreach program in-house (aka, someone at the brand who can contact bloggers on a regular basis and negotiate any kind of partnership) are really really lucky. They have to pay someone to do this kind of work - which not all brands do - because it's expensive. What does this mean? It's usually big brands who can afford to do this, and these are the brands which can afford to be off with bloggers - they can always just find someone else.
In contrast, there are brands who are only interested in blogs because of the influence they have over their position within the search engines. For these brands, it doesn't matter how engaged your audience is, or how many people read the blog - all they care about is getting a link from a high authority site to their product - which helps them rank higher in Google. That's another reason why these PR people can be ruthless with bloggers.
At the end of the day, for people who work in online, like me - clients expect hard results from the money they're spending. And unfortunately, we can't put a measure on increased brand awareness from a blog.
As I'm a blogger myself, I see both ends of the spectrum. I understand that brands cannot afford to constantly be paying to be on blogs with no idea of how it's helping their business, but I too feel that the effort I put into my site should be worth something. I've reached a point that I am grateful for those who approach me regarding sponsorship and guest posts, but I've learnt not to rely on them. Similarly, if I am going to write a post in which I'm nice about a brand, I often contact their PR department and let them know, which has resulted in everything from mentions on their social media to a financial reward. A lot of the time, it's hard for brands to find the bloggers who really are in their niche, and engaged - so letting them know you're there is often half the job done.
I hope that a little input from the other side of the fence is at least interesting!
Thanks for your comment Carley.. and it's a close call every single time. A good example is today being asked to tweet and post about a huge brand that I don't ever feature (I don't dislike it but it never seems relevant to my posts). I would have done it for a small brand, no problem providing it was of relevant interest, but when you see thousands of ads everywhere for the brand in question and yet they expect a form of media to work for free because it is a blog is infuriating. So I said no. The honest truth is that if they'd put some money on the table I would have posted about it as an information only and unbiased post that readers can choose to be interested in or not. What I would not do for money is say I like something when I don't. I have never, in four years, done that and don't intend to start now. It is always really good to get input from the other side of the fence so thank you for taking the time.
Now that's something that my agency would never ever do. We work with lots of people and are aware that good blogs require a lot of upkeep and time and effort! Thus, we will always aim to try and offer bloggers something for their time - whether that's a product preview, or tickets to an event or the like.
The difficulty is when we work with clients who are really small and aren't always super exciting - lots of bloggers don't want to write about pensions, for example, even though the information is super relevant!!
However, in any situation, we would never expect a blogger to say anything they didn't personally agree with - being genuine is so important in blogging! It's hard to be both blogger and online marketer sometimes - but if I can give any help or insight to other bloggers I will try - feel free to drop me an email if you have any other questions.
Having worked as a journalist and now making my way through the world of blogging I can safely say that there are bloggers that work just as hard, if not harder than some journalists. Having to create a whole site by yourself means you are working as the editorial team, art department and sales team in all in one.
The content is often much more specialised on a blog, so as you say, brands can be much more targeted in their advertising. It therefore makes no sense that successful beauty bloggers wouldn't be paid!
Interesting post Jane and comments too. I do feel when i'm on BBB that any ads shown have been chosen to be relevant to your audience and you're not just taking the money and running! Which in turn makes BBB even more valuable as you can't just buy your way in.
For me the question isn't should bloggers be paid but for what should they be paid. It's like the difference between advertising, advertorial and editorial.
I don't expect to pay a blogger for a review(in the same way that I wouldn't pay a journalist as I do think there is an ethics line not to be crossed). They have a choice whether to review or not or publish.
However if i wanted guaranteed placement of information, a sponsored post, speaking engagement, copywriting etc that is a service which of course should be compensated. Same as with any other media outlet. This should also applies not just to brands but to "traditional" media working with bloggers.
I couldn't even if i wanted to pay to go on ITV news but if i wanted guaranteed coverage then I would pay for the ad space on ITV.
I've noticed that a number of big brands, mainly fashion companies at moment are creating their own content and blogs and wonder if this is to potentially sidestep bloggers?
Dear BBB - as an interested reader of your blog (from Switzerland) I must agree. Your audience knows no boarders and you do blog nice and regular. Your readers trust you and your judgement - this is a priceless relationship. When I see something new on the market, I check beautybloggers reviews, as marketing opts to present everything in the best possible lighte, beautybloggers however will show you what the produt does or does'nt do. Beautybrands who are not willing to cough up should fire their PR, they have no idea what they are missing. Thank you bbb for all of your excellent reviews and for knowing your audience. xx Caro
16 comments:
Well said, bravo! x
Interesting. I now think there is a whole breed of blogger that is heading down the 'hired hack' route. I haven't commented here for a long time because this is one of the blogs that's getting way too 'professional' for me. I don't want full-time. I don't want ads.
I want someone like me. Does it for the fun. Knows a thing or two because they have a passion for it. But it's a hobby. Not full-time. Not paid.
Sorry, but what you wrote expresses the situation perfectly and clarifies for me whom I want to follow and whom I do not.
Jaljen..thats the great thing about blogs..such a huge variety to choose from and it is always your right to exercise your choice to read the blogs that suit you best. But, I think 'hired hack' really is not fair. If you knew what I turned away from my blog, paid for or otherwise, then you would never accuse me of that. You get my genuine thoughts, my genuine advice and genuine heart and soul in this blog. The only sponsored posts I take are ones where I know the product well and would be appropriate for BBB readers. Why do you think you never see a million and one sponsored posts for random cosmetic surgery clinics, or for brands that I would never have on my blog in ordinary circumstances? Because I say no. I'm very much aware that it changes the nature of blogging but I am trying so hard not to let it change BBB. The only thing I'm asking is that readers bear with me while I turn away other paid work to concentrate on working full-time on BBB. It might never work out, but don't knock a trier.
The only flaw in the whole thing is - the big brands don't need bloggers. They're already big, they're already well known und they're still advertising in magazines despite the blogs.
The small, unknown brands are in need of bloggers and they know it.
You rarely hear that a small brand is treating bloggers like useless advertising puppets.
Chanel e.g. is turning down thousands of bloggers each day, even going so far as to refuse to give information about new products to a really big and known blog written by a stunniningly beautiful girl because she does not photoshop her pictures to perfection. (Yes, this really happened. She did not ask for products, she just asked for information and was denied because she's not photoshopping her pics.)
The big brands don't care if bloggers are blogging about them or not and I'm sure they won't change their minds.
Amazing post, very interesting & totally true. x
WaxWhiteRose, I think some big brands may not care about bloggers, but others definitely do.
Jane, I'm nodding at what you say, but my concern is that not every blogger has the same integrity as you. I'm all for bloggers being paid for what they do - I just worry that involving money will attract bloggers with poor ethics & affect the core essence of it all.
Not everyone could/would remain unbiased if cash was involved - & I wonder how paying brands would react to negative reviews?
Nic x
I think that I would not want to be paid, and in that I am not saying that I don't think that bloggers shouldn't be paid, just that I wouldn't want me to be paid. At the moment I can control everything I want about my blog, it is small and that is perfect for a rather shy and totally lazy collector of all things beauty product related. When I first started a blog I had fantasies of being asked to review things for free - but after a stint reviewing stuff for the Beauty Bible as one of their tester panel (where you pay a flat rate for the postage only of the products sent) I quickly realised that I was rubbish at it, totally disorganised and forgetful. So for me I am completely happy as I am, inept and a bit clumsy but answerable to only myself and my very dear but few readers. Thankyou Jane, always thought provoking but never ever boring xx
As someone who works in online media (not beauty, I would hasten to add), I both understand your frustration AND want to inform you a little more.
Brands who have a content outreach program in-house (aka, someone at the brand who can contact bloggers on a regular basis and negotiate any kind of partnership) are really really lucky. They have to pay someone to do this kind of work - which not all brands do - because it's expensive. What does this mean? It's usually big brands who can afford to do this, and these are the brands which can afford to be off with bloggers - they can always just find someone else.
In contrast, there are brands who are only interested in blogs because of the influence they have over their position within the search engines. For these brands, it doesn't matter how engaged your audience is, or how many people read the blog - all they care about is getting a link from a high authority site to their product - which helps them rank higher in Google. That's another reason why these PR people can be ruthless with bloggers.
At the end of the day, for people who work in online, like me - clients expect hard results from the money they're spending. And unfortunately, we can't put a measure on increased brand awareness from a blog.
As I'm a blogger myself, I see both ends of the spectrum. I understand that brands cannot afford to constantly be paying to be on blogs with no idea of how it's helping their business, but I too feel that the effort I put into my site should be worth something. I've reached a point that I am grateful for those who approach me regarding sponsorship and guest posts, but I've learnt not to rely on them. Similarly, if I am going to write a post in which I'm nice about a brand, I often contact their PR department and let them know, which has resulted in everything from mentions on their social media to a financial reward. A lot of the time, it's hard for brands to find the bloggers who really are in their niche, and engaged - so letting them know you're there is often half the job done.
I hope that a little input from the other side of the fence is at least interesting!
Carley
Thanks for your comment Carley.. and it's a close call every single time. A good example is today being asked to tweet and post about a huge brand that I don't ever feature (I don't dislike it but it never seems relevant to my posts). I would have done it for a small brand, no problem providing it was of relevant interest, but when you see thousands of ads everywhere for the brand in question and yet they expect a form of media to work for free because it is a blog is infuriating. So I said no. The honest truth is that if they'd put some money on the table I would have posted about it as an information only and unbiased post that readers can choose to be interested in or not. What I would not do for money is say I like something when I don't. I have never, in four years, done that and don't intend to start now. It is always really good to get input from the other side of the fence so thank you for taking the time.
Now that's something that my agency would never ever do. We work with lots of people and are aware that good blogs require a lot of upkeep and time and effort! Thus, we will always aim to try and offer bloggers something for their time - whether that's a product preview, or tickets to an event or the like.
The difficulty is when we work with clients who are really small and aren't always super exciting - lots of bloggers don't want to write about pensions, for example, even though the information is super relevant!!
However, in any situation, we would never expect a blogger to say anything they didn't personally agree with - being genuine is so important in blogging! It's hard to be both blogger and online marketer sometimes - but if I can give any help or insight to other bloggers I will try - feel free to drop me an email if you have any other questions.
Carley
I totally agree with you!
Having worked as a journalist and now making my way through the world of blogging I can safely say that there are bloggers that work just as hard, if not harder than some journalists. Having to create a whole site by yourself means you are working as the editorial team, art department and sales team in all in one.
The content is often much more specialised on a blog, so as you say, brands can be much more targeted in their advertising. It therefore makes no sense that successful beauty bloggers wouldn't be paid!
www.beautyquestblog.co.uk
Interesting post Jane and comments too. I do feel when i'm on BBB that any ads shown have been chosen to be relevant to your audience and you're not just taking the money and running! Which in turn makes BBB even more valuable as you can't just buy your way in.
For me the question isn't should bloggers be paid but for what should they be paid. It's like the difference between advertising, advertorial and editorial.
I don't expect to pay a blogger for a review(in the same way that I wouldn't pay a journalist as I do think there is an ethics line not to be crossed). They have a choice whether to review or not or publish.
However if i wanted guaranteed placement of information, a sponsored post, speaking engagement, copywriting etc that is a service which of course should be compensated. Same as with any other media outlet. This should also applies not just to brands but to "traditional" media working with bloggers.
I couldn't even if i wanted to pay to go on ITV news but if i wanted guaranteed coverage then I would pay for the ad space on ITV.
I've noticed that a number of big brands, mainly fashion companies at moment are creating their own content and blogs and wonder if this is to potentially sidestep bloggers?
Dear BBB - as an interested reader of your blog (from Switzerland) I must agree. Your audience knows no boarders and you do blog nice and regular. Your readers trust you and your judgement - this is a priceless relationship. When I see something new on the market, I check beautybloggers reviews, as marketing opts to present everything in the best possible lighte, beautybloggers however will show you what the produt does or does'nt do. Beautybrands who are not willing to cough up should fire their PR, they have no idea what they are missing. Thank you bbb for all of your excellent reviews and for knowing your audience. xx Caro
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