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Original poster

Style blogs and freebies

361 replies

FallonColby · 27/03/2014 09:47

Is it just me or does anyone else get annoyed with the amount of freebies style bloggers get. For example, one blogger was berating the fact she had nothing to wear to an event, unsurprisingly she was then contacted by a company who gifted her a dress. I am sure this was not the bloggers intention but I am annoyed at seeing blogs I have previously enjoyed turn into a constant advert. It just takes the reality out of it.

OP posts:
ToastedTeacakes · 06/04/2014 23:09

yes, the personal remarks are indeed shitty.

PoppysStyle · 06/04/2014 23:20

Those of us that do blog never claim to get it right all the time - not even 50% of the time. We do it because we love clothes and writing. I started my blog as a journal to keep in touch with family and friends in the UK. I am thrilled I have been successful at what I do. I have 1000s of readers each week from all over the world. The blog has evolved dramatically over the past 2 years and it is fabulous to be able to monetize it. There is skill and hard work behind becoming a successful blogger and creating a blog with longevity. Our success as entrepreneurs should be applauded not criticized. I probably should not have butted into the thread but if you think none of us read these you are naive. We see where our hits come from and take and interest in what all our readers have to say - positive and negative.
Thanks all for your support - Joanna.

MrsCampbellBlack · 07/04/2014 06:33

Joanna - I think the vast majority think getting paid for linking stuff is fine - of course it is. However, some blogs (not yours I don't think) do a lot of posts about stuff they've been 'gifted' and its so obviously not their style that it turns readers off.

Or rather the blog becomes something very different. I looked at SGS over the weekend and to me its now a shop with a few outfit posts - that's fine but its not really a blog anymore. Or not to me anyway.

Floisme · 07/04/2014 07:25

Our success as entrepreneurs should be applauded not criticized.
What a strange comment for an entrepreneur to make. So you're not interested in why some readers have given up on you? Really?

One more time, we are not objecting to women making money. We are objecting to blogs (and I don't know whether yours is one of them) being used as a not-very-subtle front for PR and product placement. It makes them boring.

FrugalFashionista · 07/04/2014 07:49

Poppy the last time I looked this thread was friendly. Maybe you should look into getting someone to do the PR work for your enterprise Wink We here like the forum format because it allows a lot of interaction, not everyone here is an aspiring blogger.

I liked blogging for a while but had no interest in becoming a one-woman ad agency and a photo studio. It can be quite competive and isolating and you have to be very successful to get a professional-level salary. In the end, the negatives outweighed the positives and my day job felt a lot less demanding Wink I actually turned my blog into a small, non-commercial open forum that still has a loyal fanbase. It's a bit like a living room for us and we sometimes have meetups and that's what keeps it interesting for me.

I love great blogs. I don't mind affiliate links, just give me great fashion, good photos and a few well-chosen words...

Fabulousfashionista · 07/04/2014 08:24

I think Lord Palmerston is just having a laugh and is probably a lovely woman.....no?..... I can live in hope. If not she is a bitter, twisted old bag of a woman who obviously has some issues.

Now enough of this it is getting boring.

I am sure Vogue and the bloggers are bereft. ;)

Vickiyumyum · 07/04/2014 09:13

I realise my post about DMBL40 sounds a touch bitchy now. It wasn't meant to be. I just thought it was funny that the content mentioned things said on here.

Making money from a blog isn't frowned upon. It's the completely uncharacteristic gifted posts that people object to. Full disclosure is fine. And honest reviews.

I read your blog regularly and admire your style. I'm no way near brave enough and im much more mumsy Wink

Fwiw I did like SGS blog until the change of format. I don't like the way it reads now and prefer a blog look but her blog and her living. Good luck to her.

AnnabelleDarling · 07/04/2014 09:42

I'm convinced that Lord P is a fluffy, cuddly kitty cat in RL, she uses her MN alter ego to let it all out. I'm right aren't Lord P? Wink

Joanna your blog is great, I love it, you have thousands of readers that love it, you are rightly proud of it. That's all you need. People say all sorts of things on MN that they would never say in RL, take it all with a pinch of salt.

Floisme · 07/04/2014 10:38

Vickiyumyum I didn't think your post sounded bitchy at all. And if DMBL40 has been following and taking notes then good for her.

princessdave · 07/04/2014 11:06

^^ I agree Floisme on both points. I said earlier in the thread that for me personally, DMBL40 is a very honest blogger and if the thread gave her a little reminder about disclosing c/o items again then fair play. You didn't sound bitchy Vickiyumyum.

Vickiyumyum · 07/04/2014 11:40

ah thanks Floisme and Princessdave

Vickiyumyum · 07/04/2014 11:42

oh and meant to say poppystyle loving the latest blog with the next jacket. like that you did so many looks with it. The grey t-shirt/skater dress and jacket look fab, but very safe option for you. I would wear it. It looks great, but the leopard trousers or jumpsuit much more true to your style Grin

TheJumped · 07/04/2014 13:13

I must confess I was awaiting defensive posts from mentioned bloggers! Grin Amber has taken comments on the chin and said she doesn't mind criticism, I don't read Poppy's Style but previous posts had made me want to check it out - I'm afraid it doesn't make me warm to it, the idea that I must admire rather than ever think negative thoughts about it. The old, if you're going to put yourself out there then be prepared for criticism, comes to mind. Also, MN is surely very valuable and honest feedback - don't insult your readership, just take notes or ignore if you prefer. Off to check out 40Bum now, and also the Londoner one sounds fascinating - I used to buy fake stuff for the designer fix now I can sometimes afford the real thing I'm unlikely to, but hilaire that she actually blogs fakes. Wondering if SGS will post on here now...

princessdave · 07/04/2014 14:08

TheJumped I used to read the Londoner but when I found her GOMI thread early last year it all fell into place. Now I check in to the thread each week but never ever read the blog. It's in the Members Only section but it's almost 1000 pages long. The iOffer stuff that the other poster referred to here (sorry I forget their username) is a fairly recent discovery. Somone called her out on it on her FB page but it was all deleted rather hastily. The powers of the GOMI sherlocks never fail to amaze me!

StyleOverSubstance · 07/04/2014 17:09

sorry - what's GOMI?

swooosh · 07/04/2014 17:19

Yes the ioffer find was gold! Grin

Although I have a new snark read in 'See The Sparkle'

princessdave · 07/04/2014 19:38

Get Of My Internets.

I've not delved into the Sparkle thread Swooosh.

FrugalFashionista · 07/04/2014 19:41

Poppy is asking for critical feedback, so here's mine:
I think her blog does a really good job showing what does and does not work for a normal body shape. However, a red jacket with a black column is very Joan Rivers, something in the poses reminds me of Doreen Lawrence in that M&S ad, and her foundation does not match her neck

The Londoner, however, is pure entertainment Grin

AmberNectarine · 07/04/2014 19:44

I don't know that Joanna was asking for snide comments on her appearance.

MrsCampbellBlack · 07/04/2014 20:06

Joanna seems very lovely indeed.

She's probably not used to the umm forthright nature of mn'ers. I think if you're an established mn'er then your blog gets treated more favourably. When I used to blog I only ever got nice feedback from here - I don't kid myself it was because I was particularly good at blogging but some people felt they knew me so were kinder to me.

Poppy etc don't have that luxury.

BelindaAllWorkedOut · 07/04/2014 20:17

I agree, MrsCB. Unless it happens that actually I am a great blogger [perks up! then realises that people are often kind to those they "know"].

I can confirm that Joanna is lovely and fun to have drinks with.

The criticism over sponsored posts etc is indeed valuable feedback, so I'm grateful for this aspect of the thread, as I'm sure the other bloggers are, too.

Drywhiteplease · 07/04/2014 20:28

If I may just hijack for a mo...belinda I've been lusting after your Aldo asymmetric nude flats but can't find them anywhere, are they this season?

As you were ladies.

Just want to say....I've known Avril, via MN, and watched her blog grow from the start. I think she's an amazing woman, very savvy, don't mind that she gets freebies from time to time and wish her all the best with her shop.

Shopgirl1 · 07/04/2014 20:30

I love Poppy's Style. Some of the things she wears are not to my taste, but she has so much fun with her clothes and with her blog. I love reading it and wouldn't change anything, it's about her own style so I don't think she should alter anything to suit her audience.

MrsCampbellBlack · 07/04/2014 20:32

And Dry gets right to the heart of it - we just want links too cool stuff Wink

BelindaAllWorkedOut · 07/04/2014 20:33

Hi dry, no they are last season - Aldo Dobrus asymmetrical flats. If I see anything similar I will post them. MASSIMO DUTTI are doing nude pointed flats, but they aren't asymmetrical. For me, MD and Aldo do a good shade of nude. HOBBS, for instance, are too dark, almost tan, for me.