Style blogs and freebies

[FallonColby]

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.

[SlobDylan]

Im sure there are plenty of women who, post DC, would love a way to make a living in a way that enables them to work for themselves, and offers flexible, child-friendly hours to suit. No doubt the occasional free pair of trews is a bonus. I think "fair play" to these women who are trying to make a go of that. As lordpalmerston said, I bet it's hard graft for relatively little reward, certainly for the first while!
To begrudge them the minuscule revenue from a link because "they used to do it for nothing/because they enjoyed it" is a bit mean spirited! No one clicks links 'just because they're there", do they? So presumably if you do click it's because you have some interest in a particular product.

With regard to the two main targets mentioned here, Of course both SGS and DMBL40 have 'evolved' and perhaps not to my taste, and I do think that SGS in particular, will need to manage the balance between blog and business carefully, as the new site is really quite alienating. BUT! What enterprises doesn't have teething problems or make mistakes? I'd be happy to see her - or anyone - make a go of such a project. There seems to be a subtle undercurrent on this thread of "I hope she doesn't make a go of it even though it doesn't cost me anything" and how rubbish is that?

[Floisme]

It's not about begrudging anyone anything. I have already said that, if I really liked a blogger, I would rather pay a subscription to ensure their independence. What I am saying is that most blogs, as they are now, are no longer interesting to me and it looks like I'm not the only one. And, if I were a blogger, that would concern me because, if readers stop reading, then sponsors will stop sponsoring.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

They get pennies for clicking on the links - god, I click rather than search but to be honest, I haven't even been tempted to click on anything from a blog for a loooong time.

I doubt they make masses of money but Kat uses it to promote her personal shopping business doesn't she? And styleguile the same.

[Vickiyumyum]

I don't begrudge them making a go of it and if they say the link is sponsored or an affiliate I will gladly click if it's of interest to me. Tbh though most links the picture they have posted and the price is enough for me as I prefer old fashioned shopping in store to online shopping still.

[Vickiyumyum]

It's if they are potentially misleading by not declaring affiliate links or sponsored posts that I won't click and will google if I am
Interested in the product.

[Floisme]

There seems to be a subtle undercurrent on this thread of "I hope she doesn't make a go of it even though it doesn't cost me anything" and how rubbish is that?
I object to that comment. I am simply trying to explain why I no longer read blogs. If I were a blogger myself, I would take note of the feedback, even if I didn't much like it. Nor am I trying to get something for nothing - sheesh I have said I would be prepared to pay!

[princessdave]

It's a very interesting, useful thread! It's great to read honest feedback in the sanitised world of moderated / deleted blog comments so it all looks unicorns & rainbows. I personally thought bloggers were obliged to disclose affiliate links/sponsorship, if not legally then at least ethically. I do as I feel I should.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

I'd assume all links are affiliate if they can be bothered to do them - I never could [lazy]

Thing is as a 'normal' person, blogging is really hard unless you have an unlimited budget or buy a load of cheap tat. I mean I wear the same stuff a lot which would get very dull very quickly.

[impty]

Why are they any different to magazines etc online and in print.
They will be careful to show big adverisers, editor's will be given freebies. If a designer puts an editor on the second row of a fashion show, this will colour their view.

We all like to think we would remain unbiased, but we wouldn't.

So anyone writing about anything, can have their opinion 'bought'.

We live in a consumerist, capatalist society, it's up to the individual to cut through it all.

[Drywhiteplease]

Now then.......I love blogs, I'm a bit addicted really. Read LOADS should be reading a book

I just like looking at what other women wear.
Don't care if it's free, just if I like it or not.
Like my Pinterest addiction, I like to see an outfit I can copy.
Don't like too much writing...can't be bothered, although the loony Kat and lovely Sue are very funny and make me laugh.
Nothing is 100% independent these days....glossies, papers etc, all influenced by £££ so to think that blogs don't get freebies is nieve.
I have bought stuff influenced by bloggers.
I think the debate about blogging integrity is a valid one but that the Op's comment about SHS getting a free dress was nasty.

[Floisme]

Why are they any different to magazines etc online and in print?
They used to be. They're not any more. That's my point. It's why I no longer read them and why, if they're not careful, they will start losing their sponsors. That's how capitalism works!

Anyway I'm starting to repeat myself now so I'm off. Have a good evening.

[Kudzugirl]

This is what has gone on with magazine editors for decades. Those clothes in the editorial? They are chosen because the company pays for that gatefold ad at the front of the magazine.

That 'ten items to buy for Spring' article? All those companies schmoozed the editorial team- took them to lunch, sent them samples and gifts and flew them out to some exotic location for their latest launch.

Beauty and style editors/writers are essentially lazy. They report on what is put in front of their faces. They don't go out trawling the stores or the internet.

Bloggers are basically no better no worse with regards to this although the lack of quality writing is what has made me unfollow nearly all the blogs I once followed.

[dexter73]

I don't think the op's comment about getting the free dress was nasty. I tend to agree with her. Post a blog about how you are looking for a formal dress and oh, how lucky, a few days later a free dress is offered. That's how it comes across to me anyhow.

[LordPalmerston]

come and help me find a german pencil case instead

[Drywhiteplease]

would this do? lordP?

[BelindaAllWorkedOut]

I have thought about all this, quite a lot, and have posted before on it, so forgive me if I am boring on about this. I would like to make money and get freebies. BUT, I don't want to compromise what I blog about. Not even in the slightest. I don't want to write sponsored posts, run competitions, go to press days or be be sent things.

I want to buy and write about what I see (I spend hours looking and shopping) and like and then get refunded for it. Shame it doesn't work like that! So, I continue to buy what I like and go to shops where and when I like, doing stealth change room selfies and review what I have tried on. No PR person smiling at me over champagne, pressing vouchers on me etc. However, it's not lucrative. And there's the rub.

[BelindaAllWorkedOut]

By freebies, I mean only exactly what I want, not what someone wants to send me to promote.

[AmberNectarine]

Affiliate links/programs do exist but I can't be arsed with a that so I don't bother. I've also never been paid to blog about something. The only freebies I get are clothes (and then not a vast amount) which I am always open about and the odd glass of fizz/voucher at an event.

I blog because I am essentially a shallow human being with a very boring job, and writing about clothes makes me happy. I haven't really thought about making money from it - I think the effort involved would be phenomenal for minimal reward. I'm better off dicking about with spreadsheets all day.

[LordPalmerston]

lol at dry

i want a leather one for s1 like mine

[LordPalmerston]

YEARS AGO mn got invaded by crafters who went on about dyes and stamps all the time
then the baby mogglers who talked shit about casting a lot

now its blog madness

plus ca change

[dexter73]

Better than talking about Mothers day ad infinitum

[FrugalFashionista]

A lot of blogs seem to change when they become more commercial. For example, WIT suddenly loves The Gap I don't think their offerings have improved, she must be under contract.

It's a difficult balance to strike, and blogs tend to have a short half life - the early under the radar phase, the good and authentically enthusiastic phase, the advertorial phase, and then finally the 'I'm jetting around too much to bother with content' phase (check out Blonde Salad and Joujou Villeroy to see what I mean).

I like a few unabashedly commercial blogs. They are like catalogues edited for my taste, keeping me posted about what's current and complete with links that take me right to the store. One-stop shopping that simplifies my life - and the writing is no worse than average magazine copy I read a bunch of American fashion magazines last nigh while travelling and they were full of Instagram pics. So blogs as a medium may be past their prime too...

[Drywhiteplease]

What the heck is a baby moggler?

[MrsCampbellBlack]

Gap is shite - I still look at WIT but not tempted by anything she's blogged recently.

[LordPalmerston]

look

sad pencil case