Bloggers and brands

[homebythesea]

I love blogs, YouTube, Instagram etc but sometimes do wonder what's in it for the brands especially regarding blogger events.

Straight up reviews of things they get sent I totally get- they try things on/ use a face cream, wax lyrical about how great the thing is, people click through and buy said item. Straightforward advertising. No problem with that at all.

But when a blogger is invited to a dinner, or night away at a hotel, or a movie premiere by a brand I just don't get what is worth the expense? From the blogger perspective they get a night out and a goodie bag and maybe even paid to attend. But what does the brand get in return? A brief tag on an Instagram pic, some photos of beautiful place settings at dinner......but not necessarily sales?? These events must cost thousands to put on.

Hopefully someone with some knowledge about these things will enlighten us!

ITs not the kids feeling embarrassed later on that worries me the most (although that is real) but more the using of the the child’s image to essentially promote the “perfect life”, or the clothes. It’s the whole thing of showing them to anyone in the world who has Instagram that gets to me, it just doesn’t seem right. I know there is a similar debate about kids pics on Facebook but in most cases in Facebook, profiles arebt always public and people are average joes. These bloggers are like celebrities wtith thousands of followers (and open to anyone to see even if not following) and in a lot of cases don’t aeem to have an issue with showing the children to the world. But of course there are several who don’t, witblog as an example

There's also the issue of labour laws regarding minors. If they're part of the brand and are used to promote it with their image they should be salaried like models and with it comes all the legal requirements of hiring minors. I'm not in the UK but over here those laws are very strict which realistically means they only work a few hours a month at most, especially if it's work in the entertainment industry. Bottom line is, if their images are being used to earn money in any form they're working minors. Doesn't matter that their salary ends up with the parents in the end, it's beyond the taxes argument.

Thanks to all for the compiled client list, I'm actually a frequent customer of MKT studio as two local independent boutiques sell it, the brand has unfortunately lost a customer in me now by their choice of representation and I'll be avoiding the others too. I'll prpbably send MKT Studio HQ an email, although I'm assuming the twat comments are removed and no one has a screenshot?

I've really been enjoying this thread and the debate it's provoked with so many well made points. That's why it's even more upsetting that we all get branded as jealous haters, presumably by many people who haven't bothered to read the thread. Then they start lamenting that women should be supporting each other, which I find is what happens 90% of the time on MN. Instead of taking the time to reflect and consider the points raised, they've just taken the easy route and started a counter attack in the hope the valid points will be obscured under the smoke fog.

I'll be unfollowing quite a few accounts as a result. I've started to feel very uncomfortable with the consumerism encouraged by IG accounts. With Black Friday it's particularly bad! I say this as somebody who buys more than they need and I'll be making an effort to cut down. I have two little girls and don't want them to grow up in a world where we feel we constantly need to be buying new things to feel good or be happy. It's also saddening to think of the impact such a lifestyle has on the environment and on labour conditions in third world countries.

I'm as guilty as the next of complaining about first world problems, but many of these IGers live in their own little parallel universe. One I've unfollowed explained in a heart wrenching fashion yesterday how she was about to go to London for an event so would miss the delivery of a long awaited roll of wallpaper. Sob. Another who I am a fan of today exclaimed how a handbag was "only" £800 today in Selfridges with a Black Friday discount.

It seems to me there would be room for more blogs promoting sustainable and responsible fashion. But the question is whether there is a (business) model on which they can become successful whilst maintaining their integrity.

Another point beside the freebies received is that many of these IGers are showing things they have no intention to purchase just to create content. So they photo stuff with the tags on and then send it back. How about somebody dragging a load of old stuff out of the wardrobe and showing us how to make a month's worth of outfits from it.? If I had any talent or time I'd be tempted to give it a bash myself!

I followed a link on here to an industry site Dairy directory - loads of instrgammers or influencers doing Christmas gift guides and essentially touting for free stuff!!

Ivy Arch comes across as an ethical blogger. The only sponsorship that I have noticed is Gudrun Sjoden and she repeatedly wears her clothes. She also makes loads of her outfits herself instead of shopping.

Really refreshing and individual take on style too.

I particularly like this post

www.ivyarch.co.uk/2014/05/the-year-i-stopped-buying-clothes-and.html

wipsglitter I think she's only doing that temporarily cos they fucked up school admissions and have to wait till January for a place. Or something.

Just echoing what others have said about this being an interesting debate. I found this thread, actually from a certain IG post and thought it had to be mn! I used to look at quite a lot of these bloggers regularly, but found that I really wasn't any more. They've all become a bit samey, lots of very expensive items, and to be frank, I don't want a massive amount of clothes. I have spent the last few years paring down my wardrobe so that it works well, I don't want or need x amount of biker jackets, x amount of very expensive trainers etc. I, too, have unfollowed quite a few fashion bloggers on IG, because I found that it was cluttering my feed with stuff I don't want to trawl though anymore.

Someone upthread had talked about Unfancy blog (though she seems to be mostly on IG these days) who I like, she definitely explores ethical fashion, though not exclusively, and wrote a good blog post on how she felt about gifted items and that she didn't want to do that any more. I accept that bloggers are often a business, I accept that they are gifted things, but I would like it recognised. As for the comment from WIT about being uncomfortable talking about how she is paid, a lawyer or architect would surely have a clear pay structure and rules about accepting gifts?

The other thing with bloggers in general is that so many of them dress for a lifestyle that most people just don't have, so they become irrelevant. Of course this is because it's hard to be a blogger while having a full time job, so naturally most bloggers were SAHMs or left their career to blog.

But a lot of people do work (especially if one needs the money to make all these purchases the bloggers want us to), so how is it helpful to see them wafting round town in impractical dresses and heels (WIT, DMBL40) or saying that they will buy as few maternity clothes as possible (the frugality)? I have a professional job, so if I get pregnant I will certainly need to splash out on some smart maternity clothes rather than getting away with maternity jeans and casual dresses all the time. Maybe show us some proper maternity outfits?!

None of this is realistic or helpful to the average audience member, it just reinforces the idea that they are in their own little bubble where all they care about is the gifts and being seen in their outfits, when in fact without the readers they wouldn't even have blogs.

And the reason WIT always mentions architects is (I believe) her husband is one!

The word 'influencer' has really put me off these blogs, tbh.

Makes me feel like a foolish sheep. Which I probably am. Baaaaaa

Have the brand ambassador comments been deleted? I started reading a few replies to her 'transparency is a good thing;' comment this morning but came back to it just now and it seems to have gone!

It's definitely gone. I missed that, what were the responses?

I keep seeing the word "influencer". Obviously, we are all influenced by something, but it kind of implies something very deliberate and a bit insidious .

The reason I used to follow quite a few of these blogs, was that they were older (rather than really young models) sahms trying to look a bit stylish rather than just slobbing out. Most of them have massively changed from reviewing say various chunky knit jumpers on the high st or different black winter boots to a very aspirational style that seems to fit neither sahms nor work clothes. Lots of sequins and tutus or hand-painted silk maxi dresses or not going to fit many people's lifestyles.

Also, championing small independent brands in a look-what-I've-found-I'd-like-to-share-it-with-you is quite different from I've been wined and dined and given £££s of stuff to put it on a blog. Transparency is key.

*are not going to, damn autocorrect

Someone directed BAA to this thread on Erica Davies last post. Assuming they hadn't visited here since the "twats" comment, it was pointed out they have now been mentioned quite a bit..

Oh so the deletions are a bit of damage limitation. Bit late for that now!

Considering they are in the PR business, they are not very good at PR are they?

Please say that someone has the screenshots and can post them on here for eternity!

The twats comment by Brand Ambassadors is still there. It is on Kat's original 'can't please everyone' post. I have a screenshot. I took one when I saw their fawning 'yay tranparency' comment on Erica Davie's post today. But that one is now deleted. I think they might be a bit crap at PR.

Absolutely shameful that that Ambassadors agency called people ‘twats ‘ just for querying things and what I would call lively debate .

I have no issue with monetising a blog and people making a living. I’m not sure I understand why some bloggers are reluctant to be transparent in this regard. As a reader I’d appreciate the clarity provided. Bloggers have built a relationship with their readers, in many cases over years, being vague or not overtly open about what is sponsored or gifted breaks the trust they have built. Surely not to their benefit in the long term?
I’ve noticed with several bloggers, especially the beauty ones, that the relationship they have with brands starts to dictate the tone of the blog, many more high end products are featured and the more affordable products don’t seem to feature as much as they used to.This is a shame I think as it all becomes incredibly aspirational and unrealistic for many.

I've just spotted the comment by Gaby Roslin complaining about women criticising other women. Ironic, given that the very real and relevant issues raised here have been entirely written off as jealousy.

I haven't seen Gaby Roslin's comment but the whole women criticising other women argument is bogus. You can't disagree with someone of your own gender because they are the same gender? If women want to be taken seriously in these new businesses then play by the rules, be upfront with your customers and don't treat them like mugs (and its probably not a good idea to insult them) - this applies to any business, not just fashion. Fashion bloggers inevitably attract women readers and if some of your readers have a problem with your lack of transparency, the chances are most of those will be women. Its nothing to do with jealousy. As I said before, I have no problem with people monetising their blogs, I do have a problem with this being done through sharp practices.

Sad isn’t it, total contradiction. These women are openly not supporting other women or respecting their points of view. Hypocrisy