Bloggers and brands 2.

[Merriboo]

continuing the discussion from the previous thread about transparency and disclosure (or lack of) by bloggers

I seriously doubt she's being asked to present women's hour!

Yeah, doubt that, but she did have a voice test yesterday so it may be something in the meedja. ::Nosy::

Btw Fleur deForce put #gifted on some baby thing on Stories yesterday and then put a poll up asking if people wanted her to do that going forward, if they cared etc. I voted yes but was then surprised by the results. 59% yes, 41% no. So whilst it's a majority, it's not a massive one. And she would have a big outreach, especially in the US, so I suspect a lot of voters in that poll.

Actually perhaps many of the voters were international and the clamour hasn't reached their place yet? Perhaps it doesn't matter? I dunno. I'd be fascinated to see a breakdown by country. It'd be interesting as to attitudes.

Not necessarily about brands but.. Susiejverril, anyone follow her?

She always came across as a tad sanctimonious and 'mean girls' bitchy but she's excelled herself with her snobby anti-nursery post today.

I just don’t get it. If you share an opinion on the internet (as per nurseries
Story) then you are going to get comments and remarks back. I’m bumused when Susie says ‘I don’t like it when people message me saying..’ as if there are a set of criteria simone would have to apply before they can respond to her!

SusieJ had a huge rant about the lady insta thread!

A post like that was always going to be contentious though. She does acknowledge that it's not something everyone could do. But it suits their lifestyle.

I unfollowed SV after I replied on her post about a bag I bought after seeing it on her page.
Yes it was one of those big initials bags.
I replied that the letters were peeling off and that it wasn't fit for purpose as the straps are so flimsy.I simply asked if I just iron then letters back down.That comment got me blocked by the bag people and I assume blocked my email address too as didn't respond to those either.
She replied that her bag was fine.Was not interested that I had been blocked.I found that interesting after reading brummymummy blog about how they make money.
What's the point in giving feedback on something an 'Influencer' has recommended if they block you when you give an honest review.
Totally overpriced rubbish.

'Bumused'

Snobby nursery rants aside, SV is now actually really transparent about the brands she works with and which items have been gifted.

This thread has been quite an eye opener as to the practices that some of these bloggers are employing. (Also lolling at them getting the hump when they're getting called out on it on here. But one has to wonder if all publicity is good publicity. Elle Darby has certainly increased her 'brand' awareness through the hotel furore, although I guess it remains to be seen whether that translates into £££).

@AdidasGirl is that the SWYC bag? I was considering getting one but don't think I'll bother now after what you've said. They don't look particularly sturdy.

@PavlovaPrincess Yep that's the one.
I bought one after seeing it on SV's Insta plus lots of other 'influencers' pages.
It's in keeping with my style and I thought it looked ideal for carrying my laptop and or all the other crap is mothers have to carry around with us.
When it arrived I instantly knew I wouldn't be able to carry anything heavy at all in it.The straps are so flimsy.
Then within about ten days the letters were peeling.
Definitely not worth the £65.
£25/£30 at a push.
Still disgusted that they blocked me for asking a question.
Don't waste your money.

Wow that’s good brand management, isn’t it! I nearly bought one of those bags as my gym bag needed replacing... glad I didn’t now!

@Kitsharrington That's the thing though.I wasn't rude.I just said that the letters were starting to peel and simply asked if I just iron them back down.
I was blocked for that.
Emailed to say the same adding my disappointment that I was blocked and heard nothing back.
SV clearly wasn't interested either as all she had to say was that her bag was fine.
She had her done her job in influencing me to buy one and I guess that was that.

Has anyone seen MOD's insta post this morning?

I've read all of both these threads, and can't see where anyone actually accused her of ghost writing. That was a really obvious misunderstanding which she seems to have latched onto.

I can't remember seeing any criticism of her working part time either. Maybe that was other "mums on the internet"??? To be honest, part time working mums get a lot less stick on MN than either SAHMs or ft WOHMs

SV is.....not nice. And I won't say anymore cos her sister is on here and is lovely.

I saw MOD's post this morning. I can't see where she was accursed of ghost writing, she just got the wrong end of the stick then it was all nicely cleared up on the thread. Also nobody said a thing about her working days/hours. Unless that was somewhere else.

Susie v made me a bit cross with her woe is me posts about having to live (on a very temporary basis) in a house that is being renovated. When in such an advantaged position I think it's wise to remember that your terrible is a hundered times better than a lot of your followers normal.

SV is very woe is me. I completely agree. Must be tough at the top.
I'm not buying it Suse, I can imagine you'll be one of those playground mums.

I do love DMBL40. She seems genuine, transparent and not judgemental at all.

The whole not sending a child to nursery thing is a big fuss over nothing anyway. It's a perfectly normal choice to make (certainly where I am most children of sahm's don't go until the free hours kick in at 3) so I'm not sure why she posted about it like it was unusual and some kind of extra parenting credentials thus making alot of people feel shit.

I saw Esther Coren getting a bashing up thread but I like her. She seems pretty self aware, her life and budget is a million miles from mine but it doesn't make me feel shitty. I did laugh when she was snowed in and made a comment a long the lines of "the jag is still stuck so we'll just have to use the defender". Her stories about Tom Hardy's instagram the other day were funny. Poor Tom.

I fucking love Esther. She makes me laugh every day. And she dresses like a normal person in hoodies.

Exactly Elspeth. I think her style is the most like mine and very practical. A lot of the bloggers look nice but the clothes wouldn't last 2 minutes with snotty toddlers and sicky babies. Aware that I'm not really their target market though!

All too young and gorgeous for me! Can no-one find me a nice late 40s, university aged children mum, part time worker to follow. (Am already a MidlifeChic follower - though she is very polished compared to me!) Wow, Instagram really does belong to the young. Some of them are a bit like the cool girls who scared me at school - do have a girl crush on Erica Davies though.

I've just read MOD's post, and its a bit disappointing really. The ghost writing issue was discussed very briefly, the misunderstanding cleared up and (I thought) everyone moved on. There were never any comments made about her working 1 day a week (though on the other MN thread she popped up on a few weeks ago she said she worked 3 day as week - maybe the other 2 are dedicated to writing) or questioning why she worked part time so I'm not sure where that has come from. She could quite easily have made a valid, inspirational and interesting point about having a portfolio career but instead she turned it into an indulgent post about people being mean to her. What a wasted opportunity to promote flexible working.

I think Instagram in this situation is the equivalent of a moan at the water cooler with a friend you know will commiserate with you. The problem here is that it’s public, on the same forum where your followers are.

Yes, not the place for a conversation and certainly not the place to challenge or disagree. Echo chambers only.

FleaRiddenScruffBag I know what you mean! I have a massive girl crush on Erica Davies (and to a lesser extent CLTS after her stories yesterday about making happiness).

That’s a bit low of MOD posting that ghost writer comment on her Instagram. It was a post of mine here that lead to a suggestion of a ghost writer - I clarified what I actually meant, apologised for the confusion, she replied and all was well.
Her Instagram post this morning is a tad two faced. Get the feeling she’s posting and reading here to gather material to post on IG to boost her ego with all the - ‘people are so mean, you’re absolutely fantastic type replies’. Not a nice way to carry on, at all.