Bloggers and brands 2.

[Merriboo]

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

Hi all,
I was referring to the other threads both 1 and 2, and a dm I received the other day (presuming off the back of the comments made on here) from
someone calling me cheap and lazy for using a ghost writer which I clarified on here I’ve never used. I wasn’t looking for a woe me, reacting more a point about working flexibly to suit my family’s needs. For the record and I’ve said this before I work one day as a midwife for the nhs and the other 2 writing, editing and helping small brands with their social media content. We cleared up your @dillydilly comments on here so that wasn’t aimed at you. I’m not going to drag up the previous threads some comments were then removed by mumsnet presumably because they broke the rules? And I don’t agree with the f*ck the haters comments either, the body of the post was about work that works. I think the majority got that and others shared their working experiences too, good and bad

@buckedtooth
You’re a delight aren’t you

I have started watching MP's stories recently and had to stop because they are seriously putting me off her. They are so theatrical and 'chill, what does chill even mean?' repeated thirty times and all of the heavy breaths and faux anxiety is just nauseating. Didn't know her husband was in on it too and clicked on him thinking that he must be the long lost twin brother of FOD, they have the same mock 'I don''t know what i'm doing' face. I wonder is there some sort of class or tutorial that teaches this sort of thing?

Bloggers aren’t friends/advisors passing on their top tips through the goodness of their hearts- they are money making businesses.

They are all looking for freebies and to make a buck on the back of this new marketing platform.

Rare is the one who is just doing it for a hobby and takes nothing for free.

That’s all you need to know really, surely.

@anya, just very very tired of these woe is me insta posts, and I’m unfollowing everyone that does them. How does it’s just jealousy being repeatedly written by hundreds of women help anything? You put yourself out there, you get criticism. Thicker skin required.

I've never seen you say you spend 2 days working on social media writing and working with brands tbh (though I have to admit to not being a highly invested follower). From what I have seen, both you and your husband have always given the impression that all the IG followers, media success and exposure have simply fallen into your lap, when clearly its down to a lot of hard work. It is only recently you have even acknowledged that the brands are working with you in a commercial way. No wonder people don't have any respect for influencers, when you downplay the real graft to make a living out of it.

@itsbeenalongtime
here we go again. When it’s a paid ad it’s marked #ad i haven’t ever not declared that. Everything else has been organically developed. People think I have a team doing my SM or a clear strategy and I really don’t its just me and my phone sharing content of my life. The working with smaller brands and helping them with their content is relatively new thing I’m trying out. All of this so work whether it’s paid or not. We also have our other jobs there’s no downplaying anything

Wisteria totally agree about MPs posts and the "poppet" and knowing looks to the camera. So false. See they were at a royal Caribbean event... bring on the cruise 🚢

I'm sorry we are boring you Anya. I think there has been plenty of discussion on the previous threads about your disclosure of commercial relationships and I have no interest in opening that can of (organically developed) worms again.

I'm always agog at what MoD (and FoD) pack into their time. Respect!

@anyalovesrose The recent stories you did re the small business who sent you some clothes - were they gifted? Or an ad? Genuine question, no malice here. I didn't see them marked as either, apart from you noting in the story text that you were sent them and then appeared to endorse them.

I'm all up for supporting small businesses (I run one). But genuinely intrigued by how these relationships develop, especially the ones that happen 'organically', as you say.

@scampiesandchips
They were sent but no conversation was had about me posting or mentioning which is actually rare as I get a lot of dms saying if I send you this will you post for me - this can be off putting. Or even worse how much for a shout out?! Most small brands are really lovely and don’t ask like that. I’m not a huge fan of #gift so I said at the beginning of my story these were very kindly sent to me by Lucy. She had no idea I was even going to do a little style session, I’ve not done that sort of thing before so thought I’d give it a go. Not sure how good I am at the styling thing but it was quite fun!

In this context "sent" is too ambiguous - given or gifted removes any doubt in the reader's mind.

@anyalovesrose Cool, thanks for clarifying.

I find it amazing that influencers are happy to go to the trouble of giving their address out to people so that they can send them stuff, without clarifying with them what they expect in return. I also find it amazing that small brands are willing to send hundreds of pounds worth of product out without an expectation of a return on that investment.

For anyone that has been following long term, I wonder if M/FOD's twins have impacted on their number of followers? They are totally adorable and who can resist a set of twins? Even the MN trolls love a twin set. I'm just being nosy.

@Ithasbeenalongtime I agree. A lot of 'influencers' now seem to have agents though, so can be reached through them. And the small brands probably take a gamble in the hope that it will pay off in the form of a mention, I guess.

Hi MoD and FoD , I like your family stories and you’re clearly a loving close knit clan; you are both great parents with an extended family who adore you. It’s all fabulous and lucky you.

#buythebooks.

I'm really intrigued about working 1 day a week in an NHS role, is that common? I'm not criticizing (I don't work) but I didn't think it could be that flexible?

I knew a midwife and she just did one session a week.

MoD is working 12 hours in a very demanding, emotionally charged job, I take my hat off to her and any nhs driven worker , absolutely no doubt about that. She is a brilliant midwife , no doubt .

One too many no doubt up there.

@scampies surely the agent's job is then to vet requests and make sure it provides a good 'brand-fit' for both parties? I find it really surprising there is no discussion about commercial terms whether it is done via an agent or direct because for the brands the chances of getting exposure are vastly reduced if they just send a load of gear out to big bloggers and cross their fingers for a result. For me, it comes back to the fact that on IG there is no such thing as a "gift" really (unless its a birthday present from a mate or family member, obviously), but #gift is at least an fairly commonly used and understood signal that there is a commercial relationship in place - which is supposed to be disclosed. I'd like to know why Anya and other bloggers don't 'like' the use of #gift.

@Ithasbeenalongtime I couldn't agree more. There is ambiguity aplenty. And always will be.

Thanks for the posts about the Saywhatyousee bags as I was going to order one but wont now!

I watched an Emma Hill youtube video recently where she explains what she does with gifted stuff she doesnt like/want/need including selling of it. Was good of her to explain it as I have seen lots on insta selling stuff which had clearly been a freebie