Recently I felt like I had to get something off my chest. What sparked it, was a thing that happened to me earlier today. It just made me wanna talk to you about it and see if you might feel the same way or what you think about this whole topic. By that, I mean the reasons why we all blog or better that blogging is more than collaborations and free stuff.
This topic has been on my mind for a long time now. With everything that has been going on in the blogging industry, it made me wonder why people cheat their way up and why some people do blogging simply to get free stuff when blogging has so much more to offer and is so much more than just hitting publish on a new post.
It all started off when I messaged a person, another blogger, over on Insta to stop following and unfollowing me all the time. All I got as a response was to being blocked by her now.
The thing that bothered me most about this little story is not the follow/unfollow (it’s sh*** obviously) but the fact she was a blogger. I am not one for name shaming. Hence why I messaged her privately. However, it got me thinking: Why does it bother me that much when bloggers cheat and do such shady things as supposed to some «strangers»?
Maybe it’s because I am in the blogging business and I am trying my hardest to get that organic growth and when others cheat or try to cheat and often get away with it, it just makes me hella mad.
It just sheds a dark light on all of us and makes the blogging world seem shallow and with no worth. Like it just makes us look like we are just in it for the collaborations and the free stuff. I’m not one to strive for quick fame, I want long lasting valued respect and appreciation for what I do. It might be slow but at least I know it’s real and the things I get to do with brands is just the cherry on the top. I am in it for the writing and my love for fashion, photography, beauty and lifestyle.
I really try to focus on the good. Like every comment I get, page view, new follower – it all tells me people are liking what they see and it makes me wanna work even harder. And most of the time I can easily avoid all the drama that goes on in the blogging industry. But I am only human and sometimes it just gets to me. Like, girl, why you do that? I just don’t get it, if you are in the blogging industry simply to get free things, your here for the wrong reasons and should just leave it be.
Blogging should be a passion to share what you are loving through writing and pictures etc. Don’t get me wrong to have aspirations to get THAT blogger collab or get a chance to work with this brand is great! It helps us be our best and gives us that extra push to do great things. It just shouldn’t be our first priority.
On the brighter side, you probably noticed the gorgeous phone case in these pictures. It was kindly gifted to me by a brand called iDeal of Sweden. When a brand reaches out to you because they like your content – it just makes me really happy. I can see that my work is valued. I also have a cheeky discount for you guys with IDEALCH you get 20 % off on the site (valid for a week)! And the phone case really is good quality – and just look at it: how cool is the pattern?
Well, I guess I leave it here on this positive note. But what I wanna know how do you think about this whole topic? Tell me in the comments down below. And don’t forget to give me a follow here on my blog, my Newsletter or on any of my social media Instagram / Twitter / FB (I’ll be forever thankful).
*the phone case was gifted by iDeal of Sweden
I have noticed a few bloggers following and unfollowing and I want to messaged them to ask them to stop but at the same time… I can’t give them that satisfaction. Blogging is a passion for writing, creating, interacting, photographing and so many other things. It is also a lot of work and I believe that when you get brand email you for collab, you deserve it 🙂
Oh yes, there are too many people playing this game but I think the only time it gets me when someone I “know” is doing it. xx
I’m sorry to hear you were called out for something like that. I completely agree with you! Blogging is a passion and I think that if the love for the hobby isn’t there, people will be able to tell. Love the phone case though! Super cute and stylish!
Oh, well I wouldn’t call it being called out but yes, how childish when you just get blocked for a simple question/sentence. And you are so right, people can for sure tell if you are passionate about blogging. xx
I love this! It’s like a slap in the face with the follow/ unfollow all the time when you’re working hard for organic growth. And it’s definitely more than free stuff, although that is a nice perk x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
You are so right! We all love a good perk but our passion is the most important thing. Like I can so tell how passionate you are with your blog and the yummy recipes you always post. xx
I honestly have no idea why people spend the time following people to then unfollow, it seems like so much effort – and people can get apps etc to show you when someone has unfollowed. I try to ignore that and enjoy the good company around! There’s plenty of people around that are so lovely 🙂 That phone case is gorgeous btw!
Amy,
https://creativenails.uk
Me too, like especially if you do it manually. But it doesn’t matter if it’s with a bot or not it just is annoying and bad and and and… My apps don’t work no more after the Insta update they made… You are so right you just focus on the good company and it all seems a lot brighter immediately. xx
It bugs me when people try to look like they’re supporting each other but end up doing some shady things for their own benefit. What’s the point? I’m glad you’re finding others who are genuine and enjoy doing the things they do. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic!
exquisitely.me
Oh yes, that’s really annoying. But you are so right, we need to focus on the good and share it with genuine people. xx
I don’t understand the follow/unfollow thing either, it annoys me a lot. And you definitely have to be passionate to make the blogging thing work!
Alys xx
https://alysjournals.com
That’s so true. I can’t think like I could do it if I wasn’t passionate about it. xx
This is exactly how I’ve been feeling! There are several accounts on Instagram and Twitter who follow and unfollow me, atleast 5 times a day. It’s infuriating, and to see accounts buying followers to cheat their way to the top, is honestly a little disheartening for content creators who are genuine, and actually have REAL followers and readers. I wish people would just work hard like the rest of us x
http://www.sheintheknow.co.uk
I totally get where you are coming from. We just need to surround us with genuine people and ones that work hard just like us. It’s such a more positive place when you find the right people. xx
Totally agree, I mean free stuff is great but if you calculated the hourly rate you couldn’t blog for anything other than a passion for it.
So true. At least for us smaller bloggers ;). xx
It’s so annoying when people keep on following and unfollowing you. The notification is there and it’s such a waste of time. Is it because they want to be on the top of your followers list? I agree with you about blogging. It’s a passion and more than getting stuff. It’s about sharing your experiences and such :).
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
So true and I never thought that it also could be to be on to of the follower’s list. That’s a whole new layer added to the game! xx
I have noticed people following and unfollowing but i tend to ignore them. It’s super annoying though. Blogging is so much work. I have literally spent my weekend sorting out my pinterest and putting together a pinterest strategy so yeah, it does require passion!
Me too, I usually ignore everyone but when it’s a blogger I “know” or at least that’s somehow connected to my blogging circle I just have to speak out (to them in private of course). Oh wow, I hope it’s working for you! I love Pinterest. xx
I have blocked so many people for playing the follow/unfollow game. I understand that people want to build their following but there are much better ways to do that.
I think people get caught up in the numbers game and that’s their driving force. It’s easily done because brands do take more notice if you have a higher following but if you’re blogging solely for the “free stuff” then you’re doing it all wrong.
Louisa | http://www.loubeeloublogs.co.uk
Oh god, good to know it’s not just me who blocks people all that annoy me with the follow/unfollow game. xx
I’m really trying to grow my blog just like everyone else, and it’s so much harder than people think. So when someone waltzes in here just being a pretend supporter of my blog, it just makes me sad. All I want and I’m sure what other bloggers want is to spread positivity and share stories!! Glad you wrote this post.
You are so right. That’s how I felt too and I am glad this post helped you. xx
When this happens to me I also just block them. Every follower I get right now matters to me and to see the same person do this over and over hits a nerve for me as well.