A LETTER TO MY FELLOW BLOGGERS…
Hi bloggers,
How’s it going? I thought it might be a good idea for us to clear some things up. As I’m sure you already know, we have a bit of a bad rap in some circles – what, with all the front row stealing and endless piles of free stuff we get sent (cough). Since London Fashion Week, I’ve thought a lot about what it means to be a blogger. There’s an increasing amount of shame associated with having a blog, especially at industry events where there are real press and other people who actually deserve their invitations. I’d like to share my thoughts on this and find out how you feel.
First, I just want to point out how dear I find the whole platform of blogging. As you know, I started this blog almost three years ago. It was a little shocking to start off with (wait, you still might find it shocking… but go on, click here, the original posts are even scarier) but I stuck with it. So delirious was I with my new-found platform of self-expression that I posted frequently and regularly despite the fact that no one was reading. Never in one-hundred-gazillion years did I ever think the blog would lead to anything. I didn’t expect anyone to be interested and I didn’t care if my Site Meter read ’5′. The point was that I had a place where I could say what I thought and post what I wanted in whatever way I saw fit. Shoddy photos, who cares? Poor grammar, so what? No one was grading what I did and I didn’t have to impress anyone.
Somewhere down the line that changed.
When I met other bloggers I felt a growing pressure: ‘What camera do you use? Where are your jeans from? Are you going to that press day tomorrow?’
The further you fall into something the less you are able to see it for what it truly is. When you collaborate with a brand or get invited to an event you start to feel a degree of obligation. After all, you’re just a blogger. You should be thankful to have even been contacted.
The crux of the problem between fashion bloggers and the industry is the disconnect between expectations. There is an anger and a judgement directed at the poor journalistic standards. But, most bloggers don’t claim to be journalists. There are hard feelings when a blogger is seated in the front row (if she wears a big hat that blocks the view of those behind her – even worse). But, surely, if the PR seats that blogger in the front row then only they are the ones to blame? When at a show, it’s a simple courtesy to try to be as unobtrusive to the people around you as possible. It isn’t rocket science to politely ask someone if they wouldn’t mind taking their hat off. If they refuse, spit in your face, and declare, ‘It’s fashion, darling‘, then you probably have a reason to be pissed off. But there’s no point sitting around disgruntled and bitter if you didn’t even attempt to amend the situation yourself.
There should be no shame in admitting to be a blogger. We shouldn’t feel the need to pretend to be something we’re not or be too embarrassed/angry to apply for a Blogger Pass at LFW. I really think that if we’re honest with ourselves and with others the entire blogger/industry relationship would benefit greatly. Below are my thoughts/tips on how best to deal with the industry side of things:
1. Be honest about who you are and what you have to offer. Don’t ever lie about this. People listen, they remember, and they talk. Don’t ever say anything in an e-mail or to someone’s face that you wouldn’t happily have them repeat on Twitter for the entire world to hear. There is nothing wrong with giving information out about your blog stats. If it’s helpful for a brand to know which countries most of your traffic comes from, then tell them. Whether you have 100,000 hits a day or ten, there shouldn’t be any shame.
2. Consider which brands/PRs/designers you really want to work with. When I say ‘work’ I don’t necessarily mean paid work – I mean a general working relationship. Your blog is precious. Only you get to decide what goes on it. Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for not inserting the links they want in a post. If it feels wrong to you then it’s wrong. There are people out there that will want to support you and collaborate with you on your conditions. Take the time to look for them and don’t expect it to happen overnight.
3. Be informed when signing up to networks or placing ads on your site. You can tell when a link is an affiliate one – even if the URL name tries to hide it. I can honestly say that I have never received any compensation that was worthwhile from doing a sponsored post or slotting in a cheeky affiliate link. This is why, currently, my blog is entirely ad free. If you decide to enter into a ‘cost per action’ scheme then make sure you have a freaking butt load of traffic going through your site. Otherwise you’ll be left wondering why you agreed to do it in the first place. Brands moved from pay-per-click to pay-per-buy for a reason… it’s because they get a lot of exposure without having to pay you very much (or often anything).
4. Don’t get bitter. Try not to compare yourself to other bloggers. Obviously, this can be difficult – we always see what people around us are doing and wonder how we measure up. You can’t help but notice when a blogger has 1 million comments on every post, the newest Proenza Schouler bag and a Jag to pick them up at the airport when they arrive in Cannes. Stop it though. Stop comparing yourself. Trust me, it’s not worth it.
5. Think about what you’re doing and why. I really can’t stress this enough. A lot of people are starting blogs because they want to work in the fashion industry. That’s fine. Whether you’re eleven, eighteen, or eighty-five you can use a blog to showcase your talent and present what you’re passionate about. Do not start, or keep up, a blog because you think it will get you free stuff or get you into fashion shows. The reality is, these things are often not free and having a blog (no matter how ‘big’ it might be) doesn’t guarantee that a designer or PR will want you at their show.
6. Be grateful for what you are given. Whether it’s an e-mail with a look book attached, an invitation to a launch, a thank you for reviewing a product or a free stay at a luxury hotel. Remember to say ‘thank you’ and be kind. If you aren’t interested in, say, what Rihanna wore to that party last night just respond and explain why it isn’t relevant to your blog and ask to be taken off the mailing list.
7. Don’t seek fame. I don’t believe that having a blog should be, on any level, a quest for stardom.
8. Hold onto the magic. Blogging requires passion, motivation, inspiration and a lot of time. It is, at its core, intended to be personal. That’s the only thing that distinguishes it from an online magazine and that’s exactly what makes it a vital piece of media. You aren’t getting paid to have a blog. Why should you be? It’s your little slice of the web. So, if you aren’t having fun with it, why bother?
These are just my thoughts and my take on blogging, if you disagree please let me know.
Hope you’re well. xx
p.s. these photos were taken by Kit- they’re nice, right?
p.s.s. so, do you like my outfit? It’s my ‘relaxed and chilled-out but at the same time hotttt’ look. Umm, yes it is hot. I’m wearing a short black leather skirt – that’s as sexy as I get – but with a long silk coat, a canvas bag, and manky Converse (not seen, but I promise they are there). It looks more disgruntled mess than hooker… which I like to think is a good thing. Incase you’re interested: TBA coat, Maison Scotch jumper, 2nd Day skirt, Lucy Folk bracelets, Maria Nilsdotter ring, Bottletop Luciana clutch, and Versace sunglasses (stolen from Charlie).
1. Really like this post, I’ve never been to a fashion so can’t really give thoughts on what it’s like but because the blogging world is sooo big, I do often worry about what I write and I don’t even have many readers. I am learning to be a little more free though and just sort of go with it and not worry so much about what people think.
2. LOVE your outfit, can I have your coat please?
3. I’ve been through ALL of your archives, starting right at the start and stopping at the end. Loved how you’ve progressed. high-five! xxx
so cute!
http://theartist-mona.blogspot.com.es/2013/03/i-am-one-star.html
Dear Jen, how wonderfully written! and so darn true. I think a lot of us are questioning someone’s intention and who in it for the fame or not. A collections that’s been made, an art piece that’s appreciated.. this all takes an organic growth, it takes time to get where some of the most interesting people are. It definitely takes passion, like you said.. hold on to the magic. There’s a reason why some bloggers, like you don’t have ads on their blogs! it looks tackyyyy and there’s no need for them. Thank you for this awesome letter. I enjoyed reading it. I’ve seen a couple of bloggers writing about it aswell.. and I’ve written my piece about ‘bloggers in general’ a few days ago.. if you want, you can read it here: http://cyliaaaa.blogspot.com/2012/03/bloggers-in-general.html
You know why you’re my fave blogger? You’re the first big blogger who actually answered my question about being a blogger at fashion week, you stay true to your style, you don’t sell yourself to big brands and get plastered with free stuff head to toe, and you take care of us newer bloggers. Thanks for the advice. I keep telling myself that I eventually want to focus on vintage fashion, and as much as I appreciate all my sponsors, I will eventually be more picky because I want to be true to myself. I don’t want the fame. I want to be happy. And hey blogging is not my day job, and I don’t NEED my blog to bring home the bacon. I should, should, should stay true to myself!
Nora
Another great post, this reminds me of a post you did after September’s LFW about the ‘change’ in getting passes for LFW. Not many bloggers are brave enough to talk about cons of ‘what it means to be a blogger’ so kudos to that. I’ve never had much first hand experience with a blogger that’s acted out of line at press events, but as someone who’s worked in the journalism arena, i’ve never had any gripes with the blogging community, maybe it’s because of Susie, so i sympathise with how it’s not always plain sailing. If anything it’s just more healthy competition for journos.
With regards to getting better seats at shows, some PRs have problems distinguishing who is an influential/decent/worthy blogger and 17-year old blaggers *cough the show that shall not be named but has the initials A.W. cough*, but the good (and when i say good, i mean the ones that know how to do they job) PRs have a REASON for the seat allocations. It’s not luck.
On another note, i think the industry still judges blogs because of the quality of the content. More me, i feel a lot of blogs look and FEEL the same, design-wise, and the style of photography. Sure this can be said for publications too, but I guess you notice it more on the blog due to the constant scrolling layout.
We were having a discussion last night about the state of teh internets, blogging, opinion formers, and new platforms like pinterest/tumblr (don’t get me started on this), and how this is changing the way we take in information online and how brands choose the next so and so for their campaign. I’m really hoping a handful of esteemed bloggers will see through these trends in online platforms, buck up and actually do something fresh and most importantly, worth reading.
woah that was a really long comment. rant over.
Great post!
I find the whole concept of “blogging” has become totally confused, especially because the roles of journalists, bloggers, writers for online “magazines” etc have become conflated (and PRs, I think, are partially responsible for this). I used to feel embarrassed to say I’m a blogger but now I definitely don’t. I’m not a journalist – at least, I am really not interested in a full-time career in journalism and I don’t claim to be – so when journalists try to compare what I do to what they do, that’s their problem. Nevertheless, I think a lot of bloggers (I include yours and mine here, smugly) produce written or photographic content that is wittier, more original, and of a higher standard than many professional journalists can come up with for their publications. Possibly it’s because we often have diverse academic backgrounds rather than degrees in journalism. If journos want to sneer at me when I say what I do, let them. They haven’t taken the time to discover what I do IRL…
Also, there are all sorts of blogs out there that exist for just as myriad reasons and I’m learning not to compare myself to others. As you say, blogs are personal (or should be) and this is my little patch of the interweb.
P.S. You’re not meant to tell us you look HAWTT Jen, even if it’s totally true!
xxx
Whilst I love your blog I think this is a bit of a contradiction. You touched on the topic of keeping blogging personal, but one thing I notice is that you wear a LOT of clothing that is not your own. My point is that whilst you do look lovely, if blogging is supposed to be a true reflection of yourself (and yours being a fashion blog) how do these clothes, that you (constantly) blog reflect you…?
I don’t mean this as a negative comment, but I think it is a joke to wear clothes that aren’t your own constantly and post them to your followers, whilst wielding a ‘your blog is precious’ stick.
Promoting new brands and discoveries (which you do very) well is great, but I don’t think this is. I see this as a shielded press release… how is this any different from pr’s asking you to blog about their clients?
Hi Kate,
Thanks for your honest comment. I don’t at all view it as a negative one – I think it’s an extremely important point and one that I have often wrestled with. I’m glad you’ve brought it up here. I’ll do my best to answer honestly and please feel free to respond with your thoughts. I think this is a very touchy subject and one that I have never wanted to try to keep in the dark.
I do wear clothes on the blog that aren’t mine – you are completely right.
I started doing outfit posts before I had any contact with designers or PRs. This was the first outfit post I ever did: http://thestylecrusader.com/drip-drop-drip-drop/
I tried to link to every relevant piece of clothing in the post because I thought it would make life easier for my readers. If I’m interested in something I see on someone’s blog (whatever it might be – fashion related or not) I like being able to easily click through to it – rather than go through searching myself. I still try to include links in my posts today in a way that makes them more funny or insightful or helpful to my readers.
My outfit posts have changed since what they were in the beginning. Now I have the opportunity to meet designers and I have a selection of PRs in London that I know/like/and work with. I remember the first time I was contacted by a brand and asked if I’d like to receive some ‘free products to blog about.’ I was super excited, I never expected that to happen. (This was the post: http://thestylecrusader.com/what-better-way-to-usher-in-spring/)
I was a student up until September 2011 and, to be totally honest, I couldn’t afford to go out and buy new things to feature on the blog. Interesting content isn’t easy to come by especially if you spend most of your day in the library writing essays and wearing jeans/hoodies. So, when I started getting contacted by brands or PRs I was excited and happy to work with them. No one was really reading my blog so I figured it wouldn’t hurt anything.
I started to realize this wasn’t the case. Content is precious. There is worth to a blog post (whether a lot of people look at it or not) and worth to every link included. This took time to see and I’m happy to admit that there are posts I did in the past that I’m not proud of and brands I worked with that I now wish I had avoided. But I only realize that now in hindsight. As I mentioned, when you are in the middle of something you often can’t appreciate it for what it truly is.
Now it’s my aim to only work with brands/PRs/designers that I truly love. I won’t post about an item or a designer that doesn’t personally get my excited. This is the reason I’m not doing sponsored posts (if I collaborate with a brand in the future and get paid to put something on my blog you WILL KNOW I’m getting paid to do it). This is exactly why I will not put affiliate links into my blog posts anymore. I was part of a network that facilitated this for a short period of time and quickly realized that, when thinking about what to post, I would consider what was available on the site to feature. You can choose whatever items you want to feature, most brands/sites are included, and you don’t have to feel guilty about inserting the link because you don’t have to if you don’t want to and you can include links to items that you already own anyway. It is set up in a way to give you the freedom to blog about what you want while getting some level of financial compensation for inserting links to the brands you wear. It made me feel like I was trying to trick my readers though – which is why I’ve stopped doing it.
I don’t view whether I own an item or borrow it to be the main issue. The more important issue that I see is whether bloggers secretly get paid to insert links into their posts that their readers don’t realize are there.
Anyway, the reason I still include blog posts with photos of myself is because they get the most positive reaction from my readers. I ENJOY hearing from my readers and throughout the past few years the posts that I have done that include photos of myself in nice outfits are the ones that get the most traffic and the most comments. It’s hard to ignore that and I don’t think it should have to be ignored.
I try to keep my blog as authentic as possible and aim to only post about things that I’m really passionate about. Whether that’s a cup of coffee, a catwalk show or an incredible new designer.
If I took a photo of my wardrobe right now you would see that it consists predominately of: jeans, t-shirts and jumpers. It was only through the process of blogging that I realized what my style really is and realized that it’s OKAY that it’s not super trendy or super cool. I like wearing simple outfits. I like my legs. I like to look somewhat modest and somewhat put together but in a way that works for my lifestyle. But I also freaking love fashion. I still can’t afford to buy the things I’d like to wear so if a PR offers to let me borrow, say, a leather jacket from a brand they represent then I’m open to saying yes.
I’m passionate about supporting new designers, young talent and brands that are awesome but aren’t getting much press – I’ve only recently realized that this is something I’m really interested in. I don’t like seeing the exact same brands/designers in magazines month after month. I like seeing something new and something different. For that reason, I wouldn’t expect my readers to find it inspiring or interesting to see me in the same American Apparel tri-blend t-shirt, jeans and Converse every day. I’ve always thought that being able to show how I would style a designer’s piece is a more engaging and interesting way to post about a collection then just including images copied and pasted from a look book.
I think it’s fun to dress up in nice clothes but it’s not the only thing I care about – which is why my blog isn’t outfit posts everyday.
I don’t post about products that I haven’t seen in real life or worn. What would I have to say about them? Yeah, it’s beautiful and it’s new… but all I can say is what the press release or website tells me. That’s not very interesting. That, in my view, is often the problem with journalism on the whole – it is a replication of a press release. That isn’t something I want to be associated with.
In no way was it my intention to wield a stick proclaiming that my blog is ‘precious’. I was reluctant to post about this for that very reason – I didn’t want it to be taken that way. I’m happy to take on the criticism that when I post outfit shots it should be more clear when an item is borrowed and when an item is something I own.
All the best.
The notion of blogging about clothes that you own and have not borrowed is crazy. If a blogger borrowed a dress from his/her fashion designer friend, wore it in an outfit post, linked to said designer’s site, is this the same as a major pr asking the blogger to post about their client? Methinks no.
Hey again,
Thanks for your response. Whilst I completely agree with this:
“I don’t view whether I own an item or borrow it to be the main issue. The more important issue that I see is whether bloggers secretly get paid to insert links into their posts that their readers don’t realize are there”
and I understand that we can’t all afford to buy clothes that cost thousands of pounds, I don’t believe that it is ok to do outfit posts consisting fully of borrowed clothes as much as you do. Most of your outfit posts consist of none of your own clothing; they always seem to come from a pr company, which was my point. In response to Lou-Fran, I think my point was slightly missed, as I’m specifically referring to (personal style) outfit posts. It’s a cop out to say that you love fashion, but wear t-shirts. If you wear t-shirts and hoodies, embrace them (because as you said you don’t outfit post everyday!) and whilst it may be boring, that is a refection of you. I completely understand that you might want to wear an amazing dress by a new designer (who wouldn’t?) or dress up ONCE IN A WHILE. But there are many bloggers that shop on the high street and look amazing and have thousands of followers.
I suppose it’s a touchy subject for me because fashion bloggers do this a lot. I personally would only wear clothes that represented me/that I could afford.
Then again it’s your blog!
Hi Kate,
Thanks again for taking the time to comment and read the (mega) long comment I left in response to your first.
Just to clarify: my outfit posts do include my own items. It is extremely rare for me to do a post where I am wearing pieces that are entirely borrowed. In fact, there is only one post that comes to mind where I have ever done this: http://thestylecrusader.com/ethereal/
If my outfits ‘seem to come from a pr company’ it does not mean that they actually have. During London Fashion Week I often borrow items from PR companies and designers to wear to the shows (this is not hidden in my posts – I try, whenever I can, to include a link to the PR company after the item has been described at the bottom of the post).
The rest of the year most of the items I post about are my own. This outfit post from last week, for example, doesn’t have any items that I have been lent: http://thestylecrusader.com/embrace-the-changes/
I’m worried you may have gotten the wrong impression. I don’t at all try to hide the way I dress in normal life, if you follow me on Twitter or Facebook you would see photos of me in jeans, sweatshirts, converse… whatever I wear in my daily life. I do not dress in a different style in my blog photos than I do in normal life.
If you have further questions or concerns please feel free to e-mail me. I’d be happy to discuss it with you.
Nice post. Always good to see someone who’s is comfortable with and proud of their values, especially in an industry that doesn’t always value values.
Hi Dear! This great post has given me a lot of courage, so thank you a lot! Im Kostantina and my blog is not even an half year old, its by now only on Facebook to see :”Evas Girl Blog”. I would like to make myself a “real” page, but i have to be honest: im a little bit scared, that nobody is going to read it! I have a few fans on facebook, but most of them are friends. I know that there are soooo manyyyy blogs and i often doubt on my quality. If my style is good or inspired.., if this what i say is interessting for someone…I made it for my self at first place, i love it, but of course im happy if someone likes it too. And im following all my favourite blogs, wich are pretty famous meantime. The bloggers are wearing designer clothes, they are going to fashion weeks, everythings looks so far away from me, like a dream world. I dont know if i can call myself a blogger, my blog is not famous at all
And i see that there is a an blogger hierarchy too. But im always happy when i read a post like yours, which is showing me, that all bloggers started in a same way. That makes me keep on dreaming 
Thank you dear!
Kostantina
“Evas Girl Blog”
Thanks for your comment Kostantina! It’s great to hear from you. I’m so glad the post made you feel that way. The intention behind it was to encourage bloggers to stay true to themselves and not to feel pressured to live up to any one else’s expectations.
Don’t worry about how many fans you have or how people will perceive you. There is definitely this pressure to be a ‘big’ blogger… no matter how ‘big’ people might view your blog you always feel self-conscious about what you have to offer. Just because you have designer clothes, a fancy layout or a ticket to a catwalk show doesn’t mean anything… it doesn’t mean that people are reading or that anyone values what you have to offer. The way we gage whether a blog is ‘big’ or ‘little’ is skewed… and it shouldn’t be about that anyway.
Just try to stay true to yourself (what you love and what you’re excited to post about). Try to carve out a place where you can put your own voice out there – people who identify with your style and your message will come back for more. It takes time but it’s worth it.
You didn’t include a link to your blog in the comment… if you happen to come back and read this please feel free to leave a comment with the link to your blog. I’d love to see it. In the meantime I will try to find you on Facebook. xx
Love this post!!….I got into blogging because my creativity was jeapodrised when the company I worked for decided to move our design team to HK and change my job description in fashion design. Blogging has been my link to the exciting aesthetic side of fashion I lost, being a big fan of diaries it made complete sense.
As a blogger I can completely relate to this post and have often thought the same thoughts – the thing i find hard is the guilt for not posting regularly, its a similar guilt to that of not going for a run/gym lol! But I have stuck with it and it has led me to new and exciting adventures, which would not have happened if it was not for blogging. Bloggers kick ass in my eyes!!
Nat x
Well done for writing this post! I’ve saved it on bookmark.
I remember what Craig from Altamira – Model off duty said to us (at Bryon – Sept 2011) about appreciating where we come from and appreciate the fact that we’ve reached success all thanks to being blogger. You know what? I’m proud to be a blogger and proud to be where I am now. xxxx
Too true. I remember having a conversation with Craig (also Sept 2011) about why I was blogging and what I wanted to achieve. The truth was I didn’t know and I felt embarrassed not to know. He said, ‘The faster you figure out where you want to go the faster you’ll get there.’ It really hit me and still sticks out as one of the truest and most vital bits of advice I’ve ever been given. xx
Hi Dear! Im so happy that you answred my comment
Thats means a lot to me and gives me a good feeling, that im on the right way! It couraged me keep on doing this what i realy love. You are right, everything depends from the personality. You are the best proof for it 
I love your blog, it is always a trully inspiration for me! 
Im sending you the link from my blog, if it doesent work, all you have to do is to tipp Evas Girl Blog at Google ( its the first comming site) or to search it at Facebook. I hope you will find it good
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Evas-Girl-Blog/135393573217945
Thanks for writing this. Some interesting comments too. I think it is important to remind ourselves (often) why we started blogging and how we responded to it originally. Also, trying not to be jealous – vital but difficult.
Re the V&A; the courtyard is lovely, how could you resist!? I’ve definitely only covered about 10% of the museum so I need to go back too and devote some proper attention to it.
P.S. Crystal Pacmen (what is that plural?) are AWESOME. x
Jen you hit the nail on the head, I get beyond angry when I see how some bloggers behave and how the rest of us are judged on their behaviour.
Also you loo lovely as always!
NRC ♥
Dear Jen,
I’ve been following you on twitter for some time now, and I need to tell you’re one of my favorite people to follow. You’re funny, you don’t take yourself too seriously which I love and your tweets are the most enterntaining from my timeline ! To be honest, I follow your blog less, unfortunately I don’t have time to read all blog posts from all the fashion bloggers I love, but I’m very conscious on reading every one of your little tweets.
I got to read this blog post because of your appealing title and I’m so happy that I did. I started a blog quite recently, in November 2011, while I was home on maternity leave. Now, I’m a full-time working mom and wife, and while I still enjoy it as much it’s a struggle to combine this with a blog in a 24 hours-day. When I don’t have so much time to spend on the blog I start asking myself questions like: is my blog really appreciated ? is my traffic growing as it should ? does someone care if I stopped ?????
But you really pointed out the reason why I started, I love fashion and want to share my views on the subject and it SHOULD be the same if 10 people read me or if 10.000 (but if I can choose, I wouldn’t mind the 10.000 though). The problem is that when you start a blog you don’t realize that things like stats and the number of comments on every post can become an obsession. Your post has opened my eyes, I just need to read it once in a while to stop comparing my blog to others…
Thank you so much for this wonderful post and for the super entertaining tweets.
xx from Brussels
Marta from http://www.fashioncaramel.com
ps: I also noticed that you mentioned in reply to a comment that your outfit posts are the most popular ones. It’s so funny that you mention this because I came to realise the same thing. I started my blog purely dedicated to describing trends with no intention to do any photo shoots of my outfits. (Un)fortunately I started to do outfit posts and now it seems that my readers are only expecting those. I’ll not change the core of my blog but I gave in to do one outfit post a week (more I cannot do, I have no ressources to come up with something new or exciting every day !)
Super post Jen! I love your honesty, and wish there were a little more of this around the blogosphere. I’ve personally been reading your blog for 2 years and it’s been a pleasure to watch you grow with it.
While I do take issue with some bloggers just posting endless outfit posts of clothes that aren’t really their own (is that really their own style?), I respect that you are always completely honest about this and only wear things that you love and would buy anyway if you had unlimited funds (which I think is the main difference). I make a point of *always* saying when something is gifted to me (and then I only take something if I’m genuinely interested, and only post it if it’s something I would have bought anyway) and never do sponsored posts, I don’t like when people secretly do this. It’s no big deal, we’re all gifted something from time to time, but just be honest!
Keep doing what you’re doing!
Briony xx
Well Jen, this has got to be one of the most interesting posts I’ve read in a while (and the resulting comments). I love to see (and talk) to fellow bloggers about the evolutions of our blogs and how we found (or are still finding) our true voice. My blog is actually not even a year old and in that short space it has given my life a 180 flip- from solely working full time in finance to freelancing in fashion illustration etc.
I find it interesting what you brought up regarding the outfit posts, and to be quite honest I am not bothered at all by yours as I do think that it is your style. I do think that at times with other bloggers it is slightly borderline ridiculous as they just look branded head-to-toe, but in the end it is up to the bloggers choice. I have actually opted out of receiving clothes for my outfit posts for the time being, but I have included affiliate links. (I found that I was already illustrating shoes and clothes and linking anyways!).
Alas, I do think that blogging ought to be done with passion rather than to seek individual fame. And you definitely are on the right track- you are one of my lovely reads
Paola
http://www.ThePvdHJournal.com
Thanks Paolo. So glad to hear your thoughts. I completely agree. It’s best for each person to suss out what works for them and figure out on their own time what feels right. One person’s affiliate link is another person’s free clothes… as long as you feel happy and okay with your choices that’s all that matters.
The only problem I really have is that a lot of people have exactly the same insecurities/uncertainties and yet people are very reluctant to admit it. When all you see is the ‘image’ of a blogger (obviously from what they put out on their blog and how other people decide to present them) it’s really easy to assume everything is awesome… all fancy clothes, free trips, fans… etc. But obviously that’s not the case – for anyone, no matter what blog.
p.s. you are one of my lovely reads too! and I find it super inspiring to hear your story from finance to illustration to… everything else that’s headed your way this coming year! yey! xx
I can definitely say as another blogger that although my life really is fancy clothes, trips etc, very little of it comes for free or is borrowed. It’s all paid for by hard work – my parents’!
I have no shame.
#OUTOFCONTROL
Ooooh how much did it take me to comment since I read this post, 10 hours? I had to metabolize it… ahah no, seriously, I was at work and since you raise some interesting points I wanted to write calmly. Because I do care about the topic.
I’m also happy that I read the other comments, a very nice discussion here (isn’t it super great when it happens? This alone could be probably the only reason to blog, I love when it happens…)
My experience is a bit different from yours because I don’t do outfit posts (and also not many pics, but mainly drawings and a bit of street style and trends stuff, but you know it already) so I was (almost) never approached by companies to sponsor stuff (even though my metrics are there, I think). Luckily I don’t have this “ethical” issue, let’s say. But I do feel your point.
My opinion, simple as that, is that as long as you stay true to your style it doesn’t matter if the item is yours, borrowed, sponsored, gifted, from your grandmother’s closet and so on. And I do think you keep your signature style, and this is one of the main reason why I truly love your blog.
I know that even if you’re sponsoring something you do it because you like it and would buy it for yourself in the first place. It gives a coherent visual and style to your blog, first. And gives you credibility as a blogger. Whether you pay for it or not, I know is something that you CHOSE.
There are tons of other blogs that are pure publicity. Even some veeeery famous ones (no names here). There are bloggers that are just ads in flesh and blood. And you see it in their styles too: they don’t have a taste, basically. It’s not fashion, is pure business. Then I prefer to read a magazine, thank you very much.
As for the reason one blogs sure there are multiple ones. But I don’t get all this frenzy about followers, stats, and goals. On websites such as IFB I heard multiple times sentences like “proper blogger”. Or that you have to have a professional attitude or nobody will take you seriously. Or the blogger etiquette (comment back etc…). Sometimes it seems there is a willing to uniform bloggers to a certain standard of blogging.
But I think that what’s make a blogger different from a magazine is passion and a voice. And if you spend your whole time trying to make yourself “professional”, following a certain blogging etiquette and blogging rules and looking at your stats you might lose this voice, I think.
I don’t understand why a blogger should start a blog to “go somewhere”. Like this Craig guy I read in the comments. He might be the guru of blogging I don’t know, didn’t understand who he is, but if he asked me why I blog and what I want to achieve I’ll just reply “I blog because it sets me free, I want to achieve happiness”
It might sound unprofessional but I didn’t start a blog to be professional. I started a blog because I am a scientist 12 hours a day and sometimes even more and the artistic side of me was screaming to come out. I go to fashion week because I have fun and I love to see the clothes closely and people with great style. I talk about fashion because I was tired of just looking at the opinion of others in the pages of the magazines. I draw because I need drawing in my life, and fashion drawing is my favourite (don’t get me started on all the people in my life that told me “you’re not an artist if you draw only women and clothes!” -___-). And I’m sure that there are tons of other people out there just like me (I think you are one).
Oh boy, I don’t even see where all this pamphlet is going. Moreover in my bad English. So I stop it here I hope you got what I mean.
As for people of the fashion industry looking down on bloggers, I think they’re just scared of this phenomenon and also they like to be snob. It’s a very snob industry, we all know that, and they really make a lot of efforts to keep it as snob as possible. Which is a bit ridiculous, but understandable. It’s their trademark. Let’s just be happy that there are also fashion people (and magazines) that are “forward”, open-minded and able to see where the world of fashion and media is going.
And let’s enjoy what we do, as bloggers but most importantly as people who love fashion, always.
Thank you so much for this article Jen, I’ll never stop to tell you how much I love your blog and your sincere simplicity.
And sorry for the post-long, barely understandable comment.
Kiss
Al
Al, I love your comment. I don’t mind that it’s long and your English is top-notch.
‘…if you spend your whole time trying to make yourself “professional”, following a certain blogging etiquette and blogging rules and looking at your stats you might lose this voice, I think.’ I think so too.
In reference to Craig: it was quite a time/situation specific conversation. It was in the middle of LFW (Sep ’11) and I felt quite disillusioned about why I had come. When I moved to Zurich I decided to take a break from what I had studied. Probably you have heard the story already, but I didn’t want to do politics – I wanted to write… or photograph… or do social media work… or… or… honestly I didn’t know what, but I was pretty sure it wasn’t working in politics or working in an office job. I was lucky to find a bit of freelance fashion writing that I could do remotely from Zurich but I wasn’t really passionate about it and seven months in I felt a bit confused about what I was doing or where I was heading. I was talking to Craig about this and he really simply asked, ‘If you could do anything what would you want to do?’ ‘Uhhh…’ I just sat there, I honestly didn’t know. ‘Anything. Really anything at all… it doesn’t matter how crazy it is – what would you want to be doing if you could be doing ANYTHING.’ ‘Uhhhh….’ I really felt so silly because I honestly didn’t know what I wanted to do. I spent a year telling everyone, ‘Oh yeah… I’m a blogger [insert shame] and a freelance writer [insert more shame because I didn't like what I was writing about]‘ – it wasn’t a good feeling. I wasn’t feeling passionate or motivated and, for whatever reason, Craig’s totally simple statement: ‘The faster you figure out where you want to be going, the faster you’ll get there’ really stuck with me over the next six months.
This isn’t to say I know exactly where I’m going or where I want to end up but I have a better idea than I did before. Also, because my experience with the fashion world/writing professionally/working with brands also started through this blog I feel like this is still, in some sense, connected with what I want to do going forward. Not in a strictly professional way (as you said, it’s about a love and a passion) but more in a personal way… I love this little thing and love the people that it’s brought into my life… whether I’ve met them in real life or not.
p.s. Craig’s blog: http://altamiranyc.tumblr.com/ xx
Hey Jen,first of all I wanna thank you for this amazing post, I think that we can understand the depht of your blog from this discussion. I haven’t stopped thinking about this topic since I’ve decided to open my blog (monthes ago) and I haven’t arrive at any conclusion yet. I don’t know what I want from my blog, and maybe this isn’t exactely a good start, but the only think I know is that my blog has helped me a lot in being more confident on my skills. Another important aspect is the fact that since I’ve started, I had the chance to meet a lot of people and share the same passion with them. And this is something vital to me.
I’ve always found your blog honest and real. I saw you at the fashion week, wearing jeans and converse, running to snap a photo, while other bloggers, dressed in designer clothes up to toe, were waiting to be snapped. Now, everyone should do what he wants, I mean, if you’re confortable in wearing Louboutin watching Xfactor on the sofa (maybe this one is mine, considering that one of my dream is to watch telly wearing a pair of MCQ Armadillo) or Converse to go to the fashion week, if you wanna do a post of you wearing a Stella McCartney dress or a Primark shirt, this is up to you. What I love about fashion is the fact that you can play with it, you can play with your masks, you can switch from a girl in a hoody in a library to one in high heel and pencil skirt in a popular restaurant. And this is still you, just in a different way. And what lies behind the surface still there, and will come out sooner or later. I don’t know if I managed to get the point (english is not helping, sorry)but to come to an end I don’t care if you use borrowed clothes, new, vintage, whatsover, what I mind in a blog or when I take a street style photo is the way the person wear it, call it attitude if you like. This is what makes your outfit with borrow clothes, outfit of a girl that loves what she is wearing and not of a girl who is advertising something.
Ok, it’s 1am, I should go to check my stats (aka sleeping):)
Good night!
Hi Sara!
I think you point out something super important – ‘I haven’t stopped thinking about this topic since I’ve decided to open my blog (monthes ago) and I haven’t arrive at any conclusion yet.’ You’re so right, you don’t have to know what you think about every single detail when you start a blog. You don’t need to think about all these details or bits of blogging advice.
The freedom to figure it out on your own is exactly what makes it so fun. I’ve had a few people ask/tell me that maybe I should take down my original blog posts. But I never wanted it to come across perfectly refined – I wanted it to be honest. I like that you can go back to the beginning and see how it has changed – that’s the point, right? And that’s the awesome thing about a blog (as you also pointed out) it helps you become more refined and figure out what you enjoy and what you’re good at… plus, it’s all nicely stored… you can look back through the days/months/years… and laugh at what you used to do or be reminded of the way you use to view things things. I really like that aspect.
xx
Well done for writing this post, it addresses a few of he things that have been on my mind recently. I feel that bloggers are forever being lumped together and ridiculed when in reality we are as varied as the journalists themselves and mostly just normal people. People seem to forget that there are bad journalists, stylists and buyers as well who steal seats and take goody bags that aren’t theirs and it seems that we are being blamed for everything. I started off much the same as you, chatting to my small audience about all the things I wanted people to know about and sometimes I look back on those posts and admire their honesty. Your feelings about affiliate links echo some of mine, I do use them sparingly and its unlikely that they will really benefit me, but it doesn’t annoy me when I see other posts that revolve around them and finding ‘similar’ items as if they are being oh so helpful. I think that blogging definitely takes you on a bit of a journey and I think that a lot of new bloggers just want to skip this and reach the top right away.
Hi Jen! I have been reading your blog for a while and later find myself expecting your every post because I can actually relate to it, unlike some other bloggers who live “prosperously.” Thank you for reminding me that I should blog out of my passion and interests, because sometimes I just feel that I am not good enough and start comparing my posts with other blogs’. I also learn about how I can stay true to myself and voice my honest opinion from you, even though it is not always “I love this collection” or “I love this trend” written.
As a matter of fact, blogging has helped me to embrace my inner writer whereas now with a degree that is different from journalism (Business Administration, it was)–I am now directing my path to a more “serious” writing gig. In the mean time I occupy myself with a project called Vociferous (http://vociferousmag.com/) and I would also like to hear an opinion or two from you.
Cheers,
G
ooooh jen you sure have kicked the hornet’s nest with this post. it has got to be the best thing i’ve read in a long time. so many issues raised here and the responses are as interesting to read as the post itself.
this is a very good example why this blogging thing has got to be kept alive.
thank you for this post. It’s really inspiring. I had started losing my patience but your post made me realize why I do this. thank you.
wow. so many interesting comments, on this super tuchy subject. my head is spinning. I mostly agree with Al. his post was so honest and he really did hit the point with what he said. my thought exactly. Yesterday I`ve been reading simmilar posts on IFB, and all in all, I am really tired of all the fuss and argueing about who is the trues bloger. I really don`t care if some blogger is a PR machine or a fake. Really, if you don`t like them, don`t follow them or read them. And I hope that you are all smart enough to stay true to yourself, rise above all the envy and bitterness around us and do what we do for ourselves. And if someone doen`t see the true values or the scheme behind the story, well, that really isn`t our bussines anyways, right? I love Jen. period. I like her aproach to this, and I find it more true and honest, spontaneous and just amazing than some other SUPERDUPER fashion bloggers out there. I wasn`t born into money. not even close. I can`t afford most of the things, but I still think I could be a damn good blogger if only I put more effort to it. But that is on me. So what if she borrows or gets things, it only means that someone out there, someone important to fashion thinks so too. and if they decide to give/borrow something to her – well get over it! I don`t get this jelousy. really. and the main argument would be – if she wasn`t “good” enough, interesting or stylish enough in the first place, while she didn`t have andything borrowed or given to wear/start with, nobay would approach her. end of story. We all sometimes get stignged with bitterness or even worse, but, suck it up and work for it, be true and honest to yourself and maybe it will come to you.
Until then, dear Jen, keep up the good work, your great energy and this blog
and I appologize for my spelling, its me procrastinating at work
don˙t tell my boss 
This is the best post I’ve seen in a long time.
I get too many comments along the “follow me babe and I’ll follow you right back!” line and it drives me crazy because all some people seem to care about is getting the most comments/ traffic/ clicks on a link. Blogging should be about having fun, enjoying yourself, showing off your (sometimes retarded?) outfits, not just about the numbers and statistics.
You are a goddess for writing this, all of it is too true.
SIDEWALKCATWALKS.com
i think this was a absolutely cracking post and echos a lot of thoughts that have been on my mind about the whole thing for a while now, maybe i did just need to see them written down. i have made a lot of changes over the past year and even thought my blog isn’t as regular as maybe it could be, well that’s the point. 2 posts a week is normal for me and i need to stick doing what works for me, what posts i enjoy and why i feature and “work” with certain brands. transparence is very important isn’t it. on another note i would actually like to work on things with other bloggers for projects, i have no idea what but i thing it could be a really neat idea.
We should totally do a joint blogging project!
Great post Jen. Like you I started almost 3 years ago and never expected anybody to read a fashion blog by a fortysomething!
I have been meaning to reply to this post ever since I read it the first time. Your post is fantastic- it really speaks out to me because blogs have had such a bad time recently and I must admit that it did make me feel a bit strange as a blogger and sometimes It’s hard not to compare yourself to other bloggers. I just tried to ignore all the hate and have been reading fewer blogs because I can’t stand the blogger bashing. I just hate that all bloggers are often lumped all together and it’s so important to realise that not all bloggers are the same. People blog for different reasons…but there are definitely those that seem to blog for fame, the freebies and to appear part of the ‘glamourous’ fashion industry. But there are others, those that blog for the love of blogging and for someone like me who started blogging to zero readers, it’s really refreshing to read a post like this, especially with the message of staying true to yourself and don’t forget the reasons why you started blogging. Brilliant post Jen!
Such a nice and honest post. xx
Amen! Though this post has turned out to be quite controversial (really enjoyed pouring over everyone’s comments in addition to the actual post), I thought it was very simple, straight-forward, well-written and truthful. And THAT is the key to being a successful blogger I think. It’s having your own voice and staying true to it, being authentic and being yourself. I think the whole issue of borrowed goods is really beside the point, as long as it’s stuff you can truly get behind, we are happy to see it because it does represent your point of view, regardless of who paid for it. I know I started my blog as a way to basically talk to my mom on the other side of the world, and then after months and months of steady posting, to my surprise, other people were actually reading it! Actually subscribing to it! And I think that that sort of shakes you when you’re not expecting it, and makes you question your content and your goals and all sorts of things, but as long as we stay honest I think it shouldn’t really spiral out of control. This are issues I struggle with, especially because I have less and less time to blog and that’s oddly coinciding with more and more readers, but I try not to stress about it, because really, this is something we do for pleasure, and if it becomes stressful or angst-ridden, it defeats the whole purpose. And that’s my babbling comment for today! Anyway, love the post. Also, by the way, love the coat!
http://nomadic-d.blogspot.com/
I find this post very interesting indeed. More so the comments that follow as well. You brought up some really valid points that I myself have a hard time putting into words, so thanks for that. I think there is nothing more important than being true to oneself and hopefully that will show in my blog and in my life.
hey babe finding the time now to comment while breastfeeding and getting the kids ready for school i like how you write what basically everyone is thinking but too scared to voice let alone blog although my blog is personal and my own voice about fashion I did start it to go somewhere and in somewhere I mean gain a career everyone on mycourse at the time was working and I was the only stay at home mum they’re all entering and I couldn’t afford to (which is the same now) but I thought screw that I make my ownpath and haven’t looked back since my blog is a combination of a cv, portfolio and peaks of a diary because my family is my lifestyle
and what I love about blogging is that is my choice so what? if you get free clothes you would have worn anyway in the few years I’ve known you I’ve never seen you in something that’s made me do a doubletake clicking my tounge and say that doesn’t look like Jen. I have anew one income household with four kids i can’t buy new clothes all the time so if a brand wants to gift me a bag set of clothes etc that I would have brought had i had the money *insert jamaican accent here me a take it yes!
if we all talked about the clothes we could afford there would be no one talking about couture, my only flogging offence is being guilty of being a little only a little jealous of other bloggers I would never begrudge others as.I truly believe everyone deserves what they get but in the early days it was hard not to feel left behind, where’s now I know nothing before its time.
‘If we all talked about the clothes we could afford there would be no one talking about couture.’ – I couldn’t agree more.
I totally admire that you’ve found a balance between being a mom, having a blog… and maintaing everything else in your life. It’s inspiring. xx
also forgot to add i am writing on the tab with stupid autocorrect so meant interning not entering also hell yeah I regularly check my stats If feel nice when people come back it gives me a boost but I don’t really see the need about shouting your numbers to the rooftops o.k that’s me done gotta finish getting these kids ready. xx
Hey Jen,
You really got me with this post. As you know I’m slightly new to the fashion-type blogging game and constantly trying to analyse and stay true to myself and my original mission for the blog; to have a creative outlet aside from my non-creative day job, to explore and share the things I love and to build contacts for a possible future career. I am neither ashamed of my blog or that last point because as you say, a blog is personal and as long as you are honest then people can take or leave you as they please. And I am happy with that. And despite hoping for a career in fashion/journalism/pr (i haven’t figured that out yet) I hope my blog won’t change whether I ‘make it’ or remain a nanny or do something totally different, because it is still ME and I still love it!
Your advice is so valuable to remember throughout a blogs lifetime and not just when someone is starting up. I think Style Crusader is an excellent example of someone who is staying true to themselves while providing excellent content.
Em x
P.S – I am wearing that gorgeous coat to death (until it got warm) but I am still slightly afraid of the skirt (I am not a skirt person) despite loving it to bits
x
Hi Jen, thank you very much for posting these insights. I empathise with a lot of them and found it very comforting that I am not the only one who ponders these things to such extent. I think that the business of blogging, in particular in the fashion industry, has really created a trope of the ‘blogger’ – a person who attends pr, has ads on their site, shoots with [this] camera, writes about [this] designer/ bag, projects a certain aesthetic, et al and I find it has created the hierarchy and restrictions which many people began blogs to avoid. I think that the most important thing, as you said, is to be conscious of what you’re doing and your motivations for why. If you’re true to yourself at the core, then satisfaction will come in many forms other than a show invitation or a collaboration. I concur with you’re point about being grateful, I think this is very important to say thank you and express gratitude, especially when people have gone out of their way to contact you, whether that be big or small.
ps – lovely outfit. I think your dedication to your converses is rather lovely; I hope they have a name!
We should talk about this stuff!!! Ok so I’m going to say something totally the opposite to all the comments- I don’t see the difference between using a sponsored link and wearing a loaned / gifted item. Either way they are both commercial in some way. I think people get so hotted up about this stuff when it really doesn’t even matter. Fair enough you could accuse some blogs of ‘selling out’ because all of a sudden every post is gifted clothing and wish lists linked to net-a-porter, but at the end of the day that is their choice, you don’t have to read their blog! I also have to say that I am not going to appologise for making money, it’s call having a job which pretty much everyone in the world has to do, if blogging is my job why is that any different to working in a burger joint? That said I always tag a post if its sponsored or not, I’m not embarrassed by doing so. I dont think my blog is any less ‘real’ than it was 4 years ago when I started it. I dont see how anyone can say it is selling out to make something you truly love your job, whether its me with a couple of ads or Bryan Boy with his wallpaper background advert and tons of free stuff. Why cant everyone just be lovers not haters!!
Dont even get me started on LFW, if a designer /PR invites a blogger to their show then who are the BFC to not respect that! All guests should be allowed a sit down and a plug socket geez! How did you find it in Paris, do they have this divide?? x
Hi Pearl,
My experience in Paris at fashion week was very different than London. The trip was quite last minute and I didn’t apply for any sort of press accreditation. Everything was much more industry oriented. For the most part, from what I could tell, people didn’t come that didn’t have tickets. There also isn’t a main central hub like Somerset House where everyone congregates between shows and for street style. The shows happen on a much bigger scale and, from what I experienced, the ticket allocation is much stricter and everything is more organized.
I only attended one show, Paul & Joe, and I had a great experience. My ticket arrived in time, I met the PR at the door, I was walked to my seat. The seating allocation is thought through perfectly. There really isn’t space or opportunity for the sort of antics that happen in London. Either you have a ticket that you received in the post with a clear indication of where you are to sit/stand or you don’t show up.
I’m not sure how the press accreditation works or what the facilities or like but the issue of ‘press’ vs ‘bloggers’ space didn’t seem to exist. London has recognized that bloggers come to fashion week and have given them some sort of recognition for doing so – from what I saw in Paris this didn’t exist. It’s a double edged sword… with London’s response to bloggers. On one hand a lot of people are upset because as a blogger you don’t get what you used to have (you don’t have a place to recharge your phone even – as you pointed out) but on the other hand there are A LOT of bloggers applying for passes to attend fashion week and A LOT applying for tickets to the shows. They can’t accommodate everyone.
Anyway, this is a whole other issue and I could talk about it for ages… I’ll save all my thoughts for another post though because, I think you’re right, it does need to be addressed. xx
Having been to Paris a few times I agree that in many ways the shows are much more organised than London – if you have a ticket you’re in, if you don’t then wait until the very end and usually the PRs will let you go into standing if there’s space. There’s a group of fashion students who go round to all the shows and get in last minute (but it’s only like 20 of them, not the 200000000 at LFW). They do not try to get in early or try to steal seats.
You can apply for press accreditation as a print journalist or as a website (at modeaparis.com) but it’s not really worth the hassle, the brands invite whoever they want (like in London) and there is no central location or “press room” (unlike London). I don’t *need* access to a press room – I survive without it in Paris by charging my phone and camera in cafes or going back to my hotel – but if the BFC provides it in London for print press I don’t see why genuine bloggers holding tickets to the shows as issued by the brands and PRs aren’t afforded the same basic facilities. It’s like we’re seen as equals in the eyes of the designers and their PR companies, just not by the BFC.
Stick to the point Pearl, I know, I know! But that’s interesting to know about Paris Jen and Duck. I have to say I did notice they started to reign in the blaggers at LFW this season. Im sure it will all get itself sorted out eventually.
Loving this debate though Jen, epic post! x
This has been a really interesting read (especially the discussion in the comments!), I agree with you 100%. I think the thing is that a lot of people have realized they can make money & achieve a certain level of fame by having a blog & so a lot have been springing up in the hopes they will get all these free gifts & sponsorships & cash for advertising .etc when obviously this is not the case, except for a small few. I guess the sheer number of bloggers now has a slightly negative effect on how we are perceived, especially by the industry & such, everyone’s a blogger these days, so it’s hard to tell who’s doing it seriously & there are a lot who do it for the wrong reasons & it’s those people who are remembered & give the rest a bad name, unfortunately.
I personally started my blog mainly for myself, I just needed somewhere to dump down my current inspirations (I’m terribly forgetful!) & have a way to categorize them for future reference. I also just wanted somewhere to be proud of the things I’d created without boring my family & friends with it constantly! Hah! As people started to actually read my blog, the community part has been the thing that’s surprised me & that I’ve most enjoyed & is now one of my main reasons for blogging. It’s so nice to have like minded people out there who enjoy reading what you have to say, leaving meaningful comments & getting to know people just like yourself who you would never have even met without your blog.
I’ve also seen the bad though, there is a lot of bitchyness & jealousy out there, especially now that blogging is seen as a possible career move or route to instant fame & fortune. I’m already a bit fed up of those that just comment “follow me, look at my blog” .etc, I guess these are the people hoping to turn it into a career or at least get enough numbers to get free stuff, but I just don’t see the point, I’d rather have 1 thoughtful comment than 100 “cute dress” “follow me” ones. I’ve also received nasty & jealous emails & comments (I’m not sure why because mines still very very small!), I just don’t see the need for it, there’s room for us all!
I agree with what most others have said regarding free things & sponsored posts, I think as long as it’s something you would wear anyway, or is a brand you love or a company you’re passionate about then it’s totally fine! I mean, what’s the point in receiving free things if you don’t even like them?! I’ve been offered a few free things, but none were to my personal taste, so I declined, but if they were I would gladly have accepted!
Totally agree with what you’ve said Stephanie.
I’ve found the community aspect to be especially important. When I moved to Zurich a year ago I didn’t have a job or speak the language and I think I would have felt pretty isolated to start off with if I didn’t have my blog/Twitter (hah!) to keep me connected to people on a daily basis. It’s something I never expected to gain from having a blog but I’m so thankful for it now. xx
Hi Jen,
I agree with everything you said. Very well put. I was surprised but not really in a way that this also happen in other countries and blogger communities and press events other than my country. Keep on blogging. Love the photos. Love your blog. Keep doing what you are doing.
Best,
Earth
This made my day. Great points! I totally agree with everything. I’m gonna share to everyone I know.
I agreeee! Thank you for this wonderful post! Stay humble and inspired us with everything you do. Thank you again!
Can I repost this? I’ll put credits. 
hope to hear back from you! 
Hi J! So glad to hear you like it. Definitely feel free to repost. As long as it’s clear where the content has come from and it links back to the original source I’m happy. xx
This is awesome! It enlightened me, I just started my blog on January 2012. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Peace, love, happiness!
Your post is amazing and i love how heartfelt it is. Funny because I am indifferent referring to myself as a blogger. See, I graduated Journalism, so I can frankly say that I’ve worn both shoes. (Sometimes at the same time as I still write for magazines every now and then). It’s really a different boat and sometimes, the fear of rocking off one or turning over can really get you–stiff frozen. I’ve also been a PR accountant (fresh from college), so I have that experience of being on the seat of the PR I now get to work with. I still think, every now and then, that I’m confused… so I stopped thinking. I don’t want to know whether I’m a “journalist” or a “blogger” or a “PR-person”. I just want to be honest. I just want to be friendly. I just want to share a little something to anyone who would like to listen (in our case, read).
Yes compensation (monetary, in kind, fame) is fun and rewarding; but I find that the most fulfilling thing about blogging is the friendship–no matter how temporary or “superficial”/”virtual” it is–that you can build through your honesty. The best perk about blogging, is the platform to share.
such an honest post! i am a newbie blogger… still idealistic of what blogging is really about and i think this serves as a nice reminder of how our principles and integrity should always remain intact when blogging…
nice to have stumbled upon your blog. more power! 
Great tips for blogging and I agree with everything you’ve said. It’s easy to lose sight of what’s important, why we write and for whom.
The main thing stopping blogging from achieving its full potential is the reluctance by many to be recognised as bloggers. I find it so odd when bloggers say that they don’t read other blogs. In which other industry would you not observe and support what is going on around you?
Some bloggers can be quick to criticise PRs, but surely this lack of commitment sends mixed signals to companies trying to make sense of a new industry that they might not understand. We need to be proud to be bloggers and be positive about what sets us apart from print and websites – a personal, often more honest approach.
Thanks a lot for this very encouraging posting!!
I’m so tired of this industry v bloggers, established bloggers v new ones…. I’m not a professional blogger, I don’t aim at collaborating with brands, of course I wouldn’t mind if a brand I actually like asked me, but I don’t see this happen any time soon. I just love photography (just as an amateur!), travelling, fashion etc and I like to write and share things. There seem to be so many intelligent and passionate people around the “blogosphere”, with whom I just love to interact. But I happened to be in Paris around Fashion Week last fall, and since then I kind of see both sides of the bloggers v. industry thing. On the one hand I felt quite repelled by the way some “nobodies” were presenting themselves, obviously only seeking for attention, not even really interested in what was going on around them. Just compare those appearences to let’s say Franca Sozzani or Emmanuelle Alt. On the other hand I keep reading of all those “people who are bored with their lives and therefore go to Fashion Weeks without even having an invitation”, which I find very offensive. I think I can be a law graduate in everyday life and take pictures outside at Paris Fashion Week, talk about it from my amateurish point of view, in my free time without having to be bored by this everyday law student/graduate life. I think the main point is – as you and many of the comments have said: to be true to yourself, not to pretend to be what you’re not. so you can use this “blog” either for building up your professional career, or non-professionals like me: for dealing with things you’re passionate about but that you haven’t chosen for earning your living, for whatever reasons (maybe because you’re better at other things, but still love the blog subject). And then there you have a space that’s totally up to you. As I said I love photography with my DSLR, still I do my outfit pictures with my phone cam. Don’t have time for tripod shootings every day, and in my opinion the phone cam mirror pictures are sufficient to show what I’m wearing etc etc. In the end noone is forced to read it or look at it.
But I should stop now, it’s very late and I feel my English is suffering….
Good night, and thanks again!
Beautiful and well written post! I’ve been blogging for over a year now and just started questioning the whole situation – what is happening with blogosphere? Glad I found someone who shares same views…
Cheers from Australia,
xx
At the base of the base, everything you say is right. Except that today, a blog can become a source of revenue.
If you love blogging, it’s your passion above all, I do not see why you would not accept paid partnerships.
It’s still nice to be able to live his passion. Not?
For me this is not my case, but if he would stand, I will not say no.
I really enjoy your blog, your universe, I am delighted to discover it and it is thanks to The Fashion Cloud!
I wish you a great day, with pleasure.
M.
I find this post really helpful! I’m a budding blogger and I need these because I am really having a hard time to manage my blog especially that I’m also working at the same time. there were times I feel pressured whenever I get invited to a an event or promotions because they might be expecting something big from me with a little share of audience. thanks a lot! you may also visit my blog at : http://anneg08.blogspot.com/
♥ Anne G.
Great outfit!
I was just scrolling down your home page with 2012 review and then I landed here!
From my point of view, this is one of your best written pieces so far.
I read each and every point of it, and I admire you for actually “thinking deeply” about blogging. Only very few outthere still put up something worth discussing, worth debating these days. And it’s sad that a lot of bloggers don’t get the essential meaning of blogging.
Thank you for this post, I’ve learned something from it and that’s what great blogging is about, now isn’t it?
http://daretoduit.blogspot.co.at/
yvonne ★
Hi Jen,
Great post. I started blogging just to feel free and write how I wanted to write. I think that’s how it should be. It should make you happy, make you think and be a platform where you are you. A blank canvas to write and dream and create.
take care
Polly xx
Hi, I would thank you, even one year later (!), for creating this post, I think it would help me to feel confident about what I’m doing right now (what, more bloggers??). I don’t think everyone is talented (so do I), but I’m sure some people deserve to rise a bit more. We are ok that the fashion industry is tough and not made for everyone.
What I’m craving for my blog is having comments and feedbacks about it, because it’s quite new (1 year) and I always need to know how my pics and writings are received. I’ve learned to know that no comments (unless family or friends) don’t necessarily mean that nobody like it or read it, but it’s quite frustrating.
Thanks again, I think you have a pretty good vision on that even with 3 years of blogging, I would like to know what 5years or more bloggers think about it!
Have a nice day
Fanny
tvotvp.blogspot.com
you are amazing. now i have more strenge to continue my blog and enthusiasm for things i love. Im not good at writing, but i have so many ideas i would share on my blog. sometimes im wondering why i care about who is reading my posts, cause it does not matter at all, right? im doing it only for me, if someone recognize my work i will be incredibly happy, but if not – i would be proud of it anyhow. Thank you for being so inspiring.
some great points jen.. it doesn’t bug me in the least that bloggers flog borrowed stuff all the time. if things change too much i normally find myself losing interest and stop reading and just move on. there’s always something new or someone new to share the inspiration along, just like in any other industry i suppose? perhaps working in the media for the past 10 years have made me a bit cynical as a blogger, i think the only reason i still blog 10 years on is that i enjoy it, and enjoy getting to know some amazing people in the blogosphere. definitely agree with not taking things all too seriously!
this is your blog, and you can do what you want and what`s your desire.
I`m really happy to follow you and I´m thankful for every kind of tips and images. Your blog bring me such a joy for my day – and that what`s all about!
Keep going on my dear!!!
Yuna
Hiya!! I think what you said is really true!! I have recently set up my blog so I haven’t really had many views or comments or publicity so if you could have a look I would be so grateful!!
I’m a bit late to this discussion but hopefully my comment is still read, because I could not agree more. I mean, so does everyone else, but still: I am so sick of meeting up with ‘blogger buddies’ and it never being about being friends. It’s always about 1. ‘Ooh that would look so cute on Instagram’, 2. ‘Omg are you going to that event tomorrow/ next week/ next decade?!’ or 3. ‘Oh can we totes take photos of this new bag I was sent, the post has to be up tomorrow!!’ It’s a profession that has become so superficial, and it’s AMAZING to read pieces like this which bring the life and personality back into blogging.
SIDEWALKCATWALKS.com
A chit chat on the absurdity of detox diets and striving for non-touching thighs
Really lovely post Jen. I often find myself thinking about these issues . . . wonderful writing. xx Molly
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