Bit of a controversial topic to put out there isn’t it, but it’s true, I do miss the old blogging days!
When everything wasn’t about sponsored posts, free products, events and money. Instead blogs were raw and bloggers wrote honest trustworthy reviews of things they purchased with their own money. Another thing was we all (well, majority) interacted with one another, regardless of your following count.
I’m sure a lot of blog lovers and bloggers can relate to this. Or maybe it’s just me?
I think what bugs me the most is that it’s really hard to know if bloggers are being genuine or not, do they actually like the product or are they being paid a shit ton of money so they have to ‘like it’?
Don’t get me wrong I think it’s amazing that bloggers make a living out of this and are getting given free products to try and wear! I mean who doesn’t want a gucci bag or a high end beauty product for free? It’s the dream right? But for me, I enjoy writing about the things that I honestly do love and would happily spend my hard earned money on! But, most importantly – sharing my honest feedback to you guys about said product, because I wouldn’t want anyone buying something that I secretly hated or just didn’t work for me. I just couldn’t do it.
I rarely (almost never) do sponsored posts. Yes I have been fortunate to have been given free products here and there, but I will give my honest feedback as I don’t want to bullshit anyone, regardless of whether the brand likes it or not!
On the other hand, is blogging dead? The likes of other big bloggers rarely blog anymore. For them it’s all about the money I suppose. YouTube and Instagram is where it’s at if you’re money driven! Instagram riles me a bit, but I’ll save that for another story…
But to answer the question, I would say yes and no, blogging is dying out as a lot of ‘influencers’ are giving up their blogs and making money else where. But regardless of the situation, that will never stop me from blogging as I don’t do it for money.
On a positive note, I do like how blogs have evolved over the years, to look more professional – clean looking designs with well lit photographs! I know some blog lovers dislike this as they think it’s ‘too overproduced/staged’. But, pretty photographs and flat-lays draw people in. Nobody wants to look at a really dark photo that’s blurry, right?
Another positive that has naturally happened over the years is that I love that blogging has become popular. Anyone can do it and anyone can relate.
I think it’s amazing that bloggers touch upon certain topics on health, relationships and current events while posting beautifully styled outfit or lifestyle posts to work alongside.
I find it so uplifting talking about my endometriosis battles and knowing that their are others out there suffering too! Of course, my thumbnail pictures are pretty flat-lays but the topic is more important.
As well as this, I love going into serious detail about my wedding planning and sharing my photographs with you all. I’ve had brides comment/email/message me on social media saying how helpful they are finding these posts and love how I styled everything! Even brides-to-be have been inspired to have their wedding at my chosen venue (cray)! It’s such a liberating feeling helping other brides-to-be on their special day.
And well, obviously I love sharing my thoughts on beauty products and my latest adventures in London stuffing my face and documenting the experience! We all love food so, it’s so great that anyone and everyone can relate and discuss whether they enjoyed eating there too!
I suppose I enjoy that ‘connection’ with my readers and other bloggers, and I feel that’s been lost with some bloggers now-a-days. I still have that connection with a few bloggers – the ones that spend extra time commenting back regardless of how big they are. And ya know what, it’s nice. Because at the end of the day, us small bloggers and readers are the ones that buy what they influence, and it goes a long way knowing that they’ve seen what you’ve written and had time to respond. It shows that they care.
I know the big bloggers cannot reply to every single person due to the sheer amount of comments they get on a variety of platforms, I totally get that, but I do appreciate it when they do. Inthefrow replies occasionally, as well as Amelia Liana (on Instagram) and it’s simply nice. It’s nice that they are interacting with us. (How many times can I say nice?!)
Is there a point to this post?
Maybe, maybe not.
I just wanted to get my thoughts out in the open.
I often feel like I am an outsider in the blog community, I don’t attend events when I’ve been asked a few times. To be frank, I think I’m seriously scared of actually being apart of that ‘world’ and being on my lonesome – standing in the corner like a loser, waiting for an extrovert to come talk to me. So, I’m quite happy sitting at home in my pyjamas with a cuppa awaiting for the Insta stories about ‘said’ event from other bloggers. I think it would be a different story if I had ‘real life’ blogger friends who I knew were going of course!
But regardless of everything, I still love the community, albeit I don’t know some sides of it very well. I just dislike the commericialness of the world, the dishonesty, the direction it has gone in and how it has changed some people.
I’m hoping it goes back to it’s old ways, but it most likely never will. It’s too far gone with the money at stake.
Ya know what I also miss – the days when you commented on a blog because you do actually relate to them. I’m quite lucky with my readers and fellow bloggers – they write such lovely words. But it does feel like some bloggers comment just for the sake of it sometimes. I suppose they do it to get their name out there – which isn’t a bad thing.
I think I just wanted to do a throw back to the past.
How this world will evolve over time is a mystery to me. Maybe everyone will get sick of blogging? (Not me I hope) Only time will tell.
But on this delightful Sunday evening (..in case you’re like hang on Zoey, it’s Morning morning! I wrote this on Sunday, just scheduling it in advance as you do…) with a glass of pink gin and tonic in my hand, I just wanted to pour out how I’m feeling about this… I hope you don’t mind.
I would honestly love to know how you feel about the whole ‘blogging community’ and where it’s gone. Please leave me a comment whether you agree or dislike – it’ll be interesting to see!
Let’s get social. Follow me on Instagram or Twitter. I’m also on Bloglovin‘, Pinterest and Youtube.
I love this look, and your pics are very beautiful!
XX
Justine
http://lemagdejustine.com
Author
Aw thank you so much Justine 😊 x
I can completely understand where you’re coming from. I’m not a blogger, I just love reading them. I hate seeing ads because it’s hard to know if they are telling the truth about the gifted items. I’ve lost a lot of respect for some of the huge bloggers, not going to mention names but it’s sooo obvious when they have written such amazing things about something and they’ve clearly been paid! It’s just fake! But I think we are becoming clever about spotting it now. Whereas before they didn’t disclosure whether something was an ad or sponsored post.
Author
Thanks for commenting :). Ah yes… it is really tricky to know if they are being honest. From a blogger’s point of view I would only work with brands that are right for me, like MAC, Charlotte beauty… or Liz Earle etc. Dying to work with them three brands in the future (if it ever happens)! But I would of course put a * or state it’s been gifted. x
Yes!!! Someone finally said it! Enjoyed reading this on my commute this morning.
Loving these chatty styled blogs from you. You’d like Hannah Gale, she has a witty writing style but has beautiful photographs too.
Author
Thank you :).
I bloody love Hannah Gale’s blog and her Instagram/stories too – she’s brilliant! x
You go glen co co!! Xx
Author
Haha! Mean girls, yesssss! x
I totally agree with you!! Such a great blog post and I love the dress x
Adventures in May | Miss Nev
Author
Ah thanks so much 🙂 x
Beautiful jumper dress babe!
x Lisa | lisaautumn.com
Author
Aw thank you, it’s from ASOS (quite old though) x
There is definitely a whole lot more pressure to blogging these days but on most days I’m good at blocking out all the non-sense and just focusing on my love for making content and having a creative out let. x
http://www.themakeupaficionado.com
Author
Me too! Keep on creating content that you love :). x
I’ve only been blogging for about 2 and a half years and I’ve already seen a huge change in the blogging community! From the bitchiness, not following ASA rules, outing people for silly things and so on. It’s basically turned into an online version of high school at times lol. So I can totally understand where you’re coming from. Also, I didn’t know you have endo! I’m currently dealing with a battle with my health which full on kicked in back in March, I think I have endo as I have so many of the symptoms but my doctor and gyno have said it’s ‘Chronic pelvic pain’ when I’m like 85% sure it’s endo 🤦🏻♀️ But dealing with my daily health problem has made me realise how important it is to talk about health problems and raising awareness x
astoldbykirsty.co.uk
Author
It’s crazy how much it’s changed isn’t it?! I definitely agree, it is a bit like high school sometimes. Rather catty at times, but we all need to support each other instead! I miss the old blogging days when everyone talked to anyone regardless of their following count. It’s become a big competition unfortunately and Instagram isn’t helping us either.
Oh gosh, 100% about raising awareness of endo, it’s such a horrible condition! The only way of knowing you have it is to have the operation which I would highly recommend going for – it puts your mind at rest and you’re like yessss after all these years I finally know what’s wrong with me. x
Firstly, I love your jumper dress! It looks so cosy!
I’ve been blogging for almost 5 years and I have to say I’m slightly overwhelmed by how much it’s changed. There are definitely positive changes as you mentioned like better quality photos – I personally think this is a great change and I feel like people are way more creative now with their photos and content!
I personally think that sponsored posts are a great thing, however, I do think it’s really important to make sure the sponsored content fits in with their regular content and that it’s disclosed properly, of course. I was watching a youtube video yesterday and there was sponsored content within the video, however, they disclosed it by writing ‘this video contains sponsored content’ in tiny white writing that I could barely make out for a few seconds of the intro. It felt like they were trying to hide the sponsorship but they acknowledged it in a hidden way just to cover themselves. In my opinion, there’s no need to hide it, if you genuinely love whatever product or service you’re advertising then there shouldn’t be any reason to hide it, ya know?
And as for blogging, I really hope it doesn’t die out. I love reading blogs as well as writing posts for my blog! I’ll definitely still keep blogging but it would be a shame if my favourite bloggers stopped writing!
I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this Zoey!
http://www.clionahill.com
Author
Thank you :).
It’s crazy how much it’s changed!
I 100% agree! I really don’t understand why people try to hide it either. If you chose to work with that brand, surely you must love the products? But then again, it kind of shows maybe they are just doing it for the money.
I’ve also noticed on my Insta, a few bloggers write ‘this is a sponsored post’ right at the bottom of a really wordy message, so unless you’re actually reading it you would just naturally skim past it.
Me too! I love your blog by the way – been following you on bloglovin’ for a little while :). x
No doubt you are looking very romantic in pic & your style of writing appeal readers that they read to the end.
https://www.soulquote.us/
Author
Oh *blush* thank you x
YES to this post lady, I completely hear you! I started my blog around 6/7 years ago and really do miss how it was sometimes! I used to write about my internships and take pictures on my phone, the industry was a great place to be! Whilst there are still lovely bloggers out there it has definitely shifted! Here’s to more authenticity and kicking it old school!
Hayley xo
http://www.frockmeimfamous.com
Author
Fan girling a bit here… cause I follow you on Insta and love your content haha… don’t mind me! Anyway, thanks for commenting lovely :).
Same here, I remember taking photos on my phone – that I’d use for tumblr back in the day. It has shifted massively!
And 100%, there’s so many lovely bloggers still out there! x
I totally get what you are saying. For me, though I do not think blogging is dead. I still believe in creating content and writing from your heart instead of doing massive sponsored posts. And maybe it’s a bit silly because for most bloggers, the ultimate is to make it into a living. But I’d rather be creative and true to myself than posting something I know it’s not genuine :))
p.s. your look gorgeous in that sweater dress!
– Marina W
http://www.waitmarinawho.com/2018/11/a-cornucopia-of-emotions.html
Author
Thanks for commenting lovely! 110% – I know it’s hard for some bloggers as I know they have to pay bills etc. However, I don’t think they should do it just for the money, your heart needs to be in the right place and whether you truly love that brand!
And thanks so much 🙂 x
I totally agree with you. I’ve been a devoted blog reader for many years and so many of the bloggers I love(d) have changed so much. Also, as a blogger (a fair weather blogger I must admit) I find it so hard now to get people to engage. I know I have some readers but my blog is definitely not as polished as others.
Side note, I love that dress!
Author
Thanks for leaving a comment Sarah :).
Agree with you 100%… It’s changed SO much, however, there’s also good stuff happening in the blogging world. It’s great that people can make a living from it!