Blogging is an ever-changing phenomenon and I am constantly seeing posts on how the industry and people's feelings towards blogging has changed, negatively. I wanted to shake things up and discuss both the good and the bad superficially. There are some truly shitty things that can happen in the blogging industry, but there are also some great things. These five best and worst things about blogging are simply m opinions and are most likely beauty blog-specific. My intention is not to offend or upset anyone. I hope you enjoy this post and please share your own thoughts in the comments. It would mean a great deal to me.
5 BEST
People actually read your shit. How cool is that?
Good comments. Even better than the last one, not only do people read your content but they engage with it in a genuine way and it sounds sappy but reading thoughtful comments on my posts do turn my day around. A fantastic form of gratification.
Community and friendship. It is not all that surprising that people can make genuine connections with people online and through social media. I am fortunate enough to feel somewhat close to the people whose blogs I read. I care when they are going through a bad time and I am overjoyed when they get the recognition they deserve or land a new job etc. That in itself is a lovely thing.
Discovering new opportunities. Such as new brands, companies and charities. This, for me, always keeps my blog fresh and makes me feel good that I can support and help smaller companies reach a bigger audience. This can be hugely beneficial for both parties and I have met some amazing people and learnt many things as a result of this.
It has never stopped feeling like a hobby for me. I don't have the pressure that I think co-exists with being a full-time blogger. I have a steady income as a result of a full-time job which although contributes to my perpetual sleep deprivation definitely makes it easier for me to enjoy my blog and create content that I like. I don't care about sponsored posts, free gifts, affiliates. Yes, I use them and do them but if I never make a penny it doesn't bother me at all. I blog because I enjoy it and truthfully no matter what happens I hope this never changes.
5 WORST
Comparison. Ugh, it's the worst and no matter how many times you tell yourself to stop it it is impossible. There will always be someone better than you and all I can say is focus on yourself and do the best you can. When I say comparison I mean everything from looks to photos to layout to followers to the breakfast they had on Monday.
Promotion. My least favourite part of having a blog is that promotion is so ridiculously important. The same quote always comes to mind whenever I discuss this topic: Blogging is 20% content and 80% promotion. It sucks but it has to be done. There are tools available that make it less time consuming, like scheduling posts and tweets etc., however it remains a tedious necessity.
Correspondence. Some emails are incredible, life-changing but most are complete and utter tripe. There are so many pointless, nonsensical emails in my inbox that I constantly clear out. The ones that bother me the most are the emails that make no real sense. I have no idea what they are saying. SEO emails are also a great annoyance, especially as some are downright rude. There are also emails that start of promising and then the sender disappears into thin air. Chasing people for payment is another great annoyance of blogging. I am sure I can think of more but I don't want to bore you.
Expenditure. Blogs look a certain way now and I feel like in order to keep up you need a cool theme, a DSLR, 5 lenses, a MAC Book, soft box lights and endless photo props. Of course this isn't really the case although they will definitely help. Even if you don't care about any of that, keeping up with new releases etc. can get expensive especially if you're not on PR lists.
Public Perception. I still think bloggers are not taken very seriously and that is a damn shame. There are so many skills that go into blogging that people don't seem to recognise. I am not talking about myself, as my blog is fairly easy to manage and is not a platform where I strive for perfection, but there a few blogs that I adore that meet perfection every time and they absolutely deserve the recognition and respect for their hard work.
A few things that didn't make my list are the hate that some people receive, the drama, pettiness and stupid obsession with bots that I still don't understand. The moaning and continous complaining of an industry under no-one's control, at least in my opinion. A few other good things are yes you do receive PR and it's great but it is not the be all and I, at least, get a feeling of accomplishment every time I press publish. Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this post. Take care.
What are your likes and dislikes about blogging?
Love that you've chatted through the good things! The community is my absolute favourite! xx
ReplyDeleteFrances Kayleigh | Fashion Beauty Travel
Thank you Frances! Xx
DeleteComparisons suck right?! But the opportunities blogging brings are just wonderful, including making besties!
ReplyDeleteAnika xo | anikamay.co.uk
Couldn't agree more! Xx
DeleteGreat post! I find it funny when bloggers bemoan the "old days" of blogging - yes, things have changed and as a result, lots of bloggers are getting incredible opportunities - that can only be a good thing surely?!
ReplyDeleteI love the friendships I have developed & the support amongst the community - even just by commenting. I love seeing other bloggers do well and get great PR packages!
What I don't like are those stupid emails about SEO/promoting your insta/random products that don't fit on my blog (shower heads for example!). I must admit that I hate blogs that churn out sponsored post after sponsored post too and end up being nothing like the blog I first started to read, where they had a passion for beauty products! I don't mind some sponsored posts but when it's obvious that it's just done for money and with a photo that isn't even their own, I'm not interested! xx
Beautylymin
I know what you mean, I think I'm guilty of the odd sponsored post too but I do try and keep them very minimal and do my best to make them fit and be as informative and helpful as possible. I'm always happy to see bloggers do well and am excited for the future! Thank you for reading Siobhan, it truly humbles me that you stay reading my blog when yours is so so fantastic xxx
DeleteI totally agree with all your points! Whilst I love blogging, and think it is the best hobby ever, there are definitely points that get you down! Xx
ReplyDeleteKez | acaciasdreams.com
Thank you Kez! Xx
DeleteI was reading this like yes yes yes yes yes!! Couldn't agree more with all of it. I definitely think comparison is one of the worst things, it's so easy to do and makes you question everything.
ReplyDeleteLiv x
Liv writes.co.uk
Thank you so much Liv! I'm so glad you enjoyed it, thank you so much! Xx
DeleteI really enjoyed reading this Kiran . It makes me so happy when people read my posts and tell me that they like them and blogging is something I genuinely enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI think my worst bit about blogging is the hate some bloggers get (as you mentioned) especially the bigger ones. I mean, if you don't like the person's content or whatever why are you attacking them? Just unfollow/block. It's the logical thing to do right?
Great post Kiran! :)
Coco Bella Blog
Absolutely! The hate is so unwarranted, I'm so glad you liked it! Thank you so much x
DeleteI agree with everything in this post, blogging has its ups and downs for sure! xx
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, thank you for reading x
DeleteThis is such a brilliant post, so many points that I actually forget about on a day to day basis and don't tend to think about! Spam is what annoys me, I hate spam emails, unfollow for followers all of that rubbish!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte / Charlotte's Picks
Oh my god yes spam is so annoying, SEO emails and random sign ups to people's newsletters which I absolutely did not do! Thank you for reading so glad you liked this post x
DeleteFor me, one of the best things would be getting to know people, where you interact with them quite often and you feel like you've gotten to know them! The worse is promotion as well, or where you feel like you're still in the same boat no matter how much you try to amp up your game! x
ReplyDeleteVelvet Blush
Absolutely, it can be so frustrating when you work so hard but can't see any reward for your effort, but don't worrry it will always come. I also love how there are so many people I have never met but feel comfortable asking for advice and talking to etc. Genuine friendships are always invaluable, thank you for reading Hannah x
DeleteTotally agree with you on these, I think it's so cool that people actually read what I'm blabbing on about! I really get the correspondence vibe as well. I always get so many good PR opportunities, respond and then never hear from them again. So annoying!
ReplyDeleteJen, Velvet Spring x
I know ghosting is the worst! So hard not to be disheartened by it xxx
DeleteI'm not big enough to be involved or bothered by dramas so on that part my experiences have been nothing but lovely because I love the blogging community. But I am in agreement about the expenditure part, it's just crazy how much money we spend for the sake of blogging.
ReplyDeleteShireen⎜Reflection of Sanity
I'm not very big either but my feed is full of BS drama and it's so annoying. I love the blogging community too and it's true we spend so much! Xx
DeleteAgree with so many things here. Blogging is an exhausting stretch that the public don't understand, and the constant influx of nonsense emails certainly doesn't help. It's a lovely little community to be a part of though, and I wouldn't change it any time soon :)
ReplyDeleteBeautyWithWispa ♥
Couldn't have surmised it better. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment Sophia, I really appreciate it xx
DeleteI totally agree with you! Blogging has become more of a competitive environment one that I am not liking at all. It's hard to not compare yourself to others.
ReplyDeleteBeauty Candy Loves
I think it's because a big part of blogging is promoting on social and to have an influence on socials you jave to be active and interactive which means we're constantly exposed to other people's work and lives and it's really difficult not to compare. But on the flip side it provides motivation to improve xx
DeleteAgree so much! I'm so bad when it comes to comparison.
ReplyDeleteJennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
Me too! Xx
DeleteGreat post! My beauty blog is new, but I blogged about books for 8+ years. I really needed a change. Beauty blogging is so different and I feel so inspired, it's a whole new world. http://www.mrsqbeauty.com
ReplyDeleteThat's great! I would love to read some of your book posts too! Thank you for commenting xxx
DeleteI totally agree with you! I love that people actually read my posts and comment such good things, makes me super happy :)
ReplyDeletecarolinasmakeuplife.blogspot.pt
Same it's so wonderful! Xx
DeleteGood post! The blogging game is always changing and it's so difficult to keep up some days. But like you said, I really enjoy the community of bloggers out there too.
ReplyDeleteIt's always good to remind yourself of the parts you love! Xx
DeleteThis was a great read! I can totally agree with you on this. Especially spending a ton to keep up with appearance, quality, etc. It's crazy!
ReplyDeleteNicole | The Glam Surge
I know! Exhausting but you do a remarkable job Nicole. Your blog always looks gorgeous and fresh xxx
DeleteMaking amazing friends and connecting with people I would otherwise never encounter is my favourite pro too xxx
ReplyDeleteUmmBabyBeauty
It's really bloody cool xxx
DeleteGreat Post. As a beauty blogger, I can relate to this post 100%. We all enjoy the positive support from the communities we build online. Their positive comments are so empowering. I also noticed you mentioned about promotion. I lost count of the many nights I have slept late trying to build links. It is tedious. Thank you for this incredible post. Can't have enough of the truth in it.
ReplyDeleteFloralbeautyspot
Wow thank you so much! What a lovely comment xxx
DeleteNice post💞
ReplyDeleteFollow for follow?
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Babe on what?
DeleteThis is such a fab post! I definitely agree with you on all the best and worst points you made. Community and friendship is definitely one of the best things about blogging. I love it xx
ReplyDeleteLauren | itslaurenvictoria.blogspot.co.uk
Completely agree! So glad you enjoyed it x
DeleteI love that you've been very honest about both the positives and negatives when it comes to blogging! I have made lots of new friends that I probably wouldn't have met otherwise, and that's great! Lovely post:)
ReplyDeleteEmily xo
www.emilynewstead.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you Emily x
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