Last June I set out on an 8 month, informal quest to talk, listen, and email other bloggers to find out their thoughts on sponsored posts. So far, I've talked about sponsored posts in general, about having too many of them, and random sponsored posts. Today we are wrapping up the series with an unexpected statement from one of the bloggers I talked to:
"...this would be a completely different conversation if I was making money on my blog."
Whoa.
I wasn't expecting that.
Would they still dislike sponsored posts if they were making money?
I got answers of no, probably not, and I never thought about it like that.
Whoa again.
As I've said before, I found the dislike for sponsored posts came from those who don't make money. Now obviously this is not representative of everyone--I say this every post for this series--but it's what I found for my very informal observations and conversations about it.
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If there's one thing I dislike about blogging, it's the competition. When I first started out blogging, you made money by ads (FTC guidelines weren't in place yet, so some made money by paid product posts too). For the most part, these ads were on the side of blogs but began to lose effectiveness as brands weren't the focus. And so sponsored posts became the primary way to make money since they focused on one brand.
The blogging community was much smaller, and really supportive, so when your blogging friend got that amazing blogging opportunity, you really cheered her on. Now, there is still a great community (it's a bit more clique-ish, but such is life) but there is so much hate out there. It sucks. It saddens me there are sites dedicated to saying mean things about bloggers/vloggers. How is this productive? Or supportive of women?
Competition and sometimes jealousy are real in the blogging world. I've felt it from other bloggers towards me. I'll be honest, there have been times I've been jealous when I see someone less qualified get an opportunity that I wanted. But I stopped myself--again, how is this productive? Or supportive of women? I decided to go with the approach of good for her. And I leave it at that. There's room for us all.
When I see that sponsored post, I read it. I comment.
I click your affiliate links.
I give that sponsored Instagram post a "like."
You deserve it.
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So what did I learn 8 months later from fellow bloggers?
Thank you for reading this series.
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It doesn't surprise me that people would be more supportive of sponsored posts if they were getting a slice of the pie too. That is just how the world spins today, I am afraid. I see it here in the local area. A lot of the local bloggers I have met are some of the most cut throat and back stabbing people I have seen in the blogging world. And most of their blogs don't even have a following. I know why, because it is the person behind the blog!!! No one likes a mean girl.
ReplyDeleteWhen you have a blogger that is friendly and replies to comments and comments on other bloggers posts to stay engaged and a sponsored posts comes along for them I believe that more people are willing to support that post versus from someone who is fake and just out for themselves. I will always come to your blog and comment regardless of what you post because I feel you are genuine and really enjoy blogging and connecting and your sponsored posts are just an added bonus for you. Getting a little pay back for all the time you put in to your videos, posts and research. If I see all your hard work...other people have to as well.
This has been a great series. Very informative, and I love the way you relied on other bloggers to gather some of your information. Sponsored posts really are the bread and butter for bloggers looking to monetize, and these guidelines are very important to remember.
ReplyDeletexo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
This has been a wonderful series, Elle. So many great things to learn and so great that you asked other bloggers from their experiences. I love the quote of not comparing yourself to strangers on the Internet...isn't that the truth!
ReplyDeletexo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
So agree with the comments above, Elle:) This has been such an informative series. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm very naive when I started blogging. I never even thought of monetizing it, nor do I intend to do it in the future. It's great to see what I have in store if I do decide to do so. It's sad that there's competition out there, but that's just reality for you esp. when it comes to $$$ :(
These quotes are such good reminders!
ReplyDeleteElle, I loved this whole series! This is why you are my blogging inspiration. I don't make money from my blog, but I only have issues with sponsored posts when they don't meet the requirements you listed above. Blogging IS so competitive! I love reading blogs that tell a good story because I love the people behind them.
ReplyDeleteI am RIGHT there with you on the competition. I hate that people buy followers to make their social media accounts seem bigger than they are. It's sad that it's such a competition that it comes down to that. You did a great job with this series! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
ReplyDeleteGreat post Elle, lots of food for thought! I don't mind when I see sponsored posts but it is a turn off to me if 80% of your posts are sponsored. In the end I agree with being supportive of other women and that's one of my favourite things about blogging!! I really appreciate your honesty too about the cliques, negative side of blogging. I have found plenty of pretentiousness in the fashion blogging world too. Sometimes I feel like everyone just talks about how supportive the community is but that doesn't give a full picture. However, overall I have found it to be positive and I try not to compete or compare myself as that really serves no purpose other than stressing you out or making you feel inferior. Thanks for writing this series!
ReplyDeleteMarta
www.sweatersstripesandsweets.com
Love this Elle and I love all the inspiring quotes as well! I really like the one about her success is not your failure. It is good for us all to remember that just because someone else out there is doing well doesn't mean that you are a failure. Comparison is the thief of joy and is not worth the time or bad feelings. Really enjoyed this series!
ReplyDeletethe competition thing is so weird to me but then if i think about it, it makes sense. i mean we're all human. this is a good wrap up to the series and i love the things you learned. all good! glad you're a supporter of your fellow bloggers! that's how we'll survive this weird little world :)
ReplyDeletexoxo cheshire kat
Your research on this has been amazing, and I love that you got to the heart of the problem. I'm definitely not a fan of constant sponsored posts, or posts that don't go with the flow of the blog. But I do love supporting my fellow bloggers when they are introducing us to a great product, and helping them secure future opportunities <3
ReplyDeleteGreen Fashionista
It seems the competition part of it is just getting worse and worse, too! Blogging has changed so much since I started 7 years ago. I really try hard not to compare myself to others, it just makes me feel like crud. I try to be supportive and that makes me feel much better. Great series!
ReplyDeleteCarrie
curlycraftymom.com
Love the quote I hope we all can make it! So true! Women empowering other women! I don't mind the sponsored posts. You can tell when someone isn't being honeys, I just move on! Go Elle!
ReplyDeleteI suppose it's a good thing that I'm into blogging only as a digital scrapbook . . . I can't understand women who don't build other women up. I'm a firm believer in karma and you reap what you sow so I try to only give light out into the world and am drawn to others who do the same! This was a great series . . . and I love reading your posts!
ReplyDeleteI love these quotes, they are so very true. I will never understand the haters. I say to each his own. Plus, I'm firm believe in karma, what goes around comes around.
ReplyDeleteHmm...that's quite an eye opener indeed. As I said before, I don't mind sponsored posts however I will mind if 90% of your contents are ONLY sponsored posts. But for someone to retract their displeasure of sponsored posts if they were doing it...well, that sounds a little hypocritical to me.
ReplyDeleteShireen | Reflection of Sanity
This has been such a great series! I agree that the focus should be building community and supporting women. I don't make money off my blog, but since I view it as more of a journal, it doesn't bother me. I feel that I learn so much from the community- just think about how much I know about beauty from reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteI really liked this whole series! This last post sums it up for me too, it's really about supporting each other. Bonus if I like what you are sponsored to promote but I will click your links and like your pics either way because I like you!
ReplyDeleteI don;t make any money off my blog but I still support the sponored posts because I love that others do. I am lucky enough to make enough money at my day job to not need to make money from my blog, but the extra income would be fun to have and why put out bad karma about something that you may one day utilize!
ReplyDeleteI read this post twice and I agree, it is so competitive out there and I wonder why! There are so many wonderful bloggers out there who worked hard for it and deserve it. Now if someone was just lucky and made money, then good for them. I started blogging a few months ago and I have been reading blogs for ages; sponsored, non-sponsored, it doesnt matter as long as I like the content. Thank you for sharing this, I enjoyed reading it so much! :)
ReplyDeleteYiota
Pinkdaisyloves.blogspot.com.cy
Sounds spot on... I think you came out of this with great wisdom on it...
ReplyDeleteI read this post twice and I agree, it is so competitive out there and I wonder why! There are so many wonderful bloggers out there who worked hard for it and deserve it. Now if someone was just lucky and made money, then good for them. I started blogging a few months ago and I have been reading blogs for ages; sponsored, non-sponsored, it doesnt matter as long as I like the content. Thank you for sharing this, I enjoyed reading it so much! :)
ReplyDeleteYiota
Pinkdaisyloves.blogspot.com.cy
I am just in this blogging thing for fun, friendship and journaling! If a blog I'm reading is authentic and I'm engaged with the writer and think she's a sweetheart then I'll read any post she has to put out there. It's the ones that don't engage with you, appear cutthroat and seem to only be in it for the money instead of putting their voice out there that makes me want to click off the screen. I love your round up of all the tips in the series and thank you for saying what a lot of us are feeling.
ReplyDeleteGreat series! I never comment on posts, but my eyes have been opened to really support the blogs I love. I found some really great products from reading blogs, but I have seen the cut throat side of it and those bloggers usually don't keep my attention.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed and appreciate how in depth you went with this series. I think a lot of really great points were met. At the end of the day, lots of people will not be ok with sponsored posts no matter which side of the field they are on. I think as long as an individual can maintain a genuine presence on the internet and be themselves, a sponsored post from time to time is fine.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that this shocks me too. Of course, it would be nice to make money blogging but I can recognize you put way more work into your blog than I do. Rather than be jealous, I accept the fact that you work harder at it than I do so it makes sense. I just can't imagine not supporting a blogger I enjoy over jealousy!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this blog series, Elle! It was really insightful. I've never been paid for a blog post, and have had very few things sent me to. I wish I had more, but that would never make me jealous of anyone who has sponsered posts or get paid. I consider a lot of you guys my friends, and I would always be happy for someone who got an opportunity like you said. Even if someone does a lot of sponsered posts, it doesn't bother me if I can trust their opinion and it its sincere!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great series. And like you said - there is room for all of us!
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed this series! I hate that about the blogging community too. It's like everyone is constant competition and trying to out do one another. As you said, there's room for us all! I've stopped following a lot of bloggers that I had been reading for a while because I feel like the joined the rat race and lost themselves somewhere along the way. It makes me sad, because they were great as they were. I wish people would just be themselves!
ReplyDeleteA lot of truth in this including the simple truth that once in a while we all feel a bit jealous towards somebody else. We are human, after all. Though lately, and I guess that's a part of getting older (pardon, wiser!) I go with an idea that it's best to be busy focusing on my own stuff rather than wasting time and energy thinking of somebody else's - never works. ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of your points that you summed up at the bottom. It is very hard not to feel a little jealously when people are making profit or getting products that you would love to get as well. I would say when it comes to profit, put more time into your blog if you want to monetize on it. I personally can't spend all day everyday trying to promote my blog and get higher followers etc so I have accepted that blogging is my hobby and I won't be able to make any substantial money off of it unless I promote more. However, when seeing companies reach out to other bloggers, I have tried not to let it bother me and just be happy for them but of course its natural to feel a little envious. Either way, I love all my blogger friends and would never want to bring them down because they got an opportunity that I didn't. Maybe another opportunity will come around for me. This was a great series and I really enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteI so loved this series Elle! I have to agree with you, there is alot of competition out there, and it drives me nuts. We're all blogging for a reason, because we love it! The sponsorships and free products are a bonus, but I truly love blogging so much and look forward to writing up my posts.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit though, there have been times where I've seen bloggers get opportunities that I wanted, and then I'd feel lousy. It's not good comparing yourself to others, and it's something I'm still trying to learn. There are opportunities for everyone, in every niche! Just have fun writing, and it will happen naturally :)
Thanks again for writing this series, I really enjoyed it a ton!
Katy
skinstuffbykaty.blogspot.com
That's so crazy that the majority of the bloggers that didn't like sponsored posts were ones that weren't making money on their blog. You're 100% right that we should all be supporting each other, and blogging is in no way a competition! By the way, I've loved this series so much!
ReplyDeleteWow! This really surprised me. I mean, I guess it shouldn't. It makes sense. But it's sad. Like your post and the photo up there says, someone else' success isn't your failure. So true!
ReplyDeleteI for sure see that the people who leave mean comments on my sponsored posts or say "you do too many" do not do sponsored posts. The people who comment on my posts, or instagrams etc are usually bloggers who do them and get it. This is how we pay our bills! Girl this post is everything.
ReplyDeleteI think we all need to remember that for bloggers who do sponsored posts, many times there is a reason for earning that money we don't always know about (earning a living, medical bills, saving for something, etc.). That is something we don't need disclose and I don't think we should judge bloggers for that. It can be hard not to get jealous from opportunities, but if I remember all the opportunities I may get others may not it's easier!
ReplyDeleteI have loved this series, its interesting to see what different people think x
ReplyDeleteZoe Mountford x
I know there are a lot of beauty blogs out there, but I don't really feel the need to compete with anyone. Everyone seems so different to me. That's probably naive of me to say, but that's how I feel. This is some interesting research that you did. Thank you if you ever clicked on any of my links! I try to do the same as much as possible. I always watch videos too, even though I'm not a YouTuber.
ReplyDeleteThis has been a very interesting series! Competition is everywhere, but I agree that there's room for everyone to succeed :)
ReplyDeleteYes! There IS room for everyone. That's always been my motto but you're right, sometimes people are mean. I ended up on the Stay Off My Internet site. But on the plus, it did bring in more traffic ;)
ReplyDeleteLoved this series!!! But omg yes! So much competition in blogging and it is so sad! Cant everyone just be happy for each other!? I love when blogger friends get amazing opportunities! It makes my heart happy especially when I know how hard they have worked for it!
ReplyDelete<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
Great conclusion to this series Elle, I love how you summed everything up at the end. Interesting that a lot of people who said they didn't like sponsored posts changed their tune when they thought about making money on their own site. I feel like we just need to remember that we're all doing this the best we can, and that we just need to support each other--it's truly NOT a competition.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! I don't mind sponsored posts myself on blogs. But I've begun to not watch as many youtubers who "only" do sponsored videos. And as far as bloggers feeling each other as competition, that does not bother me one bit. I never started blogging for money. But if I was to ever get paid for something I Wouldn't complain either. And I love supporting all my fellow bloggers! No competition as far as I'm concerned. It's all just fun and opinions.
ReplyDeleteThis has been a great series! So many great points have come up. I think the guidelines you summarized with are key! Blogging is not a competition, we need to remember to be supportive of each other!
ReplyDeleteJill
Doused In Pink
This is so good Elle! We are all in this together and I love that you read and click and support. You are such a good example and every blogger should be following Y O U!
ReplyDeleteThis has been the best series EVER! I love how much time and research you put into this! You seriously inspire me to be a better blogger and a better person in general! I think every blogger NEEDS to read this! xo
ReplyDeleteA great read, and to be honest a little surprising. It never occurred to me to be jealous of other people making money, even though I sometimes wonder why on earth they were chosen and not someone else. But if they wouldn't have done it, chances are I still wouldn't have been offered that opportunity.
ReplyDeleteLinda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking