This big ol’ blogging world can be a tough one to navigate at times. Even with 6 years (6 YEARS CAN YOU ADAM AND EVE IT?!) of experience under my belt; writing little book reviews as a side hobby at first, owning a business which required working with a lot of bloggers, then blogging as my job, I still find myself staring at my screen going “eh?” at times.
It can be seriously hard to keep up with the trends, the latest new app, the latest disclosure guidelines (don’t start) all the while maintaining your blog, trying to write relevant blog content and keep up to date with the blogging community. How any of us do it, I’ll never know.
Yes, blogging can be a lot of hard work but I love it. I love (almost) every aspect of it (aside from taking photos – bane of my LIFE) but you definitely do have to be vigilant, as you do in most aspects of life. Because the blogging world isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.
People playing the follow/un-follow game
I know, it’s old and it’s boring now but people are still doing it. Imagine THAT being your life. We all want to grow our social media following but there’s ways to do it. And continuously following and un-following people isn’t it. I keep on top of this by using a few free apps, where you can see who’s un-followed you and if I notice the same person cropping up over and over again, they get an instant block. I ain’t got no time for that.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism can be a huge problem if it happens to you – thankfully I’ve never experienced it but I’m well aware of bloggers I follow who have spoken up about it on Twitter, about how certain individuals are stealing their content word for word and posting it on their own blogs or taking their Instagram photos and re-posting them on their accounts. It’s an incredibly petty thing to do and often, the culprits have rather lame excuses like, “I just wanted to create a blog but didn’t know where to start!” *eye roll*
Dodgy PR’s, brands & ‘business opportunities’
I’m sure most of us could go on huge rants about this one but I’ll keep it short for the sake of this post. Working with brands and building a relationship with PR agencies and individuals within those agencies is brilliant but if you work with brands regularly, you need to watch out for the wrong’uns. For example, offering you money off of their products in exchange for a review is not an opportunity. It’s a joke. Nor is being asked to pay for postage or being asked to send the product back afterwards (yes, I was actually asked that once!)
Not being paid
Unfortunately I did experience this last year – twice. Thankfully however, it wasn’t anything highly substantial like some bloggers have seen but it still happened. It was still annoying. I worked on two blog posts which I never, ever saw payment for despite emailing the agency multiple times and even ringing one of them on one occasion. The man on the phone was incredibly unhelpful and sounded like he found the situation almost humorous! But just be aware and only work with people you trust.
Drama Llamas
In a community this big, you’re always going to meet some Drama Llamas. Individuals who seek out things to negatively comment on, have nothing nice to say to anyone and those who will truly make a mountain out of a mole hill and cause an uproar when one wasn’t needed. All I can suggest, is stay away from them. Block, mute and don’t engage.
[…] also a realist. No industry is going to be positive all of the time and you know what? Sometimes shit happens in the blogging world and sometimes you’ve just got to talk about it like it […]
being quite new and totally lost I think these are really helpful pointers! I hope that if I keep creating content that I can stand behind that is original I will get to where I want to be! Thank you for this!
You’re welcome 😌
Great advice!
A useful list for all bloggers! Compared with other social platforms I have used or visited (fb twitter Instagram reddit Pinterest and more) WOrdpress blogosphere is kind and calm.
Yeah you never get any drama in the WordPress reader, I don’t think it’s a platform that you COULD have drama as it’s not really social.
How funny! Like you I wouldn’t classify WP as a social medium. But my research shows that the social side of WP is hugely important to older readers, so it’s an anomaly.
I’ve had an ‘almost’ plaigerism…it wasn’t word for word, but it was close enough. I let it go just that once, though, as it was a newbie blogger who was just trying to come up with a decent first post idea. Didn’t want to burst her bubble. Then there was a photography blog I followed, because I was interested in traveling (the blogger was based in Norway I think) but because I hadn’t listed photography among my interests in my profile, the guy thought I was a false follow and complained. I straightened it out, but I felt bad that the little guy was so bent out of shape over it. After all, he was just a cute little old man with a photography hobby. Other than that…maybe a one or two followers that were a bit too friendly, but that’s about it. Most of my interactions in my years blogging have been pretty darn awesome. 😊
That’s great to hear that you haven’t had too much trouble!
Hello. I found the post very enlightening. Thankfully I’ve not experienced most of these, with the exception of people randomly following me hoping to get a follow back. Thanks for the knowledge and happy, happy blogging 💐🎊
I’m glad you’ve had good experiences!
Quick and easy, to the point. Love it! On a side note I really love that planner11
Thank you 😌
[…] Things bloggers should never feel guilty about Things to remember when you start a blog Things to look out for in the blogging world […]
What app do you use for unfollows & follows?
Dolphi for twitter
The ‘business owners’ who message you about their amazing opportunity for you are annoying. We all know it’s a pyramid scheme!
Ugh! The worst!
I love this blog post so much darling! Thank you for being so honest and open, and sharing such important views about the darker side of blogging and the blogging community. 💜
With love, Alisha Valerie x | http://www.alishavalerie.com
Thank you 😌😌
I like this idea for a blog post! I have started to notice the whole follow/unfollow ordeal on Insta. BUT WHY?! Like I just don’t understand why people bother with that. Anyway, these are great points and definitely gave me things to think about and keep a look out for. Thanks for sharing!
xx, Des | https://www.itsbetterinheels.com/
I have no idea why haha! It’s utterly pointless 😂😂
Great blog post hun. 🙂
I know what you mean about those drama llamas (awesome name for them by the way): too much effort to waste on people who only seek to spread more hatred in the world.
Wishing you a wonderful upcoming weekend, Dax. xoxo
Don’t forget to mention the bloggers who pretend to be your friend but stab you in the back – lots of them around too! x
Ugh! Totally! 🙄🙄
The follow game is the worst. Especially on Instagram. Makes me wonder why I bother posting there.
I wouldn’t let it deter you. It has nothing on you that these people waste their time doing it.
I always get the “have 10% off our product so you can write a 800 word review” xx
Ugh typical 🙄🙄
As wonderful as the blogging community is there’s a few downsides, I hate when people working with bloggers intially offer payment if you write for them and then tell you that they don’t have the budget for it this month but if you do it anyway then maybe there’s an opportunity for paid content in the future.
Oh I HATE that! It’s awful and I hope most people don’t go for it too 🤦♀️
My recent favourite I was offered the other day ‘ post our article on your blog & in return, we’ll send it out on our email list & promote to our social media’ …and just how does that benefit me in any way?! Honestly, sometimes I think that they think bloggers don’t have a brain cell between them!
I can’t abide the drama llamas either, I stay well clear. I left the playground behind me YEARS ago.
It sounds harsh but I don’t really trust many bloggers at all. During my first year of blogging, a blogger I thought to be a friend suddenly stopped talking to me & was generally being really off with me, all because I declined an offer to help her with a post about Kbeauty because, at the time, I wasn’t very well at all due to chronic illnesses, which she knew. In fact, she didn’t even respond to my email explaining why and how sorry I was. I just chalked it up to experience and moved on but it did make me VERY wary of bloggers in general. I hate that she tainted it for me.
Sarah 🌺 || Boxnip
I think you’ll get people like that in all walks of life tbh. I’ve had odd experiences with bloggers too but at the end of the day, they’re online, I don’t know them IRL and shit happens so I don’t let it get to me.
That “opportunity” sounds familiar – I’ve had plenty like that and I’m like ?!?!? It’s ridiculous! 🤦♀️🤦♀️
omg drama llamas! I love that term lol
Follow-Unfollow has gotten so old! And I’m getting so sick of sketchy PR agencies & “offers”.
But overall I love blogging so I won’t let it get me down.
Haha glad to hear it 😌
I agree these are all things to look out for! A while back a blog took one of my posts & kept my pictures but translated the text & posted it as theirs..I contacted them to remove the post to no avail then I reported it. I haven’t checked on the post since then but I would like to think it got removed. I don’t understand why someone would start a blog just to copy posts other people wrote!
Ugh I’m sorry to hear that happened to you! Some people just… I have no words 😂🤦♀️
I love how you wrote about a serious topic in a light hearted way as it makes it seem a little less daunting. I haven’t had much experience with sponsorships although I’ve had a few approach me wanting me to advertise their products and in return offer me 30% off their products. Its atrocious!
Ugh those bloody “opportunities” when will they stop! 🤦♀️ Thanks cutie xxx
thanks for this tips.. I am new to blogging and looking forward to grow.. I really don’t care about the unfollow/follow game. I’m just here to write and share my stories. But what I’m really worried about is stealing my hard work and my product. This is for sure will make me go crazy!. Again Thanks for the tips and I like your stories!. dinodidwhat.com
I hope it never happens to you!
Ugh. I’m just starting out in this blog eat blog world and hope I don’t have to deal with any of that. I’m sorry you had to.
I hope you don’t too! These things happen unfortunately 😔
Thank you! Let’s just keep blogging along with not a care in the world 😉
Hey girl! Really enjoyed this read, and btw I love love love the Minnie journal.
I have to say my biggest pet hate is the follow/unfollow game , it is seriously frustrating. I see it on my blog insta and on my personal account too and I just think how can these people be bothered! Anyway, just glad to see others see the same problems haha x
Haha I agree literally how can you be bothered going through all that effort for everyone to hate you for it anyway? 😂😂
Nodding along to these. This world is definitely not short of drama.
http://littlemissmelanie.com
It really isn’t 😂
I’ve only just started blogging and didnt really know this side existed!
Well now you do! 😌
I haven’t experienced anything yet. I am new and nervous about being part of this community. Hopefully good things will come too!
Good things will always outweigh the bad! 😌
I can’t believe it when people copy other’s content. Seems to defeat the purpose of blogging!
It totally does. I don’t get it either? 🤦♀️
Okay, so the following and then unfollowing! It still irritates me 🤦🏽♀️
It irritates us all 😂😂
Really helpful post thank you x
You’re welcome! 😌
I found this post super helpful, and I’ll probably come back to this post again! Thank you for that ☺️
You’re welcome 😌
An interesting read Jenny. When I decided to ‘dabble’ with blogging, I would not have gone near it if I’d read, or understood, any of what you said. I’m an old fart who just wanted to try her hand at writing down her thoughts on a public forum, instead of just in her private journals. KISS is my preferred method in life these days, and I really can’t be bothered with all the other crap you’ve mentioned. My blog obviously won’t ever go very far, but that wasn’t really my purpose. People said you could make money on it, but it seems just as stressful as starting up a home business of any sort.
What has surprised me is that I’d meet so many amazing people, and enjoy reading their regular posts, and I’d then have no time left in my day to write anything myself, or even vacuum! That’s a bugger 🤔. Throw in a couple of day jobs and my life is pretty full 😊
I think things like this happen whatever you do and whatever you embark on really. Nothing has no faults.
Making a business from your blog isn’t easy, I know, I’ve done it! You’ve gotta be really passionate about it.
I have only experienced the follow/unfollow game and use a app for the same reasons. I notice some add and delete then also will block. The more I have got into blogging I have forgotten the need for numbers as much as quality over quantity is much more preferable x
Quality over quantity is definitely key. I still like seeing the numbers rise though – especially if blogging is your job.
It’s such a shame that some people resort to buying followers/playing the follow unfollow game. It’s more frustrating when people grow their followings unorganically but seem to get all the great opportunities. I’m hoping that more and more brands will start to see through this and work with genuine content creators rather than game players! I always try to stay out of the drama but admittedly, it’s so difficult sometimes as I can get so frustrated with how ignorant and spiteful people can be to each other. I just try to keep myself zipped and get on with my own blog, and try not to worry about what others are doing.
Alice x
Oh I totally agree it’s INFURIATING seeing these people get opportunities which would have been much more worthy of someone else.
I really enjoyed reading this! I’m sure a lot of bloggers starting out would have found this very insightful. I’ve been blogging for just over 2 years now and I’ve definitely experienced a couple of these things. Luckily, the good outweighs the bad but there’s no denying how annoying/frustrating these situations can be.
The good definitely does outweigh the bad, I agree 😌 you’ll get jerks wherever you go – just gotta try and not let it get to you!
I feel like I’ve been pretty good keeping out of all the drama luckily. But, those strange blogging “opportunities” when they offer you money off the product to review is the worst thing ever. If I get offered opportunities that aren’t right for me, I’ll email and say not for me, but that kind! I wouldn’t even waste my time on that.
I offer people help with the coding side of their blog (html, css etc), which I’m happy to do, but sometimes people take complete advance of me and will only talk to me when they need help, which sucks big time!
Aycan // http://www.littlewhitesocks.com
Ugh that does suck! You’ll always get people like that though, sadly.
And I can’t believe people think that those “opportunities” are worth it and actually go ahead with it! I mean it’s probably down to inexperience.
I felt this blog post on a spiritual level! Omg the unfollowing thing makes my blood boil. My follow count goes up and down like 600 times a day. I also get weird PR/Collab emails and DMs everyday. The most dodgy ones are the brands that comment on my Instagram to DM them. Can’t they just DM me?? Doesn’t make sense tbh. I ignore them now because all of them want me to pay for their product to then promote it
Chelle | http://www.chellebelle2016.blogspot.co.uk
Haha! I hate those comments! You know it’s dodgy if they’re like “love your feed babe! DM us!” 😂😂
Such a great post for newer bloggers lovely, thankfully I’ve been around a good few years now and I know what I’m looking out for with pretty much all of the above! I think my biggest pet peeve is the follow/unfollowers! It really grinds my gears hahah
Kayla | http://www.kaylajayne.co.uk
xo
Thank you 😌 I don’t think anyone is safe from the unfollow game!
I like this! When I was freelance writing as a job, I had a few people post MY articles on their blog and claim it as their own. Was so annoying. I can’t believe anyone would think to do that. Oh well, I enjoy blogging (most of the time)
Coralle x
Oh my god! That’s awful. I’d have reported them.
This is such a great post! Especially so for the new bloggers who aren’t familiar with the blogging world. It’s easy to overlook some things when you just start. x
Antonia || Sweet Passions
It really is. I’m sure I did when I first started.
I love this! It is very relatable. I don’t get the follow/unfollow game. There was an account that kept following me and unfollowing me and after the third time, I followed them back. They sent me a message saying “thanks for the follow” and unfollowed me. 😂 I still don’t get what all of that was for. Thank you for sharing these are some good tips to keep in mind.
Oh my god seriously 😂😂 It’s ridiculous!
I’m slowly trying to convert my blog over to not just books, and I’ve noticed a lot the unfollow/follow stuff lately! I swear that was never a thing when i started 6 years ago!
I think the drama is kinda funny? Maybe I shouldn’t but sometimes things are taken WAY too seriously!
I don’t ever remember the follow unfollow game when I first started 5 years ago either!
Some drama definitely is funny if you’re watching from the sidelines. Different story if you’re in the middle of it, I imagine!
This is so relatable and funny! I can’t stand people who follow to unfollow- such a dishonest way of growing an account. It’s such a shame that no or late payments are such a huge thing in freelancing!
Soph – https://sophhearts.com/ x
I know it’s pretty disgusting. That wouldn’t happen in any other industry?
Not had it in blogging, but when i started out on jewellery selling, someone took my whole photos including ones with my child modelling in them! The bloody cheek of it x
Jesus Christ!
I know, imagine being so brazen to steal a family photograph and using it on your website. Theft of my designs are common and frustrating, especially as I work hard for them. But to steal my photos is a pee take
I’m lucky that I’ve never had these problems – probably because my pictures are lame and I’ve never worked with brands! Aha! This is a great post – it’s so important to be aware of these things!
Your pictures aren’t lame at all!
This is such an insightful post into some of the downsides of blogging! I’ve also been asked to buy a product with my own money, review it and then send it back to get my money back!! Can you even believe that?! Xx
http://www.imjustagirl16.co.uk
It’s bloody ridiculous 😂😂
i LOLed at ‘drama llamas’ i’ve never heard anyone call it that 😂 this is amazing, definitely all things i’ve seen in this blogging world!
Haha a few people have said that 😂
Oh wow I can’t believe someone asked you to send their product back to them?? There are some bad sides to blogging sadly, the only thing on this list I’ve experience so far is the follow/unfollow however I also have an app so I can find out who it is!
Chloe xx
http://www.chloechats.com
I didn’t agree to it at all because it’s just ridiculous? I have an app too, I LOVE it. It’s so satisfying unfollowing them 😂
The follow/unfollow game is honestly such a pain in the arse!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
I know 😂 Why do people still bother?
These are such great points! I’ve definitely experienced plagiarism and it can be so frustrating especially when you work so hard on something. I will never understand the follow/unfollow game, you’d think people would have better things to do with their time haha. Great post as always Jenny!x
Elin | https://myblurredworld.com
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear that – I bet it’s the worst feeling when you’ve worked so hard on a post 😔
love this post hun. I’ve dealt with some drama llamas myself, I’m sure we all have at some point during blogging. I dealt with it by exactly as you put it, block and don’t engage, they’re always just seeking attention!
Alura | https://aluradupuis.blogspot.com
They really are. Glad you did the sensible thing 😌
A lot of the drama I was seeing about is what also put me off starting up on my blog again (as well as life ofc). I saw a lot of bitchiness around Sept/Oct time when I was planning on coming back but with all I saw and the fact I was out the house most of the time, it really put me off.
Today I had a DM actually, I was offered 40% off a product & free shipping in the US (I’m in the UK) postage will eat my 40 haha, to review a product, post a pic on insta, and they would give 20% off to my readers… I haven’t replied as yet!
You have some good points here 😊.
Thanks for sharing.
Much love,
Laura | https://directlylaura.com
There’s ALWAYS going to be blogging drama. You’ve just got to avoid it and stay clear of those that keep cropping up over and over again making a fuss. And I’m glad you haven’t replied! 🤦♀️🤦♀️
Great post as always Jenny! You mentioned a lot of things which are wrong with the blogosphere – another thing I really dislike is when people produce the most mediocre content and are celebrated constantly. I feel like there are so many deserving people out there you know? Thanks for sharing! x
Oh yes I TOTALLY agree. Its the same the other way around too, there are some incredible creators who don’t get nowhere near enough recognition!
I hate blogger drama. I always try to disappear from the sidelines when it happens. On another note, I had a new “opportunities” which were pretty much what you described and I decided to ignore them …
Good for you! The more people that ignore these “opportunities” the better! Hopefully the brands will start to understand that that’s not the way things are done 😌
These are definitely the worst things one can stumble upon in the blogging world! It’s great to keep one’s eyes open.
✖ Jasmin
// overdosedoncaffeine.com
Yep agreed! There’s not much worse than these 😂
So many great tips here! I really don’t understand the follow/unfollow thing haha! But I totally agree with there being dramas and sometimes even witchunts in the blogging world which I really try to stay well away from. No one needs that negativity!
Anika | anikamay.co.uk
I’ve seen many a witch-hunt and it’s awful. Sometimes someone can say one tiny thing out of whack and then others send an army after them, it’s disgusting 😔
I do love blogging but god it can be frustrating at times can’t it! I’m absolutely sick of the follow/unfollow game, it was bad enough with Instagram but I’ve noticed it a lot on Twitter recently too. Also brands not paying bloggers! Why do they think it’s acceptable, we have to keep our end of the deal, I don’t understand what gives them the right to mess us around and not keep theirs. I wish there was more that could be done about it xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
I notice it more on Twitter tbh but maybe that’s because I don’t use Instagram AS much and aren’t as invested in it. Either way, it’s annoying! And you’re so right, it’s awful. I’ve been lucky in that they’ve not been massively high paying posts in the past but some bloggers haven’t been quite so lucky.
I can’t believe people still follow and unfollow. Even thinking about the effort that takes is exhausting. This is all so relatable. Thankfully, I haven’t had to deal with not being paid, but chasing late payments is 😴😴😴 x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
Chasing late payments is such a bore! 😂😂
I’m new to blogging and assumed some road blocks would turn up. Thanks so much for the heads up! 😊
You’re welcome! Don’t let them put you off though 😌
This is really useful – thank you! Not being paid is always a worry in the freelance world, and I’ve experienced that before with my artwork which is rubbish. Good tips to keep in mind though!
Ugh I’m sorry to hear that! It sucks and really gets you down doesn’t it 😔
I always try to stay away from blogging drama x
http://www.ofbeautyandnothingness.co.uk
Me too, there’s just no point getting involved 😌
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