Things you should know about bloggers

Recently, there have been several articles by established magazines, both online and offline, about "what bloggers are like" and "things you should know about bloggers". Publishers of such articles have included the likes of Pretty 52 and Cosmo. Always, the articles are so far from the truth it has the blogosphere in uproar, outraged at such stereotypes and to be frank, the blatant ridiculousness of the points made. Furthermore, when non-bloggers read these articles, they are given the wrong idea about us, what we do and why we do it. 

Why do magazines do this to us bloggers? In my opinion it's because they feel threatened by bloggers and the undeniable power that we have. We produce regular, creative and engaging content that is more often than not more accurate and reliable than a magazine gossip column or newspaper tabloid. We also provide this content across the web for free. No need to fork out up to £4 on a magazine full of demoralising articles on womens bodies, sexist stories and more dull content about celebrities that probably aren't true- bloggers are seriously providing better content for free. Why wouldn't magazines and other publications be threatened? 

Anyway. Let's not dwell on the magazines and publications that seem to totally drag bloggers. I wanted to share a list of what bloggers are really like, to provide you all with a clearer image of us- not the ridiculous one that's so often painted in the media. 

1) We aren't all super confident. A lot of us started blogging due to a lack of confidence and the need for  a space to share our thoughts and feelings with other people who might just listen, and may even feel the same. 

2) We don't all attend events every week. Who has the time, money and even the access to all of these events? Personally, I'm lucky to attend an event a month, if that! I know this is the case with a lot of my blogging friends too! Unless you're blogging on a part time/full time basis, it's highly unlikely you're attending glamorous parties on a weekly event. 

3) We love our bed and our jim jams. Blogging from bed is a total luxury for us, surrounded by cookie crumbs from some earlier snacks, a cup of tea, countless memory cards filled with blog photos and in our snuggliest jim jams. We don't need to get dressed up in designer gear (which we definitely don't get for free) to produce great content.

4) We don't get endless freebies, and if we do they aren't all great and aren't all designer. That's right. Whilst bloggers are always grateful, some freebies can suck whilst others are really impressive, worthwhile of reviewing. Unless you have a great following online and an impressive DA, it's unlikely we will be sent designer gear on the regular- but to be honest, most of us are happy just to receive a sample sized Burberry lipstick or a new mascara to try! 

5) Our freebies aren't really free. It takes countless hours to build a reputation, a following and to create good content and therefore build a good following with a brand in order to be sent "freebies". Then there's the time reviewing the product, writing up the review and then sharing it with your readers. It can take hours and hours- and when you're not being paid, the freebie stops being a freebie and becomes a form of payment instead. So no, we don't just sit receiving endless presents. 

6) We don't all love make up. There are some great beauty blogs, sure, but there are also some great blogs about things other than make up- some people aren't that in to it! Not all of us want the latest Charlotte Tilbury product or a Kylie Jenner lip kit. 

7) We don't all want to be famous. Zoella who? Some of us really aren't bothered, and some of us are! It varies from blogger to blogger, so don't tarnish us all with the same brush that we are wannabe blogstars!

8) We aren't "annoying" or "self obsessed". Looking at you, Pretty 52. I have never been called either of these names due to my blog or my love of blogging, and I don't know of anyone else being called this either. If people are reading our work, surely it's because they enjoy our writing or are intrigued by the topic, not because they think negatively of us? 

God, I could go on. And on. And on. The number one thing to remember is that no two bloggers are the same. However, as a general rule, most things written about "what bloggers are like" in magazines such as Cosmo are about as far from the truth as can be. 99% of us are hard working individuals with our own unique passions, likes and dislikes, working hard to create content that we enjoy writing and our readers enjoy reading. We have brains, we confront political issues, bring about intriguing debates and new views on important topics of discussion in current media, we support and raise awareness of the LGBTQ community, as well as other communities regarded as minorities. Its not all make up, freebies and fame. Bloggers are so much more than that. 

I hope in future, Cosmo, Pretty 52 and all the rest will remember this before tarnishing us with the same untrue and ridiculous brush. And if you're reading this and you're not a blogger, I hope this has given you a more realistic idea of what bloggers are like- we're probably not much different to you! 

As a blogger, do you agree with this list? Have I missed some major points out? Let me know what you think bloggers are really like in the comments below!

Love from,

Florence Grace

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