I have no idea if the news spread outside my country, but somehow I've been feeling compelled to post my personal opinion these last few days.
A couple of days ago an article on the popular Italian daily newspaper La Repubblica, spilt the bean on a fashion blogger (whose name remains unknown in the article, but let's just be honest: we all know who that is) who has supposedly demanded an unbelievably huge monetary compensation in order to attend an event.
As one of the most popular fashion bloggers all over the world (we could easily devote another post to most fashion bloggers' tactics to become famous trendsetters), the girl feels she's entitled to ask for money for her appearances to events, for featuring a certain item on her blog, and so on.
All of this is not new to us bloggers, nor is it to most of you readers, who have realized some among us are well willing to sell their soul to the devil for a sponsored post. So what is different now?
First off, the journalist writes as if she assumes all bloggers do it for the money, and all bloggers are paid. That all bloggers are spoilt brats and gold diggaz.
Secondly, the mutual awareness of such a phenomenon as sponsored bloggers, whose disclosures are everything but clear.
Those two factors, combined, have sentenced bloggers to death. Unless we do what we do best: spread the word, tell the truth, speak our minds.
So here is what I have to say, which I think is the exact same thing most of my fellow beaty bloggers would say:
Blogging is not my job. Unless you blog for a big portal, blogging is never a job. I don't want blogging to be my job. I have a real job already.
I do not earn anything from blogging. I have Google Ads, yeah, but I have never cashed anything from it, because I have no intention to pay taxes on the 0,01 eurocent I make every 2 or 3 days. After some time, everything I made from Google Ads, if not earned, goes to charity. That's where "my" money is going.
I attend events. I am not paid to attend events. Some do pay for your transfert and accomodation, if you live outside Milan, but that is it.
I do get a lot of make-up samples to try and review. Sometimes companies contact me, some other times I contact them. And when I dare contact them, it is because I know I am a good blogger and I will only write my honest opinion on products when I review them. I feel free to say whatever I want on the product, and if the company does not agree with my policy, I will decline their offer to try their products.
Getting freebies is one of the perks of being bloggers, but they are NOT payments. Simply because blogging is NOT a job. Even when you think it is, it's not a permanent one. The internet is fickle, and it is crowded with the same people you live with in real life. You better get that into your head.
Now, my little Blonde Jam, it seems to me like you've done enough damage to every blogger's reputation to date, so I think it's time for you to stop being such a demanding needy broad, and find yourself a real job. One your parents' contacts cannot get you as a Stocking Filler for Christmas!.
And to you, my beloved followers: not all bloggers are blonde, skinny, bitchy and spoilt. Not all bloggers want to be the next Naomi Campbell, when the only Campbell running through their veins is a canned tomato.
Just like in real life, the blogging sphere is packed with people who just enjoy writing, who believe in free speech, who have something to say. So don't be fooled by the Reflex pictures. Take your time and read, look for those who have something to say: they are never paid, and demand no money from you!
PS: holla if you recognize the pun and the quote in the title! LOL











