For the past few months, I’ve been spending hardly any time on Twitter. That’s because every time I logged on, someone was whining about something, or arguing with someone, or being offended by something.
I’m getting really sick of it. Rather than getting involved, I just log off and do something productive, like playing Candy Crush.
The other day I logged on to see a bit hoo-ha over an article in Cosmopolitan about some blogger/Instagram girl who I’ve never heard of. There was lots of chatter and complaints about something she said in the interview.
“If I’m being completely honest, I don’t think there’s any space for more bloggers in the industry – everyone is one these days. It’s ridiculous. But if someone wants to start, you can’t focus on what everyone else is doing – the only way you’re going to stand out is if you do something completely original and be totally yourself.”
There are so many other parts in the article that could be pulled apart, like her saying bloggers are bitchy, only friends with people for status, fake etc. But no, this seemed to be the main focus.
Which made me laugh really because for years people have been saying that it’s hard to get opportunities in blogging because it’s oversaturated for years. There are so many blogs now that look the same, have similar content, similar audience size and type. So many bloggers for brands to pick from that it’s very hard to stand out.
This seems to be a general idea that many people agree with – you see in advice posts, in Twitter chats. Oh, you have to stand out, oh, there are so many bloggers.
It’s the same with YouTube. We all accept how rare it is to start YouTube now and grow organically – the types like Zoella, Tanya Burr, Yogcast, Fleur – they all started YouTube at a time it wasn’t a common thing to do.
So it’s not a surprise to hear someone say that you need to stand out to get noticed and seen in an industry where thousands of bloggers are all hoping for the same opportunities.
I log on Twitter and see people complaining about it, saying they feel hopeless and that what is the point in blogging if this blogger they admit they’ve never heard of said there’s no more space.
One thing I never understood about people is that we like to think we’re open minded to others opinions. That we listen and respect other people’s views, even if we don’t agree. But then we get offended by everything we don’t agree with?
Why do we get so offended by someone we didn’t know exist. Why take it personally?
Why do we let things others say make us stop enjoying the things we like to do.
Bloggers say they blog for the love of writing, the love of creating something, their passion for makeup. Not for free samples or cash. But as soon as someone says this out loud, there is a massive backlash? Why should it matter if you blog for the love of blogging?
There are too many bloggers. We all know this. Lot’s of bloggers review the same products, write about the same thing – but so what? That’s a great thing because it means more people to talk to in Twitter chats, more interesting blog articles to read, the industry seeing the value in blogs like ours – the medium sized blogs that have a loyal following, even if small.
There are so many bloggers that every time I go to events that used to have the same faces, there are new people all around. New friends to be made. New people to learn from and hang out with and have wine with.
Blogging doesn’t have to be about getting noticed in an industry. It’s about creating something you’re proud of and making a few great friends and connections online the way.
But we’re too busy being offended to focus on what really matters. Can we stop giving our attention and energy to such negativity?
Thanks.
I usually follow lifestyle blogs, so they are naturally very different. Even bloggers that live in Liverpool, like me, wouldn’t necessarily go to the same events (blogging or not), review the same restaurants or cook the same things. That is exciting for me and that is why I think there is plenty more space for bloggers, at least lifestyle bloggers. 🙂
Completely agree with everything you said. Most of the people create blogs to write about the things they like talking about and chatting with the people who share the similar interest. There are many bloggers and everyday so many more added to this list, just because someone said there’s any space for more bloggers in the industry, it shouldn’t stop you doing what you enjoy doing. Everyone is free to say what they think, it is on our hands to just ignore it and carry on what we do. x
So. Freaking. TRUE! It’s like we as a society have decided the most “in” thing is to be perpetually offended by even the slightest of things. It’s like I always say: offense is never given, only taken.
I’m with you, I am so fed up with hearing people whine, being critical of anyone else doing better than them or doing something different. Live your own life and stop feeling the need to put others down Lucy x
You are right on! There are tons of bloggers, but if you love blogging, numbers don’t matter. You can create a community in your own corner of the internet.
For the first time ever, I didn’t miss the Twitter drama! I saw all this kicking off, and couldn’t understand why everyone was getting so offended. Yes, there are too many bloggers. But I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing. So what, reviews etc overlap sometimes. We’re all unique and write in our own ways, so every post, even if about the same thing, is different. And okay, it is harder to get noticed because there are so many of us out there, but I don’t blog to be noticed. Although it’s nice, sure, and I love the opportunities I’ve been given. I blog because I love it, and if that’s the main reason you’re blogging then you won’t mind that there are loads of bloggers out there!
Amen and good on you for saying this put loud! The blogging and YOuTube world is oversaturated and that is just the plain old truth. I was caught up in the rat race, always trying to get brand’s attention but now I just do my own damn thing. Since early this year I have scaled down my posts, blog and write only about stuff that I am truly excited and believe in and I finally re-discovered love for blogging again.
Blogging was never about being noticed in the first place. Blogging was all about sharing. Sharing your love for beauty, makeup, travel, whatever it is you were passionate about, that’s what drew you towards blogging about it. And then it was about community. Suddenly finding other bloggers out there who blogged about the same things you did, who had similar interests, passions and your same love for bold lips or trips to Disney.
But then the PR’s came along, and what was once a small pond of bloggers to pick from is now an ocean. Jealousy, numbers, freebies, it’s more like poison than a perk in someways.
Sarah 🙂
Very well said, totally agree 🙂
I always love seeing what you have to say about certain topics. You are so well spoken, and this article is no exception! You are so right, people are so easily offended by everything now a days, and that occasion was no different! If you ever think you are going to make it in life, you have to have tough skin and not get upset over every little thing. Oh well, someone’s always gonna be offended. I guess the only advice I can give is for people to keep doing them xxx
Melina |