…NOT!!! I’m no influencer. I’m pretty much just some person from Toronto who runs a blog – just like hundreds of others in the city. I don’t even get invitations to the so-called “coolest” parties. I mostly apply for media passes or pay to attend as an attendee (I’d say it’s about 50-50 right now. Maybe leaning more towards the paying part). However, there IS a stereotype or idea that ALL bloggers and social media posters get things for free or are paid to write/post about items.
While yes, I DO get sponsorship opportunities, they are also very rare (always noted). I can probably say that ALL of the clothes I have posted on Instagram are paid for with my own money. That’s why you see a lot of repeats. And sure, my outfit pictures tend to be the best of 10-25 shots, I STILL try to keep them a bit more “real” by NOT getting my hair “done” (unless I’m off to an event). I keep my make-up to a minimum when I’m NOT taking outfit pictures, so why should I look like I am when I do? It doesn’t make much sense to me. I want to keep things more “real.” How many people REALLY look like they’ve spent two hours in front of the mirror before heading to work? I see more ponytails or messy buns than blow outs when I was working in an office. People just don’t have time. We get up, perhaps shower (if we’re morning people), get dressed, perhaps eat and leave. That’s just the way things are, realistically speaking. There just isn’t much time.
So what about all those food pics? Again, (mostly) my stuff or something from a media pass (i.e. I’m getting in free, but I’m not being paid). I’ve had a small number of restaurant review opportunities, of course, but the last one was for True True Pizza several months ago. I’ve never been paid to write about restaurants or food products, only complimentary meals and items (and like the fashion/beauty posts food pieces are all noted). I’m also not one of THOSE bloggers who’re overly fake about things. I mean, REALLY? You LOVED everything? You need to be objective. Otherwise, people are just going to move on.
While this isn’t necessarily the case of ALL influencer bloggers/Instagrammers, I have a feeling many, especially those who are more influential than me, but to a lesser extent than the big, international ones like Bryan Boy, take more opportunities than they really should. Money is an important fact of life, but grabbing just about anything and everything dumbs you down, and probably why some fashion “traditionalists” believe that bloggers are “ruining” the industry (hello, Vogue!). Most of us are bombarded by emails from PR companies and often grab whatever opportunities come our way. This isn’t how it should be done, and good bloggers should know that. I probably turn down at least 75% of proposals/cold emails I get and DESPISE large swags of beauty products (unless they’re gift cards). Perhaps that’s why I’m not so “fabulous.” Whatever.
Image credit: Africa Studio/Shutterstock
