You Do You
My friend Ange wrote a post about how bloggers aren’t entitled to free things, which solidified my own feelings I had been having about the value of blogging itself. This post was primarily going to focus on that, but since it’s more of a thinking out loud kind of day, I decided to connect several points together in a rambling, yet hopefully concise, statement. That was a lot of commas. We’re off to a good start.
First I’ll address the blogging bit and move on considering not all of you are bloggers.
For a couple years I have read pleading comments and frenzied messages in Facebook groups about how “BLOGGERS SHOULDN’T WORK FOR FREE BECAUSE THAT DEVALUES THE WHOLE INDUSTRY OMG SDJFEJRHENJCF.”
First of all, this is not an industry that has been around for any serious length of time. This is why rates for sponsored posts are all across the board and sponsored social media content is even harder to pin down in terms of its value.
With any growing industry, there are growing pains. Businesses and people figure out what a product or service is worth through trial and error. As the perceived value increases, so does the cost. In what used to be a small market, bloggers are everywhere and brands are just learning the importance of utilizing influencer marketing.
When I started my blog, I didn’t get paid for anything for a long time. I didn’t even get free products for a long time. It took probably a year to a year and a half before I received anything at all to try out. And I was THRILLED. From there came smaller sponsored posts — I still remember my first one bringing in about $36. I was on top of the world.
As my audience grew and I got busier, my time became more valuable. I was able to justify asking more for sponsored content and turning down things I didn’t feel were a good fit.
This doesn’t mean that I will only accept money for sponsored content. I work with a number of small brands who don’t have a large budget and because I like the people or the mission or the product itself, I will talk about them for nothing. I’m establishing a relationship with them because I believe in what they do and want to follow along on their journey.
I don’t believe that bloggers working for free devalues the industry. Most brands know that they get what they pay for. Some small companies have a larger budget than you’d expect because they understand the value of marketing a product in this way and larger companies may have a very small budget for any number of reasons.
I understand that the goal for some people is to support themselves from their blog. I get it. That would be amazing if I could hang out and write and work on this love child of mine all day long. If that’s you, then I understand you need income and there are plenty of strategic ways to do that. Work with brands that can pay you what you want, but don’t shame smaller blogs for writing about a box of snack bars they got in the mail.
Here’s where we circle back to the point of this post. It’s your blog. It’s your social media account. If you’re not comfortable working for free, then don’t. If you’re over the moon excited that a company even has you on their radar, accept your free product and share about it to your heart’s content. If you feel you MUST get paid, but a company you love just can’t do it, decide for yourself what you’re willing to do with your time and your platform.
You do you.
Which brings me to every other avenue in life.
We spend so much time comparing that we forget we are each unique and we each bring value to the world we live in. We try to blend in and often follow blindly what we think the best things are to eat, to wear, and sadly, to think.
If everyone else is doing yoga and you hate yoga, don’t do yoga (raises hand).
If everyone is doing Whole30, but you just can’t live without delicious bread, don’t do Whole30.
If the plans are to go out on Friday night but all you want is to curl up in sweatpants on the couch, you do you.
Today, think about who you are. What you value. What makes you happy in life.
When you think more about yourself and less about yourself in relation to others, life becomes much simpler. How will you do you today?
(credit: Hello to Fit)
I needed to read this post today! As a new blogger, I’ve felt a pressure to be at a point where I might not necessary want to see myself in. Writing is fulfilling, and while the perks that comes along with the commitment and hard work put into this hobby are nice, it’s not the overall point for me. But I should be allowed to decide that 🙂 thanks for this awesome insight!
Thanks for reading!! 🙂
Yes. Yes. Yes. It’s so much freedom to just do you; do what you’ve been given to do and not worry about comparing yourself with others.
I’m totally a bread gal, so I don’t think I’ll be doing Whole 30 soon.
Emily recently posted…Dealing with Feeling Fat and Being Bloated Every Day
All bread all day!
Sweatpants on the couch all day errday!!!!!
Girl, I freaking LOVE this post, and agree with EVERYTHING you’ve said.
Ange // Cowgirl Runs recently posted…Currently: April 2017
I completely agree! Most weekends I’m on the couch in my PJ’s – and that’s where I’m happiest! You definitely bring up a great point that we’re all different. In different points of life, blogging, etc. And that is OKAY! Thanks for the reminder 🙂
Alissa
http://NaturallyMeBlog.com
Alissa Kelly recently posted…7 Free First Time Workouts
Totes! Every blogger can make their own decisions and do what works for them. And giving up bread? Over my dead body! hahah! Good thoughts, Erin! 🙂
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West recently posted…Five small steps you can start with to get healthier today
Totally agree, especially with keeping it real and only doing things YOU love/enjoy/believe in.
Bri recently posted…Blogger rant: Why I’m over sponsored social media posts
You’re seriously my favorite 💙
Aww you’re the best!
AGREE WITH BRI – WAY TO KEEP IT REAL, LADY!
Loved Ange’s post – and I love this, too! I think as we age and mature it becomes easier – or more natural, at least – do “just do you.” At least it has for me.
Catherine @ A Cup of Catherine recently posted…Can too much of a good thing be a bad thing?
Yes absolutely! Take control of your life and do what is best for you. Love this.
Alicia @Bridges Through Life recently posted…London: Eat, Explore, Experience
Yep so true. I’ve gotten back to the love of blogging I have a good paying job so if a brand offers me stuff to try and share about it, and it fits I’ll do it even if they don’t pay. I know blogging won’t be my full time gig so trying to squeeze a penny out of every brand is not worth my time.
Ivanna recently posted…THERE IS A FREEDOM IN BEING YOURSELF ON SOCIAL MEDIA
All I can say is AMEN to this.
Jamie King recently posted…Homemade almond milk is easier than you think!
Yes yes yes! I think it’s so important for people to be authentic to themselves and do what makes them comfortable. There are so many factors to take into account when you work on building your brand and working with brands in the marketplace.
p.s. your food IG pics have been extra awesome lately 🙂
Alaina @ The Simple Peach recently posted…Edinburgh Marathon Training Update: Goals, Mojo + Where To Go From Here?
I doubt I will every get asked to blog about anything or any product, but I’d sure love too. I don’t blog just for that reason, or else I’d have an empty blog. I blog because I enjoy writing, sharing whatever floats my boat, and making connections with others that have similar interests. If I got paid for it, well that would be cool too — but I’m not banking on it 😉 I so agree with your post, you do you. Post the selfie. Don’t post any selfies. Whatever makes you smile is what you should do! xoxo, ganeeban
Yes! So much this! On so many fronts. My burlesque friends and I recently had a convo about how “newer” burlesque performers are told that how we should “never” perform for free because that devalues the industry and hurts seasoned performers who are trying to do this for a living. Um, no. I agree that you shouldn’t let someone take advantage of you. But you also can’t assume someone will pay you a certain amount just because you want it. Likewise, I work in digital marketing, and if some small biz owner wants to pay their teenage kid nothing to handle their website, I’m not going to bemoan that that devalues my work. Because it doesn’t. I know what I’m worth. And I know what the demand is for my skills. And I marry those two things together to get an idea of what my salary should be. Likewise, a blogger or an artist or consultant can’t just demand they earn a living on their work because they want to. You hustle and try to make it work, but that’s on you, not the people who hire you, and not the people who do similar work. If someone else is willing to charge less for the same work that you do, figure out a way to prove that YOUR work is worth more.
Maggie Wolff recently posted…Training, April 3-9
LOVE THIS SO MUCH! It’s so easy to get stuck in the comparison trap and feeling like I ‘should’ be doing one thing just because someone else it. Always a great reminder – thanks Erin!
Ellie | Hungry by Nature recently posted…No Bake Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Macaroons
Thank you (as always) for this post, Erin! Just stumbled across it while taking a break from schoolwork and it’s just what I needed to hear. It’s funny… you mention the comparison trap. In all other areas of my life other than blogging, I “do me” quite well. I do what workouts I want (not a huge fan of yoga either; strength training is my jam and I’ll be damned if someone tells me I have too much muscle on my arms!)… I’m going back to school for my MPH, which, at 30 years old, is a little bit frightening since I’m not “settled in a career” yet. But when it comes to blogging, I can’t help but compare. I look at the gorgeous designs, logos, pretty Insta photos, sponsored content from major brands, and think wow, I have a LONG way to go. But then I remember I’m doing so much OUTSIDE of blogging, in my non-digital life, that blogging will just have to wait.
I love your reminder about not eating what everyone else is eating just because someone ‘popular’ deems it ‘healthy’ or it’s the latest and greatest thing. What works for one person won’t always work for (or taste good to) another. You really are an inspiration for so many people, myself included. Sharing this post today!
Ellyn @ In Fitness and In Health recently posted…12-Minute Abs On Fire Workout
I can not even tell you how much I love this! I am still accepting only free product right now, and I always feel guilty because of other bloggers’ complaints, but I just don’t feel ready to move toward payment. Thank you so much for this.
Thank you for always writing posts that are relevant Erin!!!