Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Why I Blog...

I recently read a blog post that has been causing a whole bunch of furor about bloggers charging. I agreed with the bit about bloggers getting paid if they are called on to promote or advertise a product or brand. Writing isn’t that easy, y’all. It takes work to make a press release sound faboosh. I also feel it’s up to those bloggers who want to make money off their blogs. Some of us are doing it for different reasons. And I think that’s where the post can be misconstrued. It was clearly written for those who need to pay them bills.

I’m not gonna lie if I was offered moolah to advertise a product I’d do it. Those heels are not gonna pay for themselves. I would disclose it though. At the same time, as a baby blogger compared to the really fabulous ones out there, I have also done my fair share of free posts. I feel that it’s all part of paying my dues, getting some exposure and all that nonsense. Also I have a hard time saying no.

Now well I believe in getting paid to blog I also believe that for some stuff you don’t need to get paid to write a gushing post. I have received stuff to review, been invited to launches and got goodie bags. And honestly it was AH-MAZING! And that’s probably why I write about them. They give me the same happy feeling in my stomach I usually get from cupcakes. If it didn’t it probably wouldn’t appear on the blog. Which is probably why some PR peeps don’t like me.

Now all that stuff is lovely but that’s not the only reason I blog. Since 2009 I have documented many personal things including my love for magic knickers and food. A lot of food. I’ve put my work and colleague frustration online. I’ve managed to secure a fashion column from my blog. I openly declared my girl crush on Robyn Cooke and I know she feels the same way. I’ve started a list of Dos and Don’ts my Future Boyfriend *will* adhere to. I've got to hang out with Bryan Boy (one of my favourite things in the world). I've been invited to celebrate Singleton Awareness Day (aka stupid Valentine's Day). I got to paint my name in the Poetry store window. Managed to turn a Coffee Club meeting into a fabulous event that got out-of-this coverage over here, here, here, here, here, and here.





And that's why I blog :)

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

12 comments:

  1. agreed, great post...there are tons of reasons to blog, cause life is not all strawberries ;) (or peaches) and cream and you want to vent all the nonsense in your head, a blog is a lot cheaper than a psychiatrist...(though u may still need one).
    also one day (well, no never) you'll get spotted by some hugely popular, financial powerhouse of a blog/magazine whateva and you'll never have 2 work again, just blog and get excessively drunk for the rest of the day.
    Blogging also allows you to (kind of) live out your dreams of being a famous writer one day...
    though to be honest i have abandoned my blog recently in favour of Pintrest which is pretty darn cool.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. imagine getting paid to blog about cupcakes, magic knickers and boys. my dream!

      Delete
    2. www.aol.com would be the answer... though slightly trashy...

      OH WELL, huis genoot? not quite as glam I suppose... but they have great baking recipes... ;)

      Delete
    3. if you are serious about trying to make money from blogging (or internet marketing in general) then try and FOCUS a lot more.
      ie. if you love baking then focus on a MUFFIN SERIES for 6 months or a year and look for related sponsors as opposed to being "all over the place", muffins one day, then fruit cocktails, then spaghetti recipes. Number 1 it will be difficult to find an advertiser that relates to all 3 topics, number 2 you will lose focus and interest quickly.
      Simplifying things often brings clarity...

      Delete
  2. Definitely agree with your post and relate 100 %

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. there is definitely two camps on this topic and i tend to agree with you in that i blog about what i love and will voice my opinion about things i hate, afterall it is my blog. with regards to payment, that's just a bonus if it is a product or service i am endorsing and by endorsing i mean become a brand ambassador - are you reading this Zara SA and Aldo? To each his own, however a little humility and integrity will go a long way in this debate. just a thought.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hear you on the humility and integrity.
      Also, if you ever manage to get Zara and Aldo's number, do a girl a solid ;)

      Delete
  5. if memory serves OfferForge offer South Africans opportunities from companies like YDE, which may be a good idea. Haven't checked in years but you may be able to get some banners and stuff, when I signed up they weren't too strict http://www.offerforge.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. Better than OfferForge - http://www.admarula.com/
    Good place to find banners / links etc. Signup is easy

    ReplyDelete
  7. shameless spammers ruining my afternoons intellectual reading... tut tut tut.

    ReplyDelete

Whoop! There It Is!