Be Supportive, Show Kindness And Don't Be A D*ck!

I don't think I can say this enough, it's so important to support one another. There's nothing quite like sharing some positive vibes in the blogging community right now, to share successes and congratulate one another. I'm pretty sure that you are familiar with the story that's been circulating in the bloggersphere and I still, cannot understand why there is a need to tear one another down, especially when there are so many opportunities to build people up. I don't really want to go into details as I don't think the business deserves any exposure. As a business they have acted appallingly, unprofessionally and the owner was pretty much a d*ck. I'm not going sit here and write a lengthy post as to whether they should be boycotted, trolled or anything because at the end of the day, despite it all, it is a business. It's someone's lively hood. And to do that, would make us all just as bad as him. But bloggers should not be taken with such a negative attitude and we are certainly not freeloaders.. 


In a nutshell, a blogger approached a business to ask whether they would consider working with them for a collaboration. Pretty standard approach. Personally, the only downfall of the email was that it came across like she just wanted some free accommodation for a feature on her Youtube channel, but that's it! There was absolutely no need for the business to take to their Facebook page and basically tear this girl to shreds. Seriously some of those comments are really unnecessary. Their inconsideration snowballed into a trending twitter spat between most of the public and most bloggers. A witch hunt began with these 'freeloading influencers'! 

As a blogger, you can only imagine I was offended.! As I'm sure many bloggers will. It's hard not to really when thousands and thousands of people are making comments about how we earn a living. 'Freeloaders', 'lazy', 'scummy', 'need to get a real job' and the best one 'just do it to get free stuff''. Like, seriously! Come one people, move with the times. It's all about the marketing in the digital age, not waiting for adverts in between television programmes. Really think about, who watches anything live anymore. Even when you are bombarded with advert after advert on social media, we scroll by. And so working with brands, companies and businesses has changed. The whole bloggersphere is still a relatively new phenomenon and so really, it's still in it's infancy. Just think what it could be in five or ten years time?



But this has become my job. Blogger, writer, influencer, whatever you want to call it. It's a money maker for lots of people. I have to say that I don't have the biggest following in this bloggersphere, but there are lots of people who follow me, take the time read my posts, send me emails to talk about my content on my blog. So what if a brand or business wants to work with us. We are NOT freeloaders. There's a lot of work that goes into creating content for a brand. They have their needs, and their  guidelines too. Each and every brand that I have worked with are completely different, their needs are different and so I have tto cater to each and every one of them. It is by far from 'an easy gig', or 'takes a couple of photos and you're done'! So, in this case, if he didn't want or 'need' to work with a blogger, as he mentioned his followers A LOT. Why couldn't he have said thanks, but no thanks! But to actually call a blogger out on her pitch and share her email with the world. Apparently, it's what he does though, but each to their own. I guess. In a way the business and blogger benefited and got more exposure because of it. So a win win situation. But I am certainly not, a free loader! Or a scrounger. I AM A BLOGGER! Nothing makes me smile more than receiving lovely comments on my blog, positive messages, or someone sharing my post - I think it's all about being supportive and showing kindness. And the business could have been professional about it, instead of being a d*ck. 

19 comments

  1. Oh I had no idea this had happened! But I've been living under a rock recently I must admit! I feel really sorry to read this, it's a real shame that so much nastiness and jealousy goes on. Blogging is hard work, from the time it takes to build up your blog, to the all-consuming nature of photographing, filming and sharing everything you do. That's why I've found it difficult recently. Anyone who could criticise or consider it 'freeloading' obviously doesn't know what they are saying, as they have no idea of the work involved.

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  2. I read about this - just awful. You are so right, why can't we just support each other instead of always feeling the need to attack each other? Well said and I agree with you completely. x

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  3. I totally agree, she must have felt awful after all those nasty comments. We need to support each other! x

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  4. I know a little bit about the situation so I cant really comment on it but I do worry when things like this happen that those who believe all bloggers are in it for free items, it should never have been made public.. which then possibly could break trust between blogger and brands who are willing to accept them, what if they share info?..

    i need to sit and read about it a bit more to completely understand it all.

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  5. Ugh - It was awful. It really brought out the nasty side in everyone, especially people who don't understand the industry. Sadly he got exactly what he wanted. Publicity that money couldn't buy.

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  6. To be honest the majority of the people including the man behind the business are all middle aged men who clearly have very sad lives. I don’t see the point in taking offence to it because they obviously have no idea how social media or influencers work. I make a full time income from my blog so it’s quite clearly possible to earn money from it! Those men are just idiots.

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  7. I've read about this and just feel as though it's a hit at all bloggers. It's not fair on the work of bloggers and social media influencers work but clearly they just don't understand it all. It's hard to not take offence but at the end of the day if blogging is something you enjoy then you shouldn't let a little thing like this ruin it for you, me or anyone else in the blogging community xx

    Yasmina | The July Journal

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  8. What happened was disgusting. It was not at all necessary to do that, as she asked in a nice way, and didn't demand anything.

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  9. It was an awful way to treat another human being, but he is known for being like that and his trollish behaviour. Have you seen what he has done? He has sent her an invoice for all of the publicity he has got her. Unbelievable.

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  10. I’d not heard about this but it sounds terrible!!! I agree, no reason to be a d**k! Luckily I find the blogging community a supportive one over all! #KCACOLS

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  11. The whole situation infuriated me. As someone who works in PR Management I can see both sides but their reaction was outrageous x

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  12. be kind, be supportive, and don't be a dick should be the rules in all aspects of life. I've read of a few posts about this particular situation but apparently missed all the fuss, which is fine because it annoys me to no end how hard it seems to be for some people to not be able to follow these 3 simple rules #KCACOLS

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  13. I still can't believe this all happened, it's appalling! I feel so sorry for Elle.. the fact that the "business" are making money and getting publicity off the back of this makes me feel sick!! Maybe one day everyone will understand the blogging industry and be KIND to one another xxx

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  14. This whole situation was appalling. I think it's terrible how Elle has been treated, both by the hotel owner & the general public who seem to think that bloggers are just freeloaders xx

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  15. I have been blogging for almost 7 years and I have asked for 'free' things in return for a blog post and social media posts and most business are happy about this. I also have pr's and company's email me asking me to do 'free' things for them, but no one is going around slating these saying they are asking for free things. Most things are mutually beneficial to both parties. If you don't like it, just say no thank you and forget it. There is no need for all this over the news and the put downs. #KCACOLS

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  16. All I know, is that I am fairly new to this thing called blogging, and I have met some of the friendliest, most supportive people that I have not encountered personally. I count on these people as my friends. Whatever happened I missed, and it does sound horrible. But truth be told, there are a lot of d#icks out there... Look at the white house. Oy, trickle down ... Great post. #kcacols xoxo

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  17. People definitely don't realise how much work goes into blogging. I'm only a little blog and most of the requests I send out to brands don't even get a reply. If the guy didn't want to work with her he should have just emailed back saying no thanks. I am thankful that all the bloggers I have come into contact with have been very supportive, we need more of this x
    #KCACOLS

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  18. I came across this post too and was outraged by the response of many. Of course the email could have been worded better with a clear focus on how the collaboration will benefit the brand she approached but there was no need for the company to react the way they did. I have collaborated with many brands including hotels where I got in contact and pitched my ideas. I see collaborations working both ways, for me it is not about the 'complementary' products I get but a chance to showcase a brand to my readership and followers they might not have been aware of and through my articles, recommendations and social shares become customers too. Thanks for sharing x #KCACOLS

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  19. It can't be that hard, can it? To just be nice and kind and support other people rather than knocking them down and just being mean for the sake of being mean. x #KCACOLS

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