My boyfriend can 100% confirm that I’m a gal of many opinions, one thing I absolutely love is just chatting with friends and family about controversial topics and current affairs. I love to be challenged and I'm really open to hearing other peoples opinions. SO that being said, that is what this post is all about. Just me voicing some thoughts and experiences, but by all means feel free to let me know if you agree/disagree or think something else, cause we’re all friends here!
The last couple years I’ve grown the majority of my readers, both on Instagram and my blog. Now if ya know me you’ll know I love clothes, styling outfits and sharing affordable high street pieces (I’d say that’s a good 90% of the content I create haha). So it’s always a dream to get to work with brands I’ve shopped at for years as well as new companies I’ve discovered through blogging!
BUT where do you draw the line when it comes to taking on every collaboration? I don’t think anyone can deny it’s enormously flattering for a company to reach out and want to work with you. It's easy to get carried away, I think it is so important to remember to stay true to yourself. I always think 'would I recommend this brand/product to a close friend?'. If not, it wouldn't be right for me to positively promote it online.
One of the first collaborations I ever agreed too was a 30 day Teatox, it was back in the day when they started trending across social media. I really wanted to try the product and it felt like I was being let into the inner blogger circle, in the form of a box of weird smelling tea bags (seriously lol, why am I like this).
Now, did I actually bother to read up about the Teatox? Nope. I was happy enough to post it on my Instagram without much of a second thought. I look back and really regret it. I wish I’d have had a think as to why the PR gal was encouraging me to post about it before I’d had time to even try the product. That kind of shows they weren't after my genuine opinion, which is why blogging has become such a huge community after all. You read someones blog and you get to know them and trust their recommendations!
I did however use and drink, the entire box of tea (I didn’t try and flog it on depop the next day, don't worry!) but I just didn't rate it at all, I didn’t notice a difference in my body and just drinking green tea would have probably been a lot better for me.
You live and you learn, it’s not that big a deal to most but it has always been something that niggled me. I think this kind of minor ‘selling out’ is so common on social media. How many celebs have you seen promoting hair vitamins and protein powder with a very scripted and almost identical caption to the previous 17 other sponsored posts you’ll have seen that day…
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not judging. We’ve all got bills to pay and every person has their own prerogative. This is just the debate I always have with myself, when should I decline an offer? would I actually spend my own money on this item if it wasn't gifted?. I actually feel really good about turning down opportunities now that I just don't think are for me, or if I don't think my content is being valued enough. Blogging is more work that people think and x3 scheduled Instagram posts for a free phone case just doesn't feel right anymore.
I really admire blogger ladies and gents that have strong morals when it comes to their content. The bottom line is people aren’t stupid, so I think it’s really important not to pull the wool over the eyes of your readers just for some free stuff. Long term is it really worth someone loosing trust in your opinion?
Anyway I could go on for days about topics like this, every situation and person is different. Isn’t it so difficult to come to some kind of conclusion with matters like this?! That’s why I love chatting about it so much. That’s just my two cents on the matter (in a nutshell).
Do let me know if you enjoy reading posts that are more of a discussion like this, I’ve got lots more to say haha.
Happy Tuesday loves,
Olivia xx
shirt - Zara
sunglasses - Bershka*
necklace - H&M
