“Your value as a blogger is equivalent to your reach!”
A toxic sense of entitlement is not only a detriment to bloggers and influencers, it is a legitimate concerning issue in the real lives of every day people. Today’s hot topic is focused on the sense of entitlement that I witness in the blogging world. As a blogger my goal here is to not criticize, but be constructive in my messaging. It’s important for us all to understand how our actions as individual bloggers affects the perception of others in our industry.
Now, there are many amazing bloggers out there who are hard working, professional, grateful for what they have, and grateful for those who’ve helped them get to where they are. But, there are just as many bloggers with a toxic sense of entitlement that just needs to stop. Below are some key concepts that are crucial to being a successful (or not so successful) blogger.
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
A successful blogger has most likely put in thousands of hours, sweat and tears into trying to grow their following. Numerous emails and meetings with businesses and individuals in an attempt to build a strong foundation. That will ultimately foster a relationship that leads to growing together and eventually making money together.
I was having a conversation with a fellow influencer the other day regarding the importance of relationship building. Relationship building is the true foundation (IMO) behind the work that we do. Sometimes building those relationships with our favorite brands can be quite daunting! But those relationships allow your target audience to contact with your brand and understand your story.
DON’T ASK FOR MY PR CONTACTS
Last month I was invited to cover a super-exclusive, highly sought after food festival. A fellow blogger got wind of this and boldly requested that I provide her with my PR contact because she didn’t get invited, and needed a ticket! Girl wheeettt?
Nothing grinds my gears more than being asked to share my PR contacts. It’s literally like asking me to turn over my rolodex of relationships. Such a request makes it appear as though you believe that you don’t have to work hard and are deserving of everyone’s time and effort.
DO THE WORK
PR is a right, not a privilege. Some of us bloggers work hard to cultivate and steward relationships. Some of which go nowhere. When we receive “free stuff” it’s because we’ve worked to ensure that our brand is viewed a reputable and reliable! Social media is less about the platform and more about the community it creates. It’s about your story.
IN CLOSING
Please be aware of your actions and how it’s affecting the reputation of an industry as a whole. Some bloggers only want free things and don’t even care about growing their audience/brand. They have no story to tell and think that simply calling themselves “bloggers” is enough.
Successful professionals in this industry live and breathe this stuff and find blogging to be extremely gratifying. We work hard to keep good relationships with people, brands and other businesses which are built mostly over time. Don’t burn your bridges, unless you can fly!
Bloggers, do you really think we’re entitled to everything we ask for?
Leave me a comment, I would love to know your thoughts?
Very well said and CORRECT!
Thank you for reading Jazz!
I am not a blogger (but I talk/speak a lot) I work for a Marketing Firm (not creative at all, but finance). And I never once thought of any of the ‘influencers’ we use were entitled until I read this message. I DO review posts to see if the companies we represent are tagged, thanked or even acknowledge. MOST do. But you are correct. It takes work and relationship building. A SYMBIOTIC relationship.
I honestly feel like relationship building is the key to making any partnership work. Thank you for reading.