Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Day 45 - Stop It

So earlier today, someone mentioned that a fashion blogger actually blogged that they wouldn't be able to show anything new because they didn't have any money to buy anything. My first thought was, "OMG WHAT?!" I mean, that's just straight up tacky. But, again, there are people who get into fashion blogging under the assumption that their entire SLives will be paid for. They blog a bit, maybe a friend gives them something from their shop, and a few weeks later they feel like the Lelutka and Maitreya fatpacks should just be rolling in.

Hahahahaha!!!!

They learn quickly that fashion blogging takes MONEY. Cold hard cash, baby! You will not be on the Fatpacks Forever list of most stores. You can even be on a list and then taken off later if the creator decides they don't like how you blog, or even how you look. And that brings me to the next thing. Don't expect for a lot of the super popular designers to shower you in free items if you look like this:

Day 45 - Stop It


Saddle hag, invisible pony rider, Grand Canyon, Derp face - I've heard many terms for this kind of shape. I've exaggerated it a bit here, but you've seen them on the feeds. They look like they're riding a horse that isn't there, their frowny mouths look like they're about to slide off the chin, the eyes are so squinted people wonder how they can see at all. The faces are unappealing, and the bodies stretch out the clothing in bad ways. Poses often look wrong, as well. In that pose, my foot is actually supposed to be hooked around the other ankle. A lot of creators refuse to give items to people who look like this because they don't want their creations to be shown badly. And that's a good reason! After all, they've spent a lot of time making things. Why would they GIVE it to someone who is going to stretch it out and make it look ugly? They can't do anything about it if you buy the item and blog it, but they are definitely less likely to just GIVE you the item.

Something to keep in mind if you're just starting out as a fashion blogger! :)

Since I'm being all advice-givey, someone asked me not too long ago how I manage to blog for events like Stumblebum and Festival of Sin and stuff like that. Well, honestly? It comes down to just keeping an eye out for open blogger calls! Many fashion events call for bloggers a month or two in advance. Just keep your eyes open and apply when they ask. But keep in mind that even though you apply, you might not be chosen. I've applied for events and never heard Yes, No, or Kiss My Ass back. Sometimes the event gets more blogger applications than it could possibly ever handle. Let's face it, there's a TON of bloggers. Sometimes the event organizer just takes the first 20-30 bloggers that apply. Sometimes they are honestly picky and only choose the ones they like best. And yes, sometimes they pick their friends first & a few others after. It happens! Oh, and if you ARE chosen, sometimes that only allows you early access to a sim or something, it doesn't guarantee freebies.

So to conclude my little advice post:

1. Don't expect freebies if you're a fashion blogger.

2. Don't expect freebies if your shape is really out of control disproportionate.

3. Don't expect freebies even if you are an event blogger.

Oh, and don't blog about how you can't afford anything. That's tacky and it does not guarantee that someone is going to take pity on you and send you freebies.

12 comments:

Laryn said...

Preach it, sister!

sletoile said...

What a great post! Thanks for that. As Laryn says, preach it! Amen.

Asia said...

great post and lol@invisible pony rider :)

Sileny said...

Wow! I can'y believe someone blogged that they can't blog. LOL. That's...wow.

The other thing to add is if you have like 5 hits a day or something don't ask for free things. A store wouldn't pay you for wearing a dress around your 2 friends in your living room, let alone give you items for showing bad pictures in a bad shape to 2 people.

All of the bloggers that *do* get regular review copies don't necessarily have the best blog or the best shapes, etc. but they have been around long enough to have readers, to know how to get on feeds, to have some experience on how to act professionally with regards to designers, etc. There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of Second Life fashion blogs, a creator can't and won't give to everyone, they need a good reason to do so.

Anyway, Sileny's rant over. :P

Unknown said...

Oh I just giggled.

I don't think anyone should ask for free things at all. It's rude, but that's IMHO.

Taliferrue Cathaldus said...

Wow...Finally I have a name for the avatars that give me the creeps. I agree they should never have blogged they didn't have money to blog. There are a million freebies out there or hunts at the good designers too.
That would boggle my mind.

Joie Arai said...

Brilliant. Thanks for a great read!

Tina Hunsicker said...

I agree with this totially. The look and the freebs. I blog free/cheap myself and I rarely get stuff for free. I have to go look for it and that takes some doing

Deer Thistle said...

Just a few months ago my best friend and store manager Ethereal made a post about this "invisible pony rider" shape but commented further on the facial features normally portrayed on such a body type even more so. We call her "Chickweed," as all of our shapes are named after flowers and this one suited her so well.
http://qbee-shop.blogspot.com/2011/12/presenting-chickweed.html

SySy Chapman said...

ROTFLLLMFAOOOOOOOOOOO @ invisible pony rider. I think i love you Alicia! HAHAHAHAHAHA

Garrett Ceriano said...

I can't afford to blog. :> I don't know why I keep doing it. Silly me.

Unknown said...

LOL. I'm laughing to hard! I found this post because I'm such a hermit that I did not know that horrible shape was called ponyrider but it's just perfect! I always said it had child bearing hips and they are especially attractive when wearing extended crotch pants that look like an accident may have occurred. I agree with you and Sileny wholeheartedly. I can count on one hand the number of times I have actually asked for a review copy. I spend a lot of money in SL and feel it's only fair since through blogging I am encouraging others to spend. I am honored when I receive a review copy. I am not the best blogger in the world and my old computer is a pain but professionalism, honesty and hard work is more in line with my ethics than thinking I am somehow entitled.