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Saturday, June 1, 2013

If She's Not Good Enough, None of Us Are!

As I've stated before, this here blog is my little notepad. Last year I realised that even if I was no longer working in the cosmetic industry, I was still in love with it. In fact, I never stopped loving it! Makeup, skin care and fragrances, publicity campaigns and launches of new products, everything!

There are thousands of blogs out there to choose from. Some are more aimed at makeup, others will give you specific information about skin care and others are just there to tell you about new things to expect from the beauty industry, what's coming next. I wouldn't be able to write this notepad without the information provided by these other blogs.  A few I follow almost religiously and others I have a look at once in a while. I just don't have the time to follow everyone. On my blogroll are my top ones but I also follow several through Bloglovin and Google+.

I've had to be selective since like I said, I can't follow everyone. During the past 12 months, there are some I've stopped visiting, simply because the information given was not what I was looking for or sometimes it was just plain wrong. After a while this gets annoying, hence the change of heart. Others I've discovered recently and the ladies writing them keep me on my toes. They are so good it's hard to keep up.

Am I trying to keep up? In a way yes but at the same time no. I do my own thing but try to follow the trends because I know that's what attracts readers. I'm not stupid, I do want to have as many visitors as possible, who doesn't?

Most of the ladies with what I call "Big Blogs" are either beauty insiders or have been around long enough to be on every PR lists and so they get to review products way before they're even available to the general public. Do I follow big blogs? Only a few. The reason? Not all are gracious and some, unfortunately, are quite snob. If you are not a well known blogger, they simply won't give you the time of day. Those I've stopped following.

Of course one has to take into consideration that there are new blogs popping up every day. The people who write them will simply jump all over the place, leaving links to their sites left and right in the hope of having as many followers in the shortest period of time as possible. Let me tell ya, it doesn't work that way! It takes time, patience and a lot of work. Kissing up doesn't work! I myself, on this here small blog, have had a few newbies who have visited just to leave their links. I did publish their comments but have visited only once, just out of curiosity. Are they still around? I have no idea.

One of the blogs I follow on a daily basis is British Beauty Blogger (BBB). Why? Great information, always something new with several entries a day most of the time. I don't know how she does it but it's more than obvious that Jane loves what she does. And no I'm not kissing up, I'm just stating the facts! Some days I would love to switch places with her. Recently she visited 31 rue Cambon in Paris. For those who don't know about this address, well, it's Chanel! To make us drool even more, she had the privilege of visiting Coco Chanel's private apartment, you can read about her experience, here.

So, she writes about products, experiences but also about blogging which I do find quite gracious of her. Sharing is always a good thing in my book for I believe there is a place for everyone but a "smart everyone" if you get my meaning. Now what brand wouldn't want to work with her?

Apparently there is one! I don't know which and I must admit that even if I knew I wouldn't publish its name but I would likely stop buying their products.

Not good enough, her writing is impeccable, not influential enough, I would love to have a 4th of the number of her followers, not cool enough...!? What do they want, flashing lights and rap music?

Some blogs are stunningly gorgeous! The layout, the pictures, the writing are all perfect. Still, they don't have as many followers as BBB, why? Simply because she knows what her readers want and gives it to them in a classy way, that's why.

So, if she's not good enough for this particular brand, who is?

If she's not good enough, none of us are and we might as well stop what we're doing right now!

To read Jane's article, When What You Do Isn't Good Enough click on her banner below.







Comments (10)

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Oh, this happened to me as well. I was declined as an affiliate for the following reason "This action is not necessarily a reflection of the quality, value or traffic of your Web site" .. but that I wasn't the right 'fit'. I was quite hurt by this, but later I thought .. 'screw you', perhaps you're not the right fit for ME! I guess once you become a professional blogger, you can't take these things too seriously - it's only business and that's how business works (unfortunately).

Monica
My recent post Swimwear at H&M
1 reply · active 619 weeks ago
You know Monica this happened to me as well. I was crushed of course but I kind of knew from the start no would be the answer. Still that's ok. I guess eventually I'll get what I want and hopefuly it'll be better. So will you! xx
My recent post If She's Not Good Enough, None of Us Are!
I follow quite a few blogs, but I hadn't heard of BBB yet. But since you like her so much, I will make sure to check out her blog :-) And I totally understand how you feel about the Big blogs sometimes being a bit snobbish. They get SO many readers and SO many comments that they kind of lose touch with their audience. It just becomes a bit impersonal, and I don't like that. I love interaction on a blog, and I like it when I feel included and valued as a reader. I personally try always to connect with my readers. X
My recent post Review: Dr. Hauschka Crème Purifiante | Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream
1 reply · active 619 weeks ago
Melissa do have a look. I love how she gets to play with new products way before anyone else and in fact many of her entries are little short ones that don't necessarely call for comments. What I enjoy mostly is a few times a week she writes excellent articles. I understand the fact that the ladies who have Big blogs can't always answer to everyone but when you see that they only reply to other well known bloggers that's what gets to me and since they have experience they should be able to see the difference between someone kissing up and someont truly interested in what they do. Jane is one of those ladies that doesn't reply to every single comment but when she does you don't get the feel that she's selective. The same goes for the other few Big blogs I visit.
My recent post If She's Not Good Enough, None of Us Are!
I read Jane's blog since 2008 when I started mine. She's really an inspiration for most beauty bloggers out there. I really love when she posts about bloggers-PR relations and other good blogging subjects or she is not afraid to touch subjects that other bloggers don't even dare whisper about. Jane gives it straight to the PR sometimes and she is not afraid to speak her mind. I wish there would be more bloggers like her with attitude, it would really make a change.
My recent post Kinetics & Jordana Summer 2013 Light Pink & Peachy Nail Polishes – Round-Up Review
1 reply · active 619 weeks ago
Tavia, I couldn't have said it better myself, I too love her articles about blogging, I've learned a lot from them as well as from her blogging style. What I also appreciate is her honesty in regards to the products she tries. This, in my view, is what brings people back.
My recent post Notable Reads, Vol. 9
Hello! It's me.. it's such a weird thing to be reading about myself here, but I have to thank you so much for your post and comments. I can't get back to everyone on the blog but I do try my utmost go get back to everyone on Twitter. Why? Because I love talking to people and it's never a question of my blog being big, small, whatever - I have found friends through my blog I would never have 'met' otherwise and I am grateful to my bones for it. I'm so proud to be a blogger, proud and glad to talk to people all over the world and I never take any of this for granted. Yes, I got a painful kick in the shin, but it's no more than other bloggers have to put up with and I know that.. the difference is I can speak for everyone and be heard. I have not forgotten where I began - in absolute awe of other bloggers - Temptalia, Blogdorf Goodman, MsWorthy (we are now real life friends!), and so many others and I never will. I love blogging for exactly the kind of post that Icaria has written; it's the only thing I know where strangers come together and cause a kind of unity that is beyond precious. Thank you again. Jxxx
My recent post Thank You
1 reply · active 619 weeks ago
Thank you Jane, whithout bringing the violins out and not wanting to seem sappy, thank you for doing what you do and sharing your experiences with the rest of us, not only the ups but the downs as well. I have learned so much from your articles and know I'll continue to do so. Oh and you're so right about the blogging community, it's a great one to be part of!
Hélène xoxo
My recent post Notable Reads, Vol. 9
I have been feeling this way about blogging for a while now.

I've been around since 2009, back then there weren't many bloggers out there then, but it was a great little community, I relished it. Nowadays, it feels quite competitive. What I find annoying as well is that some of these bloggers (new and maybe old) review all these PR samples but never have anything bad to say. I mean, c'mon! Not all of the products out there are perfect and I do feel they do this as they want more freebies. It is frustrating to see!

I could go on and on, but I'll leave it there for now.

Seriously, if you ever feel like you need to talk, feel free to e-mail or tweet me!

Halima

xx
1 reply · active 619 weeks ago
Oh Halima I get what you mean about PR samples and the bloggers who never have anything negative to say. This is so annoying, it's obvious they do it only for the freebies. A friend told me recently I should get "into that" the freeby stuff. I told her, as much as it may sound fun, let's be honest, these are great perks, but I don't want to compromise my honesty in the sens that I will not put butter on stale bread if you know what I mean. Then again, unless you're big, I guess you can't really be 100% truthfull, otherwise you don't get the perks anymore. It's really weird and it's something I never thought about when I started my blog. They get big numbers because they get to try the products before anyone else. At least there are blogs like BBB that can afford to be truthful, now that's a relief.

Thank you for your comment and the offer. :)
My recent post Notable Reads, Vol. 9

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