From first glance at the title of this post, I know you’re thinking I’m about to reveal some BIG secrets. However, the lies bloggers tell you aren’t necessarily told on purpose. Most bloggers, whether they are found on a dot-com or Instagram, only show you a highlight reel of their life. What you see isn’t always true and for that, many people believe a lot of myths about bloggers. I’m here to share the lies bloggers tell you, unintentionally of course.
Bloggers ALWAYS look amazing.
The pressure to look good for bloggers is extremely high since photos are a huge part of our story telling process. Would you ever buy a wrinkled dress worn by a fashion blogger with dirty hair? Do you think you’d follow a Mom blogger who wore the same old college sweatpants, hole-y t-shirt, and no bra every day? The reason people follow bloggers is to be inspired. For me, it’s part curiosity/part genuine interest in their brand – whether it be fashion, motherhood advice, or home decor.
The truth is, bloggers have to lie about their normal appearance or no one would pay attention to their stuff. We spend a lot of time taking photos that are creative and interesting enough to keep you around!
Bloggers don’t have any help with their children.
Truth be told – NO successful Mom blogger does it all alone. Take it from a Mom blogger herself, my husband/cat/television/family and friends help keep an eye on my daughters. Currently I can’t afford to hire a babysitter, but I would 100% pay someone just to keep my children occupied when I’m working towards a deadline. If you’re following a Mom blogger who claims she doesn’t have any help, she is lying… the television is a babysitter in itself.
Bloggers’ homes are picture perfect and always clean.
There is no way any blogger can keep their home looking picture perfect and spotless without a bit of help. If you follow a blogger who shows her home often always looking 100%, keep in mind that it’s most likely a staged photo. There is always a wizard behind the curtain – a neat-freak spouse, absent children/pets, or a maid crew and organizational service.
Blogging is a job I absolutely love and adore, but it comes with a lot of pressure and responsibilities. Social Media is so important to blogging in terms of being “present” and showing your followers what’s behind the scenes.
Bloggers get everything for free!
In the world of blogging, almost everything comes with a price. From static Instagram posts to dedicated blog posts to blog post mentions, brands want something in return for sending over an item. We can’t write to any old company or brand and ask for free goods without offering something in return. Bloggers also cannot get free stuff for their friends (which I’m asked to do more often than you think).
As far as travel goes, press trips are a perk of being a blogger. Not all bloggers can arrange a press trip to a city though – it takes a lot of pitching and work on our end. Even if a blogger is comped for a hotel stay, tickets to a museum, and brunch at a restaurant, she is required to post in exchange for the services.
The quality of our posts need to be appealing, so when a blogger is doing any of the above, she has to be able to take amazing photos/videos. I’ve never been on a press trip that wasn’t a little bit stressful in terms of trying to capture the best of everything.
Moral of the story: If a blogger tells you she receives everything for free, it’s a big fat fib.
It’s so easy to make money as a blogger.
It took me half a decade to begin monetizing my blog, so I don’t believe anyone who says it’s easy to make money. There are plenty of ways to make money as a blogger, but it doesn’t happen overnight. A blogger/influencer has to build their brand before anyone will compensate them for their work. Unless you’re a celebrity… anyone famous can start a blog and be paid more than the average blogger overnight.
What You See Is What You Get – Or At Least I’m Trying to Do That For You
I work very hard to show my real life behind the beautiful staged and edited photos. From the words you read on Confessions of a Northern Belle to the videos on my Instagram stories. These are my true confessions.
Great post!
What a breath of fresh air to see this!
Great read!!!
I love this so much!!! All facts. Also – I’ve been eyeing those flats. Very cute.
All SOOOO true!! I love this post and all the realness you shared girl!!
XO, Katie | http://www.meshkomoments.com
Great post! in the process of building my own! It’s hard work.
LOVE that you’re sharing the REAL TRUTH in this post!! You’re so right about all of these! Especially the “free” thing .. so not true and is a huge discredit to what we do .. thanks for sharing this!
-Morgan
How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com
I love how you keep it real for all of us! Honestly, I often watch bloggers’ stories and think I could never keep up. (That goes for some of the other ‘real’ bloggers too! Lol) I mean, how does anyone have that much energy???
haha this is too funny! My house is certainly not clean lol
Love this post! As a new blogger, it’s fun to learn these things. Trying to be different and true to the content your putting out is hard in itself.
Great post! Thanks for saying the “ugly truth” lol People have misconceptions about what blogging is. I agree we do need help and our houses aren’t always perfect and organized.
XO
Candace
http://www.thebeautybeau.com
As a new blogger, I really needed this reality check! Thanks girl!
Loved this!
Grey blogpost!
Such a wonderful and honest post! You’ve been killing it lately! Appreciate your thoughts here and I totally agree. Everything comes at a price haha! Hope you are feeling better <3
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
YES! SUCH a good post! I feel like people are definitely seeing more of the BTS during quarantine, but it is so true that we are def not all perfect. my house is usually a mess and collabs take so much time!! thanks for sharing this here.
xx rebecca // http://www.rebeccapiersol.me
This is a great post!! I totally agree with everything you said!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
These were right on. Especially that bloggers get everything for free…
Xx, Nailil
thirtyminusone.com
Such a great post! This was very informative! It’s crazy how misleading social media can be! I totally agree as well, I get a lot of help!
Kileen
cute & little
These are very true lol! I enjoyed reading this! Xx.
Have to say these are spot on. As a fashion blogger for years now I can saw I absolutely do NOT always look amazing nor do I get everything for free. Its part of the gig I guess! lol xoxo, Sarah
LOVE this post lady!! Definitely agree with all of this – not quite what it seems/looks like. Things are a lot harder and crazier than they seem. That is for sure!
XO Laura Leigh
http://louellareese.com
My husband loves when I have a home shoot because I finally clean up the bathrooms and living room! My house is never as put together as it is in photos!
Thank you Caitlin for sharing this post and your candidness! Many people have no idea the work involved in this line of work. Can relate to much of your comments, my house lately seems like it’s always a mess and I often have to wake up at 4:30am to get anything done now the kids are home all the time. Not so glamorous! Xo