We are Independent Fashion Bloggers. We may blog professionally. We may blog as a hobby. We have built our influence and trust with our readers over time. Our skills have enabled us to grow our communities, and provide content for our readers to enjoy.
As fashion blogging has hit the mainstream, we fashion bloggers have been approached by a growing number of companies asking for all types of coverage and advice on how to navigate the new media. In many instances companies have enabled bloggers to provide content that they could not ordinarily cover on our own, and to which we are grateful. It has helped the medium grow and gain more credibility. However, there have also been a growing number of proposals from companies disguised as opportunities that do not add editorial value to our blogs, nor do they present any real benefit to us at all.
We understand the difference between editorial, news and promotional content. We do believe in helping our friends, our community, each other. However, we also recognize the difference between good will and companies profiting off our work.
We believe we should be fairly compensated for promotional work, for providing material to be sold by a third party, for sharing our knowledge to companies who will profit from that said knowledge.
We believe we should be fairly compensated if we are asked to do the following things:
- Asked to write a post that is clearly promotional, NOT editorial… even if our readers might benefit
- Asked to make specific endorsements to increase sales and/or for promotions with specific terms
- Asked to publish specific text or specific links in a post during a specific time frame
- Asked for anything that will be sold for money ie – photos for book
- Asked for expert in-depth opinion about products or services
- Asked for contacts, specialized lists of bloggers that might help a brand
The above items do not fall into the category of gifting products for potential editorial coverage. When a blogger is given something with the demand to post in a specific time frame, any coverage is no longer editorial but promotional.
We value our work, our talent, our time, and our influence.
We ask for fair compensation because we believe this will help establish the medium of blogging as a whole, establish credibility, and instill a sense of professionalism in our trade. Fair compensation will provide a greater service to companies, to our readers and to ourselves in the long run.
Thank you.
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Please RT this post to show solidarity.
There’s really nothing to say but BRAVO!
Gala´s last blog ..Carousel- Week Ending 23rd July 2010
Amazing job as always – thanks for putting this manifesto out there for the community.
shauna´s last blog ..Blossom
Retweeted!!! Thank you for putting it out there.
Yess!! Amazing. I’ve RT’d it and put the badge in my sidebar.
lisa´s last blog ..Product Review- Stila Long Wear Lip Colour
Bravo, Jennine! Thank you for continuing the pave the way for fashion bloggers and fighting for us as a community.
Ashe Mischief´s last blog ..Ch-Cha-Chain
Bravo! I will defiantly putt the badge on my website.
I really appreciate what you are doing for the blogging community. It’s great that us bloggers are supporting each other in any way we can.
take care!
x pris
Well said. It’s important to put our foot down, especially now with the FTC regulations. Know your worth, bloggers!
La Carmina´s last blog ..TAKUYA ANGEL HARAJUKU STORE IS CLOSING FINAL FASHION SHOW- AVANTGARDE CYBER JAPAN CLOTHING BRAND
I love this! Thank you for the manifesto!
Sheena´s last blog ..Dreaming Of…Kate Kanzier
I completely agree!! Great post!!
MJ´s last blog ..Fierce Fashion- GeboMana T-Shirts And a Giveaway!
this is amazing, thank you. where would we be without you!?
Damn right! Companies need to understand and respect the work that goes into blogging!
Fajr´s last blog ..Success
I love this manifesto! I’ve retweeted and considered making a page on my blog specifically for it lol. I’m about to grab the badge as well
Mikelle S´s last blog ..INTERVIEW- Keiko Limehouse of Mina-MasPart 2
what a wonderful manifesto. that you for creating this.
retweeted. badged. xo. -Bella Q
Bella Q´s last blog ..blogger-muse- ISQUISOFRENIA
I totally agree, tnx for posting this!
xx
M´s last blog ..Bvlgaris cuteness overload
I just added the badge and want to say a big thank you. Hopefully now people will know immediately that I’m not a push over!! and if they don’t they soon will……
Nicky´s last blog ..Rag Tales Weekly News Round Up
Thanks Jennine,
This is fabulous, I’m adding the badge to my advertising page.
xx
Kelsi (Dedicated)´s last blog ..
I totally agree! Blogging its not easy and should take more seriously because we are the voice of the costumers..
Keren B
keren B´s last blog ..Marc Jacobs – Fall 2010
Wow! I agree to the fullest.
Previously Owned´s last blog ..Get this MOVIE on my FACE!
YES! Thank you! The only way it will get better in this regard for ALL of us, is if we all abide by this – thanks Jennine!
watch out!! here v bloggers proclaim our expertise n place in fashion.
the badge’s on mine blog n fan page on facebook http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Fashion-Blog-La-Mode-by-GV-Miao-an-Oriental-Perspective/277566999964?ref=ts
RESPECT!!!
Gwen Vikkey Miao´s last blog ..HK Museum of History Presents The Evergreen Classic – Transformation of the Qipao Crossover Shiatzy Chen the Taiwanese Designer of Neo-Chinese Chic
Thank you for all you do for the fashion and style community.
Meredith´s last blog ..Nationwide contest will bring “fashion’s biggest fan” to New York City for Fashion’s Night Out 2010
Such a good article
thanks.
Maddy´s last blog ..We reached 50-000 edits
this is so true; unfortunately it doesn’t happen only to fashion blogs.
Ipsita´s last blog ..
Absolutely. I think these guidelines are realistic and fair. Well done!
Adele´s last blog ..concrete desert
Hear, hear! Not only did I almost sprain my neck from nodding so vigorously to this, but I actually sent the link to this piece to someone who e-mailed me today: their e-mail address said that their name was ‘Sarah’ but they signed off as ‘Papia’, and she contacted me to inform me that she worked for a team of ”talented copywriters” who would be more than happy to write ”an informative article from a range of topics” for Frock & Roll in exchange for a permanent link to their website. Um, NO. I hope she/he/they/it enjoys the read as much as I did!
L O V E it!!!
Thanks for posting it! I´ll ad the banner to my blog and re-twit the article!!!
Yeiii! Let´s stand united fashion bloggers!
LuceBuona´s last blog ..The beauty of traditions- Sari
I totally agree. This also applies to movie bloggers.
If only… I’d be rich! … THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for writing this. I will be displaying it at Style Epiphany. Perfection.
Krista´s last blog ..Fall Into Cargo Pants
Agreed!
Bagaholicboy´s last blog ..Marc by Marc Jacobs Sophie
Great article! Thank you so much for sharing!
tigerlily´s last blog ..Mood Boards