The struggle is real.
{I recently wrote the first part of this in a previous entry, and you can find it here.}
Being a blogger is no easy task, especially when we do it while holding a full-time job and fulfil other commitments as well. It’s tricky when it comes to balancing everything and only bloggers who really have passion in what we do will outlast the rest. That said, here are some other things that all bloggers struggle with, no matter how long we’ve been blogging and what we blog about. Enjoy!
7. Balancing a full-time job with blogging.
Most bloggers in Singapore aren’t paid when we do sponsored posts. We hold full-time jobs because Mama has to put food on the table and buy that Naked palette. Most of the time, our full-time jobs aren’t exactly aligned with the nature of what we blog about, so it’s pretty common to have a financial banker working 12-hour days and finding time in between all the other commitments to blog. Note that blogging also includes attending events, networking sessions, pitching to PR companies, photoshoots and writing emails. Tons and tons of emails.
This is why you’d believe a beauty blogger with a full-time job when she recommends you a good under-eye concealor.
8. Not being paid for our work.
There is a reason many European and US bloggers can carve out a living from blogging and Singaporean bloggers can’t. It’s simply that companies here, unlike the ones overseas, would rather not pay bloggers to blog about their products or services than to be strategic about their outreach campaigns. I’m not complaining, just stating a fact. And I’m also trying to change it (like how a few other bloggers are), but one day at a time. If companies here were willing to change the way they approached the blogging industry, given the calibre of the pool of bloggers we have in Singapore, it wouldn’t be difficult to have our versions – or better ones – of Aimee Song, Chiara Ferragni and Jessica Stein.
9. Being perceived as wannabes.
Not all bloggers want to be popular or be a star. Sometimes, we really just do want to blog, that’s all. Maybe we have outfit shots or vlogs, but for some of us, what really matter are the photography, the videography, the behind-the-scenes actions, the people we meet (who later become friends) while collaborating on blog entries and attending events to stay in the know of latest industry updates. The best kinds of bloggers give you value, amaze you with their work and you always learn something new from them.
10. Loneliness.
There are many times when we feel like no matter how much effort we put into our blog, it seems to be going nowhere. Our blog isn’t as good as other better ones out there, nobody really seems to get what blogging is all about, nobody cares enough to share the content we put up, brands sideline us for other “more important” event guests (I’ve yet to receive the press kit, which I was promised, from an event which happened 3 months ago, but I guess I’m better off not expecting anything now or ever), and everybody thinks we should just “get a real job.” But hey, I’m so glad that I’ve made many blogger friends since and am very thankful that we’re all in this together. There’s nothing like a supportive community that keeps you going stronger.
11. Blog downtime.
There was a period of time, not too long ago, when my close friends at work discussed the worst forms of torture that was specific to each one of us. For me, everyone agreed that it would be to delete my blog. Hosting my blog on my own domain was one of the best things I’ve done for Laced Ivory but it’s also one of the most nerve-wrecking. While downtimes don’t happen often, every blogger knows that each minute of blackout can make all the difference to our potential audience. Oh my, downtimes are the worst!
12. Haters.
You won’t believe it but even the nicest bloggers out there has haters. I didn’t understand why people would hate on someone they barely know (and for ridiculous reasons too) but experienced bloggers will tell you – and it’s true – that these haters don’t exactly hate us. Instead, they hate their lives when they subconsciously compare it to ours without realising hat we bloggers don’t put every single thing that happens in our lives up in the public sphere. I’ve had my fair share too, and I wish they would just go away. How would you feel if you were so excited to show the world your gorgeous new dress and some stranger comes up to you and says they don’t like pink? Perplexed, perplexed is the word.
That’s what I have for now. Of course, there are many other things we deal with from time to time, but it’s all in the name of blogging and getting great content out to you. I hope these blog posts help you, if you’re also a blogger, to know that you’re not the only one going through these difficulties. Remember: Tough times don’t last, tough people do.
With love,
Roxanne