writing Archives - Irish Beauty Blog Beautynook

The word ‘influencer’, has just become part of our everyday lives now. Wikipedia describe it as: ‘Influencer marketing (also influence marketing), is a form of marketing in which focus is placed on influential people rather than the target market as a whole. It identifies the individuals that have influence over potential customers, and orients marketing activities around these influencers.’

So in a nutshell, it’s marketing. A form of advertising. It has been coined to describe anyone with an online following, whether it be YouTube, social media, blogging. It all lies under the influencer umbrella. As someone who puts themselves out there somewhat online. (Don’t worry I am very aware of how small of a fish I am before you come at me 🙂 ). I am just not the hugest fan of the word.

To me, influence can come from anywhere and everywhere. The person in front of you in McDonalds can influence your ordering decision. Your neighbour can influence your hair colour. It’s everywhere. From an online perspective, I prefer the term content creator. Someone who puts thought into creating online content, paid or unpaid, it shouldn’t matter. Once they’re doing a good job, you enjoy it and they do it with integrity.

I think that’s what we’ve lost within this online world. People creating because they enjoy it, not just solely for what they can get out of it. It’s a industry now, a very profitable industry. It a ways for average people to make a lot of money and for celebrities to make even more money. I have no problem with this whatsoever may I add. It was a logical move. It just hurts my heart that the likes of blogging and vlogging, seem to have lost their meaning within it all. Content is just churned out to keep the money rolling in.

Now don’t get me wrong, I know there is still old school bloggers and vloggers out there. Polished and unpolished. I like to think I am one. An unpolished one that is 🙂 I write blogposts, I take my own, not very professional photographs. It’s just me rambling about makeup. Some I buy myself, some I get given for consideration. I try to be diplomatic and honest at all times. Blogging, beauty blogging in particular, became relevant because it was a way to cut through the bullshit advertising that was being shoved down our throats. It was real people giving real opinions on products.

I am all for people getting recognition for creating content. I encourage it. It can be hard work. It can be demanding. If I got a euro every time someone asked me to buy something so I could test it and tell them if it was good. There would be way more euros in my bank account. Readers/followers, can be demanding, can expect a lot for nothing. Of course, I am talking generally here, but people can be arseholes, some don’t even say thank you if you go out of your way to research something and answer questions.

I think we’ve all lost our way within it all a little. People who create content and then those who choose to consume it. Now I know I’m a 33 year old, small time blogger and an avid content consumer, so I’m not preaching here as such. I can only talk on behalf of myself, here in Ireland. I feel like Ireland is having a hard time coming to terms with this ever growing online industry. What I see here is a lot of negativity (on both sides), anger, jealousy, the list goes on. My two cents? Online media isn’t going anywhere.

We have to learn to embrace it. Consume the parts we enjoy, the people we enjoy. Give kudos to the people doing a damn good job out there! Because there is so many awesome people getting lost within it all. So much content is consumed as a result of hate. People watch certain YouTube videos or scroll Instagram just so they can give out about it. Well, you may be giving out about it but you’re also giving that person reach and a platform. Kind of defeats the purpose, right?

You can only be influenced if you choose to be. I say that knowing my audience overall are adults, that can make up their own minds and make their own decisions.

Like my last rambled post, these are just the thoughts in my head which I’ve spewed out onto this page. Let me know what you think. These topics need to be discussed. We need to find some sort of a happy medium within all this.

Gemma

xxx

Blogging in Ireland is under extreme scrutiny at the moment. I’ve seen a lot of talk online about it disappearing or becoming obsolete. I have also seen so many negative views on it. I can of course only give you my opinion and my thoughts on blogging.

Blogging first and foremost is a place to write about something, anything. It’s a safe haven for people to write down their thoughts. Of course it has taken on a life of it’s own over the past few years. It has become a form of media, a place where people can go to be informed on things, places and even people. It is also now a business with rules and regulations that need to be obeyed like any other.

‘noun: blog; plural noun: blogs

a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style.’

I use it as a creative space to talk about what I love, beauty. This is something else that is ridiculed a lot. Beauty blogging is seen as vacant, not important. I don’t tear apart your hobby and your outlet, why do it to mine just because you don’t get it or think it isn’t important? I see talk of it being over saturated and that there’s too many people doing it. I think there is room for everyone, the internet is a big place 🙂 We may talk about the same things, but what is special about your blog, is you. Your take on things, your words, your thoughts.

I know there are negative sides to the blogging industry. But that happens with any industry, you can’t tar everyone who blogs with the same brush.

I also think the word ‘blogger’ is used in the wrong context a lot. To me, a blogger is someone who has and maintains a blog with their content on it. Social media is an extension of that. I have grown to love using and interacting on social media too through blogging.

I began blogging just to blog. Of course nowadays I am lucky to receive product for consideration as well use Beautynook as an excuse to buy way too much aswell 🙂 I know this is a big talking point at the minute. If you follow me, you know I am more then happy to declare if something was given to me. I am also more than happy to share my real opinions on things good, bad or indifferent. Or sometimes no opinion at all if I have nothing to say about something. If I ever collaborate with brands I love, I will shout it from the rooftops. I think it’s something to be proud of! I put a lot of work into Beautynook. Into sampling products, researching them, photographing, writing posts and keeping up with social media. I enjoy every minute it, but it is work and it is time consuming. I am also learning and growing from it constantly, which I think is really important.

I am not perfect by any means. My writing isn’t perfect. My pictures definitely aren’t. My makeup skills are far from it. I don’t claim to be an expert. I am human. But, I have so much passion for the beauty industry. I find it so inspiring. That’s why I choose to write and learn about it. I have also been so lucky to meet awesome like minded people while doing it and have had some awesome opportunities. I feel so very lucky that people interact and take the time to read what I write and also value my opinions. It is literally the best feeling in the world! There is definitely mixed opinions out there on whether it is OK to blog for a living or make money out of it! I think people make money from their hobbies all of the time, why should it be any different? It is the dream to make a career doing something you love.

Blogging is a choice, anyone can do it, all you have to do is be inspired and start typing! If you have a passion and you want to write about it, just do it. It’s fun… I promise 🙂

Thank you for everything!

Gemma

xxx

Posts

Influencer. What The Word Means To Me

You can only be influenced if you choose to be. I say that knowing my audience overall are adults, that can make up their own minds and make their own decisions.

Like my last rambled post, these are just the thoughts in my head which I’ve spewed out onto this page. Let me know what you think. These topics need to be discussed. We need to find some sort of a happy medium within all this.

Gemma

xxx

Why I blog…

Blogging in Ireland is under extreme scrutiny at the moment. I’ve seen a lot of talk online about it disappearing or becoming obsolete. I have also seen so many negative views on it. I can of course only give you my opinion and my thoughts on blogging.

‘noun: blog; plural noun: blogs

a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style.’

Blogging is a choice, anyone can do it, all you have to do is be inspired and start typing! If you have a passion and you want to write about it, just do it. It’s fun… I promise 🙂