Stylish

Blogger, Blogga! Bloggrrr

2014-02-20 /

Blogger Blogga Bloggrrr

 

EDIT: This rant is specifically focused on Fashion Blogging

In the 8 years I have been an Second Life Resident, only a few months of that time was I not blogging. I didn’t start out Fashion Blogging right away, I actually didn’t know that existed as a thing until I was already in world 4 months, but I was blogging pretty regularly on my own blog. Then I discovered ‘Appearance Mode” I have told this story a few times, and how I had so much inventory from shopping everyday and working, that I started blogging daily.

If you think I am wordy now, there are older residents that can attest that how I blog now is barely a blurb by comparison. I loved it, was incredibly passionate about it, and looked at it as a way to contribute to this amazing community.

This post is a rant, a big one that has been festering for months. I have spoken about it with Cajsa, and Gidge, as well as Gogo and Whimsy – pretty much daily with Whimsy. As much as I would get my rant on, I never actually wanted to post it. I never thought I would ever do a post about people that blog in a negative at all.

Notice that I said ‘People that blog” and not ‘Bloggers” in that sentence. That is pretty much the point of this post.

If you have ever really followed me as a Blogger, you will notice that I have been very sporadic in my posts lately. It has been actually really upsetting to me, to realise that many days, even sometimes a week or two have gone past without a post. This is not due to lack of content, I could actually wear a full outfit and delete it everyday for the next few decades – Mel did that math for me last week. It is more to do with being disheartened by what has been happening to blogging in Second Life over the past months, and if not longer.

In the past two years, I was getting very irritated seeing plurks and posts with comments from Designers/Creators putting down Bloggers. Outraged really to be honest, at how people that I knew, or had followed as creators for many years, could just dump on us as a whole. To me the idea that one rotten egg meant we all sucked, was vile, and made me very angry.

In my working time – I work with a few different stores behind the scenes – I deal with Bloggers almost daily. As well as all the events and other things that pop up during the year. I have also made many lists for stores of their Bloggers, so I do tend to see a lot of what I am going to discuss in this post.

In the past year it was getting more and more obvious that there is a wide gap between what I do as a Blogger, what people I have known for many years do as Bloggers, and what is going on now.

That is how the word Bloggrrr came about. When working through my mental list of what was the difference between a Blogger and a Bloggrrr, I realised that I needed one more term. So Blogga! was born. So now for the breakdown…and believe me, you will know which category you fall into, because a Blogger knows what they are doing is right, and for the right reasons.

As I said, when I started I had a huge inventory. It never even occurred to me that Designers sent items. I knew that stores provided Models for Fashion shows with product, and I knew that Magazines were sent items as well. But blogging was a personal choice, to share information, as that is the point of a blog in the first place, to SHARE. If I came across an item that I knew I would never wear, but just thought it was incredible work and my readers deserved to see it, I would take a pic of the vendor, or even ask the owner of the store for vendor ads, so they were better resolution. If it was skins , I would shoot the demos – no one really gave skins to bloggers back then. But I shopped a lot, and then Designers started to approach me and started sending me things. It was an incredible feeling to have EARNED that.

Bloggers

* Start up their blogs because they want to be part of something in their community. For me this was because I could not build, or create items, so I wanted to share what I did a lot of, and that was find and put together looks, as well as sharing information along the way. In posts I often would relay information I had learned somewhere that day, or discovered myself. I often helped New Residents, and also helped customers in the store I managed, so that also carried through to my blogging. I talked a lot, and I find that Bloggers tend to do so, that does not mean you have to talk to be a Blogger.

* Have a definite joy in sharing information and content with their readers. They think of their readers, and how what they do effects them. At the end of the day what we say and do on our blogs is looked at with expectations of honesty and in some cases admiration for what we do, and what we know. I have had many conversations with other Bloggers over this in the past, about how it is important to know what we are talking about, and to find out what can help others, as it is us that readers come to for that knowledge. If you go through many of the Bloggers blogs, you will find tutorials on hundreds of things that help readers/community almost daily. I have pasted the link to my Alpha tutorial many times in in-world groups when someone has needed it. I have pasted links to other Bloggers tutorials as well, and also seen the links flow all over the grid.

* Showing support for other Bloggers, whether through in world groups, plurk or other means. In the past, Bloggers have often collaborated on posts together, shared information from one post to another, sharing pictures, and crediting on both blogs. Some people that I have made stand on a posestand with me, went on to become Bloggers themselves. Memes, and Blogger Community focused Challenges, all combine the spirit that has always been very big in the community. Sometimes it can even bring Bloggers out of retirement, wanting to be involved in a community driven project such as that.

* Purchase items as they are needed to start out, and if on a limited budget, find ways to still share information. This can be by either starting a blog focusing on free content, group gifts, promotional and discounted items. I actually applaud those bloggers, because generally they work very hard to do posts as much as possible, with limited content, but do so to help people with limited income, or New residents. It takes as much time and energy to blog a 500L item as it does to blog a free one in many cases.

* Building honest relationships with Designers/Creators, over time, and caring about their content…such as letting a Designer know if there are errors in packaging, sizing, fit, and any feedback that may be helpful. This can lead to many years of good relations with Designers, and sometimes even testing an item before release or being asked for opinions on many different things.

* They CREDIT ALL…there is no such thing as a Blog “Sponsor” unless that “Sponsor” pays for your website and/or domain, or it is actually a store blog, and you are using their items in posts and adding information about other items along with them.I have actually done that in the past…when I had a break after Appearance Mode, I worked on the store blog for the store I managed, and posted looks of the day etc. That is the only time Sponsorship in Second Life Fashion Blogging actually means anything.

But if you are being hired by a store to blog items and they are ‘Sponsoring” you , then they are the ones that are responsible for your other content NOT other stores – see Bloggrrr*

If you have readers coming to your blog, and you are calling yourself a Blogger, then it is your responsibility to credit ALL items all the time. The only things that are a let go in this rule are , eyes, lashes and shape. Most Bloggers make their own shape, or at least tweak the ones they purchase. If a shape is given to blog though, then it should always be credited. Eyes are a very personal thing, there are thousands of them all over SL…Again if eyes are sent and you wear them in posts, then crediting is needed, lashes are again a leave them out kind of item, there is a rule of three free pass on this. I include my eyes and my lashes in my posts always, but if you don’t you don’t get Bloggrrr status 🙂

Blogga!

* Someone whose main blogging purpose is to share information of ALL kinds. This does not just mean by crediting. As I said earlier, I had to make up this term to fit this title. The Bloggers that come to mind in this title are Gorgeous Yongho, Strawberry Singh, Chic Aeon, Iris Ophelia  and so on. I also am a Blogga! on occasion.  To me this title does not mean they are any less a Blogger fashion or otherwise, it just means that there are times that even if fully clothed and on location or in a studio, it is NOT the fashion that they are communicating. The post is about a featured aspect of the scene, or it is a completely different item/s.  An example of a Blogga Blog would definitely be SeraphimSL, as they are all about sharing information that helps, readers and the event organisers and creators share vital information.

* Tutorials are really important, sharing information that can help educate their readers/community. This is also not just a post on how a product works or to benefit a particular store, this is to do with technology within viewers, products that help in the day to day use of Second Life. Tips and tricks to create or just to exist within the community in a better and sometimes prettier way.

* Blogger Community Focused, in ways that go further than just their own blogs. This is things like Bloggers Groups, Blogger websites, running Blogger events, memes,challenges, and creating spirit within that community, and often giving an opening to Designers/Creators that may be unsure on how to interact with Bloggers they don’t know.

BLOGGRRR

It may seem harsh as a description, but it has become more and more justified in the past 8 months.

* A person that starts a blog because they think it is a way to get all the things they want to wear in their day to day, but not actually spend any lindens. Blogging in SL is not a Hack, you don’t win or get to the top level faster because you didn’t pay to play. I am on many Bloggers lists, Groups, etc, I get sent items which I do not always have time to blog, or may in some cases not be my style or may not fit etc. This does not mean I have ever stopped spending money on things I need to. If a creator sends me items that is wonderful, If I send a creator a note-card and ask for items and am not sent them, then I purchase them, but that is only if I want to blog them that I contact them at all. If it is because I want to own them I buy them. Blogging should not be a shortcut to amassing inventory.

* A person that contacts a Designer/Creator every day with a note-card that can sometimes even be addressed to the wrong avatar, and has an entitled expectation of getting what they have asked for. Within a 24 hour period, they can contact the Designer/Creator or even Manager, more than once, to ‘follow up’ on their request. If not answered, and items are not sent, they continue to send notecards or IMs. This can actually go on for weeks, and sometimes leads to the Bloggrrr being muted or in worse cases, actually sent the items so that the Designer gets some peace. A Bloggrrr should never put anyone in this position, you have not earned anything if you get items in the end, you have been a bully.

* IM Designers/Creators with Hi, Hello, you there, or even straight to the point of ‘ Send me new items” Often in these IMs and sometimes notecards there is illegible speech used, by this I do not mean the difference of English as a second language/translator needed…I mean U and Da used to cover You and The. If you are interacting with a person in Second Life that is not your friend, leave the crazy talk somewhere else.

* The blog has music included, this is actually one of the funniest things to ever have to say to someone is just bad. Music is often personal taste, your choice of content may not be the type of music that is liked by your readers or in some cases even appropriate content…with songs that may have racial slurs or vulgar language used – do not misunderstand, I swear like no ones business, but I find swearing in text on blogs or in music offensive if not something I myself have chosen to listen to. If you want to create an atmosphere on your blog, and feel that music does that, then make that music an option. Do not have it set to Autoplay, and make sure that all controls of that music are clear and at the top of the blog. Opening a blog to check it or read it for whatever reason, and having your eardrums blown out means you can lose readers, who will never enjoy your content.

* A Bloggrrr does not credit all items. I often see people asking in in world groups as to where an item is from. Often I expect to see a link to a MP Listing, or perhaps a print screen of a vendor ad. But when it ends up being a blog post link, I get very disappointed. There is no reason ever other than the three free passes I gave earlier, that you should not credit an item. I have heard so many excuses for this that it is such a bizarre thing. I have been told there is no reason to credit something behind someone if its not fully shown, such as a bag may be peeking around behind someones legs, but apparently there is no reason to credit that.

The ugliest excuse is ‘ I bought them” what the hell does that even mean. You purchased the items, so that means sharing that information with your readers is not necessary? WHAT ? You are not doing a fashion post, you are taking a picture after you got dressed. If you think you are a Blogger and you call your blog a Fashion Blog then you need to credit all Items.

” I only credit my Sponsors” , ” It is not fair to credit stores I bought from, when others give to me” , ” I only blog what I am given”  that last one was something told to me one day, and started the whole Bloggrrr mind blowing anger that erupted into this post.  Also ‘ I have worn the items before so I don’t credit again” A readership can grow every day, someone can be visiting your blog for the very first time right now, and everything in your most recent post may be completely new to them. They may even be new to Second Life, if you do not provide the information in every single post, then you have let down not only that reader, but your whole blog, and definitely the Designers and Creators.

It is also not about Sponsors vs Purchased, it should not be ever the case, because there are NO SPONSORS. Bloggrrrs made that up themselves, it is not something that was ever in a Second Life Blogger vocabulary, and Bloggers I know cringe every time we see it.

Lets take away the fact that you don’t actually have any, you are just on some lists, and sometimes you are sent things from other stores, this does not bind anyone to any contract – that is a whole other rant – but this is also very telling of Bloggrrrs not knowing, or caring about what they are doing. You are not allowed to advertise with banners/images, on free wordpress sites, as in using your sidebar to link to stores and so on with graphics such as the logos of stores. Those ‘Sponsors” you all seem to be collecting like Pokemon, could cause you to lose all of your content, with wordpress taking you down. Self-hosted blogs are allowed to do so, because they pay money for the option.

If you only blog/credit  content given to you, then eventually your followers will look at your blog as an advert, not a fashion resource. It will mean you’re paid to blog, but not even paid in what would be value for your time. If everything you are wearing is just the same pack as everyone else got, then readers will go elsewhere, there are enough blogs on enough feeds to replace you.

When crediting items, be sure to actually name the store properly, copy pasting from the abbreviated wording on the items in inventory does not help anyone. Hair by dvb doesn’t mean anything to anyone unless the store is actually called dvb. Don’t be lazy, and make sure you know what you are blogging.

* Taking time to learn how to do things that are part of a bloggers must know tools of the trade. If you cannot tint your feet, hands, bottom, mouth, ears etc go away and learn how to do so, it is readers that rely on you to know how to do that. If your pictures show your feet in a different tone than your legs DELETE the picture. If a necklace is hovering above your shoulders and your hair is cutting out the window behind you in a picture DELETE THE PICTURE.

There is never an excuse for sloppy pictures like that, there is a duty of care for all items shown to your readers. If mesh doesn’t fit you, and there is a huge gaping hole around your waist, do not blog that item, if it doesn’t fit you , either edit your shape for it to do so , or move along. You are not helping anyone making yourself and the items a joke.

* Blogging for a store blog, but expecting items be sent to you from other stores. A store blog is a promotion tool for that store. Them deciding to hire you in some way to do looks of the day and so on using their own items as part of every post is a very different thing than your own fashion blog. If you work for a store, then it should be the responsibility of the store to provide you with some kind of way to purchase the other items needed…you should not be used for your inventory or items gathering skills, because while the other store is being credited, it is still a store blog.

* Event blogging and getting into an event earlier than others is great. But if you apply for an event or miss the deadline on applying for an event, do not boycott the event. That shows you to be caring more about yourself than your readers, and anything that event has to stand for. Every single sim in Sl has a limit of how many people can be on that sim, even if there is a preview, it is not possible to add every single blogger to that list. But it should never ever mean that you wont blog it, it should also never mean that you don’t attend,  or not even mention it on your blog.Your readers deserve to know what is happening and you may be their number one resource for news, if you do not even mention the event, that means they miss it, and when they find out it was on, they are not going to be happy you let them down. This is not to say that you should be promoting every single thing on the grid, but there is a difference when you actually say to someone or people that you are not going because you didn’t get your way, that is just ugly. It is also letting down all the creators participating in the event that may have supported you over the years.

* Using your blog as a weapon. This makes me very angry, and even if you are a Blogger, if you do this you get slapped right down to Bloggrrr status. DO NOT EVER threaten anyone with your blog.  This is not about doing a blog post where you have an opinion, or do an honest review of an item, that may or may not be favorable. This is about taking personal situations and using your blog to perform for the masses in some way. This also counts with Flickr and the like, your readers, and followers are not your audience for vile behavior. You let down not only them, as well as the Designers who support you in some way, but you also let down yourself.

* Blogging obviously stolen copyright infringing items. It does not take a rocket scientist to know that NO ONE in Second Life has the license to create Chanel, Barbie, Hello Kitty, Versace labeled items. Just because you are sent a pack of tshirts or dresses that have a Chanel logo on them, does not mean you have to blog them. No amount of content sent to you from a store, is ever worth what your integrity is worth.

If Bloggrrrs stopped blogging this garbage, then people that have shops that sell it, may just stop creating it, if their advertising for it dries up. It is because you look so good mixing and matching it, and give it some kind of approval, that the spiral continues. Copyright in Second Life is just like RL…you know that buying a knock off for ten bucks on the side of the road does not give your look any value at all. So exactly what does wearing something worth approximately 73c that is copyright infringing do for you ? You look like a tool, and you lose the respect that anyone with any understanding of this may have for your work. Those that sell it are also completely ignorant of the overall wants of their customers, those maybe hundred of a stolen item you sell, may cost you many more sales when conscientious customers walk out the door when they see a Superman tshirt.

On a side note, I actually think that Designers/Creators that provide content to Bloggrrrs that do blog this kind of product should stop sending them items. You sending them items shows support for not only their blog, but also the content they show on it. 

What it all boils down to, is that regardless of how incredible your photography is, how amazing your style choices are, when you blog in a way that shows no consideration for anyone, you aren’t a Blogger you are just someone throwing some glamour shots up on a website, and if you want to be a photo-blogger, then go right ahead, do exactly that, just take pics and post them, no credits, nothing…but do so for arts sake, because you enjoy it as a hobby, don’t spend most of your day running around to every store and event and expect them all to give you stuff. Some stores will send to photographers, because they do want to see their creations shown in a beautiful way…but that is a mutual understanding that it is not about credit, or advertising, it is about expression.

I could probably keep writing for days on this subject, but I will stop there, because I finally got to release some of the build up from my mind on this topic.

Bloggers and Blogga!s’ you are an asset to our community, you are the go between from Designer/Creator to Reader and Community, your work is appreciated, and I applaud your dedication and energy. Thank you for letting me be a part of what you all do.

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0 Comments

  • Ais

    2014-04-27 at 3:30 pm Reply

    Reblogged this on Ashes To Ashes, Sale To Sale and commented:
    Great Article that just had to be shared. I just wish I had seen it two months ago when it was originally written.

    Personally, I haven’t blogged in forever. In part, because my RL has become very busy and thankfully very fulfilling. In part, because I had become so discouraged with SL life in general – drama between creators, increases in theft of creative content, LL rules which hindered creators and residents in general, and finally everywhere I turned someone was calling them self a blogger and so many were just completely disappointing quality or not providing any details or information about products that I could use to support talented creators.

    Being a blogger was amazingly time consuming when doing it right. Sometimes posts took me as much as a couple of weeks to do the way I wanted and include all the details. I have overwhelming respect for bloggers who not only blog thoroughly but blog regularly. Thanks to all of you who fit this category. And finally thanks to Sasy, both for writing this blog and saying what needed to be said for a long time and for being one of my idols / role models / friends / inspiration.

    Sasy, you are BLOCONIC – that is an iconic blogger. You set the standard for any new blogger to aspire to be. I don’t know what I would do, if you ever decide to retire. Hopefully, I never have to find out. Thanks for inspiring me. Maybe I will return to blogging; maybe I won’t. In any case, when or if I do, I will do my best to remember all your wise words of wisdom when sharing my pieces with my readers.

    • Sasy Scarborough

      2014-04-27 at 6:46 pm Reply

      Thank you for your kind words Aisling, blogging can be hard work that is a definite, but I hope that you find your passion for it again, and love what you do…I really did need to do this post to get it out of my system to then pick up and carry on doing what I had loved for so long ♥

      • Melusina Parkin

        2014-04-30 at 7:42 am Reply

        Thank you for this sharp post, dealing with almost all aspects of SL fashion blogging: all of us who are involved in SL fashion world definitely do need clearness and fair moods about this subjects, since blogging is a key feature of our fashion world!
        However, I want to add a little comment about something you didn’t consider.
        I’m the CEO of MEB Fashion since almost 5 years and i’ve dealt with bloggers hundreds of times; I appreciated their work and once I decided to stress its importance dedicating the event room of our main store to an exhibit of blogger’s pics of MEB clothes (the exhibit is still open, so everybody can visit it, if interested). Moreover, recently I launched an application for MEB bloggers and many people answered, so since some months we have a pool of bloggers who cover new releases very well, following a few clear and simpe rules they agreed. As a little reward for their work, I’m used to add links to their post on our brand’s official blog and to share their posts’ URL with our group members and subscribers.
        This is to explain how I consider brand/bloggers’ relationships 🙂
        But, on the other hand, I have been often very disappointed by what happens with some “official bloggers” at events, when some of them blog only a few items or even don’t care to blog at all, although they want to appear on the bloggers’ list!. I agree that blogging is a free activity and blogger can choose what to review, but when you apply for an official blogger position you become something different than a freelance writer. Covering the event is your duty, then (of course within the limits of time and skills you get) and not doing that is like cheating both designers who take part in the event and who rely on you, and people who manage the event, spending time, money and energy to make it cool!
        Talking about that, when such a debate sprung about an event, years ago, I proposed that events’ organizers should watch official bloggers’ activity, taking care that all of them review as many items as possible, also eventually sharing brands among enrolled bloggers. “Lazy” bloggers should be then excluded from applications to next events. Just a possible solution, others could be found out, but the problem is real and deserves to be discussed.
        Thank you for stimulating my thoughts and for hosting my comment on this space 🙂
        (sorry for my not-translator but sometimes bad English and for having been a bit wordy…)

        • Sasy Scarborough

          2014-04-30 at 4:43 pm Reply

          I do agree that signing up for an event does mean you should do some blogging of that event…but also on the other side, while you may sign up months in advance, you can never know what may happen at the time it finally happens. Real life can happen, or the items released are just not something that you can showcase on your blog in the way they would want, whether style or quality. Also a huge factor is that one event is only ONE event of many that a blogger has to cover, so dropping everything to cover it fully, can take away from any other commitments, it definitely is a juggling act these days. Thank you for your comment 🙂

  • Petra

    2014-03-07 at 2:45 am Reply

    A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, we knew each other. You were still working for the store whose name escapes me now. I can only say that as ever, I look up to and admire you so much because you have a knack for putting words together with a grace and a charm even when you are delivering a well deserved smack down.

    I’ve recently started blogging again. And in that time, words like Sponsors and Bloggers’ Groups etc have come up again and again. I’ve found it astonishing because I’ve always been a heavy shopper in sl and the only reason(s) I find for blogging are the reasons I’ve always found. TO SHARE being the biggest. I also call myself a compulsive writer, I need to write and if I can share something at the same time, all the better.

    I really can’t understand the way some writers use their blogs. They don’t mention any problems found, they don’t mention their honest reactions to things… I can’t imagine how that is interesting to read. At any rate, as always, hats off to Sasy. 🙂

    • Sasy Scarborough

      2014-03-07 at 4:35 am Reply

      hi, I am so glad you have returned to blogging, and the store was either House of Zen or Digit Darkes 🙂 , thank you for the compliments, and it is so important to be able to share info with our readers. From our thoughts on why layers are great, to the infamous to shave or not to shave post from many years back. There are crazy quirky things we all experience that can often really help people, from all aspects of Second Lifes community. xoxSasyxox

  • just me

    2014-03-02 at 9:38 am Reply

    I personally think that there are too many bloggers no matter what category they fall into. Stores seem to see it as cheap and lazy way to advertise. Never heard of any store trying to enforce a rule that you could only blog for them and if they do that’s just crazy.

    If you look at the rate of return for an average blog it might get what 20 views per post? That might be overally generous. Of course the big blogs that have large followings are a different matter, but they can’t blog everything.

    So the stores compensate for not having big blogs with a whole army of bloggers, to try to get the same view count. But they’re giving free product away to potential paying customers and personally if I see the same thing over and over again I have no interest in getting it myself. So I think the stores are shooting themselves in the foot.

    *shrugs*

    Now we’re getting to my main point that while I realize that you have been around a long time, I still think it’s presumptuous of you to be putting forth a categorization of bloggers. When you can’t possibly know all traits of all bloggers. Ultimately, the stores will decide what is acceptable to them. If they can’t already take the time to actually look at the blogger’s blog and what they post and judge for themselves then what is the point of the post?

    To me it’s just to whip out I’m superior then you. I’m more equal and I’m judging all bloggers and put everyone into little boxes. Those over there aren’t good enough to be called a “blogger”. And sorry that just rubs me the wrong way. Especially since this is not a perfect blog itself. I’m sorry but your SLURL link page is barely better than not providing the link at all and is my largest pet peeve.

    I hope this doesn’t come across as overly hostile, just was a little annoyed by this post than anything else.

    • Sasy Scarborough

      2014-03-02 at 10:20 am Reply

      Hi, my points were not only made from being a blogger as I wrote, this is my observations as someone that has a lot to do with the other side, and has many years experience with both. Over the years I have dealt with hundreds, but they don’t know that, and that makes it much easier to see what it is that is going on. My slurls page is a guide, all stores are always listed by name, but as someone else pointed out, stores tend to move and change many things, sometimes only being on marketplace, providing their store name and hoping that the reader can find them in search is a valid form of crediting, more preferable I am sure to tping to broken landmarks and so on. Thank you for your input though, and I have never said I run a perfect blog, I wish I had time to try.

      • just me

        2014-03-02 at 5:44 pm Reply

        You identified yourself as being in the proper blogger group plus with smatterings of being in the second. And then pointed at the other group with a stinky nose as the only problem.

        Are there problems in the blogger world in general? Yes.
        Are some of your points valid? Yes.

        It’s the naming of the groups, which are borderline offensive and saying it’s only because of THAT group over there. It’s how people throughout history have used to dehumanize others. When in reality I would say all bloggers have a potential to be shades of all of those groups you defined.

        • Sasy Scarborough

          2014-03-02 at 6:33 pm Reply

          What I have said is experienced by many, not just me, as you can see in the comments. You can say that I have done something dreadful that is your right to do, but what has been going on for a few years now is just horrible, and it has ruined the long standing respect for bloggers by designers that used to be a big part of the community, and vice versa. It is that group over there, that is the issue, my outlining different groups was to say we aren’t all the same, we aren’t all behaving that way, and to see comments of hate towards bloggers as a whole was unfair. I don’t regret what I said, but I do regret anyone thinking that I am anything like people from history that have dehumanised anyone…that was a bit much, but your judgement as you see fit.

  • CronoCloud Creeggan

    2014-02-28 at 5:13 pm Reply

    Great post, Sasy. You aren’t the only one who has been thinking about this sort of thing. I remember the old days, when it could cause a fuss when bloggers didn’t mention something they got had been a gift from a designer. Now it seems like some bloggers are thinking “I have a blawg shower meh with da fatpacks nao.” And the very concept of “sponsored blogs” and applying to be an “event blogger” boggles my fashion obsessed mind. And SLURLS!

    Tempus Fugit et sic transit gloria mundi.

  • Lotus Mastroianni

    2014-02-26 at 7:24 am Reply

    Loved the post, Sasy. Thank you for your words. I am always trying to improve myself and doing something better day by day. Either with Real life always busy and a very old pc. I spent 99% of my online time doing my blog, that is something i really love.

    Thank you again. Lotus Mastroianni.

    • Caitlin Tobias

      2014-02-27 at 5:36 pm Reply

      Anabelle, I hear you…but then, as an example, I clicked on the name and link you used to post here and it takes me to your blog which has one post from september 2013? Did you perhaps switch blogs/provider/url?
      Also, I, for one, as a wordpress user tend to like and comment on wordpress blogs easier than e.g. blogspot – which often require the awful captcha (which I can never get through without at least 2.000.000.000 tries and then I give up).

  • anabellemarquis

    2014-02-25 at 10:06 pm Reply

    Great read Sasy <3 I consider myself a Blogger 🙂 I love to blog, I have been blogging for over 3 years now, I moved my blog so it doesn't reflect that but, my flickr does. I am excited about a fresh start! I love taking photos, I went to art school and no longer paint. I feel my SL photos are my new way of expressing myself artistically. As far as free stuff, I bust my ass for my sponsors. I post links throughout my posts so people know where to get items and I spell out names of stores and events so people will be able to find. I spend a lot money and time on getting outfits together even if I got a free dress or whatever. I still spend a lot on all the details. I do it for the love of fashion and art <3

    • Sasy Scarborough

      2014-02-25 at 11:45 pm Reply

      I am glad you enjoy blogging so much 🙂 it does take a lot of commitment. There are a few in world blogging groups you should look up, but yes they are generally a quiet bunch, don’t give up on connecting though 🙂 xoxSasyxox

    • Sasy Scarborough

      2014-02-25 at 1:40 pm Reply

      I really enjoyed your post, and hope that you do find your happy place, I know my own blog has suffered loss of ‘me’ content a lot more than it used to. You will find your way because you look to have incredible support and role models 🙂 xoxSasyxox

  • Becky

    2014-02-24 at 4:04 pm Reply

    Glad I’m not a “fashion blogger”… so many rules!!! 🙂 I’ll just keep going on about art, music, theatre and cats – way fewer minefields!

  • Carmilla Mirabeau

    2014-02-23 at 2:01 am Reply

    I to have been in SL for over 8 years. Boy does time fly! My purpose for blogging is to help make others Second Life more beautiful, either thru fashion, decor or places. We really didn’t have blogs way back when. You actually had to “USE SEARCH”! And to believe all the fuss and drama is for MAKE BELIEVE items??!! So sad. 🙁

    I blog for me..to help others. I have ONE creator who has been sending me decor for the last months. That’s it! I buy all my clothes, homes, etc. I’m a fairly new blogger under a few years. Sometimes I blog a few times a week, others a week or so goes by. I need to be inspired to go thru “HOURS” of getting rid of SL crappy body angles, lines n so forth. Blogging is lots of work! But I love it.
    I’m not big..I’m just the right size! Bravo for your great post

    • Sasy Scarborough

      2014-02-23 at 8:07 am Reply

      Search was definitely a fun way to shop in the old days, we used to just type in random words and go to the last store listed traffic wise, and just find gems all the time. Keep on being inspired 🙂 xoxSasyxox

  • Micah Kalinakov

    2014-02-22 at 6:55 pm Reply

    Wonderful read! The journey many passionate bloggers go through really is so interesting. Many of us come from so many different places and different mindsets. But I think that those who really are passionate about what they are doing would agree with you. I know personally, I have had to deal with many of the “Bloggrrr” types in SL.

    Personally, I was so insecure about blogging when I first started (in 2010) that I gave up easily. My computer was crap, and I knew my pictures would not stand up to the other bloggers of the time. So I told myself that before I could be a blogger, I really needed to study and improve my photography first. When I came back to blogging, my pictures were much better, I had built a brand new computer, and I used flickr as a tool to get to know people, learn new things, and learn to be appreciative of blogging as art. My pictures have improved quite a bit, but I too am/was guilty of really being lack luster about my blogging for a while. Like Alice, I decided to leave a bunch of store blogging groups and really just focus on putting together genuine pictures I could be proud of.

    Now I am a blogger manager for a few stores, and honestly, I feel store owners pain, lol. The audacity some bloggers have. Demanding responses, Demanding products, applying non stop when it clearly says in my profile we are not accepting bloggers, etc. I can’t believe it! The entitlement some “Bloggrrrs” have! When I brought my blog back and really started blogging again, I did not apply for a single store blogging group until I had been blogging for 5 months. I purchased every thing I blogged. I get apps from people who have been blogging only a few days! That shows me where their priorities are. Many “Bloggrrs” start blogging because they expect free items, and think it is easy. I think most people who are truly passionate about fashion in SL and photography can spot who these people are the moment they see them.

    With that being said, I get messages quite a bit from new/struggling bloggers asking for tips. The first thing I tell them is that if they are truly passionate about blogging, they need to expect to spend way more money now, than they ever have before. If they can’t handle that, then they should probably re-think what they are doing and why. The market is flooded with so-so bloggers. When you are self righteous and expect every store to send you all their items, most likely the opposite will happen. I like to believe that most of the popular bloggers in SL are actually very humble people, who do not expect praise. Those are the bloggers I respect.

    Thanks for the awesome read!

  • Done Wiv A Twist

    2014-02-22 at 1:27 am Reply

    Love this Sasy! I’m glad you have been brave to make a post about what we all think! When me and Saxx first started our blog we really didn’t want to be the same generic blogs we were seeing hence the name, we wanted to do features, interviews, artsy picture, all sorts saxx beening the writer of us two lol, and i do amitt we have been sucked into the fashion side slightly more, but we enjoy that also.. we started with no sponsors at all, our picture were no were near what they are now ( and still learning) we both only have a couple of sponsors each now (some of mine i had from the start) as i always say having tons of sponsors is over rated and in my opinion squashes the room to be as creative sometimes lol.. and i always credit everything sponsor or not, and always say to ask if people cant find what they are looking for.
    The pressure i have experienced in blogging is crazy, seeing people get a ton of like and faves on flick or fb for well not the best work ever, was infuriating me, only cause personally i like to try the best i can, and i couldn’t get my head around why i seeing some not so good blogs with so many faves, ( not that mine is the best) i really got to a point where i was about to drive myself crazy.. lol.. but now i see you just can’t compete i do what i do cause i enjoy creating looks and sharing them if other people can’t see or appreciate what i do its their problem, i don’t care if its not cool to like me anymore.. i’m not in for that.. but still annoys me .. when these generic blogs that are posting the same outfit i seen 50 times already get 100 likes but meh..
    I have been thinking for a while myself the blogging world in SL is a mess, people making blogs left right and center to get free stuff, I have places (an event) i didn’t get into but some person with a 2 month old blog and 500 views get in? It can really be about who you know not what another of my peeves!.. We have also recently experienced people coming to guest blog with us ( i think we was naive) and use us to get their foot in the door then F**k off, so no more guests for us which is sad i would love to showcase more people in the SL world.
    I would hate to sound i think i’m better than i am, i know there is people out there lots better than us.. but i do care and i do work hard! Thank you Sasy for saying and making the points that i’m sure annoy a lot of true bloggers! really appreciate this!

    • Sasy Scarborough

      2014-02-22 at 3:12 am Reply

      I am glad you love it, I learned a long time ago that worrying about faves and likes is never really going to do anything but hurt you. I don’t look at my hits, because we are all on feeds, so we are all seen by hundreds if not thousands a day…I don’t worry too much about that if I know that even one person went running off to buy a top, or a skirt I blogged. I run into people when I am out that are kind enough to IM me and say they like my blog. That means the world to me. When I send a link to the Designer of the items I blog, and they say they enjoyed my post, that makes me very happy too. I started out using the paint program in my computer and we all have to learn, we all have to be new etc. Some people will get their foot in the door faster than others, but stay the course, and you will be happy 🙂 xoxSasyxox

  • Evion Ember

    2014-02-21 at 11:33 pm Reply

    What an amazing post and so eloquently put! Even though I might dip sometimes into the last category, due to time constraints or just other things going on in my either of my lives, I still try to get the correct information out about the products I am blogging.

    I agree that sl fashion blogging is nowhere near a cheaper way to a larger inventory mass especially first starting out. It is probably more expensive than not being a blogger at all. Even a seasoned blogger realizes there is always something that would look great with that dress you have, or that hair is to die for and those shoez!!………I could not imagine sending notecards or im’s asking for all the items I want much less demanding them……good lawd that would take up all my sl time, says my 87k inventory hehe. In fact I have been known to snap up a hair, or dress or even nails knowing that if I waited the designer or friend would send me the item…..shhhh I know what you are going to say to that already lol

    Along the way I have picked up quite a few long lasting friendships, got to know some amazing bloggers and bloggas! that I have been reading for quite a while, and have met wonderful designers that I love and surprisingly they like what I do too. I am always very grateful for the fabulous creations that they share with me, as I am not a creator by any means and I have mad respect for those that are.

    I think you have to love sl fashion and have to want to share what you love doing. You cannot be out for the stuff you think you will receive, as you will be in for some heartache along the way, because unless you are already well known, you are on your own. Skills come with age and experience, longevity and commitment come into play at the same time.

    This is such a fabulous post and an amazing read Sasy, that once again I wish I was reading your blog when you first started out. I enjoy reading all your posts, along with seeing the fashion of which you make me run and go buy 😉 You have a wonderful way of communicating every little detail. Oh and I adore you as well ♥

    Enjoy your weekend ♥ even though I know you are already half way through 🙂

    ♥ Evion

    • Sasy Scarborough

      2014-02-22 at 3:17 am Reply

      Evion you are just wonderful, as a person and a Blogger. Whimsy and I adore you, and meeting you has been a pleasure from the start. I know too that running and purchasing to get the item faster is definitely something we will do, and that is why you have store credit at Flair lol, but also there is something good about occasionally just spending in a store that gives to you anyway, its like backing up that you truly do love the content. I hope your week is full of all the goodness you need right now ♥ xoxSasyxox

  • Harper Beresford

    2014-02-21 at 11:31 pm Reply

    Sasy, were you reading my mind? A lot of these same things are on my mind. Sometimes I wonder if it’s cultural. But some of it is common sense and courtesy. Thanks for sticking your neck out on this one!

  • Sawa Gothly

    2014-02-21 at 9:40 pm Reply

    Sending pingbacks 😀

    Thank you for posting this … I’m feeling like a half Blogga! … but I don’t really know haha

    I guess I should interact more with other bloggers … maybe my RL let me do handle this from time to time 🙂

    • Sasy Scarborough

      2014-02-22 at 3:28 am Reply

      Thank you so much for posting a link to my post, I loved your post, and language should never be an issue, blog in your own…if I had another language I would blog in both, there are people out there from your own country that could be completely confused by Second Life, you could show them the way 🙂 xoxSasyxox

  • Asthenia

    2014-02-21 at 7:44 pm Reply

    What a great post.
    Recently I got to see the other side of a designer’s blogger call and wow, how it has discouraged me.
    When I started blogging, there were ‘blogger appreciation days’, now bloggrrrrrs have sponsor apps… Sometimes I just want to throw in the towel, but then I remember that I just love to play barbie blogger 😉

    • Sasy Scarborough

      2014-02-22 at 3:32 am Reply

      I am sorry that you have seen an uglier side to it at all, I remember that day, it was the first and only as far as I can remember, and was something Caliie Cline came up with :). Do not be upset about anyone having people send them items, because they are still spending the time blogging, it was never that they really aren’t still doing a lot of work, but more about how they are going about it that is an issue. Or how they are letting the side down…but it is also up to the Designers to also see that there should be more than just making sure their own work is credited, Second Life community was never supposed to be only for one. xoxSasyxox keep remembering to be happy ♥

  • Caitlin Tobias

    2014-02-21 at 5:28 pm Reply

    I’ve come across this post via Tumblr and then this morning on Reddit a similar one – also touching the subject of ‘sponsors’ when it comes to blogging.
    I am a blogger. I blog. I have a blog, with a registered domain-name and theme I pay real money for.
    I blog about destinations, places, art installations and stuff I love in SL. Occasionally I post an outfit. I sometimes feature an ‘event’, but never for the fashion/items that are being sold but about the location and how it looks. Well, and the occasional stuff I buy there, but that is never the highlight of my posts.
    I do not get free stuffs to blog about, I do not blog about locations and places on request, I do not get paid for reviews of locations or events. I blog about *MY* exploring and like to share those with the rest of the SL world. I feature two projects on my blog, and I do not even get paid for those – I do those because I love being a part of it.
    I am aware that for a large group of SL residents fashion and all is a big, if not the most important part of their SL, I am fine with that. Heck, I love to dress up too and yeah..I like to be informed about the latest trends! It is why I check up on some ‘feeds’ once per week, to be kept updated. For the rest….I tp around the grid, I follow fellow explorers, love to read blogs with technical updates or about art and/or other locations. For me..the blogs I really follow and love are the ones informing me on what is hot and new as it comes to locations. Daniel Voyager, Honour McMillan, Ziki Questi, Inara Pey, James Wagner Au, Charlie Namiboo….all non fashion but great blogs!
    I find this post, realising it is just a one persons opinion,….tough and even harsh. As I get the feeling that the non-fashion bloggers are kind of ‘dismissed’ and due to the categorizing in this post…not worthy enough? A Blogga and not a blogger? I am a blogger. With non-fashion posts.
    I love fashion, I also love other stuff. I do not dismiss fashion bloggers at all. I do not categorize. I read what I like and skip what I don’t. I’ve once heard the term ‘platform blogger’ as to describe bloggers that unpack their purchases on their platform in the sky and take pretty pictures of it. I can imagine and understand the fun of that too, if that is your thing. It’s not my thing, but who am I to judge and say: get off your platform, tp around and smell the prims? Just because I do that? No.

    We are all bloggers. Period.

    • Sasy Scarborough

      2014-02-22 at 8:27 am Reply

      Hi, I totally agree you are a blogger, I love all of the blogs you mentioned, I even included Iris from NWN in my Blogga list because she doesn’t just post on fashion but everything. That is the point of the Blogga category, but it was not saying that they are not Bloggers, it was saying that its an additional section, because its not the same as not crediting for various reasons. I love destination blogs, I also started a stock images group so that people when doing location shots could take a few extra and let others benefit from them, due to graphics limits, or just being able to use them because they are lovely and helpful…which also encourages people to visit the locations they are shot in. My point was to do with your last line, we are all bloggers, we are, and I always felt that way too, but when bloggers are being put down by people in public because of the acts of a handful, it hurts, it hurts a lot, and I was the first to jump up and defend, but the more I saw why this was happening, I realised, I don’t want to be associated with those people. So if this post helps people understand that there are bloggers that care, that are compassionate, that have manners, that are doing what they do to help, educate, inform, just like you do, and not only doing so for some kind of title or compensation, that needed to be said. From what you said, my post made you feel exactly how I was feeling almost daily after 8 years of blogging. I am sorry that I caused that for you, it was never my intention, but if now people say that a Bloggrrr is pissing them off, or they just had a Bloggrrr spam them repeatedly for a month, I know that I am not going to be upset anymore, and neither are a lot of people I know and don’t know, one of which would be you. Again I am truly sorry If I upset you, it was something written with Fashion Bloggers primarily the focus, and what we are experiencing at this time.

      • Caitlin Tobias

        2014-02-22 at 1:18 pm Reply

        Hi Sasy, thank you for your reply. I also see you edited your post and made it (more) clear your ‘rant’ is focussed on Fashion Blogs. When I wrote my response, I wasnt so much upset but more a bit disappointed that a post which adressed an apparent big issue seemed to sweep all bloggers on a pile. Maybe I am too sensitive when it comes to this. I, for one, have my (litle, but still) frustrations too. For instance, I love to have sneak previews to the bigger events – the ones that are on beautiful locations and which have awesome builds. I only want a day early access so I can go there in ultra graphs and all bells and whistles and take pretty pictures of the venue.
        Alas, I get stuck in most official blogger applications because I cannot promise to blog 3-5 designers or outfits before or during the event, and no..I cannot provide links to posts I did about events featuring said designers. So..I go when an event is halfway and blog about anyway. (I do have some events that allow me in though, and in some cases I even got free outfits by designers..which made me feel awkward and I almost sent them back…LOL).
        I am not too active in the SL fashion world, on the platforms where this discussion probably started, so all this is news to me. By now I have caught up and been reading here and there, and I can only hope all this will not mean people will not start blogging or stop their blogs be it fashion or anything else. For me, my blog is my hobby and it is nice I have readers and yes it is lovely when someone lets me know they enjoy my posts, but in the end it is my ‘online sl diary’ and sometimes I browse back on my own blog and smile at the good times I had and the good times I will have in future adventures.
        Now I will go read my weekly fashion-feeds, because I think I need new shoes!

        • Sasy Scarborough

          2014-02-22 at 2:20 pm Reply

          My first and most honest reaction to this is OMG hit me up for Hair Fair early access, you can be my guest….because my big desire is for people to take pics of the event, the work done to make beautiful areas, and the work done by creators to make their booths look amazing and so on, I love that kind of blogging. Also consider approaching event organisers separately because honestly it is those exact kind of posts before an event open that can help people navigate and really get to oooo and ahhh ahead of time, because with all the low graphics and wire frame and all the things you have to turn off to shop, they often miss that. So definitely approach them, explain what you want to do, and I will be really shocked if they do not open the doors for you early. Have a great time shoe shopping 🙂

  • Don Mill

    2014-02-21 at 4:29 pm Reply

    I have been having an interesting conversation over the contents of this post with a very close friend of mine that happens to fall under the “blogger” category described by the taxonomy made in this post.

    The more I think about what this post shows, the more clear to me is that this self created taxonomy is just means to classify people in accordance to someone’s perception of that “real blogging” is; and that perception creates categories that could be easily use as a means to put down people that do not fall into one’s standards of blogging.

    Two things pop into my mind as I was having my conversation.

    First, the concept of blog and therefore blogger has been reduced to the ones that dedicate their Internet space and time to post about SL fashion. Blogs like the ones run by Ziki Questi or Caitlin Tobias (exploration oriented blogs) are not represented by the “blogger” category according to this taxonomy. And, the funny thing is that neither mine does.

    Secondly, the taxonomy as presented is used to represent the “Blogrrr” category as lesser being in the circle of blogging life. The description used and the actual classification serves only as a way to establish a denomination for those individuals not worthy of being called bloggers. That in itself bothers me to no end.

    I am not happy with the creation of artificial taxonomies used to validate clicques, and this is what this post seems to be. Considering that I am not part of the species described here my opinion is just my own.

    Have a good weekend all!

    • Sasy Scarborough

      2014-02-22 at 8:39 am Reply

      I have answered most of this in my above comment to Caitlin, but yes it was focusing on Fashion Blogging and as I know you have a lot to do with Fashion Bloggers on a more personal level, this should not be news to you at all. You are right about the Bloggrrr title looking as if to say they aren’t bloggers at all, in another comment I said that they do take as much time to blog as any other, and I do applaud that, the issue is not with their time taken to blog it is with all the other things that are going on. The constant spamming to designers, the demands, the threats, there are many things I did not even include. With their actions all bloggers are getting clumped together and if a new designer is experiencing this from the start, that hurts everyone.
      As for your comment on “playing Barbie” that is not what I consider myself to be doing at all, and have never done so. I have seen others refer to their time in Sl that way. But if you think that Fashion Blogging and the work and energy, and cost, as well as what can evolve from it is playing Barbie then that is more disappointing. I have said in the past most Bloggers are responsible for a lot of what happens in Second Life, they run events, they organise fairs, they are the go to for many designers, they pay for feeds, they are press at RL in SL situations, I don’t think that my getting to be at the Bruce Willis press party was playing Barbie, or being asked to be part of Linden Lab events in the past was because I wear cute outfits.

  • solderothmanay

    2014-02-21 at 2:44 pm Reply

    First of all, I love this post! Just two days ago I had an epiphany and actually shared it on my personal blog regarding the “assembly line” blogging. No more! When I started my blog, I bought everything, enjoyed doing it on MY terms. Then, something happened and I lost my way. I always gave credit for everything lol and I evolved, but it seemed that somewhere I slipped and it became more about meeting the requirements for the designer, rather than creating a post about ‘fashion and passion’. This blog link was handed to me from my teacher at Visionaire Institute where I am learning about SL photography and myself. When she handed it to me today, she said “I think you have moved from Bloggrrrrr to Blogger”.

    I still do some little things that I need to correct, like using the word sponsor or being lazy and posting the abbreviated name of an item, but I will get there. My epiphany has given me the insight to go back to my roots, to release the deadlines, quit the assembly line and put passion back into my posts. So glad that you put this into words, great job!

    • Sasy Scarborough

      2014-02-22 at 8:45 am Reply

      I am so proud right now that my post got used in such a way as to give you a compliment, it is so good that you yourself were able to bring yourself on track. We have all felt that way at one point or another – by all I mean the dozen or so bloggers that have told me over the years they have – This is why this post had to be written, I had not just lost my way, but didn’t want to find it again, and then realised that I was letting this push me off track. I have a few comments that seem to insinuate that I am saying we are better than, I don’t believe that, that is not in my make up to be that kind of person, but I do believe that some are behaving better. I cannot imagine you were behaving badly, a few slip ups with abbreviations and so on, don’t really a Bloggrrr make.
      Ultimately it is YOUR BLOG, a designer doesn’t get to dictate to you in that manner, but it also means that there has to be a level of respect from both sides, and that seems something you definitely have 🙂

  • Nariko Okawa | twopaperaeroplanes

    2014-02-21 at 12:17 pm Reply

    i am totally feeling what you are saying. and I always tell people, blog because you love to, if you are obliged or rushed or pushed to do so – stop. because the crazy buzzing noise of people pushing you to put a decent picture of their work up is not going to inspire you to blog with your creativity – but limits it. Open up, find peace and create at a quiet pace, you will then realise that blogging, taking pictures and styling becomes a really therapeutic experience that I want so many of the bloggers out there to go through.

    for designers who are pushing your bloggers because you are extremely late on sending your items, please do not rush us poor bloggers because there are bloggers who care about your work and the time you have put into your creations and you need to let them have some time to create wonderful works and images to best represent your clothes and items as well. being a factory line of just putting on things isn’t going to give credit to the time you have put into your texturing and searching for mesh and being in blender trying to get the right shadows on your dress. similarly, photographers and bloggers need to find time to be inspired to style, and find a location that will make pple want to get to see the items.

    all in all, the whole blogger community will have to come together with the designers to create an innovative and safe environment for creativity to flourish. it needs to come out of a position of love……… instead of one of obligation. remember, we are not factory lines – if you choose to be one, good for you, but Nariko isn’t, because I take pride in the item I wear and make sure they are of “good mesh” and doesn’t flicker away once you zoom out by 2 centimeters!

    Love,
    Nariko~

    • Sasy Scarborough

      2014-02-22 at 8:50 am Reply

      That was a perfect summation of what we try and do. It is like an event item, it might have limited time as an event item, but it doesn’t mean that it will always be something you can feel passionate about that week. That is why it is great to have the items go to the store after, so that if as a blogger it doesn’t make it in the time of the event, showing it to a reader weeks or even months later, can give it a new life to the customer.

      I have also told people to stop, walk away, and if blogging is a passion, you will be brought back to it, when I did have that real break years ago, it was months of pining for it, then I came back and was so happy. Keep up the great work Nariko. xoxSasyxox

  • caoimhelionheart

    2014-02-21 at 12:12 pm Reply

    You have obviously thought about this quite a bit. 😛 and it is an excellent guideline for SL bloggers Sasy. I purchase 90% of my items and no longer blog events unless asked. But my only drawback to your post is we all blog for different reasons. Not everyone blogs for designers, or for SL fashion even, some blog to blog. I often tell people I am a real life blogger with a picture problem. In reality, I could not credit at all (I do) but to say a blogger has to blog an event is a bit much. A blogger can choose not to blog an event. Of course I may have read that wrong, pre – coffee and all. You obviously know i adore your blog, I am here with words and stars every week. So thank you for the excellent SL blogger, blogga job you do. 🙂

    • Sasy Scarborough

      2014-02-22 at 8:56 am Reply

      Ah I think that maybe that wasn’t clear what I meant, I did say that you do not have to blog all events, I myself definitely don’t I don’t have the time. What my point was in that, I think that its the right section you mean…is that if you apply to be a blogger, and you cannot be chosen for limit reasons, do not then attack the event, the organisers, or the creators, just because you cannot get in early or on a bloggers list to get items. If you had interest in the event enough to want that access or those items, then it should be something you share with your readers anyway. I have seen people so mad that they didn’t get into something early, go to plurk or facebook and say ‘ I am not going at all now” or ” I will not blog it then” which to me shows some kind of disconnect as to what they are blogging for, of course you should blog for you, but punishing others – readers, creators – because of not getting what you want, seems nasty. Not like you who auctions her shape to donate to charity, going above and beyond to help and event 🙂 xoxSasyxox

      • caoimhelionheart

        2014-02-22 at 12:14 pm Reply

        Yes i must have not had enough coffee, that make sense. Though I suppose I am guilty a little. Recently I did mention a certain event needs to work out some details, but I also later blogged a few items from the event. So I am half – arsed a grrrrrrrrrrrr.

      • caoimhelionheart

        2014-02-22 at 12:22 pm Reply

        I suppose I am a half – arsed bloggrrrrrrrrrrrr I did recently post that an event needs to figure out their logistics but a few weeks later, when I finally made it in, I did blog some of the items I bought but the original blog was to say something and hope they notice since sending note cards gets zero response. I tried. Anyway, have a great weekend Sasy!

        • Sasy Scarborough

          2014-02-22 at 12:25 pm Reply

          I don’t think thats the same though, having a thought about an event, is different to chucking a tantrum because you didn’t get what you want. You have a great weekend too ♥

  • Sydd Sinister

    2014-02-21 at 7:17 am Reply

    Reblogged this on Sydd Sinister and commented:
    Although I am guilty of a few of this no no’s like copy & pasting item details, but in my defense this is why I list every creator of the item, this is a great read for Blogger, Creators and everyone.

  • zeesl

    2014-02-21 at 2:33 am Reply

    Oh God, Amen to this post.

    “Those ‘Sponsors” you all seem to be collecting like Pokemon…” I had to chuckle at this one though! 😀

  • ketsy

    2014-02-21 at 2:23 am Reply

    Love this Sasy! Just looking at the feeds a bit since I re-logged after four years has me SMH all over the place, so much has changed in SL, and blogs are no different. Or rather they are different, in the sense that there are so many more and finding information is sometimes difficult.
    I wonder which heading I would have fallen under with my “Second Life Fashion Addict”, it’s been so long, I can’t believe I used to blog almost every day and run a club and sim too, Tres Cray Cray! I think about blogging again, but know that I would be starting all over again with collecting my landmarks and re-building my wardrobe. I have some help from my sister, and my shape went though a size-shift for mesh purposes, new skins that I love, but now I need feet and hands too? It boggles the mind! LOL.
    I never knew there was such a thing as “blogger copies” until someone who read my blog sent me something, and since I was a ONE Look a Day girl, I rarely had the ability to blog anything but the zillion new things I had bought that were waiting their turn in my inventory. I am thinking about dipping a toe back into the blogger-dome on *On Your Toes*, and then maybe back to my own blog eventually, for now I am shopping like a mad woman, I want it all, but I am really careful about trying to be sure I get things from reputable sellers and respecting the IP rights of others, I cringe when I see Deviant Art rips or Etsy images on shirts, that hasn’t changed, and likely won’t as you mentioned.
    This post likely going to start a few people off on their own tangents, and I think what’s important is that personal expressions is wonderful, encouraged, and no one can tell you what to put on your own blog. But a sense of entitlement, pestering creators, and acting like a brat starting drama is never appropriate.
    BLOG ON!
    ~ Ketsy (Jhuzen Ketsugo)

  • ketsy

    2014-02-21 at 2:22 am Reply

    Love this Sasy! Just looking at the feeds a bit since I re-logged after four years has me SMH all over the place, so much has changed in SL, and blogs are no different. Or rather they are different, in the sense that there are so many more and finding information is sometimes difficult.
    I wonder which heading I would have fallen under with my “Second Life Fashion Addict”, it’s been so long, I can’t believe I used to blog almost every day and run a club and sim too, Tres Cray Cray! I think about blogging again, but know that I would be starting all over again with collecting my landmarks and re-building my wardrobe. I have some help from my sister, and my shape went though a size-shift for mesh purposes, new skins that I love, but now I need feet and hands too? It boggles the mind! LOL.
    I never knew there was such a thing as “blogger copies” until someone who read my blog sent me something, and since I was a ONE Look a Day girl, I rarely had the ability to blog anything but the zillion new things I had bought that were waiting their turn in my inventory. I am thinking about dipping a toe back into the blogger-dome on *On Your Toes*, and then maybe back to my own blog eventually, for now I am shopping like a mad woman, I want it all, but I am really careful about trying to be sure I get things from reputable sellers and respecting the IP rights of others, I cringe when I see Deviant Art rips or Etsy images on shirts, that hasn’t changed, and likely won’t as you mentioned.
    This post likely going to start a few people off on their own tangents, and I think what’s important is that personal expressions is wonderful, encouraged, and no one can tell you what to put on your own blog. But a sense of entitlement, pestering creators, and acting like a brat starting drama is never appropriate.
    BLOG ON!
    ~ Ketsy (Jhuzen Ketsugo)

  • Donna

    2014-02-20 at 11:45 pm Reply

    I’m just approaching my 1 year anniversary of SL blogging and I try my level best to not be a bloggrr. I like to think I succeed and I really do enjoy it and the other bloggers I’ve come into contact with.

  • luciebluebird

    2014-02-20 at 10:01 pm Reply

    I really like this post. And while I don’t personally have anything against people who choose sponsors (in and of itself, at least), I don’t want them. I don’t want to feel “owned” by any one store/creator that way. That’s just me, though.

    • Sasy Scarborough

      2014-02-20 at 10:31 pm Reply

      Absolutely understand, and if it is a real sponsor, as I said with a blog owned by a store or a magazine kind of situation, that is great, and if done properly is a fantastic way to advertise a product. I am glad you liked the post Lucie ♥

  • boudiccaamat

    2014-02-20 at 9:52 pm Reply

    Well said ……and I wholeheartedly agree with every single word.

    Integrity in SL is a commodity that’s getting harder and harder to find. People seem to start with all good intentions …and before you know it they’ve sold their souls to the marketing demons and post items that you know damn well they would never personally give their SL house room to.
    All in an effort to whip up interest and make a ‘name’ for themselves. They don’t seem to realise that by doing so they lose all credibility.

    Sad, very sad indeed.

  • fissionsl

    2014-02-20 at 9:35 pm Reply

    For those bloggers who are sick of drama, please know there are readers like me who love what you do and seeing your vision, not to mention appreciating the info you provide.

    If you feel unappreciated by designers, please know that there are creators like me who genuinely are thrilled to see their items blogged. I love to see how people chose to style what I make. I also do a very real, very pathetic chair dance. Every. Damn. Time.

  • Trey Melody

    2014-02-20 at 9:23 pm Reply

    Very good information! I do consider myself both a Blogger and Blogga! I am VERY particular about my photos, editing is key and I have gone back as many as 3-4 times to retake photos in order to get them right. After all, if you are blogging designer’s creations, the photos should be great quality.

  • AliceInChains Arun

    2014-02-20 at 9:12 pm Reply

    I really feel you. I blog for a few years and I’ve been feeling down and weird as a blogger right now. I agree with alot of things you have said in this post. I started blogging because I liked to dress my avatar, shopping and take pictures. I love pictures. The past year i even had stopped for a while, left a few sponsors groups and I feel better now. I’m so tired of reading in facebook “newbies” saying that “they are going to start a blog” to “give them some help”. I used to help other bloggers with tips about pictures and even the sky I use. But I got tired of it, nobody helps you back. Tired of people asking”how do you have this sponsor? I want it!” Like really? Theres only one way, be a costumer, a loyal one and maybe one day you will get lucky. About the credits, i admit i’m very lazy (copy and paste the items name) but I make sure to put the full name of each store I blog in the tags. I don’t like how designers like to trash talk bloggers these days, they should already know who is worth to have as a blogger and who is not. There will be always people wanting things for free. I know people who really stalk designers SO HARD that they end up getting the free things just to shut up, can you believe? I feel also depressed, because people edit so much their pictures and are adored by so many people when they are not honest with their readers, because they change the product completely by editing everything in the outift. And even the designers that complain about edited pictures are the ownes to worship people who edit hard. I believe the Second Life “bloggers world” is a mess, and I don’t think it will ever get better. Anyways, amazing post!

  • Darkley Aeon

    2014-02-20 at 8:53 pm Reply

    The amount of times I have taken loads of pictures, gone to edit and realised im wearing 2 left hands or something, i delete the lot and have to reshoot

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