When Did 'Blogger' Become A Dirty Word?


Recently there seems to have been a real surge in blogger hate. Maybe that’s too strong a word- blogger dislike perhaps? I’ve seen it on forums, on websites and recently and most frequently on social media. We’ve been called freeloaders, attention seekers, self-indulgent and cheeky. You name it and that term will have been bandied about. So much so that bloggers now feel they have to justify themselves or to call themselves by a different name- a content creator, for example. Throw at us what you will, but one thing is for sure, work shy we are not. Bloggers are writers, they are editors, they are photographers and social media marketers. Sometimes work finds you but sometimes you have to seek it out and yes that can mean pitches to brands, something that’s had a fair bit of attention on social media recently after a blogger received criticism following her enquiry to a hotel regarding the possibility of a stay there in exchange for social media promotion. A good collaboration means there’s something in it for brand and blogger. A blogger may receive an item for review for example, and in doing so they may attract new visitors to their site or may gain new followers. The brand will gain from the promotion, the exposure and the advertising.

When I started my blog it was because I was on and I’m still on a mission to help parents navigate the complexities and trials of parenthood. When I had my first baby nearly five years ago, I thought I was awful at it. I had no idea that the overwhelming feelings, of love, guilt, tiredness and cluelessness were all entirely normal. I’d look around and all I could see were mums that appeared to be nailing it. Mums that seemed to have it all together while I had Weetabix in my hair. But then I was introduced to the phenomena of ‘real parenting’ through other blogs, where parents wrote openly and honestly about their experiences and then I realised, for the first time, that not only were these feelings normal but I was doing ok. It was their words that helped me and so I endeavoured to do my part too and thus my blog was born. I’ve put the hours in, nurtured it and now my hobby has become a bigger part of my life and that’s not something I will be apologetic about. Call me what you will but I’m happy to be called a blogger and I’m pretty proud of my little corner of the internet.  


quiet, shh, blogger

Me, Being Mummy
3 Little Buttons
Motherhood The Real Deal

28 comments

  1. Well done you for having your say. Isn't it odd how every time a woman finds a voice in the old days via charity work and then now through blogging, the world tries to put the whole idea of that work down? Bloggers are individuals blogging for different reasons and a lot do an awful lot of good work in the wide world via their blogs and social media activity. As you say, to blog at all successfully takes a lot of hard work and commitment too. #MMBC

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    1. That's a really good point Kate, women's voices are being muted even now x

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  2. People just don't realise the hard work that goes in to being a successful blogger - I know that I didn't when I started my blogging journey. I'm not quite sure how we change that perception but I know that posts like this are a start #HoneyBeeLinky

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    1. Thank you Kim. Yes I certainly didn't realise how much was involved with blogging either x

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  3. Well said! Blogging really can take over your life as it's so much hard work and enjoyable at the same time #Honeybeelinky

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  4. This! Exactly this. I've felt it for a while now that 'blogger' has become a bit of a naughty word. People still don't seem to understand bloggers and what they do, though they happily turn to them for help, advice and dare I say it, reviews every day! It's encouraging to hear you stand up and be counted as a blogger. Thanks so much for sharing with the #DreamTeam. LOVED this read x

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    1. Thank you so much. I'm so pleased you enjoyed the post! It sometimes feels like we can't win doesn't it?! x x

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  5. *surge of pride for blogger status felt*

    Well done you! Yay for us bloggers!!
    #dreamteam

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  6. I dont get it either, we're trying to help people out there to realise they're not alone - why do we get belittled and downtrodden? Maybe its just jealousy? I hope so! #coolmumclub & #sharingthebloglove

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    1. Who knows the mentality behind it. I'll never understand it!

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  7. There has been a lot of nastiness around bloggers lately and it's not very nice to read and hear about. It's still so new and people just don't get it! I think it will be a long time until they do sadly. Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove

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    1. Yes I think you're right, it's lack of understanding. Thank goodness there's a lovely community of bloggers out there to counteract it x

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  8. Yes! Well done for saying this. We bloggers work so hard, and provide support for the lonely, exposure for brands, encouragment for the downcast, etc... Hopefully this season will blow over quickly #sharingthebloglove

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  9. There has been a lot of negativity and I think it is because no one really understands it. Until you start doing it you don't understand how many hours and how much work it takes! #HoneybeeLinky

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  10. Well done for standing up for all bloggers. #DreamTeam

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  12. It makes me so sad to read all the negative comments that get thrown about at bloggers. I started to blog as like you, I found reading other people's "real life" experiences of parenting to be hugely supportive, and I wanted to be a part of that. I think this is very well said. Thank you for linking to #DreamTeam x

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    1. Thank you :) Hopefully it'll all blow over soon x x

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  13. It's been quite eye opening to read so much negativity about bloggers lately. I think unless you're involved in it, it can seem like a different world, and I think people just don't understand the work that goes into it, and then benefits that a blogger working with a brand can bring to both parties. I completely agree about blogging and motherhood - it was discovering that other mothers felt the same as me that made me feel more confident about myself and got me out of a bit of a rut. Thanks for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove

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  14. It’s such a shame to hear about negativity towards bloggers. Most of us do work flippin hard at our blogs and usually for a reason other than making money. Like you I wanted to help other parents x
    #coolmumclub

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  15. Yes I often feel like that too, I think a lot of it comes down to people not understanding and the current culture of broadcasting one's dislike for things over social media!

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  16. That situation with the blogger and the hotel was horrible - it was just so unnecessary to shame someone like that when clicking delete on the email would have been sufficient. There is a perception though that bloggers get things "for free" - people really just don't realise how much hard work and effort goes into writing a blog. #coolmumclub

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