This blog entry is going to be kinda long b/c it is a vent session, for one…and two, this is my shit.
My shit, it is….
When I was about two months deep into celebrity entertainment blogging, I read THIS blog entry. Initially, I didn’t “get it” 100% because I hadn’t invested enough time at that point to fully understand. I still had my opinion on it and I can say that my CURRENT thoughts on that particular blog entry is a strong contrast to what it was the first go ’round.
I get it.
I received so much advice at the beginning of starting my blog and although it is still quite new, I am proud at what I’ve done with it. No one else has to be proud…I am. I wanted to incorporate various concepts into the blog so that everyone felt as though they had a place within my little spot on the www. One of the first things that I decided to do was to start a category where unsigned artists would get some blog shine. Because my brother is an entertainer and desperate for someone to listen, I felt that this would be a great way to help others at least get their product out. Granted, I’m no HUGE blogger but I felt that I reached enough people so that artists could get some feedback with absolutely no cost to them. The only thing that I did request was that they informed the people on their social networking site(s) that they were being put in the spotlight and please “link back to the blog.” Of all the artists that I featured, I can count on one hand how many actually did it and worse…how many actually said “thank you.”
Later, I was sent an email by a bigger entertainment blogger who suggested that, although they felt what I was doing was a kind gesture, “It’d get old and you’d begin to expect more.” Once again, it was a situation that I didn’t really understand but I simply nodded my head and went about my business.
And that brings me to today. I am a little annoyed by a situation that I WILL NOT go into detail on b/c if I do, it’ll basically be doing exactly what I said I wouldn’t do anymore and that’s provide free pub. I didn’t think I’d have to get to this point and quite frankly, I don’t care who thinks less of me after saying this. But what I’ve found is that there are large groups of people who expect you to bend over backwards and do tricks for them, all while they beam on and don’t even offer you a thank you in return.
About a week or two ago, I received an email from someone who apparently works for a major network and they were in charge of promoting a new show for said network. In the email, the person said (and I’m paraphrasing here):
Hey Jia…love your blog. I was checking it out and thought that maybe you and your readers would appreciate seeing this exclusive clip for ________’s new show. Also, I’ll attach some banners and the like, if you’d like to use them. Let me know.
Now at first, I was thinking “Hell yea, I’ll post it.” I was more crunk that someone at this network noticed my shit more than anything else. But SOMETHING in me told me to cruise around other blogs…blogs that are not of the same demographic as me…and I noticed that many of my white peers had PAID advertising on their blog announcing the coming of the show. So I promptly responded to the “You-should-be-happy-to-have-this” sender and said “Here is information on advertising with MissJia.com. Contact me if you have any additional questions.” Needless to say, I didn’t hear back but it just sparked something in me that has now made me change my focus on blogging.
I will say this…if I am a fan of a person, I will support their efforts just b/c I believe in them that much. But there is a reason that I have to separate the fan from the business…otherwise, I’ll be blogging and buying pictures for absolutely nothing. While I love blogging and think it’s fun to get the ’scoop’ and report it to my loyal audience, it’s also appreciated when you treat a bitch with some respect and stop trying to get over. And it’s not just about the issue with the big network/new show thing. It’s also about people buddying up with you b/c of what they THINK you can offer them. Gyant asked “What’s in it for me,” and initially I thought that was selfish. But I also think that it’s selfish for people to have an expectation that you offer up your time, site space and readership for absolutely nothing. Some folks are so haughty in thinking that they’re doing bloggers a favor when in fact, bloggers do favors on a regular basis and people want to act as though we’re minor in the grand scheme of things. You wouldn’t go to a radio station, magazine company or PR agency and ask them to promo your shit for free…so why is it okay to do that to bloggers?
I had a very specific incident take place that really prompted this blog and like I said, I won’t go into specifics b/c at the end of the day, it is what it is. I learned my lesson from the shit and it absolutely won’t happen again. I know how to be nice and play along but when I see that you’re trying to get over on me to help boost your shit (be it that you consider my boost major or minor), I cut those strings and let your ass fall face first to the ground. There will be absolutely NONE of that on my site and I mean it. People should always remember the “little people” because sometimes those that are typically unseen are the ones that see YOU through the most. Think about it…
Again, I’m annoyed as hell right now b/c I really felt like my face was played. Fool me once, shame on you…fool me twice? Ima beat the shit out of your ass….
I’m mad that you were doing that for free to begin with lol. Blogging is hard work. Blogging has single handedly caused the demise of paper magazines and become the entertainment CNN. It is also a HUGE vehicle of marketing & PR, yet you are expected to do this for free? You should be ever so gracious to get an ad for the ill-fit ________’s show? “Let me know if you want this banner” how about “I let you know where you can deposit them coins” Nobody else is putting her pizza shaped ass on their blog for free so why should you? My dad always told me that fools do stuff for free while business pp accept things for fee. It’s cool to help, but get your coins along the way
You already know how I feel about the situation! That blogger(Gyant)was DEAD ON! I know its pretty cliche, but people will take your kindness for weakness, and not think twice about it. ((I can’t believe people wouldn’t even say “Thank You”, two measly words!))
Even if they don’t seem like that type of people, being in this business (especially in this day and age) does drastic things to one’s character (some, not all).
Take it in stride, but I know you will not be ignorant to the situation. You definitely won’t look at the person the same.
Lessons learned, lessons learned. Most of these frauds ain’t nothing but wolves in sheep’s clothing. Trust, You’ll gain the most out of this!
I’m probably wrong, but I thought I noticed something about a week ago. I’m not on Twitter a whole lot, but when I am, I always go through, maybe about, five or six specific people’s tweets to see what I’ve missed. Something shady caught my eye, but since I am not on a personal basis with you, I just decided to mind my business.
Anyway, just from following you these last few months, I have gotten a feel that of your genuine you are when you really like someone. I’m glad that you’re not letting your kindness be taken for granted any longer.
funny because, i have been having an on-going discussion with my best friend about this EXACT topic.
even worse, how people who call themselves your ‘good friend’ asking you on a constant basis to keep doing them ‘favors’ even when they KNOW that it is COSTING you time and money to do it FOR them.
glad you got to vent.
You’re growing as a blogger, so it’s only right to question the motives of people who come trying to ‘give’ you something that may or may not benefit you. You’re smart enough to know how people are by way of their character and/or history [as far as work or a general relationship], and that tells you a lot. Just sit back & have fun w/ your blog or any other venture you explore, but be open to ‘real’ things and alert to ‘fake’ ish. Do you. Also, keep keeping it real.
I’m sorry to hear about your most recent disappointment. I think you handled the situation well be setting boundaries and establishing advertising rates. It has been my experience when I practiced law, people will ALWAYS try to get over. There’s always one. However, when you hit them with the rate sheet, they tend to disappear. I used to send people invoices for wasting my time. They quickly got the message. You can continue to be nice to people but business is BUSINESS.
Thanks for everybody that responded!
@Imani: Isn’t it ‘cute’ how they go running when you tell them that you expect to be paid for your time and services. Do people think that I’m going to help THEM make money with nothing for me? Absolutely nothing? I dont think so.
It’s all good though. I see exactly how the game goes…and I ain’t mad at it. Just more cautious.
Jia, you are a great new positive voice in this blogosphere. Continue to be you & do you. Your blessings will def fall into your lap. You have to deal with the fake to recognize the real. Keep up the good work.
girl..i understand that u wana help entertainers and who ever else, for free.. but lets face it..some ppl dont appreciate the gesture..therefore..the remaining ppl who are polite enough to give thanks..suffer consequence..at the end of the day..a lesson learned.. ♥ you
Damn, Jia….didn’t know it was like. At the same token, this doesn’t surprise me one bit.
It’s just how people do, unfortunately, they see what kinda buzz you got going on and they want in at no cost. I don’t know what part of the game that is, but they damn sure got it twisted.
Jia you do a great job @ what you do and the perspective you offer on topics is on point! It’s a shame that entertainers would use bloggers as stepping stone for promotion w/o pay but it is a dog-eat-dog industry no less. Bravo on recognizing it ahead of time!
Hi! I’m a fan of yours on youtube. I too have started a Blog and I’m also trying to find my place too. This has happen to me a couple of times I don’t understand. Don’t these firms realize that WE and BLOGS keep their wack ass artist relavant!!!!
Keep up the Good Work!!!
If you generate the kind of traffic that your “white peers” generate then you can charge the advertising rates that they get.
But there’s no reason to get pissed about it. It didn’t hurt for the “major network” to ask you to put it on your blog. They didn’t take advantage of you, they only asked. And who knows, you may have liked the clip.
When people ask you to put up their clips just do it if you are bowled over, love it love it love it and it just might become viral. Do it only if you love it.
Forget about the money, concentrate on generating traffic by making your blog great and you will make a very nice living.
My blog generates traffic to where other companies have no issues paying to use my space.
Its easy to tell someone to do something for free if you, too, aren’t doing the same thing.
No matter how much I like something, that doesn’t mean that I should offer them space for free simply b/c they asked (which, the way, he didn’t ask but suggested that I should).
I love blogging but I dont love it enough to pay for OTHERS to use up my time or space.
Now, if you decide to build a blog where you offer that sort of service with no charge, let me know…I’ll gladly refer them to you.
Jia you hit the nail on the head with this one. As a new blogger in Dallas I have come across the same type of peeps, the mofo’s that want something for nothing and I too have started pulling back on promoting certains labels/artists.. Keep up the good biz..www.grupieluv.com