Yes, No, Maybe . . .

I've been blogging for a little over a year now and still haven't gotten used to associating myself as an official "blogger." Funny as that may sound, blogging is simply a hobby for me which I try to use as a creative outlet. I'm just one consumer trying to connect with other consumers about stuff I love: makeup and clothing. I like the unique and hard to find. But I also like mainstream brands too. I like to explore a little bit of everything because I'm curious by nature.

In the past year I have learned a great deal from blogging, yet there is still much more for me to explore and learn about. I've been asked a number of questions from my readers, various brands, other bloggers, various e-tailers. I find that I ask myself the same questions wondering whether I should answer "yes or no." There are many areas in which I am undecided. This is more of a rambling post, but herein lies the blogger's dilemma with each question (at least from my own perspective). Many of you have asked me these questions directly - I hope this answers your questions (or at least some).

• Am I interested in advertising? Not at the moment. I want to make it clear that I don't think there is anything wrong with advertising on blogs. I find it useful in some cases. It makes me aware of certain deals, specials and brands that I wouldn't have discovered on my own. Also, if someone refers me to a website or sale, why shouldn't they get some credit for making me aware? I think it's ok. For me, I receive e-mails weekly from brands and websites asking if I am interested in advertising for them - but I haven't responded to any. This includes affiliate links (those partnerships some brands have with blogs or websites, such as pay-per-click marketing etc.) - I will say I have been both approved and rejected for various brands. I just haven't added them to my blog. Anything you click-out of from my blog will not generate anything in return for me. This is just my own personal decision right now.
  
  
• Am I interested in being added to the PR contact list to receive products for review? This is a tough one for me. I have mixed feelings about this. I will say think there are pros and cons to saying "yes" to this one. I have said "yes, please add me" to three brands, but I haven't received anything from them (and I verified them with a few other trusted bloggers). Hence I am hesitant to release my information to anyone else. Especially for brands I have never heard of or tried. I see a number of products pop up on other blogs for review. Yet, I am the ultimate skeptic, I've always been. I have the "prove it" syndrome which drives everyone around me nuts. Also, being a consumer, the notion of receiving products to review is new territory to me. I've had this discussion with a few friends. At this point I am at the "maybe" stage. I haven't ruled it out completely.
  
  
• Why am I conflicted about this? There are things I've received as a GWP from purchases that were not available for purchase at that time that I grew to love. I believe they were released as GWPs for product testing to see if the market liked it or not. I recently saw some for sale online at an exorbitant price (even for me). I personally love my GWP item, but if I saw it at the counter, there is no way I would pay that much for that product, I wouldn't be able to review it and feature it on my blog as a thumbs up product because I know in my mind, I would not be willing to shell out that much money to own that item.
  
  
• Yet there are definitely occasions where this is a thumbs up. I know many bloggers blog for a living or as a full time job. It's hard work! And with all the options out there it's hard to discover some brands on your own. For me this is especially challenging with skincare and haircare. There are too many options. It's like toothpaste. I have my husband buy it because I am simply OVERWHELMED by the choices at the grocery store. Do I want whitening? Tartar control? Something for sensitive teeth? Strengthening of the enamel? I have no idea. So I say thumbs up for some bloggers because when they receive products for review, it saves me money on occasion because I can read what they think and know, "that's not for me, I don't need to look into that."
  
  
• But . . . (yes another "but") I wouldn't be honest if I didn't say that there have occasions where I have seen things reviewed that were sent for free to some that made my heart completely drop. Sometimes I feel like, "why should I shell out $xxx for that when they received that for free to review?" I do on occasion get upset, especially when certain brands raise prices, decrease product amounts, or are extremely stingy with samples or GWPs. I don't always need an incentive, but as a customer, it's always nice to feel appreciated. Even if it's a simple "thank you for your business, your loyalty means something to us." Yes, I am one small customer, but every little bit adds up.
  
  
• To reveal or not to reveal? I know many of you want to see what I look like. I've contemplated this many times. But I like being anonymous for many reasons. One, I am camera shy. I prefer not to be recognized by strangers. My close friends and husband have even asked me "what's the big deal?" I like shopping without people associating me as a "blogger." But that's just me. I want this blog to be more about the products and ideas for how to use makeup etc. Not about me. Yet there is a slight contradiction with this. I am the sole writer for this blog (with a few guest writers here and there), hence, this blog by nature is somewhat personal. So yes, it might be silly for me to think anything otherwise. At this time, I'm not going to post pictures of my face, although I realize it would be terribly useful to see how the products look on-the-face. I love seeing photos of other bloggers' faces with their makeup looks and outfits. It's useful and inspiring. I'm not ready for it yet. People are entitled to their opinions, but I'm not sure I have the confidence to bare my face to the public. I've seen comments on other blogs that can be truly hurtful (and many of these women are truly beautiful). I don't want to subject myself to that.
  
  
• Link exchanges? This one is tough for me too. It really all depends. I'm all for discovering new blogs and if I like something or find that I check it out on a regular basis, I will definitely add you to my list. But this seems like advertising to me when it comes from a company rather than a blog. Also, I don't like being pressured and some e-mails I get are really pushy. It's just a complete turn off. Is there a nice way to say "no, not interested?" I don't like to say no. It makes me feel like the bad guy. In all honesty, I don't like everything out there. I know there are people who don't like my blog. So for link exchanges, it just all really depends for me.
  

So, all in all, I hope this addresses some of your questions. It's just a rambling post on what I feel. It's a personal opinion and it's all subject to change. I don't expect anyone to agree necessarily. It's not meant to point fingers or make anyone feel uncomfortable. Many things I am undecided about. This blogging stuff is all still a bit new to me. Even after a year. I'm not the best at planning in advance. I have no idea if I will still be blogging next year, let alone next month. I'm always wondering what will happen when I run out of ideas or things to write about?

I don't like drama, and as I click "publish" on this post, I am holding my breath slightly. Waiting for the flames to come. So know that my intentions are meant to give you a bit of my own personal opinion. I know some will disagree - but I just ask that in your criticism, please be respectful. I have feelings too.