Blogger Conference in Dallas

ratmouse

Was anyone following the past few days of the fashion and beauty blogger conference in Dallas? A lot of leading bloggers of the US and Uk and some Irish ones also. What did you make of it? Some great style on some of the bloggers. It was great to see such variation.

ams

I really dislike the whole rstyle scene - its changed the face of blogging for the worse - I've seen bloggers putting links to the underwear they are wearing in the posts ffs!

Most of the bloggers that attend the conference are so generic and they are only there because they sell loads - its not for me I'm afraid.

GOMI has a good thread on the conference and this explains who rsytle works:

http://ecocult.com/2014/you-need-to-know-this-about-your-favorite-fashion-blogger/

ciaradx

ams wrote: »

I really dislike the whole rstyle scene - its changed the face of blogging for the worse - I've seen bloggers putting links to the underwear they are wearing in the posts ffs!

Most of the bloggers that attend the conference are so generic and they are only there because they sell loads - its not for me I'm afraid.

GOMI has a good thread on the conference and this explains who rsytle works:

http://ecocult.com/2014/you-need-to-know-this-about-your-favorite-fashion-blogger/

That was a great read, thank you! Makes me look at my favourite bloggers differently

ratmouse

ams wrote: »

I really dislike the whole rstyle scene - its changed the face of blogging for the worse - I've seen bloggers putting links to the underwear they are wearing in the posts ffs!

Most of the bloggers that attend the conference are so generic and they are only there because they sell loads - its not for me I'm afraid.

GOMI has a good thread on the conference and this explains who rsytle works:

http://ecocult.com/2014/you-need-to-know-this-about-your-favorite-fashion-blogger/

Yes, I've read that before. Great article and a real eye opener. After reading the article, I know now exactly what Irish bloggers have bought into it as,how the tell tale signs are described in the article, is exactly what I see on the bloggers page. If I see an outfit photo and no mention of the name of the store, just several links, I know the score exactly. I have no time for that at all. It's just 100% money making and the love for the clothing is "staged".

I do think photos at the conference showed how some bloggers' fashion sense is so edgy compared to the same old same old of what we see day in, day out on some other bloggers (I literally cannot look at monochrome anymore due to it being over worn by some bloggers!). It was nice to see edgier styles.

ams

Check out fashionbloggerfail on instagram which illustrates the genericness of the whole thing - ie bloggers posting v similar instagram messages etc.

I noticed Anouska Proetta Brandon was there and I absolutely love her so agree that there are worthwhile bloggers in attendance and I guess you can't fault her for trying to make a living off her blog.

ratmouse

ams wrote: »

Check out fashionbloggerfail on instagram which illustrates the genericness of the whole thing - ie bloggers posting v similar instagram messages etc.

I noticed Anouska Proetta Brandon was there and I absolutely love her so agree that there are worthwhile bloggers in attendance and I guess you can't fault her for trying to make a living off her blog.

I must check out that bloggerfail.

Yes, love Anouska. Julie Sarinana of Sincerely Jules was there too and I adore her effortless and edgey style. I see an upsurge in bloggers who have come back from Dallas signing up to liketoknowit site. Why have they only caught onto this now? Talk about being behind the times!

Dallas looked like a bit of a drink fest to me also from some photos that have gone around.

ratmouse

ams wrote: »

Check out fashionbloggerfail on instagram which illustrates the genericness of the whole thing - ie bloggers posting v similar instagram messages etc.

I noticed Anouska Proetta Brandon was there and I absolutely love her so agree that there are worthwhile bloggers in attendance and I guess you can't fault her for trying to make a living off her blog.

Had a look at fashionbloggerfail on Instagram. It's brilliant and highlights the poor quality writing of bloggers, how they deceive followers into believing posts are not sponsored and also shows how so many photos are very much same picture, same location and same pose with bloggers. I love how this account featured all those 'samey' photos from the Dallas conference. An Irish blogger was one of those featured for being in the same generic photo and pose as evvvvvery other blogger. So funny!

Luno

That instagram account seems a bit nasty at times to be honest. There is no need to make fun of people's personal appearance and fair enough, dishonesty in the blogging sphere is an issue but that account is calling some bloggers street walkers etc.

ratmouse

Luno wrote: »

That instagram account seems a bit nasty at times to be honest. There is no need to make fun of people's personal appearance and fair enough, dishonesty in the blogging sphere is an issue but that account is calling some bloggers street walkers etc.

I think you'll agree that the majority of posts on it are pointing out some serious spelling and grammar errors, something that is completely unacceptable when you write for a living.

Luno

ratmouse wrote: »

I think you'll agree that the majority of posts on it are pointing out some serious spelling and grammar errors, something that is completely unacceptable when you write for a living.

In fairness I wouldn't say it's the majority of posts. I think its the tone of the instagram posts more than what's being said that bothers me. I understand that when it's your living that you should of course be able to coherently deliver your message and it is fair to expect a certain standard. I know in college I am expected to have a fairly high competency of the English language and I wouldn't expect it any other way in these environments. However, as I said, remarks about certain bloggers tans and aspirations. I completely agree with the lack of transparency in relation to affiliate links though, and I think this in itself should be the main priority for the instagram if it wants to have any form of justification.

ratmouse

Luno wrote: »

In fairness I wouldn't say it's the majority of posts. I think its the tone of the instagram posts more than what's being said that bothers me. I understand that when it's your living that you should of course be able to coherently deliver your message and it is fair to expect a certain standard. I know in college I am expected to have a fairly high competency of the English language and I wouldn't expect it any other way in these environments. However, as I said, remarks about certain bloggers tans and aspirations. I completely agree with the lack of transparency in relation to affiliate links though, and I think this in itself should be the main priority for the instagram if it wants to have any form of justification.

I hear what you're saying actually. Maybe it's wrong of me to find it funny. But genuinely, some of the deplorable spelling errors are funny. 'skin pours' instead of 'skin pores'!!

traineeacc

Is it an invite only conference? The whole affiliate marketing and it's over use by some bloggers has turned me of said bloggers! Some good bloggers at that conference and they are quite open about their use of rstyle

dudara

Posters - keep it civil. Don't want this descending into the usual bitchiness and cattiness that blog-related posts seem to cause.

dudara

Luno

What actually happens at a blogger conference, I cant say I've really heard of them before!

ratmouse

Luno wrote: »

What actually happens at a blogger conference, I cant say I've really heard of them before!

I'm not sure either. I assume a lot of networking and marketing of related products. Some mentioned blogger master classes in their blogs. In ways, some of the photos made it look like a sorority party!

ratmouse

traineeacc wrote: »

Is it an invite only conference? The whole affiliate marketing and it's over use by some bloggers has turned me of said bloggers! Some good bloggers at that conference and they are quite open about their use of rstyle

I'm not sure if it's invite only or do you pay to go? Not many of the big Irish bloggers like Pippa or Make Up Fairy were at it or mentioned anything about it. Even Sincerely Jules, who was at it, didn't post much about it and never mentioned beforehand about going. Suppose to the likes of her, that kind of thing is no big deal, she's used to far bigger fashion events. With other small time bloggers, they make a huge deal out of it and bring us through the whole process of packing for Dallas, being at the airport to fly to Dallas, video of arriving at the accommodation in Dallas, etc. Naturally, it could be a big break for the smaller bloggers I'd say if they network properly. Suppose this conference has shown how up the ranks, professionally some bloggers are and how comfortable and natural they are compared to those that are, borderline, desperately trying to make it outside of their typical small pond audience. Interesting to see the different mix.

gossipgirl10

I came across that fashionbloggerfail instagram the other day actually when looking at the hash tag for the Dallas conference on instagram to see who else was there. I do agree it seems a little bitchy but it does show how generic alot of bloggers are - picture in front of the big eye ball, pictures of their drinks with the edge of the pool in the shot etc it was just interesting to see how same-y alot of bloggers are. I think a lot of them see another blogger doing something and they just copy.

The whole thing of like to know it, rstyle etc annoys me too. I would like to know where your top is from without having to go through the process of signing up to something. I was looking at a picture on instagram yesterday of a pair of shoes and you could even see the RI logo on the shoe and the blogger had the link you had to click on to see where they were bought. Someone commented on the picture saying where are the shoes from and the blogger just replied and said Here: and gave the link again. I refuse to ever click on those links and I feel like commenting any time I know to tell people where the item is from but I'm sure my comments would be deleted It's just so obvious it's all about money making if they won't even say where something is from they are forcing people to click the link if they want to know that badly

ams

The top earners on rstyle get invited to the conference as far as I know.

dudara

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dudara

ratmouse

ams wrote: »

The top earners on rstyle get invited to the conference as far as I know.

I wonder is any of the trip/conference paid for or do bloggers end up out of pocket?

ratmouse

gossipgirl10 wrote: »

I came across that fashionbloggerfail instagram the other day actually when looking at the hash tag for the Dallas conference on instagram to see who else was there. I do agree it seems a little bitchy but it does show how generic alot of bloggers are - picture in front of the big eye ball, pictures of their drinks with the edge of the pool in the shot etc it was just interesting to see how same-y alot of bloggers are. I think a lot of them see another blogger doing something and they just copy.

The whole thing of like to know it, rstyle etc annoys me too. I would like to know where your top is from without having to go through the process of signing up to something. I was looking at a picture on instagram yesterday of a pair of shoes and you could even see the RI logo on the shoe and the blogger had the link you had to click on to see where they were bought. Someone commented on the picture saying where are the shoes from and the blogger just replied and said Here: and gave the link again. I refuse to ever click on those links and I feel like commenting any time I know to tell people where the item is from but I'm sure my comments would be deleted It's just so obvious it's all about money making if they won't even say where something is from they are forcing people to click the link if they want to know that badly

I think we all know about the rstyle links on some blogs. I just avoid clicking on them. Other bloggers will just have a little tag/label on their photos saying where each item is from. I like this as you know straight away, just from the photo and without having to do any further reading, where exactly the items are from. Just Jordan does this and it works well.

gossipgirl10

I see one attendee from the conference has posted on facebook about this deadly site called like to know it that makes it super easy for you to find out where everything is from without even having to ask.... forgot to mention the whole whilst lining the bloggers pockets with cash part :rolleyes:

traineeacc

The whole affiliate marketing, click links etc had ruined so many blogs I used to like. It's a shame, don't begrudge anybody earning an income but the way it's done is quite underhand. That entire conference was about making more money from blogs so I suspect it's more of it we are going to see unfortunately

ratmouse

gossipgirl10 wrote: »

I see one attendee from the conference has posted on facebook about this deadly site called like to know it that makes it super easy for you to find out where everything is from without even having to ask.... forgot to mention the whole whilst lining the bloggers pockets with cash part :rolleyes:

I didn't realise that like to know it made the money for the bloggers. God, how naive I am!

ratmouse

traineeacc wrote: »

The whole affiliate marketing, click links etc had ruined so many blogs I used to like. It's a shame, don't begrudge anybody earning an income but the way it's done is quite underhand. That entire conference was about making more money from blogs so I suspect it's more of it we are going to see unfortunately

I think you are right. The more I hear and see and read, it would seem that that is a lot of what Dallas was about. Must mean that our Irish bloggers who were there are serious high earners of it actually was invite only to the highest earners on rstyle. Am I right in saying that I never see Pippa using these links? Maybe I'm wrong b

retro:electro

To be honest I'm gone off most if not all of the popular bloggers. I used to love Pippa.ie and I still think she's a nice girl but she too uses rstyle and I just cannot get behind any blog who uses that. They try and make themselves out to be these helpful bloggers who've traipsed the shops so you don't have to and found all of these amazing items for you, when in all actuality it's just a convenient money making scheme for them dressed up as such.

I notice Pippa has changed the layout of the items of clothing on her site to where you click the arrow on the right of the image to see the next item. I noticed it on her "easily suede" feature. This convienently however sometimes mistakes your "next" click as if you've clicked on the item itself and relocates you through rstyle to the site, and I suspect that was her intention. She's a nice girl and I like her in interviews but I think it's unfair that she recieves such praise and admiration for doing the exact same thing as other bloggers are heavily criticised for doing.

I actually commented on her blog that I didn't like the new feature and that my arrow clicks were sometimes clicking on the item instead but surprise surprise my comment didn't get through.

gossipgirl10

Ya I was pretty naive about the whole thing too I only realised that like to know it is owned by reward style today. They must have been pushing it big time at the conference.

And it looks like all bloggers use these things sincerely jules, buy now blog later etc all the ones we said we all like because they were a bit different are all using it too. The article someone linked on the first page is a really good read it really does open your eyes to how the whole thing works.

Bloggers saying 'i'm not sponsored by river island' but they are an affiliate its just trying to pull the wool over peoples eyes.

Clever move though by top blogger making out that like to know it is this cool new thing to make shopping easier so people think she's being helpful instead of wondering all of a sudden what the links were on instagram

Stench Blossoms

Sad to hear that Pippa has started using rstyle now as well.

ratmouse

gossipgirl10 wrote: »

Ya I was pretty naive about the whole thing too I only realised that like to know it is owned by reward style today. They must have been pushing it big time at the conference.

And it looks like all bloggers use these things sincerely jules, buy now blog later etc all the ones we said we all like because they were a bit different are all using it too. The article someone linked on the first page is a really good read it really does open your eyes to how the whole thing works.

Bloggers saying 'i'm not sponsored by river island' but they are an affiliate its just trying to pull the wool over peoples eyes.

Clever move though by top blogger making out that like to know it is this cool new thing to make shopping easier so people think she's being helpful instead of wondering all of a sudden what the links were on instagram

I am very put off my to hear Pippa, Sincerely Jules are all at the same lark. I suppose they are just more likable <SNIP> as they actually have nice style, come across as nice girls, have a distinct air of class and don't cone across as try hards. It is disappointing though if they use those links.

Stench Blossoms

I guess they have to make money somehow, though.

Sunny Dayz

I think the difference is how they post the links.


I follow Pippa and Buy Now Blog Later and their posts are like they are almost chatting to you. You get the sense of passion and love for clothes, beauty and shopping from them. There doesn't appear to me to be blatant flogging of a particular brand.


However I have noticed other bloggers who come across as a bit too obvious with their links. A small bit of writing about some trend or another and there's some links, all from a small selection of particular stores/brands.


At the end of the day, I appreciate the effort some bloggers put into their posts, even if they have these sales links in them.

ratmouse

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

I think the difference is how they post the links.


I follow Pippa and Buy Now Blog Later and their posts are like they are almost chatting to you. You get the sense of passion and love for clothes, beauty and shopping from them. There doesn't appear to me to be blatant flogging of a particular brand.


However I have noticed other bloggers who come across as a bit too obvious with their links. A small bit of writing about some trend or another and there's some links, all from a small selection of particular stores/brands.


At the end of the day, I appreciate the effort some bloggers put into their posts, even if they have these sales links in them.

That's a good way to describe how they conduct themselves compared to others. Imagine not putting in the time or effort for your fans to write a bit more on a clothes post than here's the link, click on it and make me money!

traineeacc

Pippa has used this for a while I think however she will also say where it's from in comments rather than reposting the rstyle link minus any comment! To me it's less blatant selling.

ratmouse

traineeacc wrote: »

Pippa has used this for a while I think however she will also say where it's from in comments rather than reposting the rstyle link minus any comment! To me it's less blatant selling.

She got asked about this on Facebook and said that she does have the name of where items are from and the price and therefore no need to click on link. I think that's fair enough. Based on that instagram page mentioned above, I think more and more people are waking up to the deceit some bloggers are known for. It's like the Dallas conference has shown the true colours of many of them.

gossipgirl10

Ya I guess it's just the way things have gone now that blogs will be like this and fair enough it's a way for them to make their living. I definitely think it's fairer on the reader though to say Shoes - River Island 60 euro and then have the link next to it so that if someone wants to click through they can but you aren't forced to click the link just to see where something is from. It's just more transparent.

I noticed on a blog post today that where they were obviously affiliated with a certain brand they didn't name the brand they only had the link but on other parts of the outfit where the link wouldn't earn them something they said where it was from.

Also, I mentioned a few posts back about someone having something on facebook about the great new thing called Like to Know It - think that facebook post has since been deleted? I can't see it anymore anyway....

It's funny the hashtag on instagram for the conference was rsthecon obviously short for conference but in my head I just keep thinking yes it all is a big con!!

retro:electro

Looked up reward style on Instagram but their account is private. Their bio says "reward style is an invitation only monetisation tool for top tier digital style publishers around the world"
Lol

traineeacc

What an eloquent way of putting it!!!! Somebody linked a 900 euro pair of shoes on it last night ! Following a lot off comments about the cost of the shoes it appears to have been deleted! It's existence and the underhand way it's used by some bloggers to show "amazing" outfits they love which just happen to be in a shop supported on rstyle grates on me so much!

retro:electro

traineeacc wrote: »

What an eloquent way of putting it!!!! Somebody linked a 900 euro pair of shoes on it last night ! Following a lot off comments about the cost of the shoes it appears to have been deleted! It's existence and the underhand way it's used by some bloggers to show "amazing" outfits they love which just happen to be in a shop supported on rstyle grates on me so much!

€900?! That's demented! In other words "some ejit out there please buy these shoes for this daft price so I can get a nice cut of the proceeds"

traineeacc

The bit that amazes me is the loyal army of followers commenting they "have" to have them!!! Funny though she deleted it following the negative reaction re the cost. Wouldn't mind but she clearly states she bought them in a shop in Dublin but linked an online shop to get them via rstyle!

retro:electro

Also, off topic but am I the only one who is so over those "Celine" t shirts?! Lol they are so two years ago and most of them are fake.

Twee.

I mentioned before that I work in PR for some major brands. A lot of the bloggers being mentioned do blogging full time. A well maintained site, social media scheduling, regular posting, up to date products, fresh "outfit of the day" posts, lifestyle posts (event outfits/trips) cost money and time. Gotta earn it somehow! I do agree that RStyle needs to be reigned in though, it's creating a false sense of popularity. The stats are not really accurate (for me as someone who would reference them when working with a blogger) if people are just clicking to see where it's from, they could be clicking and exiting in half a second when they see the brand. People knowing the brand and still clicking would be a much more useful piece of information.

And with my mod hat on, can we please refrain from this thread becoming a bitching fest again. It is absolutely not in the spirit of the forum.

meeeeh

I think some people are forgetting that bloggers are basically selling their lifestyle. You want to be indie, you follow this one, you like glam there's another one. But very few are doing it just because they have nothing better to do with their free time. No one is complaining when Vogue flogs a 5 grand outfit as a must have, why should there be outrage when a blogger links some more expensive pics. As soon as you start making any money out of the blog you are not independent or unbiased. The blogs should be understood as advertisment of lifestyle not as kind of independent style advice.

ratmouse

meeeeh wrote: »

I think some people are forgetting that bloggers are basically selling their lifestyle. You want to be indie, you follow this one, you like glam there's another one. But very few are doing it just because they have nothing better to do with their free time. No one is complaining when Vogue flogs a 5 grand outfit as a must have, why should there be outrage when a blogger links some more expensive pics. As soon as you start making any money out of the blog you are not independent or unbiased. The blogs should be understood as advertisment of lifestyle not as kind of independent style advice.

I agree, which is why bloggers should remove their "independent/unbiased" hat once they've moved into the paid advertisement zone. Just be honest about it. It's all about the honesty for me!

Tigger99

Mmmm. When I first read about rstyle I thought that it was very misleading of bloggers to use it. But thinking about Pippa's site in particular she has given me some great ideas that I just wouldn't have come up with myself. I'd say it's a right pain in the bum going through all the websites for a particular style and I'm glad she (or her staff) does it and not me.

So is there any real harm is using rstyle? As someone mentioned these people have to earn a living too.

ratmouse

Tigger99 wrote: »

Mmmm. When I first read about rstyle I thought that it was very misleading of bloggers to use it. But thinking about Pippa's site in particular she has given me some great ideas that I just wouldn't have come up with myself. I'd say it's a right pain in the bum going through all the websites for a particular style and I'm glad she (or her staff) does it and not me.

So is there any real harm is using rstyle? As someone mentioned these people have to earn a living too.

No harm so long as you're honest. Some bloggers would have you believe that they don't make a cent from any of these links.

Luno

anna080 wrote: »

Absolutely hate hate hate when bloggers post "no make up" selfies!! I see the fake lashes, mascara, eyeliner and mucky tan a mile away. So annoying!

I haven't seen this trend for ages now. I think Michelle Keegan and Beyonce sparked this trend. I guess it says more about the person than the blogger though. It is a dog eat dog world and being a blogger comes with huge social pressures to look great all the time.
What even constitutes a no make up selfie? Some instagram filters smooth out flaws on the skin, is that cheating?

meeeeh

Are some of you checking certain bloggers just so you can complain about them? I am sure there are gazillion of fashion webpages around that will not cause you such hardship.

dudara

Posters - let's not start into this again. Stick to the original topic.

dudara

Luno

Blogging is such a new area and its clearly still trying to find its place. As another blogger mentioned here before, she makes next to nothing from her blog yet we all agreed that hers was probably one of the best beauty blogs in Ireland. If you want to make a living you have to sacrifice some transparency (at the moment anyways). Aren't we all trying to get by in our own ways? Blogging is such a new phenomenon that of course there will be teething problems in the beginning. I am very happy that blogging exists, I have learnt so much from various blogs and there will always be new, innovative bloggers emerging. Why dwell on the negatives of a certain cohort of bloggers when there are literally thousands of ambitious, new bloggers dying for people to even look at their blogs?

ratmouse

In terms of us discussing bloggers being transparent and honest re. paid sponsorships,etc, I noticed something else myself. Do you think bloggers do clothing hauls or buy items just to appease their following but actually don't have any interest in the clothes as the brands seem to be beneath them? If so, isn't this an extremely fake way to behave? Wouldn't this suggest that a blogger isn't in anyway true to themselves or their blog? Reason I ask is, in preparation for the Dallas Bloggers' conference, a fashion blogger did a "much requested" Penneys haul and bought a load of clothes that they said were for the Dallas trip, bikinis for the pool, striped t shirts that would be perfect to go with jeans, etc. This blogger did a short video on packing for Dallas and not a trace of any of the penneys clothes in the case. Not a sign of the Penneys clothes whilst in Dallas (except for one ill fitting bikini photo that was taken in a bathroom so possibly not even worn outside and just a staged photo). Blogger did a "what I wore in Dallas" blog and video on return and again, no sign of a single item from Penneys. Now of course anyone can change their mind about what they bring on hols but to not include a single item from such a big haul doesn't make sense to me. Do people think that these could be faux hauls, so to speak, done because the blogger can afford to buy these items just for a stages haul video and to allow followers' to think they are "down to earth" purchasing cheap high street clothes but never have any intention of wearing them? Is blogging really stooping to an even lower level in this way? I hope not. The Dallas conference just keeps bringing a lot more blogger fails to light.

niamhv

I agree, there was not one item of clothing from penneys mentioned. Everything was river island, then when she got back she said she was going to be incorporating designers pieces into her wardrobe... Which I thought she already had been doing. I mentioned this to her, and she wrote a really nasty reply. I noticed she's doing a " haul" from misguided but doubt any of the items will be worn on the upcoming holiday. And seriously, she calls herself a travel blogger... Bloggers usually go out and see cultural things, so I will definitely be checking up on what cultural activities she partakes in, in the Caribbean