Do you know what, bloggers? There’s one thing that repeatedly grinds my gears: the word FREE. It’s a word that, on the surface, might seem harmless or even beneficial, but in reality, it carries with it a lot of misconceptions and undervaluation of our work.
Following off the back of my ‘You are not Entitled’ post and a post I’ve previously already talked about, the ‘FREE’ culture of blogging, I feel like I have to vent my frustration once more. In case you missed the memo, this issue is pervasive and deeply rooted in the industry.
I can actually feel myself getting anxious in my chest as I write this. The terms complimentary, gifted, on the house, and PR sample are all perfectly acceptable because they recognise the exchange of value that occurs. But the word FREE implies that there is no cost involved, which couldn’t be further from the truth. It glosses over the significant investment of time, effort, and resources that bloggers put into their content. Using the word FREE not only misrepresents the value of the work we do but also contributes to a culture that under appreciates and exploits creators.
Bloggers and not getting things for FREE
Know your worth
See when you use the word FREE you not only devalue yourself (or if you’re a brand you devalue the influencer) you also completely devalue the whole industry. My goodness, it’s a tough industry to begin with, let alone this word making it harder.
I’m going to make this short and simple as obviously, my last post obviously didn’t quite cut the mustard.
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When you claim something is FREE, like ‘oh I got sent this FREE dress’ or ‘I had my hair cut for FREE’ or even ‘I went to this restaurant for FREE’ you’re voiding your time and your worth.
Yes, you’re claiming you are indeed worthless.
You’re not doing anything for FREE here’s why;
- It’s costing your time. Time is the only thing you have a finite amount of.
- It’s costing you the hours you’ve spent writing a post.
- It’s costing you the time you’ve spent not only taking photos and videos but editing them too.
- It’s costing you the money you spend on hosting your site, paying for your domain, the upkeep of your camera, computer and equipment.
- It’s costing you the months and years you’ve spent building up your following on your site and socials.
- It’s costing you the late nights you’ve spent, trying to perfect your post, the look of your site or even learn new skills.
- It’s costing you the exchange of emails, the negotiation and the planning to create the content for the brand. For the brand to make money from your marketing.
Do you really still class your exchange of your knowledge, time, expertise for their product or service as FREE? Nah, I didn’t think so…
Conclusion
In conclusion, the misuse of the word “FREE” in the blogging industry undermines the value of bloggers and the hard work they put into their craft. It’s essential to recognize that complimentary, gifted, or PR sample items are far from free; they come at the cost of your time, effort, and expertise. By valuing your contributions and refusing to devalue your work, you not only uphold your own worth but also elevate the entire industry.
Remember, every post you write, every photo you take, and every piece of content you create is an investment of your precious resources. Let’s shift the narrative and ensure that the effort and dedication of bloggers are appropriately acknowledged and respected. Know your worth, and never settle for the notion that your valuable work comes at no cost.
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