pancake

DISCLAIMER This thread is admitedly inspired by some recent events: the blog o shame, bloggers getting banned, a post I read recently where someone was chastized for not including credits, another for being too personal or emo. However, I'm hoping we can have a generic conversation about SL blogs as a whole without singling out any one creator, event, or blogger so I'm seperating it from those other threads hoping this can stay generic.

I do realize once I release a thread to the winds I lose control. Try and humour me for a page or two though k?




I have several questions about SL blogs, feel free to answer any or all.

• What seperates an SL fashion blog from a personal blog? Is it merely a matter of photographing yourself in clothing that makes it a fashion blog? Is it being on fashion feeds?

• Are the expectations for content on a fashion blog different than on a personal blog? Should fashion bloggers not write posts about their SL relationships or families, their business or activities?

• Should bloggers feel obligated to post about an item they received as a gift or review copy? Should they disclose the fact that they received it for free?

• If a blogger is posting pictures of themselves or places they've visited, is the expectation that they should list credits for everything shown and the slurls? Are the expectations different if it isn't a fashion blog?

• If a blogger choses to post a review (rather than just a Look of the Day shot which to me is very different) how candid should they be in their opinion? Do you want to read negatives and positives? Do you expect the feedback to be constructive? Would you prefer they only blog things they like?

• How do you feel about fashion bloggers post processing pictures to the point that they really no longer genuinely reflect the quality of the item as you would see it in SL? eg: using photoshop to get rid of seams. Do you think the artistic shots should be seperated from the fashion shots?

• Do you expect SL blogs, of any or all types, with a certain level of popularity or readership to maintain some level of journalistic neutrality leave their personal opinions and activities out of it?

If you read this far, you get kisses

eta: one more question, as I've noticed a few stores lately that have signs where people can sign up as bloggers...

If someone is "registered" as a blogger for a store or event, and not just a regular person attending or shopping, do you want them to disclose that? For those stores or events that do accept registered bloggers, what are your expectations of them?

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Sian Pearl

FWIW, I've had hate for writing my blog in th third person.

Fuck'em. I'll write how I want.

I honestly don't know. I'm on a couple of fashion feeds. I don't think I'm a fashion blog though. I mean, I post feminist rants, public service announcements, poems, little fictions. I recycle clothes all the time. I'm idiosyncratic. Some people think my blog is horrible. Some really like it. I do a blog with pictures I like. That's the only way I can label it.

Again, I've had criticism for this too.

But. Fact is, why shouldn't a blogger on his/her own site post whatever the hell he or she wants? It's the blogger's site.

This is a tricky one. I mean, I have five designers (Aemeth, Lillian Shippe, Matchbook Monday, Marleen Vaughan, Viktoria von Brandenburg) who faithfully give me more or less everything they do. Occasionally I get other freebies. I don't always say when it's free.

If someone offers you a thing unsolicited, you don't have to do anything. You didn't ask for it. You should say thank you, but that's all.

Back in March a reasonably well-known designer of latex clothing sent me a fatpack of new things. I said thank you. I tried it on and could find no way I wanted to wear it, and no positive thing to say about it. I didn't review it. I feel a little bad about that but... well. I didn't ask for it, and have received nothing since from that corner. I don't mind. Now when people send me things unsolicited I say thanks and promise to look at it but that I can't promise to blog it.

I've gotten lax recently. I don't bother to blog the names of poses (actually, I don't have to blog the names of anything I bought. I do it because I want to).

When I do review things, I never post negative reviews of things. The closest I ever got to a negative review of anything was here, where I didn't even name the designer I criticised.

I think that if you paid for something that's faulty, why shouldn't you review it? If you were offered a review copy, you should cut it a bit of slack or not review it at all. If you asked for a freebie (like if when you signed up for media on a fair) it's not the time to be precious. Be nice.

I only ever post raw shots, and I'm a pretentious "art" blog. if you're doing something shopping-y, It should look like the product. I've been stung this way.

Why? Like I said, if it's your blog, you can write whatever the hell you want on it. It's not important enough a thing to be that serious.

Now kiss me.


Huh. Well, I've been stung on this front too. I don't know. If you're a shill, perhaps you should say. I was a blogger for Culture Shock. I regretted accepting the invitation and the obligation and I did seven posts reallybloodyquickly. But it was an obligation and it was my own stupid fault for saying yes, I'll do it. I said I was shilling, but only the once.

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Carthalis

I've noticed some blogs now putting on their blogs disclaimers about processing their pictures in photoshop and not reflecting what they might look like in SL.

Personally I always assumed that most SL fashion blogs use some form of post-processing whether it's in Gimp, Photoshop or some other program so I've never used a disclaimer. As I take high resolution snapshots at something like 6000x4000 I have to remove those annoying grid lines that always appear. I would like to think to most people it's pretty obvious if a photo has been edited.

Like Sian mentions there are stores in sl that I regular blog for as well that I have listed on my blog. Sometimes I get items sent to me asking me if I will blog them. If I like the item I blog it, if I don't then I don't. The designer doesn't come chasing me with a pitchfork if I haven't. I've always listed items as 'promotional copies' that have been given to me to blog and if your taking pictures in someone's sim as a backdrop I think it's extremely good manners to list that place with a slurl. If I've ever received an item where I've seen something wrong or out of place I've always contacted the designer directly and mentioned it to them.

Personally I'm of the opinion it's your blog, blog what you want when you want. If people don't like it that's their problem, they're not paying your hosting fees.

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Sian Pearl

I should also add, on the subject of getting freebies, that Sian is, love her or hate her, a weird-looking avatar. The chances of Sian blogging an unsolicited fatpack of white-girl skins, a froofy princess dress or a pack of T shirts and jeans is close to zero. She does very occasionally get sent that stuff and scratches her virtual bald head, wondering why they didn't even bother to look at the blog.

Carthalis

LOL I sometimes get sent female items to blog and I often think do they see my blog.

Sian Pearl

Gosh, really? But then, I guess a lot of them do. I only ever use raw shots (although I do splice them together).

I take mine at super-high resolution too. I don't get the grid lines if my window isn't maximised.

Carthalis

Oh I'll have to try that, thanks

eku Zhong

reads with interest .. coffee and a slight buzz...

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Culprit Blog * Culprit Store

Aribeth Zelin

I think of a blog as something like an editorial. Its not exactly journalism, its opinions. But then, nothing we do is ever going to be entirely objective - even scientific experiments are affected by the observer. So, when its something like art [crafts, etc], where subjectiveness is more a part of the topic, coming down on people for telling their opinions seems kind of pointless.

Granted, I don't think I've ever been blogged, so maybe its easier for me to say 'I wouldn't mind an honest critique' since I don't get them, except from a few friends, and it might be that if I got a review with some honest negativity I'd get upset too - I like to think I wouldn't, but until its tested, how could I say?

And yes, if you are doing the work, and you are paying for any hosting, and for the items you blog about, then who has the right to get butthurt because you didn't just gush ecstatically over everything. [That strikes me as being as catty as making little stabs while pretending to be ecstatic.

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Faerycat Designs In World -Marketplace 1- Marketplace 2

Ann Otoole

post processing is for art shots. not product reviews. product reviews using post processing are out of bounds. imho.

Carthalis

Whilst in essence I agree with what your saying. I personally don't mind whether someone has post-processed their image or not, it's not the end of the world for me. Now if only real life magazines didn't use post processing.

pancake

This is my #1 concern when blogging. Mine is not remotely a fashion blog, at all. I post SLURLS of places I visit, because I mainly write about things I'm doing and places I go, and I only include the credits of what I'm wearing if they factor in to what the post is about. It's not that I'm ungrateful, it just hadn't occured to me. If I'm blogging about bowling, does it matter what I'm wearing? Lately though, I am feeling like I should be including every item and every SLurl. The notion feels so heavy that I'm often tempted to just not blog or post pictures of places I've been or something I've done to avoid the hastle. If I feel obligated, I tend to disengage completely. Not something I'm proud of, just the way I'm built.

Someone told me I should credit the animations, as it will increase my odds of getting free stuff

Um... I don't blog to get free stuff, I blog because it gives me something to do and a reason to explore SL. In fact, I'd be really wierded out if I got something for free. I'm not good at receiving gifts.

I've read a few notecards or ads for bloggers for various stores and events and I can't say that I've ever been tempted to sign up. In fact, as I mentioned above, the pressure or obligation would take all the joy out of it for me personally. Sure I was at pose fair and the kawaii fair, fantasy fair and every other fair along with everyone else, but I never wrote about it. I just enjoyed the experience. I like the freedom to be able to do that.

I don't fault those who do, in fact I admire their ability to do that, but I wouldn't be good at it or enjoy it. I think it would come across as obligatory and bitter.

Sian Pearl

Oh SNAP. Me too.

Yes. More or less the same for me. It gives my av a point.

Yes, I've sort of come to realise that this has been the case for me too. I don't think I'll be signing up for any more fairs.

pancake

I tend to agree, only because I've been burned by this. Going to buy something in world based on a blog photo and realizing it wasn't at all similar. That was something deliberately hidden though, in my opinion. Now Windlight and shadows are ok to some degree for review shots, and many of the bloggers out there are amazing photographers, but I do consider it more artsy photography than product review.

I do wish blog bot would be more careful about the pictures selected as the SL photo of the day, especially the ones with HEAVY post processing and creative license, but that's another topic I suppose.

Aribeth Zelin

If I give people stuff, I don't want them to feel obligated to do anything more than enjoy it - I probably have made more stuff just for friends than have ever made it into my store.

The only reason I charge for stuff is to try and cover the expenses of making stuff and having a store, so I'm not paying as much out of pocket.

Orc

• What seperates an SL fashion blog from a personal blog? Is it merely a matter of photographing yourself in clothing that makes it a fashion blog? Is it being on fashion feeds?

To me, a fashion blog is a shopping blog. The focus is on showing items that people might want to buy (or pick up if it's a freebie blog). The fashion blogs I follow, even though they have pretty pictures I would probably stop visiting if the majority of the items posted were unavailable.

• Are the expectations for content on a fashion blog different than on a personal blog? Should fashion bloggers not write posts about their SL relationships or families, their business or activities?

I think it's fine to have personal or random posts on a blog even if it's mostly a fashion blog. Makes a blog more interesting to me.

• Should bloggers feel obligated to post about an item they received as a gift or review copy? Should they disclose the fact that they received it for free?

They should try not to blog things they hate just because they want to be nice to the person that gave them a gift. Sometimes it happens though. I don't think it's necessary to announce a freebie. When I began blogging I would post a note on the credits list saying thank you whenever I used a review copy because I saw other blogs doing it. But then I wondered if people would think I only posted it because it was free, or if people would think I was bragging. I prefer to leave it out and when I'm reading blogs I don't care about that info either.

• If a blogger is posting pictures of themselves or places they've visited, is the expectation that they should list credits for everything shown and the slurls? Are the expectations different if it isn't a fashion blog?

I don't expect anything, but there are things that make me like one blog more than the next. The more surls the better for the reader. A lot of blogs don't list everything and don't post surls at all and they are still good blogs and I read them. But posting with a surl or the name of the creator makes it easier for people to find it if they want to buy, which is the point of most fashion blogs. Posting the price is another useful time consuming thing (I almost never do that). For a nonfashion blog I enjoy credits and slurls when they are given too. Don't have to have them though, like with fashion blogs it's just a plus.

• If a blogger choses to post a review (rather than just a Look of the Day shot which to me is very different) how candid should they be in their opinion? Do you want to read negatives and positives? Do you expect the feedback to be constructive? Would you prefer they only blog things they like?

I love to read reviews, it's very interesting to me. Often times people notice things that I wouldn't and just reading opinion is pretty fun (sometimes I browse amazon reviews for random items). I don't do that sort of review myself though and only mention negatives when it's something that wouldn't be obvious on a demo or before buying. Like when the skirt of a dress was full bright and no mod. I've noticed that even a small negative comment could make a creator feel bad, which makes me feel bad when I love their stuff. And I have so much stuff I like completely that it's not hard to avoid the things I'd have to be negative about.

• How do you feel about fashion bloggers post processing pictures to the point that they really no longer genuinely reflect the quality of the item as you would see it in SL? eg: using photoshop to get rid of seams. Do you think the artistic shots should be seperated from the fashion shots?

I don't mind heavily edited photos if they are artistic. Even totally painted over photos. But, if they aren't obviously edited and the only fix was to a seam then it would be rude not to mention fixing it.

• Do you expect SL blogs, of any or all types, with a certain level of popularity or readership to maintain some level of journalistic neutrality leave their personal opinions and activities out of it?

Nope.

If you read this far, you get kisses
Yay!

__________________
My flickr pictures are here http://www.flickr.com/photos/smileyorc/

Eliza Wrigglesworth

They don't have to disclose anything at all to me. I'm just in it for the entertainment mostly.

I should disclose that I had a blog for around two years, so I'm not pulling my opinions out of thin air.
My old blog. Yes, I flounced! I did!!!

*I did that whole quote thing wrong. I'll never learn how to properly post here, so y'all just try to look over my mistakes. And bad grammar. And don't get me started on my spelling and punctuation! grrrr

Misty Harley

I'm going to answer this based on what I look for when reading mixed with what I do while blogging because between both Orc and Sian, they really nailed it for thoughts on writing a blog (for me anyway). Because really nobody can tell another person how to blog. There is no right or wrong way and as another blogger recently said: damned if you do and damned if you don't.

• What separates an SL fashion blog from a personal blog? Is it merely a matter of photographing yourself in clothing that makes it a fashion blog? Is it being on fashion feeds?

I'm not really sure there is a separation. I've seen personal blogs that incorporate fashion and vice versa. I guess probably credits so people know where to buy the fashion would be divider. Being on a feed doesn't make a blog more fashion based or personal based. It just means more readers.

• Are the expectations for content on a fashion blog different than on a personal blog? Should fashion bloggers not write posts about their SL relationships or families, their business or activities?

As long as fashion blogs give credit and pictures, I'm usually pretty happy to read them, no matter what the rest of the writing is. I think adding in personal things makes a blog a bit better (although I've been personal blogging for years, I suck at mingling fashion and fun--kept them separate for way to long)

• Should bloggers feel obligated to post about an item they received as a gift or review copy? Should they disclose the fact that they received it for free?

Nope, I don't think it's necessary at all and really none of my business how they got the item. It doesn't turn me off from reading a blog if they do make note that it was a gift or free for them (envious sometimes LOL)

• If a blogger is posting pictures of themselves or places they've visited, is the expectation that they should list credits for everything shown and the slurls? Are the expectations different if it isn't a fashion blog?

Reading, I like at least a name (I don't do slurls either) so if the location looks neat, I can go visit. Just like I hope to get at least a store name off a fashion blog so I can go check it out. Neither are required of course, but it makes it easier to find places of interest.

• If a blogger choses to post a review (rather than just a Look of the Day shot which to me is very different) how candid should they be in their opinion? Do you want to read negatives and positives? Do you expect the feedback to be constructive? Would you prefer they only blog things they like?

This one is hard. As a reader I love seeing reviews that are well done and not in a negative light (poor seams? Word it nicely please). I don't want them to rip a product apart but if they are going to review/critique an item, I prefer the real deal versus opinions. If the person can't be nice about it (especially taking into consideration if it's a new creator!) then I guess I prefer to not read a negative review. I'm really careful with reading reviews and how they influence my buying decision. What other people see may not matter to me at all (I may not care if a seam doesn't match up because the picture I want to take won't show that area anyway).

• How do you feel about fashion bloggers post processing pictures to the point that they really no longer genuinely reflect the quality of the item as you would see it in SL? eg: using photoshop to get rid of seams. Do you think the artistic shots should be seperated from the fashion shots?

Depends on the type of blog. I don't expect a review/critique blog to heavily post process any of their pictures or really use fancy windlights (all of which hide or bring out flaws). There are many blogs (mine included) that do showcases with some PS'ing and I think that makes the picture prettier and shows what can be done, even with something that does have a flaw in it. There are other more artsy blogs that heavily PS and are absolutely beautiful (so a flaw in the product may not really matter in the long run for photographers). I do mention on my blog (and can usually tell if something is raw from in world or PS'd on others) if I PS'd so shoppers know and don't feel that I am misleading them. Should it be mentioned? I like to know when I read a blog so I know if I buy something and it looks different..that's why. But I don't blame a blogger if what I buy isn't what I thought it would be.

• Do you expect SL blogs, of any or all types, with a certain level of popularity or readership to maintain some level of journalistic neutrality leave their personal opinions and activities out of it?

Nope, if I don't like the blog, I don't read it. Pretty easy.



If someone is "registered" as a blogger for a store or event, and not just a regular person attending or shopping, do you want them to disclose that? For those stores or events that do accept registered bloggers, what are your expectations of them?

Nope, not necessary. It's similar to getting gifts from creators. I really don't care how the blogger got it. I'm just usually glad they showed it, especially if it's something I like so I can go and buy (because otherwise, I might have never known it existed!)

total side note: I just saw your blog Pancake, I love it!

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KT Kingsley

Presumably, literacy is neither here nor they're for bloggers when their writing there blog.

Jack Abraham

From the perspective of a non-fashion non-blogger...

To me, I think "fashion blog" when the blogger talks about the clothes in the pictures, and provides at least some idea of where they came from. I appreciate this, because if I like it I can find it and get it. Most of my wardrobe came from following a few mens' fashion blogs and buying basically everything in the store.

If I give something I made to someone, I'd like to know what they thought of it. I don't expect them to blog (if they even have a blog), but if I can improve it, I do want to know. Of course, complements are always welcome to, but a lot of my fun work in SL comes from friends going, "It'd be cool if you added this."

The best reviews are negative with reasons. I may be looking for plaid pants to wear with a green and orange striped shirt; even if the reviewer thinks it's hideous, "I don't like plaids" will help me out. A good reviewer is able to craft a review that's useful to people whose tastes don't match the reviewer's own. As a creator, I find a negative review a lot more valuable than a positive one.

And I think journalistic neutrality is a myth. It was a useful goal to aspire to in the pre-internet era where the costs of reaching an audience limited the content creators to a few individuals. Now, I think it's far better to disclose your biases than try to ignore them.

Eliza Wrigglesworth

Damn. Didn't even make it past the first page.

Eclectic Wingtips

For those stores or events that do accept registered bloggers, what are your expectations of them?

We dont have registered bloggers as such. but to get onto my blogger review list I need to like the blog, they need to blog consistantly, be linked to feeds and have blogged our items previously. Its invite only. These gets get a selection of all new releases ( a few colours of each). While on there i expect them to blog our items reguarly. Not EVERY time i release stuff but reguarly. i dont have a time frame on it, but i do keep track of who blogs and when.

For regular review items (ie a blogger contacting me and asking to review us) i give out a maximum of 2 items at a time in single colours. Because they have asked specifically i expect them to blog them. We have demos if you didnt like them you should not have asked. I also ask them to send the URL when its blogged. Those who ask and dont blog the items with no explination are noted.

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Quality rigged mesh clothing for Women in standard sizing

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Marsco/76/85/344

Nuuna Nitely

• What seperates an SL fashion blog from a personal blog?

Credits. If you are a fashion blog you must post credits!

• Are the expectations for content on a fashion blog different than on a personal blog? Should fashion bloggers not write posts about their SL relationships or families, their business or activities?

People can do what they like with their blogs. Personally I rarely actually read blogs. I just scroll through the pictures, if something catches my eye I check the credits.

• Should bloggers feel obligated to post about an item they received as a gift or review copy? Should they disclose the fact that they received it for free?

Don't care.

• If a blogger is posting pictures of themselves or places they've visited, is the expectation that they should list credits for everything shown and the slurls? Are the expectations different if it isn't a fashion blog?

If it's not a fashion blog, no credits needed. Slurls to pretty places are always nice.

• If a blogger choses to post a review (rather than just a Look of the Day shot which to me is very different) how candid should they be in their opinion? Do you want to read negatives and positives? Do you expect the feedback to be constructive? Would you prefer they only blog things they like?

I don't care for reviews. Probably wouldn't read them anyway. To me there's no blogger out there whose opinion I value enough I guess. That probably sounds worse than I meant it. XD SL is a game to me, so I guess I don't take the whole fashion blogging so seriously. I see it as: if you blog it, you like it. What's there so much to write about some pixel clothing anyway? I try to sometimes add little comments if some item needed lot of moding, I tinted it or the texture/seams had problems. It's not a review, but few comments like this could be nice touch.

• How do you feel about fashion bloggers post processing pictures to the point that they really no longer genuinely reflect the quality of the item as you would see it in SL? eg: using photoshop to get rid of seams. Do you think the artistic shots should be seperated from the fashion shots?

Hmm... I like them both. As long as the ADs in the shops are not photoshopped it's all good.

• Do you expect SL blogs, of any or all types, with a certain level of popularity or readership to maintain some level of journalistic neutrality leave their personal opinions and activities out of it?

Meh. Like I said, I don't really read blogs.

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“It's not denial. I'm just selective about the reality I accept.”

pancake

People do this?! They contact creators and say "I want to blog you, can I have stuff?"

I mean, it's not wrong, but wow. They are ballsier than me!

I'd be 17 kinds of wierded out to do this. I found it awkward when a creator stumbled on my blog after I bought something in their store and contacted me. I almost wanted to apologize ROFL.

I suck at this.

Aribeth Zelin

I so agree with this - I bought something once, the picture was awesome [well, was bought for me, but if the ad hadn't looked so pretty I'd have said no, save your money], and it was a horrific pain to try and fix it since it wasn't mod, so I had to reverse engineer the belt and honestly I don't think I've warn it more than once and can't remember the creator.

Ads should never be photoshopped, and should try and get as much of the product into view.