To collaborate with brands is kind of a thing in blogger land. Often brands treat bloggers as a way to advertise cheaply. The communication can be slow or just rude. Or the payments are not done on time.
The struggle of collaborate wit brands
As some of you might know, I have changed some things on my blog since last year. I then decided to keep my blog less commercial. It has never been my intention to make money with my blog. So last year I stopped using Google Adds and affiliate links. Not that I earned a lot, but it was a kind of expense reimbursement. I mean, keeping a blog running also costs money.
I collaborated with brands every week, often with Chinese companies, who demanded follow-links. And let’s just be honest, to be able to pick clothes and shoes for a nice amount every week is wonderful! But I also stopped doing that. Because it felt like I had no control over my own blog. And it wasn’t fun to write anymore. And since then I have worked with brands occasionally. Now I am much more picky and if it doesn’t fit my blog, I don’t feel like collaborate with that brand anyway. It doesn’t make sense if I start promoting a household item. I don’t! And now I also get much nicer companies to work with. Like today with Star Outfit.
My collaboration with Star Outfit
I was asked if I wanted to collaborate with this brand. The only thing they wanted was one photo on Instagram and I was allowed to choose something for a certain amount. Well, I don’t say no to that. I received this dress super fast in a nice package, also got the matching bracelets and some star shaped soaps, a sweet card and a catalog of the brand of this dress.
What I love about this company is that it was started by Patricia, out of passion for clothing. And only very briefly, since March! And then so little demands for a collaboration! Well, since this dress is really going to be one of my favorite dresses, it is already because I have wore it a lot, it should of course also be shown on my blog. And since I want to promote this company precisely because she only wanted a photo on Instagram, I devote a post to it. Star Outfit has wonderful trendy, casual clothes. And what is also very nice, they organize girlfriends evenings and high tea shopping afternoons. So definitely take a look at the site and shop!
How do you collaborate with brands?
I would really appreciate it if you would share my outfit on Pinterest! Just hoover over the photo!
Nancy you look fabulous! This dress is great and it looks like from good quality. I choose well my colaborations like you. I don’t write a blogpost about a product I don’t like or it is from cheap quality. My blog is my hobby and I want to have fun with my hobby.
Author
You are absolutely right! I did work with cheap companies for a while in the beginning. But that is no fun!
I love how you play according to your own rules Nancy. It is so rewarding to “walk your talk”. I love seeing you in dresses by the way! Love, Lieske
Author
Thanks Lieske!
The dress is stunning Nancy and you are reflecting that in the post. It has to be love right? I couldn’t promote anything I didn’t like, it would just show through the photos! xx
Author
Yes I agree. It would look awkward!
Lovely dress Nancy. Love the pops of pink in it 🙂
Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays 🙂 Hope you can join us tomorrow.
Author
I love that too! Thanks Claire!
Love the dress, Nancy, and especially how you enhanced the pops of pink by wearing those bright pink shoes! xxx
Author
It works great right! Thanks Ann.
It’s amazing what some brands will require. At least I’ve started to learn to ask what they want now before I say yes. But I love it when you have all the creativeness in the world…it makes it so easy.
What a fabulous dress, Nancy. And with those shoes?? How perfect!!
XOXO
Jodie
Author
It does look good together he! The first thing I say is: I don’t do follow links. Haha, 80% disappears then.
It’s such a gorgeous dress! It looks very good on you Nancy!
Gemma x
http://www.jacquardflower.uk
Author
Thanks Gemma!
Fab outfit Nancy and great to support a new company. I turn down a lot of collaborations now and only work with the brands I love.
Author
Me too, otherwise it doesn’t feel good does it!
The dress is beautiful and fits nicely! Love the colour and print!
https://www.aproposh.com
Author
Thanks Yvonne!
Wat een leukerd. Hij staat perfect bij jou!
Ik werk bijna nooit met kleding merken samen. Koop denk ik 80% zelf.
Alhoewel ik mij soms wel afvraag of ik daarmee moet doorgaan, het kost mij nu best veel elke maand.
Author
Ik zeg Marktplaats Sonja!
Such a lovely dress and you look fabulous wearing it. Like you I no longer collaborate with any company or group. Any links I add are to items which I have chosen or bought for myself. At present bI have branched away from fashion items with Jilly’s Jaunts. Writing about some of the wonderful places Mr Mc and I are visiting in our retirement. Any one who wants to can follow us on Facebook (Jilly’s Jaunts) or by my blog http://www.stylishatsixty.wordpress.com
Author
Travel stories are fabulous! I love it!
This is a great dress Nancy! I’m with you – those companies you referred to aren’t worth it to me. After I worked with one decided it wasn’t for me and now I just say no.
xo,
Kellyann
Author
They don’t bring us anything!
Collaborating with the RIGHT brands is definitely worth it. Some just simply don’t value our time or work and it’s unfortunate! I love these pics and the dress!
Author
Thanks Emelia!
Love this dress! I still use affiliate links but with reward Style. I don’t work with Chinese companies anymore as well because they demand so much for my time and it’s never worth it. Plus the quality was usually bad. I do work with some influencer sites that give me collaborations that I love like Apex Drop and Shopping Links. I usually love the products that I receive through the collaborations.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Author
Me too now. Isn’t it just better to collaborate with brands that treat you well!
This dress is beautiful as are your shoes. Yes, as often less is more.
Author
Thanks Nicole!
Thanks for the insights. As a new blogger any first hand information I read is helpful. Since I am just in the stage of making myself known as a blogger, I have not concerned myself with making money off the blog but eventually I plan to. Like you though I do not think it would be worth my time and effort if I am not treated well or if it does not fit who I am as a person and blogger.
Lovely dress! I always love to see what you are wearing!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Author
Thank you very much! If I can help you with anything, just mail me!
Hi Nancy
I love the print of this dress on you! The shirtdress style is so attractive too and I love it with those rasberry colored shoes.
I am choosy with brands as well, and you also want to be compensated what you feel you are worth. some don’t do that.
thanks for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Author
Thanks Jess!
Good for you to take a stand and do what you feel right Nancy. Love your choice, the dress looks very nice and you look great in it. Gorgeous shoes
https://lookingfabulousat50.blogspot.com/
Author
Thanks Anna, I appreciate that!
Nancy, this dress is gorgeous on you! I love the colours…. beautiful!
I collaborate with brands every now and again. I’ve had some gorgeous clothes from doing so and I always have a blast!
Hugs
Suzy xxx
http://www.suzyturner.com
Author
That is fabulous isn’t it! Thanks Suzy!
That’s a pretty dress Nancy, gorgeous colours. Thanks for sharing today. Jacqui Mummabstylish
Author
Thanks Jacqui!
The dress looks great on you and yes I agree, stay true to your own brand!
Author
Thanks Alice!
This dress is very pretty. It is great that you set some rules for yourself and your blog. I like to cooperate with brands from time to time. I always start the communication and if I see there is a problem with communication or there are some shady or demanding requirements, I don’t continue with the brand. It is not worth my time. I can collaborate with the brand I don’t know personally (maybe just from the other blogger’s posts), but I always inform the brand that I’ll test a product and I’ll write what I really think about it. So if I don’t like it or I’ll see some construction problems or something else, it will be in my post. This is my blog and I want to be true to myself and to my readers.
Author
You are absolutely right. It’s our thing and we decide!
You look stunning!
Mariya | https://www.brunetteondemand.com/
Author
Thank you!
I’ve only had one collaboration and wish I knew more about how to go about getting some that I am interested in…
Author
Just write them and tell them what you have to offer them and what you want from them!