You should know I spent a long time deciding whether or not to publish this post. The topic of an authentic blogger has been on my mind a lot since last year so don't hate me for what I'm about to say, but hear me out.
Blogging and social media management has become so complicated, hurried and intense that some bloggers have gotten really aggressive by outsourcing work just to keep up with the ever growing landscape. More and more I'm seeing a trend of bloggers using a front person to do the work while they're doing the creative work and in some cases, they're not even doing the creative anymore.
What makes blogging idiosyncratic is its raw, authenticity. You open up a window of your life to the world and people look at you through that window. With blogging, there's the ability to influence and I believe with that comes a certain level of responsibility. Let's see how you may no longer be an authentic blogger and what makes an authentic blogger.
How you may no longer be an authentic blogger
Someone else manages your social media
More and more I'm seeing Tweets, Facebook, Pinterest, Snapchat and Instagram posts being done by a virtual assistant and not by a blogger themselves. The intent of social media is to be social. If someone else is doing your social media, you lose your unique factor and while you may gain followers, they're not genuine followers. I think if you are overwhelmed by social media you need to streamline what you put your time into. Focus your time on 2 or 3 specific social media outlets that give you the biggest bang for your buck and rely on apps to do less valuable things to retain your credibility.
Someone else responds to your blog commenters
Have you ever wondered why on big blogs there are no comments? One of the biggest unknown secrets is that someone else is managing that site. From administering posts to scheduling content to responding to commenters, the person you see on the blog is usually not running the blog.
Case in point. I read Gina's blog every day and she has a huge following. As a reader, I would feel betrayed if I found out someone else was writing and responding to my comments. There's no doubt that responding to comments is a lot of work, but I think if you can't handle it you should shut off blog comments. I ask you would you want your readers to feel that way?
Someone else shoots your photographs
Many bloggers are now enlisting professional photographers to shoot for them. This one makes me most upset. In my mind, it teeters on the question of content authenticity. Say the content were a recipe and someone else shot and styled the food for the blogger. Sure the blogger may have authored the recipe, perhaps even made it for the shoot. Even then it no longer represents that person when someone else puts their touch on it. If you can't take a picture to save your life or don't have the time, then you should either be transparent about it giving full credit to the photographer or shoot your own content. But don't pretend to be something you are not.
What makes an authentic blogger
While I agree outsourcing administrative tasks (blog and widget design, e-book formatting and marketing, email subscription management and food site submissions) is a smart to do, I think it's disingineous to outsource so many things. As a blogger, you have a responsibility to be authentic and genuine. It's a fine balance, I get it. Especially when you're trying to build a business from it.
When I think about my favorite blogs and what makes me come back to read them time after time - Suz, Gina, Michelle, Lindsay (and many more of you who I love and adore), it's that they're relatable and have a genuine unique voice. They're consistent in everything they do too - blog posts, social media commentary and photography. If you outsource those things, then you've lost some authenticity and in which case, you're just another website.
So tell me. Are you an authentic blogger?
[Tweet "Are you an authentic #blogger or just another website? #blogging #blogchat"]
Linking up with Amanada for Thinking Out Loud
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest |Instagram
Disclaimer - Affiliate links are included, which enable me to earn a small income and do not affect purchase price. Money earned goes back into my large grocery bill to bring you more delicious recipes!
[AdSense-A]
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
I love this, and you make some pretty valid points. While I can see why someone may hire a VA to do things they aren't good at, it definitely irks me when bloggers don't respond to their own comments or when their social media just feels....fake. And do people actually have OTHER people take photos for them? Because I had no idea and if so, that's crazy and ridiculous.
Megan says
I'm glad you agree Erin and yes! There are some bloggers outsourcing the creative side of their blog now. It's insane!
Blair says
Good for you! I agree 100% with everything that you say...but apparently I've been living under a rock because I had NO idea that bloggers have outsourced SO much! Whoa.
Megan says
Some people I'm sure you know are doing it. But now you know!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
I can definitely see both sides of the puzzle, but the commenting thing is a big one (and overall social media)- I think it's SO important to have that relationship with your readers that outsourcing it just takes away from THEIR trust in you. I'm in the process of seeking/hiring a couple of VA's, but it's necessary- I can't keep up my site on the backend in terms of plugins, speed etc- I would shut my whole site down. Granted, commenting and keeping up the community takes a HUGE amount of time, but that's a sacrifice I'm (we're) willing to make- I'd rather work a few hours more and respond to emails/comments/etc myself than outsource it.
The photos thing...Yeah, um, why did I invest in hours of learning and buy a DSLR if I'm not going to use it
Megan says
I agree there is a place for outsourcing certain things. It just become unmanageable. I think blogging is such a unique thing that we need to keep the community aspect alive and not allow that to slip away too if that makes sense?
Erin @ Erin's Inside Job says
I am about as authentic as it comes. Just laying everything out there haha. Replying to comments takes a deceptively long amount of time and I try to fit it in whenever I can. The easiest way to kill two birds w one stone is for me to do it if I'm on the train or walking from place to place.
I know bloggers who have other people do their pictures, but they always have a photo credit at the bottom. Plus a lot of them are fashion bloggers so it makes sense that they'd need someone else. I love being able to learn about photography and improve year to year!
Megan says
You have no problems in the authenticity department at all Erin, but that's one of the reasons why I love your blog!
Rachael @ Catch Me if You Can says
i guess im a little naive but i never thought bloggers would outsource comments. i know there are guest bloggers but your right i would be really upset if i found out someone else was writing the content and responding to my comments. my blog is just a baby blog but i couldnt imagine not personally being responsible for the content and staying connected to my readers.
Megan says
It's been happening quite a bit more within the last year. Something good to be aware of!
Emily says
THANK YOU! Sometimes I feel like it's so much work, and that I would want someone else to do it for me (the easier parts), but then that wouldn't be honest or real. Why do I do it? I do it because I love it and I want to help and serve other people... This is the gift that God has given me not someone else. Thank you for asking probing questions like this all the time Megan! I definitely respect bloggers and their work SO Much more after doing it myself.
Megan says
You're welcome, I'm glad you agree Emily! And yes, blogging is a lot of work but has huge rewards too!
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
Ha! Wow, Megan! I guess I don't read enough bigger blogs to know that this is a problem heehhehe. I just assume that everyone is doing their own work, except for fashion bloggers who need someone to take their picture. But seriously, blogging is a lot of work. I don't use any help and would definitely find it strange if a blogger wasn't responding to their own comments ...
Megan says
It's a trend that I'm seeing more and more of and I guarantee some people you know are doing it. You just don't know it!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
Blogging takes so much work that I understand when people want to outsource, but at the same time, I notice myself starting to pull away from blogs like that because yeah... they start to feel less genuine. I manage everything myself, and while I feel like it drives me crazy sometimes, it's also hard for me to imagine letting anyone else in on the action.
Megan says
I feel the same. I could never give up control over my blog. I would rather blog less so I could still do everything better.
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
This is super interesting to me! I'm not at a point where I need or can afford to pay someone to do stuff for me, but I think it's weird when people do. Especially with social media. I agree that you should just hyper foicus on the ones you really love and leave all 37535370 other channels to other people. Plus, I really like Pinterest! Who would want to pay someone to pin for them!?
Megan says
There are bloggers I guarantee you know doing this. It's become quite normal which upsets me.
meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles says
totally agreeing with you here! In fact, I unfollowed certain bloggers on Instagram because they started simply using the platform to promote their already shot recipes, scheduled by an app rather than giving me the personal aspect (which is why I followed them to begin with). I can understand work overload but when you lose your authenticity in an attempt to do it all and become some huge business, the blog loses why anyone read to begin with. In my opinion that is.
Megan says
Exactly! I'm glad you understood my point. I was reluctant posting this.
Maria B (Fit Magnolia) says
I am glad you decided to post this because it's not only seriously good but also seriously true. I didn't know bloggers so this! I thin it takes away from the personal experience. The blogs I follow have a special intimate quality to them. It's funny because I love photographs and wanted to improve that. And duh-- never occurred to me to hire someone to take them. So I got better at it myself or use a stock photo here and there. I think it also depends on where you want to take the blog (as in becoming just a site). For me the blog is about sharing my life vice making it a business (if that makes sense... I haven't had my coffee yet. Lol) so I've never felt the need to go those those length. Super cool post.
Megan says
I think you can still make your blog a business without outsourcing everything. There are a number of big bloggers doing it very well. I'm glad I was able to make you aware of what's going on.
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
You are so sweet to include me! Thank you so much, that touches my heart in so many ways. I try so hard to be more than the person behind the computer screen, and I know that you do as well. I would never outsource my comments--when I came back from Mexico, I sat down for 3 hours and responded to them. I have met and connected with some any incredible people that way--like you!--that I can't imagine giving that to someone else. I hardly even do guest posts! Not because I"don't want other people on my site"--far from it actually--but because it is just so much my space. Cheers to this post!!
Megan says
I think when people don't take the time to respond and interact its disrespectful. If you're part of the blogging community, you need to commit to it.
Erin@BeetsPerMinute says
I have been pouring myself into blogging on multiple blogs for the past seven weeks, and it is so much work, and I'm not the most organized person so I forget to do things, and I'm sure my blog suffers in that area (along with others) because of it. I agree with you that it's less authentic to have someone helping out on the front of the blog/site, etc. The only thing I can say is that if you have too much going on to keep up with your blog it would help to have assistance, but I agree you have to be careful where you pick and choose to get that help from and for what. I had always wondered that about big blogs that get no comments or mostly spam comments, but I just assumed the blogger was "too busy" to respond. In which case, you're right, just turn off the comments -- especially if you're not reading them! Authenticity is super significant and especially to those of us who are bloggers. It's hard work, and it's supposed to be OUR hard work. Excellent insights, Megan!
Megan says
Wow you've been a busy lady Erin! I'm glad you agree about being authentic. 🙂
rachel @ athleticavocado says
i seriously love this. I can't stand to hear that many large bloggers have assistants that do much of the work for them, they worked hard to get to that point so why stop now!
Megan says
I'm glad you agree, thanks Rachel!
Michele @ Paleo Running Momma says
I'm only just starting to realize that bloggers do these things and you make great points! Honestly if it came down to losing my authenticity I'd probably do something other than blog - I think at the core of blogging has to be a real person with opinions, feelings, a voice. Thanks for the shoutout - always love your blog too 🙂
Megan says
I'm glad you do! I would hate to see the genuine nature of blogging be overtaking by these new trends!