I started my blogging journey around 7 years ago now and boy, has the blogging landscape changed. Many bloggers have all but left their blogs to gather dust and instead, have gone in search of shiny new followers over on the ‘suck you into the scroll of doom’ social platform – Instagram. I can sort of understand why – I love the engagement that Instagram brings; I have some really interesting chats and have met some friendly, empowering mid-life women over there.
My Instagram Vibe
I find Instagram works well for me when I keep things real (which is good, because I’m a lazy cow who hasn’t time to make stuff over fluffy and perfect.) So, my feed is of unfiltered pictures, down-to-earth captions and often, the chance to have a bit of a giggle. I enjoy sharing stuff that I hope inspires my audience to look and feel their most positive and I write about the subjects that I think (I hope!) interest all of us midlifers: menopause, wellbeing, fitness, kidults, health, looks and happiness!
I love writing and this is where my blog still features because you can’t always get everything you want to say in those little Insta squares. And there’s something I want to chat about now, actually…
Let’s Chat
I realise that I have assumed – incorrectly – that when people follow me, they know who I am and what I’m about. I now realise that many of my followers and even many of my real life friends, might not actually understand what my blog Glowology is all about – and what it is that I actually do – or what I am trying to achieve with my blog and Instagram. Let me tell you a bit about it…
Here’s the Deal
Recently I’ve been chatting to friends or women who are following me and they have wanted to discuss my blog or posts they’ve seen on my Instagram and I’ve been asked quite a few times whether what I’m writing or talking about really is as good as I say it is, or am I talking about it just because I’m paid to? And wow, I’ve been so shocked each time I’ve heard this assumption. I honestly didn’t know that so many of you think that I just write about things because I’m paid to and that this is my job! That said, when I started thinking about this, I totally understand why you might think this. How are you to know? But, actually, this couldn’t actually be further from the truth. Here is the truth…
As a blogger and a writer who has a lovely, engaged audience (you lot!) and who can string a sentence together in quite a captivating way (well, I like to think so – humour me!) I often get products sent to me. And brands ask me to try treatments or beauty/wellbeing services because they would like me to let you all know about these things. But, I am very rarely paid for these reviews/posts that I write. When I write about something – or do a video – it’s because I genuinely like or love something and think you might like it too. I am never under any obligation to write about something just because I am being sent it for free and I make sure that the PR sending me products, knows this. If they don’t like it, then they can have the product back.
Now, if a brand approaches me and offers to pay me for reviewing something and it is something that I feel suits the ethos of my brand – Glowology – you will know because I will declare it by writing the words #Ad (payment) or mark it *Paid Collaboration. For things that I’ve been sent for free with no obligation to write about, but I like them, I will write #gift/PR. Many times I don’t write any of these little disclaimers and that means I have personally bought what I’m showing you. If you are ever unsure and you’d like to know – please, please ask me and I will always tell you the truth.
I also want you to know that I am sometimes offered payments to try products or services but I turn them down because they don’t fit in with my Glowology vibe and, first and foremost, it wouldn’t be of use to you – my fab followers!
Also, just to let you know, I have nothing against people who are paid for lots of their blog posts if their content is genuine and not misleading. If it’s their full time job – that’s great – we should applaud women doing their thing and enjoying fulfilling careers, whatever they may be. We all have choices and we make the ones that are best for us.
So what is my job and what is Glowology?
I am a writer and content creator. I started Glowology after the kids had grown up and I had more time to get back to doing what I am passionate about – writing! I have always written for women’s magazines and am a former beauty editor of Woman’s Own and Cosmo. I write a weekly Midlife Mum page for Love It! Magazine and I’ve freelanced for magazines like Prima, How to Spend It, Slimming, Sunday Times Style, Prima Baby and many others. I also freelance for a couple of local, wonderful businesses – writing content for them, helping to get their social media tone of voice spot on. Again, the businesses that I work with will always have something to do with looking and feeling great as we age – positive, healthy and happy! Oh, and I also help Stressed Husband with admin for his business because I prefer him when he’s #LessStressedHusband
So here I am, laying it out there and being totally transparent. I wanted to let you know that I write blog and Instagram posts because I enjoy writing and, as a positive midlife woman, who has years of experience in the field of beauty and wellbeing, I feel I may be able to give you lovely lot a little boost of friendly wellbeing advice that will help you look and feel wonderful as you age. After all, we are all in this together, so why not share the things we feel might shed a little Glowology into our lives? That’s what I love to do.
You can read a bit more about me on my
About Page here. I love speaking to my readers, so if you have any comments or want to have a chat about what I do – just leave a comment below or send me a direct message on Instagram! xx
I really enjoyed reading this about you Lisa. To be honest, I did naturally assume this was how you operated, so I hope you find that positive feedback. And I agree, it’s very important to not compromise on your values xx
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Hi Alex. Thanks so much for your lovely comment – it is indeed positive! Also, sorry for the delay in replying, I have been having glitches with my blog and comments haven’t been showing up! Thanks again xx
I love your simplicity in everything you write/ say, Lisa. As you know we are cut from the same cloth and love keeping it all real. Each to their own though as you said but transparency always wins hands down.
I love that I was part of making your week this week. What a great start we had to it on Monday morning didn’t we? Was so lovely to meet such a like minded group of wonderful midlife women
Author
Yes, we are definitely cut from the same cloth – usually a leopard print one! 🙂 Thanks for your lovely comment – glad you like my ‘keeping it real’ words – ditto! We had such a wonderful time – a real highlight for me. Sorry for the delay in replying – haven’t been seeing my comments but just found them! Hope to see you soon Sharon! xx
Thank you! It’s refreshing to hear someone explain what us bloggers are about Lisa. Just because we are paid to shout a brand doesn’t mean we wouldn’t buy it. Why would we promote something we didn’t like? xx
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Thanks for commenting Laurie – sorry I didn’t reply sooner as I’ve just found these comments! Yes – it amazes me how many people assume we would talk about anything if paid for it! Maybe for some, but not us lot! Love your blog Laurie – you’re rocking the style over 50 niche for sure! See you soon hon. xx