The Worst Blogger Advice I Ever Heard

IMG_9995

The Worst Blogger Advice I’ve Ever Heard:

Post what people like on Instagram. If you post something and it doesn’t do well, don’t post that kind of thing again. Post what the people want.

IMG_9964 (1) IMG_0026 (2) IMG_9997

As these words were spoken into a microphone to a crowd of 60 or so bloggers, I cringed and took a huge gulp of my white wine. I looked around to see if anyone else thought that this advice was the soundest piece of rubbish they’d ever heard and to my surprise everyone was nodding in agreement, some even taking notes. This, is the state of The Blogger and it made me very sad. Sad for the people who are going to go home and take this awful advice (if you can even call it that) and sad for the woman who’s lips it crossed who stated it so confidently and matter of factly into a microphone which amplified every sad syllable across the room. Let’s cut the ish, there is no formula for a successful instagram or success as a blogger. The main component is consistency. That’s it. Even if you’re consistent with putting out mediocre garbage every Tuesday and Saturday, someone’s showing up every Tuesday and Saturday to devour that garbage. But this advice did more than make me sad, it made me angry because it perpetuates the idea that you have to LIVE for other people. That you are at the mercy of what people think and that that’s all that matters. And maybe that’s just on Instagram but damn it if that mentality doesn’t spill over into your life. It doesn’t matter whether those followers actually like the REAL YOU, as long as they LIKE, then that’s enough.

IMG_0060 IMG_0033 (2) IMG_9996

Photography by Rose Lazard
Edited by Monroe Steele
Harlem, NYC

Old Navy Sweater | Eileen Fisher Jacket | Zara Acid Wash Jeans | Phillip Lim Mules via Sample Sale | Big Hair No Care Zero Drama Clipins | Anthropologie Earrings


I wanted to run up to that podium and shake this woman violently by her shoulders. WAKE UP! You don’t make it as a blogger, YOU DON’T MAKE IT IN LIFE, doing what pleases EVERYONE and denying yourself the freedom to do YOU. If you’re not doing what YOU like, if you’re not posting what YOU like, then you’re a fraud. You’re inauthentic. Yes, you may amass a following comparable to a D-List celebrity, but you’ll also drown from perpetually being or trying to be something you’re not. You will sacrifice your voice and you will be resentful but more than that you will become just like everyone else. A person trying on different molds and staying in the one that get’s the most likes and validation, regardless if that’s really you. I wondered just how happy  this woman can be, doing what everyone wants her to do, while denying herself the option to do what she actually likes.

 If you’re gonna do anything in this life, ANYTHING, do it because you want to and not because it will be received well. Then and only then, will the people who are meant to be in your life, meant to see your work, meant to fall in love with you or your words or your style or your lack there of, will organically find you. I’d rather have that, than thousands of people who don’t know me and if they did would probably keep on scrolling, no double tap.

xx

Monroe

Read Fashion Steele NYC Magazine

SUBSCRIBE TO YOUTUBE

SUBSCRIBE TO FASHION STEELE NYC BLOG

INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

 

SaveSave

SaveSave

Follow:
Share:

22 Comments

  1. Faith
    December 4, 2017 / 8:21 am

    Amen and amen! Love this post and of course love the look! Your afro is on point too!

    • monroesteele
      Author
      December 4, 2017 / 10:18 am

      Thank you, girl it’s those Big Hair No Care Clipins! lol. Thank you.

      xx
      Monroe

  2. December 4, 2017 / 8:44 am

    Truer words were never spoken. The point of having a blog is to share YOURSELF and your vision with others in order to influence or deliver a message. This post was spot on!

    • monroesteele
      Author
      December 4, 2017 / 10:18 am

      Exactly Felecia,
      I get that people want their post to do well but not its not worth sacrificing your voice.

      xx
      Monroe

  3. December 4, 2017 / 9:30 am

    This is a great post! I read this exact advice yesterday in an article. I started my blog almost a year ago and when I read advice like that, I sometimes have to check myself before slipping into ego like “wait, what is your motive? Why are you blogging?”. Thank you for sharing your thoughts here!

    • monroesteele
      Author
      December 4, 2017 / 10:20 am

      YES! You are so right about having to check yourself. It’s so easy to fall into that and its at those times when evaluating your motives can keep you in check. Thank you for reading Ayanna!

      xx
      Monroe

  4. December 4, 2017 / 10:09 am

    Thiiiiiisssssss was sooooo legit!!! So well writtten, so true and I couldn’t agree with you more! I’m happy that you’ve used your platform to speak out about this because I’ve definitely heard this before and thought myself some of the same thoughts. Inorganic creation is one that will always be fueled by what “the people” want. If the people don’t want it, then where’s your voice?

    • monroesteele
      Author
      December 4, 2017 / 10:21 am

      Right! I can’t believe this this advice is even in print out there. It’s completely outrageous and an impossible standard, not to mention dumb lol. But I get it, its easy to fall into wanting to please everyone but its never worth sacrificing yourself.

      xx
      Monroe

  5. December 4, 2017 / 10:46 am

    That is the worse advice. Jeez, who says that? I honestly follow a variety of people because everyone posts something different and some people speak on more topics past their blog. I hope the audience kinda took that point with a grain of salt. I hope.

    • monroesteele
      Author
      December 4, 2017 / 12:51 pm

      I hope too! It’s a dangerous way to think.

      xx
      Monroe

  6. December 4, 2017 / 12:01 pm

    It ABSOLUTLEY KILLS me that someone would actually put that out there like that. Such an abuse of power and a horrible way to use your influence. I just can’t. It’s “advice” like that that creates false realities and has people questioning all the things their doing in their lives. It’s so dangerous…especially in today’s world where social media is so powerful and has the reach to affect and effect so greatly. I agree with you 100% lady. This is the very definition of living life for others. There’s no way you’re building a community of people who are really here for you if you aren’t putting the real you out there.

    • monroesteele
      Author
      December 4, 2017 / 12:50 pm

      You hit the nail on the head! Thats why I think I was more angry than sad that this is what she had to offer.

      xx
      Monroe

  7. Melissafff
    December 4, 2017 / 3:21 pm

    Another amazing post Monroe… your words gave me chills. They’re so many accounts that all look the same and this explains it. Someone is giving bad advice and getting paid for it smh. Keep being the fabulous unique blogger we all fell in love with years ago 🙂

    • monroesteele
      Author
      December 5, 2017 / 6:19 pm

      Thanks Melissa you know you’re my day 1!

      xx
      Monroe

  8. December 4, 2017 / 8:39 pm

    I’ve heard this advice so many times and seen others take it and “succeed” to thousands, while I’m still in my own lane at my own speed… Thank you for the encouragement.

    • monroesteele
      Author
      December 5, 2017 / 6:20 pm

      For sure, all you gotta do is be you. Thats it and keep it consistent.

      xx
      Monroe

  9. Shannah
    December 4, 2017 / 9:50 pm

    Thank you for shedding light on this because I struggle with this as someone whose trying to get into blogging. Posting what you like versus posting what will get you likes. I hold on to pics forever because I’m nervous they won’t do “well”. I hold back on some captions because they may come across a certain way. This is something that I’m working on daily. It really helps to get advice on this topic from someone such as yourself. Xo

    • monroesteele
      Author
      December 5, 2017 / 6:20 pm

      Thank you for reading! You should definitely just jump in. Post what you want and have fun. Im glad this post helped.

      xx
      Monroe

  10. December 5, 2017 / 1:44 pm

    Preach! And you’re so right about that mentality spilling over into real life! Your post just helped me and I’m sure a lot of other people, regardless if they are bloggers!

    • monroesteele
      Author
      December 5, 2017 / 6:21 pm

      Thank you for reading! I’m really happy that this helped you.

      xx
      Monroe

  11. Janice
    December 5, 2017 / 11:39 pm

    I totally agree with this post, sadly to say this is also the reason I am totally on the outs and giving myself a time out because I allowed others to tell me, my voice doesn’t matter! Rock on with this I probably would have tripped her on the way out. lol thanks for speaking on it because it is totally out there that we don’t matter and for others to like us we must put on a show. I totally thought high school was over……

    • monroesteele
      Author
      December 7, 2017 / 2:16 pm

      Exactly! I’m glad you took time out to reassess that is something I constantly check myself on. Thank you for reading!

      xx
      Monroe

Leave a Reply to monroesteele Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Looking for Something?