What has happend to the Beauty world

Aug 14, 2011

Emma M.

Completely agree! <3

Aug 14, 2011

Kimberly M.

Amen to that!

Aug 14, 2011

Kimberly M.

One of the reasons I love that you and Dylan are pretty active here is that you're changing the rules on your own - you don't need someone else to validate you, what you do, what you like, who you are.

Another reason is that I like looking at pretty boys =)  Ha!

Aug 14, 2011

Rai C.

It wasn't like that on Beautylish when I first joined and I've been here since before it was opened to the everyone. Now it's all over the place and on a level that is annoying.

There's nothing wrong with promoting your blog or Youtube channel, but it's no longer done occasionally. It's done excessively now and that's a turn off. 

Aug 14, 2011

Kimberly M.

Actually, I think you're onto something, Andrew. Maybe there *should* be a section for shameless blog/YT pimping. It would certainly clear clutter - and save you from a breakdown! You're on fire!

And I swear. to. God. Every time I see a "hey! check out my new video!" posted, I have a reaction that's much like when my cat, Lenny Bruce, has a hairball. 

Aug 14, 2011

Gabbi D.

I agree so much! I understand that people want to get their blog out there, but there comes a point... can't we just stick to one thread of "share your blog?" Something like that would give people an endless list to look through and pick the ones they find would suit them most. I think the most annoying, though, are those who I swear have posted 20 different discussions about their blog. STOP! Your blog is already posted in several of your own and every other discussion there. I can understand posting it in a new "check out my blog!" discussion because pretty much every other one has dropped off the face of the earth, but you don't need that many of your own!

...I also have to say... "Follow for follow" gets on my nerves as well as those who constantly leave links on my page. I check out pretty much everyone that follows/comments me and follow if I find them interesting. I won't follow someone who I don't have interest in just for a follow because, chances are, they don't really have interest in me and just want the follow!

...hmm... that ended up longer than I expected... *takes a deep breath*

Aug 14, 2011

Louise M.

Ugh, I know, I know.
I have a blog, not a beauty blog, just a blog where I post whatever takes my fancy. I've had comments on my blog with people leaving links to their blog, which is fine, I don't mind that when people are actually saying something worthwhile, but mostly it's just spam.

I think If you want to blog and do videos, do it for a reason other than gaining followers and 'fame' because then there is a good reason to keep going and staying motivated.

Aug 14, 2011

Gabbi D.

Ehhheheh, yeah... people need to have at least some creativity! Something! Experiment with your eyeliner, bring that out a bit more, move some colors around and put them in an order that's a little less conventional, don't be afraid to use some ridiculous amount of colors... It all gets so tiring. =/

Now that I think about it, it almost seems like those who are constantly trying to get followers are probably those who are blogging more for the free products than the love of it considering, people have posted things about "HOW DO I GET FREE PRODUCTS?" and the answer almost always is "...you're only just starting... you need more followers and to have been around longer..." I love blogging... I love that I have a place to actually post things about my makeup and get a little of my excitement out somewhere that itsn't my poor friend's ear [he's a guy... and not an awesome makeup loving one like you. ;3 Though, he actually does get it to a point]. I think that it's great that those with a passion can get free things... but do it because you have a passion, not because you're looking for stuff. =/

Aug 14, 2011

Nu Nu Dollie N.

That is very true! I applaud you for your honestly, and ability to speak your mind, especially in a place where so many people use to just promote themselves. I come across so many people who post their pictures in threads just to promote themselves, but the picture has NOTHING to do w/ the the discussion/theme of the thread.
Ever since it became "common viral knowledge" that it was profitable to have a youtube channel, everyone and their mother (being completely honest here) has wanted/created a youtube channel. These people to me are not only money hungry, but they're tarnishing the core of the beauty community.
The self expression, and the creative people are overlooked and overshadowed by the people who are not only fake, but people who aren't even passionate about self expression. These people aren't knowledgeable about beauty products, nor care about them. But promote things just because they were sponsored or because another youtube guru recommended it, so they're riding on the coattails of a hyped product.
I'm not calling out any youtubers or bloggers, I actually have respect for a lot of them, because many of them are my personal friends, and I have formed personal bonds with them. I've even had the pleasure to meet many of them in person. I just hope that the people who are in the beauty viral community/world/scene are the ones who are not only truly passionate, but care for things other than the glamour and popularity, and essentially the "celebrity" status.
In this day and age, young girls as well as young boys, need true role models that can inspire them to further their artistic ability, no matter what the medium. We live in such a shallow world, and the last thing the youth needs is to believe that "being a pretty face" is what it's all about. Newsflash, it's not.  

Aug 14, 2011

Nu Nu Dollie N.

I am sure you will be able to make a difference Andrew! :) I've been in the beauty community for awhile now, so I understand all your struggles. (I'm more of a blogger though!)
Just stay true, and let your passion shine, showcase your knowledge and skills throughout your channel, blog, beautylish account, and you will be recognized for all your well developed, and evolving artistic ability. :) 

Aug 15, 2011

Courtney M.

this is good. i started videos for me and yeah i post a lot on the topics but usually no one subscribes and just says nice videos keep up the good work. and thats fine with me. i don't mind having like 20,000 subscribers. i do like making videos though so i keep up with it :)

Aug 15, 2011

Kayla W.

SOOOO TRUE

Aug 15, 2011

Kimberly M.

@Andrew - be your own role model! There's a reason that followers are called followers.....

Aug 15, 2011

Soma S.

I'm not going to hate on them for how they roll, but it doesn't make me respect them any more for doing the follow-for-a-follow. The only time it bothers me is when it is a repeat offense posted in the General, Advice or Products talk sections. Keep it in the "Introduce Yourself" section! I just wished there were more organized way of maintaining relevant threads where they belong.  

Aug 15, 2011

Nykki B.

Hey, This post got me thinking, I am a Culprit in this. I won't say that I am innocent, but some of the people who have posted on this thread have done the same things that I have. So they aren't innocent either. I don't do it all the time or anything, I don't post thread after thread, but I do post trying to gain followers. I do this, but I NEVER saw it like all of you!

This is how I have always seen it. Okay, So Andrew I am going to use you as an example because you posted. Say I ask you for a follow for a follow. Well, then I can (and I do) read your posts, but your followers can also find me. If I leave a comment on somebodies page, a valid comment, about the post, which I always do, and one of your followers reads it and says "hey that makes sense, let me check out her blog", then I have gained a follow from your followers, because they do LIKE what I have said and care about my opinion. Does that make sense?

I want followers who read my posts just as much as all of you, but how do I get those followers without networking myself just a little bit?

So while I agree, I also disagree. Have I made any sense at all? lmbo.

xoxo, nykki 

Aug 15, 2011

Makeupbyamarie M.

I am new to the beauty world but I have to agree with Andrew... You want people to subscribe to your channel or follow your blog because they are interested in your talents and what you can do! You don't want subscribers who are never going to watch your videos or read your posts because at the end of the day... Who will you be making videos for? Why will you be making blog post if your followers are never going to read your posts? It would be all so pointless. I don't have many subscribers on my channel but when I posted my link under a "post your channel here" discussion, I gained a few subscribers.. However, I did not tell any of them I was going to for sure subscribe to them due to the fact that I only subscribe to people I am interested in.. Long story short.. A few the people who have subscribed to me have now unsubscribed after finding out I did not subscribe to them. Yet, I'm perfectly fine with that!! I want people to subscribe to me that truly enjoy watching me! Not for the sake of views or subs...

Hahaha rambling... Sorry :( lol

Aug 15, 2011

Kimberly M.

Hey Nykki! Back in *ahem* the day, MUA's relied on a different type of social networking - it usually involved MBS, IMAT, that sort of thing - and word of mouth was really the only way to get referrals. Not followers...referrals. People who genuinely sought you out for your skills. Now that technology has become so easily accessible, I think it's great that anyone with a voice can express themselves freely - to a point. That point comes with a line that crosses over into being a little pushy at times. I think we all get that networking is essential, and we're really lucky that Beautylish has offered up a forum for that purpose. But again, there's the line...

One of my MUA friends likened the follow for follow or sub for sub thing with ambulance chasing lawyers - and I have to agree. Maybe it's experience, age, whatever you want to call it, but I really believe that in-your-face type of self marketing is just unappealing. This is why I don't do videos. This is why I rely on my portfolio for jobs. This is why I have clients. There comes a point in everyone's career where they don't necessarily have to bang on doors for work - the work comes to them. And it's not about sheer numbers, it's about the quality of work you do FOR those referrals.

In a nutshell, I believe in a quiet approach to what I do. Take it for what it is. 

Aug 15, 2011

Michelle O.

I totally agree. I hate it when people host contests where the only way you can win is if you get the most people to like the hosts page and like your photo. Its a cheap ploy for followers. And I don't see what the point of it is when everyone is just following pages left and right- they can't possibly visit and pay attention to all those pages. 

Aug 15, 2011

Michelle D.

Agree, it kinda does bother like

"Oh me too! Watch my video I made about this topic blah blah blah"

Like, it makes me not want to follow people more when they literally advertise themselves on every single thing they do. People try too hard to get followers, but followers will come to you if what you do is relevant to what they need or if they simply just like you, not because you advertise yourself so much. 

Aug 15, 2011

Drea L.

I agree & don't even have a beauty-related YouTube/blog. I'm just a beauty lover who fell in love with beautylish<3

The whole sub4sub is just as bad ass "pc4pc" during the MySpace days. No real love, just numbers .

Aug 15, 2011

Shelly T.

I really do wish this place was more organized.

There *should* be a separate section for Youtube/blogging advice and promotion. Members *should* put threads in the proper categories, and there's no way for the rest of us to report misplaced threads (or even threads which are nothing more than Avon or Mark representatives shamelessly promoting that fact). There *should* be a way for bloggers to syndicate their blog's RSS feed onto here just like Youtubers can syndicate their videos here. It's madness, and it turns me off from posting here sometimes.

Aug 15, 2011

Nykki B.

I have been keeping up with this thread because I am enjoying hearing everyone's opinion on this matter!

This was a great topic Andrew!

However, It does kind of hurt when people say that the people who are trying to get follow for follow are people that are just after the money. Maybe this is getting to me because of a post that I just posted the other day telling people that I would follow them if they follow me. So I have done this, Do I do this all the time? no, but I have done it. Why do I do it? Because I think that bloggers should root eachother on. I think that if somebody would like me to follow their blog then I should because they are doing the exact same thing as me, they are trying to be creative. Who am I to say if their blog is amazing or not? Who am I to say that their blog is boring or not creative? I think that I should be there to tell them that what they are doing is great, because they are trying.

I put my heart and soul into every single post that I make. I take my time, I do research, I take pictures. I do my make-up when I am not even going anywhere just to share it with all of my readers. Is it really a crime to try to get more readers? Does that really mean that I am just in it for the money?

I know that is how you see it but I just want to share my opinion with you too. I see it from both sides, so like I said before I agree, but I also disagree.

xoxo, nykki 

Aug 15, 2011

Rai C.

I'm only following people (whether it's on Twitter, their blog, their YT channel, etc.) if I have an interest in what they're saying or their content. I'm not doing so because you simply followed or subscribed to me. I've never been a fan of sub4sub or follow4follow.

I'm a beauty blogger but does that mean every beauty blog interests me? Nope.

Aug 15, 2011

Melanie G.

Lots of really great points in this thread and I completely agree with you, Andrew! That is not to say that people cannot promote their blog on Beautylish (I have definitely gotten many followers from Beautylish), but there is a place for it and a way to do it. For instance, if someone signs up for Beautylish and wants to let others know about their blog and/or Youtube, they can create a thread in the "Introduce Yourself" section (the only place where this should go, imo!) introducing themselves, their background, what they're interested in, some information about their blog content and a link to it...so not just "Follow my blog!" I like to make sure people are interested in my blog before they follow it, and likewise, I like to make sure I know more about the content of whatever blog I am checking out before following it. That's why I like the new posts thread, because you can actually see the content of people's blogs and check them out if they interest you (I have found a ton of blogs through that thread that I follow and love now). On my blog, I do state that I always return comments (as a thank you), which ensures that I'll check out another blog that I may not have heard of before...however, I won't follow that blog unless the content interests me. I also don't have a Youtube channel at all because it is not my forte and I'm terrible in front of the camera =p

I've suggested before that Beautylish create some sort of signature block below each person's post (like how there is in other forums), where they can include their blog or youtube link. I think that would really cut down on the number of "follow me" posts.

Aug 16, 2011

Jalaina S.

I totally agree....you should now follow my page cause I've followed yours. (j/k lol) But seriously if I watch your videos either here or youtube etc and I have something relevant to say I can always post a reply or video responce. If it does attract people then cool if not cool too. I like to share info and get to know other people's ideas on how to do things. And following a random channel just because they happened to subscribe is stupid. I'm new to all this and only have a handful of subscribers but I'm not going to automatically follow them if they have no content etc on their channels.