As I said before, I have made a lot of friends through blogging for which I will eternally be grateful for and as I have grown as a blogger I have found myself being approached more and more by new bloggers or ever older bloggers who have decided to change the direction they’re taking their blog in, asking for advice and support on how to grow their blog and in some cases monetise it like I have myself. Now, I don’t mind giving advice and have given it freely because I had help – I asked questions and got answers and support, most particularly from Vicki of Honest Mum and Amy of Amy Treasure without whom I couldn’t have gotten as far as I have and so when asked have offered advice.
Most of the time this has worked out well, in fact in all but one case this has worked out well with those bloggers going from strength to strength and me having received messages of thanks and friendships developing from this. However, that dark side of blogging that I mentioned?! Yeah, part of that comes in the form of that one blogger I helped…. I received a message asking for help and advice, the same as all the others and I had already had interactions with this blogger before and thought nothing of  giving the same advice  that I had given to others before them. We actually ended up sharing several messages and a month or two later were still chatting. I happened to mention to them that I was so excited because I was about to sign a contract for a huge brand and they asked what the contract was for and I excitedly shared a few details…. here was where I made my mistake…
A few days later I emailed the company for an update as I hadn’t heard anything and got no response. A day or two later I popped them a tweet and nothing – you may think this is strange but I put this down to another one of those big brands who just suddenly disappear as I have had this happen a couple of times right before contract (but that’s another story.) A week later a post appears in my timeline…from said blogger…working with said brand. My contract. My post. God knows what they did to get the contract as technically speaking my stats all beat theirs hands down… maybe they’re a better writer… who knows. The point is they went behind my back and messaged the company without so much 
as a thought to me – the single mother, doing as much work as possible to support herself and her daughter. I couldn’t believe it – best part is… said blogger went ahead and didn’t even acknowledge what had been done and carried on messaging me as normal.
I have heard of this happening before – people with no morals and who’d step on their own mother’s heads if it meant getting a leg up, finding out that a certain brand works with bloggers and are currently on a campaign and sending a message to see if they can get in on the action too. I want to blog and I want to be paid for doing it but I am nowhere near that ruthless… I mean how do they even sleep at night?!
To top all this off, recently I also had a couple of my own story ideas stolen from another blogger too! In “Dear Mummy Bloggers: Actually You F*CKIN’ ROCK!” I stated that yes we all quite often write about a similar thing (every parenting blogger has told the world what is in their changing bag) but there is being inspired and their is just taking a good idea and rolling with it. Now, blogger etiquette states that if you are inspired to write a post by another blogger then you give them a shout out and link back…. but oh no… not this blogger! Brazen as you like this blogger just put’s their story out there, a week or two after mine, or their new series, or their new video and BOOM it’s theirs and it all came from that big pool of inspiration from deep within… BOLLOCKS! No it didn’t, it came from my site or an overheard conversation!
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
44 Comments
Keep your head up, chica – it’s not fair when someone steals your ideas or opportunity, but you’ve gotten this far on your own and you’ll just keep going from strength to strength. Plus you know your blogging buddies will support you no matter what. đŸ™‚
don’t they say imitation is the highest form of flattery. I think with our neiche of blogging it is sometimes hard not to copy in one way or another. im sure I’ve posted things that others have posted afterwards.
Sorry you’ve had negative experiences. Focus on the positive, keep your head down and let your work speak for itself, which is does. Keep rising above and beyond. Thanks for the shout-out x
I can’t believe someone would do that! That’s so not cool. I’m sorry you’ve been shafted but look how far you’ve come. Your amazing to me!
Hey lovely, first off thank you for the mention I’m always so honoured when other bloggers ask for advice and I am generous with those I know aren’t taking the p*** you have always been so gracious and I’m so pleased that you feel you can ask for help if needed, we are, afterall in this together. Unfortunately, there is always someone out there that takes it too far and will walk all over you to get what they want. I’ve experienced it myself so I’m sorry it’s happened to you.
I did tell you from the very first post I read on your blog that you would go all the way, and look at you now. You are a damn good writer and you are doing this full-time and supporting your daughter. I bloody salute you for that, because it’s a bloody hard job! Don’t let the negativity get you down, deep breath and move on. I’m sorry to say that it does happen, which absolutely sucks. Just be secure in the knowledge that you are not like that. You are awesome and above it all anyway. xx
Thank you so much for this wonderful comment. You’ve made me well up. And thank you so much for all your help and support. Much love hun xxx
Tell me who they are and I will set the tribe on them, or Brad đŸ˜‰ . I am really sad to read this. Just look at this a challenge that you need to get over. I am a great believer that we learn from this type of rubbish because it gives us the drive to want to show that person that we have moved forward, that we have achieved better. Keep your head held high xx
What a horrible thing to happen. It is a good idea to keep contract details to yourself and keep quiet about work on going as sadly some people do anything to undercut others.
That said, pitching to companies that work with other bloggers is a great way to work on a “warm” contact – I’ve managed some great collaborations by doing that! And I’m sure I haven’t stepped on any heads doing it đŸ™‚
Keep your head high and just keep on trucking !
OMG – that’s terrible, I hadn’t heard of this happening before but then I’m pretty anti social and so probably missed it ?. It sounds like you are doing amazing well so bloody good for you! I am sure it will continue. I’m so sorry for your experience xx
I’m sat here wracking my brain that it wasn’t me! It wasn’t was it? I can’t think of a similar post but then I am going senile!! Sorry to hear that you’ve had this experience xx no one can do it mummy in a tutu style though lovely! It does annoy me though – even though I try not to let it – but I’ve seen a little bit of perhaps ‘inspiration’ from my posts with no referencing back but I try to believe that no one can be justsayingmum either!! xx
Of course it wasn’t you my lovely. Thanks so much for reading xx
Interesting post feel for you if I’m honest I felt people take some of my ideas but unfortually that’s all they are they are not mine by copyright if take and roll their you go it’s difficult. I never tell anybody my contacts how much I get paid or anything like that I worked hard to build my blog and not about to give any away.
Sorry that you have learnt a costly lesson not nice. I guess move onwards and upwards.
I often read your blog and love it
Take care
Aww thanks nige. Really appreciate that x
Thats really bad form – sorry to hear that. Im sure you will continue to go from strength to strength. I hope the other blogger is feeling pretty rubbish about it.
That is really tough and surprising. We tend to view the world by our own standards so don’t see it coming when someone else doesn’t. Keep going though even though it is hurtful. #ablogginggoodtime
I’m shocked that someone could talk to the brand, take your post and carry on as normal – that just isn’t normal! I think that, as others have said, when people take inspiration from you, feel flattered and don’t think too hard about the negatives. Some will do it intentionally, others probably without thinking or realising and a few may be coincidence. You are unique and brilliant and just keep following your own path. Alison x #ablogginggoodtime
The cheek!! What goes around comes around, they’ll get theirs! Hope having a rant made you feel better and that the bloggers concerned read it and feel bad! #ablogginggoodtime
Dark side of blogging as you said it yourself. There are ruthless, immoral people in the real world and perhaps even more in this digital world. Doesn’t matter where or why or how, they will always be present. And that makes me sad and angry, while we (bloggers) try so hard to gather our thoughts, and put it into something meaningful and relatable, we are proud of our work. And thzen for someone just to take it away from us – no words. I also wonder how they sleep at night, but I guess we’ll never know. But you know what they say: what goes around comes back around! All the best wishes go out for you!
#ablogginggoodtime
Wow I’m shocked that stuff like thsi actually happens! Surely if you’re blogging it’s to share your own view and your own tak on things, not copyright others and pass it off as your own! Unbelievable! #abloggnggoodtime
I can’t believe someone could be so ruthless and self centered as to steal that away from under you. Some people are just so into it for the money and don’t seem to care who they hurt to get it. I am sorry that happened to you. You’re always really helpful when it comes to tips and hints, what an awful way to repay you.
oops sorry – #ablogginggoodtime
Ah wow this is super sneaky, but you know what, let that have their post, I hope one day they learn their lesson… You don’t get anywhere good by backstabbing, never ever! #ablogginggoodtime
Ugh! What a bunch of crap! I’m so sorry this happened to you! Karma is a biznatch though, I hope it hits them good ;( #ablogginggodtime
Oh gosh, this is awful! I haven’t really come across this side of blogging yet (I’m still new and small), but it must be horrible. I can’t imagine what must be going through their head??! I’d feel dreadful. #ABloggingGoodTime
Rant away! Bloggers prerogative! #ablogginggoodtime
I’m a believer in Karma and strength, so chin up. Leave behind the negativity (and that blogger) and move forward in a way that has style and grace. I am sorry this has happened, but let’s all learn from it! #ablogginggoodtime xoxox
Oh that’s just plain nasty!
You should be so proud of what you have achieved in such a short time.
It’s taken me almost 5 years to get anywhere with my blog so good on you!
Keep your head up and get even better than the blogger who took your contract!
#StayClassyMama
Oh that’s just plain nasty!
You should be so proud of what you have achieved in such a short time.
It’s taken me almost 5 years to get anywhere with my blog so good on you!
Keep your head up and get even better than the blogger who took your contract!
#ABloggingGoodTime
(sorry wrong hashtag on my first comment, can you tell I’m sleep deprived haha!)
You have so much to be proud of. It’s unbelievable what happened to you. So sad. Hold your head high, lovely lady. Happy blogiversary! Go you! Look at all you have achieved. Xxxx #ablogginggoodtime
Some people are unbelieveable rude and disrespectful, good job it is only a minority and post people in the blogging world seem lovely X #ablogginggootime
How annoying?! You should name and shame! #ablogginggoodtime
Two things:
1. You’ve only been blogging a year! WOW you’ve done amazing! I might have to start stealing your ideas too ***massive jokes***
2. I honestly can’t believe people are like that! I’m clearly far too trusting but I would never imagine in a million years that someone would go behind your back like that!
Your clearly doing amazingly well which is why all these bitches want to be you!
#ablogginggoodtime
Oh dear – that is a horrid experience – glad to hear that you have found blogging to be mainly positive though. #ablogginggoodtime
It sounds like you have done amazing for yourself and I consider you as one of the more successful bloggers that I frequent!
It sucks that people are ripping off your ideas, there is a compliment there but like you said, recognition should be made!
I took advice from someone about wallpaper as a background and still can’t remember who she was and I even asked for followers to let me know who she was for credit but nothing to date!
Keep going and I guess be a bit more shady with your work that’s not published yet. I’ll make sure to do the same (only as if it doesn’t come through I’ll look silly) #ablogginggoodtime
Ughh – that is just rubbish – taking that contract is really unkind and sneaky…. I don’t know how they can be so brazen! The post thing is annoying too but you have such a strong voice, it would always sound more authentic coming from you so they are not the winner…. your blog is super strong and you have done sooooo well in ONLY 1 year…. keep going and as others say – just rise above it. Take care xx #ablogginggoodtime
This is such an annoying thing to happen and I can completely understand why it would rile you. I hope you can rise above it and not let it eat away at you, although I think I would have been tempted to send a “how dare you” message to said blogger! You have achieved so much and will continue to go from strength to strength and inspire others to follow in your footsteps. #ablogginggoodtime
I think that its disgusting what has happened here. #ablogginggoodtime
This really is not on and I’m really sorry this has happened specially to you. I have now read this a couple of times but can’t figure out who it could. Not that it matters really but they really should be ashamed of themselves. You are great and have a great blog and business so keep your head up and keep going. Raise above. You are certainly better than them xx
Lovely I can’t believe this happened to you, it honestly would not even cross my mind to do such a thing. #ablogginggoodtime
Thanks sweet – feel better for having my rant xx
Oh bless you – they aren’t that common so hopefully you won’t come across too many! Welcome to blogland though sweet xx
Yeah I bloody hope so!! I feel better for having a rant anyway!! x
Thank you lovely – I won’t xx
Luckily I haven’t had many experiences of the ‘dark’ side of blogging – probably because I haven’t signed that many contracts!! You’re doing a great job! #ablogginggoodtime