Reflecting on My Least Favorite Collabs

I've been blogging since I was 14 (yep, back in 2010!), though it was just me typing my teenage heart out without a clue. I'm just a 14-year-old in secondary school, fumbling my way through the internet. (Trust me, my "blogging skills" back then were...let's just say "developing" and leave it at that.

After a lot of back-and-forth with blogging, a few glow-ups, and actually getting serious around 2015, I landed my first collab in November 2016 for a fashion and lifestyle company.

It was kind of a big deal for me back then! I was paid...well, sort of. They gave me a whole RM100 credit voucher to spend on their site, and I could "buy whatever I wanted." It felt amazing at the time, but looking back now, I can see it for what it was. Brands sometimes (okay, often) try to get micro-bloggers to work for less than we deserve. But, hey, when you're new to this, you're just figuring it out as you go. We all start somewhere!

Since then, I've been blessed with many collabs and sponsorships, and I'm still learning every day that the blogger life isn't always dreamy collabs and pretty packages. Shady and disappointing collabs do exist, and I've had my share of them. I'll spill a little tea today but I won't be naming names – my mama raised me better than that! That said, there are some wild stories worth sharing.

From brands that "generously" offered me a discount on their clothing line if I bought it myself, to companies deciding my payment was...well, nothing, after the work was done, it can be a tough space to navigate. People often don't see the unpolished side of blogging and I don't blame them; we're all curating only what we want to share. So, here's a glimpse into the messier side of things. Buckle up!

1. The wellness brand that paid me... but halfway

Back in November 2021, I got a message from a wellness brand. They wanted me to write a piece about boosting immunity for their site, complete with detailed talking points and even access to their photo library. Easy enough, right? I was excited, sent over my rate card, and waited for them to get back, expecting a nice negotiation. Instead, they came back with, "Why do you need to be paid?" (Umm, excuse me? Do you pay your team in exposure?)

Apparently, they were hoping I'd jump at the chance for "exposure" (in this economy?) and promised me all the free products I could want for as long as I kept working with them. For their "growing business," they said. I thought, "Okay, but my blog is my business too, you know?" So I explained why, yes, I needed to be paid. After what I imagine was a big sigh on their end, they agreed. Four days later, I finished the draft, sent it over, and got an email that they loved it. Payment would arrive within the week. Cool!

A week later, I checked my account, and half of what I quoted was there. Just half. I emailed back, curious, and was told, "Oh, the other half is covered by the free products we sent." I stared at that email for a good minute. Like... seriously? Couldn't they have mentioned that before I poured hours into the work? Anyway, that was the first and last time I worked with them. And, last I checked, that brand hasn't grown much. Karma? I like to think so!

2. The skincare brand that ghosted me after my rate increased

Oh, this one hurt. Here's the story of how a skincare brand I worked with since 2018 ghosted me just because I raised my rate. It started with my genuine love for their products – I mean, they actually worked, and I couldn't wait to share my experience. I'd write copies for their official page and even featured them on my blog (which, oh look, is now gone – God knows why).

By 2020, the brand rep and I had become more like friends. She even recommended me to other brands, which was sweet and led to a few more projects. I felt seen and appreciated! Looking back, I probably let that sweet gesture get to me a bit, and, well, let's just say they took full advantage.

One evening, the rep sent me a message, explaining that the brand was expanding and "a little tight on budget." She asked if I'd mind lowering my rate a bit just temporarily, until they got through this "growth phase." You know, since we were friends. So, I agreed to a lower rate (ouch), thinking it was a small favor for someone who's helped me get more work. What could go wrong?  

Fast forward to 2023. I sent them my updated rate, a tiny increase to reflect my experience, nothing outrageous. I told them they can sort it out once everything is "back to normal." They responded so positively, saying they'd still work with me and even had a bunch of new content lined up. I was thrilled... until the silence set in. Weeks passed, then months. Crickets. Every message? Left on read. Every email? Unanswered. They'd gone radio silent.

They're still active on socials, though, and even seem to have hired new writers (I hope those poor newbies get a better deal than I did). To make things worse, they'd even quietly recycled content from my blog onto their official page without a word. That was my final straw. Lesson learned. That bridge is burned.

3. The small makeup brand with not-so-great products

I've always had a soft spot for small businesses – maybe because I know what it's like to be the little fish in the big pond. Plus, the small business community feels like a cozy place where we all help each other grow. So, I agreed to give them some love, they sent over their foundation and primer, and they even paid me (although not much) in full before I'd finished the review. Pretty sweet, right?

Well, that was until I tried the products. They weren't awful, but they weren't exactly amazing either. There was definite room for growth. I knew I couldn't sugarcoat my experience for my readers, so I was honest with the brand about my thoughts. To my surprise, they understood and still wanted the review to go up, and I went along with it to support them.

Looking back, I probably should have trusted my gut and passed on this collab. I didn't fully love the products, yet there I was talking about them anyway. I was trying to be nice, but it just didn't feel right promoting something I didn't love. I think I just felt that tug to support them since they're a small business. Lesson learned: always stick to what you truly believe in (and maybe practice saying "no" a bit more confidently).

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Here's the takeaway: know your worth! Yes, you might miss out on things and deals because you have high standards, but you'll be staying true to yourself. Plus, you won't waste time chasing after people who don't respect you or your business.

And let's talk about saying no. It's essential! If you don't, people might take advantage of your kindness, thinking you'll do things just to "help." Trust me, I learned this the hard way when a stationery company I know was paying my blogger friends but tried to get me to work for free. But that's a story for another day!

So remember, be fierce, my loves! After all, if you don't stand up for yourself, who will? (Spoiler alert: probably not the person asking for free work!)

Have you ever taken on a collab you regretted later?