I am here to admit my mistake, apologise and strive to do better next time.
Before I begin, I would like to thank everyone who has stood by me throughout this incident. I managed to pull through thanks to the love, support and words of encouragements from my family, friends and readers. I almost gave up after reading all of the demeaning hate comments on my social media platforms but I am so grateful for my loved ones and loyal readers, you guys reminded me to stay strong thus I kept going.
I didn't think anyone would still believe in me after what I've done, especially since I've let you all down. But because of that, I am committed to working even harder and I will strive to be the best that I can be in the hopes of earning your trust back again one day.
Apart from my dear ones, I would also like to thank those who left rational and non-biased personal opinions on my Instagram pictures or in the comment section of my previous blog post. You may not be a fan of me or of my works, but I am thankful that you took the time off to share your opinions.
I've learnt to separate comments that were meant to deliberately hurt me from yours. You taught me that not every comment is simply from a mindless hater, but rather they're constructive feedbacks on how I can improve myself as an influencer and as a person altogether. I've reflected on your words over the past few days, and now I am ready to give my statements.
..............................................................................................
In my previous post, I've already explained and clarified some of the accusations made against me. But I left one very important thing out of it and that was an apology for my wrong doings. I didn't apologise earlier not because I didn't want to admit a mistake but because at that point in time, I didn't think what I did was wrong.
I didn't know that the techniques used in the campaign were wrong. I thought they were fine since those deliverables mentioned in the brief were already acknowledged and agreed upon by Singtel, an established corporation that has years of expertise in working with advertising agencies. Thinking that they and Gushcloud already took precautions, I agreed to the deliverables and went onboard the campaign.
At that point of time, I didn't think what was asked out of me was wrong; I was already annoyed with my previous telco and have complained about them before. It's only now that I've read Xiaxue's blog post and your feedbacks that I've realised my actions were unethical and wrong since I was getting payment for my service.
However, it was never my intention to lie to my followers. The feeling I'd expressed in my tweets and blog post regarding M1 were genuine. Just like all the other influencers involved in the campaign, I wouldn't have agreed to do what I did if I genuinely didn't feel in such a way towards M1's service.
Tweets made in 2013 and 2012.
(Please pardon my rude choice of word in 2012; I was quite a defiant teen. hehehe)
All in all, I have realised my mistake and will do better next time by ensuring that all of my works are executed ethically. I am sorry for being ignorant and I hope that you take my explanation into consideration; it is not like me at all to do things just for the sake of money.
..............................................................................................
Next, I want to apologise for stating "Not An Ad" in one of my tweets. I've already explained why I included that in my previous post but I'll say it again here. I did it because I was sincere about switching telcos and signing up for the Youth Plan.
Still, I shouldn't have included that in my tweet. It was my fault for saying that thus causing such silly misunderstandings. I am sorry and will be more cautious with my choice of words from now on.
..............................................................................................
Lastly, I need to make a point that though I made a mistake by participating in the Singtel Youth Plan campaign, whatever I said about the LG G3 phone is true. Many of you have mentioned that I'd masked an ad for LG but that wasn't the case at all.
Here's a screenshot of what I said in my LG G3 blog post that proves I did mentioned that it was a campaign. (you can read the full review here)
But anyway, 3 months was a short time. I probably shouldn't had taken pictures of myself with the iPhone. Maybe that could have prevented people from assuming that I was masking an ad. It was still my fault and I am sorry. I will make sure that whatever I intend to do or say from now on is properly thought about first.
..............................................................................................
I know that I may still get unkind comments from haters even after I've apologised, but I've said my piece and have done everything I can. No matter how bad the situation has been, I am still thankful that it happened. I've always believed that everything happens for a reason and they're all tests from God. This incident has opened my eyes to see what is clear and what is not. From henceforth, I'm bringing my mistakes forward with me and I'll use them as guides so that I don't repeat them again in future.
To everyone who's going through a rough patch now, always remember that there's always light at the end of the tunnel, you just don't see it yet. (Yes, I love inspirational quotes! Now everyone knows that about me^^)
Thank you for hearing me out. I wish you all a fantastic week ahead!:)
Romans 8:28 says 'God promises to make something good out of the storms that bring devastation to your life" - Thank you for sharing this bible verse with me :) You know who you are.
Before I begin, I would like to thank everyone who has stood by me throughout this incident. I managed to pull through thanks to the love, support and words of encouragements from my family, friends and readers. I almost gave up after reading all of the demeaning hate comments on my social media platforms but I am so grateful for my loved ones and loyal readers, you guys reminded me to stay strong thus I kept going.
I didn't think anyone would still believe in me after what I've done, especially since I've let you all down. But because of that, I am committed to working even harder and I will strive to be the best that I can be in the hopes of earning your trust back again one day.
Apart from my dear ones, I would also like to thank those who left rational and non-biased personal opinions on my Instagram pictures or in the comment section of my previous blog post. You may not be a fan of me or of my works, but I am thankful that you took the time off to share your opinions.
I've learnt to separate comments that were meant to deliberately hurt me from yours. You taught me that not every comment is simply from a mindless hater, but rather they're constructive feedbacks on how I can improve myself as an influencer and as a person altogether. I've reflected on your words over the past few days, and now I am ready to give my statements.
..............................................................................................
In my previous post, I've already explained and clarified some of the accusations made against me. But I left one very important thing out of it and that was an apology for my wrong doings. I didn't apologise earlier not because I didn't want to admit a mistake but because at that point in time, I didn't think what I did was wrong.
I didn't know that the techniques used in the campaign were wrong. I thought they were fine since those deliverables mentioned in the brief were already acknowledged and agreed upon by Singtel, an established corporation that has years of expertise in working with advertising agencies. Thinking that they and Gushcloud already took precautions, I agreed to the deliverables and went onboard the campaign.
At that point of time, I didn't think what was asked out of me was wrong; I was already annoyed with my previous telco and have complained about them before. It's only now that I've read Xiaxue's blog post and your feedbacks that I've realised my actions were unethical and wrong since I was getting payment for my service.
However, it was never my intention to lie to my followers. The feeling I'd expressed in my tweets and blog post regarding M1 were genuine. Just like all the other influencers involved in the campaign, I wouldn't have agreed to do what I did if I genuinely didn't feel in such a way towards M1's service.
Tweets made in 2013 and 2012.
(Please pardon my rude choice of word in 2012; I was quite a defiant teen. hehehe)
..............................................................................................
Next, I want to apologise for stating "Not An Ad" in one of my tweets. I've already explained why I included that in my previous post but I'll say it again here. I did it because I was sincere about switching telcos and signing up for the Youth Plan.
Still, I shouldn't have included that in my tweet. It was my fault for saying that thus causing such silly misunderstandings. I am sorry and will be more cautious with my choice of words from now on.
..............................................................................................
Lastly, I need to make a point that though I made a mistake by participating in the Singtel Youth Plan campaign, whatever I said about the LG G3 phone is true. Many of you have mentioned that I'd masked an ad for LG but that wasn't the case at all.
Here's a screenshot of what I said in my LG G3 blog post that proves I did mentioned that it was a campaign. (you can read the full review here)
The story I told before about how I gave my father this phone because he preferred it compared to the iPhone 6+ is true. Many have asked why I bought him an iPhone if I knew my father's a fan of LG. My reason is simple. The iPhone 6 and 6+ were such a hit then, almost everyone wanted one, they were expensive and hard to get. I bought one for my father because I simply wanted to put a smile on his face. I wanted him to feel good that he had something everyone else wanted. If you've been following me and reading my blog from the start, you'd know that I don't come from a well to do family. My father works extremely hard and he rarely buys anything for himself. I was just trying to make him happy. Is that so wrong?
But anyway, 3 months was a short time. I probably shouldn't had taken pictures of myself with the iPhone. Maybe that could have prevented people from assuming that I was masking an ad. It was still my fault and I am sorry. I will make sure that whatever I intend to do or say from now on is properly thought about first.
..............................................................................................
I know that I may still get unkind comments from haters even after I've apologised, but I've said my piece and have done everything I can. No matter how bad the situation has been, I am still thankful that it happened. I've always believed that everything happens for a reason and they're all tests from God. This incident has opened my eyes to see what is clear and what is not. From henceforth, I'm bringing my mistakes forward with me and I'll use them as guides so that I don't repeat them again in future.
To everyone who's going through a rough patch now, always remember that there's always light at the end of the tunnel, you just don't see it yet. (Yes, I love inspirational quotes! Now everyone knows that about me^^)
Thank you for hearing me out. I wish you all a fantastic week ahead!:)
Romans 8:28 says 'God promises to make something good out of the storms that bring devastation to your life" - Thank you for sharing this bible verse with me :) You know who you are.