I'm an influencer... ask me anything

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

I make my living as an Influencer... ask me anything

[IBegYourPardonWhat]

Thanks - very interesting discussion!

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@IBegYourPardonWhat
Do you get guidance or pressure from brands to disclose/not disclose whether there is a commercial relationship in place with you?

There used to be lots from brands (they'd always want no disclosure) but it seems to be a given that clear disclosure is an absolute given now. Which is a relief!

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@MarshaBradyo
Would you have built your following you have if you hadn’t used your children on the feed?

Do you think it’s a good idea that parents make money from their families in this way?

No idea... to be honest, when I only had 200 followers it didn't even cross my mind to not post images on them. I don't know if it's a good idea that parents make money from their families like this and I would hate for my kids to grow up feeling I'd exploited them in any way. It is something I think about often and though I do talk generally about the area we live in I never ever post identifying features. Seeing kids on Social media in their school uniforms horrifies me.

[IBegYourPardonWhat]

Do you get guidance or pressure from brands to disclose/not disclose whether there is a commercial relationship in place with you?

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@BertBox
If you had a thread on GOMI (getoffmyinternets) do you think you would read it?

Who's your favourite well known blogger?

I think it would be hard not to! But it's probably not great for your mental health.

I have a bit of a fascination with some of the big American bloggers, I think Gal Meets Glam must have an exhausting life... I wouldn't want to travel so much nor take so many photos of myself.

I think Mother Pukka is lovely (she's very warm in real life) and is a great example of someone who listens to her audience and learns from mistakes - she spends HOURS responding to comments. I also really like The Frugality.

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@Lovelydovey
How much do you earn a month? And what value of free goods do you get each month? Do you declare this to the taxman?

It varies, but usually between £5k and £7k, before tax. My best month was £11k. When it comes to freebies, it can be none or loads. The most in monetary value was probably £3k.

I do declare it as tax, I have an accountant to advise on this.

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

Whoops, meant to tag @RunMummyRun68 above!

@Missbrick1
Of course trolls are horrible & awful but I do think people should be called out for their behaviour, the Kardashian’s peddle all kinds of crap.
I think some of the problems with the insta crew is for some of them their usp was how relatable they were/are & when their audience helps to elevate them but then feels left behind it creates problems. For someone like Adele social media is a win win as despite her millions she comes across as down to earth etc. For the likes of a young woman who attracts her audience by styling Primark & is then head to toe in Gucci it’s much more problematic.

• Agreed that people should be called out for their crap - I can't stand to see all the slimming teas and appetite suppressants pedalled by celebs to impressionable young people. But I think some people can be needlessly mean and out to start a row for the sake of it.
  

It must be quite difficult when someone starts off shopping at Primark and Boots and then earns so much doing that they can shop at Gucci! To be fair though I follow a couple of big influencers who are on the luxe end, just because their lives are so incredibly different to mine (one of them seems to dress exclusively in tones of cream, if this was me I would be sitting in my kids' chocolate or sticking a leaky biro in my pocket). I think these kinds of influencers become a problem for their young followers when they make them believe it's attainable to live their lives this way.

[MarshaBradyo]

Would you have built your following you have if you hadn’t used your children on the feed?

Do you think it’s a good idea that parents make money from their families in this way?

[BertBox]

If you had a thread on GOMI (getoffmyinternets) do you think you would read it?

Who's your favourite well known blogger?

[Lovelydovey]

How much do you earn a month? And what value of free goods do you get each month? Do you declare this to the taxman?

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@Missbrick1
Are you a part of channel mum?

• No, I used to be with a different agency but I couldn't see the benefit in giving away a % of my earnings to a manager

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@Springtimeflowers
Have you met any influencers that aren't very genuine? I enjoy watching mum vloggers on YouTube, but feel disheartened when I feel a lot of them aren't being sincere. For example, in one video they say they never eat breakfast. A week later their favourite breakfast is porridge because Quaker sponsored them. A few weeks after that their favourite breakfast are a new cereal bar that's come out, because that company has sponsored them.

I recently had to take a step back from watching/following a lot of mum's because it all seemed so fake, and like they have sold out for money. What is your experience of this?

• I have met a few who are really enthusiastic and friendly to your face, but then when it comes to online they kind of blank you - it feels quite cliquey and childish in that respect but I guess many workplaces/sectors are like that.
  

In terms of selling out for money , I think many do. I try to only work with brands that I would be interested in or use outside of the day job but it's hard to stick to your guns when someone's offering you thousands of pounds to try a product and write about it. I have had situations before where I've used something/had an experience for the purposes of writing about it and I haven't enjoyed it, or something has gone wrong. In these instances I would always say to the brand that I will either give my honest negative opinion or not post about it at all.

[Missbrick1]

Of course trolls are horrible & awful but I do think people should be called out for their behaviour, the Kardashian’s peddle all kinds of crap.
I think some of the problems with the insta crew is for some of them their usp was how relatable they were/are & when their audience helps to elevate them but then feels left behind it creates problems. For someone like Adele social media is a win win as despite her millions she comes across as down to earth etc. For the likes of a young woman who attracts her audience by styling Primark & is then head to toe in Gucci it’s much more problematic.

[RunMummyRun68]

Are you a part of channel mum?

[Springtimeflowers]

Have you met any influencers that aren't very genuine? I enjoy watching mum vloggers on YouTube, but feel disheartened when I feel a lot of them aren't being sincere. For example, in one video they say they never eat breakfast. A week later their favourite breakfast is porridge because Quaker sponsored them. A few weeks after that their favourite breakfast are a new cereal bar that's come out, because that company has sponsored them.

I recently had to take a step back from watching/following a lot of mum's because it all seemed so fake, and like they have sold out for money. What is your experience of this?

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@BitOutOfPractice
Thank you op for this post. I've really enjoyed reading it and agree you sound like a lovely person. I wish and hope that other influencers would have as much integrity.

• Thank-you!
  

@LookMoreCloselier
I follow a few and have seen two flounce, I use that word to describe what comes before the SM break. I find it incredibly childish, trolls should never be fed, and also attention seeking, which I suppose isn't surprising when seeking attention is the whole point.

It's hard... I find that side of it very difficult to understand. We teach our kids to be kind human beings so why is it OK for someone to be mean to a stranger on the internet, just because they don't like what they're saying (I understand there are more dangerous influencers out there dispensing advice they aren't qualified to give - which is unacceptable). I get that people want to respond and defend themselves but you're right, trolls should never be fed.

[LookMoreCloselier]

I follow a few and have seen two flounce, I use that word to describe what comes before the SM break. I find it incredibly childish, trolls should never be fed, and also attention seeking, which I suppose isn't surprising when seeking attention is the whole point.

[BitOutOfPractice]

Thank you op for this post. I've really enjoyed reading it and agree you sound like a lovely person. I wish and hope that other influencers would have as much integrity.

I work in social media too but in b2b which is a world away from your sphere. But I've found an insight into the workings of a consumer influencer very enlightening. Thanks

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@RunMummyRun68
What does your DH think about what you do?

See above - he's very private. He doesn't even have a Facebook account (though has Instagram now so he can see what I am up to!). He finds it all a bit weird and I am very respectful of the fact he doesn't want to be in any photos/videos. He is about as far away from an 'insta-dad' as you can get.

He's also a terrible picture taker.

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@LookMoreCloselier
Have you ever flounced and taken a social media break because the comments have riled you? If not, what are your thoughts on other 'influencers' who've done this.

No... but then I think I am fairly inoffensive. I have had the odd troll but I try to just shrug it off, as long as I am happy and my kids are happy that's all I need. It has taken years to not take things personally, though.

I think 'flouncing' is probably the wrong term to use when it comes to taking a social media break - the people I know who have done this are under an incredible amount of criticism and honestly, I'm not sure I could handle it. I mean, they obviously choose to do the job we do and they reap the benefits of their massive audiences (I have no idea how much big influencers earn but it's A LOT) but IMO no amount of money is worth abuse/so many people prying into my personal life.

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@HeyDolly
I’d rather not know who you are! smile the other recent ‘Insta-mum’ AMA turned to arsey crap once it was revealed who the OP was and now seems to have been deleted!

• I saw that... if the OP was who she said she was though I have met her in real life and she's a lot of fun
  

@Hundredacrewoods
I know you said you don't really feel pressure to look a certain way, but I think it would be naive to think that you'd be successful if you were "fat, frumpy and fifty". Are you factoring that in and either building up savings, or keeping your day job skills up to date?

• this is true, though I always want to be on the side of normality and wouldn't get ridiculous things done just to look better on Instagram. Nor do I airbrush any photos (which lots do... and you can tell).
  

I keep my day job skills up to date, though I can't imagine going to back to it completely. I'm well aware I work in a very new field which has changed almost beyond recognition these last few years, so after another 5 I'm sure it will be a completely different landscape. My DH is also a pretty private person and I think if I grew my audience much beyond where it is at the moment he would start to feel uncomfortable, so I am thinking of how I can continue in my career without sharing so much of my life.

[RunMummyRun68]

What does your DH think about what you do?

[LookMoreCloselier]

Have you ever flounced and taken a social media break because the comments have riled you? If not, what are your thoughts on other 'influencers' who've done this.

[Hundredacrewoods]

I know you said you don't really feel pressure to look a certain way, but I think it would be naive to think that you'd be successful if you were "fat, frumpy and fifty". Are you factoring that in and either building up savings, or keeping your day job skills up to date?

[HeyDolly]

I’d rather not know who you are! the other recent ‘Insta-mum’ AMA turned to arsey crap once it was revealed who the OP was and now seems to have been deleted!