I'm an influencer... ask me anything

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

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

[Gobbolinothewitchscat]

You sound like the exception that proves the rule, driving

What are your views of your colleagues who dont and who are advising vulnerable readers on mental health issues - eg by way of courses etc?

[Rockandrollwithit]

I have another question:

Do you find it stressful to have to constantly share your life and post regularly? Do you find that you have to do it even if you don't feel like it on that day?

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@restingbemusedface What would your job be if Instagram shut down tomorrow?

I had a successful career pre-the influencer stuff took off, which I gave up because my earnings overtook my day job and it made sense with kids. I'd go back to that, I guess (though I'd rather not!!)

[BischBaschBosch]

How did you end up becoming an influencer? Was it something you set out to do on purpose?

Are you naturally creative/arty?

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@Ionlylookatthepictures

Do you think your children might resent you one day for the exposure you give them now? I assume you don’t have teenagers...

I worry about that, but my kids (junior school age) know what I do, and though I am aware they don't fully understand the gravity of it I try and speak to them about it. I hope that, come the teenage years, they will love the archives of their early lives (which was the reason I started).

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@ginandnappies Haha OP you are SUPER brave. grin do you enjoy doing what you do? Is it your only income? x

Hahah, maybe! I think 'influencers' (eurgh, still hate that term) aren't really understood and I wanted to open up what we do.

I genuinely love what I do. I make good money sharing what I hope is positivity and connection with a large audience. For me it works - and yes, my only income.

[HeyDolly]

Another one who wants to know how much money you make as an ‘influencer’ please :)

[MessyBun247]

Are you buddies with other ‘influencers’?
Have you been to any of the influencer events? If so, what did you think of it?

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@Brendatheblender How do you feel about the threads on here regarding influencers on instagram? Were you mentioned on there?

I think there were fair and valid points on the threads that have got a lot of us considering our roles when it comes to advertising much more intently. They did diverge a bit into mud-throwing but hey, you can't please everyone.

I was mentioned!

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@verystressedmum So instagram pays you to post do you get paid by advertisers too? Do you get sent free things?

I don't get paid by Instagram, just by brands to post. I do sometimes get sent free things but I don't like to accept gifts because I hate having the pressure to post something positive about a product I wouldn't normally use if I don't like it. PRs are pretty heavy-handed if they send you something and then they don't get the coverage they expect - I'd rather say no than have a house full of stuff I don't use.

[goingagain]

I would love to know what sort of income it generates and from what sources exactly?

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@BitOutOfPractice How much money do you make?

In the last 12 months I have made £70k, not including experiences/holidays/a couple of free things I've accepted (yes, these get declared to the taxman)

[BitOutOfPractice]

Wow! Thanks for answering. I’m aware it was a rude question.

How many hours a week do you spend on this work and how did you get started?

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@Gobbolinothewitchscat
You sound like the exception that proves the rule, driving

-TBH I think more 'influencers' (bleurgh) should be a bit more open about the work they do - it's just a role played in (admittedly) new media. Why be cagey and hide how it works?

What are your views of your colleagues who dont and who are advising vulnerable readers on mental health issues - eg by way of courses etc?

-I don't know much about this (maybe I missed something? surprising as I spend so much time on the internet) but would not support it one iota.

[Missbrick1]

How did you get noticed? Did it blow up or did you actually have to engage, like & comment regularly on other people etc to attract followers?

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@Rockandrollwithit

Do you find it stressful to have to constantly share your life and post regularly? Do you find that you have to do it even if you don't feel like it on that day?

Yes. Overwhelmingly so, sometimes. My life (I think) isn't very interesting and I feel there's a pressure I feel to make it more so.

[charityhallet]

I dont have any social media accounts (apart from MN if that counts). What is an influencer please and what is an instastory please? Apologies for the stupid questions!

[Brendatheblender]

Thanks for answering OP.

I’m so intrigued as to who you are but will respect your anonymity

[CatsCatsCats11]

I'd love to also know how it happened for you, was it overnight, steady gain? Did you intend to do this or did a hobby turn into more?

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@BischBaschBosch
How did you end up becoming an influencer? Was it something you set out to do on purpose?

Are you naturally creative/arty?

I started a blog when my first child was a baby and it went from there. I'm not especially creative but I have had to learn how to be, and I think I have a good amount of business smarts from my previous career which has led to my success.

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@MessyBun247
Are you buddies with other ‘influencers’?
Have you been to any of the influencer events? If so, what did you think of it?

I am! Some of the big ones. I am always surprised with the things said about them on the threads as they've only ever been really lovely to me.

I find influencer events a bit strange as you never know who will be there. Quite often you are paid for your attendance though so it's very much 'game face' on - just another day at work. You have to be professional for the client, get the material you need for YouTube/Insta/Blog, say your thank-yous and get home for your kids.

I've had some of the booziest nights out with influencers though! Some of the events are like weddings - booze, gossip, dancing. so much fun.

[scotx]

I do sometimes get sent free things but I don't like to accept gifts

If a brand sent you a free gift in the post that you had no idea was coming to you, but you didn't like it and you knew weren't going to mention it / tag it on your account, would you keep the gift anyway and say nothing. Or would you package it back up and return it to them?

Do brands (small or large) generally contact you first to say there's something being sent to you or do the gifts just appear?

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@BitOutOfPractice
Wow! Thanks for answering. I’m aware it was a rude question.

How many hours a week do you spend on this work and how did you get started?

I think one of the reasons Influencers get so much crap press is because how new and closed the industry is - it's a great job (though probably not something I'd push my kids towards ).

I work hard, 50-60 hours a week I'd say, though sometimes it feels like living normal life is work (replying to DMs in front of the TV, insta storying EVERYTHING).

I started when I had a baby and wanted to chat to other mums.

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@Missbrick1
How did you get noticed? Did it blow up or did you actually have to engage, like & comment regularly on other people etc to attract followers?

I started before being an 'Instamum' was a thing so it was a bit more old-school, though Instagram really helped propel me forward. IMO to be successful you need to have a combo of talent (writing/photography), a business head and networking skills. Engaging and commenting is a must, particularly when you're small.

[DrivingMyBumperCar]

@CatsCatsCats11
I'd love to also know how it happened for you, was it overnight, steady gain? Did you intend to do this or did a hobby turn into more?

I wasn't one of those who had overnight success! It took about 5 years and was a hobby that morphed into a job. I still feel very lucky for this.