I'm an 'Instamum/Influencer' AMA

[HelloThursday]

Saw one of these done a while ago and thought it was interesting!
I'm not a huge one - around the 20k mark :) ask away!

If it's all about the pictures it sounds like something people might just flick through like a glossy magazine.

YY about the being objective. What would you do if the product was absolutely atrocious?

Have you ever ‘asked for recommendations ‘ aka begged for freebies that you specifically want?

I have asked to work with brands that I really like, but more so in a collaborative way than a freebie way. I haven't ever asked for a 'freebie', I have occasionally approached brands to collaborate for example in a discount code, or for a follower giveaway (so one of my followers could win their product for example) - it's a great way to gain exposure on both sides.

A lot of the things I specifically want are larger brand items (for example a pram) and mostly they use PR agencies anyway, who actively approach 'influencers' as their strategy.

Lots of brands approach me though, and I've only got around 20k, people with 50k plus etc. must get sent stuff all the time.

Do you include #ad etc when given the product for free? Do you honestly think you can be objective about such products when you are being paid to advertise them?

It depends what it is. If it's a random freebie that no specific agreement has been arranged, I would say it had been gifted.

If it is a specific item, especially the bigger brands and there is a brief (even where I'm not being paid as the item is £500 for example) then yes I would as I don't have as much freedom on the post and therefore it is as an ad.

Do you feature your DC's images / names on your feed or in your stories?

If yes, why and how do you protect their privacy?

If no, why and what do you think of those who do feature their children?

Have you thought about the ethics involved?

If it's all about the pictures it sounds like something people might just flick through like a glossy magazine.

YY about the being objective. What would you do if the product was absolutely atrocious?

Yes exactly right about the magazine - for my account anyway. I don't offer any particular tips or anything it's more just pretty pictures. I do engage followers in conversation etc. too but nothing like The Organised Mum for example who's page is about cleaning tips.

If the product was atrocious, I think I would contact the brand first to speak to them about it, in case it was faulty or what have you. I certainly wouldn't be posting a positive review on it. How the brand responded would probably then influence whether I posted negatively or just not at all. If I was asked specifically about a product that I didn't like I would say that. Luckily I've not been in that position so far.

Don’t you have any concerns about safety of you or your family or security? Aren’t you worried about nutters stalking you?

A friend of mine is a wannabe Instamum. It’s probably quite possible to figure out where she lives from her account. And she will post things like when they’re on holiday or mention her DH is away on business . Seems a bit risky to me.

If I was asked specifically about a product that I didn't like I would say that. Luckily I've not been in that position so far.

Why don't you want to post anything negative - surely it would be valuable to your followers to know if something isn't very good?

Do you really think it’s a good idea to use images of your child / children to earn money?

Or would you consider just sticking to interiors so you don’t have to use them in this way - especially since they can’t consent to it

Some brands what copies some don't, mostly they do though.

How much do they alter what you have written? Do you ever refuse to go along with alterations they want?

Do you feature your DC's images / names on your feed or in your stories?

If yes, why and how do you protect their privacy?

If no, why and what do you think of those who do feature their children?

At present no, my own baby boy isn't due for another month so can't be featured. I probably will feature him once he is born. I haven't disclosed his name it is a nickname I use on there. I have a stepdaughter too but absolutely do not include images or anything of her, as it is not my place to do so.

I almost see Instagram as my own sort of scrapbook/photo album (which is how it started in the first place) and so a great way to track pictures of the baby. I will be very careful about what I post for privacy reasons however, so no names, locations, images that I feel are inappropriate for example. So I would post a picture of him in a cute outfit, I wouldn't post a picture of him in the bath.

Those that do heavily feature their children, I think it's up to them really. I personally think there are limits to what should be posted to protect them, but I don't see any harm in a picture of a child on a slide for example (so long as they don't disclose what park they're at!). Children obviously can't give their permission which is where it becomes trickier, but as long as the pictures don't give too much away I think it's largely okay. A picture of a child from behind for example or playing but not too close up doesn't seem to me to post any risk, so long as no names or identifying things are included.(That's obviously just my opinion though and parents can post as little or as much as they see fit really).

Have you thought about the ethics involved?

In terms of children or 'influencing' or both lol?

What's the point?

Don’t you have any concerns about safety of you or your family or security? Aren’t you worried about nutters stalking you?

A friend of mine is a wannabe Instamum. It’s probably quite possible to figure out where she lives from her account. And she will post things like when they’re on holiday or mention her DH is away on business . Seems a bit risky to me.

Absolutely! Which is why I never post anything identifiable. Nothing mentioning where I live, other than it's clearly the UK. No posts of the outside of my home. Nothing with full names etc. I wouldn't ever post anything about when we're away or if DH was away with work. I wouldn't even post that on my very limited private Facebook account lol, let alone to thousands of people on a public forum!

Why don't you want to post anything negative - surely it would be valuable to your followers to know if something isn't very good?

Where I've posted negatively before, it has garnered a very negative response. If it was objective, e.g. this cot literally fell to bits I would likely post that. If it was subjective, e.g. this cot isn't the colour I expected, I probably wouldn't.

you say you have 20k ish followers, do the brands that ask to work with you ever look further into that, as in check out engagement statistics?

Pictures from behind make me . What's the point of them? Also pictures of shoes from above and pictures of manicured hands clutching a mug or a wine glass. Just why?

I could probably get on board with an Instamum-Influencer if it was all about cats mind.

Do you really think it’s a good idea to use images of your child / children to earn money?

Or would you consider just sticking to interiors so you don’t have to use them in this way - especially since they can’t consent to it

I would absolutely love to stick to interiors! They are my passion. Unfortunately due to a rather drastic change in circumstance that isn't an option anymore. I don't even live in that house now.

As long as the images are very carefully thought through, and it makes a better life for the child, I don't think it's a massive issue. My posts are largely lifestyle focused as oppose to 'cute baby' focused so very few actually include/will include my child directly, even where they're family life/motherhood related.

How much do they alter what you have written? Do you ever refuse to go along with alterations they want?

I've never had a brand alter what I've written. I imagine this will become more though as I accept more posts. Whether I refused would depend on how much they altered it and if it still fitted with the message I was happy with.

Not a question but I’m at that Mrs Hinch one. The jump in followers is immense and the pics are all wonky grey ones over and over. I guess if you want to get into it there’s hope if the photos aren’t Instagram level of perfection

Oh I do have a question - is it because she focussed on cleaning?

What's the point?

Lol, great question. Don't know really, I guess it's no different to people who flick through magazine or look at pretty picture coffee table books.

I started it as a photo album for me, never had any intention for it to gain a following.

you say you have 20k ish followers, do the brands that ask to work with you ever look further into that, as in check out engagement statistics?

Yes and no, smaller family brands probably not. Bigger ones that use PR agencies yes I'd think they do. It's another thing that put me off paid posting. As they track the engagement and see how many clicks you get on the post etc. My career has always been in sales so I suppose the fear of not hitting target put me off a little.

Pictures from behind make me hmm. What's the point of them? Also pictures of shoes from above and pictures of manicured hands clutching a mug or a wine glass. Just why?

I could probably get on board with an Instamum-Influencer if it was all about cats mind.

I think it's all just about preference really isn't it. Some people love pictures of certain things other don't.

Yes to the cats - I have two but am rubbish at photographing them unfortunately :( haha.

I mean in general the ethics of being paid or given products in return for positive reviews. Do you truly believe you can be objective?

Not a question but I’m shock at that Mrs Hinch one. The jump in followers is immense and the pics are all wonky grey ones over and over. I guess if you want to get into it there’s hope if the photos aren’t Instagram level of perfection

Oh I do have a question - is it because she focussed on cleaning?

Yeah I don't know really, there's hundreds of accounts that post very similar, sometimes better pictures of interiors and never ever get to even 5k.

I think the cleaning thing helped but it's massively down to how loyal her followers are, she gets a lot of exposure purely because people will post pictures of their new Zoflora and tag her in it.