Influencer ethics on Instagram

[MadameGrizzly]

Continuing the discussion on whether influencing on Instagram is an ethical business model, particularly around the disclosure of advertising and the over exposure of children.

AIBU to think it isn't a sustainable career unless the influencer is scrupulously ethical?

Which all sounds great. But, just to note, on your stories today, about your meeting in Whitehall, you say:

"We're here today talking about our flexible working agenda, what we would like to see, the specific points, action..."

That simply doesn't chime with what you have said about about being a case study.

@Bullnoway one of the criticisms we’ve had here (and on Instagram) has been our focus. What are we trying to achieve? In response to that valid question, we are working on a list of recommendations for companies to help employees like myself wade through the flexible working process. How is it so inconsistent across the board? Do you wait until you’ve secured the job to ask for it? Our next Flex Appeal march in July will simply be calling on companies to be transparent about their flexible working policies from the get-go, while politely asking Theresa May where things stand with her manifesto commitment to make all jobs flexible from day one. Whitehall are helping inform me and steer my communication in this regard. Mainly because they see a shift in workplace culture goes hand-in-hand with legislative change. As mentioned on Instagram I have no ‘influence’ over policy but in the absence of that I can affect some - even if small - change across my channels in (hopefully) an informed way.

I'm perfectly happy for MP to talk on my behalf because I take no issue in what she says and to frank, she gets off her arse and does the hard work (often unpaid) when other people like me sit and whinge about why its so hard to get a flexible job. When I see references to 'our flexible working agenda' I don't get any sense from that that MP is trying taking credit for other people's work, like people seem to have . Flexible working is such an important issue, the more people who are being noisy about it the better IMO. Screening people who have the appetite and energy to get involved and make change depending on whether they have 'expert' status isn't helpful to making that change happen. I do take issue with people on IG who ascribe expert status to themselves to flog stuff/get ads on the back of it, but I think I have seen enough of what MP does to feel more than comfortable that the motives are genuine.

Mainly because they see a shift in workplace culture goes hand-in-hand with legislative change.

I am totally on board with this.

I don't really doubt that MP comes from a good place. But this is a bit like 'there's a hole in my bucket'. Is it PR, being a case study or campaign/policy change? MP, your answers on this thread are contractory (and sit completely at odds with what you said today in your stories). If you are pulling together a list of recommendations, how and from whom? I haven't seen a call for evidence and input, or a round table. Why do your stories say that you are taking ideas to Whitehall if they are actually advising you. This is SUCH an important issue, I want it to be done properly.

And on instamums and authority - surely it's clear that instamums could choose to promote really useful evidence from experts on mental health, for example, but choose not to. I'd love to see you use your undeniable influence to proposose this.

@Bullnoway I appreciate you seeing we have positive intention. But to allay any concerns, I am one of hundreds of people speaking to Whitehall about this issue (EHRC and Timewise are an integral part of a dedicated flexible working governmental board that meets monthly at Whitehall to drive policy change) so I can confirm you will have many experts fighting your corner - alongside an influencer/ PR tool like me. The conversation today covered my experience as an employee - which hopefully throws (even on a minute level) some human experience into the mix and how I can steer my influencer communication in a way that affects cultural change in the workplace. Something that goes hand-in-hand with bigger legislative change as mentioned above. Maybe my communication skills are, indeed, lacking. But I promise I am doing all I can to affect change with the tools (held in a leaky bucket) in front of me. There’s always room for improvement so again, that’s why I’m here. But I feel like I’m hijacking this thread for influencer gain slightly. In ethical terms, I need to be way more transparent about the campaign drive/ mechanic and, hopefully, it is working having AD | at the beginning of all our paid partnerships.

Yes sensible mothers FlyingBird

Btw Jam I just had a look at the screenshot of the mother's meeting. Re the place setting ? Card that says WTF is an influencer.

That would be my question now, after so much conversation. We've sort of defined ethics Along the way, but what is an influencer? Who coined that phrase? Was it mother's meetings? Were any of the IG accounts organic or did many of them attend these meetings and learn how to posture to attract advertising? Is that why a handful are the top of the 'MLM', through contacts etc?

I don't know if it matters, but it makes me see them really differently.

I have been watching these threads with interest for months..... As a long time Mumsnetter and someone who has been blogging for ages and on Instagram, I would love to know what disclosure you would feel comfortable with "so called" influencers using?

When I have been paid to write about something or share it on Instagram or even paid to attend an event then I always use #Ad

If I have been given something free and I happen to post about it (without it explicitly being sent to share) then I always use #gotitfree

For things like holidays, I use #Spon

But for events etc, I am never sure what to say. In fact, often I am never sure of what to use. I want to be clear on my disclosure. I never set out to get free stuff or make an income when I started blogging, but it is now my career and I want to as clear and open as I can be.

There are no explicit instructions from anyone - the ASA stuff is about as clear as mud! I have even started to say I paid for this, as I feel somewhat under the cosh.

Oh, and I am Northern (so rarely get to London events).
No longer have a baby.
Am fat, grey and not middle class.

I am ALL for diversity on Instagram

Hi MadHouse, I don't like #spon (I find it pretty meaningless). Just call a spade a spade and call it an #ad if the brand has had any input - and to me that means timing, use of hashtags, wording, number of posts etc.

If the brand has just sent you something literally in the post (I find it hard to believe no discussion happens behind the scenes before this happens though), I think #gift is ok and clear enough (though only because this seems to have seeped into common use).

I actually don't like it when influencers say they paid for something, if you are scrupulous about your disclosures there should be no need.

The other thing that concerns me is the 'influencer's' advice/mantra now (from at least 4 of them) about 'pulling up the drawbridge' after birth. Not having visitors, staying in bed etc. Yet at the same time they are posting pictures of themselves hours after birth and showing their babies in #gifted clothes almost immediately. Within weeks they are attending events with their babies.

So effectively they are not having any maternity leave as I see it, and the messages contradict each other.

I would rather have my friends and family visit me (which they did for all my births) and say my babies were beautiful, hug me, hold my babies, check I'm ok and bring me food, than spurn them and stay in bed posting photos for stranger followers while selling advertising. I see mental health issues right there with the latter strategy.

@TheMadHouse - so in your mind what differentiates #ad and #spon?

@Reboot - Seriously I often get sent things with no strings attached and I hate using #gifted (it just makes me cringe)!

Some clients will ask for #Spon rather than #Ad.

It is really helpful to get feedback.

MadHouse not sure if ok to ask but do you do interiors?

Thanks MP joining in is probably like sitting at a pub table and sliding a pamphlet across (initially). But I’m glad you came back as it has become clearer, thanks

I was up and going out for walks with the pram immediately that I got home with both of my babies. If someone advised me to stay at home in my PJs it would have been completely wrong for me. I literally had to leave the house otherwise I would have gone nuts. While pulling up the drawbridge may be the right answer for some people, it should not be presented as the solution for everyone.

@TheMadHouse I think I know who you are but I don't want to give it away It's pretty obvious from your name though.

You were one of the first Instamums I came across on IG and probably one of the most relatable.

@its5oclocksomewhere It is often more of that the client has asked for. But for me, an advert is where I am passing on a specific message, whereas sponsored the message is much more open.

I much prefer it when I can have a discussion with the client and PR to clarify requirements.

I think that the more meaningful and respectful discussions we can have on this the better for all sides.

I think I know too (your description of yourself is not right though!)

I just followed the other day, you have a nice account

@MarshaBradyo excellent analogy. I still have a few leaflets flying about but am logging off now to catch a train. Happy to answer anything on PM or Instagram, too.

@ MarshaBradyo Nah - I am not an interiors blogger -

@PavlovaPrincess I am happy to out myself! I am @muminthemadhouse on Insta and have been around forever. Mumsnet (the Fly Baby Group) were the people who got me through my mastectomy years ago.

Madhouse - how do they get your address to send stuff?

I just can't bear spon. Sponsored would be ok, but spon? It's not even a word!

Oh ok got that wrong

@MarshaBradyo Thank you. I like to think that my persona is the same online as offline!

@Reboot I will use #Sponsored from now on - you are right, if you are outside the industry you would have no idea what #Spon even meant.

@Reboot Regarding my address - I have a registered office and lots of unsolicited stuff goes there. But also once a PR gets hold of your address they keep it on file.