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?

Luludumas would be an excellent case study in how to go from eager follower to Instagram influencer getting a load of freebies and invites to launches in a short space of time. I have had fleeting thoughts that the account could be an elaborate parody or anthropological experiment but I think she's for real . She seems like a very nice lady, with great style who engages a lot with her followers (she could do with tightening up her disclosures though).

I wonder if when they all had dinner with Holly Branson if they were able to bring up Virgincate suing the NHS and getting an undisclosed settlement? Because they are all advocates of the NHS

They're all completely vacuous. Tbh I find these threads weird cos I'm not sure why we're holding them up to such high standards, EVERYONE on insta is at the sneaky gifting and advertising. I'm not saying it's right and I get that we're naturally inclined to talk about the instamums cos we're more likely to follow them but the whole app is a massive advert these days.

It's all bollocks, I agree that it's pretty pathetic that some of them can't see that for themselves, there's so little self awareness. The only one I previously followed was susie v and I've had to unfollow cos her patronising rant about what was said on here, completely missing all the important points that were raised and claiming we were all jealous of mod's fringe?! Ugh get over yourselves.

They all pat eachother on the backs (as do many of their followers) and reassure eachother that what they're doing is brilliant so things are unlikely to change any time soon.

@postwoman I agree the SV thing was bizarre. I don't quite understand why SV felt the need to take it upon herself to defend MOD, if I'm honest. She did exactly the same when the threads originally came about and spectacularly missed the point then as well. She said that we shouldn't call anyone who's a midwife and has 4 kids lazy and then gave MN the finger classy. Except nobody had said that.

It's obvious that SV operates on a higher plane to everyone else and can see the real meaning of what we're talking about. (Just replace the word 'twins' with 'fringe' apparently )

(And I'm going to try and let that be the last time I mention either of them )

Post you’re right.
It’s the women being powerful and supportive thing. The lunch probably cost as much as my entire budget for the next year trying to help women and families. Actually the lunch was probably more.
But it makes them all feel better about women and stuff.

I see there’s a Scamp & Dude colab coming with the beauty bunch, CH SH RC etc. Using the hashtag #womensupportingwomen. This type of faux feminism used to sell stuff really makes a mockery of actual social feminism.

@EeebyMum agree. It's just a marketing slogan.

And also a way to make themselves feel like they are doing something with meaning so they can pat themselves on the back while being as inane as ever.

#smashthepatriarchybybuyingthistshirt

I've reached saturation point with IG now where even the multiple pages I've unfollowed (only following and followed by people I actually know and like now) are being suggested to me.

I'm sick and tired of the ads and the product and the consumerism. It's a shame as one of the "influencers" I actually like wore a dress the other day which I bought based on her stories and its beautiful and fits well and I love it - there are some who have done the influencer thing well, are honest, down to earth and don't make you feel shit. But the crap ones and the general tone of the whole thing are such so miserable it ruins it.

I have just requested a download of my data and then I'm hitting the kill switch on the whole thing

OK so having viewed Natasha Bailie's latest story am I right in thinking that what she actually wants is for MN to just shut down any and all discussion regarding instamums!?

what NB wants is attention and some credit for defending she who can't be named. D'ya think they'd be leaping up and down in her defence if she didn't have those follower numbers. Like any experience lots of people have had excellent interactions with MN and lots haven't.

I think Instagram Influencers are really part of a MLM scheme.
The people with low followers lap up any content and praise it all in the hope that they will get more followers so they can get the freebies etc.
I know someone who has about 3,000 followers and is desperately trying to make it big. Her posts pretty much follow the exact format of the biggies.
I can see the same ‘hope’ in her that is present in the ‘juice plus’ crowd.
It is not #empoweringwomen, it is making them desperate to sell their lifestyle so they can climb the ladder.

Actually that's very astute finks

And NB, if you're reading this - does finks comment count as bullying?

NB needs a nice cup of tea, I’m sure she has enough teabags and a read of the Newstatesmen article

Now NB is saying we are going to make someone kill themselves. If that's not bullying I don't know what is tbh.

Here's an example of a nasty bullying comment:

"MOD has a horrible fringe and is ugly" (BTW for the sake of clarity, I obviously do not think that"

Saying "I have issues with the ethics of MOD putting her kids lives on Instagram and I don't like all the ads she shows" - that is NOT bullying.

Correct me if I'm wrong but any posts anything like my first example were reported and delighted, rightly so.

Did anyone see the necklace that CB has just collabed and released? £35 to remind yourself that 'adversity is my advantage'.

Who is CB?

Discussing the use of Instagram as a business isn’t bullying.
I’d you look at the MLM threads they are having the same discussions but nobody is saying ‘leave my juice plus rep alone, stop bullying them’ when people question vulnerable people being sucked into buying products to flog to their mates!

Freezerfoodyum CB is Candace Brathwaite. StyleMesunday mentioned over the hello/next thing and I thought she might have something interesting to say. Still waiting.

I do like StyleMesunday tho. She actually does have something to say and she wears m&s well!

Well this started very civilly as a discussion about ethics and has descended into snarky comments about individual influencers and their ads/collabs. So can you blame people for perceiving this as a snake pit?

Actually CB's make motherhood diverse is great, just her own feed is a bit dull, and promoting FOD's book...#cynical.

Which snarky comments, jamon?

@jamoncrumpets if there are indeed any posts that you're not happy about and find 'snarky', then by all means be proactive and hit the report button.

Snarky like 'Did anyone see the necklace that CB has just collabed and released? £35 to remind yourself that 'adversity is my advantage'

Or 'NB needs a nice cup of tea, I’m sure she has enough teabags'

Or 'Natasha Bailie did doesn't make her a megababe, it makes her a megabitch.'

Hardly sensible or reasoned debate.

I think it's possible to make your point in a slightly less insulting, more erudite manner.

I'm not a fan of Instagram influencing. Not at all. But I don't need to slag off CB's necklace collab to make a point.