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Original poster

Ethics regarding Instamums and huns

999 replies

BurberryIsSo2000 · 24/05/2018 17:14

Homeisthecalm here, I think it's suitable to start a new ethics thread.

Since clearly, the one from yesterday isn't really about ethics but Clemmie.

Thanks all,

Keep it as nice or as stingy as you like Grin

I'll start off by saying things should be clearly marked 'ad' or 'gifted'

Although the term gifted gives me the rage

OP posts:
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10
CadyHeron · 30/05/2018 20:51

I find the tax and gifted element interesting. In my job we can’t take gifts over a certain value because they have to be declared, what is the deal with the instagrammers!

If earning money/receiving goods it should all be declared. Same as it would in any other self employed job.

Boredandtired · 30/05/2018 20:55

@Cadyheron

Cady- I never said I didn't agree with it being a job.

OK, bit confused by this bit then? Apologies if you meant something different? Just that' how it read.

it's no longer normal if say you are an influencer 4 days a week, attending influencer meets and hotel breaks and that is your full time job.

As I've tried to explain, when you followed the relatable 'normal' mums who then become completely different - lots of accounts have done this as they've become 'influencers' and no I don't think on the whole the lifestyle of 3 free holidays in 2 months, and free clothes, and goodies puts you in the realm of a 'normal' mum. It doesn't mean you can't be a 'normal' parent obviously, but your life is no longer the relatable life it was. Again no issue with this if you are not going to whinge about having to be open about your 'partnerships' and if you are careful what you put out there.

Readingchair · 30/05/2018 20:58

Has anyone else been messaged by MP about meeting up?

checkedcloth · 30/05/2018 21:03

Yes Cady it is Faux. Schelping into London on a press visit, wearing gifted clothes, drinking cocktails and taking home a load of Jo Malone shower gel is not usual mum activities.

And don’t get me started on the whole ‘Can anyone recommend toilet paper please, I can’t possibly look up something on the internet’. Just bloody say ‘I want free stuff to wipe my arse with’. #strongmama

CadyHeron · 30/05/2018 21:06

Drinking cocktails isn't usual mum activities?! Somebody must have forgotten to hand me that memo, as I love a cocktail or two!

checkedcloth · 30/05/2018 21:17

Oh come on Cady. Don’t be so literal. I said drinking cocktails, at a press event, wearing a free dress and with a bag of jo Malone stuff.

CadyHeron · 30/05/2018 21:26

They post pictures of their lives though. If their lives include a cocktail or two, they might upload a picture.
If they're at a press event, stands to reason they'll put up a picture of that too,
If they have Jo Malone stuff and a dress and they're advertising it and marking it as #ad, there isn't a problem.
If you can't relate to their lives, there's feeds that don't monetise or have a slightly less affluent feel if that's more to your taste.
If that is their lifestyle, they shouldn't feel like they have to downplay it as it's not relateable, and if it's the monetary thing you feel uneasy with - there's a simple answer to that. Find out which feeds you do like and follow them instead.
I know if a feed is too heavily based on ads and moves away from organic, more "natural" content it makes me unfollow and lose interest.

dynevoran · 30/05/2018 21:30

Yes if the gift or discount is in exchange for something e.g. a post, then yes generally you would work out a cash equivalent and that would be taxable. It can in some cases depend a little on the specifics: quantity and value of the gifts and the relationship, whether you're self employed or a company and a few other things, but overall that is how it should be treated.

checkedcloth · 30/05/2018 21:33

But they don’t always declare an AD do they?

One of them ‘that mummy smile’ is on holiday this week in Turkey. Halfway through the trip ‘AD’ appeared in her stories (but not consistently). It’s just so fake.

Just be honest, say that you’ve been paid or being paid for etc. and accept that you are slightly unrelatable. Isn’t the end of the world. But at least it’s honest

dynevoran · 30/05/2018 21:36

I mean in terms of unsolicited gifts which you don't do in exchange for a post when I say it depends on the specifics...just to clarify as reading back it isn't clearly worded. Where it is contractually in exchange for something then it is definitely taxable.

Also I am not suggesting at all that anyone who has been discussed isn't doing this properly. They will likely have good professional advice. It's more the level below the very successful influencers who could be coming more unstuck where it comes to complying with legislation.

Because it grows gradually this type of work, and all of a sudden people can be making a reasonable amount of money on top of a PAYE employment and often genuinely not realising the tax implications of what they receive in money or money's worth.

CadyHeron · 30/05/2018 21:38

I agree, they should be honest and put ad, I've always been in agreement there.
That's a different issue to what you mentioned before though - your previous post seemed to have a problem with what you perceive to be "free stuff like Jo Malone and dresses" in general and not whether they say they are ads or not.
Which if they do put as ads - that's fine. It is what it is.

checkedcloth · 30/05/2018 21:43

Don’t worry Cady. Both accounts piss me off. The non disclosure and the faux I’m just like you twaddle.

Readingchair · 30/05/2018 21:45

Dynveron that is so interesting. So are IGers being investigated if they have other employment?

Boredandtired · 30/05/2018 21:49

@checkedcloth red rag to a bull!! You are not allowed to follow accounts that piss you off and comment on them 😱

poca · 30/05/2018 21:53

Just popping in to say I like that susie v is doing these giveaways of her #gifted stuff, does highlight that they must get a crazy amount of free stuff though

checkedcloth · 30/05/2018 22:00

I forgot the rules Bored. Can only follow instamums and drench them in a melody of flattery and admiration. Them’s the rules

#womensuporttingwomen

PeppaP · 30/05/2018 22:08

Has anyone else been messaged by MP about meeting up?

@Readingchair No, but I have commented on some of the spin off MOD posts and MP followed me, and seems to have followed lots of the voices of dissent, I have wondered what that is all about.

Readingchair · 30/05/2018 22:17

PeppaP thanks for replying. She said she's putting something together for the ASA.

Readingchair · 30/05/2018 22:19

She also said she's met 5 MNers from these threads.

Readingchair · 30/05/2018 22:20

I think there's all sorts going on. Several previous posters on these threads have disappeared. Not just name changed - completely disappeared if you do advanced search.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 30/05/2018 22:22

This all sounds a tad weird.....why would someone be messaging a poster on here to say they have met other posters on a thread?! I would find that 😏 whatever the context

PeppaP · 30/05/2018 22:23

Readingchair that’s really interesting, I look forward to seeing what happens next!

TheLadyhasarrived · 30/05/2018 22:25

I noticed a lot of posters have disappeared and their comments have been withdrawn at posters request, it wa strange because they have been some of the strongest voices on these threads.

Sofialemon · 30/05/2018 22:28

MP requested to follow me on insta a while ago which I found strange given my account is private and I've never linked to it on here.

Boredandtired · 30/05/2018 22:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.