AIBU?
Would anyone actually want to become an Instagram influencer ?
happilybemused · 12/11/2019 19:00
I've long thought that it is an awful way of living your life.
You expose your entire life and young children online for what seems like in the majority of cases the odd free jumper/ face cream they probably would never normally use/buy.
Should add my days of cutesy children are long gone and I doubt my salty teens would ever endorse anything so that window has long gone.
Is it just my age ?
RightYesButNo · 12/11/2019 19:20
Erm... most popular influencers aren’t showing off their children. They’re showing off their arses. Most of them don’t share anything about their personal lives because they keep more followers that way (showing a boyfriend could lose them a HUGE amount of followers). If they’re exposing their entire lives for the odd jumper, they’re doing it wrong. I won’t lie; I’m a bit envious of the influencers who are getting free £1000-5000 hotel rooms all over the world (this one super expensive hotel in Switzerland with an infinity pool in the mountains seems to be on every single Instagram page), as I would love going to those places and taking pictures, but I just don’t have the arse for it. 
And honestly, I say good for them. If you can make a shiteload of money doing almost nothing with just your backside, Photoshop, and an iPhone, have at it.
nanbread · 12/11/2019 19:25
If you can make a shiteload of money doing almost nothing with just your backside, Photoshop, and an iPhone, have at it.
I think a lot of good influencers actually work bloody hard. It looks easy, but to build up and maintain a following and good engagement rate and a really lovely looking grid with well written posts is not easy or particularly cheap.
There are plenty of shit ones too of course. And occasionally a shit one becomes inexplicably popular...
LolaSmiles · 12/11/2019 19:26
It's not my thing and I have concerns about children forced into social media like that.
I know a few acquaintances who've tried to build a "mommy influencer" following, separate accounts to their main one but showing their children off, discussing all sorts.
happilybemused · 12/11/2019 19:35
I follow only a few accounts (none of the accounts who have had the recent drama) so perhaps I'm in the wrong level of followers.
What strikes me is the sheer amount of hours spent creating content every day.
I'm clearly from the wrong generation but it all seems completely exhausting not to mention putting up with a huge amount of abuse.
My teens agree that it is their dream job.
happilybemused · 12/11/2019 19:42
Should add I'm in my late 40's. Have done the whole Facebook thing since the children were young.
Moved away from people because of barely barbed comments. And that's Facebook with people I know !!
Let alone people commenting on my house, children, decor, clothes etc
Just why ??
Ihatesundays · 12/11/2019 19:46
There is someone local who is desperate to gain followers and make a career out of this.
I don’t follow her but she posts incessantly on other groups. Ive blocked her on FB. She posts millions of pictures of her children with no regard. I wonder what they will say when they are older and see the dozens of pictures of them in swimsuits etc
Misaki · 12/11/2019 19:48
I guess the attraction is money and attention. I absolutely agree it's wrong to push your kids into it. There are a lot of influencers who don't do that, however.
What I think is even worse are the families on YouTube that do the daily blog/family update thing. Imagine living in a house with cameras filming you constantly. No privacy. And if you're a really young kid you can't even agree to it.
yourestandingonmyneck · 12/11/2019 19:53
"Nope, not a chance.
I'm happy enough with the occasional freebie I get from Boden for posting a pic with the hashtag #BodenByMe
I couldn't be arsed with much more effort than that."
@MadnessInMethod
Eh? But surely this is influencing? You must have enough followers to make it worth Borden's time/money. Why else do you think they send you free stuff? 
Hellofromtheotherside2020 · 12/11/2019 19:53
No way!! For me, you cannot put a price on family privacy and dignity. Must also be crushing for your mental health too (even if you are loved by the masses). Plus, I personally couldn't sell my children out like that, it's wrong in my little humble opinion.
SunburstsOrMarbleHalls · 12/11/2019 19:53
For the majority of influencers it will be the odd freebie but many aspire to be at the top end were it is extremely lucrative with some earning well north of £150k, endorsements/sponsorship's can result in multiple luxurious holidays and £1000's worth of free products. Some gain followers that seem to fawn over them and make them feel like a kind of celebrity and I suppose the ego boost could be intoxicating.
The flip side is exposing a most of your life to scrutiny and constantly networking and finding ways to promote yourself and your "brand". Online the carefully curated photos and stories make it look like an easy way to make money but the reality is that it can be relentless hard work to remain popular, relevant and interesting.
Ultimately I think most people start out with the idea it could be fun and an opportunity to get free stuff but some if successful can get addicted to money and adoration and fall down the rabbit hole so to speak 
bakedtattie23 · 12/11/2019 19:55
What I think is even worse are the families on YouTube that do the daily blog/family update thing. Imagine living in a house with cameras filming you constantly. No privacy. And if you're a really young kid you can't even agree to it
Agreed. It's basically The Truman Show.
I know two people who are DESPERATE to become influencers (I guess ~lifestyle~ ones) and thet both BEG for likes and follows on their IG pages, even asking other people to repost their stuff and running "giveaways" where people follow & spam their followers for entries. I think it's because they hate their job and think being an influencer would be better. The open desperation for likes and follows is both offputting and very sad.
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