Would anyone actually want to become an Instagram influencer ?

[happilybemused]

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 ?

[Trafalger]

I think it says a lot about the shit state of some of society that these influencers are a thing. I just don't get it. I don't follow any as I just find them shallow from what people tell me. And who on earth buys a product just because xyz who got it for free says it's amazing! The companies that give all this for free are as dumb as the "influencers"

[MintyMabel]

I follow only a few accounts

Why would you follow it if you think it is all rubbish?

[Babybel90]

I don’t follow any but I have a friend who is an influencer in our local area, when I invited her to DDs birthday party a few of the other mums knew her and her kids from Instagram but didn’t know her in real life, and that was a bit weird.

Personally it doesn’t appeal to me because I wouldn’t like strangers commenting on me and my family and the whole thing seems a bit stalkery.

[momtoj]

You’d be surprised! I actually run a blog all about my digestive health and it’s pretty popular. i make a living from that and other bits and pieces of writing (hope that’s not too outing)

[momtoj]

Oops sorry above was in response to @BloodyCats

[SunburstsOrMarbleHalls]

I think advertisers that used to spend £££'s in print media have diversified as that industry has declined.
If an influencer has 500k followers and and a company who markets to the same demographic wants to promote a £500 product then sending them a freebie with the proviso that they give the product and company a mention via their social media is quite a cost effective marketing strategy.
Reaching half a million people for the cost price of one single unit is probably considered cheap compared to a full page spread in a magazine.

[PooWillyBumBum]

I’d find it embarrassing to do something which appears so vapid and narcissistic for money...however I am well paid for a stimulating job I really enjoy, which probably makes it less tempting.

[happilybemused]

I'm honest glad that anyone makes a living out of it as for me it seems a thankless task.

[JenniferM1989]

I don't use Instagram but from what I make of influencers, they are essentially the same type of people that do ads on the TV aren't they? They are advertising products and such because the internet is a good way to advertise. Add in someone most people can relate to, a pretty woman or a handsome man and bobs your uncle, the company have managed to advertise a product to a mass market without the costs of putting it on TV. A lot of start up companies can't afford TV ad rates, studio time, to pay actors etc so they use influencers

[happilybemused]

If that is Tanya Burr on Holby tonight?

[Smelborp]

I follow design influencers. Not seen a photo of a child on Instagram unless it’s a friends so it totally depends on what you choose to follow. I’d happily be a design influencer, yes!

[Bluntness100]

I couldn't do it, but I can see the attraction. Mrs hinch is now a multi millionaire due to it. Very few are as successful as her, but there is no doubt it can be very lucrative.

[Timeless19]

I just hate the term “influencer” makes me throw up a little in my mouth and I don’t follow anyone who purports to be one.

[Kolo]

Though I love the idea of getting kids of free money and lovey things for doing nothing all day, I couldn't be an influencer. How would I face my friends, who'd all think I was a right twat. And how would you do parents evening/swimming lessons/birthday parties without feeling that other people k ow more about you than they should?

[MadnessInMethod]

@yourestandingonmyneck nope I have less than 300 followers and most of those are my friends actually.

I post maybe 2-3 times a month and if I happen to be wearing something by Boden then I add that hashtag. People follow hashtags as well as people, so I assume I show in their newsfeed because of that.

[tempnamechange98765]

Yes I agree OP, certainly about the mummy accounts anyway. As PP said, I know the odd person who is clearly trying to "make it" as a mummy insta influencer, posting endless pictures of their kids with cheesy captions. It doesn't sit right with me, exposing children to tens, hundreds, thousands of others. My own instagram account is private, any photos of my kids are for my friends and family to see only (and who is really interested, let's be honest!).

[EmmiJay]

I have a close friend who makes a small fortune on ig. She does the ads, tagging, reviews and has 30k followers. I know what her life was like before all this really got into gear and I have to say I'm actually proud shes done it. Its certainly afforded her a much better life for her two children (she doesn't feature them on her page.) If I could do it then I would but it takes a hell of a lot of time and energy and I'm not built like that lol.

[dontcallmeduck]

I would but purely on interiors. I have no clue on interiors but am following a few renovation accounts and they get so many freebies, sofas, flooring, bathrooms even holidays without posting their face.

[VaperCut]

Nope definitely not for me. Many get a lot of hate and trolling on a regular basis and I'm not thick skinned enough to deal with that. Nor do I like being in the limelight.

I know of a couple of 'influncers' (ugh bloody hate that term) who have given up their careers in the medical field to focus fully on Instagram. So it is definitely worthwhile financially if you have lots of followers.

But many seem to have this desperation I can't stand to race to the top, to have the most followers, attention, freebies and outdo other influencers. There also seems a lot of fakeness to how they live their lives, all sun kissed holidays and perfect booties. One admitted to taking over 50+ photos and selecting the best one for Instagram. I'd die of frustration!

[escapade1234]

There have always been vain people. Instagram just gives them a legitimate outlet for it. It’s pure bragging, attention-seeking, insecure drivel.

And they’re all the same.

[redappleandaquamarinebow1987]

Personally if I had the personality for it to make a good living being an influencer it would have many advantages. I do realise a lot of work goes on behind the camera but it would allow flexible working hours (or at least more flexible then an office job) and means I could potentially work from home for a large portion so be able to be there for the kids, not to have to send them into daycare before school starts, and be able to maybe even offer a better life style for them depending on how much I could earn from it.

[BloodyCats]

What is your blog called @momtoj? I’d be interested in following.

[Sallyseagull]

I follow a few of the mum influencer types but I tend to go for ones with lesser followers (20k ish) rather than the ones with 400k as I find them more relatable.

Me being one though? Nah. Seems like a lot of hard work.

[SilverySurfer]

I don't even know what one is so I don't think so9.

[PhilSwagielka]

Nah, they're parasites who expect to be given everything for free and take the piss out of small businesses. I'd rather have a proper job.