To think that this 'influencer' should pay me for my work, not ask for freebies?

[Megatron]

I'm a bit flummoxed. I have a side business (cookies) which ticks along nicely in normal circumstances, although it's going ok during lockdown, luckily.

I had a message from someone this morning saying that it is her mum's birthday soon and can I make her two dozen cookies and deliver them to her this weekend. She lives about 30 miles away from me and 'as payment' she is willing to 'put photos on my insta page and say how great they are. I have a large following and this would be good business for you'. Now, I don't know how these things work, but I think she's absolutely taking the piss? Her 'large following' is less than 500 people and even aside from that, I don't want to work for free then do a 60 mile round trip to deliver (I normally only deliver within 5 mile radius, it's just a tiny sideline for me). I'm not some big shot looking for tonnes of business, I just like enough for a bit extra. They're also quite detailed cookies and each one takes a while to decorate - she clearly thinks they look ok but not enough to actually pay me for them.

Am I hopelessly out of date and this is just how it's done or is she absolutely taking the piss. What the fuck even is an 'influencer' anyway?

Tell the CF to F the right off

HTH

Less than 500 followers? Who the fuck does she think she is asking for freebies 😂

She must think she's a Kardashian

Lol, I've got over 500 followers, does that make me an influencer?

@Piffle11

I think a member of the ‘Made in Chelsea’ cast tried something like this with a restaurant last year ... sent them an email stating she’d just joined the cast and was a fan of their food, so would they ‘like to invite’ her to their restaurant for a free meal? In return she’d tag them in an Instagram post. They told her if she’s such a fan then she should support them by paying for her meal.

Contrast this with Jason Manford who when performing at our local theatre last year made a point of frequenting various local, independent restaurants and posting pics of their food/good comments.

We were sat at the next table to him one afternoon and not only did he pay his bill, he left a substantial tip.

@Inthemuckheap

I feel sorry for her mother! Can't be great to get presents that have been begged for.

It's probably just a cover anyway to try and appeal to people's better nature. "it's for my Mum's birthday". She's probably sent 1000 small businesses the same message.

@bogoblin you should get an insta of him doing insta stories it's like an instaception

Complete cheeky fucker.

The way to deal with Influencers like that is offer them a deal. They pay up front for the goods, you give them a 'code' and then a % off or £x back per customer that orders with you.

My DD has a mega high insta following, she is an artist with more work than she can handle.

She has had begging emails like this and they soon disappear when she points out that with her following out numbering theirs by 10k odd, she doesnt need their "exposure" :o

DD3 just reminded me of what DD2 did with one of the art beggars. She played back and offered to give the CFer exposure in exchange for a free make over. And was called a CFer herself. The irony was clearly lost on the influencer-with-no-influence! :o

Influencer. = CF Freeloader

One of my friends has a mega high following and just no longer responds to these CFers. They always try to gaslight and turn it round and play the victim, like this Elle Darby gal. Just don't even dignify this with a response.

Influencers can't sell products unless their followers are your target market. Is she in the cake business? Is she well respected in that area? How many if her followers are in the market for cake? How many live within pick updistance? Honestly she could have 50 thousand followers, but that's no guarantee of any increased cake sales. There are much more effective ways to market your product. She needs to do better than that if she wants a freebie.

Oh godddd, I absolutely cringe at things like this. Who has the brass neck to spend their days messaging small businesses asking for freebies, it must be mortifying surely?

On another note though OP, get yourself an Instagram page as lots of small businesses are taking off on there, you'll surpass her followers within a few days

Influencer. = CF Freeloader

🤣. So true.

Id reply like this

Thank you so much for your kind offer, but Im ring to have to pass as Im already stacked out with orders. Hope you find something nice fo r your mums birthday,

kind regards

Influencers get approached by companies not vice versa. She's not only a chancer, she's too tight to pay for her own mother's birthday present?

I have 490 followers and I am just an everyday bitch. I would NEVER ask for freebies 😂😂😂 500 followers hahahaha. What a CF.

If someone with 100k+ followers suggested this, you’d be a fool not to. It would be great publicly for your business & you’d definitely get some orders.

But 500 followers? 🤣🤣 shes a numpty.

If she had 200k followers then it would be worth it. As it is, she isn't an influencer just some cheeky chancer! I work with influencers regularly and I've had pretty much all good experiences with the ones I've approached.

My DD has more than that and she wouldn't have the brassneck to ask for cookies she is a CF

It makes me feel shit

Please, please don't let yourself respond by things there is anything wrong with what you are doing.

That request was prime CF territory.

The trouble is that the cost to her for asking is really very low so that it's worth a try.

Send out a whole load of emails and, you never know, someone might be desperate enough to actually provide something for free.

I had a woman tell me about her CHILD INFLUENCER! Bragging about his follower numbers and who he takes photos with.... The kid was 8.... Ffs. No you're not getting a freebie worth a fiver or 500 quid from me

C'mon Megatron you got to get into insta, and down with the lingo- it's your side hustle

And wow- 100% YANBU - that has to be a first!