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Original poster

New found respect for influencers

53 replies

Sweetwindinmyhead · 06/09/2023 20:18

Ok, hear me out please. I used to think - not much about influencers, but lately I have realised how much work it is to actually be an influencer. I started a little side hustle for myself online and social media is my only marketing tool. Although I don’t have any budget for influencers yet and I have had to do some posts on social media by myself which is clearly not working 😂 I have realised how much work it is! Gosh, I’m starting to see how much effort goes into it. So now I have a little more respect for them. Anyway, that’s my chat for this evening x

OP posts:
PackBacker · 06/09/2023 20:20

I have respect for them and anyone else who can support themselves by working. I don’t want to be a dinosaur and now get that this is how a lot of advertising works now.

Original poster
Sweetwindinmyhead · 06/09/2023 20:23

It really seems like hard work. Growing your account, posting pics that are actually likeable and making yourself look good. I can’t be bothered to put make up on every day. Leave alone take a photo of myself. Also knowing which is my best angle etc

OP posts:
Orange67 · 06/09/2023 21:33

I would have more respect for someone advertising their own products. I find it hard to get on board with influencers: they post about something when they're paid to and then you never see it again, but they post something else about a different brand the following week, completely conflicting.

It's all so fake. I have no respect for that.

Original poster
Sweetwindinmyhead · 06/09/2023 21:47

I know what you mean. I have been trying to advertise my own products but I don’t have the confidence or the following that they have.

OP posts:
Fairyliz · 06/09/2023 22:35

Orange67 · 06/09/2023 21:33

I would have more respect for someone advertising their own products. I find it hard to get on board with influencers: they post about something when they're paid to and then you never see it again, but they post something else about a different brand the following week, completely conflicting.

It's all so fake. I have no respect for that.

But it’s just advertising the modern way ie targeted at a particular audience.
Do you think Emma Watson really only wears Prada perfume?
What are you trying to promote op and who is your target audience? Some people on Instagram are happy to post a photo in return for a free product.

Soapyspuds · 06/09/2023 23:00

It's all so fake. I have no respect for that

I have no time for influencers but it is not any different to adverts that are on TV. Various people paid to pretend to like some shite or other.

NatashaDancing · 06/09/2023 23:08

Soapyspuds · 06/09/2023 23:00

It's all so fake. I have no respect for that

I have no time for influencers but it is not any different to adverts that are on TV. Various people paid to pretend to like some shite or other.

Edited

I honestly can't think of anything I've bought just because someone famous is "endorsing" it. In fact if it was someone I admired it would make me think less of them and put me off the product.

The one exception was that car advert Thierry Henry did. Can't remember what make and I've never bought a car that wasn't a Fiat or an Alfa Romeo, so lovely as he was, he didn't sell the car to me.

So far as non famous influencers I don't use social media so couldn't name one (unless Bernadette Banner and her pals count, although they're not usually punting clothes and make up)

Itsalwaysthelasttime · 06/09/2023 23:26

@Sweetwindinmyhead i have my own business and use social media to promote it.
The trick is to just do it i felt so uncomfortable the first few postscthen it got easier
Be yourself dont pretend talk in your voice to attract your people.
Comment and interact with other accounts especially on Instagram they will then follow you and you will be seen by more people.
If you are a local business interact locally with similar businesses and local interest type businesses.
If more national think what accounts are people who would use you woukd likely be looking at and get on their accounts
It takes awhile to build a business plug away.
If you are the sort of business who people will google get on google my business/maps its free and so good
And a website get a website be clear on pricing where you are located (if applicable) how to order etc.

Orange67 · 07/09/2023 09:56

Fairyliz · 06/09/2023 22:35

But it’s just advertising the modern way ie targeted at a particular audience.
Do you think Emma Watson really only wears Prada perfume?
What are you trying to promote op and who is your target audience? Some people on Instagram are happy to post a photo in return for a free product.

Show quote history

Exactly, it's just churned out advert after advert. I can't respect that, because being an "influencer" seems not very genuine to me.

I don't believe Emma Watson only wears Prada and I don't particularly "respect" those adverts either😁

Fairyliz · 07/09/2023 10:02

Orange67 · 07/09/2023 09:56

Exactly, it's just churned out advert after advert. I can't respect that, because being an "influencer" seems not very genuine to me.

I don't believe Emma Watson only wears Prada and I don't particularly "respect" those adverts either😁

Show quote history

But that’s literally the job of an influencer to sell stuff.
It’s like complaining that a gardener mows the lawn or weeds the flower beds. They are not doing it for ‘respect’, they are doing it for the money.

fairyfluf · 07/09/2023 10:03

I found an influencer called Charlotte Holdcroft who regularly does a video talking people out if buying things. It's very handy if you're tempted by something.

Orange67 · 07/09/2023 10:10

Fairyliz · 07/09/2023 10:02

But that’s literally the job of an influencer to sell stuff.
It’s like complaining that a gardener mows the lawn or weeds the flower beds. They are not doing it for ‘respect’, they are doing it for the money.

Show quote history

The thread is about respecting the work that goes into it and I don't particularly, so I was just replying to that.

Orange67 · 07/09/2023 10:11

fairyfluf · 07/09/2023 10:03

I found an influencer called Charlotte Holdcroft who regularly does a video talking people out if buying things. It's very handy if you're tempted by something.

Oooo apparently that's called de-influencing!

NatashaDancing · 07/09/2023 10:15

Fairyliz · 07/09/2023 10:02

But that’s literally the job of an influencer to sell stuff.
It’s like complaining that a gardener mows the lawn or weeds the flower beds. They are not doing it for ‘respect’, they are doing it for the money.

Show quote history

It's nothing like a gardener. The job of "influencers" is predicated on the idea that the opinions of these people, who create nothing themselves, are worth listening to.

fairyfluf · 07/09/2023 10:28

Orange67 · 07/09/2023 10:11

Oooo apparently that's called de-influencing!

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Ohh! I'm learning the lingo :D

Fairyliz · 07/09/2023 10:28

NatashaDancing · 07/09/2023 10:15

It's nothing like a gardener. The job of "influencers" is predicated on the idea that the opinions of these people, who create nothing themselves, are worth listening to.

Edited
Show quote history

I work in admin do I ‘create’ anything? I certainly do have lots of opinions though 🤣.
I think you are taking it all to seriously though. I’m keen on gardening so I follow a few gardeners to get some ideas/look at nice photos and yes occasionally buy things if I think they are a good idea.
If you don’t like them easy to scroll past.

NatashaDancing · 07/09/2023 11:19

Fairyliz · 07/09/2023 10:28

I work in admin do I ‘create’ anything? I certainly do have lots of opinions though 🤣.
I think you are taking it all to seriously though. I’m keen on gardening so I follow a few gardeners to get some ideas/look at nice photos and yes occasionally buy things if I think they are a good idea.
If you don’t like them easy to scroll past.

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You're missing the point. You're paid to do admin. You're not trying to influence others to buy admin materials because they're wonderful.

Fairyliz · 07/09/2023 12:47

NatashaDancing · 07/09/2023 11:19

You're missing the point. You're paid to do admin. You're not trying to influence others to buy admin materials because they're wonderful.

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But it’s just another form of advertising, the people who make tv/radio ads get paid to say the product is fabulous, can you please explain the difference?
There was a recent thread about Judi Dench and her money supermarket ad, MN thought that it was great and up to her if she wanted to do this despite being a ‘serious’ actress. Can you explain why Influencers are wrong to get paid but it’s fine for Judi?

NatashaDancing · 07/09/2023 13:17

Fairyliz · 07/09/2023 12:47

But it’s just another form of advertising, the people who make tv/radio ads get paid to say the product is fabulous, can you please explain the difference?
There was a recent thread about Judi Dench and her money supermarket ad, MN thought that it was great and up to her if she wanted to do this despite being a ‘serious’ actress. Can you explain why Influencers are wrong to get paid but it’s fine for Judi?

Show quote history

I'm not saying it's fine. I said earlier that that sort of advertising makes me think less of the person and would actively put me off the item being sold. It makes me think less of Dench and would put me off what she's trying to sell.

But you're still missing the point.

I don't use social media but aren't the "influencers" setting themselves up as someone who is knowledgeable about style/ fashion? So it's not just the stuff they are trying to punt (which is what Dench is doing) but their supposed "knowledge".

I've seen links on here to that type of "influencer". The starting premise is these people do know (or we're supposed to believe they know) what they're talking about - punting the products is then slipped in.

yogasaurus · 07/09/2023 13:19

I actively avoid anything endorsed by influencers.

It’s my own personal crusade.

SilkenPilken · 07/09/2023 13:27

Influencers pretend to be your friend in order to create an advertising space that is as lucrative as possible. This is quite different to anything Judi Dench is doing.

NatashaDancing · 07/09/2023 13:29

SilkenPilken · 07/09/2023 13:27

Influencers pretend to be your friend in order to create an advertising space that is as lucrative as possible. This is quite different to anything Judi Dench is doing.

Thank you. You've used a tenth of the words to make a point I failed to do.

yogasaurus · 07/09/2023 13:29

SilkenPilken · 07/09/2023 13:27

Influencers pretend to be your friend in order to create an advertising space that is as lucrative as possible. This is quite different to anything Judi Dench is doing.

And Judi Dench has a talent and a career.

Full time flogging (sorry, ‘content creating’) is not the same

Whenwillglorioussummercome · 07/09/2023 13:33

Influencers were originally meant to feel more authentic than traditional advertising though - 'everyday' people whose endorsement felt more authentic than a film star advertising a perfume. We were meant to relate to them and trust them in a different way. Brand switching undermines that.

Floisme · 07/09/2023 13:39

I don't doubt that it can be hard work at times, just like any other form of PR. However anyone who can describe themselves an 'influencer' while keeping a straight face has already demonstrated to me that they're not to be taken seriously.