Businesses Set Boundaries With Influencers Seeking Freebies

Exposure doesn't cover expenses.

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• March 15, 2024

In the fantastical world of social media, influencers reign supreme, parading their carefully curated lives like modern-day monarchs. But what if, in a dramatic twist of fate, the masses decided to divert their gaze?

Imagine a world where influencers, stripped of their adoring audience, must embark on a quest for traditional employment, swapping filters for financial reports and hashtags for health benefits. The core of the influencer empire is the seemingly endless entitlement to complimentary goods and services, a phenomenon akin to expecting a unicorn to pay your rent.

The audacity reaches its zenith when influencers, armed with nothing but followers, approach small businesses with the grand proposition of exposure in exchange for freebies. This practice would be hilarious if it weren't so profoundly perplexing to the businesses on the receiving end.

Small businesses, the backbone of the economy, are increasingly finding their voice, challenging the entitled echelons of influencer royalty. It's a David versus Goliath scenario, except David is now calling out Goliath for trying to score a free slingshot on Instagram.

If we're careful about who we pay attention to, we can make sure we're supporting people who are doing something valuable, not just those who look good online. The trend of businesses clapping back at these audacious requests is not just commendable—it's a public service announcement that exposure is an unreliable currency.

Influencers just love free stuff

1. A travel blog wants to showcase a popular restaurant but requests payment for featuring it.

2. The ice cream vendor's generous response to a beggar restores faith in humanity.

3. "White Banana Beach Club" proposes a bold idea for influencers

4. Safeguarding your business against wild cyberattacks

5. An influencer requests free food for 300-320 guests.

6. “We Kindly Retract Our Wish To Work With You”

7. "Burgers For Bullcrap "

8. An influencer wanted a personal trainer to pay her for the chance to train her.

9. When you decline a promotion for genuine effort, why do people suddenly change their attitude?

10. The artist extends the offer to all influencers.

11. Bachelorette contestant seeks free accommodation in exchange for being a live-in influencer.

12. Fake guru boasts 186k followers, constantly flaunting wealth.

13. Free food for posting about it.

14. Yelper was upset that the restaurant didn't give free meals for potential exposure on Instagram.

15. For those curious about Towie's fate.

16. “I Guess I Just Lost The Biggest Opportunity Of My Life”

17. The starting of their letter deserves its spotlight.

18. Reality cook attempts to provide exposure for renowned restaurants despite low ratings.

19. "My Friend Is A Photographer And He Told Me That He Usually Gets Tons Of Messages Like This One!"

20. Restaurant disputes influencer's right to review.

21. An influencer's attempt to secure free accommodation leads to a ban on all bloggers from the establishment.

22. Fed up with influencers, this ice cream parlor launches a unique promotion.

23. "He Said He’d Fry My Router So This Is Goodbye"

24. Laura Worthington from Laura’s Little Bakery is tired of people requesting free products.

25. Likes don't cover expenses.

26. "Yeah I Need Exposure, But Not This Way, Also I Think The Amount Of Emojis He Used Is Scary'

27. Fashion designer pleasantly surprised by influencer's generous offer.

28. A bride with 55k followers tries to get wedding photos for free from photographers, but they respond sarcastically.

29. Influencer's complaints about the difficulty of work rejected.

30. New tactic targets influencers with no response.

So, in the crazy world of social media, where likes are like cheers from the crowd, maybe we should think more about who deserves our applause.

Let's give more attention to the people who are doing something useful, not just those who look good online. After all, when the show's over and everyone goes home, it's the genuinely talented folks who won't have to scramble to find a new gig.

Damjan