WHAT IS AN INFLUENCER?

What does an Influencer, influence? And by 'Influencer' I'm referring to those typically found on Instagram who are usually made famous by sharing everything relating to fashion, beauty, hair, makeup, fitness, etc., often in the most superficial way. The ones who use the hashtags #influencer, #ad, #spon and the rest, with most of their posts containing products they have been paid or gifted to advertise! What does it mean? Who or what do they influence and in what way exactly?

Now, don't get it twisted, there is no jealously here nor envy. I don't do those vibes at all. I just do not understand the whole 'influencer' thing. Genuinely. But, what I do understand is that there are many who are very easily mislead.

How often have you seen one of these 'influencers' promote something and have then bought it? And how many times were those products beneficial to you? You parted with your money to purchase something the 'influencer' was gifted or paid to sell to you, essentially. A win-win for them, but, most likely a lose-lose for you because you're now quids down and I doubt you needed said products.

See, when I was growing up, an influencer, although not necessarily referred to as such, was somebody who through their positively focused, selfless acts, inspired and encouraged so many to do and be great. No money involved, no ad's, no promo, nothing gifted. Just good old fashioned, authentic, honest living that inspired others.

To be that sort of influencer, in my opinion, is to be proud of.

I know we all need to earn to live and I get that a lot of these social media influencers feel as though they cannot turn down opportunities to earn big bucks, but if they are truly testing these products and have genuinely found that they're good then, cool. However, I suspect that with most that's not the case.

What a funny world we now live in where somebody who is paid to advertise products to their social media following can call that "a job" and that job title is Influencer. Wow! Isn't a bad thing, just a strange one...

Charley x

@charleyjaiuk

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#job

#influencer

#moderntimes
#socialmediahustle