I’m telling this embarrassing story so I can spare someone else from having to go through this. Earlier this year, an Instagram influencer (she posts selfies. That’s it) reached out to me in my DMs and asked if she could interview me for her YouTube channel. At the time, she had about 90K followers on Insta. I clicked the link in her bio for the YouTube channel and was not impressed. Not very many subscribers. The content was poor quality; and juvenile.
I always wonder how they get so many followers when they're doing nothing? Then some authors write great books for years and still don't get into quadruple digits!
At least she was probably honest but completely naive. I've been trying to sell something on Facebook Marketplace, and I immediately get hit by scammers using the same lines, trying to get into bank accounts and steal money. It's disheartening what some people are like. :-(
Sorry about your wasted time. Can you reuse the content yourself?
Wow!! That is so messed up!! I don’t understand these influencers, everything is all about them not the content. Half of her followers were probably paid for.
They're more of a vanity metric than anything else. Wherever I put my stuff, I often find that there's only a handful of people who really engage with me.
Oh yeah, for sure. One of my favorite podcasts are the best hosts anyone could ever ask for and they aren't huge or sponsored but I'll go on their show anytime they ask.
That sucks. Sorry, Sadie.
ugh. I feel like a tool
I know, I've fallen for BS like this too. Never again! We are smarter now! :)
Yep! We learn hard lessons so we don't repeat them
Ah, the good ol con game.
why do people do shit like this? I feel so stupid.
Money. We've all been there. There's one on Facebook that comes from hacked accounts. They say you're eligible for some funding. Almost got me.
We gotta have our heads on a swivel out here--people trying to take advantage everywhere
Really appreciate your honesty here, Sadie. There are so many like this about. As you say, our time is precious.
I always wonder how they get so many followers when they're doing nothing? Then some authors write great books for years and still don't get into quadruple digits!
At least she was probably honest but completely naive. I've been trying to sell something on Facebook Marketplace, and I immediately get hit by scammers using the same lines, trying to get into bank accounts and steal money. It's disheartening what some people are like. :-(
Sorry about your wasted time. Can you reuse the content yourself?
They buy them. It’s very easy for grifters to buy followers. Their “followers” are all bots.
Hugs. You didn't deserve that. She should have made sure she knew what she was doing beforehand.
I'm so sorry to read this, Sadie! You deserve better. Thank you for sharing this.
Wow!! That is so messed up!! I don’t understand these influencers, everything is all about them not the content. Half of her followers were probably paid for.
They're more of a vanity metric than anything else. Wherever I put my stuff, I often find that there's only a handful of people who really engage with me.
Such a bummer. I feel like everyone has a version of this exact story in one way or another. Sorry that happened!
Oh yeah, for sure. One of my favorite podcasts are the best hosts anyone could ever ask for and they aren't huge or sponsored but I'll go on their show anytime they ask.