Fake it until you make it. Some wannabe influencer are faking sponsored content on Instagram, in hopes of attracting real deals from brands.
What a world. According to a recent report from The Atlantic, wannabe Instagram stars are now faking being hired by brands to promote content. You read that right: real Instagram users are posting fake sponsored content in hopes of convincing real brands to work with them.
The reason? In this Instagram world of ours, success is synonym of more success. And it can be hard to reach the level of recognition the platform needs for you to be “seen.” So much so that some smart wannabe influencers have started faking paid relationships with brands for the sole purpose of looking successful among their friends and followers, and attracting real paid partnerships with brands they love.
For example, in The Atlantic’s report, “Sponcon” pro Taylor Evans explains how she faked the purpose of a Miami vacation to make it look like a press trip: “I took a lot of pics at restaurants and posted, ‘Thanks so much XYZ restaurant for the hospitality!’ You say it in a way that people could interpret it as you having an established relationship with that brand. The hope is that it’s perceived in a way that looks like there’s a reason you’re in a different city and state, not just enjoying a weekend vacation.”
Influencer marketing has been a fast growing trend over the past few years, with industries bodies failing to regulate this market. Despite the evident gain in reach, some brands are starting to question the effectiveness and objectiveness of working with influencers and have started looking for alternatives.
You might also like
More from Experts Talk
The Top 5 Stories On Social Media This Week
A new musical could soon come to life on TikTok, WhatsApp users are flocking to Signal and Fiverr will run …
The Top 5 Stories On Social Media This Week
Save the date, Twitter is bringing back verification this January. Oh, and it shut own Periscope too. How was your …
3 Courses To Help You Create Better Video Content For Your Ads
Here are three free Facebook Blueprint courses to help you take your content to the next level.
The Top 5 Stories On Social Media This Week
Tamagotchi never dies, 2020 in one word and a new test for 3-way live streams on Instagram. How was your …
The Top 5 Stories On Social Media This Week
Twitter does Twitter best, Salesforce bought Slack and Apple could be working on a matte black MacBook. Are you ready?
Finding Your Way Forward: Five Key Social Trends for 2021
Henk Campher, VP of Corporate Marketing and Head of Social Impact at Hootsuite, looks at five important social trends that …
Hootsuite CTO Ryan Donovan’s 2021 Social Media Predictions
In this article, Hootsuite CTO Ryan Donovan discusses advancements in social commerce, the growing privacy battle, and more 2021 social …
3 Courses To Help You Get Started With Facebook And Instagram Insights
Here are three Facebook Blueprint courses to help you get useful information from insights on how your business is performing …