Instagram Collab Scams: Brands Preying On Small Influencers
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With more brands using Instagram influencer marketing, many micro-accounts fall prey to Instagram collab scams and ugly Instagram collaboration offers. Learn how to protect yourself and determine a good collab from a bad one.
What We Recommend
A Different Kind Of Instagram Scam
If you follow The Uncorked Librarian (TUL) on social media, you know that Instagram collab scams and ugly Instagram rear their vicious, greedy heads in the form of kissy emojis and overkill cutesy terms of endearment from smaller clothing and makeup brands.
“Hi Sweetie. You are so beautiful. DM for a collab [Insert 10 feminine obnoxious emojis].”
Or, you already have the DM in your inbox:
“Hi Lovely, we just ADORE your gorgeous feed. Let’s work together in a partnership. Respond for more info, beautiful [kissy face, heart, smiley].”
First, what happened to the days of professionalism? Why are mostly women talking to women in such a sexist manner?
And once you message back to learn about these so-called ‘partnerships’ and ‘collaborations,’ you learn what Instagram collaboration scams these brands are offering.
They want your money. They are the influencers, and you become the sucker.
Don’t fall victim to crappy influencing ‘offers.’
5 Ways To Quickly Pick Out Instagram Collab Scams:
- A brand uses cutesy language and emojis
- A brand contacts you via a brief IG comment
- The collaboration offer is vague, leaving you with questions
- You are expected to buy the product and aren’t getting paid for the work
- A brand isn’t engaged with or even following you
Keep reading for the FULL details of what IG collabs entail, good vs bad Instagram brand work, and how to respond to brands when you want to ask for payment.
These are the tools I recommend for blogging and Instagram collaboration success:
Travel In Her Shoes Presets
Lawyer-Written Sponsored Post Contract
Lawyer-Written Privacy Policy, Disclaimer, & Terms & Conditions For Your Blog/Websites
What Is The Problem With These Scammy Instagram Brands?
Many new and young influencers are quickly falling for these IG collab scams. Some even welcome them. Most are in the 20 to 30-something-year-old female demographic. I was there too, trust me.
Why? WHY!?
I am a minor Instagrammer and ‘influencer’–2+ years, as of 2019–who does extremely selective affiliate and Instagram collaborations with brands. This website and blog are my main business. IG is just where I build community and an online presence.
Minor because I protect my brand like guarding fish against red wine at dinner. ‘Influencing’ because my following is minuscule compared to accounts with 500K followers. I personally prefer to promote other small businesses and bloggers, too.
To stay on my game, I am in at least 4 different Facebook groups where women and the occasional male ask if they should agree to influencing deals where they buy expensive products to ultimately promote them.
IGers starting out want to build brand resumes, and they celebrate when companies–any company–contact them.
I get it. I do a happy dance too. We all want our hard work to pay off on IG.
Sometimes, these opportunities turn out to be fantastic deals that match your business model and help you earn money.
Unfortunately, many offers are duds and just insulting Instagram collab scams.
Brands assume that micro-influencers have little experience and are, quite frankly, easy targets. The smaller the audience = the bigger the IG scam.
I watch as IGers pay brands to market their products freely for them. This is not a partnership and is definitely not influencing.
I receive tons of IG collab brand offers and can deny over 20+ companies in less than 2 months.
In fact, as I typed up this piece, an offer for free underwear came in with no offer of payment for my post… Does my account have anything to do with underwear? Do I work for free? DELETE.
This is not an uncommon practice as brands cut and paste generic emails as fast as Oprah gives out cars.
I don’t feel honored. Instead, I feel like I need to clean up my business even more: Hashtags. Comments. Ways to contact me. My mission.
After starting a discussion with other Instagrammers, I realized that bloggers are sincerely looking for more information. Not everyone knows what to do with these brand collaboration offers.
New IGers think this treatment is the norm.
Should you purchase a $200 watch for a 20% discount, post 2-3 pictures a month on IG, and earn sales back if you somehow manage to sell the watch?
NO! NO!
You should never pay to promote someone else’s product.
I repeat: You should never pay to promote someone else’s product.
You should receive free products in exchange for reviews/posts, and most companies will pay you to promote their items.
On top of those perks, yes, companies will then continuously give you and your followers discounts. You may become an affiliate and earn a commission.
You may also receive compensation for likes and comments. Flat fees are great too.
You also need to have a formal contract stating all of this. A DM confirmation won’t cut it. You want to protect yourself and get paid. Many legit companies will have a contract for you, but sometimes smaller businesses expect a contract with terms of the agreement from you. Even if they don’t, you want your transaction legally on paper. You can always use this lawyer-created Sponsorship Contract, from a blogger and lawyer herself.
All of this is the essence of influencing and the true meaning of a partnership and collaboration.
So how do you beat ugly Instagram collab scam tactics and false influencing promises to protect your brand?
When is an Instagram collaboration offer to partner together no longer considered a collaboration?
What really is ‘influencing,’ if we choose to use that term?
And how can we clean up the industry?
Uncorked Pro Tip:
What if you no longer want to review the product? What if a brand refuses to pay?
Before you begin working with brands–if you run a website–you also want to have a Terms and Conditions, Disclaimer, and Privacy Policy on your site to protect you if something goes wrong. You cannot blog, make money, or join ad services without these basic pages.
My recommendation: Protect yourself with these lawyer-written legal documents (as seen in my website footer).
What Is Instagram Influencer Marketing?
What is an IG Influencer?
Let’s start at the beginning. What is Instagram influencing?
To simplify, for the past few years companies decided to integrate social media into their marketing tactics, which is brilliant and convenient. Just look at how many people use social media. Even your 80-year-old grandma is probably scrolling Facebook right now.
Influencing For Brands
On Instagram, in particular, brands started utilizing big Instagram accounts with large followings to market their products. Originally even IG accounts with just 10K-40K followers had larger influence–but this is slowly changing.
Accounts now have millions of followers and make full-time salaries on influencing and Instagram collabs–including press trips, ads, and sponsored work–alone.
“Influence” is encouraging consumers to purchase highlighted items.
Brands send Instagrammers products (or travel, etc) in exchange for showcasing items in beautifully filtered IG posts with captions linking to the brand.
The picture = an ad. Extremely well-done ads from an individual person versus the company itself equal more engagement and trust. Hence, more sales.
It’s the whole face of a brand concept. Now, you become the face of a brand.
Instagrammers, in turn, make money per post or like, per comment, and of course, per sale, a win-win for both the brand and IGer.
A Change With Small Influencers
Over the past few years, with more Instagrammers and bloggers wanting in on the action, the market has changed a bit.
Now, there is competition, oversaturation, and quite frankly, cheap brands preying on hopeful influencers.
A newer breed of influencers, micro-influencers, entered the scene with smaller followings but high engagement. Brands flocked to these IGers with newer, faulty tactics. Hello, Instagram Collaboration Scams!
Mind you, many are debating the term ‘influencer’ these days, but that’s another post.
How The Influencing Market Targets You
Good Instagram Collaborations: Example Of Book Collabs That I Accept
I am a book and travel blogger, which means my opportunities vary. I should also mention from the start, too: I don’t love Instagram but I know its importance for my business, The Uncorked Librarian, LLC.
In the book world, I have yet to meet a bad deal. Book people are cool.
I promoted a subscription book box for a flat fee. I provided one social media post on IG and Twitter, and my PayPal burped. Here’s an example:
Amazing Travel & Booze Instagram Collab Offers
In the travel and booze world, I work with clothing companies, go on sponsored Press Trips, and have created ads for rum–it’s a good life.
Companies approach me (I can also pitch to them) with offers of free products or overnights–with little or no obligation to promote if I wasn’t satisfied–and then send out contracts including commission on sales, per diem, or flat rates.
I promote what I believe in to make cash, and they do too. Win-Win.
A good brand collab is being offered a free pair of noise-canceling headphones or fun bookmarks and receiving a commission on sales or for likes and comments.
Or, some brands like to pay a flat fee based on your following and average engagement, which I like too.
Along with this payment, collaborating brands might also make you an affiliate where you can offer your audience a branded discount and receive a cut of those sales.
In the spring, I participated in a monthlong rum campaign for a flat fee. When the campaign ended, not only did I get paid my flat rate, but the company surprised me with a huge bonus for top engagement. I only had about 4,800k IG followers at the time.
Don’t get caught off guard with brand work either. If the brand is missing a contract, use this blogger and lawyer-written Sponsored Posts Contract. You want to make sure that you get paid and protect yourself.
Bad Instagram Collabs & Downright Ugly Instagram Scams
Then there is the other side to influencer marketing that drives me a little crazy.
Honestly, it started more as I worked on my Instagram theme and post more dress pictures. I always joke that Instagram loves girls in pretty dresses in ‘interesting’ places–like rice paddies in Indonesia.
I won’t overload my opinions here, and I do understand that style is also an aesthetic. Please put your thumbs away, and don’t troll. It’s just not my personal niche.
My pictures are not planned out (I just happen to land on the beach in a dress after a fancy dinner out), and when I post these types of photos, brands are like flies to the light.
Hello, shiny object.
Here come the unprofessional comments and offers from businesses. Dear lord.
Forget that I write heartfelt captions, have a business email listed on IG, and I also have a micro influencing policy on my site.
Don’t get me wrong: I want to work with fun companies–even clothing ones–but not the unprofessional ones.
I also understand my limitations: I am not the ‘perfect’ influencer. My pictures are fun vs professional, I rarely theme my content, and quite frankly, I want a more realistic account for my blog.
Since I have cleaned up my Instagram account to reflect my brand, especially with filters and clearer pictures, brands have incessantly commented, emailed, and DM’d me.
None of the offers are flattering or viable. Instead, these companies are scamming me (and you).
Companies Preying On You: 5 Warning Signs Of Instagram Scams
What are some of the red flags that you should not be working with a brand?
Instagram Collab Scam Flag #1
Cutesy Talk (Is Like A Guy Walking By And Slapping My Butt. TURN OFF)!
When the nature of contact is insulting and degrading, goodbye. The door is closed.
Can you imagine a boss talking to you like this in an office? Can we say ‘sexual harassment’ and unprofessionalism, anyone?
Bloggers work hard on their content and social media accounts. For many, this is our part-time or full-time job. We run businesses and are professionals. We have email accounts, policies, and ways to contact us.
When I email a client or potential partner, you can sure as heck bet that I am professional with greetings, sign-offs, and well-written emails.
Emojis rarely enter my text. I am not a lovely, sweetie pie, babe, or cutie to anyone but my husband. AND EVEN THEN.
So why is it that we accept this baby talk from brands?
In business-mode, I respond to almost all emails. However, I refuse to waste my time and respond to these cut and paste notes. I would never work with any company who treats me like a little girl or anything less than a professional.
Instagram influencers are not bimbos. Can we start a hashtag campaign against this? #InfluenceTHIS
Instagram Scams Flag #2
Lack Of Formal Communication Such As Cheap Comments and DMs From Brands Asking You To Reach Out To Collab
These, quite frankly, lazy and generic methods of contact and unprofessional terms of endearment filled with emojis are your number one hint that this brand ‘partnership’ is an immediate ‘NO.’
You are your brand. Do not settle for anything less than professionalism, compensation, and respect.
Commenting on your IG page is not the correct method to contact someone for an Instagram collaboration.
Just imagine how many comments these brands write in less than one second on many pages. This shows how truly expendable and not worth their time you are. Why give a brand your time in return?
Instagram Collaboration Scams Flag #3
Is Their Message Vague?
So say these companies reach out to you, and you now have to contact them. Say you do.
Are they upfront in their offer and Instagram ‘collaboration’ plan?
Most of my bad experiences are from brands who make you ask questions. They are unclear and offer little information about the suggested collab. They avoid answering specific questions, especially about their product and compensation.
These Instagram collaboration brands try to lead you on.
Their policies change: “Well, actually this is a short-term, free international shipping deal for you and your followers.”
Your time is precious and no one has the right to waste it. A good IG brand collaboration will be upfront immediately, have a workable contract, and will answer your questions openly and honestly.
Instagram Scams Flag #4
Do They Want You To Make A Purchase?
Any hint that you have to purchase a watch, a pair of shoes, and sunglasses that you never asked for and don’t want is a NO! I don’t care how many followers you have.
Please know that IGers with 500 followers still get paid.
Getting a percentage of a discount on a brand’s item that they have asked you to purchase and showcase on your sacred accounts is not a collaboration; it’s a consumer purchase.
And guess what?!
Big influencers DO NOT PAY. That is laughable. Neither should you.
Plus, you are doing the work. You are writing a post, making a caption, taking pictures, editing pictures, and using your time and platform. Of course, you should be getting paid for that work.
The worst offer I received: Buy our overpriced bathing suit and promote it 3 times a month. If you do well, you can one day become an influencer with a special code. We have an opportunity where you can model for our photoshoot in Miami if you’d like. International travel is big for our company and influencers.
Hmmmm, OK; so, you won’t give me a free product or pay me to promote it now. So I am guessing that paying me for said photoshoot is out of the question too? Did anyone watch the Fyre documentary?
Why else you shouldn’t purchase a brand’s Instagram collab product:
- If you are a smaller influencer, making that money back is slim.
- You risk losing followers and their trust.
- You may buy the product and realize it’s just poor quality.
- Do you even want the product? Chances are no.
Spoiler Alert: I don’t wear watches.
IG Collab Scams Flag #5
Is Their Following Even Smaller Than Yours? Are They Not Even Following You?
If companies have a small following and are offering you a terrible deal, then you are truly doing them the favor. They need you.
The brand might not have taken off for a reason, and yes, they probably do not have money to compensate you.
The funnier part is if they aren’t even following you on your platforms. This lack of care shows that you are just another random pick. They have no real interest in you. Clearly, they have no idea what your brand is about.
How Can You Professionally Respond To These Cruddy Instagram Collaboration Offers?
1. Ignore or Delete
First off, you don’t have to respond to a bad collab offer. If the offer came via an IG post comment or cut and paste email with your brand handle, feel free to delete. The brand will never notice. On my Instagram pictures, I report these cheap comments for what they truly are: spam.
2. Respond With Your Media Kit And Rate/Fees
If you want to work with the brand and they haven’t offered to pay you, you can respond back with your Media Kit attached and let them know how much you charge per post and story.
How do you know what to charge if you are new? Check Social Bluebook as a *guideline.* Know that these rates are extremely low, and you can charge much more.
I also refer brands to my Work With Me page on my blog.
If a brand still won’t pay you, and you want to decline:
Just let the brand know that you appreciate their message. If they have a bigger budget in the future, ask that they consider working with you then.
If a brand still won’t pay you, and you want that free product no matter what:
Then, you are dead to me. No just kidding.
Make the best decision for you, your brand, and your audience.
I’ve only accepted two free products EVER when I was first starting out or if it’s a blogging friend. I completely regret working for free for non-friends as these posts gave me no street cred and only proved that someone will always work for free. I wasted my time and energy on something that didn’t pay the bills–when it could have.
3. Politely Say “No Thanks”
You can always just quickly email a brand back saying, “No, thank you; I am not interested at this time. Thank you for your consideration.”
Sigh, Don’t Get Taken Advantage Of With Ugly Instagram Scams
I understand that influencers and IGers want to make it out there. You want free products. Plus, maybe you want to be a pro-IGer or score some sponsored travel work.
Yes, I wish other IGers would just say ‘NO WAY!’ to these companies and stand up for themselves. I wish they would stop setting the precedent for others.
I get that some IGers don’t mind buying a product, taking a chance, and trying their luck to earn a commission.
Just know that you are worth more and should demand as such.
Companies are preying on you.
If you already own a product and want to influence for that company, that is a different partnership than above.
And IG collaboration brands know they are playing you:
I once responded to a watch company about their shameful practices of telling me I had to buy an overpriced watch.
In a tactful way, I mentioned that I, like them, run a business. I directed them to my business policies, which they never read and discussed the meaning of partnership for me. I asked them not to contact me again unless they had a budget for me, but they felt the need to respond:
“…Thanks for your time.
We have collaborated with many influencers in a previous time and they all cooperate with us at 60% discount code off, however, there’s a few influencers we have sent the free watch in the past but the effect is not good for a long-term collaboration.
We’d like to recommend this collaboration style and many influencers have earned a lot of rewards and two of them has earned more than 900 USD…”
I just don’t get it…and neither do they. (P.S. my channels had double their follower count)
Why is a free watch not a long-term collaboration? If not free, I cannot even afford a short-term relationship with you.
And yes, let’s brag about how other influencers agreed. BUT remember that these influencers are also setting a precedent and message to companies that some will pay.
And PS. $900 over the course of how long is just not a good deal. Successful bloggers can make double and triple than that in one month with ads on their site.
Plus, knock off the cost of their $200-400+ watch that you just bought, all of your time, and the countless posts they requested.
Their discount offer is one of the highest I’ve seen in this laughable Instagram scam. Many match the discount offered to everyday consumers.
Should I mention that even after I told this company what a scam they were running, they still wanted to ‘partner.’
How Do You Avoid Ugly Instagram Scams?
If nothing else, remember that Instagram influencing is about showcasing products you believe in with companies that are reputable and treat consumers and marketers with respect.
Products should be free and you should be compensated fairly.
If you work with a shoddy brand, that says a lot about your own brand. I sure as heck know that I won’t follow, trust, or buy from you if your brands are scammy.
Others will see transparency as well. Don’t fall victim to ugly Instagram collab scams. Work to make it a platform you are proud to be a part of. AND GET PAID WHAT YOU ARE WORTH!
Where Should You Head Next?
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Truth Bomb Blogging Tricks & Tips
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Blogging Courses We Champion To Up Your Game
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When Blog Inspo Becomes Copyright Infringement
Like others I found your post after getting a similar spammy offer on my tiny personal Instagram. I have about 120 followers, mostly family, friends, and people in the same activism/chronic illness/nerdy interests I’m in. I didn’t feel comfortable buying a product and then telling people I know to buy it too. Especially since it’s not something I would actually buy.
Here’s an example of one (of several) comments I’ve gotten, and their offer in my DMs:
Comment on a post of my dog:
Hello (emojis) We really like your Instagram (emojis) and were wondering if you were interested in modeling our products (emoji) Please DM us for more details (emoji)
Here is the DM after I asked for info:
Here are the details ?:We will give you a free product with every product you buy of your choice plus free shipping in return you will promote our website wearing our products ? and we will feature you in our Instagram ?Plus if the order contains more than 2 products we create a special code for you so you can put it in your bio and your followers can use it and you get some gifts ?
I responded that I wasn’t comfortable selling products to my tiny Instagram following, that it felt like betraying their loyalty. But I would contact them in the future if I changed my mind. So far they have not responded.
If anyone has a better way to respond, particularly that I would be willing to consider working with them for a small per post fee (and or free product if its something I already use), I would love some suggestions. And or how to decline offers like this politely while mentioning I wont purchase a product just to work with them.
Hey Nina– Thank you so much for the detailed comment. That is definitely a very spammy IG comment and not really “working with a brand.” They are just taking advantage–which if you are a hobby IGer and actually really want the product for a discount, is semi-OK too. Just remember that eventually, all gifts add up for tax purposes. There are liability issues too if you ever look into legal stuff. You want a solid contract with any brand. I am not a lawyer but do your due diligence there. You always have to disclose on your posts too, and you want your audience to trust you.
I truly think you responded in a good way. Typically, I let brands know how much I charge upfront and to send me a contract if they are OK with the price.
If you are wondering what to charge: You can start by looking on Social Bluebook (it’s free to use for one platform like IG) to get an idea for how much your IG platform would be worth. Social Bluebook gives a very LOW estimate (just a warning), but it does look at stats like engagement, likes, and followers. Tack on extra, though, because again, the value is lower vs accurate. I usually let a brand know my average price, and that I am willing to negotiate when they contact me.
Truly, a professional and good brand will email you and not leave cheap comments. They might DM you first by asking for an email if it is not listed on your account. I have never accepted an offer not through email. They are never worth my time, work, or trusted audience.
If a brand asks me to pay for a product, I always say no and remind them that like them, I am a small business (which may be different than you–my IG is business only and not really just for fun/hobby–which is totally OK too) and work hard. Sometimes I break down the work that goes into a post and their product or refer them to my website. If it is a brand I might be interested in, I ask them to contact me in the future if they can pay me.
A lot of bloggers and IGers always seem nervous to ask for compensation, but at the end of the day, you are a business doing them a favor and trying to make a living too. They are asking for an ad. They are a business. A ‘thank you for thinking of me, but no thank you’ is totally OK too.
Hi Christine,
Thanks so much for your wealth of information….we are just helping our 16yo daughter navigate all of this as she has just hit the 12K follower mark on her art IG account. She has just accepted her first collaboration with a well known art company…it is for product only, and they are posting her post on their site. It seemed a good one to cut her teeth on. I just read your comment above re too many working for free and that rings true….just not sure that she can demand monetary payment as yet……or do you think she should? We are so new to all of this and just feeling our way!
Thanks again for your insights!!!!
Sarah 🙂
Good Morning, Sarah,
Thank you so much for the kind note and words. Congrats to your daughter for hitting the 12k follower mark. I definitely think that she could and should be getting paid. Some brands will pay for as low as 500-1,000 followers. I made my first $50-90 for one post when I had maybe 3K followers. I only have a little more than 5k now.
Social Bluebook will give you a very low estimate for what she can charge. You can probably add at least $20-50 to that amount. Social Bluebook looks at followers and engagement for you.
The problem with working for brands for free is that they are now starting to always find someone willing to work for nothing. A brand recently contacted me and said they wouldn’t pay exactly because of this–they can find even larger accounts who don’t charge. Also, it sets that expectation that you have and will work for free–so in the long run, they will be less willing to pay. It’s up to you guys, though. Accepting one or two free products just to add it to a ‘resume’ isn’t awful, but I’ve always been taught to ask what you are worth too. Other IGers are definitely getting paid.
Don’t forget about the tax aspect too. Depending on where you live (and I am not a professional for any of this so please check all info.), you do have to claim these ‘gifts’ on your taxes if you hit over a certain dollar amount. It’s the same for blogging. Most say they have a ‘hobby blog’ but earn some cash from it. Any income over $400 (or maybe $600…you’d have to look), transforms that blog out of a hobby and into the tax world. Just another thought…I’m sure she’d have to earn a ton of free stuff first.
Hope that helps.
Best deal I had so far?
they asked me to buy followers ahahahahahahaha
OMG; it’s awful sometimes.
I have ~20 followers on Instagram, so I was imderstadably excited about and confused as to why I was recieving an offer for a ‘partnership’. I was concerned that it was a scam, and this article has definitely helped me identify it as such, as well as informed me about other shady practices to look out for and what a partnership should look like. Cheers!
Companies are so bad about this and getting worse.
I just turned down a larger company who didn’t want to pay. They at least offered a free product, but I don’t work for free. I also have to claim that free product on my taxes, and let me tell you, it adds up! …But then I saw a few accounts working with the same brand that very week for free–which is why brands are starting not to pay anyone anymore. They can always find accounts who will do the work for free. Not to mention, those ‘influencers’ didn’t even fully disclose the ad. Drives me nuts. There are so many scams and unethical practices happening on IG and in blogging lately.
I am glad that you found this article helpful! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a comment to let me know. I always say if it looks bad, it probably is. Good luck with IG.
Thank you for this! I have a tiny craft Instagram that I haven’t touched in over a year and just got a comment to collab. I wasn’t sure what to do but did contact them…. I briefly considered it but felt uneasy. I’m so glad I did a little research and read your article. You make so much sense! Glad I didn’t waste my money or time with them.
I am glad that you found this post helpful–and thanks for commenting to let me know, too.
It must be that time of year: I had at least 2-3 brands contact me this week alone with awful, sad, and semi-funny collab offers. I just don’t get it–I think they are hoping for that one person in 100 to bite. I don’t want your stupid watch!!! lol ; )
Hi, thanks for this thorough post! I actually had a question regarding something like this. I had a smaller brand approach me and ask (in a rather unprofessional email) to buy their product and write a review and they would “pay [me] back via PayPal later” so that I’d really be getting the item “for free”. I didn’t go through with this because this “process” seemed unprofessional and annoying, and the email itself just irked me…but I’m wondering if this is a normal way that brands do business with influencers and/or bloggers? Something tells me no but I wanted to check anyway.
I’m pretty new to the Instagram stuff but I’ve already noticed a lot of what you mention. The cutesy, patronizing way so many of these brands/profiles use IS sexist, you’re totally right there.
Hey, Susan. I would be wary too.
Typically, a brand will just send me the product for free from the start (a Florida painting, a sweatshirt, a book, or a mug). Even for the affiliate marketing that I do on my site and sometimes IG, a company/brand will send me a promo code that completely zeros out the balance from the start.
Only once did I have to buy the product first, but I had signed an 11-page lawyer-written legal document about payment as well as a 5-page-ish document of expectations from all parties. In this instance, I was working for a large and very reputable brand with other influencers. The campaign was longer, too. Plus, the items were perishable, and I could pick which ones I wanted unique to my brand throughout the campaign. The particular job also involved alcohol, which has its own set of lengthy rules for corporate social responsibility, age proof, etc. Because of the contracts and nature of the ad, I knew that I was 200% safe with getting fully compensated from the company (the contract also listed payment dates). I had no trouble. This was a more unique situation.
However, that one case is not my norm, and I’d be cautious. Use your instincts. If it looks wrong, it probably is. Make sure there are legal contracts in place if they are asking you to pay first. No product is ever worth that kind of hassle.
Yesssss! Thank you! I’ve had a handful of these that I’ve straight up ignored. Good for you for standing up to them & writing this to educate fellow bloggers.
It’s never-ending. As you saw on Twitter/IG yesterday, these crappy practices are STILL happening. I do appreciate that some brands messaged me after reading this post asking me what they could do better. But the brand staff member yesterday just didn’t understand why I would never pay to promote a product period. Forget that I didn’t want their stupid wall hanging to begin with. lol Thank you!
This post is such a life and time saver for newbie content creators like me on Instagram. I have been getting so many of these “cutesy” comments and I am sick and tired of them already. I knew something was fishy and I tried to research more about this and that is how I landed on this article. This is so well written. Thanks a lot for making everyone aware of this and being helpful to all the new “influencers” out there 🙂
Hey! Thank you so much! The cutesy comments get annoying pretty fast. I was recently excited to agree to a campaign where I was professionally contacted from the start via email. The company had read my policies, researched me, and made sure that we were both a great fit for each other. They had a formal contract, clearly drawn up by a lawyer, and there was no room for doubt about our agreement. I loved this clarity and professionalism.
Thank you for the kind words and for reading! I know when I first started out, I had no idea what was happening. Like you said, you definitely start to realize something is up/wrong, but as a newbie, you aren’t 200% what is good and bad.
Great post! I’m at the beginning on blogging travel and indeed I received this type of unprofessional messages or likes from different resorts or travel agencies. What I don’t like at Instagram is the numerous photos that are not real or that are planned. Yeah, it’s nice to be in a red dressed but come on, it’s freezing cold. I would like Instagram to be more real and less superficial. Or this is what I’m doing, to post photos without filtres and show the reality and not some fantasy world.
I was just talking about this on Twitter today. A travel blogger did an entire segment of Stories about how she wasn’t leaving her room because it was too cold out; she said she refuses to wear a coat in her IG pictures. Because she couldn’t shoot content without a coat, she wasn’t going out, period.
I couldn’t imagine changing my travel experience or killing a day because I didn’t look cute enough in my coat for my IG followers. Why would my followers even care? And is it really realistic as a travel blogger? You need a coat in Amsterdam in December ice-skating in the snow.. I get that models and fashion bloggers need to shoot differently, but I’m more about being honest in my travels with my clothes vs temperatures.
OMG ALL OF THIS!!! I recently started putting out feelers that my site was ready to start partnering with brands. Within 2 days, my Instagram DMs were overwhelmed with spammy offers like this. And the companies couldn’t seem to fathom why I would turn down their offer for a discount code. Like, why would I accept it?! Thank you so so much for writing this fabulous piece. I definitely think it’s something that all bloggers and microinfluencers need to read ASAP.
I think my least favorite is the cut and paste comments on my IG posts…and then you go to comment on others’ pictures and you see the exact same comment and company on their comments. It’s an impersonal and cheap scam. Sigh!
I’ve had companies get snarky and mean when I politely turn them down…they love to point out that other ‘influencers’ buy their products and commit to their terms. Ok….well…most just don’t know better; I see those questions about paying for a product to promote it in so many blogger forums. Don’t ever do it! That advice is across the board from HUGE and experienced bloggers and influencers.
Thank you!
LADY! What an amazing breakdown of such a shitty, ugly side of our little world. Hats off to you! I love #InfluenceTHIS and it should definitely be a thing.
My own personal tip to add: I’ve found the easiest way to ward off shonky “partnership” and “collaboration” offers is to respond to anything they say with: “Thanks for getting in touch. Could you tell me why you think my blog/feed specifically is a good fit for your company?”. I’ve found, inevitably, they will either (a) not respond (almost always), or (b) send a super-generic response – in which case, I keep pressing them for details until they give up. The good thing about that response is that it’s not overly rude or stand-offish, so on the off-chance that I’ve mis-judged someone approaching me (it happens!) I’m not burning the bridge on that opportunity.
I’m really heartened to hear you’ve never had a shonky encounter in the book blogging world. Unfortunately, I’ve had a couple. Luckily, the above strategy has saved me every time. I’m, like you, very determined to protect my brand and the integrity of what I’m doing – and my wonderful little growing community would smell a rat a mile off if I tried to sneak in anything that wasn’t aligned with KUWTP 😉
Thank you so much! It’s a mind-blowing world, and I still cannot figure it out. How any business owner big or small could represent like that?! The world is slightly corkscrewed… I am looking forward to working with more reputable and honest brands. They do exist!
I love your own personal tip. Thank you! I once responded somewhat similarly to a beauty product company for my blog. She wrote how amazing my blog was and so relevant to her products: Eye masks and creams. All beauty products… I was like, hmmmm, I guess reading does make my eyes tired so maybe I do NEED that eye cream?
You are definitely spot on, too, about not missing a good opportunity and not burning a bridge. People talk. I usually try to follow up, especially with emails (that takes more time on brands’ end), because I never want to tick anyone off. Most aren’t good deals, but we agree to keep each other in mind. Sometimes their business models change and it could work. This one watch company, though, was SO dang rude. Arg!
You’ll have to PM me or dish about the book world. I have no idea what that looks like yet.
Thanks for the note, tips, encouragement, and for contributing to my group book Pinterest board. We are in it together!
Hahahahaha cheers!! Happy to dish publicly so that others might benefit: most of the dodgy “offers” I’ve had have mostly been from, shall we say, less scrupulous authors, who really put the pressure on that I review and market their book for them. I stick to my strategy though, and keep pressing them to simply explain why it would be a good match, and they’ve never been able to come up with anything (it’s “business success” guides and other random stuff, not aligned to my blog/brand at all).
They always want me to BUY their book (not even offering an ARC or a discounted copy) and it’s NEVER been available in hard-copy (when someone approaches me about an eBook, I know instantly that they haven’t even looked at my blog/suggest a book tab, because I state quite clearly that I only review hard-copies at the moment). They’ll harass me for a while (I’ve had one threaten to “take me down” ?) but usually give up after a little while. I’m a tough broad ?
And thank YOU for your wonderful posts, it’s been great getting to know you across blogs, Pinterest and Twitter ?
Holy smokes in a Dorothy and Toto hand basket! I’ve never had an author put pressure on me to review. DANG! That’s ballsy, for sure. I can imagine what that looks like, though. I haven’t been asked to purchase a title either. I didn’t know that happens–thank you for letting me know. I am so glad that so far almost all of my authors and publishers have been SO kind. They send me free books, and they promote my reviews. Many stay in touch and also share a lot of my work. I love the relationships and definitely try to do the same.
I did have to write a negative review once about racism that the author and publisher didn’t really see or understand. It was very cringe-worthy and demonstrated all that is still wrong in the world. The book was marketed as a great ‘racial’ insight piece. I got dropped as a reviewer instantly with no communication. I was OK with that, though. I’d rather just silence and a complete halt of communication vs getting some words thrown at me. I do wish they would change up the book, though.
What about Instagram infuencers with a good following that message you stating how much they love your products, they would love to work with you, but yet they have never liked or purchased any of your products?
That’s the worst! Delete!
Thanks for the info! I haven’t come across this yet but it’s good to know.
Thank you!! You are lucky, but I’m sure they will find one day (not meant to be as creepy as that sounds).
I found this super informative, especially as a relatively new blogger! If & when these types of brands come a-knocking, I’ll be well-informed and won’t fall for it!
Hey! Thank you! I am glad it helped. When I first started getting these not so great sounding opportunities, I actually thought these collab practices were the norm. I couldn’t fathom why anyone would want to be an influencer. Then, I started looking more into the issue and talking to big bloggers; of course, these smaller brands are just scamming and taking advantage.
I love everything about this post, thank you for bringing the ugly side of Instagram to people’s attention! It is so important to spread this message about scamming brands, it is so widespread on Instagram now and I’m as sick of seeing it as you are! You’ve captured it all in an honest, sincere post and I really hope scammers read this and re-think their “strategies.”
Hey! Thank you for reading and hopefully laughing (in disgust) with me. It is really getting to be a pain.
P.S. I might be working on another group book list for the fall. I will let you know in case you’d like to contribute again : ) I feel like the fall is the ultimate time to up my blogging game with the holidays, shopping, and everyone being online.
Hope the new gig is great! I want to hear about your new adventures. I’m curious how you handle baby spit up too…
Amazingly well written post, love! I only use Instagram personally, but I can tell you if someone sent me an unprofessional message I would be blocking them IMMEDIATELY. Yikes.
Thank you! And exactly!! It’s so crazy how many of these ‘opportunities’ I get and now just ignore. I just can’t imagine anyone’s company director thinking this type of contact is OK or good for business. It’s a wild IG world out there!
Preach girl! Preach! I’m so glad you wrote this post and put together what many of us are probably thinking everyday… a smart, no nonsense post about the downside of brands preying on us. I appreciate the honesty in this post and keeping it real.
Btw: I don’t wear watches either.
Haha, thank you!! I was slightly worried if this would cause all brands to stop contacting me, but I think the real ones still will. There are some great partnerships out there but others make me laugh. I just get so bummed when I see girls questioning if they should agree to ridiculous terms. As we say in FL, it’s time to have a come to Jesus meeting ??
Watches make me nervous. I find myself looking at them too much.