Social media influencer marketing is all the rage these days, with brands looking to partner with just about anyone who has over 1,000 followers on social media (Instagram being the flavor of the day) and a pulse.
With just a nominal following in a niche market, these “influencers” are being invited to media events, given swag, and offered discounts on products in exchange for coverage to their audience.
As a blogger, I've been called an influencer due to my social media fan count and offered many of these freebies in exchange for coverage (often purely on my Instagram alone).
More often than not I say no, and outside of a few perfect fits for our Pittsburgh blog (where I am invited to do something I was going to pay for to feature anyway) the model is not something I am fond of.
While my normal response is simply “don't call me an influencer” and to quote my advertising rates, today I really want to highlight why I take that stance.
Read moreDon't Be a Social Media Influencer, Build a Brand That Lasts
