Influencer Complaints

Here's the thing about my followers: I see them as my friends, my community. I trust their judgement and for the ones who have stuck around for quite some time, I know they'll always give it to me straight.

I think to find success in this industry as an "influencer", you have to have many things, and wear many hats; but two things I always push to the top of my list are:influencer Complaints

1 / The willingness to evolve with the thought of "I can always do better"
2/ The ability to hear your audience, which goes beyond just listening

So in the spirit of always working towards that success, I like to take to Instagram every once in a while and ask for my followers' input. This week, I decided to ask them two questions and was blown away by how valuable my followers' answers were...≈

What are you tired of seeing from influencers?
What do you wish you saw more of?

Seemingly inauthentic partnerships

• Excessive amounts of random sponsored products that I don't think they even actually use
• Obvious product placement
• Too many ads
• Undisclosed ads
• Promoting brands that they clearly don't use IRL
• The same sponsored content
• Making #ad/sponsored super small text on stories

Unrealistic or unaffordable things

• Things I can't afford
• Stuff I can't afford and they can only afford because they are gifted the product or service
• Vacations paid for by brands
• Overpriced stuff
• Unrealistic fashion (either because the outfit is $$$$ or not functional)
• Only super expensive clothing!
• Designer brands that very, very few people can actually afford on the reg
• Ridiculously unaffordable stuff

Lack of originality

• Same style from every girl! Switch it up with affordable things
• The same content and lack of creativity
• When so many influencers post the same content. Like sales & certain places
• Lack of originality
• I see the same pieces everywhere!
• All wearing the SAME things! Where's the unique style?
• Not tired of seeing just HEARING everyone say "I'm so obsessed"

Too much push on sales

• All the try on hauls...but then they never actually wear any of it again
• "Shop this, shop that" in every single post
• Posting about stuff just to get sales and not actually liking the product
• Overselling and too many brands...makes me not trust them

Inauthenticity & lack of relatability

• Fake questions for interaction purpose or things that seem fake/not authentic
• Over-edited storied where it is no longer relatable including stickers GALORE
• People being after numbers only
• The fake crap. I want to see the bad, the good and the ugly. I love when it's real so I can relate
• Perfect pictures

Unengaging or bag content

• Flat captions. I hate captions that are like "New top. Linked on LTK"
• Simple in front of a wall photos
• Low quality pictures
• Product Shots
• Rants about things that don't really matter
• A lot of talking, not enough showing (clothes, products, etc.)

Complaints

• IG's aglorithm sucks so please go like, comment and save my post
• Complaining about the algorithm

I then asked my audience what they wish they saw more often

The answers fell into the four categories on the chart, for the most part! Some other answers:

• More genuine conversation
• More natural pictures
• Positive things happening in the community or real world
• Real bodies
• Social issues
• More community over competition 
• Support of small businesses
• Community work
• Self-care tips
• More mistakes
• Helpful blog posts, beyond just outfit photos

So, whether you're reading this post as a fellow influencer or a reader, where does that leave you?

This poll was probably my most valuable one to-date, and such a great learning tool for me personally.
Hope you were able to take away some insight too!