Such great points again! I don't think influencing would be looked down on if it were an industry dominated by men. If men started this, we would call them unicorns. Something that doesn't get talked about enough in this debate is the fact that moms have figured out a way to make money while having complete control of their time in a country with horrible paid leave options. I used to work in fashion PR and I had no say over what I promoted whereas now as an "influencer" I get to share only what I really believe in. And make it to school pick up :)
Completely agree Olivia! Influencers can often make more with a single brand deal than they could with a years’ salary!! Content creation has completely shifted the game for women and for those who want to pursue their passions outside their day jobs!
This is such a great article, Virginia!! I loved your snippet of what the Four Winds shop owner said as his rationale behind the sign.
It makes me think that he didn’t really want “No Influencers”, he just wanted connection with the community that loved his product.
Perhaps in his messaging he should have focused more on what he wanted to cultivate (conversation, appreciation, connection, sparks of new threads within his network), rather than stigmatise a specific category of people who he thought was blocking this very thing he desired.
In some weird way, is he self-sabotaging from getting the very thing he missed!?
The 'no influencers' sign discourse is such a perfect vintage-shopping-culture flashpoint, it's really about who gets to claim a space as authentic. Where do you land on it?
Like all industries, there are influencers out there who give the field a bad name. The ones I absolutely despise are the ones who create content born out of total narcissism and don't communicate anything of real substance, and if they do share new info, there is no nuance around the topic. Then you get a bunch of people who take their word as gospel with no real critical thinking about said topic. It's how I've seen political cults get created, stan culture go completely out of hand, conspiracy theories go viral, you name it. It's gross. Regarding gender, I've seen influencing cross the entire spectrum of identities. Maybe if you're referring to fashion or style or shopping, then yes, I can see that leaning more towards cishet women. Not all influencers are this way, and maybe a less antagonizing sign the Nantucket shop could've posted would've been something like, "Please ask before filming," or something more inviting and collaborative like that. Cuz we all know people with a smartphone camera can be really rude. Across genders. Put down your phone. Talk to people. Create real connections. This new tech world disgusts me.
Such great points again! I don't think influencing would be looked down on if it were an industry dominated by men. If men started this, we would call them unicorns. Something that doesn't get talked about enough in this debate is the fact that moms have figured out a way to make money while having complete control of their time in a country with horrible paid leave options. I used to work in fashion PR and I had no say over what I promoted whereas now as an "influencer" I get to share only what I really believe in. And make it to school pick up :)
Completely agree Olivia! Influencers can often make more with a single brand deal than they could with a years’ salary!! Content creation has completely shifted the game for women and for those who want to pursue their passions outside their day jobs!
Yes!! Love that you are putting this out there. x
This is such a great article, Virginia!! I loved your snippet of what the Four Winds shop owner said as his rationale behind the sign.
It makes me think that he didn’t really want “No Influencers”, he just wanted connection with the community that loved his product.
Perhaps in his messaging he should have focused more on what he wanted to cultivate (conversation, appreciation, connection, sparks of new threads within his network), rather than stigmatise a specific category of people who he thought was blocking this very thing he desired.
In some weird way, is he self-sabotaging from getting the very thing he missed!?
The 'no influencers' sign discourse is such a perfect vintage-shopping-culture flashpoint, it's really about who gets to claim a space as authentic. Where do you land on it?
Sorry what! Moving chairs? I did not have this - but Argos the dog made me weep uncontrollably.
Like all industries, there are influencers out there who give the field a bad name. The ones I absolutely despise are the ones who create content born out of total narcissism and don't communicate anything of real substance, and if they do share new info, there is no nuance around the topic. Then you get a bunch of people who take their word as gospel with no real critical thinking about said topic. It's how I've seen political cults get created, stan culture go completely out of hand, conspiracy theories go viral, you name it. It's gross. Regarding gender, I've seen influencing cross the entire spectrum of identities. Maybe if you're referring to fashion or style or shopping, then yes, I can see that leaning more towards cishet women. Not all influencers are this way, and maybe a less antagonizing sign the Nantucket shop could've posted would've been something like, "Please ask before filming," or something more inviting and collaborative like that. Cuz we all know people with a smartphone camera can be really rude. Across genders. Put down your phone. Talk to people. Create real connections. This new tech world disgusts me.