Exploitation of the "Influencer" Community

In these times of "influencers" and social media, I have been appalled by the audacity of some brands. The last time I checked you are supposed to compensate people for their time and work. But there is a new "tech slavery" on the rise called "Buy my merch and mention us for a free coupon code"... What in the entire fuck? Essentially, you are to ( for free ) invest YOUR time, YOUR skills, YOUR money and YOUR reach to promote ( advertise ) MY items to YOUR followers ( did I mention all for FREE? ). Am I missing anything here?

This is a grotesque practice I'm seeing in the retail community and as a responsible business owner for many years this is a disgusting practice. These CHEAP ASS ware-peddlers and carpet-baggers accost profiles with large social media followings and beg them to run an ad campaign ( that's essentially what the "influencer" is doing, lets be honest here ) without financial compensation. Both my daughters are DM'd on Instagram regularly by brands and boutiques wanting them to work for free. The tip of the iceberg for me was when an online boutique "Gia Monae" I recently began following on YouTube and Instagram admitted to this atrocious practice. It's unconscionable, don't ever fall for this.

If you're ever approached, don't be a fool and decline immediately. You are signing up to NOT being paid for being their model, photographer, set director and advertising agent. All of those positions cost lots of money, money that you deserve to earn if you're doing those jobs. The sickening part of it all is that they poach upon young people ( tweens, teens and young adults ) to slave for them. Predatory and shameful to say the least!

For those of you business out there exploiting the "influencer" community, you deserve your business licenses revoked ( if you even have one ) forever. You are a sludgy shit stain on the retail business and should be ashamed of yourselves. Exploiting people for your own personal gain is deplorable, you deserve every calamity that befalls you. If you can't afford marketing and advertising, don't go into business!!!