A disingenuous practice among young aspiring
social media "influencers" (who are attracted to that lifestyle as a way of avoiding real
work) who pretend to be, or delude themselves into believing, they are a legitimate entrepreneur or business owner whereby they seek to convince actual legitimate and productive businesses to give them free products and/or services in exchange for "exposure" on their
social media accounts or on user-generated review sites.
Hotel Owner: Hello
Wanna-be Social Media
Influencer: Hi! I'm a big
deal Instagram Influencer with 2000 followers. I would like to collab with you and give your hotel exposure on my Instagram account in exchange for two weeks
stay for me and boyfriend in your best suite free of charge!
Hotel Owner:
Miss, you are the 50th so-called "influencer" to beg me for free accommodations today. But I will try to remain calm and tell you the same thing I told the other 49, today. Even if we had the interest and the vacancy available, that represents a huge expense for our business that we cannot afford. Besides, our account has over 50,000 followers.
Wanna-be Social Media Influencer: You
don't have to be
rude about it. I'm a legitimate business owner just like you!
Hotel Owner: Miss, you are a privileged drop out trying to avoid a real job while asking those who
work hard and took real risks to fund your desire for a high standard of living.
