I got into a 'conversation' with an 'influencer' the other day about how they feel about the amount of plastic generated by the free stuff they recieve.
I got replies not only from that person, but followers saying how she doesn't have a say and it's the companies you should be going after, when I disagree - influencers DO have a voice and as someone who contributes to their view count and gets them that free stuff, we have a right (within reason) to question what they do.
This relates to Helen.. carry on..
I privately messaged this influencer where they explained what I said came across as rude and accusing (I apologised because that wasn't my intention) but that they reuse packaging, recycle it, do all these other things but don't post about it because they don't have to, and also their audience wouldn't care about 'what I recycled this week' sort of content.
They have a significantly smaller following than Helen but I do think influencers should be sharing what they do with some of the free stuff. It isn't about making themselves look good, but it's about being honest with your audience about what happens with the stuff they get given thanks to us.
'Thanks Sainsburys, I'll be trying the new X and giving the rest to family/friends/neighbours/food bank..' Wouldn't be a hard thing to do.
Hell, if an influencer was like 'I don't give a tit, I'm keeping this stuff to myself', fair enough.
I just don't understand why there is so much secrecy around what happens with gifted items..