She also wants someone else to do the work.
My issue with influencers arguing that they provide “free content” is that sites exist where they can easily get followers to sign up and pay for the same content, like Patreon. The problem is is that no one would actually pay for this content because it’s not good and it doesn’t add value. The other thing is that their engagement will be WAAAAAY less than on IG, so they know they have to keep their content free and accessible so they can attract brands. And viewers PAY THEIR SALARIES by engaging and shopping through their links. They ARE getting paid.
Just want to add one more thing...a lot of the more “ethical” influencers are slowly transitioning to a paid subscriber model like Patreon because they’re no longer okay with accepting paid partnerships with
crappy brands (even the ones who say they’re “sustainable”). To make up for the inevitable lost revenue, they’re putting up a pay wall. And this, to me, is totally fair. I subscribe to a few influencers this way, but these women are also writing about more than just fashion - they have opinions and fact-based arguments and can see (and write eloquently about) the links between fashion, the environment, oppression, poverty, etc etc.
These traditional influencers KNOW their content ain’t
tit and that they’re overpaid salespeople. If they thought their content was actually benefitting people that would put up a paywall. It’s called knowing your worth to your audience.