Wednesday 24 January 2018

Under the influence

Hello. Did anyone catch the story about the blogger (she calls herself a vlogger) who sent an email to a hotel in Dublin asking for a freebie for herself and her boyfriend, in exchange for some publicity on her social media channels? We all knows this sort of thing goes on, but she went about it in entirely the wrong way, and now it has blown up in her face. The owner of the hotel posted it on his social media, blanking out her name, and making some not so complimentary comments about her methods of freeloading. She saw it and responded thus exposing herself. Now she is saying that they exposed her by not blanking out the name properly.

The blogger calls herself a 'social media influencer', I've not heard that term before. She is the typical blonde, pouting (lip fillers), looking adoringly into a camera selfie taker, oh aren't I beautiful type. Her 87,000 yooootooob followers are slightly more, ha ha, than I have.

It's a shame that young girls today see these 'influencers', as some kind of God or Goddess, someone to aspire to, and follow their every move. When I was a young 'un, my influencers were Cilla, Sandie Shaw, and Lulu. I saw them as people to aspire to regarding fashion and make up. We were all called a 'fan' of these entertainers. We could join fan clubs, yesterdays equivalent of following a blog, I suppose. At least they did entertain properly, they could sing and dance, we could buy their records and go to their concerts. Models like Twiggy at least went to modelling school and practiced their craft on a daily basis, and commanded high fees for their professionalism. Unlike today's young influencer who puts on a skimpy, flesh exposing frock, and gawps at themselves in the corner of their bedroom. 

What does an influencer have to offer anyway? They recommend the fashion labels they wear, the make up they use to beautify themselves, the shops they like to visit, the places they eat out, prearranged for a discount, the cheap holidays they can scrounge. And of course the majority of their followers fall for this and hang on to every word, it must be right if she/he says so.

There are plenty of positive role models around, it's a shame they don't get the same publicity. What about the female pilots, doctors, lawyers, managing directors of large companies, self made millionaires who have come up from the gutter and have worked hard to own their own company. These are the women our youngsters should be looking up to.

Will these young influencers still be here in ten years time, possibly one or two, but most will fall by the wayside, or move on to get a proper job. Whinge over, now tell me what you think of it all.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

48 comments:

  1. Influencers began as bloggers, and it's warped and changed from there. I used to write beauty blogs myself from around 2007-2015, and gave up when it became apparent that because I'm not an Instagram "beauty" there was no point in trying. The major problem is that a lot of these new generation of "influencers" are entitled and spoiled, whereas 10yrs back the majority of us snapped photos of products we'd bought ourselves, not being marketing cash cows for giant brands.

    Look at the likes of Zoella and Alfie Deyes, they're vapid, immature and don't know the meaning of a hard day's work. I work with children who idolise these people and it's horrendous. The next generation are going to think that just because they've got a following on social media, they won't have to ever work or pay for anything. They fail to realise that only a tiny % end up in the privileged, pampered state.

    I could rant on, but I'll leave it here. Get yourself on Instagram, Ilona, if only to have a look at all of these "social media influencers".

    From a 20 something year old who is sick of their generation.

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    1. Thank you. You've just said what I was thinking. I'm sure that some of these youngsters think they will never have to work, just tart themselves up and take photo's. I don't fancy instagram at all, what's the point at trawling through photo's of other people.

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    2. There's loads of good stuff on Instagram, it's not all celebs and wannabes. Anything you can think of really.

      Zoella and Alfie Deyes are huge, they are showered with products by companies who get cheap and effective advertising. I wonder if Zoella's advent calendar fiasco (people were angry because it cost £50, but had £20(?) of products inside) will afffect her. She has a wholesome image, but I think she's a shrewd businesswoman. Let the buyer beware! Karen

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    3. Isn't Zoella part of the Sainsbury family?

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  2. You are so right! I worry for the worlds future with these airheads. It’s all fluff with no substance.

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  3. She also has a facebook group, she is a joke.

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  4. It's the something for nothing culture. All I can say is she certainly doesn't influence me unless it is to make sure I never, ever behave (or look - ha ha, no chance) like that.
    J x

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  5. I don't do instagram, twitter or Facebook i much prefer to do my crafting or seeing what's for real outside of my four walls. I do read a few blogs and get inspiration from them like yours Ilona. Hazel c uk

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  6. Totally agree. Can't understand why kids follow these transient airheads. I follow one vlogger who is a photographer and has the same model of camera that I have and his video advice is invaluable and he's a genuine funny chap as well.

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  7. I agree with you wholeheartedly,unfortunately the really inspiring women of today do not get the publicity that the pouters get

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  8. Ilona, I laughed out loud when I read this piece. Everyone to their own, but what has gone wrong in society to aspire to be a 'celebrity' and not a doctor, lawyer, teacher etc. I rarely watch any of the programmes on tv with'celebrities' dancing, ice skating, 'Big Brother House' etc as I say to myself: who are these people? Seriously, a couple of them I may know but I am not interested in this banal activity. Sorry to say, but the 'youngsters' on these shows seem to want a very vapid and materialistic existence: they have a lot to learn perhaps. Amanda

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    1. But it is their 'careers'...
      Said the nurse who, aged 59, has just worked 12.5 hours+ 1 hour travel + 45 minutes given free to check in drugs and had a 10 minute lunch sit down to eat a luke warm over baked potato..... Rose x

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  9. I had never heard of Influencers. I suppose that you are my Influencer as I have been following your shopping and frugal habits for ages now. Before that it was my Granny.

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    1. My Influencer was my mum. She didn't understand the fashion of the sixties though. That's skirt's too short, it doesn't cover your bum, ha ha. It's ok mum, it's the fashion.

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  10. I can't remember anyone but my friends,Jackie magazine & Chelsea Girl Boutique.Then from 15 until 21 I was taken over by Discotheques.I do look at one instagram occasionally of Linda Rodin & Winks-But you are what I aspire to be now Ilona-sorry to be gushy but it's true-You have it all x

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  11. "There are plenty of positive role models around, it's a shame they don't get the same publicity. What about the female pilots, doctors, lawyers, managing directors of large companies, self made millionaires who have come up from the gutter and have worked hard to own their own company. These are the women our youngsters should be looking up to."

    Those women, and men, are too busy earning a living to have time for the social media frenzy of look-at-me-aren't-I-wonderful stupidity.

    I, also, blame parents, school teachers and such, for not keeping these children grounded in reality. Such as: Nobody owes you anything. There are 7,500,000,000 other people on the face of this earth that are just as deserving as you. How are you going to feed yourself while pursuing your dream? blah, ba-blah, blah.

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    1. Please do not blame teachers, they have enough on their plate without policing what children do on the internet, it is a parents job to police this. Teachers are bearing the brunt of austerity, budgets cut to the bone and everyone on their back for results.

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    2. I have to agree with Anonymous-don't blame teachers-they do have enough on their plate! It's down to the parents to keep their children/teenagers grounded!!!

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    3. School teachers are not to blame, the damage has already been done by the time the child reaches school age.

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  12. I haven’t heard about that blogger. I don’t like people of both sexes taking selfies, sticking their bum out, chest out in very little clothing (often in their bathroom) pouting. It makes me sad that some aspire to that. There doesn’t seem to be any want to have an ordinary, decent job (truck driver, shop worker etc. One of my ancestors was a suffragette - oh my, things have gone back. Natalie

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  13. Arleen, sorry, I deleted your comment by mistake. It went in the spam box and I was day dreaming.

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  14. I was talking to a friend of my granddaughter who is a law graduate. She tells me her hero is Kim Kardishan !!I had to say that from what little I know of KK she is vacuous and famous for being famous and seems to do little of worth. My granddaughter tells me that I was a little rude and knew nothing of KK. I asked her if she also was impressed by KK. "God No " she cried "She is an airhead who just has lots of money"!

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    1. One of the Kardashians is famous for a nude sex videovideo. I think her boyfriend posted it without her permission. But, they all rode along on the notoriety.

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  15. Hi Ilona, if that 'influencer' had done a bit of simple googling she would have found out that the hotel owner had put up a satirical video on Youtube three months ago illustrating exactly how he felt about her ilk. It's a pretty accurate portrayal of what the so called beauty blogging scene has deteriorated to here in Ireland, but does contain strong language so probably not suitable for anyone easily offended.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72yYW6beTQk

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    1. Thank you for that, Claire, she really dropped herself in it didn't she. Actually it makes me wonder if the whole thing was set up by the influencer (blogger), she knew it would blow up, and she could play the victim card to gain publicity.

      I watched some of the hotel owners video's as well, he is hilarious, though quite blue in his language.

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  16. Im afraid that this is the sorry state the UK is in today.A lot of these so called...celebs..havent got a clue,or couldnt care less about the average kids.All they are interested in is what money they can make out of it.Wasnt one of the Geordi ones famous for pooing her pants,weeing the bed...im trying to be polite now...n going with any bloke she wanted to too?...Very Classy!!!.And the papers encourage it by printing photos of someones ...ample bust and sideboobs??.Todays kids dont stand a chance now because all this crap is shoved at them all the time.I really fear for my Grandkids...and if they have kids aswell.God knows what it will be like.All i try to do is put them on the right track and hope that some of what i tell them,sinks in.Debi,xx

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  17. couldn't agree more but would say it isn't just youngsters is it ? I remember a certain do it the hard way and if you don't your useless blogger who saw fit to cash in by saying coinstar /ready made jacket pots were the way forward oh and if anyone is interested zoella (who ever she is) advent calendar is £15 in boots at the mo
    tessa

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  18. Also agree whole heartedly with you Ilona. And frankly I do blame parents to a certain extent. I know you can't police children 24 hours a day - but parents buy the TV's, the laptops and the mobile phones - plus they pay the cost of internet providers and the mobile service. They can always say NO - and even if a teenager says they pay for these items themselves, parents still have the right to impose limitations to access and to decide what is and is not appropriate to view. There are always choices.

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  19. Your post and the replies make me want to add to the topic on three points. Firstly sometime ago some youngsters were being interviewed on tv about their future, what they wanted to be, do etc. One in particular said she wanted to be famous. When asked what for, she just said that she wanted to be famous, have lots of money and be on the tele. When asked about her talents, singing, dancing, acting was that the way she wanted to go, the answer was oh no, couldn't do those, just wanted to be famous and rich. As someone said earlier, the so called "celebs" who appear on tv today are who? Not Dame Judi Dench, Alan Carr or Paul McCartney, but off the street BB contestants who become infamous for weeing the bed etc, but encouraged by the press, think so much of themselves that they believe that they are in the same league as real celebs.
    Secondly, quite by accident, some years ago whilst looking for something very different, I came across the blog of a "plus sized" woman. Her blog was interesting, about her life, trips out, family, and how, even though fat, (her words) she liked clothes and showed her daily outfits. Now that has all changed, she does nothing but post pictures and make flattering comments on the clothes, underwear and even pub food and makeup she is constantly sent for free and gets paid for the flattering comments she makes. It's now a moneymaking free stuff blatant advertising blog.
    Finally, sorry it's so long, but influencers role models. I have of never aspired to be anyone else. I have worked hard for my education and career. I have been what I wanted to be, and used my own talents to get there. Be yourself, not copy someone else. Who has influenced me? My loving, kind, hardworking, honest, law-abiding, moral parents and family.

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  20. I think you nailed it. Today’s youth has ALOT to learn. It’s a shame they have no more self esteem...... or maybe they have too much. Either way we are living in a sad time. I see some people working harder at not having to work than if the just punched a time clock worked and went home.

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  21. Hi,

    While I can understand the owner's reaction to her request - from what I have heard, he was called out for being unnecessarily rude. People's reactions to this incident, from what I have read, have been that all he needed to say was no thank you. Rather than that, he went on bit of a rant. Many people understand his point of view, but they also understand the blogger's. She has 76,000 followers and it may be that some business owners would welcome the exposure she could generate for their business on her blog.

    Perhaps influencer is a poor choice of words to call someone who blogs about their life; perhaps advertiser or marketer would be a better choice. Still, many young people are constantly on their phones and a business who is trying to appeal to this demographic probably understands that to reach them, they need to advertise on social media (rather than traditional forms of advertising).

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  22. I had no idea. I'm from the US. We got out own problems here.
    I checked this all out and laughed quite a bit. But you're right. We have the same entitlement brats here. I believe they are all over.

    Thanks for allowing me to venture away for a few minutes for a good laugh.


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  23. Read the history any French, British or other or Royal Court, and see what the people who wanted to be "in vogue" would do to imitate the current fashion or behavior so they could "be cool". Women having large wigs literally held in place with pins that went under the skin of the scalp! Times change - human nature doesn't. R/Tim

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  24. OMG! I just stumbled across her "VLOG" - I know she is young - and in the one I managed to sit through she wasn't an awful person but it was obviously all about where she bought her "stuff". And I swear, after hearing her say "I'm like sooooo obsessed" for the umpteenth time I just could' watch anymore. She didn't seem to be vile - just very naive and rather full of herself - a bit sad really.

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    1. I saw a couple of her videos, sooooo boring. I imagine this is what Jordan used to be like when she started out. Youngsters see that and want the same sort of life. Yes, a bit sad really.

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  25. Hi Ilona I hope you will consider my comment as I've noticed that you tend to only publish those who are in total agreement with you. I think you have taken a simplistic view on this and please will you read the Independent newspaper's opinion on this matter thank you.

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    1. Thank you. I will publish comments from people who have a different opinion to myself, what I don't like is those who talk to me as if I am stupid.

      Regarding this story, I have read about it in various publications, and checked it out on yoootoooob and social media sites. The owner of the hotel/restaurant is well educated in using social media to promote his business. He is the sort of person that does not beat about the bush, a mix of Basil Faulty and Katie Hopkins. You either like him or hate him, and a lot do like him. Yes he is foul mouthed, comes across as very opinionated, but hey, it brings customers to his hotel. I reckon it will be booked solid after this, even without the influencer giving him publicity, which wouldn't be free, he would still have to pay for it through his overheads.

      If the influencer had done her research before she emailed him, she would have seen that he is a force to steer clear of. She made a mistake, but sadly now has to contend with being trolled on a massive scale. She has released a second video, but really there is no point, the damage has been done. She now comes across as a silly little girl who is digging herself into a deeper hole.

      All this will blow over, and everyone will be back to normal.

      The Independent article
      http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/elle-darby-hotel-video-ban-influencer-video-dublin-response-latest-a8175451.html

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  26. I love intstagram there are some fabulously inspirational women on there. This morning I was reading about Daphne Selfe 89 years old still living a fabulous life. Lots of creative women who I find interesting. We all decide who we choose to follow or read about don’t we?

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    1. Thank you Wendy, we do indeed. If I was a teenager I might choose to follow this particular blogger, but I'm too old for all that. I choose to follow the Supervet and Dr Rangan Chattergee.

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    2. I don’t think you’re too old for anything Ilona and Dr Chattergee is on Instagram too. I don’t have any other social media apart from reading a few blogs and Instagram (IG) I ration myself to the time I spend on blogs and IG because they can suck the time right out from under you and I have lots of other stuff to do walking and looking after my health for one lol

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  27. I am so sick of so-called "influencers", I enjoy a little more individuality in my social media and blog viewing. I saw it in action on a really small scale the other day, a new cafe has opened in a town I visit frequently. I took a peek at their facebook page and on one of their first post a food blogger posted offering to visit and write a review - the result was a free meal for them. As much as anything else I like an honest review, including a review of the service - not something where everyone is on their best behaviour because they're trying to impress this one "important" person.

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  28. I'm pretty late in this conversation, so even if published probably won;t get read by many, but I feel a need to speak in support of the new age of vloggers, bloggers, and other social media people. I didn't have a clue about this particular vlogger, so out of curiosity looked up the story. I found her letter polite, respectful, and just an inquiry with a few facts about her social media areas and number of followers. Sure, she asked for multiple day accommodation on probably one of the biggest weekends of the year (Valentines Day), a major flaw, but the owner could have ignored her request, or just firmly responded "No". His response was more vapid, "Hey Everyone-look at how I put this snot nosed brat in her place" in his loud reprinting of the e-mail and subsequent activity. I too am befuddled by th einfluencer culture. I have a teen daughter that likes social media, follows some, ignores others, but also have two adult children that make part of their living in the social media circles, though not as the "influencers" themselves. It is how the world has changed. Parents need to know, just like in the past, what their kids are watching, reading, talking to, and talk about what they like or don;t like about the messages. I don't think people should get angry because a new generation is trying to carve out a different way of making a living. Those that are on top, will not stay there as they will age as will their followers, and suddenly, they aren't influencing anyone.

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    1. Don't worry about being late, comments come through for posts which are years old.

      He maybe shouldn't have responded like he did, but that's his way, not just with her but with anyone. She should have googlied his name before she sent the email. He was slating bloggers off in a video last year. Strange that this one appears now.

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  29. What worries me is that young people who watch both vloggers and bloggers, and then try to replicate what they do, what they own etc. I see so many vloggers/bloggers spending thousands of Dollars (they're often from the States) on ONE HANDBAG which I think is something they should do in their own time, not blog about. One even spent $300 on a 'designer' tassle for her handbag (I got mine for 35p from a charity shop). Where will it all end (debtors' court, I suspect)?

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  30. Hi Ilona, I guess it's all been said by now but I've never heard of Influencers. I guess I'm behind the times. I don't go on instagram or twitter. I do occasionally go on Facebook but I'm not a contributor to it. I guess there have always been people like that before but in different ways. I don't know enough about the subject to comment pro or con about it. Arlene from NJ

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  31. In my youth, we called such people HOLLYWOOD WANNABEES, not yet stars who exhibited little talent either. Was amazed to find that thdy typically got new outfits, wore them to be "seen" once & then returned them to stores, cliaming the clothes were unsatisfactory...
    My parents said that I shouldn't try to imitate such ripoff con artists & someday their schemes would backfire on them...
    But what can one expect given the current president of the USA & his crappy behavior???

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  32. Something i see on FB came to mind when i read this, lol. I always think they are attention seeking and looking for comments on how wonderful they look when they post these pouty photos. I do think there is almost a cult following of some people on IG, whatever they post, although it is much better than FB.

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  33. Yes, in America we call them the "entitlement" generation. They think the world owes them everything. They have no idea what work is. Recently, where I work, one of these brats took off a work day to help her boyfriend (father of her child) fill out a work application. Within a couple of weeks, she no longer worked where I do. The sad thing is, in my field of work (housekeeping at a motel) workers are so hard to get, that the owners just let them keep showing up when they want, taking off when they want, etc. just to have a worker there from time-to-time. It's disgusting that our society has come to this.

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