AshlieHipp.com

• ashliehipp
• 08/10/2018

Here’s What Annoys People Most About Bloggers & IG Influencers…

A few days ago I asked my followers an open-ended question using Instagram’s new “Questions” feature. Though I thought I had an idea of what some of the responses could be, I never expected to have so many people participate.

I’m not writing this to throw bloggers and Instagram influencers under the bus, I am one of them. However as a part of this groups of people, I want to be more aware of the actual influence I’m having on others, so I did ask for this. Part of figuring that out is asking the right questions. After receiving 150+ replies to my question, I can say with certainty that this was the right one to ask.

Honestly, as I read these responses it was kind of hard for me to not get insulted. It was a major “what did I get myself into” moment for the first hour. I took it in strides and realized that I don’t do some of these things, phew. Others are simple fixes that I just need to be more aware of.

ANYWAY…

Before we jump on into the countdown, an honorable mention…

~ “just annoying.”

Very thought-provoking. What a wordsmith!

Here’s a condensed list of the responses I got when I asked my Instagram followers what annoys them the most about bloggers and IG influencers…

7. Having to see every aspect of their entire lives.

This includes “long stories” about your day, making people watch “the concerts or speaking events” that you attend and, of course, “over sharing” in general. While it seems as though people want to see what bloggers and IG influencers are doing on all day, everyday, they actually just want you to “live your life“.

In short, don’t post a full episode of a reality show about your life to your IG story every damn day.

6. They Constantly Plug Expensive and Unaffordable Clothing

Obviously this is self-explanatory. Followers want to be able to afford the products and services their favorite bloggers and IG Influencers are pitching. It’s annoying to them when every pair of jeans you link are “$365”. If bloggers and Instagram influencers are supposed to be relatable to their followers, purchasing (or getting for free and promoting) expensive items makes them feel lesser than you if they are afford that lifestyle.

5. They Think They’re Famous

One of my followers said it annoys her that bloggers and IG influencers act more famous than they are. Another said it’s funny to her “when they hold meet and greets”. This one was actually submitted with “#famous” at the end… lol I died. People really don’t love the fact that we think they idolize us, because most bloggers aren’t famous.

It was also said that bloggers and Instagram influencers “think they are a Kardashian, or something”. Take all that for what it’s worth, but I think they’re saying be humble.

4. Your Followers Think “Community Over Competition” is BS

One of my followers said that if she sees “girls support girls” or anything remotely close ever again she’s going to throw up. Several pointed out that you can’t not be in competition with someone going for the same features, events and sponsors as you. A few even messaged me to stress their views on this. To them the whole point of entering a field in any business venture is to be the best and blow your competition out of the water, why is blogging any different? Valid point.

3. Most Bloggers and Instagram Influencers are Manipulative, Hypocritical & Fake

Woah. I really don’t even know what to write here. I’ll just let the responses speak for themselves.

Just know that I also received several direct messages on this topic. Several of my followers pointed out that bloggers and IG influencers only show the good. A few more feel that portraying a life that is “filled with vacations, booming business ventures and awesome social outings is unrealistic”.

The responses that really got to me were the ones that called bloggers and IG influencers “fake”, “hypocrites” and “manipulative”. I try to keep it 110 at all times. I know that not everyone is like me, and I also know there are places I can improve with this. From here on out I promise to not only show the good, but to show the bad too.. without playing the victim.

2. Sponsored Recommendations & Reviews

Complaints on this subject included, “how can paid be unbiased?” and called promotional posts “shameless plugs”. If that’s what we as a community are coming off as, we have a real issue on our hands.

I actually couldn’t have agreed more with the person who said, “Instagram feeds that are only sponsored product ads and blogs that are all reviews”. I call those ladies “glorified Yelpers” and since they’re basically paid or given free stuff to promote and review, it’s technically a bribe.

While I can see where followers are coming from on this, I also know that influencers and bloggers have a right to be paid for their work.

There’s a fine line between influencing people to use something you believe in and just pushing products a ton of different on them. They don’t like the latter.

1. Everything Looks The Same

This is 210% my biggest complaint with fellow bloggers and Instagram Influencers, so I wasn’t shocked that it popped up over 50 times in the responses. The most of any, by far.

Last week I was scrolling through my IG timeline and I saw not one, not two, not three, but FOUR (4), posts of bloggers in Walmart sitting in a cart holding Neutrogena Makeup.

Presets, sponsorships and pictures should never look all the same. Using someone for inspiration is one thing, but seeing that so many people say “everything is the same” is sad. We’re supposed to be creative, original and trend setters…

but, for now most of us, that’s not what it is about anymore. Is it?  It’s about *$$$*

Bottom line here is… We need to do better. Stop sacrificing originality, creativity and honesty for pay. Start to practice what you preach. Realize that while it’s nice to support each other and have friends in this field, it is still a competition. Overall, just be more self-aware of what you’re putting out there. Be cognizant of how your life may make your followers feel about theirs.

If you’d like to add something that bothers you about bloggers and Instagram Influencers, comment it below! If you are a blogger, I challenge you to tell me how you’re going to be more aware of how these things affect your followers in the comments!

xo,
Ash