Don’t Aspire to Be an Influencer
As Instagram crushes opportunities for organic growth, micro-influencers like me risk being exploited. It is time for me to quit.
My name is Emily Aeyoung, or at least that is what over 7,000 people on the internet know me as—a curated digital personality and micro-influencer on Instagram. My account has opened many doors for me, given me a creative outlet and community, and allowed me to collaborate with large brands such as Macy’s, OPI, and Amazon. However, when young girls tell me they look up to me and aspire to be an influencer, my answer is simple: don’t.
I am extremely grateful for the friendships, partnerships, and opportunities I have received through this platform. But my work as a micro-influencer no longer feels worth it to me. I am a full-time graduate student at the University of Southern California, where I study strategic public relations. After graduation, I will likely pursue a 9-to-5 job in the best interest of my financial security, as well as emotional and mental health.
Aside from the most common critique of the influencer culture — namely, its superficiality — the industry is relatively unregulated. This makes monetization, as well as organic growth and reach, incredibly difficult. Many aspiring influencers or micro-influencers…
