when an influencer asked for $3000 worth of free products from my small business | story time☕

Hello friends!
I know this is a little different from my regular content here on KZbin, but I really enjoyed the conversations I was having over on Threads about this subject - so I wanted to bring the conversation over here!
What do you think about this whole interaction?
What could I have done differently?
Would you have said yes to the influencer?
Would you ever ask a small business for free products?
I'd love to hear what you have to say, let me know in the comments♥
Find the original post here: www.threads.ne...
Where you can find me:
♥Instagram: / hanembroiders
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♥Etsy: hanembroiders....
💌Business enquiries: [e-mail]
#smallbusiness #art #artist #fashion #influencer #story #storytime

[@carries6427]

She wasn’t an “influencer” she is a scammer looking for free product

[@anubis9139]

I think it's nuts that people will pay thousands of dollars on designer bags, clothes, watches, shoes, whatever covered in logos of billion dollar companies, basically paying them to advertise for them; but then they turn around and demand free stuff from small companies in exchange, so that they can monetize a video and make money by showing off your work. I go the other way. I absolutely refuse to buy big name products and when that isn't possible, I go out of my way to hide the branding. But if there is a product from a small business that I really like, I will happily pay full price and recommend them to everyone I know.

[@ruk3764]

Gosh, shocking behaviour. That woman clearly has no respect for small businesses and also no idea of the reality of the level of influence she has at her stage in the influencer journey. Plus, given she was rude, not the kind of people most businesses would benefit from working with. She sounds like an entitled nightmare tbh

[@ruthvanmackelenberg9034]

Your work is beautiful. I am an amateur embroiderer, and nowhere near as skilled as you. The influencer was way out of line. Even asking for a discount is unacceptable, in my opinion. Well done for standing your ground. This is your living, and even if you kept stock on hand, this is unacceptable.sending hugs from Australia 🇦🇺

[@HanEmbroiders]

thanks so much for your kind words! I really appreciate it❤

[@CoRLex-jh5vx]

I think _inquiring_ about a discount for larger quantity orders can be acceptable (so long as you accept whatever answer is given), but not "I'm marginally famous so gimme"

[@sheilacolwell434]

It was a sincere and coherent message. Not a mess at all!

[@HanEmbroiders]

oh thank you so much! when I was editing it, I was like... wow, I hit maybe 3 of the points I really wanted to talk about lol, but thanks so much for your kind words❤️

[@marshahodgkins9215]

You were absolutely correct in what you did, and said. Heartfelt!

[@HanEmbroiders]

thank you so much!

Some people are just really disrespectful.. I once said yes to an influencer and created beautiful handmade invitations for her baby’s christening .. she shared one single post on the instagram and didn’t even link my name correctly.. that was a waste of time and money 😅

[@HanEmbroiders]

oh my goodness!!! this is unbelievable! I am so sorry that happened to you!

[@bridgett039]

I hope you commented saying that they were your designs!

[@Stuff_I_Watch]

“WE LEAVE NEXT THURSDAY”……😅 If you can’t show your metrics on what other campaigns have done then you have zero right to EXPECT ANYTHING for free!!!

[@Stuff_I_Watch]

When I am feeling better I would LOVE to get a pair of your shoes. It’s something I have tried on my shoes in the past, but I now have chronic pain so really don’t have the hand strength anymore. But your products are beautiful & you don’t need influencers if you are putting the time & energy back into the business.

[@trelina]

Next time if you want to mess with them ask them how many new sales within a year you can expect to get from their "influence". When they give you a number offer to write a contract that you have to get that many sales or they owe you the full amount for the product they received. I bet you'll hear crickets after that lol

[@melanie9860]

Im so sick of entitled people like that. i dont answer so many messages and I just block so often because i can sense that tye of entitlement from a mile away and i dont got time for that lol

[@Rvandrsluis]

I’m an artisan rug creator, make everything by hand so understand where your coming from, I’ve also been the owner of a global brand so experienced both sides of these situations. To sum it up, everybody’s just trying to move forward, money/cash/currency was literally invented for this issue, so individuals can trade service/value to eachother with a universally valued medium.

[@amberbrown8174]

She was asking for way too much and to get angry was a joke she only got mad because she knows she is wrong

[@HanEmbroiders]

yes I think so too, she was very upset when I said no though so I'm wondering if she was able to get other free things from other small businesses

[@LadyEzri]

The entitlement of this influence starts so early on, not only do they want 8 pairs for free, but in an incredibly short time span as well. The leave 'next Thursday' which makes me think this is a week at most from sending this message. As someone who embroiders, even small designs can take a lot of time, more than people think. So, 8 pairs, and then shipping time too, as this is all out of your pocket and overnight can be pricey. Just.... how do these people think this is okay... how does their platforms just make them think that they can get anything they want?

[@HanEmbroiders]

I almost choked when I saw she wanted them within a week, some pairs of shoes take 12 hours to embroider!

[@bridgett039]

The term “Influencer” is too broad now. I don’t understand the audacity some people have, I could never ask for something for free or even at a discount 😅 That’s just one of the reasons I wouldn’t be a good influencer 😂

[@HanEmbroiders]

I couldn't agree more! I happily pay for things at full price from small businesses that I love, I wouldn't dream of asking for anything for free!!!!

[@wisdomqueencrafts]

It seems this happens the most with fiber artists. Especially those that make/redesign clothing.

[@HanEmbroiders]

I think you're onto something, though I did hear from some bakers/food professionals, and they said they constantly get asked for free/heavily discounted cakes and food!

[@Jwizz2000]

Not sure how i got here, but your art is super nice!!!

[@HanEmbroiders]

happy to have you here and thank you so much!

[@Stuff_I_Watch]

If anyone would like advice of either launching or expanding your startup business, I have 25 years experience of launching new products, not just in the UK, but globally. I have been thinking about pulling a FREE guide, so I would love to know the questions everyone has that I can help answer or give advice on where to find answers. NEVER apologise for you politely backing your OWN WORTH!!!

[@ClaudiaDavZam]

The "hey girlie" bothers me. She didn't bother to personalize the message. Want to bet she just copy pasted the message and send to as many accounts as she could?

[@Emilyatmidnight]

I give myself the same cues while filming to make editing easier! Hahaha!

[@HanEmbroiders]

I didn't even realize how much I do it!!!

[@suyang4505]

I think you absolutely should name and shame. I guess you are a better person than me.