When it comes to discussing the topic of influencers, it always seems to be a heated one. As a relatively new career path, which has only gained traction in the last decade or so, it’s definitely an industry which garners a lot of opinions. So much so, one influencer herself has decided to speak up against the criticism.
Tracy Harmoush, a former investment banker, who now has harnessed a large social media following and is the founder of the workout app Untraceable, took to social media, naturally, to share hit back at the naysayers.
“This needs to stop,” she captioned the video post. The Dubai-based entrepreneur shared the disbelief she hears about influencers charging thousands of dollars to “just take a photo and post it on Instagram”.
“She doesn’t charge $10,000 just to take a photo and put it on Instagram,” she continued. “She now charges $10,000 for having spent years putting in work for free to grown an audience, earn credibility, build brand equity, establish a marketing platform that has the attention of people with purchasing power and therefore brands would now pay 10, 20, $50,000 for the association and not for the simple act of taking a photo and putting it on social media.”
In short, Tracy was aiming to convey the message that getting to the level where you can charge $10,000 per post isn’t something that just happens over night, it comes with hard work and determination.
The video has since garnered over 500,000 views and many fellow influencers and content creators from the region including Mina Al Sheikhly, Zahra Khalil, Dima Al Sheikhly, Farhana Bodi and more applauded Tracy for speaking up.
Mahira Abdelaziz, also in agreement with Tracy, commented: “It’s literally like saying I can’t believe a doctor charges for a consultation or hairstylist charges for their services! These are all jobs that require people to be paid for. And your expertise, years of experience and staying power are what ultimately define what you can charge.”
However, other followers weren’t in such stark agreement with the video.
“Content creators are overselling themselves for what they really do and they get offended quick if you question they do,” one person said. “I respect everyone working but they are they demand too much for what they really gave… Just my opinion.”
Another added, “Yes hard work and success go hand in hand. But so does privilege and access to opportunities. It’s not always clear cut and there’s plethora of social capital and connections through family that privilege people often have to their advantage!”
Whatever camp you land in, there’s no denying the influencer space is a lucrative industry to be in, especially if you play the game right.
