Some influencers have been getting a bad rep for pulling stunts like asking businesses to give them free products and services in return for some exposure on their Instagrams/Facebooks/Twitters.
Well, unfortunately this is still happening as a Facebook post dictates. The post has been making rounds across social media lately, where it stories a lifestyle influencer asking a personal trainer for training for free! And that’s not all. In return, the trainer would allegedly have to pay SGD3,000 (approx. RM9,031) to the influencer.
Wait, what?
Source: Giphy
No. You didn’t read that wrong.
Well, the trainer was probably just as bewildered as the rest of us and has since posted about the “proposal” on Facebook.
Source: Facebook
“The moment I read “Lifestyle Blogger”, I knew this wouldn’t be good,” the trainer said in her post, including screenshots of the email she received.
In the email, the influencer presented herself as an International Wellness Coach, Motivational Speaker, and Lifestyle Influencer with over 30,000 followers.
Source: Facebook
Source: Facebook
She also included links to her social media pages as well as a breakdown of her “promotion”. She also offered to feature the trainer’s gym and profile on her Instagram, Facebook, personal blog, and even a Youtube video.
Source: Facebook
Source: Facebook
The influencer mentioned that an award-winning photographer will be at all the training sessions to capture the process.
Source: Facebook
The lengthy list of offers is punctuated by the jaw-dropping proposal – that the trainer will pay about RM9,000 for the privilege of training an “International Wellness Coach”.
The trainer shared that her sessions cost about SGD120 (approx. RM361) for a single session and with the 36 sessions requested, the trainer would be losing at least $4,320 (approx. RM13,000) in potential income on top of the money she’d have to pay to the influencer. Indeed, social currency doesn’t pay the bills.
Sounds like a bargain(?)
Source: Giphy
“I’m creating a life I love by teaching things I love to people who VALUE my experience, expertise, and knowledge enough to pay for it. So I’ll have to say to you: thanks, but no thanks,” the trainer retorted in her post.
The trainer notes that the email is also sent using bcc, meaning that this lovely offer was sent to several other gyms as well.
“I want to say that as a Personal Trainer, I am deeply offended that someone would approach a professional whom she believes can do a job well but refuses to pay for their services,” the trainer said.
Well said. We should all financially support the people whose services we rely on.
The influencer has since spoken out about the post, posting her reply on Facebook.
Source: Facebook
Source: Facebook
Whew! What an offer. What do you guys think about the deal? Do you think influencers are being fair when they request free services? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Also read: Influencer Shares Videos of Her Driver Speeding at 192kmph on Instagram, Gets Massive Backlash
