Commodifying themselves': the ordinary people posting Instagram sponcon to profit off friends
Briefly

Shelbi Howell, a stay-at-home mom, posts daily outfits on TikTok and Instagram, earning over $500 through sales links. Utilizing apps like ShopMy and LTK, she represents a new type of influencer who doesn't require a large number of followers. Approximately 1,000 followers can enable users to earn commissions on sales. ShopMy's success illustrates that influencers with smaller followings can drive significant sales. Critics argue this system could be exploitative, while others support the idea that effective influence relies more on trust and connection rather than follower count.
Shelbi Howell, a 32-year-old stay-at-home mom, utilizes social media apps like ShopMy and LTK to earn money by sharing her outfits and inviting viewers to purchase them via her links. This demonstrates that ordinary individuals, not just traditional influencers, can monetize their online presence.
ShopMy, valued at $410 million, claims that around 90,000 users with fewer than 500,000 followers have collectively driven $500 million in sales, showcasing a shift from traditional influencer strategies.
Caley-Rae Pavillard states, 'We've always believed that real influence isn't about how many followers someone has. It's about trust, connection, and the ability to move an audience.' This highlights the evolving nature of influence in social media.
Read at www.theguardian.com
[
|
]