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The first time I got a brand partnership — a real one — I was sure I was going to get called out. That I’d be criticized for selling out, being self-serving. That it wouldn’t be acceptable. I was already used to getting free products, special invitations and being paid an amount that seems ridiculously low today — but at the time I was super happy about it, even honored. I prepared my post, clicked Share and waited for the first reactions with my heart pounding and my belly churning.
And then ... nothing. People clicked Like and that was that. Meh.
Even today, no one cares about content placement in my posts. Partnerships have even become a sign of success, of privileged status. Now there are two kinds of users on the networks — ordinary people and us professionals. While everyone is there to share their thing or exchange their news, we come with our professional cameras, our skills, our war machine in full view. We take in the love and the love money. And everyone thinks it’s all ... just great.
On one condition, that is. You have to “stay true.” … Authenticity is the unwritten law of the web, the content creator’s code of conduct.
And everyone insists on that, including me.