The third in a four-part series about honesty, food influencers & food writers. In the end, you're either in it for the right reasons or not. Plus tips to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Now that I'm on the other side of the table, it's this: "Self-promoting influencers have a knack for centering themselves in their content. Social media rewards direct-to-camera footage (it is more compelling), but the influencer featuring prominently throughout their content warns me that they selling themselves first and that’s an incentive warning," that stands out. So many people want to dine where I work that have no business -- no integrity -- or even a relationship to the F&B industry. It's quite easy to see, but I think others might be swayed or impressed by large follower counts.
Social media is littered with these parasites where it's all about eating the biggest croissant or some mukbang cheeseburger challenge. It's puerile entertainment incarnate, which, OK fine, we all need a break in life, but the viewing, consuming audience also needs to know when they are being entertained (or lied to) vs when they are being informed and advised.
For me, it's very much 'be the content you want to see.' Anything on my feed (photos/stories/Reels) is an inherent recommendation of -- at minimum -- a dish. There's no point in putting up content just to have it there for shock and awe (and food wastage), or clicks. I'd love to see a move away from "this is the best X or Y" week after week.
Hard agree. I am human and there are days when I want to laugh or be entertained, but I don't treat that content as qualitatively informing my decisions, especially decisions that involve money, my time and the time of others.
I want the WORLD to read this Liam! Absolutely spot on, every word of it (although some words I have to google for understanding, bear in mind English is not my first language). Personally I don't feel comfortable to accept a free meal and then critique it on social media if it was not upto the mark. I would feel more empowered if I had paid for it. Love that you have pointed out the 'Own your lack of knowledge' piece - several out there who probably would not even know how to boil an egg lol! I have tried several of these blogger recommended places and come away thinking 'what on earth'! The ones where I have had the option I have pointed out shortcomings to the management but I don't think it was well received - I mean who am I, considering a blogger with over 50K followers have come and raved about everything from food to service to ambience. You can bring in as many bloggers or marketing peeps to shout about your business but if the basics are not right, then it will struggle to find takers after the initial hype. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts on this matter, can't wait for Part 4.
Hey Simy, thanks for chiming in. Honestly, your opinion has a lot of gravitas to me versus someone with 50k followers. Popularity and ability are not the same thing! I would sooner listen to a recommendation from you versus [insert name of person whose name I will not say outloud yet alone in writing]. Working on Part IV :)
Now that I'm on the other side of the table, it's this: "Self-promoting influencers have a knack for centering themselves in their content. Social media rewards direct-to-camera footage (it is more compelling), but the influencer featuring prominently throughout their content warns me that they selling themselves first and that’s an incentive warning," that stands out. So many people want to dine where I work that have no business -- no integrity -- or even a relationship to the F&B industry. It's quite easy to see, but I think others might be swayed or impressed by large follower counts.
Social media is littered with these parasites where it's all about eating the biggest croissant or some mukbang cheeseburger challenge. It's puerile entertainment incarnate, which, OK fine, we all need a break in life, but the viewing, consuming audience also needs to know when they are being entertained (or lied to) vs when they are being informed and advised.
For me, it's very much 'be the content you want to see.' Anything on my feed (photos/stories/Reels) is an inherent recommendation of -- at minimum -- a dish. There's no point in putting up content just to have it there for shock and awe (and food wastage), or clicks. I'd love to see a move away from "this is the best X or Y" week after week.
Hard agree. I am human and there are days when I want to laugh or be entertained, but I don't treat that content as qualitatively informing my decisions, especially decisions that involve money, my time and the time of others.
Yup!! This!!
🙌
I want the WORLD to read this Liam! Absolutely spot on, every word of it (although some words I have to google for understanding, bear in mind English is not my first language). Personally I don't feel comfortable to accept a free meal and then critique it on social media if it was not upto the mark. I would feel more empowered if I had paid for it. Love that you have pointed out the 'Own your lack of knowledge' piece - several out there who probably would not even know how to boil an egg lol! I have tried several of these blogger recommended places and come away thinking 'what on earth'! The ones where I have had the option I have pointed out shortcomings to the management but I don't think it was well received - I mean who am I, considering a blogger with over 50K followers have come and raved about everything from food to service to ambience. You can bring in as many bloggers or marketing peeps to shout about your business but if the basics are not right, then it will struggle to find takers after the initial hype. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts on this matter, can't wait for Part 4.
Hey Simy, thanks for chiming in. Honestly, your opinion has a lot of gravitas to me versus someone with 50k followers. Popularity and ability are not the same thing! I would sooner listen to a recommendation from you versus [insert name of person whose name I will not say outloud yet alone in writing]. Working on Part IV :)