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some_of_us_are_sane

(3,680 posts)
Fri May 8, 2026, 09:57 PM May 8

"Influencers"..........what a DUMB title

I grew up in the 60's and 70's. We had a NAME for what is now referred to as "Influencers". WE CALLED THEM "Bullshit artists." Simpler and to the point.

Add a heap of narcissism, a mirror and a cheap camera, and.......VOILA! Big pile of crap with QUOTATION marks around it.
55 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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"Influencers"..........what a DUMB title (Original Post) some_of_us_are_sane May 8 OP
That was my opinion the first time I heard the word The Blue Flower May 8 #1
You coined a new group...."Influencees"! some_of_us_are_sane May 8 #6
Or hucksters. Ocelot II May 8 #2
In other words some_of_us_are_sane May 8 #7
I'm stealing that!!! bamagal62 May 10 #51
Message auto-removed Name removed May 9 #46
Amateur media propagandists of the right-wing magicarpet May 8 #3
I have to say some_of_us_are_sane May 8 #8
Some are pros. progressoid May 8 #10
Pros, alright... some_of_us_are_sane May 8 #12
Heh heh progressoid May 8 #15
Dumb from start to finish. Polly Hennessey May 8 #4
And before that they were "snake oil salesmen"! Enter stage left May 8 #5
You forgot televangelists Keepthesoulalive May 9 #20
And yet, at least one addressed the Democratic onvention question everything May 8 #9
Who? some_of_us_are_sane May 8 #13
I don't remember. I'd better be careful, that post of mine questioning the appearance question everything May 8 #16
Look at the list of speakers on the 3rd day of the convention question everything May 9 #25
I see something there some_of_us_are_sane May 9 #31
Also Known As "Shills" LudwigPastorius May 8 #11
Yep. some_of_us_are_sane May 8 #14
Great definition, ludwig some_of_us_are_sane May 9 #30
Do you mean "influencers" and "podcasters" are the same or different? BigmanPigman May 8 #17
Yea I like those people. Many great young Democrats with their own shows now. Another is "Parker Maraya1969 May 9 #28
As JImmy Durante used to say.... some_of_us_are_sane May 9 #32
It triggers Mme. Defarge May 9 #18
They seek attention similar to getting 'liked' on social media. BeneteauBum May 9 #19
Having people visit ther sites is their source of income, not self esteem. Wiz Imp May 9 #21
Ah, now we get down to the "brass tacks"... some_of_us_are_sane May 9 #33
Many of them are being paid Keepthesoulalive May 9 #22
Like it or not, top "influencers" make a ton of money at it Wiz Imp May 9 #23
Doing what? question everything May 9 #24
I don't know for sure but it seems like many of them became popular from streaming games JI7 May 9 #27
Pitching, like a carnival barker... some_of_us_are_sane May 9 #38
How Do Influencers Make Money? Wiz Imp May 9 #40
Those are very few . There are many that struggle and do desperate clickbait JI7 May 9 #26
Yeah. Morbius May 9 #41
Not remotely true Wiz Imp May 9 #43
I stand corrected. Morbius May 10 #47
Message auto-removed Name removed May 9 #45
It's true that not a lot of people make big money (over a million dollars) Wiz Imp May 9 #42
Yes, the money is decent for some. Depending on the effort put in even a thousand a month can be ok JI7 May 10 #48
Holy crap! some_of_us_are_sane May 9 #34
Wow. I've not heard bamagal62 May 10 #52
It's the newest industry now that AI is contaminating many of the others. Buns_of_Fire May 9 #29
YOU got it, Buns some_of_us_are_sane May 9 #35
They used to call themselves "Trend Setters". mwmisses4289 May 9 #36
They could very well be on street corners... some_of_us_are_sane May 9 #37
You are wise, mwmisses.... some_of_us_are_sane May 10 #50
We Solve Murders, a book by Richard Osman question everything May 9 #39
That plot some_of_us_are_sane May 10 #49
A loud mouth young person with an iphone or web camera. Jacson6 May 9 #44
Hit the nail RIGHT ON THE HEAD, Jacson6! some_of_us_are_sane May 10 #54
Influencers lapfog_1 May 10 #53
EXCELLENT quote, lapfob_1! some_of_us_are_sane May 10 #55

The Blue Flower

(6,616 posts)
1. That was my opinion the first time I heard the word
Fri May 8, 2026, 09:58 PM
May 8

It's total bs. It only means there are a bunch of folks who are dumb enough to listen to you, whether you know what you're talking about or not. And I know they're dumb because they need a bs artist to tell them what to think. The Influencees.

Ocelot II

(131,378 posts)
2. Or hucksters.
Fri May 8, 2026, 10:03 PM
May 8

Because that's basically what they are - they make videos about their exciting, glamorous lives that purport to offer expertise or advice, and incidentally include products that the huckster gets paid for using or displaying. The only difference from traditional advertising is that influencers use social media to create direct audience interaction to get "followers."

Response to Ocelot II (Reply #2)

some_of_us_are_sane

(3,680 posts)
8. I have to say
Fri May 8, 2026, 10:45 PM
May 8
It's attracted BOTH sides. Vanity knows no political affiliation. The internet is an equal opportunity vacuum and sucks mightily..

Polly Hennessey

(8,985 posts)
4. Dumb from start to finish.
Fri May 8, 2026, 10:08 PM
May 8

They are hucksters able to convince the really stupid. Oh, wait a minute, we are living in the era of Trump. How did this country become so moronic?

question everything

(52,455 posts)
16. I don't remember. I'd better be careful, that post of mine questioning the appearance
Fri May 8, 2026, 11:53 PM
May 8

was removed by a jury. I do not remember the charge.

“He has a million followers”, was the explanation.

some_of_us_are_sane

(3,680 posts)
31. I see something there
Sat May 9, 2026, 07:26 AM
May 9
with the definition of: ""content creator"....LOL! I'm going into my kitchen now to "content create" myself a cup of morning coffee".

BigmanPigman

(55,583 posts)
17. Do you mean "influencers" and "podcasters" are the same or different?
Fri May 8, 2026, 11:53 PM
May 8

Many younger YouTubers such as Adam Mockler are sometimes called influencers.

Which of the "influencers" do you refer to?

Maraya1969

(23,590 posts)
28. Yea I like those people. Many great young Democrats with their own shows now. Another is "Parker
Sat May 9, 2026, 01:54 AM
May 9

get a job" or Parker Short who debates Republicans. It is getting irritating now though because they are just so damn stupid and he lets them hang on for too long in my opinion.

I also like watching Youtubes with people who travel the world and go to places like "The number 1 hotel in the world" and show you what they are like. I don't know if they get paid but if I were one of those places I might want to help them out if they came to my facility.

BeneteauBum

(809 posts)
19. They seek attention similar to getting 'liked' on social media.
Sat May 9, 2026, 12:12 AM
May 9

Having people visit their sites is their only means of self esteem. It’s pitiful.

Peace ☮️

Wiz Imp

(10,503 posts)
21. Having people visit ther sites is their source of income, not self esteem.
Sat May 9, 2026, 12:38 AM
May 9

Many make well over a million dollars a year.

some_of_us_are_sane

(3,680 posts)
33. Ah, now we get down to the "brass tacks"...
Sat May 9, 2026, 07:38 AM
May 9
"Schilling". Sounds about right. Ego's fed, pockets filled.

Wiz Imp

(10,503 posts)
23. Like it or not, top "influencers" make a ton of money at it
Sat May 9, 2026, 01:04 AM
May 9
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenbertoni/2025/06/16/forbes-top-creators-2025/
#1. MrBeast
Earnings: $85 M

#2. Dhar Mann
Earnings: $56 M

#3. Jake Paul
Earnings: $50 M

#4. Rhett & Link
Earnings: $36 M

#5. Alex Cooper
Earnings: $32 M

#6. Charli D’Amelio
Earnings: $23.5 M

#7. Matt Rife
Earnings: $50 M

#8. Mark Rober
Earnings: $25 M

#9. Druski
Earnings: $14 M

#10. Khaby Lame
Earnings: $20 M

some_of_us_are_sane

(3,680 posts)
38. Pitching, like a carnival barker...
Sat May 9, 2026, 02:17 PM
May 9
Hawking- "Selling Aggressively: The most common usage, where someone is pushing a product, often in a loud or persistent manner."

Wiz Imp

(10,503 posts)
40. How Do Influencers Make Money?
Sat May 9, 2026, 10:51 PM
May 9
https://www.beehiiv.com/blog/how-do-influencers-make-money?srsltid=AfmBOorC1A48a29aKs4O1Xql8mulUWXnkjLsPASfTyTceypW9TI-LiDY
Social Media Stars: How Much Do They Really Make?
--------------------
Brand partnerships and sponsored content remain the bread and butter for most influencers. Brand deals happen when companies pay you to feature their products in your content. For example, a fitness coach might partner with a supplement company, while a travel blogger works with hotels.
---------------------
Affiliate marketing programs are where passive income actually works. Affiliate marketing lets you earn commission every time someone buys through your unique link or code.
------------------------
Selling your own products creates longevity beyond any single platform. Even micro-influencers can launch successful merch lines using print-on-demand services that need zero upfront inventory.
--------------------
The highest profit margins live in digital products and online courses. Digital products cost nothing to reproduce and can be sold infinitely.
--------------------

And another source is good old fashioned ads.
 

JI7

(93,908 posts)
26. Those are very few . There are many that struggle and do desperate clickbait
Sat May 9, 2026, 01:12 AM
May 9

And it's not gauranteed income and they have to put their own money into it.

This is different from the traditional ways where people would get paid a certain amount and things like travel and other things for the work is covered.

A lot of these people made money during covid becsuse people were stuck at home. But when things got better and places opened up they were not getting as many views anymore. And they blamed Biden and put out a bunch of shit blaming democrsts pushing Trump.

Morbius

(1,144 posts)
41. Yeah.
Sat May 9, 2026, 10:59 PM
May 9

For every successful "influencer" there are thousands of rather pathetic failures.

Wiz Imp

(10,503 posts)
43. Not remotely true
Sat May 9, 2026, 11:13 PM
May 9
https://www.business.com/articles/social-media-stars-how-much-do-they-really-make/
Multiple outlets have reported that nearly one in four people on social media consider themselves to be an influencer or content creator. However, NeoReach reported that roughly half (48 percent) of creator-earners only make $15,000 or less and only 15 percent make $100,000 or more annually. So, how did today’s top-earning social media stars get where they are? Experts say a combination of luck, consistency and personality helps social media stars grow their platforms.

That means a little over 50% of all influencers/creators are making at least $15,000. That's a long way from thousands of pathetic failures for every successful one.

Response to Morbius (Reply #41)

Wiz Imp

(10,503 posts)
42. It's true that not a lot of people make big money (over a million dollars)
Sat May 9, 2026, 11:06 PM
May 9

However, tons of people make decent money doing it.
https://www.business.com/articles/social-media-stars-how-much-do-they-really-make/
Social Media Stars: How Much Do They Really Make?

Multiple outlets have reported that nearly one in four people on social media consider themselves to be an influencer or content creator. However, NeoReach reported that roughly half (48 percent) of creator-earners only make $15,000 or less and only 15 percent make $100,000 or more annually. So, how did today’s top-earning social media stars get where they are? Experts say a combination of luck, consistency and personality helps social media stars grow their platforms.

So that's 15% of 25% of all people on social media making $100,000 or more. While that works out to only about 4% of all people on Social media, that is still a lot of people being able to support themselves solely based on their online presence.
https://datareportal.com/social-media-users
Detailed analysis by the team at Manochi shows that there were 5.79 billion social media “user identities” around the world at the start of April 2026.This impressive figure indicates that more than 2 in 3 people on Earth now use social media each month, and means that social media users are now a “supermajority”, with users now outnumbering non-users by more than two to one.

so 4% of 2/3 of the population of the US is well over 8 million people.
 

JI7

(93,908 posts)
48. Yes, the money is decent for some. Depending on the effort put in even a thousand a month can be ok
Sun May 10, 2026, 05:36 AM
May 10

as some extra side money in addition to a regular job. Most people that do well have personalities that are appealing and much of the money comes from brand deals. They might have some talent or something from things like cooking or crafts or doing makeup which they can continue doing to make money.

But my comment was more towards the many many people that are hoping to become wealthy and not have any other job. These people resort to click bait. Another problem is that the money they make is not guaranteed. Views can go down and there is always competition. These are the people that started pushing MAGA shit .

Buns_of_Fire

(19,224 posts)
29. It's the newest industry now that AI is contaminating many of the others.
Sat May 9, 2026, 04:03 AM
May 9

I always thought it took a lot of chutzpah to label oneself an "influencer", a title that sets my teeth on edge. Now what happens when AI bots start influencing other AI bots? Oh, I know...

mwmisses4289

(4,783 posts)
36. They used to call themselves "Trend Setters".
Sat May 9, 2026, 08:31 AM
May 9

A lot of the stuff they touted was ugly and useless then, and it is still ugly and useless now. I try to avoid
"influencer" recommended stuff like the plague just like i tried to avoid "trendy" stuff when I was younger.

some_of_us_are_sane

(3,680 posts)
37. They could very well be on street corners...
Sat May 9, 2026, 10:24 AM
May 9
holding signs, "I INFLUENCE FOR CASH" and shaking their little tin buckets at passersby.

some_of_us_are_sane

(3,680 posts)
50. You are wise, mwmisses....
Sun May 10, 2026, 07:56 AM
May 10
and even TODAY, I find it smack in a title of one of the stories in the local news online. IT'S f*cking EVERYWHERE!

question everything

(52,455 posts)
39. We Solve Murders, a book by Richard Osman
Sat May 9, 2026, 07:14 PM
May 9

No, not part of the Thursday Murder club. Influencers are being recruited to promote.. stuff but really are being used to smuggle money. And then are publicly murdered to punish competing organizations.

Small time influencers who are hoping to make it big.

(I am still in the middle of the book so don’t know how it ends)


lapfog_1

(32,011 posts)
53. Influencers
Sun May 10, 2026, 08:29 AM
May 10

one syllable away from Influenza, both make you sick and usually with nasty symptoms of diarrhea.

I do watch some computer reviews sites, with people that get products to review but they are not paid to review them, or so they claim.

Jeff Geerling and Christopher Barnatt both do an entertaining job with my home hobby of building Single Board Computers.

If those are considered "Influencers", then I admit to following them and watching their videos.

I also watch some of the videos by Anastasiia Nosova, a micro chip design expert.



some_of_us_are_sane

(3,680 posts)
55. EXCELLENT quote, lapfob_1!
Sun May 10, 2026, 08:43 AM
May 10
"one syllable away from Influenza, both make you sick and usually with nasty symptoms of diarrhea"....

And I agree, there are many short interviews or programs on YouTube that are strictly instructional and the viewer shares an interest in a certain subject. But there IS a difference between instructional and plain old huckstering or EGO-CENTRIC APING INTO THE CAMERA. I agree completely.
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