An events decorator has slammed an influencer marketing agency expecting freebies in exchange for exposure, pointing out that 'likes don't pay the bills.'
Becky Nicholls, who owns London-based business Love Lane Events, says she received an email from an agency asking her to provide £600 worth of services for free.
The 34-year-old says the agency told her a number of influencers would be attending the event, who would offer exposure in exchange for a table display of flowers and a place setting with a photo wall.
"The guest list is quite impressive and we would love to help you grow your channels by finding a deal where we can collaborate in exchange for exposure on the girls' channels," read the request from the unnamed agency.
Unsurprisingly, Beck was left horrified by the request, given that her business - like many others - has suffered tremendously during the pandemic, while events been hindered by lockdown.
"I'm very annoyed, they are highly exploiting small event businesses with the lure that influencers will be at their event and be pictured with your event décor," she explained.
"Everyone is aware events companies aren't working at the minute and it feels like the company wanted to exploit this by tempting them into providing something for free, with 'exposure' somehow being equal to the outlay we would have to come up with."
As a result of struggling through lockdown, Becky has been forced to let go of all her staff, while also working part-time else where to make ends meet until business picks up again.
"The week before the UK went into lockdown we had a diary fully booked with summer weddings. I was looking to take on more staff to cope with the volumes we were seeing," she recalled.
"That week alone when everything started getting locked down, we had equipment out at VISA, the London Eye and backdrop used for magazine celebrity couple baby reveal.
"Within days, everyone was pulling their events and within months I had to get rid of all my staff.
"We started a Covid-friendly DIY collection service to try and offer some décor hire items during 2020, but I now do it only part-time because the demand is just not there. I am crying out for freedom day to happen!"
However, Becky was quick to point out that her frustration was not with the influencers themselves, but with the agency, especially given that the request came just after Boris Johnson delayed 'freedom day' by a whole month.
"This agency shows Dior, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Sony and Bulgari as its clients. They are not the influencers contacting us, they are their agency who themselves only have 7,000 followers so I feel that speaks volumes," she said.
"I'm fully aware of how the influencer industry works and I do not have any issue with it. It's just the timing of their request, on the morning after events companies got delivered the news that they dreaded."
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