But if people aren't complaining about influencers, what will they complain about?! I see 20 "Hot Take: I Miss The Old IG Before Influencers" posts a week from people who are chasing likes and clouts like...wait for it...influencers. It's all a racket. I'm part of it. But I'm with you and if people continue to make their entire feed blaming a smalls subset of runners for ruining the sport but not take the time to realize they are part of the issue in following them then what are we even doing?
I know that you’ve been experiencing it much more intensely for longer, but so much of the criticism right now feels ridiculously overblown and absolutely not based in any knowledge.
All I want is for people to know things. And to maybe be chill. Good luck to us all!
This is a conversation that I've been having! I don't know if you read down that far, but it's why publicists are so capable of becoming influencer marketers. The line between journalism and marketing/ads has always been wafer thin.
I define influencer as someone who is largely making money from sponsored social posts, whatever that platform may be. Often, unfortunately, not just with poor etiquette at events, etc, but untrustworthy in their promotions, as well. I'm an old-school journalist, so I admittedly bring a bias in here. I'm also no longer on social media (LinkedIn an exception b/c I find work and sources there), and I don't miss it. Again, showing my old-school sentiments, I think social media is pretty awful on myriad levels.
I'm not sure where I found you, but likely through Mario's newsletter. I subscribed because I am interested in what I see as your finger on the pulse of the younger, newer run culture, something I am out of touch with as someone who has been running for decades.
That's interesting because you obviously didn't find me via social media (the place we agree that influencers live), so I'll continue to wonder what part of my writing suggests to you that it's either paid for or untrustworthy.
For clarity, I've been a journalist (and running) for a few decades (I do enjoy your implication that I'm young though) for places like the BBC and Guardian. They're pretty big outlets in the UK, at least.
I'd have cut a civilian more slack for not knowing that but, as you say, you're an old-school journalist, so I'll expect and demand a little more professional rigor and courtesy 😉
But if people aren't complaining about influencers, what will they complain about?! I see 20 "Hot Take: I Miss The Old IG Before Influencers" posts a week from people who are chasing likes and clouts like...wait for it...influencers. It's all a racket. I'm part of it. But I'm with you and if people continue to make their entire feed blaming a smalls subset of runners for ruining the sport but not take the time to realize they are part of the issue in following them then what are we even doing?
I know that you’ve been experiencing it much more intensely for longer, but so much of the criticism right now feels ridiculously overblown and absolutely not based in any knowledge.
All I want is for people to know things. And to maybe be chill. Good luck to us all!
Aren't you an influencer? Not being facetious, but that's how I think of you. An influencer who wrote a book.
This is a conversation that I've been having! I don't know if you read down that far, but it's why publicists are so capable of becoming influencer marketers. The line between journalism and marketing/ads has always been wafer thin.
Two questions, tho:
1) how do you define 'influencer'?
2) where did you find me?
I define influencer as someone who is largely making money from sponsored social posts, whatever that platform may be. Often, unfortunately, not just with poor etiquette at events, etc, but untrustworthy in their promotions, as well. I'm an old-school journalist, so I admittedly bring a bias in here. I'm also no longer on social media (LinkedIn an exception b/c I find work and sources there), and I don't miss it. Again, showing my old-school sentiments, I think social media is pretty awful on myriad levels.
I'm not sure where I found you, but likely through Mario's newsletter. I subscribed because I am interested in what I see as your finger on the pulse of the younger, newer run culture, something I am out of touch with as someone who has been running for decades.
That's interesting because you obviously didn't find me via social media (the place we agree that influencers live), so I'll continue to wonder what part of my writing suggests to you that it's either paid for or untrustworthy.
For clarity, I've been a journalist (and running) for a few decades (I do enjoy your implication that I'm young though) for places like the BBC and Guardian. They're pretty big outlets in the UK, at least.
I'd have cut a civilian more slack for not knowing that but, as you say, you're an old-school journalist, so I'll expect and demand a little more professional rigor and courtesy 😉
But do you make a F/T living as a journalist? That's not my impression: https://muckrack.com/raziq-rauf