The Inherent Contradiction of Being a Sustainable Influencer
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- Опубликовано: 1 авг 2024
- As a creator in the sustainability sphere, I’ve been thinking a lot about the inherent contradiction of being a sustainable influencer. While I want to be paid fairly for my work, I also don’t want to earn that money by compromising my values.
In this video, I want to talk about the issues with traditional influencing, some alternatives, and reflections on my own journey.
TIMESTAMPS
0:56 - What are influencers?
2:05 - How influencers traditionally make money
3:11 - The inherent contradiction of sustainable fashion
4:29 - Influencer greenwashing
6:11 - The challenges of making money as a sustainable creator
8:12 - Can you make money ethically?
12:48 - Alternatives to brand deals
15:09 - Reflecting on my own journey
17:08 - My pledge to you
BLOG POST VERSION + SOURCES/ARTICLES
imperfectidealist.com/contrad...
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
Blog: imperfectidealist.com
Instagram: / imperfectidealist
TikTok: / imperfectidealist
#slowfashion #sustainablefashion #internetculture
I honestly don't know how the algorithm hasn't picked up on you and made you big. Your videos are always so well researched and well done.
Ahh thank you!! 🥺❤️ I'm so glad you enjoy my videos!
yeah agreed. I guessed it's probably bcoz truly educational content in sustainable niche is less ad-friendly than other videos talking about brands and products 😕. But hopefully, this sort of content will pick up in the future :>
ANOTHER AMAZING VIDEO!! Sharing this everywhere! I loved the line “it’s easier to switch brands than change your consumption habits” YES 100%
Ahhh thank you Jade!! 🥺❤️❤️ Means so much to me!
Your integrity & goodness is conveyed so well in everything you say. I have a secondhand shop & want to create more content about sustainability but can’t help feeling hypocritical since I rely on people ~buying things~ to make money.. It’s a delicate dilemma with many factors that never seems to have an ideal solution. Thank you for sharing, I’m going to binge the rest of your videos now 😆💖
I’ve been thinking about this. Thank you for making this video.
Thank you for watching and commenting! ☺️
I think that when you don't work with social media in general, you never think about things like that, so it's really cool and informative to know what you said in the video. thank you for always bringing such good content !!
I'm really happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to comment ☺️
You are going to be big! I love your content and I'm happy to be here from the beginning ♡
Ahh that's too sweet of you 🥺❤️ so happy to have you here!
@@imperfectidealist love and admiration from Bolivia ♡ :)
I think it’s great you can acknowledge that we do live in a capitalist society and unfortunately that does mean we have to make income to live. But being mindful of how we generate that income can make a world of a difference! Loved this video. I myself have been doing some reflection on my own content and seeing how I can shift so that I’m not compromising my values but also still getting some financial support lol it’s very hard. So glad you made this I don’t feel as alone about this anymore 😭🥺💛
I'm so happy it resonated with you! It is tough to make these decisions sometimes and it feels hard to make those often-unavoidable concessions. I'm sure you're doing your best, and that's what counts!
Thank you for making this video. This is super valuable and I like how you talk about the complexities of sustainability and greenwashing by large companies.
Absolutely love this video and your integrity. Have had so many of these thoughts floating in my head and really appreciate you putting it into words. Especially grateful that you spoke on potentially not being 100% comfortable about everything you choose to do - I def feel that. Haha I just want to echo and *snap snap* to everything you said! Great video and thank you, Lily! :)
Thanks so much for the thoughtful comment, Katrina! It is definitely a fine balance to maintain and a lot to think about!
Wearing the clothes you already have is the most sustainable option. Then, buy fewer, but better when you actually need new ones.
Great video! As a consumer (non-influencer) I've been frustrated with sustainable influencers who, to me and my feed, repeatedly receive hundreds of dollars worth of gifted items and then tell me I can get 10% off my order... So I have unfollowed sustainable influencers who have made me feel I should keep spending my money for the sake of sustainability, even if it means missing out on a good brand to buy from once I do need to buy something new. I think there's a subjective tipping point when an influencer pushes consumption > non-consumption that prompts me to unfollow.
Who specifically? (If you feel comfortable sharing)
@@victoriam9242 I don't want to say names because my comment was meant to encapsulate what I've seen on social media, but to give one example, I got tired of seeing some sustainable influencers I was following post about the various gifted Tradlands items they each received. It felt weird to see multiple posts about the quality and versatility of their gifts (indirectly promoting buying these items, which aren't exactly affordable) when I was expecting more content regarding the sustainability of reducing consumption.
@@kather9 I completely understand that thank you.
I totally feel you! There is definitely a fine line, and I have definitely noticed the kind of behavior you mentioned. Sustainable brands are all about gifting and not paying for content too, which is sad. I want to see more of brands and influencers focus on education rather than PR gifts, and I really admire the creators who are able to make a living through alternate means like Patreon and eBooks!
I always love your content! It's so well articulated, researched, and reflective.
Ahh I appreciate it so much! Thank you
Love how transparent you are and genuinely appreciate the empathy and viewpoints you bring up in this video. thanks for sharing ❤️
I watch a lot of fashion content on YT, but when they offer me hauls from Shein, Walmart, etc., I hit “Don’t Recommend Channel”. I even get this kind of content when I enter “Premium Women’s Clothing”, or Designer, it’s so irritating. We need more fashion influencers who show sustainable, high-quality wardrobe items that are classic and timeless enough to wear for decades. That’s what I do, wear my clothes and accessories for decades. If well-chosen, it is possible, extreme trends and cheap materials and construction must be avoided.
this is a super thoughtful video! i loved the way you thought this out & talked about the nuances of this industry/space. great job as per usual lily ♡
Thanks so much, Athena! It means a lot :)
love love love your content thanks so much for sharing your thoughts :-)!!! great to see this longer format on youtube.
Aww thank you so much for being here!
I’m always asking fashion YTers to integrate the new items they promote with their extant wardrobes into new outfits. None has ever done this, or only a very few, like Marianne le Couer. This is how I buy new things, at least, and I think most people do this. We think “this will work with our navy or white linen pants and make two great outfits”, rather than “I’ll need some orange shoes to go with this”. I’ve occasionally bought items that didn’t work with my extant wardrobe, then wasted time and money on items that would work with them instead, it’s never a success. I love inspiration from older, classic, high-quality wardrobe items, maybe you could try that? If you linked new similar items, you wouldn’t have to buy them if you didn’t want to.
A creator that i love shared one of your tiktok and i fell in love! Thank you for your incredible woooork i love how it challenges me!
And yeah im a creator myself, making content on social justice issues mainly about race and its hell. I have a partner and we have a pretty successful platform but i hate having to worry about IG algorithm when all i really wanna do is start meanings conversations!
And we also have to fight to get paid fairly! A paaaaaain
Ahh hello and thank you for your sweet comment! It is a super tough balance of having meaningful discussions (that don't get as many views because they're not glamorous) and doing things for the algorithm. I do like that more and more people are shifting to Patreon, but it does limit exposure and accessibility of content.
It is also sad how brands will try to take advantage of creators doing important work! I've found it super helpful to talk to my creator friends about rates, and I'm always open to discussing mine with other creators!
Great video as always!
Thank you for watching and commenting! :)
Your content is amazing! so educational. thank you.
I appreciate that! Thank you :)
Love the videos
I was so happy when I saw you in Kristen Leo's video:)
It was a really nice surprise!!
Hey I just found your Channel and love the knowledge you’re able to condense in these videos, it is really confusing and tumultuous out there😅. I just started my deep dive into at the sustainable and ethical clothing world and this is so helpful.
You mentioned that you’re a runner in another video, I’m an avid runner too, and I’m looking for any recommendations or knowledge on the running shoe industry.
As a runner I go through shoes pretty fast unfortunately. For the next shoe that I purchase I really want to be considerate of where they get their materials from but also maintain the quality of brands like brooks or hoka.
Any advice?
Really great question! Maybe I'll talk about this in a video at some point.
Basically, there aren't a lot of good options yet. I try to buy my Brooks secondhand on eBay or Poshmark (secondhand meaning "like new" or super lightly used). Some of the better brands out there are Allbirds and Hylo. On Running will have a recyclable running shoe subscription soon, but it's super pricey and isn't for people who run higher mileage.
My main advice for now is the stick with what works for you, and to see if you can find it on eBay, but don't beat yourself up about it if you have to buy used. It's a practical item so you're not overconsuming if you go through them because you run a lot.
What do you recommend to get more reach/traction for a sustainable sportswear business?