Influencing, Hustling, Or Selling Out?

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Raise your hand if you remember when your favorite celebrity or band started pushing some kind of product or found success in a different market and they were instantly labeled as sell outs. This was especially relevant in the music world during the punk era of the 80's and 90's. These fringe bands that had small followings would find some commercial success and soon be labeled as sellouts by their loyal fan base.

Maybe you are too young to remember this phenomenon. In fact, that is what this post is about today. Over the past couple of decades, there has been a shift to a point where "selling out" is actually an okay thing.

It's known as hustling now, and people are actually applauded for their ability to do it and do it well.

In fact, the advent of the "influencer" has changed the entire landscape of product shilling and "pandering" (to use a crass term) to the masses.

Influencer is actually a pretty interesting term. Widely accepted across the globe, but still too new for the Google Dictionary to recognize it as anything but a misspelled word.

Likely you would be met with a great deal of hostility the next time someone said to you "I'm an influencer" and you said "oh, you mean you are a sell-out".

The phrase sell-out still holds a lot of negative context. I think a lot of that can be attributed to the actual meaning of the phrase. It was only in the last couple of decades that it was applied so liberally to popular culture.

Before that it was almost exclusively applied to people who actually were sell outs. AKA traitors or flip-floppers. You know what I am talking about...

I feel like am babbling, but this whole concept is something that really struck me the other day when I was scrolling through my Instagram feed and seeing all of the people throwing products in my face. I honestly can't say I wouldn't do the same thing if I were in their place. I also can't say anyone would blame me.

See what I mean, it has become more acceptable.

Let's say I loved Coke and I hated Pepsi (I kinda do), but Pepsi said they would pay me a wad of money to exclusively drink their beverage. You better believe I probably would. Again, I don't think anyone would bat an eyelash.

Because it has become acceptable. Heck it has even become lauded. People would be saying "check out the hustle game on Bozz", or "dang, Bozz's hustle game is real".

Okay, maybe they wouldn't actually say that, but you know what I mean.

Who knows, maybe I am showing my age by even writing this post...

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(Edited)

I don't know if it's become more lauded. Look at how much hatred the very idea of "influencers" gets not only around the web, but even in wider pop-culture such as on talk shows and SNL. It's perhaps become more accepted in part, but I don't think people like it very much. Part of that may be because of the way the economy is going, where it's becoming more and more difficult to keep up without some kind of side-income.

But I hear you - it's interesting to see the shift happening. I remember... I think I was in college at the time. When Dennis Millar did a commercial shilling something. It was for one of those dialing codes that saved you a bit of money on long-distance calls, I think. 1010 or whatnot. Anyway, I remember him getting hell from his fans. The edgy comic who was always attacking corporations and corruption and here he is pushing their service.

Nowadays, people probably wouldn't even bat an eye.

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I think we are a smaller subset than we think. Yes, I hear a lot of people complaining about them, but I think we are just a fraction of the population. The rest is eating this stuff up otherwise the money wouldn't be there for people to keep doing it. It has definitely become more of the norm like you said.

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Being a gentleman of a certain age myself, I get where you're coming from.

Having had a little think about it as a result of reading your post, I wonder if it comes down to sincerity. I think it does for me.

If you're just shilling something that you don't believe in just for the cash then, yeah, probably your hustle is also selling out. Like any verb there can be positive hustles and negative hustles. But would I criticise someone for selling out? I dunno.
Thinking some more, you could argue that the influencer has spent time and effort building up their audience. Why shouldn't they rent some of that space out now and again for advertising to recoup on that investment? 🤷

But if you're promoting something you believe in, or like, or even use - then I have less of a problem if you get some coin for that. As long as it's clear that you are getting paid for promoting what ever it is. That's not an unreasonable hustle, IMO.

I'd be loathe to criticise anyone for their hustles (as long as no one is getting hurt!). Everyone's got to eat, but if you can hustle and maintain a bit of integrity as well, then fair play.

But, like you, I can't say with 100% conviction that I wouldn't turn down a wad of money to promote something if I was approached. Which I'm not likely to, going by at my reach on SM!! 😉😁

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Thinking some more, you could argue that the influencer has spent time and effort building up their audience

The same could have been said years ago about celebrities, but back then it was frowned upon quite a bit more. Especially in certain communities. You make a lot of great points! Thanks for the awesome comment!

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Yeah. Good point.

I also think that back in the day selling out was also attached to celebs who were already successful who then took on advertising jobs. i.e. the perception was they didn’t need the money, but ‘sold out’ simply to make more. Maybe…

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You are probably right.

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It has a lot to do with the underlying conditions. If you are known for promoting everything under the sun, then it is difficult to become a sellout. You are just not terribly selective about what you promote.
It becomes an entirely different kettle of fish if you turn from a supporter of Manchester United to a fan of Manchester City. Then you have become a sellout! Most likely for both sides!
In my books, and understanding of language, being a sellout is never ever a good thing. Although I'd be very cautious in how I'd use the term!

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Great points! I think it is a pretty harsh term, but it was used a lot more frequently back in the day for rather benign things.

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I do remember "sell-outs". I don't think people care today. The ethics just aren't there anymore. I would bet you would still drink Coke.

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I honestly don't drink much soda anymore at all, but yeah coke just goes better with Captain Morgan.

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Acceptable, but so so boring.

Such a time suck.

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The one that I've seen lately that stands out as the most sad/disgusting in my mind is Tom Selleck selling seniors on the idea of reverse mortgages.

Also, ones that come to mind are some of the legacy financial influencers who had nothing but bad things to say about cryptocurrency. I've seen more and more of them jumping on the crypto bandwagon lately. I mean, I get it, being known as "the person to come to for advice" is their gig and they have to change with the times but it's still pretty funny.

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Well Alex trebek is gone now, so someone had to step in... I still don't understand those things (reverse mortgages). That is a great point about the old financial advisors. Lots of people going to be eating crow when it comes to crypto!

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Alex Trebek! I forgot that he was doing that. Here's a quick explanation of how it works (from the inter webs)...

A reverse mortgage is a loan that allows seniors to borrow a portion of their home's equity. They then receive that equity in cash — either in one upfront sum after closing, via regular monthly payments or by taking withdrawals as needed.

Reverse mortgages only come due when the borrower dies, lives outside of the house for more than 12 months (unless a co-borrower or eligible spouse is living in the property), sells the property or stops paying taxes and homeowners insurance.

Many older homeowners use reverse mortgages to supplement their income in retirement. Reverse mortgages can also help reduce monthly housing expenses (there’s no more monthly payment), increase cash flow or pay for home repairs or improvements for seniors aging in place.

The trouble is there are tons of fees and loopholes. It's basically a predatory trap for those seniors who are desperate for cash.

I've even heard Jim Cramer say some good things about crypto lately and Mr. Wonderful from Shark Tank, Kevin O'Leary is 1000% "all in".

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Thanks for the rundown! That's good news about crypto!

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Its ironic that being mainstream is today seen as the cool and trendy thing by the youth whereas rebelling and going against the mainstream is bad. How the world has changed! lol

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The influencer market is full of scams and I honestly think most of those projects just don't succeed. It's kind of crazy to see how much people fall for those scams. All those pump and dumps were crazy.

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As someone who has been an influencer on traditional social media the whole idea still feels foreign. There are so many scam artists out there and it seems like a higher number in the crypto space. I think there is a time and place but we do give too much credit to these people.

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I totally agree, but the wave seems to be moving in opposition to my logic...

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Who knows, maybe I am showing my age by even writing this post...

Hey, that's perfectly fine. I mean, the main hustler of all is Snoop Dog, in my opinion. And I recently saw him in something and thought: DAMN! He's getting old! Hahaha. So you're not too bad, lol.

Anyway, some are still sell-outs, whichever way you want to turn it.
U2: All of Ireland hates them, because they're sell-outs.
Rage Against the Machine: Not so much raging against the machine anymore now...
Ice Cube and Ice-T: From Fuck the Police to playing Police on TV.
Just sayin'...They've sold out.
You drinking Pepsi instead of coca cola...Nah, not so much. Although neither are good for health but that's up to the individual haha.

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Hahaha, great points!

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