Nowadays, content creators are a dime a dozen. However, is it really so surprising? After all, in most people’s eyes, being a content creator seems to be an easy and lucrative job. Unfortunately, like any other job, being a content creator and an influencer is not a cakewalk.
Jenn Chia, better known by her online handle soimjenn, knows this better than anyone. Like her fellow creators, Jenn has been asked to promote products she might not necessarily believe in. However, Jenn takes her role as an influencer seriously. And that has led to her fans praising her authenticity as a creator!
A few days ago, Jenn received a message from a fan that touched her heart. The fan first mentioned that they often feel inspired to get the product Jenn shares, but aren’t able to afford it. Still, they admire the sincerity and authenticity Jenn has when she talks about the product.
“Every time you share, I can really feel your sincerity and (your) joy (at) having that particular product,” the message read. “And that makes me feel (like), yeah! I should treat myself with love, pamper myself… Always love to see you sharing your favourite products. Even if I don’t own it, I feel so happy to see how much you enjoy and share it with all of us.”
The message also prompted Jenn to share her work ethic when it comes to collaborations with brands. “I’ve been doing this since the start of my career, working with brands. (And I) always, always, always, only share products that I would buy myself, even if it’s not sponsored,” Jenn stated. “It’s the level of integrity I hold myself to, every time I collaborate with a brand.”
Jenn went on to explain that she always aims to earn from her brand collaborations as “honestly and earnestly” as possible. “In the past, I’ve said “no” to so many skincare, f&b, tech brands, etc., after I tried them out (sometimes for months),” she said.
Jenn acknowledged that it makes her seem difficult to work with. “But I take this very seriously, because I’m not “just promoting”. There are real people spending real hard-earned money. I can’t sleep at night if I know I’m lying to you or not being honest with myself,” the content creator admitted.
Uploading content that doesn’t disagree with your beliefs can be a tightrope walk. After all, promoting products and services, it’s just business isn’t it? However, that clearly isn’t true for Jenn. She sees her role as an influencer as more than just a job. It’s a responsibility.
It is certainly true that the products Jenn promotes and the brands she collaborates with are on the pricier side of things. But, there’s also no denying that she has earned our respect and trust by testing the products out herself first. After all, if she trusts the brand enough to promote it, you know it’s good!
