Decorator puts down ‘influencers’ after being asked for ‘exposure’ freebie

A events decorator struggling to keep her business going during the pandemic has shut down a request to work for free in exchange for ‘exposure’.

Becky Nicholls, 34, got a email the day after coronavirus restrictions were extended asking her to create an extensive display for an event attended by influencers.

The unnamed marketing company said: ‘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.’

Ms Nicholls, who owns Love Lane Events, was asked to create a table display of flowers and a place setting with a photo wall – without payment.

She estimated it would have cost her around £600 to set up, and doubts she would get a comparable benefit from any shoutouts.

Since lockdown began, the entrepreneur has been forced to fire all of her staff members and she now works part-time until things pick up again.

She said after receiving the request: ‘I’m very annoyed.

‘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!’

She said that before the first lockdown last year, she had a diary fully booked with summer weddings and had been looking to take on more staff.

But within months, she had to lay people off with large events cancelled.

She added: ‘I am crying out for freedom day to happen!”

Becky said: ‘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.

‘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.’

Becky shared a post on her Instagram showing the email she received and her response.

She wrote: ‘Collaborations are never an equal gain especially in the event industry. What the industry needs is support and paying clients to pay our bills and food on the table for our children!! It’s been 15 months we’ve hardly worked.’

Her email response shows she asked the company if they would like a quote for the service, but was not prepared to work for free.

Many agreed with her stance, with one person commenting: ‘Totally agree with you! ‘Likes don’t pay your bills.’

Another said: ‘You were absolutely spot on… what terrible timing, and you are right, doing these events doesn’t get you the exposure and ultimately business you actually need.’

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