We started a Nano-Influencer program where we send $20 worth of product to college students in exchange for three dedicated posts, and it feels incredibly predatory. We are essentially exploiting teenagers who want free stuff to get free ad placement, while avoiding paying fair rates to actual content creators. Am I overthinking the ethics of capitalism, or is influencer marketing starting to look like a modern MLM?

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Influencer marketing has always been kind of a scam. I'd go so far as to say that's the entire point of it.

Capitalism only has whatever ethics you choose to apply to it. Most companies choose none.

I mean thats quite the daunting lense to approach it from. Or I see it as giving college student who otherwise have no other offers or opportunities a chance to build the resume with actual work experience and get free products.

I personally would be stoked if I had that in college. Could only imagine how that would have actually motivated me to continue pursing a role if I had that type of positive engagement with a brand wanting to work with me.

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