Whilst I blog and vlog, I am not an influencer by any stretch of the imagination. As much as I’d like to, I rarely get asked to do collabs or be involved in any any campaigns and so on. I have my diddy little corner of the internet where I can share and I’m cool with that. (1)

However, IF I did ever find myself at that ‘influencer’ level, I’d like to think that I would also remember all of those who have been so supportive. I wouldn’t forgot those people that gave me a shot or cheered me on. Perhaps it’s just me, but I expect that kind of support (2)

to be mutual. I’d want to see those that supported me also succeeding. I’d use that ‘influencer status’ to help those people wherever I could. (3)

The only proper brand collab I’ve done was as a result of @DaddyandDadBlog putting me forward for it and I will always be so grateful for that and always supportive of their endeavours. (4)

Maybe I just don’t play the social media ‘game’ correctly but it’s seems to me that for many of those I have supported, I don’t even exist when it comes to supporting something that I am sharing. (5)

Like, they are all happy and chatty when I’m gladly supporting and sharing their stuff but when it’s the other way around... nothing. Complete silence. (6)

I’ve noticed it quite a lot over the last couple of years. The silence when it comes to mutual support is deafening. It doesn’t go unnoticed though, it just makes me sad because I then just wonder if they are really only out for themselves. (7)

As I say, maybe that ‘out for themselves’ is all just a part of the ‘game’ but I don’t get why if it is. The only way you ever get these collabs etc is if you have a strong network of supporters etc but people don’t seem to want to support those they consider ‘beneath them’ (8)

It’s tough to break through all of that, especially if those who you do support give nothing back at all. But I will say this. I do notice those who have or have not been supportive and I will not forget. (9)

A particular example was a little while back when I invited people to share their small businesses/influencer platforms/initiative on my social media. It was one of those chain things where you copy and paste. I specifically said that if you aren’t prepared (10)

to share the post and enable others to also get their work out there, please don’t comment with their own links. I was quite alarmed by the number of people who commented with their own businesses etc but didn’t then pay it forward. Clearly they were more than happy to (11)

take a little exposure from my platform but weren’t prepared to give a little exposure to anyone else at all. It came off as very selfish and actually put me right off supporting them in future. (12)

So yeah, don’t come to me or expect my support if you aren’t prepared to ever support others in any way. We all have to start somewhere and treating those on the lower rungs of the ladder like they don’t exist is not cool and (13)