Our small restaurant was featured on a social media influencer’s blog. She has almost a million followers, and she gave us a good review. She never mentioned anything about being an influencer when she was here, she paid in full, and (if I recall correctly) she left a generous tip. Her review was also positive, with some valid observations and criticisms. (We were very busy that day, so she had to wait a while, but she was also understanding.)
All things considered, she behaved the way influencers should do. Sadly, her post seemed to get us inundated with a lot more “influencers” who thought they could get a free meal for exposure, or who acted so entitled because they had around ten-thousand followers.
It became such an issue that my manager came up with a system.
A customer has just been seated, and I can tell from all the equipment on the table (smartphone on a stand, directional microphone, separate light source) that this is going to be interesting.
Customer: “Yeah, hi, so I heard that your place is popular with influencers.”
Me: “We’ve had a few.”
Customer: “Yeah, so, what do we get?”
Me: “Get?”
Customer: “I’m an influencer, so what can you do for me?”
I immediately point to a sign our manager put up on our largest open wall.
Sign #1: “If you have to say you’re an influencer, you’re not an influencer.”
Customer: “You think you’re being cute, right? I have almost twenty-thousand followers!”
I point to yet another sign on the same wall.
Sign #2: “An influencer has over 1,000,000 followers.”
Customer: Flustered “Yeah… well… my followers are all organic! I didn’t buy them like some posers!”
Me: “You’ll be paying for your meal, ma’am, regardless of what influence you have on social media.”
Customer: “This isn’t going to go well for you when I upload this.”
Once again, I point to another sign
Sign #3: “Threats of negative reviews before you’ve tried the food will result in
Yakety Sax 12 months ago
From NOT ALWAYS RIGHT: Signs Of Influence
Our small restaurant was featured on a social media influencer’s blog. She has almost a million followers, and she gave us a good review. She never mentioned anything about being an influencer when she was here, she paid in full, and (if I recall correctly) she left a generous tip. Her review was also positive, with some valid observations and criticisms. (We were very busy that day, so she had to wait a while, but she was also understanding.)
All things considered, she behaved the way influencers should do. Sadly, her post seemed to get us inundated with a lot more “influencers” who thought they could get a free meal for exposure, or who acted so entitled because they had around ten-thousand followers.
It became such an issue that my manager came up with a system.
A customer has just been seated, and I can tell from all the equipment on the table (smartphone on a stand, directional microphone, separate light source) that this is going to be interesting.
Customer: “Yeah, hi, so I heard that your place is popular with influencers.”
Me: “We’ve had a few.”
Customer: “Yeah, so, what do we get?”
Me: “Get?”
Customer: “I’m an influencer, so what can you do for me?”
I immediately point to a sign our manager put up on our largest open wall.
Sign #1: “If you have to say you’re an influencer, you’re not an influencer.”
Customer: “You think you’re being cute, right? I have almost twenty-thousand followers!”
I point to yet another sign on the same wall.
Sign #2: “An influencer has over 1,000,000 followers.”
Customer: Flustered “Yeah… well… my followers are all organic! I didn’t buy them like some posers!”
Me: “You’ll be paying for your meal, ma’am, regardless of what influence you have on social media.”
Customer: “This isn’t going to go well for you when I upload this.”
Once again, I point to another sign
Sign #3: “Threats of negative reviews before you’ve tried the food will result in
PoodleGroomer 12 months ago
It’s cold. Can I use your Microwave?
Skeptical Meg 12 months ago
“Eat this slop? Are you mad?”