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In this episode of Negronis with Nord, James discusses the challenges and responsibilities of being an influencer during tough and grief-filled times and offers a few thoughts about how to navigate these situations with empathy.
James: Okay, welcome. Negronis with Nord, episode number 77.
James: There have been a lot of terrible news in the past few days. The recent terrorist attacks by Hamas in Israel and the loss of civilian lives on both sides of the conflict are deeply concerning. Unfortunately, these incidents are expected to continue for weeks, and possibly months.
To address this, we have published a note on our Instagram with templates on how to pause your influencer content. These templates are meant to provide guidance to influencers during such challenging times. If you haven't seen them yet, we can provide a link to them in the bio of this video.
Influencers have a significant impact on people's lives, beyond the larger issues they address. For instance, we recently spoke to Mo Mbaye who shared that one of his followers, struggling with mental health, credited Mo's experiences for helping them overcome self-harm and saving their life. These moments exemplify the power of influencers and the positive influence they can have.
Even the seemingly trivial and meaningless aspects matter. People finding excitement in a new brand or a new mascara can make their day a little bit better. Helping people feel more confident in their clothing choices or inspiring them with vacation ideas also adds value and makes the world a more pleasant and exciting place to live.
While influencers may not be curing diseases or solving complex geopolitical issues, they do make millions of people's lives a little bit better every day. This is something not everyone can say about their job. It is a privilege to build a platform and a community, and with that privilege comes the responsibility to give back.
Similar to the expectation for the wealthy to contribute to their communities, influencers, as part of the digital 1 percent, are also expected to use their platform to support causes and charitable organizations they believe in. While it is impossible to speak on every topic, it's crucial to recognize when it's appropriate to leverage one's platform for important causes, especially during moments of global significance.
During such moments, it may not be suitable to publish sponsored or branded content. Instead, consider using the platform and audience to promote charities, show solidarity, educate, or speak up in some way. Alternatively, choosing not to say anything rather than publishing inappropriate branded content is also a responsible choice.
However, it's important to acknowledge that life moves forward, and at some point, advertising must continue. While it's possible to still feel heartbroken and upset about events happening in the world, it's also acceptable to resume branded content, sponsored posts, and discussions about personal interests. The key is to understand when it is appropriate and when it is the influencer's responsibility to speak up or use their platform for the greater good.
In this increasingly digital and fragmented world, it is essential to check in with friends who may be personally affected by global events. Going through trauma while feeling isolated can be incredibly challenging. Therefore, reaching out to those friends, offering support, and standing together is crucial.
We will eventually return to discussing makeup, skincare, fashion, and travel—the things that make life a little bit nicer. However, for now, it is appropriate to prioritize the more pressing issues in the world. If you have any questions or if brands need guidance on pausing their content, we are here to help. We are happy to share our templates free of charge and provide assistance on navigating influencer responsibilities during times of crisis.
Let's take this opportunity to reflect and support one another. We will address questions in the following week.
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