This ice cream truck owner’s had enough of Instagram influencers, so he charges them double
Jul 5, 2019
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
Share:
We’ve all heard of Instagram influencers who ask for freebies. I’ve always thought that they usually ask for pricey stuff, such as photography services, or free accommodation on exotic locations. But it turns out that some of them go as low as asking for free ice cream in exchange for “exposure.” The owner of L.A. ice cream truck CVT Soft Serve got fed up with this. So, he decided to charge Instagram influencers double.
Joe Nicchi is the man behind CVT Soft Serve. He’s had plenty of requests from Instagram “influencers” to get free ice cream in exchange for promotion. But he really had enough after one request. “Last Thursday, I got an event request to do a party on a weekend for 300 people in exchange for the word they love to use, which is ‘exposure,’” he told VICE. “I can’t do that; I can’t work for free.”
A few days ago, Joe published a post on his business’ Instagram account to announce the new policy. “We couldn’t care less about how many followers you have, and we’re super embarrassed for you when you tell us,” the post reads.
In a follow up post, Joe explains that they’d decided to “make this thing official.” In other words, he printed a sign and put it on his van.
“We truly don’t care if you’re an Influencer, or how many followers you have. We will never give you a free ice cream in exchange for a post on your social media page. It’s literally a $4 item…well now it’s $8 for you.”
As Joe told VICE, the influencers usually approach his van with “Hey, I don’t know if you follow me or not,” then they tell him their screen name and say “If you want to hook me up with a cone, I’ll post it to my story.” And Joe said his first thought is “Are you out of your mind? This is a $4 ice cream.” Or actually, it’s $8 if you mention that you’re an influencer.
I find Joe’s move brilliant and even funny. I mean, if someone would as low as asking to get a $4 ice cream “in exchange for exposure”… Then paying $8 is the least they can do.
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
Join the Discussion
DIYP Comment Policy
Be nice, be on-topic, no personal information or flames.
13 responses to “This ice cream truck owner’s had enough of Instagram influencers, so he charges them double”
Been saying it and saying it…! The time is coming…! https://www.mariosforsos.com/blog/2019/6/28/why-the-time-has-come-for-us-to-start-stopping-this-influencer-madness
I’m up to 600 followers. I want sprinkles.
I didn’t know I can get free stuff!!!
WOW!!!
Thanks for the news.
But SERIOUSLY people really think that what a joke.
They want something for sitting on their butt and clicking on the phone.
The Laziest Generation
OMG.
I get a shot of Influencer Vaccine every year … luckily…
Well, if other professionals in the industry willing to pay photographers with exposure, whats the difference?
Eat your own sh!t
This guy is a hero!
This outrage at influencer meme seems popular. I may do one for myself.
Yep, we went through this with “youtubers” 10-15 years ago.
As fellow photographers I’m sure you all are just jumping at offers like this one I got today:
No soup for you!
I turn off so many client request asking to shoot for cheaper in exchange of “exposure”
I’m a HERO too!
“Influencers” are basicly freeloaders !
now … if photographers would follow this dude’s action plan …