This pandemic has really thrown all industries in a massive spin of epic proportions. Many of my peers haven’t had work or just one or two gigs here and there. Our child has been in remote school for a long time now. Nothing is normal and I personally don’t think it will be for a very long time.

So we must adapt, change and redirect ourselves and our businesses. Me? I’ve admittedly been kinda lazy, the depression hasn’t been great(well depression never is), and I’ve found myself in such a funk that all I want to do is binge watch movies, tv and read massive amounts of books. No I didn’t bake any bread, nor did I do a huge cleaning and organization undertaking. And that’s ok. We’re all dealing with 2020 in our own way, nothing is bad.

This is how I’ve been dealing with COVID-19:

This is Jack, a 15hh Buckskin American Quarter Horse. Ages ago I was a Hunter Equitation Show Jumper, and now I’ve been back with lessons for a while. Our daughter rides too.

So with that said, I’ve been able to have some safe, socially distant photo gigs, a headshot, a small outside event. I even photographed my friends very small, outdoor wedding. I’m working behind the scenes on my own branding, etc. Meanwhile today I received an email:

First you need to fill out an application. Then IF you’re among the chosen, go on location to purchase something, making sure that all of the branded material is clearly shown. Make sure that you add the content as shown, post this by a certain date, so there is a deadline. And then get paid by…wait for it…

A $10 coupon value via Paypal to purchase the item at a certain supermarket. 

I get it, times are tough for everyone. Seriously, who’s idea was this? Who thought this was even remotely ok? I actually had to laugh because not only was this insulting, but it was ridiculous. So I did some research because I honestly thought this was one of those scams, and found out that this was indeed legit, and it came from an agency in the Boston area that does Strategy, Brand Leadership, PR, Creative, Analytics, and Media.

WOW

Here is my reply:

I haven’t heard back from this Influencer Recruiter, I probably won’t and I don’t expect to. Call me a snob, tell me that I’m acting immature, unprofessional, whatever. However I’m so sick and tired of this nonsense. To me, and many creatives out there, THIS was unprofessional and NOT ok. Agencies, influencers, businesses large and small, need to understand that without creative professionals, you would not have:

  • Websites
  • Books
  • Cell Phones
  • Movies
  • TV
  • Fashion
  • Furniture
  • Toys
  • Houses
  • Cars
  • Packaging
  • Basically everything you see and use was designed and made by someone who is creative.

Look around you and tell me something that you have that someone didn’t think up of and needed an artist to make that idea come to life.

Creatives are constantly asked to be undervalued and underpaid, yet, we are expected to provide everything.

This has got to stop. If your business is going through a rough time, talk to us, most times we can work something out, and in return we ask that we continue to have your business at our full rate for working together.

But do not come to us, without that business relationship and expect a lot of work for a $10 coupon for some frozen breaded shrimp or nothing.

C’mon….

If you have anything constructive to say or a story similar to mine, please leave a comment below.

Be well, wear your mask, be safe and socially distance yourself.

Thanks!