Becoming a "sell-out" is a term I've heard a lot throughout my life. I've heard it used in many different contexts to describe many different people, but essentially what I take it to mean is when someone gives-up their Inner-Style and starts making content solely for the sponsors/people with money.
Unfortunately, there are myriads of influencers now who seem to have sacrificed their inner-style-- that is, who they are-- just to make more money. While making a lot of money is a good thing and a goal most of us likely have, losing your identity in the process is not.
In today's post, I'm going to explain how I feel when someone does indeed "sell-out," and tell you whether or not I think I would do the same.
Whenever anyone starts a new business or brand I imagine there's a certain sense of excitement; the excitement of what might happen and who one might encounter on the journey. I believe everyone starts a brand because they believe in something. Yea, money usually tends to be a reason, but it's not the core reason, at least not at first.
When I started this brand in March, my sole reason for doing so was to share my vast array of knowledge about style and fragrances with the rest of the world. That's still my primary reason.
Personally, I know how tough it is if you don't like how you look. I was diagnosed with Body Dysmorphic Disorder when I was 15, and probably hated how I looked until I was 23. BDD is such a debilitating disorder because, such as is the case with any psychological disorder, no one else can really understand what’s going on inside your head.
So even though I looked like an average teenager to most people, I was looking in the mirror and seeing a demon.
And to make matters worse, because BDD is primarily an issue with women, being a young guy with it was incredibly isolating.
Fortunately, I've since overcome most of my issues, and now generally really like what I see when I look in the mirror. I'd be lying though if I said there weren't still moments I get overly critical of my appearance.
My point is this: I couldn't in a million years imagine creating a brand focused on helping people look and feel their best, knowing how tough and painful it can be not to, and then suddenly deciding to change topics because Walmart is offering me a hearty sponsorship.
That's why it hurts me so much when I see other people "selling-out". I'm sure they started with noble intentions or for the right reasons, but somewhere along the line they became corrupted by money and fame.
To me, it seems "selling-out" is the easy way to make it big.
I mean, of course it is. Instead of making money slowly over time through their own personal endeavors, the person relinquishes their brand's identity and is given a large sum of money by a big business or corporation.
My story and my reasons for starting are my own. Whether I make a lot of money or not, my story is going to stay intact. Who I am as a person means a lot more to me than getting paid by a big company to promote a crappy product or service.
Going back to my post on Inner-Style, I think this is why empathy is such an important trait to have. I believe caring and supporting your fans-- i.e. the people who read and watch your material-- is astronomically more important than making a ton of money by losing focus of who you are and what your audience perhaps needs.
The reason influencers are called influencers is because they're suppose to inspire people to change or to better themselves.
However, the sad truth is that many of such people seem to eventually forget that, and instead focus more on themselves.
So would I ever consider becoming a "sell-out"?
Yes...
Just kidding.
Haven't you been reading my post?
Of course, I would never sell-out. It's probably much easier for me to say that now than to say it later when confronted by a sponsorship opportunity I don't believe in later on, but I know that I am not the kind of person to relinquish my identity to or for anyone else.
People who know me personally know that better than anyone.
But what do you all think about the topic? How do you feel about people who "sell-out"? Can you understand why they do it?
Let me know what you think in the comments!
-Ryan S.
P.S. I appreciate everyone who's been reading, watching, and sharing my material! Make sure to like my Facebook page and follow me on Instagram.
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