47 Times Influencers Made Dumb Choices That Left The Whole World Laughing

A 2023 survey by Morning Consult revealed that 57% of Gen Z kids want to be influencers. Their older contemporaries also aspire for such a profession, accounting for 41%. 

As Morning Consult brands analyst Ellyn Briggs tells CNBC, the “no-frills, direct-to-cam, low-editing” type of content has been booming since the explosion of TikTok, making the barrier to entry extremely low.

However, seasoned creators would be the first to say that being a successful content creator isn’t a walk in the park. As a journalist, author, and podcaster, Taylor Lorenz tells CNBC in another interview that it’s similar to running your “own independent media company.” 

“Most startups fail, and I think most media startups fail, too,” she said.

Linktree’s 2022 Creator Report painted a picture of how challenging being an influencer can be. Findings revealed that only 12% of full-time content creators earn more than $50,000 annually. That pales in comparison to the 46% who make under $1,000 in a year. 

As for part-time creators, a meager three percent make over $50,000 annually. Meanwhile, 68% don’t make $1,000.

Audiences may only see the superficial side of many influencers. What they don’t sense is the stress that happens behind the scenes. For Hannah Williams of the TikTok account Salary Transparent Street, it’s a daily grind. 

“It’s just constant, Monday through Sunday,” she said in the same CNBC interview, adding, “the internet’s on, so you’re on as well.”

Full-time creator Caroline Lasher shared a similar sentiment, noting the struggle of being your own photographer, videographer, and editor. Nights out involve having a tripod on hand to see if there are Instagram-worthy spots in town. 

Lasher, who is in her early 20s, says she has burned out from her 12-hour days, where her only breaks were to grab a meal. Yet, she powers through, while also admitting that being inactive may “hurt” her. 

We reached out to a few experts who gave their insights on how social media altered the way people chase clout. It has been common knowledge that likes and views incentivize people to engage in more extreme stunts in order to go viral. But as Alex Direct digital marketing specialist Josh Doherty tells Bored Panda, the most astounding factor is the speed at which an outrageous antic can spread worldwide. 

“One risky video can spread worldwide in hours, which makes the incentive to take that risk stronger than ever. That’s why you now see things like traffic pranks or fire challenges, where the danger itself becomes the hook for attention,” he said.