March 2, 2022

How Do You Feel About Creators Asking You for Money?

We haven’t done a Musings of the Day in simply ages. Work, life, the universe has been keeping me pretty busy over here which means my updates on the site are slow going. I hope you still love me as much as I still love you.

Let’s talk money today.

A very touchy, sensitive topic.

And an even more touchy topic of discussion is money and your favorite bloggers, creators, youTubers, etc….

Let’s talk about it.

I’ve been doing this far too long. Long enough that I feel and I’ve seen everything at this point. The beauty drama has always been interesting hasn’t it? But one interesting trend I haven’t seen until now is creators asking for donations. It’s not something we’ve commonly seen in the beauty community in my experience. I haven’t seen many beauty bloggers or gurus openly asking for a donation to fund a trip or to fix their broken car, etc….etc…..

You know several months ago I watched a creator on Tiktok explain how she’d be featuring a new creator daily in the hopes of bringing attention to their need for donations to attend a convention. She went on to explain how hard a year THEY had and they could really use the support to get them to said convention. Tone deaf? In my opinion, BIG time. They had a bad year? No, everyone had a bad year. Like, everyone. It’s been tough. COVID has been crazy and the world is in absolute chaos. It makes talking about the superficial topic of beauty very hard when people are suffering all over the world. But yeah, it just struck me as really, really not reading the room.

The alarming trend of Tiktokers asking for money is real. I’ve seen so many people doing posts about how they need money for this or that or another thing. And I’m talking basic real life stuff here. Not to mention those asking for the superficial stuff like trips or a new ring light.

The question here is do you support this?

If your favorite beauty guru was asking you to fund their next trip or help them to get their car fixed, etc….etc….would you be inclined to offer a donation?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • kimkats

    If they want to get their car fixed, they can get a job that pays them enough to afford to get their car fixed. It’s called Being A Grown Up. No – I’m not going to donate so you can afford the necessities of life while you diddle around doing whatever it is you do on the internet and pretend it’s a living. If you aren’t able to make ends meet doing what you’re doing, then you either need a second job, or one that will pay your way.

    for me – it’s End of Discussion with that. I’m not paying for someone else’s living expenses while they pretend to earn a living and aren’t.

    • Isabella Muse

      I agree. I just think as an adult you need to be responsible for your personal finances.

      • Jenn

        I understand happens and can’t always plan for everything. My sympathy there BUT (and it’s a huge but) if it’s a constant reoccurring thing of begging and trying to guilt trip people for money it ruins the whole point of “mutual aid”. If it’s a constant practically daily thing and it’s obvious they’re getting donations what are they actually spending the money on? Because it clearly isn’t going to whatever they claim they needed the money for

        • Isabella Muse

          I agree. I may feel somewhat inclined to donate if it’s one time but the constant asking can be rather frustrating.

  • Jessica

    It’s like celebs asking for donations for their family members. Just weird. They have millions and want donations for a family member? Can’t they help their own family out?

  • Anna

    Nope, just on the because I think it breaks trust with the following and you start seeing the creator as a scammer versus someone you enjoy watching or reading.

    • Isabella Muse

      very understandable especially when the creator is asking for donations in a few different times!

  • Tela

    Everyone is struggling lately. It is tone deaf to ask for a donation at this point in time.

  • Jules

    Oof. I agree that successful creators shouldn’t be begging, but not everyone can afford a savings account. 61% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. I’m sure some of them are irresponsible, but I don’t think more than half the country is just bad at adulting.

    Maybe it’s because I’m from Kentucky and have personally known poor people, and have personally been in a situation where one unexpected bill $200 completely changed my life path for the worse. I think it’s fair to criticize greedy people, but unkind and privileged to think everyone who needs help or doesn’t have a savings account is inherently bad and irresponsible.

    • Isabella Muse

      Absolutely not. If you’re a successful creator and asking for donations? Cringe. But as for others, there’s so much that factors into asking a larger audience for money. It’s not as simple as picking up the phone calling your best friend and saying hey, I’m in trouble and I need some help. You’re asking virtual strangers to help fund your wants/wishes/ and needs like a trip or some new tech to help with their creator process. It can be pretty tricky to do so especially in times like these and how you approach it and do the asking (and also, if you’re asking more than once) it can be viewed negatively.

  • La Dame P

    Never! You have time for social media? Then you definitely have time to work. I get it, it’s easier to be on your phone all day and beg than actually work. I really hate this gofundme trend!
    Xoxo LDP

    • Isabella Muse

      oh it’s a whole other world if you’re unemployed by choice, hanging on social, and asking others for $$. Nope and nope!

  • kjh

    Totally missed your thoughts, trends, industry stuff of late. Glad to see this. Since TikTok is the big thing, everyone posting there will follow the sheep principle, without another thought. Going with the prevailing breeze. EVERYONE is in some form of bad shape, and not always financial. Not only is this tone deaf (everyone I know except me has food stamps.). But the outrageous things the influencers wish are OTT. I don’t need to support a lifestyle blogger for a photo shoot in Maui to show how great KK’s Skims really are. How pathetic (and scary and EXPOSED ) to want to make yourself a brand. Yeah, next step, monetize yourself. Whatever happened to really studying and becoming an MD, NP, CPA, architect, environmental scientist? Plus you are disregarding the fact that you are leaving your great-grands an inhospitable or unlivable planet. This influencer appeal is puerile, inane, and SELF SERVING. You are the good part of you be you. You have 100 hats and wear them all with humor and Grace. You put yourself out there FBOFW. In 2022, pretty sure you would think twice about this blog. So I’m glad it started when you were a twerp in the oughts. 07, 09, I forget. One of the best things about this space is the opportunity to think, express your views in an open and accepting manner.

    • Isabella Muse

      thank you for that kjh and yeah, too true, I would def think twice about starting this blog in 2022. There’s just no space for it right now in the current world when things are so bleak that I’m sitting here chatting makeup and sales. It can be hard. Thank you for always sharing your thoughts and opinions! They are welcome always!

      • Robin H.

        Hi Isabella. I enjoy coming here to read your thoughts and comments from everyone. I am exhausted and need a little escape now and then. Some are not good at reading the room let alone the world,but I will keep coming back here for the chatter about beauty. Thanks.

        • Isabella Muse

          Aw robin you are always welcome here to escape. Life is chaotic right now and I hope you enjoy a little mental mind break from it when you come by here!

  • Cindy

    For me it’s a big no, even before COVID. Years ago a beauty blogger I used to read all the time asked her readers for money for something personal and it was SUCH a turnoff for me, ugh! Totally changed my mind about her after that!

    • Isabella Muse

      Yeah I just think it breaks a certain trust when people ask for $$.

  • Christina

    No, I don’t think I would. Kimkats summed up my thoughts pretty nicely. If they are living paycheck to paycheck or having trouble making ends meet, TikTok/social media shouldn’t be their main source of income. It should be in addition to another more stable job.

    As someone who grew up poor but does pretty well now, I still have a side job to fund my more expensive hobbies because I refuse to dip into my regular earnings. I’m not going to ask someone else to buy my stuff for me…

    • Isabella Muse

      I applaud this mentality Christina. Social Media should not be the place you turn to to ask people to find your next trip. I feel like it really breaks trusts with your followers doing that 🙁

    • kjh

      Brava, Christina. I think all persons should work an MWJ, preferably early in life. It develops a work ethic, reliability, and teaches the buying power of money. In the 1950s, no one talked about money, much less had children work EXCEPT when a car was wanted or college books needed purchase. It’s so effed up and fairytale. Despite being retired and having a well-paid but part-time professional job, I work at dollar tree at night. I’ve learned more about how the world works there than in my mba program (never used) or any of my professional/clinical jobs. And let the side gig pay for the extras.

  • Jane E Karr

    NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! ABSOLUTELY NOT! GET A JOB AND PAY FOR IT YOURSELF!!!!!!

  • Bela T

    In answer to your question? NOPE! Not ONE dime…It’s not my problem they don’t know how to save money. These beauty gurus, that made tons of money from YouTube and other platforms, should have not been spending it like water, and now they are asking for donations???? That’s sad, apparently they were not taught economics (or paid attention) when they were in school. The drama fall out that played out over the past few years, was as you said, interesting to watch, but also a real downer. I stopped watching them a while back, unsubscribed from a huge majority. Whenever I am curious about a product, I just come to your website. 🙂 Since you are giving an honest opinion. etc.

    • Isabella Muse

      aw thanks Bela! I always want to be as honest, open and upfront as possible with you all!

  • Amanda Loughridge

    I am all for creators using things like Patreon to earn money for their content. Asking for donations like that though? Nope. Absolutely not. Like you said, we ALL have had a hard couple of years. There are other avenues to earn income OR they just do not get to go to the event this time. How annoying!

    • Isabella Muse

      Patreon to me is the ultimate way to interact on a great level with fans. For example, Christine McConnell has a Patreon I subscribe to and I HAPPILY pay her for it. She puts out the most creative and entertaining stuff. It’s a great way for creators to make money and an honest living. and it’s not someone just holding a hand out and saying give me money if that makes sense. I just think when it comes to asking for followers for money you really need to read the bloody room. Sobbing on a tiktok about how badly you need money just isn’t it for me. It puts your viewers in such an awkward position.

    • Isabella Muse

      that worries me. A lot. I remember as a college student I was utterly broke but still trying to save at least $5 to $20 a day to put into a rainy day fund.

  • Kristy

    I agree with you. If someone asks me for money I always see the red flag. The exceptions are family, I have 4 kids or my one and only best best friend. I especially do not like the go fund me pages. I know some are legit, but too many scammers out there. This is happening all over the country unfortunately. I am more than happy to donate food, clothes and even makeup or personal care products but money? No. I have donated over 3000 dollars worth of clothes to our christian thrift store last year and also a lot of furniture. The clothes had the store tags still on them and all name brands. If a woman has to go to work and does not have money for clothes and things you need to work I am happy to give. My husband also used to preach in churches and we never charged. I sang professionally and did not charge those churches for concerts as well. God blesses us when we give from our heats but God also give us the power of discernment. Give faithfully, make sure it is legit. Gods blessings to you.

    • Isabella Muse

      I hate that about myself. I was never like that but jeepers I’ve become totally skeptical lately of all these people with gofundmes. Hell, I’d lay my body down for friends and family. Take everything I own! But strangers on the Internet I find myself incredibly skeptical about them asking for money. You’re a good person Kristy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and I 100% agree, you have to make sure you donations are legit.

  • Christine Valle

    Social media is a created construct – like an imaginary world. Everything is packaged. You have no idea if true or not. They hype products successfully. Why not hype their cash needs? It’s basically a swindle in a lot of ways because it’s all about a product someone is pushing. I don’t use tic tock, twitter, ig.

    I have a life. I donate to the food banks and animal charities.

    • Isabella Muse

      It’s sad I’ve become skeptical of everything involving money online. I seen a girl sobbing twice for money and a few years ago it would have broken my heart and now I’m just like mmmm is this real life? I’ll happily give my money to orgs I support! Animal shelters, charities I know will help others, etc…but giving it individuals on social media? Nope.

  • Linda

    No!….Please….Animals need out money, People who are dying, not some person after their personal goals. Selfish. Give to things that are life or death, not so self-important career person.

  • L

    I’d be curious if this is mostly a US content creator thing, I am guessing yes. I have seen some arguments that “go fund me” for individuals with medical bills shock folks in other countries with socialized medicine. There it is a given your medical expense is covered by the state, albeit at quality and speed TBD. Imagine what a universal basic income could inspire among Americans? Everyone could be supported to chase the influencer dream. People imagine the science and arts flourishing… it might just be a TikTok explosion. Haha reading this back, my comment sounds so harsh, but this whole spectrum of people asking for help/handouts/social services, deserving or not…it is kind of mind boggling when you look at it from a social services standpoint.

  • Dee

    Patreon,yes, and clicking on an affiliate link, absolutely yes! But a big NO to asking for donations for a vacation or anything else.

    You know how much I love your blog, Muse! So much to be down about in the world right now and how lovely to be able to have this little escape that you have provided even though you have a million other things to do!

  • Linda

    Absolutely not, that is just very tacky and takes away from the fun platform of tik-tok.