Hi everyone! My name is Chloe. I am an Aspire Customer Success Manager by day, and by night I run my own lifestyle and travel blog, consciouslychloe.com, and my Instagram feed, @consciouslychloe. Welcome to our newest series, "Ask an Influencer".

I have been on Instagram since 2015 (yes, those good old pre-algorithm days), and I've worked in influencer marketing on the brand and agency side for a year. It's safe to say that over the last three years I've learned the ins and outs of brand and influencer partnerships from a unique perspective. Both my job and my side hustle have the same end goal. Both brands and influencers want mutually beneficial relationships. Whether that be brand exposure and sales or free products and payment.

Throughout this series, I want to address the common mistakes I've seen on the brand side and give you some insight into the influencers' thoughts in order to provide you with the tools to establish and continue a relationships that's long-lasting and high-performing!

For the first part of this series, I'm going to touch on the subject that most brands' marketing teams have asked themselves at one point or another. Is product for post dead? And if so, is #payforplay the only way I can get in on the influencer marketing action these days?

So. let's get started!