This instagram bio challenge for creative women was accidentally started by a small group of influencers and has quickly gained momentum. Now, dozens have changed their instagram bios to band together to set the tone that we do work that deserves to be paid (as opposed to discounts, free products or promises of ‘exposure’).

Testimonial: “Since I switched my bio, I feel more professional and assertive, and I’ve had a few inquiries around my rates (as opposed to offering free stuff). I am getting inquiries from people who value my time and my work which is validated and encouraging” – Influencer, asked to remain anonymous

How This All Got Started

So– all of this kicked off when Crystal from Hustle With Luster was reading the below excerpt from my blog post “If You’re A Canadian Influencer, Then You Can Start Making Money (I’ll Show You How)”

Stop using the terms “collaborate” + “partner”

If you want to start getting paid, only use the words “Work With Me” in your bio, media kit, rate card and website.  This places the emphasis on the fact that you do REAL work that deserves to be paid.

Crystal changed her instagram bio to include the three simple words “work with me”

1. Crystal – Hustle With Luster

Crystal shared, “I’m replacing the term ‘collaborate’ with WORK in my profile… it definitely is work to create content and people who work should get PAID”.

Crystal inspired me to practice what I’ve been teaching— and change my own instagram bio to include the words “work with me”.

2. Kama Dawn Jones

So there were two of us who changed our bios. In most cases, it would have just ended there. But little did we know, things were just getting started. Kelly from Pine and Poplars added “work with me” to her instagram bio and a movement was created!

3. Pine and Poplars

Here’s The Ones Who Took Action:

4. West Coast Fresh

5. One More Steep

6. Goldngrasses

7. Ma.Vie.Avec.Trois

8. Pops Of Grace

9. Karen Ann Davidson

10. Husna The Accidental Mommy

(Those Were The Bios of The First 10 Who Jumped On Board; Here’s The Rest)

11. K Dreyer Co

12. CPC Woodcraft

13. Monsterz Mama

14. Van City Kids

15. Just Sultan

16. A Dad’s Adventures

17. Ecodeferential

18. Rhiannon Mairi

19. Melanie Alatise

20. Kaylyn Barr

21. Rose and Blossoms

22. Fresh Face By Jenn

23. Millennial Motherhood

24. Mother Earth Inc.

25. Orderly Lifestyle

26. Lizzie Lau Travels

27. A Dose Of Ohana

28. Chasing The Ts

29. Fit N Fun For The Long Run

30. Wellness Travelled

31. Finding Your Next Adventure

32. Fashion Or Knot

33. Airika’s Divine Design

34. Layota The Explorer

35. Alicia Breanne XO

36. Love Our Love The Most

37. You Can Call Me D

38. Glammama Of 3

39. Valley Living Design

40. The OM Edit

41. The Natural Chaos Co

42. Candace Rorrer

43. Style By Dona

44. A Cup of Jaba

45. The Honest Root

46. We’re The Autrias

47. Nina On The Moon

48. Life As Mrs Mum

49. PNW Teacher Mom

50. Travel Rebel

51. Kelly Bailey

52. Blackberry Trees

53. The Felt Barn

54. Chiantelle

55. Mommy Mila Blog

56. Gretchan May Garcia

57. Perfect Day To Play

So What’s The Big Deal About Adding These Three Simple Words To Your Instagram Bio, Anyways?

If I wasn’t surprised enough about how this challenge struck a chord, things reached a new level. Many people told me that they wanted to add “work with me” to their bios but were afraid that they’d “piss off” brands and get themselves “blacklisted” by PR agencies.

This makes me feel incredibly sad, and angry. Creative women were telling me that they were afraid to ask to be paid for their work. This is 2019.

But There’s Hope

Imagine my surprise when a handful of PR Agencies and mainstream magazine editors sent me messages of quiet support– they agree that influencers and other creative women deserve to be paid for the content they create.

As cool as it is to be supported by industry insiders, the best part of the “work with me” instagram bio challenge has been the feedback from women about how it’s helped change how they see themselves– and how others see them.

Note: I’m Not Against Collaborations

For the record, I’m not anti-collab or partnership AT ALL. Being able to join forces with like-minded small shops and other influencers are part of the main reason that I love instagram and the rest of social media. Some of my most favourite projects I’ve ever worked on have had zero money exchanged and have been mutually beneficial collaborations with brands that I’ve long respected and influencers who I consider to be close friends. So– that’s not what I have a beef with.

It’s unfortunate that the words collaboration and partnership (to a lesser extent) have been used and abused by brands (bigger brands especially) to mean that influencers will do what amounts to hundreds of dollars worth of unpaid work in exchange for free stuff that’s not worth nearly the same amount of money.

Creating content takes time, experience, and also costs a lot of money for camera equipment, editing software and website hosting. Yes, free stuff is nice at first, but it doesn’t pay the bills. I’d rather pay my own money I make for the things I want to have, or the events we want to do.

Thanks to Crystal from Hustle With Luster For Getting This Whole Shebang Started!

There’s Still Time For You To Join The “Work With Me” Instagram Bio Challenge– Are You Ready?

1. Take “collab” or “partner” off of your instagram bio and add the words “work with me” (or “let’s work together” or “hire me”).
2. Let me know on instagram that you’ve made the switch so I can help you celebrate!