Influencer marketing has become increasingly popular in recent years, with businesses turning to social media influencers to promote their products. While this can be an effective marketing strategy, it is also a gamble. You never know if the influencer's followers are genuinely interested in the product or if they are just following the influencer because of their popularity. Additionally, there are concerns about the authenticity of influencer endorsements and the potential for them to be misleading. There have been numerous instances of influencers mishandling fish and even changing outfits mid photoshoot to make it look like a different fish, or to get a different sponsors gear in the shot.

As someone who is passionate about fly fishing, I want to ensure that my marketing efforts are genuine and authentic. I don't want to just use some pretty girl with a lot of followers to sell my rods. Instead, I want to focus on building a community of fly fishers who share my passion.

One way I have been able to do this is by sharing my process on social media. I post photos and videos of my workshop, the materials I use, and the finished products. By doing so, I am able to showcase the craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into each bamboo fly rod. This not only helps to build my brand but also educates potential customers on the art of bamboo fly rod making.

Sorry for the rant - but that has been grinding my gears