It’s that time of year again. It’s 9pm, the local prosecco bars are dead and that familiar Scottish accent pops on the telly with “TONIGHT…” which can only mean one thing – Love Island is back!
While we can’t wait to hear how the Islanders will be distributing their eggs, there has been a lot of discussion around the wider care of the contestants. Instant fame comes with its downfalls and social media can be a huge pressure point due to the volume and sentiment of posts every single day.
Love Islanders, we’ve put together a few social media tips to make sure you’re getting the most out of your newfound fame, while still taking care of number one.
Be brand-aware
The aspirational look of a toned body will always lead to the question ‘how do they do it?’. These looks come from spending a lot of hard work at the gym and healthy eating – there is no quick fix.
While the offers to promote weight loss products and supplements will come rolling in, you should be selective of partners. Promises of weight loss with laxative tea can be harmful to audiences that believe these work. Instead, we’d recommend partnering with brands that the stars genuinely believe in.
Be selective
It’s not just the content of brands you should think about, it’s the volume. If every offer gets a yes, followers will be looking at a feed of ad after ad. As a result, engagement will plummet as they know you don’t believe in the brands you’re pushing – so why should they?
Be clear on paid content
This is a very important one as not following it could have serious, and stressful, consequences.
If you are being paid or have received a gifted product, it must be declared on the post with the use of #ad. Even if you’ve tagged a brand you’re no longer working with, and bought a product with your own money, you still have to declare it if you’ve collaborated in the past.
There are a lot of grey areas, but the ASA has shared guidelines on making sponsored content clear. Click here to read them.
Forget the trolls
Yes, social media can be cruel. Keyboard warriors share their nastiest thoughts from faceless accounts and direct it at complete strangers. This kind of trolling can, and should be, completely ignored.
Instead of giving these people the attention they desperately want by responding, simply report and block them. You don’t even have to respond to the positive posts if you don’t feel like it. Mute those notifications on a regular basis and take some time for yourself.
Leave Love Island behind?
If you’ve had a taste of fame and it wasn’t for you, you can undo it. Once you meet your Love Island contract obligations, remember that you don’t owe anything to anyone.
You can remove followers, make your account private and return to a happier life.
Always remember, fame isn’t everything!
If things seem like a lot, don’t suffer in silence – there’s always someone to listen. You can get help 24/7 from Samaritans all year round – just call 116 123 for free.
