Influencing boomed to a $250B industry - and many small creators feel pushed out

"The market may be expanding, but competition is fierce," Tachat Igityan, CFO of Destream, said. "And the room for smaller players feels less than ever."

Micro-influencers, known for their authenticity, have become more expensive, leading brands to return to mainstream celebrities, creating challenges for those in the middle class of influencing.

Julia Montgomery, a creator with 428,000 followers, expressed her struggles with influencing for mental health reasons and felt compelled to consider traditional employment.

Ruby Tufte shared her journey from aspiring full-time influencer to navigating TikTok creation, noting that while she has seen progress, the path remains challenging.

Read at Business Insider