An Instagram influencer known as Arii on the platform opened up about her struggle to sell 36 t-shirts despite having nearly three million followers.
In the since deleted Instagram post, shared by Twitter user @kissmyelite, 18-year-old Arii describes how the disappointing number of sales "breaks" her heart and as a result means that her future with the clothes company she worked with is uncertain.
The influencer bubble is bursting. This young lady has well over 2 million followers and couldn't sell 36 shirts. Focus on genuine engagement and not followers cuz they ain't gonna buy a thing. pic.twitter.com/uOSVxc2k4D
- Flawless and Brown (@kissmyelite) May 27, 2019
Detailing the lengths that she went to put together the t-shirts and the photo shoot used to promote them, she thanks her photographer, makeup artist and models before revealing that she "knew it was gonna be hard" to sell the products because she had become "super irrelevant".
Arii then goes on to call out her friends for not being supportive of her work, despite her sharing all of their content.
Although the post is no longer on her page, some people have shared their feelings in her comments.
One person wrote: "You gotta promote ur clothes if ur gonna sell them lmao [sic]."
While another added: "This chick didnt do anything to market this [sic]."
Despite the trolls, a few people offered some advice, like Twitter user 'kissmyelite' that actually shared the post.
iamabigfriend on May 30th, 2019 at 15:18 UTC »
Can we also point out that the t-shirt is hideous?
GaryLazereys on May 30th, 2019 at 14:55 UTC »
Bots can’t wear tee shirts
cellounge10 on May 30th, 2019 at 14:51 UTC »
Her engagement is 1.5% and below for most posts. She definitely bought followers.