The INSIDER Summary:
- Laura Worthington owns Laura’s Little Bakery in Liverpool.
- She gets tons of requests to make cakes for free in exchange for «exposure» on social media.
- She shared her frustration on Twitter and said «Exposure doesn’t pay my bills.»
- The tweet went viral, and other small business owners are applauding her.
Laura Worthington, owner of Laura’s Little Bakery in Liverpool, doesn’t mind making a free cake every once in a while as a «thank you.» But weekly requests for freebies in exchange for «exposure» on social media are getting old.
«It happens all the time,» she told Liked Video. «I constantly am going, ‘No, these are my prices, this is it, I’m not doing anything cheap, if you don’t like that price you can go somewhere else or go for a smaller option.’ You just get sick and tired of it.»
Worthington took to Twitter to express her frustration. Her response was simple: «Exposure doesn’t pay my bills.»
I wasn't kidding when I said this happens a lot. ? The downside to being near the top of google search for 'cake makers in Liverpool'. ?? pic.twitter.com/6XSPfdwcmE
— Lauras Little Bakery (@LaurasBakery) July 25, 2017
She shared screenshots of one exchange with a representative for Malin Andersson from «Love Island,» who allegedly requested a free cake for Andersson’s boyfriend’s birthday party in exchange for posting pictures on social media.
She said «The X Factor» also came knocking, asking for a free cake in exchange for being featured on the show and free tickets to a taping.
Liked Video reached out to both parties for comment.
Worthington founded Laura’s Little Cakes six years ago and has no shortage of high-profile customers — among them, Liverpool Football Club. Even when well-known people post about her creations on social media, she said whatever followers she gains and exposure she gets don’t cover the cost of her time.
Small business owners from around the world reached out to thank her for speaking up.
Same here. We're a printers and get asked weekly 4 free stuff. We're just 3 yrs old. Not even paying myself properly yet. Well done Laura
— Paul (@Paullyb97) July 28, 2017
We cartoonists have a saying: People die of exposure. Well handled! xxx
— Rob Murray Cartoons (@RMurrayCartoons) July 27, 2017
We’re beside you Laura…every baker, food writer, heck anyone asked to work hard in exchange for a tweet or a condescending nod. https://t.co/nTvuxIzLMK
— Dan Lepard (@dan_lepard) July 27, 2017
Speaking as a photographer, I feel your frustration. "it'll be great for your portfolio"…
— DavidFiskPhotography (@FiskPhotography) July 27, 2017
Seems it's not just music where the little guy is expected to work for "exposure". Well played @LaurasBakery ?? https://t.co/nOYWjX2p2k
— Adriana Spina (@adrianamusic) July 27, 2017
«This whole culture of exposure for free stuff is just unfair to businesses like myself, and it seems to happen across the whole creative field,» said Worthington. «It’s all of our time that people take advantage of, and it just needs to stop, and I’ll carry on shaming these people until they do.»
