How do influencers get collabs?

Have had a very difficult time negotiating with influencers on collab commercials. The rates quoted are unreal! Is there any math/logic to this? Please share your experience and tips/tricks Not looking at top tier Tanmay Bhat types. Mid level YT influencers or podcast hosts Also, does direct communication with them work better or are there trusted agencies that y’all used?

Do influencers really earn a lot? Do you know any influencer who is earning a lot and working in a full time job as well? If being an influencer is easy and rewarding, why isn't everyone doing it? Is it going to stay for long ?

I have doing a lot research on these D2C brands , these brands are burning VC cash in ads and influncer marketing. And what just for topline !! When will the focus or plan to focus on bottomline !! Are these guys playing for valuation game or they really want to build profitable business out of it ?? Please correct me if i m wrong , also paying influncers butt load money wothout knowing the ROI , i think influncer marketing is a bubble which is yet to burst and the next phase is influencer led sales !!!

Working on Exponent (ref: https://share.gvine.app/XEr1nrBQeKudW6Qo6), a stock exchange platform enabling creators monetise followers. I am selectively reaching out to creators (not just any creator), but how do I reach out to them? I've sent cold emails, but I don't think it's as effective. I don't have a big IG, Twitter, LinkedIn

This is my theory: if you have a very active social media account or by any chance you are a mid-size "influencer," then you are a hiring risk. Either you will spend most of your time on social media, or if you get into a disagreement with your employer, you have the capacity to cause much higher damage.

What is the scope of influencer marketing in next 5 years ? Are all the companies feeling the dip in market ???

Really excited to do this! Here's a little bit about my career: - I dropped out of college to build a design studio with 20+ people for 4 years before leaving that to start another studio. - I’ve worked across most major startups in Bangalore (not including brand names here for anonymity) - I’ve worked across brand identity design, UX/UI, social media marketing, ad films, animation/motion graphics, and 3D Happy to answer questions about design, freelancing, starting an agency/studio, the design industry, etc.

willl try my best to be honest, ask me anything