Archive note, September 2026: This post was originally published in 2020 and records Reshmi’s view of gifted and influencer collaborations at that time. It is preserved as brand-history/editorial context; current paid corporate commissions are linked below.
This blog post is for all influencers, celebrities, or brands requesting cake for their personal or work events.
We get hundreds of requests for cake in exchange of exposure. I would "thank you for reaching out" but I won't, because I'm not thankful for your "opportunity" to work for free. And it's also clogging up my DMs and inbox.
Whilst I'm aware influencer marketing is a massive thing, and "influencing" has become a very popular career choice for many young people, it simply does not work for us.
In particular, hand-made, edible works of art, ie cakes, are expensive to produce. They are a luxury. Here are some reasons, amongst many, why we will say no:
Opportunity Cost
I would rather not cake, and spend the time working for money, or with my family and friends instead. Life's too short to work for likes.
Exposure Dilution
Most "celeb" or influencer events involve LOTS of freebies. This dilutes any exposure our carefully crafted product would get (your followers literally do not care about who the cake maker is). It's also vulgar.
Parasite Magnet
A lot of influencers are followed by...other influencers. The few times I have been swayed into caking for free, I received more requests for free cake. I would rather you paid for the cake and didn't post or tag, than the other way round.
Return On Investment
Our customers pretty much all have Instagram accounts, and nearly always share photos of their cake. Their followers are extremely targeted as it’s their friends, family and colleagues, and we have built our business from getting loyal and repeated referrals. No celeb/influencer/brand following, even in the hundreds of thousands or millions is better than our loyal customers'. I'd rather reward them, than a random.
So no thank you for reaching out. Pay for your freakin' cake you cheapskate.
Reshmi
For paid commissions, browse our cakes for delivery across London & Surrey, or see our corporate cakes for branded events and company celebrations.
I so agree! I to am tired of giving time, product, energy away free. Your cakes, your time, your respect. People need to respect businesses. Nothing comes free. Well done. I will share this with some “influencers”. Cheers to you.
I so agree! I to am tired of giving time, product, energy away free. Your cakes, your time, your respect. People need to respect businesses. Nothing comes free. Well done. I will share this with some “influencers”. Cheers to you.
Hello,
Also from r/ChoosingBeggars. It’s sad when a business has to make a post to request that people stop asking for free products. We live in a crazy world. Great post, hopefully it will drive the point home.
What would it cost to buy a cake and have it shipped to the US? It might not survive shipping. Would love to visit your bakery.
Hang in there. One day at a time.
I guess most “Influencers” are just “Spongers” Good for you for showing them up for the leeches they are.
Thank you so much for saying this out loud!
Now I don’t really have the skills to do anything that someone would pay me for, but I have always found the idea of – We’ll let you give us free stuff in return for “exposure”, extremely offensive and idiotic. Exposure does not put food on the table. I’ve had to deal with a whole bunch of folks while helping my brother with his “exposure” and these are the sort that get my blood boiling.
As an organiser of a marathon as well, when other folks asked us to bring bands on board for entertainment and to give them “exposure” in return, let me just say, words were exchanged.
As part of the distance running community too, I’ve seen this far too often and noticed that “exposure” that one gets like that is just not useful, primarily because people aren’t idiots. They know that the ‘influencer’ was getting free stuff or paid to say nice things about the product or service.
I totally agree with you in terms of the fact that we should make people understand how cringeworthy and offensive it is to ask for a handout like that.
It’s also one of the reasons why I joined a team to figure out how to fix this ‘influencer marketing problem’.
You do you! I’ve got to come and try your cakes someday when I make a visit to the UK (I know, Heathrow doesn’t count ;-) )
Happy baking!
OMG! I guess I’m not the only one who came here after seeing the rSlash video. The way this post is worded really made me laugh. 😂😂
came here from a r/slash video and i love the cakes and actually would want one in celebration of no longer having a brain condition.
That post surely gave you more exposure than any number of “influencers”. Came here from rslash video on the r/choosingbeggars reddit. I do have a problem with your cakes, though… They look so amazing i would have a hard time cutting those beatiful pieces of art!!! Now with that out of the way, please kindly send me 3 free cakes to Portugal, i’ll make sure you’ll have exposure to the less than 300 followers in my instagram for the freebies. Also, are your cakes moist? :’D
Jokes aside, best of luck to your business, keep making it big and keep being savage against those choosing beggars.
PS – Sorry for any error, English is not my native language. Cheers.
I, too, come by way of r/ChoosingBeggars 😂 I’m in Salt Lake City, Utah, US. I TRULY LOVE how you tell off “influencers”! I cannot stand them, constantly begging for free stuff for exposure. My friend used to stream her artwork on Twitch and would receive requests for commissions for exposure. Drove her insane! She’s an extremely talented artist and definitely deserves to be paid for her time.
Same as you with your stunning cakes.
I hope one day soon to visit London, pop in and purchase something delicious and gorgeous.
Keep up the amazing work AND keeping the choosing beggars away!😂💜
Take care!
Sincerely,
Ariane R.
Salt Lake City, Utah