Aussie influencers hit back after $250 course sparks debate online

A pair of Australian influencers have hit back after receiving backlash for charging $250 for a class on how to make it big on social media. 

Western Australian hairdresser and Instagram star Mia Langley announced last week that she would be joining with friend and fellow social media star Sam Guggenheimer to put on the Sydney-based class. 

The course will take place on June 22, and promises to teach guests how to be 'taken seriously in the social media industry', how to make influencing their full-time job and how to leverage social media as a brand owner. 

So far, a location for the course has not been advertised.  

Tickets cost upwards of $250, although they have been reduced since the course received widespread backlash online. 

Among those criticising the class is TikToker Cate Small, who uploaded a lengthy video branding the ticket cost as 'daylight robbery'.

'An event for how to be a content creator? If there's more than five people attending that, I'm leaving the country,' she said. 

'It's also being held in the Eastern Suburbs. I live in the Eastern Suburbs, have lived here my whole life. I know a lot of people in the Eastern Suburbs. I don't know a single person that would spend $250 on that. I actually don't know anyone that would spend $2.50 on that,' Cate continued. 

Cate went on to accuse Australian influencers in general of having big egos, and speculated that the event will be filled with '12 year old girls whose parents have paid for their tickets'. 

Many of Cate's followers echoed this sentiment in the comments section, with one writing: 'Sorry what? Hate to break it to you but being an 'influencer' is 99% luck. There's no course or secret recipe or everyone would be influencers.'

'How can you even teach ppl how to be an influencer? Isn't most of it just luck and consistent posting?' someone else wrote, as another added: 'You can get all that information for free from ChatGPT.' 

'Hilarious as well because who's taking career advice off an influencer who's been cancelled soooo many times,' another added, referring to Sam's history of sparking controversy online. 

However there were plenty of commenters who defended Mia and Sam's new venture, with one commenting: 'Not everything is for everyone and that's OK.' 

'What is the benefit of this video?' another user wrote, as someone else added: 'I don't think you understand the impact two women can have when they choose to share what they've learnt instead of gatekeeping it.'  

Sam has since hit back at Cate with a lengthy comment, insisting that the course isn't about 'teaching people how to be an influencer', but rather it is about 'bringing young women together, building community, sharing our experiences, and talking honestly about what it takes to grow a business and an online presence.'

'The goal is to connect like-minded women, create opportunities to learn from one another, and inspire each other to back ourselves and chase our goals,' she continued. 

Mia has also responded with a TikTok video of her own, branding Cate's video as 'mean girl behaviour'.

In her caption she wrote, in part: 'I don't even care if this doesn't gets views but girls let's build each other up instead of bringing them down - if you don't agree with something scroll and move on.'

She also uploaded another photo of herself lying down looking upset with a lengthy message directed to her friends. 

'Thank you to everyone who has supported me and invested into the education to truly see what I'm trying to do - I see you and I'm really grateful.' 

'Remember that posting / commenting hate can affect people - and it DOES affect people's mental health. Especially young people. So pls think about that.'