He means Braden Black’s sweetheart, but whatever.
“Surely you’re not pinning this entire campaign on me,” I say.
“Of course not. We’re still doing the television and magazine marketing. But we’ve added a large social media component to our plan. For you.”
“I’m…honored.” I guess.
“Let me outline the compensation plan,” Brian says. “I think you’ll be very happy with it.” A spreadsheet appears on the screen. “Susie Girl features a skin-care line as well as a cosmetics line. A hair-care line is in the works.”
“Hair care?” I ask.
“Yes. It’s a new venture for us, but if Susie is a success, we want to add premium salon-quality hair-care products at a bargain price.”
“I see.”
“We’ll begin the launch with three posts per week featuring cosmetics and skin-care products. You’ll be compensated at four thousand dollars per week while under contract, plus—and this is where you can make some real money—one cent per like on each post, an additional cent for each comment, and five cents for each sale we can trace back to your post.”
“How can you possibly trace sales to my post?”
“It’s a complicated algorithm. I can explain it if you’d like, but it’s outlined in the prospectus.” He nods toward the document sitting in front of me, which I only now notice.
I really wish Braden were here. He’d understand all of this.
“That’s not necessary,” I say. Braden can look at the prospectus and explain it to me later.
“When Shaylie talked about fashion,” Brian continues, “she didn’t mean you need to be wearing designer clothing. We’re marketing to the masses. All we care about is that you wear something different each day and that you look fresh and polished. Jeans are fine as long as they’re not ripped or too faded. We want to appeal to all walks of life. Some days you should wear business clothing, like what you have on today. Other days, go casual. Workout clothes are fine as well. If you’re shooting at a beach, wear a swimsuit.”
I nod.
“Don’t hesitate to get personal,” he says. “Your post wearing a sheet like a toga was wildly successful.”
My cheeks warm. I posted that from Braden’s bedroom in Boston. Did they know that? How could they not? The harbor was in the background.
“The reason Instagram influencing works,” Brian says, “is because your followers feel like they’re getting to know you. They talk to you via your account, and they get excited if you respond. They’ll take advice from a friend more than a stranger on TV. You are the perfect friend, Skye.”
I clear my throat. “How soon do I need to let you know?”
“About what?”
“About whether I want to do this?”
“Skye,” Eugenie said, “this is a huge opportunity.”
“I know it is, and I appreciate it, but I don’t sign anything without having an attorney review it.”
Eugenie smiles. She knows. She knows Braden will review it. “The launch is scheduled for next week,” she says. “If you could let us know within twenty-four hours, we’d appreciate it.”
I nod. “I can do that. Thank you.”
“If you’ll open your prospectus to page four,” Brian says, “I’ll take you through the proposed schedule.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
“It’s a good deal,” Braden says, closing the prospectus. “You already get about ten thousand likes now, which will earn you a hundred per post. Three posts a week to start—that’s three hundred plus the four grand they pay you per week under the contract. Add in the extra for comments and sales… Plus the number of likes and comments will go up as you gain more of a following.”
“It’s a drugstore line of cosmetics, Braden.”
“So what?”
“They want people like Addie for their luxury line.”
“Who cares why they want Addie? She’s not your concern.”
“It’s like Addie’s the Dom Pérignon and I’m the André Cold Duck.”
He laughs. “Maybe a more apt metaphor would be that Addie’s the Pappy Van Winkle’s fifteen year and you’re the Wild Turkey?”
I smile. “When you put it that way…”
“Skye, you’re not average. You aren’t now and you never were. Do you really think I’d choose someone average to be my girlfriend?”
“That’s not the point,” I say.
“It’s exactly the point. You’re not Addison Ames, and from where I’m standing, that’s a good thing. This is an incredible opportunity. They’re unveiling a line of brand-new products, and they want you to help launch them.”
“What if they flop?”
“What if they do? You’re under contract, and the contract guarantees you your base pay of four thousand dollars per week for three months. That’s roughly forty-eight grand. You’ll still make more money than you ever have, gain more of a following, and come out smelling like a rose.”
“Why didn’t they just get Addie or someone else with a huge following?”
“Because they want you.”
“Because of you. They tried to tell me I’m selling the American dream. Apparently, the American dream is cheap cosmetics and being Braden Black’s girlfriend.”