Annabelle Schmitt, a senior at Penn State, is one of a growing number of students who are turning to online brand promotion for free products and additional income, writes Claire Ballentine for The New York Times.

Through this, students receive products that they promote on their social accounts in pictures alongside their friends and family. For many busy students, this represents a low-pressure way to earn extra money or products.

However, the job is not always as simple as it may seem.

“The time commitment was what I expected,” said Schmitt, “but how hard it was I did not expect.”

Schmitt worked last school year, along with three other Penn State students, for lingerie retailer Aerie. She had to post at least one Instagram photo, Instagram story, and Snapchat post every week using Aerie products provided by the company. She also hosted events, like a swimsuit promotion.

Creating the images took Schmitt a minimum of two hours each week, and she was paid both in money and company products.

“I try to work with photographers to get really high quality,” she said.

Read more about online brand promotion in The New York Times by clicking here.