An influencer refers to a person who can make or break a brand through their social media channels. If you want to become one, you’ll need a large following, and you’ll need to understand the type of content that will attract followers. Your posts have to be engaging and relevant. Below is what it takes to get started to build a career as an influencer.
1. Pick a Platform
There are numerous platforms available, from web-based to mobile apps. Some mobile apps include Instagram, TikTok, FaceBook, Pinterest, and Snapchat. There are so many different platforms, and you can create profiles on multiple ones. Even though you can have multiple followers on each platform, you need to pick a niche that will help you gain traction and build loyal fans.
For instance, if you’re a clothing company, you might want to concentrate on using Instagram or Facebook to get the most followers. Also, with social media, you can reach many people without having to go through the headache of mailing packages or putting together a catalog.
2. Decide On a Niche
Each platform is unique and attracts different audiences with unique interests and demographics. For example, Snapchat has a younger audience, while Pinterest appeals to women in their 40s and 50s who are interested in crafts and DIY projects. After you’ve decided on the platform you will be using, you will need to hone in on your niche.
For instance, you could start your apparel brand on Instagram with initial product shots and then follow your posts with photos of your products in action on other platforms. You want to learn the ins and outs of each platform so that you can reach out to the right people.
3. Find Your Ideal Followers
With social media, you must know what content your audience likes. For instance, if you want to be an influencer for stylish clothing, you should find fashion-forward people with high education and income level. You can do this by searching for relevant keywords in your niche.
You can also use a site like BuzzSumo to examine the best content shared among your target followers. You’ll need to research what social media conversations are taking place among your audience and how often they comment on each platform.
4. Be Consistent
You need to be consistent in the posts you make on social media. If people think you’re bored and not engaging, they’ll move on to another influencer. You don’t want to post brand new content each week because followers won’t trust that you will follow through with your promises. Instead, post one new thing each week and repeat as needed.
One important thing to remember is to not constantly ask for likes or comments. You don’t want to appear desperate and unapproachable. Also, you need to create engaging content that people will want to comment on and react to.
5. Partner with Other Influencers
If you have a large number of followers, people are going to ask you for collaboration opportunities. You can also reach out to influencers in your niche and offer them products for review on their social media pages. Not only will this help you build better relationships with these influencers, but it will also help you get your name out there even more.
You want to pay attention to the kind of content they are posting, how many followers they already have, and what types of demographics they attract. Once you’ve done your research, you can reach out to them and ask for a review of your product.
6. Create an Effective Influencer Campaign
An influencer campaign will be more effective if you have a solid social media following. However, if you don’t, partnering with other companies to create an influencer campaign is possible. You can even ask one of your employees to participate in the campaign for authenticity.
You’ll need to research what type of content your audience craves and then create the campaign that will bring them back week after week. You can use influencer campaign management software to help you track the results.
Conclusion
With the right content, strategy, and consistency, you’ll become an influencer for your favorite brands. You’ll reach out to new people interested in what you have to say and feel like you’re making a difference in your niche.
There’s no magic recipe for becoming an influencer. However, if it’s something that you would like to do as a full-time job or as a side hustle, understanding the basics will make it easier to reach your goals.
