In 2010, social media was booming, and Instagram was born. It was the first channel where ‘influencers’ found their feet. With their over 10,000 followers, and the coveted blue ticks (for verified), you could spot them. In 2013, Instagram introduced paid ads. This prompted many brands to work with an emerging group of “influencers” to sell their products. Influencers were paid handsome salaries in return for their collaboration. Soon, YouTube and TikTok joined the ranks. Today, influencer marketing has seen a considerable increase in popularity. The Benchmark Report estimates that influencer marketing will reach $16.4 billion by 2022, up from $1.7 billion in 2016. The ultimate question for anyone wanting to be part of this industry is how to become an influencer.
What does an Influencer do?
An influencer, as the name implies, can influence others. When it comes to purchasing decisions, influencers could have a significant impact on the buying decisions of their followers. They are often considered experts in their field or niche and can therefore be a source of authority on the subject. They share content relevant to their niches, such as fashion, technology, or parenting, on social media. The key is to set a consistent pace so that followers look forward to and enjoy the content posted by influencers.
Before the rise of influencers, companies would approach celebrities to endorse their products. Today, social media has allowed for the development of many types of influencers — a new kind of celebrity — including the following:
- Micro-influencers
This category includes people with a following of between 2000 and 10,000 who aren’t viral but highly regarded in their niche. Example: Trev Tham.
- Thinkers and experts
We would find experts in their fields, such as Jamie Oliver or Neil Patel, within this group. They are experts in their fields and add value to brands.
- Celebrities
Brands sometimes hire celebrities like Justin Beiber and Rihanna to promote their products to their large following.
- Content creators
Bloggers, vloggers, and live streamers are all examples of this category.
What skills are required for influencers?
Influencers are experts in specific genres. Influencers are experts in a particular genre. These skills will allow potential influencers to build solid foundations and create loyal followers and viewers.
- You should be well-versed in content creation.
You can only be an influencer if you know how to create content. Content creation is about understanding what content to post and when intuitively.
- Bring your creative self to life.
People will always crave new and innovative content. Your creativity must be at its best. Only creative ideas will get your audience to engage with your content.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
Do you want to increase your content’s visibility? It would help if you chose Search Engine Optimization or SEO. You can increase your visibility and reach a wider audience by creating a well-planned SEO strategy.
Here’s a quick checklist to help you create your SEO plan.
- Search for keywords
- Search engine scanning can help you optimize your profiles across platforms
- A simple-to-use and intuitive layout is key
- Quality and original content
- Be a thought leader, but always connect with your audience.
- Designing for Different Content Formats
You can create more than just great content. You must also present it in the most effective way possible to your audience. It helps if an influencer can use Photoshop, Canva, or other editing software. To create exciting content, you should be able to experiment with video, text, and other visual elements.
- Learn to write fluently
Written content must be engaging to reach your audience, whether captions or video copy. You are the brand or product you promote. Good writing skills are essential to convey the message.
