Tips on becoming a Social Media Influencer

What is an INFLUENCER?

It's someone who has the influence, the authority over or trust of, a certain group of people. In marketing parlance, an influencer is someone who causes others to make a specific consumer decision.

On the other hand, a person with the ability to influence potential buyers of a product or service by promoting or recommending the items on social media is called a Social Media Influencer.

Even before this pandemic hits the world, influencers have been considered the new celebrities, and influencer marketing is already a billion-dollar industry.

In the new normal setting, a lot of workload in the office or inside the plant was converted to be done at home. Hence, the work-from-home setting has been the trend, so everyone can still earn while securing their safety from the invisible threat of COVID19.

Apart from online jobs, a lot of people are shifting to becoming influencers as they know that brands collaborate with influencers and pay them in cash or in kind. 

How do you start becoming a social media influencer?

First, you have to have accounts on different social media platforms. Basic but famous platforms that most brands require every influencer to have is Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok. If you want, you may also add Pinterest, Linkedin, Reddit, Twitch, and more. These social media platforms are being used by brands to reach out to potential customers through the help of influencers.

Second, you have to have a good number of following and engagement. What is a good number of following mean? The following or fan base is the number of people who can see what you post and/or react to your posts. The minimum number of following to be considered an influencer is at least 1000.

What about the engagement?

Social media engagement measures the public shares, likes, and comments for a social media post - video, photos, articles, etc. Engagement, although it doesn't necessarily translate to sales, has been a common metric for evaluating social media performance.

The higher the number of following and the more likes, reactions, and comments on posts - the better because that would mean greater opportunities online.

Third, you have to have good content. We have seen a lot of viral photos and videos on social media. They made it to the top list because they are unique, witty, relatable, and relevant. You don't just post anything and everything. Remember that an influencer affects someone's decision and you don't want to be labeled as a bad influencer. Remember: CONTENT IS KING.

COVID-19 might have affected all of us, whether small or big businesses, whether emerging or established enterprises; and the influencer marketing status seems to slow down because brands are cutting their budgets for marketing and advertisement. But this industry will never die and will still be one of the most promising as the whole world shifts to the new normal. This industry can easily bounce back in this trying time as social media is no longer just a platform but a way of life.