Have you ever wondered what it takes to become an influencer? It's easy to think that it's all about the perks and glamour - receiving free products and attending exclusive events *scratch all that it’s not.
Firstly, let's define what an influencer is. They are people who have a presence and a following on social media and who add value to people's lives. Some have a niche - whether it's beauty, humour, parenting, or lifestyle or anything else - a reason for people to follow them.
Influencers offer value to their audience through quality content, sharing knowledge, insight into a niche topic, or even just a dose of humour into daily lives. They have the ability to connect through their words, photos, videos and build a connection.
What does it take to be an influencer in 2023? There are a few key things you need to be clear on:
1. Your platform: What are you and your platform all about? You need to know who you want to be and what you want to be known for. And it needs to matter, otherwise people will see through it.
2. Your strategy and goals: This determines your posting and sharing - including how often you post, how much of your personal life you'll share, and what type of content you'll create. This is your brand and you want to make sure that you are representing yourself well.
3. Your partnerships: Who will you align with and how? It's important to choose partnerships that align with your values, your goals and your brand. Presenting yourself online as authentic is important, this is reflected in your partnerships and collabs.
4. Your audience: How much time can you put into your audience? How will you interact with them? You need to be able to engage with your audience and build a community around your content.
You need communication, interpersonal skills, strong writing and spelling abilities, photography/videography skills, relationship-building skills, analytical skills, problem-solving skills, and financial management skills. And, of course, excellent communication skills is absolutely key – think encompassing communication.
It is hard work behind the scenes, it is not an easy ride. It requires dedication, a clear understanding of your platform, strategy and audience, and partnerships. With these in mind, you can build a strong following and create valuable content that people will love.