Social media platforms are teeming with influencers. To distinguish yourself and become a professional influencer, you need to be strategic about your image, your content, promotions, and the tools you use to communicate. The six tips below will help you on your way to becoming a professional influencer.
Find Your Niche as an Influencer
Image via Flickr by FranksValli
If you can find a niche audience that is deeply passionate about vintage styling, for example, traveling on a budget, collecting watches, cooking, or purchasing makeup, you have a chance to see quick growth by word of mouth. You can easily stand out in a field that’s not as crowded — this effort is called being a micro-influencer. As a micro-influencer, you’ll still enjoy many of the opportunities and collaborations that come to bigger influencers.
Get the Right Tools for the Job
Quality images are key for social media. You could invest in a sophisticated digital camera, but today, many influencers invest in a superior mobile phone equipped with a top-of-the-line camera. For example, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 from T-Mobile combines the best of a tablet with a high-quality camera and a smartphone. With the fastest mobile network available, T-Mobile helps you make this top-of-the-line smartphone be the only device you need as a social media influencer to take, edit, and share plenty of high-quality photos.
You can also edit your content on the go thanks to the oversized screen of the Note 8. Use this phone to take notes, draw, and add a personal touch to your content.
Identify the Right Social Media Channels for You
Each social media channel lends itself to specific types of content. Twitter is great for thought leaders as a primarily written platform ideal for driving traffic to a blog, for example. Meanwhile, flexible Facebook is great for video streaming, photo posts, or written content.
Instagram can help you share gorgeous images captured with your smartphone, from today’s outfit to trip snapshots or images of your latest recipe creation. Many influencers focus solely on Instagram posts or YouTube videos. Give each channel a try and post your content consistently, then monitor and compare feedback. You’ll soon identify which channel is best for you.
Have a Content Plan
Good content doesn’t happen by accident: You need to invest in strategic planning. Many influencers maintain a content calendar, a document that outlines a posting schedule along with action items such as products to shoot, research to be done, contests to run, or any supporting pieces to include, such as relevant sponsor hashtags.
You also need to stay tuned to the larger conversation on social media and trending topics that are relative to your audience. When you do, you can chime in on trending topics or hashtags to maximize your exposure.
Grow Your Audience
You can’t forget that social media is an online community, and you don’t want to always be broadcasting without interacting. As you’re getting started, follow influencers whose content you admire, then comment and like their posts. They may follow you back. You can also ask established influencers in your online community to mention or tag you in a post.
Another idea is to follow notable journalists who may cover content subjects like yours. A feature in a taste-making publication or blog as an influencer to watch can create an immediate, viral boost in followers, and the exposure reinforces your expertise.
Monetize Your Influencer Content
The key to becoming a professional influencer is building consistent, exceptional content and a significant, engaged audience. Once you reach several thousand followers, you’ll likely start receiving invites to feature products or attend and post about events. Prepare a marketing deck or presentation with your offerings for sponsored posts so that you’ll be ready once you start receiving proposals. You can also be proactive and reach out to brands that interest you.
It pays to look beyond the pretty posts and think carefully about how you will define your social media brand. With dedication, professionalism, and the right tools, you can eventually make a living as a social media influencer.
