Automation is going to make jobs scarce in the future. Most people aren’t equipped to handle this reality, and they will be faced with tough career choices. Some people will drown in college debt, while others may not have the skills to start a successful career. But there is one thing that will always be in demand: entertainment. Human beings love to be entertained, and the future of entertainment is online. So, if you’ve ever wanted to learn how to start a career as a social media influencer, keep reading.
Pick the Right Social Media Platform
The first thing you need to decide on is which social media platform will be your focus. Too many creators make the mistake of spreading themselves too thin, and they never get really popular on any one platform. Don’t do that.
Spend some time on each of the popular platforms and ask yourself if you could fit in with the audience. Also ask yourself how hard it would be to grow a following. Algorithms are hard to get around. Youtube is really hard, for example. On the other hand, you can gain your first 1000 TikTok followers relatively easily compared to other platforms, because of the algorithm. It’s topic-based, instead of follow-based. That could be great for some people. However, don’t stop there. You may find that it’s just not the right audience. Maybe you’re a business thought leader, and your home should really be LinkedIn. You have to weigh the pros and cons of each platform carefully in the context of your own persona. Then, make a decision and go all-in.
Research the Trends
Once you’ve picked a social media platform, you’ll be eager to get started. Don’t just start creating content, however. Instead, take your time and research the trends on that platform. Pay attention to which posts get lots of engagement, and which ones fall flat. Scrutinize each post for nuances that make them stand out. Using the TikTok example above, you might see that the top posts have a certain song in the background. Or, maybe they cover a certain topic that’s hot for the moment. Whatever the trend, put together a strategy for including it in your own content.
Decide on an Influencer Persona
When it comes to influencer marketing, it’s all about creating a persona that resonates with a particular audience. That is the very definition of influencer marketing. Your content should influence people to think, act, or feel a certain way. This is where your influencer persona comes in. The character you portray on social media may be different from the person you are in real life. This isn’t ideal, since people recognize authenticity. But, you could emphasize certain characteristics of your personality that come across as interesting and persuasive, while still remaining authentic. Once you define your persona, stick with it.
Create Content
Now that you have your trending topic and persona sorted out, it’s time to start creating your first post. The goal here is to hook people in right away, so that they keep reading or watching your content. Then at the end, you want a strong call to action, to drive engagement. This can be in the form of subscribing to your feed, liking your post, sharing it, or leaving a comment. Ask people what you want them to do, and you’ll get a higher response rate. Additionally, get creative with your content. For example, if you’re doing a TikTok video, you might want to produce a unique backdrop. You could create a viral cloud ceiling using LEDs, or do something outdoors at a memorable location. Don’t try to be perfect, however, or you’ll never get started. Just put something out there and see how people respond.
Promote Your Social Media Profile
Some creators get lucky and their content is picked up right away. Most will have very little engagement during their first try. That’s where promotion comes into play. You need to not just create amazing content. You need to promote it. Start with your close network of friends and family. Ask them to consume your content, and subscribe to your channel. Hopefully these people already know, like, and trust you, and they’ll want to help. Then, expand your reach and consider paid advertising. Start promoting your content, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful social media influencer.
