What Is An Influencer?
In case you haven’t heard, an “influencer” is anyone who is regarded as an expert, or a “go to”, in a specific category or topic- who also has a large following.
Now, they say… you cannot just decide you are an influencer. It’s a title only earned once bestowed upon you by someone else.
That being said, in order to qualify for the Influencer program run by YouTube, you only need 1,000 subscribers to qualify!
What is an “Influencer”?
An influencer is an individual whose opinion & expertise is held in high regard, and also has a steady following on one or more social media platforms. Their followers look to them for advice & guidance, typically within a specific niche, or topic.
When I Became An Influencer.
I remember the first time I was called an influencer.
It was actually right after I was accepted into Amazon’s Influencer Storefront Program. My Dad shared the link to my storefront on his Facebook page, and he called me an influencer in his post.
You see, it really hadn’t even occurred to me at that point that I would ever be referred to or considered an influencer! But it was in this moment, it hit me, that yes- I was in.
And PS- if I can get in, then you can too.
Because seriously, let’s be honest, anything is possible for anyone if you simply believe. (Of course, yes there are limits to this statement- but often we set these limits far too close than they truly need to be.)
And this, my dear friends, is one of the most empowering truths I learned in my journey and growth into the creative online community that consists of influencers.
How 2020 Paved The Way For New Online Influencers To Arise.
In 2020, we learned that nothing in life is guaranteed. Many of us were forced to come face to face with the fact that our jobs & our incomes are more fragile & finite than we might have been willing to realize before. We also were given the chance to reassess the kind of lives we wanted to be living for ourselves, and for our families.
At least, that’s how it went for me.
However, I know I’m not alone in this! Just look at what travel blogger, photographer, content creator, and influencer, Olivia Blodgett, built for herself and her husband out of 2020.
Click here to read Olivia’s story.
Influencers Are Revolutionizing Online Marketing For Brands & Businesses.
So, just to be clear, many influencers, including myself, are business owners themselves.
That being said, we are able to build greater brand awareness and reach larger audiences by working with major brands & companies. In doing this, not only are we often able to move up the influencer tier (so to speak) but we are also able to significantly help reduce advertisement (ROAS- “Return On Ad Spend”) for larger businesses.
But most importantly, we’re able to share and bring awareness of quality products & services to the right people, in a unique way.
People who actually want it, people who are going to benefit from it- and who are, as result, going to continue to invest in it. Because– it is helping them!!
According to this article by Adweek, Influencer Marketing is helping to humanize these large, more corporate-based brands.
Click here to read more about Influencer Marketing for brands.
Influencer Marketing is equally an extremely effective form of advertising and growth tool for smaller businesses just starting out and/or beginning to gain traction. This versatility is part of what makes it so amazing!!
Influencer Trends Are Only Expected To Continue Rising.
As the numbers of micro & nano influencers continue to rise, the market growth we have already seen and can expect to witness is actually quite staggering.
Let’s look at the numbers.
In 2016, the market size for Influencer Marketing was only $1.7 Billion. As of just last year in 2021, it was $10.4 Billion. Well, it’s expected to rise all the way to $84.89 Billion by 2028!
In Conclusion.
As I said, anyone can become an Influencer. Because everyone is an expert in something. It’s my opinion & experience that to become an Influencer, is to follow your passion. And honestly, we all have so much to give and to receive in return when we follow our passions.
I hope this article has helped open your eyes to the endless possibilities awaiting you. Because you were not meant to settle for a life that doesn’t make you feel alive, empowered & capable of your most wildest dreams.