How to become an influencer may seem like a problem with a simple answer and little effort. However, becoming a successful influencer requires commitment, hard work, and consistency.
Most importantly, it requires a plan and the confidence to pull it off.
But what sort of plan do you need?
This post makes it easy for those wondering how to become an influencer to succeed.
Let’s dive in!
1. Select a Niche
Are you an excellent baker, traveler, or comedian?
Whatever knowledge, talent, or expertise you have, you can earn money from it as an influencer.
And best of all?
You can create your own niche and set yourself apart from everyone wondering how to become an influencer. You can also combine various related interests or hobbies as long as there’s an audience for them.
2. Optimize Profiles
The second step to take when learning how to become an influencer is to identify the channels you will use and optimize your profiles.
Start by finding out what channels competitors in your niche concentrate on and the type(s) of content they create.
Secondly, identify your audience.
Create personas describing your audience’s demographics, interests, hobbies, platforms they use, the content they like, etc.
Then, choose the best channels and optimize your profiles with these tips:
- Add all required details.
- Use the same memorable, simple, and catchy username across platforms.
- Upload quality pictures for your profiles and backgrounds.
- Clearly describe what you do in your bio, add relevant keywords, and let your personality shine.
- Include branded hashtags.
- Add a link directing people to your blog or website.
Note: Remember to open a creator account if you decide to use Instagram. This way, you can get creator-specific analytic insights, tag products in feeds, and prioritize inbox messages.
3. Have a Content Strategy
One crucial step those learning how to become an influencer forget is the need to have a content strategy.
But why is it crucial?
The content you publish determines if users comment, like, or follow your account.
So what should your strategy entail?
Start by getting a website or a blog where you educate your audience. Then decide on the type of content you will use on various social platforms and when to post. This can include:
- Episodic content describing a topic in detail
- Quality videos, images, Reels, Video Stories, Live streams, Timelines designs, IGTV video, 360-degree videos, etc.
- Giveaways and contests
- Guest posts
- Carousels
- Lead magnets
- Fun content like memes, GIFs, etc.
Remember to publish high-quality content and visuals that educate, inspire, or entertain followers.
What’s more?
Use engaging captions and include the right hashtags.
But this may all sound overwhelming for someone in the first stages of learning how to become an influencer.
Well, in this case, consult content marketing experts with experience working with new and experienced influencers. They can help you design a working content marketing strategy and ensure your content helps you build audience trust.
4. Build a Community
Want to have an audience that trusts you, follows you ardently across platforms, and buys what you recommend?
Build a community.
But how?
Engage with the few people who like, comment, and share your content and find a way to get them to speak to each other.
For example, tag those knowledgeable about topics or request product recommendations.
5. Network and Showcase Your Readiness for Collaborations
Want to make it easy to land collaborations after you learn how to become an influencer?
Network.
Include your contact details on your profiles, then find other influencers you can collaborate with to produce content or run campaigns.
Secondly, register with influencer marketing platforms and improve the likelihood of brands finding and contacting you.
Thirdly, seek out an agency or PR firm that offers influencer marketing services. Send an introductory email, then ask them to keep you in the loop for future opportunities.
Most importantly?
Have a media kit with all the information brands will need to hire you. Ensure it has all your social handles, audience size and demographics on every platform, content examples, and brands you’ve worked with previously.
6. Track Performance
Numbers talk!
While in the first stages of learning how to become an influencer, numbers can help you know which strategies work and what you need to improve.
But how can you track them?
Leverage analytics from all social media platforms you use or third-party tools. Use them to track metrics like engagement, reach, impressions, content performance, etc.
But why track these numbers?
Analytics can help you understand your audience, which platforms bring in the most engagement, and the best performing content. They can also offer insights into how best to improve your strategies.
Final Word
Still trying to figure out how to become an influencer?
Well, as you can see from the process detailed above, it’s possible to turn your passion into a career. All you need is motivation, knowledge, expertise, and a good plan.
Need more help figuring out how to become an influencer? Comment below, and we can offer additional hacks, tips, and tricks you can leverage.
Author Bio
Gaurav Sharma is the founder and CEO of Attrock, a results-driven digital marketing company. Grew an agency from 5-figure to 7-figure revenue in just two years | 10X leads | 2.8X conversions | 300K organic monthly traffic. He also contributes to top publications like HuffPost, Adweek, Business 2 Community, TechCrunch, and more.
