Social media influencers are a relatively new phenomenon in the digital landscape. Before influencers became popular, most brands and people looked to celebrities and athletes for the latest trends. Social media influencers are quickly taking their place and making thousands – and sometimes millions – of dollars marketing their niche and lifestyle to others.
If you want to know how to become a social media influencer and make money, we have you covered. We’ll go over the top ways to grow your popularity and highlight your strengths to reach the audience you want. With some effort and planning, you can start a successful business as a social media influencer in no time.
What Is a Social Media Influencer?
Social media influencers use their popularity to influence people to make purchasing decisions. Some make money by having many followers and using views on their platforms to generate income. Others actively advertise products that are part of their niche. They can market their own products or those of companies for sales commissions.
Influencers are becoming increasingly prevalent as more people use social media platforms. Some of them have millions of followers, while others cater to a specific group of people. Influencers use one or more platforms to make money. Examples of these platforms include Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Social media influencers are not just limited to these platforms. Emerging platforms like LinkedIn, Snapchat, and Twitch are also becoming popular spaces for influencers, especially those catering to niche audiences like business professionals, gamers, and tech enthusiasts. Understanding where your target audience spends their time is crucial to choosing the right platform to grow your influence.
Are All Social Media Influencers the Same?
One of the main ways that social media influencers gain followers and carve a niche for themselves is by setting themselves apart. For example, although there are thousands of successful beauty influencers, they cater to different categories like makeup, hair, and fashion.
Try not to worry if you don’t have a unique niche. You will always bring something new to the table and have a unique method that sets you apart. Presenting yourself professionally with sincerity and knowledge helps you gain followers even if your chosen niche is experiencing oversaturation.
Professionally, influencers fall under four main categories:
- Nano-Influencers: People with less than 1,000 followers but strong influence in their niche.
- Micro-Influencers: These professionals have between 1,000 – 100,000 followers but still significantly impact the social sphere.
- Macro-Influencers: People with between 100,000 – 1 million followers with high-impact results on the brands they market.
- Mega-Influencers: These people are well-known in their niche or are celebrities who have over one million followers and a high reach.
Although most people who want to become influencers would love to have over a million followers, the key is to start with realistic expectations. Then, you can grow your audience as you enhance your brand and image. Many successful influencers started small and scaled up by consistently engaging with their followers and offering authentic, valuable content.
What Type of Content Do Social Media Influencers Produce?
Social media influencers can produce multiple types of content. The four main ways they can do so are through blogging, making videos, recording podcasts, and using social media platforms to make posts. Depending on your style, you can focus on one area or use multiple mediums to generate content.
For example, suppose you are introverted but have a way with words. In that case, you can blog professionally and make money from your readers. If you like to put yourself out there, you can record videos and podcasts for your followers. You don’t have to go all out in the beginning. Test where you feel most comfortable and expand to reach a broader target audience.
The type of content you produce should align with your niche and your audience’s preferences. For instance, fitness influencers often create workout videos, nutrition tips, and motivational posts, while tech influencers might focus on gadget reviews, tutorials, and industry news. Diversifying your content across different formats, such as infographics, live streams, and short reels, can also help keep your audience engaged.
What Are Common Mistakes that Social Media Influencers Make?
One of the most common mistakes social media influencers make is lacking authenticity. If you are advertising a product but don’t use it or don’t believe what you market, it shows. Your followers can pick up on your enthusiasm and sense when the marketing is just for profit.
Another mistake is buying social media followers and fake engagements. Your followers will lose trust in you if they find out that your actual follower count is well below what the “official” numbers are on your account. Other errors include posting irrelevant content, not listening to your followers, not being open to criticism, and accepting any brand collaboration.
Other pitfalls include overextending yourself by taking on too many projects or failing to set boundaries with brands. Additionally, inconsistent posting schedules and neglecting analytics to track performance can hinder growth. Influencers who fail to evolve with changing trends may also find themselves losing relevance over time.
How Much Money Do Social Media Influencers Generate?
Social media influencers’ earnings depend on their status, platform, and followers. Here’s a breakdown:
- Nano-Influencers: Earn up to $195 per Instagram post.
- Micro-Influencers: Earn up to $1,221 per post.
- Macro-Influencers: Earn up to $1,804 per post.
- Mega-Influencers: Earnings vary widely, often exceeding $10,000 per post.
YouTube Earnings
The average YouTuber makes about $5 for every 1,000 views or $0.18 per view. Channels with higher engagement and specialized niches often earn more. Some top creators on YouTube report earning millions annually through ad revenue, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
TikTok Earnings
TikTok influencers earn up to $0.04 per 1,000 views, making it less lucrative than YouTube. However, sponsorships and collaborations can significantly boost earnings. Influencers who create viral content or collaborate with top brands often see their earnings skyrocket.
European Earnings
Social media influencers in Europe also see substantial earnings. For instance:
- UK Influencers: Micro-influencers in the UK can earn between £100 to £1,000 per post, while macro-influencers earn upwards of £5,000 per collaboration.
- Germany: Influencers in Germany, particularly in the lifestyle and travel niches, earn between €1,000 and €10,000 per sponsored post, depending on their follower count.
- France: French beauty and fashion influencers often earn €500 to €5,000 per campaign.
- Italy and Spain: These countries see influencers earning similar amounts, with high engagement rates for niche markets like food, fashion, and travel.
What Are the Steps to Becoming a Social Media Influencer?
So, now that you know what you may earn and what categories influencers fall under, it’s time to take active steps to make your goal a reality. Here’s how:
Choose Your Niche Carefully
Don’t go for something you assume people want to see when choosing a niche. Instead, work within the areas and things you genuinely like to do yourself. This approach reduces the feeling of “having” to work and helps you enjoy creating great content.
Know Your Target Audience
Knowing whom you want to connect with is just as important as choosing a niche. Suppose your area of expertise usually appeals to women in their thirties. In that case, you should focus on targeting them instead of teenagers or men. You also must find out what platform your audience uses most and build your presence there.
Create Relevant and Engaging Content
Establishing yourself as an authority people can trust takes time and effort. This is the hard part. Content nowadays is a dime a dozen, and you must do your research when creating posts that hold value for your audience. Always double-check your facts and claims because your audience will point out inaccuracies without hesitation.
Communicate With Followers
Engaging with your followers is a great way to make people feel special and test the waters regarding your method and delivery. The more present you are and the more you engage with your followers, the likelier they will stay loyal to you and your brand. Take criticism seriously but don’t let baseless negative comments bring you down.
Alert Brands and Other Influencers About Your Openness to Collabs
Once you have a solid social media presence, alert other brands and influencers that you are open to collaborating. Although many will hesitate initially, securing a few collaborations can launch your brand to new heights.
Consistency is Key
You won’t always have the time and energy to post every day. However, you can still pre-record videos or take photos with the intent to post them later. Whatever you do, always try to stay consistent. If you post sporadically, the algorithms won’t favor your account, and your followers may lose interest.
Professional Resume for Social Media Influencers
Nowadays, it may seem like everybody wants to learn how to become a social media influencer and make money through their posts. However, it’s not for everyone and takes time and effort. If you are an influencer, you still need a professional resume if you want to collaborate with major brands or apply for a media-related position.
With CV2Go, you can customize a personalized social media influencer CV in minutes. CV2Go templates cater to your specific niche while ensuring they pass all Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) without errors. This makes it easier to reach the hands of a hiring manager or brand collaborator.
Are you ready to take the first step toward your influencer career? Start today with CV2Go and create a resume that captures your unique style and expertise!
