Today we live in a world where trends are driven by perfect photos posted by influential people who are able to actually make money by simply sharing their lives on social media. Whether you are looking to offer support to people like you, to inspire others to improve themselves or to just connect with the online world around you, becoming an influencer will offer a lot of opportunities that may not have otherwise been available to you.
So how do you become an influencer? To answer this question, we have to look into the original purpose of social media. When social media sites began, they were intended to help people connect with others. Although it has grown into a huge and complicated web of marketing, ads, and idea-sharing, at the bottom of all of it is connection. Why do you see the ads that you see? You must have clicked on something making the algorithm think that you are interested in that topic. Thus, you made a connection with that particular group of ads.
If we think about social media in terms of connections, the path to becoming a social media influencer is simple. Connecting with people is the only way to gain popularity on any social platform. To become a successful social media influencer, you have to be able to connect with audiences from around the world in a way that makes them want to invest their time and their attention to you.
The question then becomes, “how do I connect with viewers?” Obviously, one person cannot connect with everyone. Although some of us have naturally effervescent personalities that a lot of people feel comfortable with, it is impossible for anyone to connect with every single person on a level that creates a deep and lasting bond. Thus, as a social media influencer, you need to narrow down your avenues of connection. If you are trying to connect with everyone, you will become shallow and unengaging.
Many experts recommend finding three of your top strengths and focusing on those. For example, a mommy Instagrammer may specialize in meal prep, trendy but functional outfits, and daily routines. This allows her to connect with people with those same interests in a deep and meaningful way. Another example could be the fitness coach who focuses on efficient routines paired with healthy diets. This buff dude who spends hours in the gym is not going to connect with moms who need support, but he will connect with college athletes and other fitness driven people.
To find your three strengths, think about what interests you. What ignites your passion? What do you love? If you genuinely love the things in your life, you will genuinely share from your heart and connect with others who love the same things. This is the key to building your social following. Remember, you can’t connect with everyone, but the people you can connect with want to hear the genuine you. So find what makes you passionate and run with it! You will find your group, and they will find you.
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