Since 2013, influencer marketing has seen a 90x increase in interest. Although I don't want to brag, I am recognized as an influential in the digital marketing industry.
But how? Why? We'll discuss how I became an influencer and how you can do the same.
1. Get started by becoming an influencer in a niche field
Microinfluencers are people who have between 10,000 and 50,000 followers on social media. This is where most influential people start. You can think of them as someone who has a greater following than the average person but less than celebrities or established influencers. This is great as it allows you build a dedicated following, and then see which content works best for you.
Even if your following is large, it's important to establish credibility with your audience. Influencers with a micro following can spread powerful word-of-mouth to small groups. You'll gain expertise as you become a micro-influencer. Although they don't have as many followers as Kardashians, they can reach enough people to make an impact on product sales.
They generate twice the sales of paid ads, and have a 37% higher retention rate.
img alt="Statistics on influencer marketing" class="wp-image-165034" height="432" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer14-700×432.png" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer14-700×432.png 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer14-350×216.png 350w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer14.png 720w" width="700"/>
It is not enough to choose the right field to influence.
Let's take my case as an example. Digital marketing is a vast topic. I wasn't able to get to the top of my field by only focusing on one keyword.
How My Agency can Drive Huge Traffic to Your Website
- SEO – Unlock massive amounts of traffic to your website. Real results.
- Content Marketing – Our team creates amazing content that gets shared, gets links and attracts traffic.
- Paid Media – Effective strategies that pay with clear ROI
CALL
Before learning about content marketing, conversion rate optimization and influencer marketing, I was in the trenches of SEO. It was hard work. I was able to reach nearly 432K followers on Twitter.
You might one day reach 400K+ followers; however, to be an influencer you must start with one.
img alt="Neil Patel's Twitter page" class="wp-image-165036" height="468" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer2-1-700×468.jpg" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer2-1-700×468.jpg 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer2-1-350×234.jpg 350w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer2-1-768×513.jpg 768w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer2-1.jpg 1098w" width="700"/>
Be the expert among your peers and friends.
Be the expert in your area and in your state.
From there, you can become an influencer.
2. Create a Content Strategy
Once you've identified a niche, it is time to create your content strategy. Although content strategy is a broad term, it can also be vague. For the purpose of this post we mean publishing cadence and tone of voice, as well as content elements (texts, graphs, etc. ).
The Content Marketing Institute admits that there is no standard for it, as every brand and person has their own goals and needs.
You can find a helpful chart on Usability.gov.
My content strategy includes strict goals that I have set myself for creating a certain amount of social media posts on each network, while keeping blog quality high and working on side projects. You can also see that I used the same tone and voice for my content.
It's not difficult, right?
This information will allow you to choose your channels.
3. Choose Your Channels
There is no right or wrong answer to which social media channels you should be using and which ones you should avoid.
Apart from Twitter, I am also on Facebook.
Facebook is the most used platform by marketers, with 94% using it worldwide as of January 2020. LinkedIn follows with 76%.
Facebook is the most widely used social media platform, accounting for almost 75% of all market share by 2022. However, this is down from 65% in 2015. Other social channels have still validity.
Although I do enjoy spending time on certain channels, I don’t have a preference when it comes to engaging with my audience.
I try my best to be there every time.
My page receives a lot of traffic and has a high conversion rate.
I am also active on LinkedIn, Pinterest and other social media sites. I find them to be even more visually appealing than Instagram. It also has a greater content marketing potential than Instagram, which I believe is a plus.
Last but not least, my YouTube channel has over one million subscribers.
Every channel has a different audience and audience size, so they expect different content.
These are my social media channels. These are not my guest blogging efforts.
It doesn't matter how active you are on all channels. However, it is important to choose a few channels to build your influence.
Consider each social media channel as a different platform that allows you to reach customers (and the public)
4. Network Within the Industry
To be an influencer, it is important to build real relationships.
Everybody wants to be able to connect with social media influencers from their home.
This is simply not possible. For example, iJustine is a popular tech influencer with 1.8 million followers on Twitter.
Although she is very active with her followers and can engage with them individually in meaningful ways, she cannot possibly be with all 1.8 millions.
Justine Ezarik can be found at trade shows such as CES, Webby Awards, Streamys and other events. To see what events she attends, you can follow her social media accounts.
Event marketing is big and it is possible to boast influencer attendance.
Marketing is your priority.
Get up from the couch and move around the house to attend major events in your niche. You can also attend online events which are growing in popularity in the post-COVID era.
Trade Show News Network has listings for trade shows in every industry around the globe.
5. Participate in Off-Site Forums
There are many benefits to being a social media influencer. In 2020, for example, YouTube's most popular YouTubers will earn more than a half a billion dollars annually from sponsorships and advertisements.
Some people are lucky enough to be that way. We need to get out of social media and join forums, comment wells and other online discussions in order to increase our following.
Each online conversation you participate in improves your reputation, influence and connections.
6. Make a website or blog
Social media is not the only place where conversations can end.
As a social media influencer, you'll always have something to say beyond what can be fit into a single tweet or Instagram post.
You can have a blog or website to help you direct your social followers and gain more.
Personally, I love blogging.
WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems to create a website or blog.
Your blogging content strategy will help you lead your followers to your well-planned conversion funnel. In your social media posts, include a link to your blog. Your audience engagement can be increased by including a link to your blog or website in your social media posts.
It is obvious that longer blog posts must be more valuable than social posts to attract clicks.
7. Add value to the conversation
You won't reach anyone influential if you don't add value to the conversation.
To be an influencer, you must be the person people talk to about.
Today, word of mouth is the most powerful factor driving purchase decisions.
img alt="The effectiveness and efficiency of word-of-mouth marketing." class="wp-image-165040" height="311" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 543px) 100vw, 543px" src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer10.png" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer10.png 543w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer10-350×200.png 350w" width="543"/>
People will be sold on you if you impress them enough with your knowledge and communication skills.
They'll then tell their friends and so forth…until they become influencers!
8. Keep up with current events
There are two types: evergreen and topical.
An article about an historical event is an example of evergreen content that remains relevant forever.
The topical content trend is now but it will soon fade away. Everything is happening right now.
As you don't want your blog posts to be outdated, I recommend that you keep them as consistent as possible when writing them. Social media is all about staying current with the latest events.
Starbucks has been able, every year since 2003 to attract customers for its seasonal drinks. Starbucks expanded their Pumpkin Spice Latte offering to European, Middle East, and African stores in 2021. They were able expand their customer reach and created a quiz for #PSLlovers to help them strengthen their community.
Starbucks won a brand-building win by combining this holiday tradition with user-generated content. This appealed to customer loyalty during a festive season.
Social media is all about staying relevant.
Tools are available to keep you up-to-date on social media trends. To monitor the whole Internet for certain keywords or phrases, you can also create a Google News Alert.
Keep up-to-date by doing what you can.
9. Learn All Channels
Even if you don’t use social media, it is important to know who does.
Although I don't use Snapchat a lot, I do understand that its 250 million+ users (mostly younger) can't be overlooked.
TikTok might not be right for you but it has more than doubled its worldwide user base between 2019-2021. It is also one of the most popular social media platforms. If you are looking to build community, the numbers won't lie. It makes the most sense to create a following there. Each social network needs a unique strategy because of the different demographics that use each channel.
Here's an example of a chart that shows best practices for postings you can share on each channel during Holiday season.
These differences, while minor, can make all the difference in determining if you are a hero in your industry.
This chart can be used to plan posts ahead of time.
10. Keep authentic and on-brand
It's fascinating to think back to the Super Bowl. Why? Brands have made commercials that are as exciting as the game. Many brands create TV spots that tell the brand's story.
To be an influencer, it is important to be authentic.
The digital ad spending grew 18% between February 2021 and the previous year. The TV ad spending decreased by nearly 27% during the same time period.
It is therefore more important to have a genuine voice on social media than a Super Bowl commercial.
It's easy to do and will help you move up the ranks from a non-existent to a micro-influencer or major influencer.
11. Comment
You've probably seen my blog and social media profiles. I respond to all comments.
Here's an example of a blog post that I promoted on Facebook many years ago.
img alt="An example Neil Patel responding to a Facebook comment. class="wp-image-165044" height="733" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer4-700×733.jpg" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer4-700×733.jpg 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer4-350×367.jpg 350w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer4.jpg 712w" width="700"/>
My followers love to comment and ask questions of me, and I love to answer.
This is how I created a social network that engages with my content.
Be consistent and friendly when responding.
If you don't have a great zinger to help your brand image, don't respond.
12. Get involved with the community
It is not enough to just respond.
You must start conversations to become a social media influencer.
Instead of creating content on social media to promote your brand, make content that actually helps others in your online community. You could use short videos like Lush, which they post on Instagram and other social media channels.
img alt="An example for engaging with the community via Youtube" class="wp-image-165045" height="468" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer6-700×468.jpg" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer6-700×468.jpg 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer6-350×234.jpg 350w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer6-768×513.jpg 768w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer6.jpg 1098w" width="700"/>
This is the purpose of social media.
It's simple to do with platforms such as Twitter, where scaling Twitter engagement has become the primary function of the channel.
These platforms keep people engaged.
Your influence will grow if you are more involved in the community beyond your own feed. Do not just respond to Facebook comments.
To engage the community, you can post in groups and on friends' pages. Tag other influencers.
To draw more people to your Facebook page, don't be afraid to create one.
13. Consistently publish new content
Since a long time, I have been posting at least one blog per day to this site.
Although it's not an easy task, I manage it. Why? Why?
My blog is also a part of my content-driven online marketing strategy.
It is the core of my Facebook content and my tweets.
img alt="Neil Patel promotes a blog post on Facebook" class="wp-image-165047" height="650" loading="lazy." src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer7.jpg 500w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_becom/350×455.jpg 350w.jpg 350w.jpg class="wp-image-165047" height="650" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer7.jpg" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer7.jpg 500w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer7-350×455.jpg 350w" width="500"/>
You can also share my blog on my other social media channels.
My blog is the best place to find content that I can share on all my channels.
It is the heart of my long-term digital marketing strategy.
My blog is the foundation of how I got to where I am today.
14. Listen to Criticism
It is not easy to be a creator or to be in the public eye for any reason.
Even the President of the United States, or the richest man on the planet, can't ignore criticism.
There is no way to eliminate criticism, regardless of how much money you have or how powerful your power.
But it is not something that many of us are capable of.
Below is a Venn diagram showing people who can and need constructive criticism.
img alt="A Venn Diagram for handling constructive criticism" class="wp-image-165048" height="436" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer12.png" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer12.png 500w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How_to_become_an_influencer12-350×305.png 350w" width="500"/>
You will become a better influencer if you can handle constructive criticism.
Influencers aren't responsible for dictating what people do. It's about creating movement and constructive criticism is key to that.
No one wants to be surrounded with yes men.
This reminds me…
15. Keep it Simple
Phil DeFranco, a YouTuber with a SXEPhil account is one of the most popular.
This is partly due to production values and service length.
Phil is approachable, regardless of his success.
Phil takes on topics such as politics, pop culture, and the nuances of YouTube. He has an all-man approach.
Don't let social media fame become your only focus. You could end up becoming a prima donna and disconnected from the real world in your ivory tower. There could be serious consequences if you do.
You will be more approachable and more influential the more you can be.
16. Research New Topics Daily
It is vital to continually generate new topics ideas.
Over the long-term, it's more difficult than you think. Google Alerts is why I use them.
I can set up alerts to send an email to me whenever my name is mentioned at any frequency that I choose.
There are many other customization options.
You can also set up Google News alerts.
To keep my mind fresh and energized, I visit blogs such as Entrepreneur, Moz, and Hubspot every day.
It's easier to influence others if you are more educated and well-rounded.
17. Automated Posts
Automation is the newest marketing trend and it's easy for anyone to understand why.
Along with valuable data, you gain efficiency and speed.
You can automate your social media posts with free tools. Additionally, you can schedule your content ahead of time using content calendars.
This is how professional publishing works and social agencies function.
Keep in mind that blog posts can be automatically set up via the blog CMS for promotion on social media channels.
Whatever tool you choose, automate your posts to ensure a constant stream of content.
18. Follow Influencers, Shout Outs
You must know other influencers to be an influencer.
It's almost as important who you follow as it is who you are.
You can increase your influence by showing others how they are influencing you.
There's a hashtag #Teamfollowback on Twitter that encourages followers to reciprocate each other.
Although I don't travel that far, I try to follow other influencers in order to engage my audiences.
Many social media influencers love shouting out to their followers, fans, or subscribers.
Shoutouts give people the feeling that they are contributing to their community. They encourage participation.
Last but not least is the data that will be required to quantify all of this.
19. Use data to quantify your efforts
Every social media site will display your impressions as well as audience engagement numbers.
It is often on the front page.
This is only a small part of the real picture of your influence.
You can still see the rest with Google Analytics and a website.
We can see which social media channels get clickthroughs to our website and how many people convert from them.
Once you know how many posts are required to convert a conversion, it's possible to calculate a ROI for your social media marketing efforts.
Influencers have many other benefits.
As I mentioned at the beginning, influence can be used to drive conversation and influence others.
Be sure to use your power for good.
Tips for Influencer Success
-
Be an Influencer in a Niche Field
Start small. Choose a niche and become an expert. You will grow your influence over time.
-
Create a Content Strategy
You will decide how often you will publish, what tone you will use (casual or professional), and what elements will you include in your content.
-
Choose Your Channels
Choose which social media channels you want to concentrate on.
-
Network Within the Industry
Connect with other industry experts by attending industry events and connecting on social media.
-
Take part in Off-Site Forums
Participate in online forums, comment discussions and other discussions to expand your reach.
-
Create a website or blog
To give your followers a chance to get to know each other better and show your industry knowledge, create a blog. Blogs can provide more data for marketers looking to get you to endorse their ads or give you endorsements.
- Add Value to the Conversation
It is not enough to simply publish content. Your followers should be able to find value in your content by sharing new perspectives or providing unique information.
-
Keep Ahead of Current Events
Keep up-to-date with the latest news in your industry and share it on your social media channels. It will help you to become an influential person if people look up to you for news in your field.
-
All Social Media Channels
Find the most relevant channels for your industry and put your efforts there.
-
Keep it authentic and on-brand
To engage and grow your audience, tell your brand story frequently.
-
Respond to Comments
Take the time to reply to comments on your blog or social media posts. If people feel they know you, they will be more inclined to follow you and interact with your posts.
-
Get in touch with the community
Keep your presence visible beyond your channels. Begin conversations, tag influencers, join Facebook groups, and so forth.
-
Consistently publish new content
Fresh content is good for your followers and algorithm gods.
-
Listen to Criticism
You can be a more influential person by listening to and incorporating criticism.
-
Still Available
Keep your head down, no matter how rich you become. Arrogance can turn off followers and cause you to lose sponsorships.
-
Daily Topics Research
Google Alerts is the best way to keep up to date with industry trends. Spend some time reading blogs from industry professionals. Spend some time reading industry blogs if you are a subscriber to any industry newsletters.
-
Automated Posts
You can make your life easier by scheduling your posts ahead of time and creating them automatically with tools such as these CRM software platforms.
-
Get Shout Outs and Follow Influencers
Follow other influencers and tag them in your posts to get noticed. You might be able to gain their trust and they may reciprocate. You could gain their trust and have them follow you back.
- Measure Your Efforts with Data
To track your social media followers, engagement, or other data, you can use the analytics tool that most social media platforms offer. These numbers can be used to help you get sponsorships, as they prove your influencer status.
FAQs
How many people do you need to be a social media influencer on Facebook?
You don't need to have a certain number of followers in order to be an influencer. Industry-specific requirements will vary in terms of the number of followers that you require. Because of the close-knit audience, startups can invest in micro or nano influencers to increase brand reach. Nike, a well-known athletic brand, can leverage celebrity sponsorships as influencers to increase brand loyalty and help build brand loyalty.
What do social media influencers make?
Your industry, your followers, and your agreement with the company that you are promoting their product or services will determine how much you make.
What makes you a social media influencer and what do you need to know?
If you get paid to promote products or services for your followers, most people would consider you an influencer.
How do I gain more followers to become a social media influencer.
There are a few ways to increase your followers. You can research and use trending hashtags in your posts. Also, find a mentor in your field. Start by becoming an influential figure in a niche community. Then, expand your reach and take advantage of all the features available on different social media platforms.
Conclusion
Digital marketing's newest trend is influencer marketing. Social media influencers can now quantify their audience.
PewDiePie is a popular influencer who has outearned politicians and celebrities. What began as a hobby has turned into a huge business.
Today, I am an influencer but not always.
Everybody starts from square one, with no followers or anyone knowing who they really are.
How influential you are will depend on how you build your following.
Reach out if you are interested in growing your brand. My team includes experts that can help you achieve your influencer goals.
Who is the most influential person in your niche?
————————————————————————————————————————————–
By: Neil Patel
Title: Become An Influencer Using These 19 Easy Steps
Sourced From: neilpatel.com/blog/become-an-influencer/
Published Date: Sat, 20 Aug 2022 19:00:00 +0000