We get asked all the time about our aspirations. The question of “What do you want to be?” or “What do you want to do?” is one as old as time. Our answers vary from person to person, with the usual ones being like a doctor, engineer, accountant, businessman or teacher.
But there is a new contender on a rise. One that challenges the traditional concept of what qualifies as a legitimate job or career. As younger folk, especially those of the Gen Z generation, come into the workforce to replace the old “boomers”, more and more of them are choosing to become influencers.
In fact, about 1 in every 4 Gen Z-ers plan to become social media influencers according to an article by the Hill, and as of 2022, there are between 3.2 million and 37.8 million influencers spread across the globe on different social media platforms.
They may call themselves by different names, Youtuber, Vtuber, Twitch streamer, Tiktoker (sometimes even all four at once) but make no mistake they are creators who hold influence over their dedicated audience.
Curious why so many choose this path? Thinking about joining the influencer scene yourself? Well, here’s 8 ways how influencer marketing can make your life great!
1. Independence
It is the biggest if not the main reason people aspire to become influencers.
Becoming an influencer is to be your own boss. During collaborations, you get to negotiate with brands for your price — with the appropriate follower count to back up your rates of course — plan your content calendar, strategy, and schedule.
The flexibility that comes with becoming an influencer is particularly attractive as well, the kind that just can’t be found in a 9 to 5 job. Imagine yourself going out to grab lunch when you want it, meeting your friends and taking vacations without having to ask for permission or leave.
In short, the best kind of life!
2. No experience needed
Traditional jobs require experience, qualifications. You need to spend a couple of years studying your field of choice, graduate, attend interviews ( and get ready to fail some before finally passing one) and finally, get a decent job. All in all, an exhausting and arduous process.
But Influencers don’t need to go through any of that! All an influencer needs is a laptop, time, passion, and the motivation to improve on their craft. The evidence? The numerous and young influencers like Addison Rae, Lele Pons, and Zach King who started out by creating content and building their own brand.
3. A lucrative side hustle
One can still keep their traditional, office job while also being an influencer on the side. For the truth is that earning a good living as an influencer will take time; you need to build up your image, brand, and prove to the audience of your credibility before earning their loyalty.
As such, you can create content on the side until the money is enough to pay your bills. Remember, being an influencer is more than just getting the most brand deals and follower counts — the most important thing is to enjoy doing it!
4. Create and help others
Whether you’re making a series of Tiktoks about the topic of improving self-worth, sharing your experience of coping with mental health issues, offering simple yet healthy recipes on Youtube as a cook, the content you create helps your viewers.
There are many types of content, but chances are you are producing content that is either meant to educate, motivate, or entertain people — it’s all up to you and your creativity to decide how you want to create and present it. From the words in your script, the dance moves for your Tiktok video, or the color scheme for an Instagram post, the content will all hinge on your sensibilities and creativity!
5. Work from anywhere!
As mentioned, being an influencer is to be your own boss. And one of the perks of that flexibility is that you get to work from anywhere, and I really mean anywhere.
Work from your home while still being dressed in your pyjamas? That’s absolutely fine. After all, you are still perfectly capable of posting content according to the timetable you have set. On vacation? No worries. If you’re an influencer who does travelling content, it’s your job, and you’re most likely getting paid to stay in that 5 star hotel in Sicily anyway. And even if you’re not one, you can still work and post content from wherever you are. All you need is your usual laptop, a good internet connection, and you’ll be all good to go!
6. Make a name for yourself
What’s amazing about becoming an influencer is that it opens up many doors to those willing to take on the task. It presents one with the chance to make a name for oneself, to break out from being just another user on a social media platform and become a certified celebrity. One who is beloved by a large and dedicated fanbase of followers; one who gets noticed by big brands.
And the best part? Everyone has a shot! Most of the famous influencers we know today started out as ordinary folk, like us, creating and posting content that they loved and were passionate about. It took them time and effort (lots of it!) to reach that 10k, 100k, 500k, 1Mil follower milestone. But keep at it as they did and you might just stand a chance of joining them in that hall of fame too!
7. Pursue your dream!
One can truly make content of anything they are passionate about. The different niches and influencers that exist is proof of that. There exists fashion influencers, lifestyle influencers, makeup, gaming, art, music and many more!
All you need is to turn your passions into content to share with like-minded others!
Conclusion
There is much to benefit from and look forward to when one pursues the path of becoming an influencer. With just enough persistence, passion, fortitude (and a little bit of luck doesn’t hurt either), you too can become an influencer today!
