Elevating Your Online Presence: 15 Steps to Becoming an Influencer

by Pamela Williams · October 11, 2023

Have you ever wondered if you could be an influencer on social media? Imagine having a large audience following you with sponsors begging you to take their money for your endorsement. And money isn’t the only reason to become an influencer.

For example, influencers enjoy…

Creativity and Expression: You can showcase your creativity and connect with an audience who appreciates your unique style.

Influence and Impact: You can have the power to influence your followers’ opinions, behaviors, and decisions to spread positive messages, promote important causes, and create awareness about issues that matter to you.

Building a Personal Brand: You can cultivate your distinct identity and personality, leading to various opportunities such as collaborations with companies, sponsorships, and partnerships.

Community and Connection: You can build a connection with your followers that can be personally fulfilling and provide a platform to share experiences and learn from others.

Flexibility and Independence: You can have the freedom to work on your terms, deciding when and where you create content.

Opportunities and Networking: You can open doors to various opportunities, such as attending industry events, collaborating with other influencers, meeting influential people, and expanding your network.

Monetization and Income Potential: And as a successful influencer you can earn money through various channels, such as brand deals, sponsored content, affiliate marketing, merchandise sales, and ad revenue from platforms like YouTube. While it may take time and effort to reach this level, it can be a lucrative career for some.

However, it’s essential to note that becoming an influencer requires dedication, consistency, resilience, and an understanding that success may not come overnight.

Additionally, dealing with public scrutiny and managing the balance between authenticity and brand collaborations can also be demanding. Influencers must also consider the ethical responsibilities that come with their influence and be mindful of the content they create and endorse.

That said, it’s not as difficult to become an influencer as you may think. Here I break it down into easy, manageable steps to jumpstart your journey into the realm of influencer.

1: Begin as a Micro influencer

Start small to grow big by focusing on a niche field. Many successful influencers started as micro influencers with around 10,000 to 50,000 followers. Think of them as having a larger following than the average person but not as massive as celebrities. This allows you to build a dedicated audience and experiment with content on a smaller scale.

Remember, credibility is crucial, even if you have a decent-sized following. Micro influencers can wield powerful word-of-mouth influence, generating double the sales of paid ads and achieving a 37% higher customer retention rate.

2: Develop Your Content Strategy

Once you’ve chosen your niche, it’s time to create a content strategy. This involves deciding on your publishing cadence, tone, voice, and content elements. While there’s no one-size-fits-all template, you should set clear goals for yourself, such as creating a specific number of social posts and maintaining blog quality.

3: Select Your Social Channels

As an influencer, you’ll need to be present on social media platforms. Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube are just a few examples of popular channels. Each platform caters to a different audience, so it’s essential to consider where your target audience spends their time.

It’s better to be a larger influencer on ONE channel than a tiny influencer of many channels. Choose just one or two channels and focus all of your efforts on those in the beginning, adding more later if you choose.

Become an expert at how your channel works. Different channels require different strategies, and knowing this will give you a competitive edge.

4: Network Within the Industry

Building real connections is a key step in becoming an influencer. Engaging with your audience on social media is essential, but don’t overlook the power of in-person or online events related to your niche. Networking at trade shows, conferences, and industry events can help you gain exposure and establish yourself as an influencer.

5: Engage in Off-site Forums

Beyond social media, participating in forums and online discussions related to your field will enhance your reputation, influence, and connections. This engagement allows you to reach a broader audience and showcase your expertise.

6: Create a Website or Blog

While social media is valuable, it’s essential to have a website or blog as your home base. These platforms provide space for more in-depth content and allow you to lead your followers into your conversion funnel. Make sure your blog offers value and complements your social media content.

7: Provide Value to the Conversation

Aspiring influencers must focus on providing value to their audience. Be the person people talk about and share their experiences with. Positive word-of-mouth is a powerful driver of purchase decisions.

8: Stay Ahead of Current Events

Balance evergreen content that remains relevant over time with topical content that’s relevant to current trends. Staying informed about the latest happenings and using tools to monitor social media trends will help you stay relevant and potentially go viral.

9: Stay Authentic and On-Brand

Just like brands during the Super Bowl, you need to be authentic and stick to your brand voice. This is crucial to becoming an influencer on social media. People want to connect with real individuals, not just polished advertisements.

10: Respond to Comments and Start Conversations

Engage with your audience by actively responding to comments and questions. This builds a social community that participates and engages with your content. Be friendly and consistent, and don’t worry about trolls and haters. Focus on building a positive image.

It’s not enough to respond; you’ve got to start conversations with your followers. Create content that helps people in your online community and engage with others outside of your feed. Ask questions, participate in groups, tag other influencers, and even consider starting your own Facebook group to draw in more followers.

11: Consistently Publish Fresh Content

Regularly publish fresh content to keep your audience engaged and interested. A blog or content-driven strategy can serve as the foundation of your social media presence, providing you with plenty of material to share across different channels.

Continuously generate fresh topic ideas to keep your content engaging and relevant. Use tools like Google Alerts and follow industry blogs to stay informed.

12: Listen to Feedback and Remain Approachable

Embrace constructive criticism. It helps you grow as an influencer and shapes your brand positively. Influencers are not about dictating but about creating a movement, and feedback is essential for that.

No matter how successful you become, always stay approachable and down-to-earth. Approachability is a key factor in building influence and maintaining a loyal following.

13: Automate Posts

Save time and maintain consistency by automating your social media posts. Many free tools allow you to schedule content in advance, helping you manage your social media presence efficiently.

14: Follow Influencers and Give Shout Outs

Connect with other influencers and show that you appreciate their influence as well. Engaging with their audiences can expand your reach and incentivize participation in your own community.

15: Quantify Your Efforts with Data

Use analytics to measure your influence accurately. Social media insights provide valuable data, and tools like Google Analytics can show how your posts are driving traffic to your website, helping you calculate ROI.

Becoming an influencer is a gradual process, starting with building expertise in your niche and engaging with your audience authentically. It takes time, effort, and dedication. Focus on creating genuine connections with your audience, and always use your influence responsibly.