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If you’re looking for a side hustle that can potentially become a full-time career, you might consider becoming an influencer. Influencers post content on blogs and social media platforms, like TikTok and Instagram, sharing expert insights into niche topics from cooking to fashion, travel, and more. Once they have a significant following, influencers can get paid by brands to promote their goods or services. Find out how to become an influencer below.
Treat your influencer persona like a legitimate business
If you’re going to make a serious attempt to become an influencer, approach the role as if it were a real job. Start by creating a business plan, making a list of technology and tools you’ll need, and creating a budget. Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay taxes on any income you make as an influencer. You may want to register a business entity like a limited liability company, LLC, to manage any money that comes in. This can also simplify taxes later.
Learn more about marketing with a business degree
Influencing is basically just a type of marketing. Before you jump in, it can help to learn more about marketing techniques in general. Getting a business degree can give you the knowledge you need and cover other essential business skills like accounting and management. The University of Phoenix offers online degrees that offer great flexibility. Earning a business bachelor’s degree online lets you decide when and where to learn.
Pick your niche as an influencer
Most successful influencers focus on a niche, like travel, fitness, parenting, or fashion. There are even influencers specializing in specialties like cleaning or pet care. Perlu offers tips on how to figure out your target area. Ideally, you’ll pick something you have genuine expertise in. You also want to consider your goals when picking a niche. For example, if you want free hotel stays, travel influencing may be for you.
Invest in the tools you’ll need to get started
To get started as an influencer, you’ll need some basic tools, including a good-quality camera phone, a stand for it, and a ring light. You’ll also want some technologies to help craft and edit your content. Popular tools include Canva for editing posts and Feedly for scheduling and analyzing social media posts. Keep in mind that if you’ve set up your influencer gig as a business, you may be able to write off these expenses as tax deductions.
Follow best practices to grow your following
With the above steps taken care of, you can start growing your following. Benchmark One offers tips for growth, such as establishing your brand, leveraging hashtags, and interacting with others. You also want to adapt to the platform you’re using. For example, TikTok users like authenticity. You can also try setting up a TikTok ads account. When you set up the ad, you name the campaign, define a budget, schedule posts, and define your target audience.
Hire a professional consultant to boost your growth
Starting a career as an influencer takes time and effort. You may want to hire a professional to help you get off to a good start and reach your goals more quickly. Experts like Pristine Advisors specialize in social media management and can help with key tasks like setting goals, crafting a brand, and creating a social media strategy. If you’re new to the world of influencing, this can provide valuable guidance.
Many people dream of becoming an influencer. While it can be a lucrative career path, it’s important to understand that becoming a successful influencer means treating it like a career. By taking steps like getting a business degree and writing a business plan, you can improve your odds of long-term success.
Learn more about marketing and how to make your business thrive from the blog.