How do you become an influencer on social media?
I'm struggling to establish and grow my influence on social media. What are some good tips to improve your online presence and building yourself up as an influencer?
Dedication and passion is the complex but simple answer. It will likely not come overnight (which is unfortunate, but true). There are exceptions for people and businesses if something they post goes viral, but it is better to put out quality content regularly than always trying to force something to go viral.
I launched my twitter feed @StartChucktown about 3.5 years ago. I had no followers. I started following interesting entrepreneurs and startup businesses (my target audience). I then began asking questions of accounts that posted interesting material. Then I started posting helpful articles and research. Finally I started posting original tweets and opinions about that space.
The next wave was posting blog articles I had written onto my twitter feed and I created a newsletter signup. Things really started to come together. Things didn't happen overnight for me, but now I have over 5000 followers. My influence has lead to guest blogging slots on several local and regional related blogs. I've also been invited to some events as media coverage.
The main point I'm emphasizing is that it took time to build the platform and my audience. It has lead to several new and interesting opportunities. I also didn't take shortcuts. I don't believe in buying followers (that is fake influence). I'm sure some accounts that follow me are inactive or spam, but I've seen the growth and engagement grow so much from when I started.
One of the most important things I can say is to make sure it is a conversation not just you blasting out articles / tweets / shares for no reason and without interacting with your audience. It is social media not automated media. When you are active and respond personally and within a timely fashion you'll see your influence grow.
Thanks. I'm glad you found it helpful. I still have a lot to learn, especially on some other social media platforms. But that is the thing, each platform has its own unique quirks and you have to take the time to understand those and the audience. The crazy thing is that even if your target users are one group (e.g. 18 - 35 year old women) connecting with them on Twitter and Pinterest will be entirely different. Each app is different and how people use them vary quite a bit as well.
Like Jef says. time and really honing on who your audience is. It takes 7 years to be a lawyer, it takes the same amount to become a doctor. Why should you just wait 7 days to become an influencer?
Create enough reason for people to follow you. That means content that they resonate with. Once they are familiar with you, then they know, like and trust you. And people do business with those they know like and trust.
There is no over night success. Everyone that you see showing up has been working behind the scenes for a lot longer than they care to admit. You have to put in the work. Don't go out searching to be an influencer, create the influence and then, if it's strong enough, people will decide if they want to be influenced.
Be clear on who your Audience is, what your message is and what channel you want to reach that audience. And just go in with faith.
Janine Marin
Thanks for the advice Jef! That was really insightful! Congratulations on the results you've achieved too.