What does a social media influencer do?

I'm curious about what being a social media influencer actually involves. Is it a realistic career path to consider after high school, or is it more of a side gig? What skills or steps do I need to start this kind of job?

A social media influencer is someone who has built a substantial following on online platforms and often collaborates with brands to advertise their products or services to their followers. Their job involves creating engaging content, building relationships with their audience, and staying updated on digital media trends.

This career can be a full-time job for some influencers, especially if they've amassed a sizable following, enabling them to land lucrative brand deals or other income streams such as merchandise or sponsored content. However, it can also be a part-time endeavor or a side hustle, especially while you're growing your audience.

To become a successful influencer, some important skills and qualities include creativity, understanding of social media algorithms, photo or video editing expertise, and a knack for networking and public relations. Equally crucial is the ability to maintain authenticity and transparency with your audience since trust is central to your relationship with your followers.

As for getting started, here are some steps:

1. Choose your niche: Find a specific interest or hobby you’re passionate about and that you feel could interest others. Remember, you should genuinely enjoy the content you wish to create.

2. Pick your platform: While you can be present on numerous platforms, concentrate on where your target audience spends the most time.

3. Create and publish engaging content: Regular posts, high-quality images or videos, and engaging captions can help attract and retain followers.

4. Grow your audience: Engage with followers by replying to comments or messages, follow similar accounts, and consider collabs or shoutouts with other influencers in your niche to gain exposure.

5. Reach out to brands: Once you have a sizable and engaged following, you can pitch to brands for collaborations, though often, brands might reach out to you.

Bear in mind, there are challenges, as well. The influencer space is highly competitive, with income and job security not guaranteed, especially in the early stages. It can require significant time and effort to create content and engage with followers regularly. Privacy can also be a concern. Remember, success usually doesn't come overnight, so patience, resilience, and passion for your niche are essential attributes for this career path.