Social Media Marketing: What Factors Play A Part In Online Influence?

In today’s modern society, many individuals both young and old are becoming online influencers. Whether it’s on Youtube or Instagram, these people can have a lot of power, influence, and persuasion over their followers and subscribers, if they have a big online following. With more and more people becoming active on social media everyday, there is a wider audience for influencers to target and reach out to. But what plays a part in growing online influence?

1. The type of platform you are using

Sometimes it’s all about the type of platform you are using to help grow social influence. For example, Instagram is a particularly popular platform to use for influencers in the fashion, beauty, and travel industry. With features like Instagram Stories, IGTV, and the new Reels, online influencers have much more content formats at their disposal. There are many Instagram platform features that can be utilised for social media marketing that can help users effectively reach their target audience, share engaging content, boost brand awareness, and much more. Right now, TikTok is also another popular platform that a lot of influencers and brands are using regularly. Whether it’s Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, or Twitter, growing an audience on a popularly used platform can help grow your number of followers and increase your online influence potential.  

2. How many followers & subscribers you have

It’s not always about whether you have 10k followers on social media or not. Sometimes micro-influencers still have a lot of persuasion over their followers. If a content creator shares a lot of valuable information, exciting content, and regularly engages with their audience, then they can be perceived as more trustworthy and loyal by their followers. But a large following can also help too. Some of the most followed Instagram accounts in 2020 include Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. However, it’s important to note that a big following doesn’t always necessarily mean that you greatly influence your audience. If users are not engaging with your content, or not clicking on your ad links, then how much influence do you really have over them?

3. The type of industry or niche that you are a part of

In 2020, there are many different industries that have their own dedicated online communities. From gaming on YouTube to blogging on WordPress, people online have gained followers and subscribers through generating a variety of engaging content in their niche or industry. Many online influencers become famous and respected in their industry by developing unique and creative content that audiences have never come across before. According to The Pogg’s article on How Do UK Bloggers Run & Manage Their Blogs?, blog content that is considered to produce the strongest results include original research, guides, eBooks, how-to articles, and infographics. When online users immerse themselves in their relevant industry, and become well-known in it, they become more recognised and valued by the desired target audience. 

With a large percentage of the world’s population on social media, most people turn to online platforms for inspiration, advice, and entertaining content. By utilising a social platform correctly, having a dedicated following, and being valued in your industry, you are better able to be an influential user. Freelancing, blogging, and vlogging, are some of the online jobs that people are now turning to for careers. Having vast knowledge of your area of specialisation and being as convincing and authentic as possible is the major starter-pack of starting an online career as a social media influencer.