The pros and cons of becoming an influencer

The demand of influencers/ content creators as a job has increased exponentially over the last 10 years with the rise of social media. The ability to be an influencer is now extremely easy, with the advancement of technology nearly anyone can do it, but in order for it to be a success there are some tricky aspects to the role. Hopefully this article will help you understand the different aspects of being an influencer, both the good and bad, so you can make an informed choice before pursuing. 

What is an influencer?

Being an influencer can mean many things, such as using social media to promote products such as skincare, makeup, clothing and much more. It can also mean influencing the audience or your own lifestyle choices. Influencers can have a big impact on people, including young people. Most influencers post videos about things that are in demand, inspirational or on trend.

The cons

Inconsistent income– especially when you first start, but as with any self-employed job there can be peaks and troughs of work which means it is always beneficial to have a back up plan if influencing cannot sustain you financially by itself. Success rate– the market is now saturated, which means that there are lots and lots and LOTS of influencers already on social media, so in order to be successful it will require patience, determination, and something niche that makes people stop and engage with your content over anyone else’s. Only 12% of influencers currently are successful enough to live comfortably on that as their only income stream. Work life balance/ privacy– As is the nature of the role, people want to see snippets of your life, which can be very intrusive. It can be hard to know how much of your life to share online and important to understand who else in your life is comfortable having things about them shared online too. Public scrutiny– By putting yourself out there online you are also opening yourself up to feedback, which can be both positive and negative. Lots of people may have an opinion on the content you are creating, the views you are expressing and you as a person which can be emotionally taxing.

Practical things to consider

Equipment– although technically all you need is a phone, other things such as cameras, lights, tripods and mics can make creating content easier and support with a more professional finish.

Self employment– comes with a lot of paperwork and administrative tasks. Make sure you have full knowledge of the business side of things before starting.

Legal considerations– have a good understanding of plagiarism, data protection and copyright law to ensure your content is not breaking any laws.

Consistency is key- As with any online marketing for anything (only with influencing you are marketing yourself!) uploading content on a schedule and consistently is key for engagement and audience growth. Ensure you plan out content in advance and that you are certain you have the time to dedicate to following through with the plan.