As an introvert, a very shy person who has limitations to what she does and how she is living a simple and quiet life like me, can I really want to be an influencer? No, because, I don't think I have that kind of energy at all but I admire them a lot.
Before I dive into this intriguing topic properly, let me first express my opinion on what defines an influencer. In my view, an influencer is someone who has successfully built a large and actively engaged audience across various social media platforms, such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and beyond. This connection with their followers is pivotal to their influence and lifestyle.
Can I be a social media influencer?
Surprisingly, no, I don’t think I can venture into the realm of influencing, even though I genuinely admire their profound abilities to connect with and inspire others. Occasionally, I find myself wishing to emulate their success and creativity, but I ultimately realize that the role of an influencer is not something I wish to pursue. My last time on TikTok was about two months ago, and I don't think a great influencer who wants to be known quick can stay away for a whole day, let alone two months🤔 You have to be everywhere. This is largely due to the numerous responsibilities and challenges that accompany being in the spotlight as an influencer.
Significant responsibilities involved in being an influencer
Time and Effort: Being an influencer undeniably demands and requires an immense amount of time and effort. I often find myself pondering how influencers manage to map out their schedules to accommodate the lots of activities they engage in online. It leads me to wonder if they perceive this as a personal job commitment or perhaps a passion project. The continuous need for active engagement and the potential for countless online activities can indeed become quite draining and overwhelming.
Engagement: One of the most critical aspects of being an influencer is the necessity for genuine engagement. This involves responding thoughtfully to messages, comments, and feedback from followers and loved ones alike, which in turn strengthens relationships and fosters connections. With this, I find it hard to believe that I could engage thoroughly and consistently in such a demanding manner.
Content Authenticity: Regularly producing and maintaining content that resonates with followers is not only essential but also challenging. Crafting engaging content that truly resonates with your audience requires a high level of creativity and unwavering consistency.
What does it Require to maintain such space?
To be an influencer, certain requirements must be met as well. For instance:
*Transparency is crucial to build and maintain trust in partnerships and sponsorships, which are a significant part of an influencer's success.
*Understanding the profound impact of your influence on your followers is essential, especially regarding their mental health and self-image. It’s a heavy burden to carry.
*It also necessitates transparency and authenticity to effectively deliver value and maintain trust with followers.
Would I prefer something else to be an influencer?
Personally, I prefer a role where I can focus on my passions and interests without the pressure of public scrutiny. However, whether or not I want to be an influencer would depend on the balance between the creative aspects that are within me and the responsibilities involved. All I know is becoming an influencer is not for someone like me who cannot be everywhere. No job is easy, though, and being an influencer is not for the weak too.
The world of today revolves around being an influencer; everyone I have seen or come across lately is either an influencer or a content creator.
In line with the writing contest in the #hivelearners community, here is my submission on the subject; Can You Be An Influencer?