How To Become A Social Media Influencer (10 Easy Steps)

Today, influencer marketing is lucrative. That’s the reason why everyone wants to become a social media influencer these days. The global market size of influencer marketing is projected to reach $32.55 billion by 2025. Compared to 2024, it’s certainly high.

Nowadays, brands are investing money in influencer collaborations because that’s where the audiences are. Because there are 5.42 billion social media users worldwide.

If you want to step into the influencer market, you’re probably wondering how to become a social media influencer. Here, we’ll dive into the steps you need to take to become a social media influencer.

What is a Social Media Influencer?

A social media influencer is a person who influences customers to purchase a product or service by promoting, recommending, or using it on social media platforms.

For instance, Jennifer Winget is an actress and influencer who has collaborated with the Magnum brand.

Image Credits: Instagram

How To Become A Social Media Influencer With 10 Steps?

Becoming a social media influencer requires more patience. There are a lot of influencers out there already, but with the right strategy, you can become one – but it requires an extended period of time.

But with these steps, you’ll be on your way to influencer marketing. Here’s what you need to do to reach your goal (to become a social media influencer).

• Find your niche
• Choose your platform
• Focus on the pain points
• Create a content strategy
• Distribute your content
• Stay updated
• Be authentic
• Engage with the audience
• Collaborate with other influencers
• Create a media kit to connect with brands

1. Find your niche

Before trying to influence someone, you need to know what you want to influence them about. Figure out what you’re passionate about. It can be fashion, tech, fitness, travel, entertainment, food, lifestyle, or something else.

So, to choose it, ask yourself:

• What do you love?
• What are you good at?
• What do you enjoy?
• What are you passionate about?

For instance, if you have always been into “fashion”, then it makes sense for you to become a social media influencer – you can position yourself around budget-friendly looks, DIY fashion, dupes for luxury items, or even provide eco-friendly fashion.

Then, find your target audience – consider your ideal customer’s wants, needs, challenges, and goals. With this, you can create a buyer persona with age, interests, challenges, and habits. This will help you tailor your content directly to the people you want to attract.

Moreover, don’t choose a niche because it’s trendy. Pick one that you can talk about consistently, enjoy creating content around, and add value to.

2. Choose your platform

Once you’ve identified your niche and target audience, the next step is deciding where to reach them (on a social media platform). You have tons of social media platforms, each one is different from the others, so choose wisely. Some famous and favourite social media platforms where customers spend their leisure time:

• Facebook
• YouTube
• Instagram
• Whatsapp
• TikTok
• WeChat, and so on.

Image Credits: Statista

Not every platform works the same way, and not every audience hangs out in the same place. Today, Instagram is one of the most popular platforms for influencers and brands.

Studies show that more than 57.1% of marketers consider Instagram their top choice for influencer collaborations, which brings higher return on investment (ROI). But this doesn’t mean Instagram is the right fit for everyone.

You need to think about your content style and look at where your audience spends their time. For gaming or cooking, YouTube is the best. For entertainment-related videos, you can use TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or Instagram Reels – especially if your audience is Gen Z. And for lifestyle, fashion, or DIY inspiration, Instagram and Pinterest remain powerful platforms to share insights or build credibility.

A good way to confirm your decision is by researching other influencers in your niche. This can give you a strong clue about where your audience might be waiting for you. Once you know which platform your audience spends time on, you can select the right social media platform to post your content.

3. Focus on the pain points

One of the most effective ways to connect with your audience is by addressing their pain points – frustrations, challenges, or obstacles they face. Ask it:

Is there anything about my product, service, or even industry that might be confusing, inconvenient, or overwhelming for my audience?

When you acknowledge these challenges and position your brand or product as the solution – you give them a reason to stick with you.

For example, if you’re a fashion influencer, your customers’ problems might be “looking stylish on a budget.” When you share affordable outfit ideas, you become their problem-solver.

4. Create a content strategy

To become a successful social media influencer – you need a content strategy. The way you plan, create, and share it will determine whether people simply scroll your posts or stop, engage, and follow you. This is why having a clear content strategy is non-negotiable if you want to grow as an influencer.

If you’re on YouTube, longer videos and vlogs might be your strength, while Instagram thrives on reels, carousels, and stories. Whatever you choose, the format should feel natural, match your niche, and deliver value to your audience.

To find the perfect balance of content for your strategy, follow the 5-3-2 principle. Out of every ten posts, five should be curated content from sources that matter to your audience, three should be original content you’ve created, and two should be more personal posts that humanize your brand.

5. Distribute your content

You may create high-quality content in the world, but if nobody sees it, it won’t do much for your growth as an influencer. That’s why timing plays a huge role.

The best time to post content on social media hugely depends on which social media channel you choose. For instance, TikTok audiences tend to be most active in the evenings, while LinkedIn performs better during work hours. Instead of posting randomly, take the time to research the best times for your chosen platform and schedule your content.

6. Stay updated

To become a social media influencer, you need to know – what’s trending today.

One of the best ways to keep up with trends is by following other influencers in your niche. Watch what kind of content they’re putting out, pay attention to the hashtags and challenges that are gaining traction, and notice what keywords your audience is searching for online.

Moreover, social media platforms constantly update their algorithms, community guidelines, and content policies. And familiarize yourself with the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) guidelines and policies, if you’re going to be collaborating with brands to promote their products or services.

7. Be authentic

Over 67% of customers prefer influencers who create real and engaging content. People look for original content, they don’t need perfection.

Your content should be of good quality, but you don’t have to be flawless to connect with your audience. If your cat strolls into your video or you burst out laughing, leave it in. Those little moments make you relatable, and relatability is what builds trust.

People follow influencers because they feel more like friends than celebrities or brands. When you’re unapologetically yourself, your audience feels comfortable engaging with you.

8. Engage with the audience

When a customer takes the time to comment on your post or ask a question, don’t just leave it hanging – acknowledge them. A simple reply can make your followers feel valued and show that you genuinely care about their thoughts. Over time, these small interactions help you form stronger relationships and turn into loyal supporters.

9. Collaborate with other influencers

By partnering with other influencers in your niche, you can tap into each other’s audiences, introduce your content to new people, and create fresh, engaging collaborations that benefit everyone involved.

You don’t have to look far to find potential partners – social media is the perfect place to connect. With online communities, niche groups, and even influencers, you can meet them.

10. Create a media kit to connect with brands

Think of a media kit as your social media influencer portfolio. It shows brands who you are and what you’ve achieved. Plus, you can highlight your audience size, engagement rate, and past collaborations.

You need to include:

• Professional photo
• Short bio
• Links to your social media channels (with follower counts)
• Engagement rate
• Audience demographics
• Past collaborations

This gives brands everything they need to decide whether you’re a good fit for their campaigns.

You can use tools like Canva or other free resources to create a polished media kit in a creative way.

So, Become A Social Media Influencer With These 10 Steps

To become a social media influencer, you need authenticity, consistency, and genuine engagement. When you choose the right platforms, create valuable content, and stay connected with your followers, you can be successful.

Want to master influencer marketing? Contact NB Marketing Solutions for an online digital marketing course to help you build a strong digital career.