According to Media Kix, “by 2020, influencer marketing is projected to become a $10 billion industry.” Okay, I know the social media platforms we tend to populate may seem oversaturated, but take TikTok for example. We’ve been accustomed to the same platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook where influencers were promoting their content. Now we have a new platform, which means new opportunities for fresh faces, content, and more money from advertisers and brands. Even if TikTok isn’t your thing, just because a platform is “over saturated” that doesn’t mean your area of expertise is.

Also, according to Influencer Marketing Hub, “28% of companies consider influencer marketing to be the fastest-growing online customer-acquisition channel, leaving organic search, paid search, and email marketing behind.” Since so many of us turn to digital platforms not only for news and entertainment, the days of traditional marketing and advertisements are dwindling away and companies want to utilize more niche and direct ways to reach their audience through the use of influencers.

I had the pleasure of surveying about 520 Black women, and more than 78% of these women said that influencers, bloggers, and social media reviews were the reason they were inspired to try a new product or service. As an influencer and consumer myself, I’d say the reason for this is because our audience typically recognizes that we are everyday people. It does seem like the “celebrity” status is a bit out of touch and can seem unreliable for most, so when your classmate, cousin, or neighbor decides to pick up a camera and start telling their opinion, we’re more likely to listen.

So here are my 10 tips for anyone inspiring to become an influencer .

Let’s get into my tips for aspiring influencers:

1. Figure out your category focus: What will you be discussing on your platforms
   
2. Try to master your niche: How are you going to do things differently than those already doing what you do?
   
3. Understand your audience. Who are you talking to?
   
4. What social media platform is best for you?
   
5. Create, create, create
   
6. Collaborate
   
7. Video is king
   
8. Be your authentic self
   
9. Cover the latest in your industry
   
10. Want to work with brands? & Tag them, show off their products