Influencers: Definition, Types, and Tips for Becoming an Influencer

As the number of internet users and content on each social media platform increases, the term influencer appears more and more frequently. What or who are influencers? Simply put, influencers are people who can influence other people.

The closest people an influencer can tell are his own family members. They can and do offer information about products or services to households. Family members provide information because they have received information from other people or have benefited from the product in question. Influencer marketing is increasingly needed in companies to increase engagement.

What are Influencers?

Influencer is now a familiar term for the general public, especially in the digital world. Influencers are people who have a large number of followers or followers and have a large impact on the public.

Digital influence is the ability to influence, change opinions and behavior online. Simply put, influencers are those who make an impact on social media, like Vera Selvina et al. Excerpt from "E-Commerce Textbook".

In marketing, one of the marketing strategies is influencers, whose role is to exert influence with the influencer's own character, changing opinions and changing the behavior of their audience online.

By fulfilling their duties, influencers usually receive approved promotions. Advocacy or endorsement is promotion or advertising carried out by public figures, including influencers.

The benefits of influencers in business increase brand awareness and sales in line with the goals set by the companies with whom they work.

Types of Influencers

A. Types of Influencers Based on Number of Followers

• Micro Influencers

A micro influencer is someone who has around 10.000 followers. Micro influencers are used effectively to promote products.

The strength of micro influencers is their engagement with their followers. By understanding their followers, micro influencers are able to create content that is more relevant to their followers.

• Macro Influencers

Macro Influencers are influencers with more than 100.000 followers. In general, macro influencers are people who are widely known, even though they are not as famous as celebrities.

With a large number of followers, macro influencers have the possibility to promote products to more people. In addition, the use of macro influencers can make a product or brand look exclusive.

• Premium Influencers

Premium Influencers are the best influencers with the most followers. Premium influencers are influencers with millions of followers. The percentage of product purchases through recommendations from top influencers may not be as high as other influencers, but it's still promising. Because the reach of posts from premium influencers is huge.

B. Types of Influencers Based on Media Used

Celebgram

Celebrities or Instagram celebrities are public figures who use Instagram social media as a tool to promote products. Selebgrams uses its popularity to run advertisements in partnership with corporate brands. Examples of Celebgrams in Indonesia are Rachel Venya, Awkarin, Fadil Jaidi and many more.

YouTuber

YouTube users are people who upload videos with information, including product information, for YouTube users. The role of YouTubers is quite large, because more than 90% of internet users learn about new products through YouTube. Partnering with YouTubers who have lots of followers can certainly bring their products to the attention of the audience. Examples of YouTube users in Indonesia are Atta Halilintar, Deddy Corbuzier, Ria Ricis and many others.

Blogger

A blogger is someone who owns and maintains a blog. Several blogs are used to create product reviews with different reviews. When a blogger recommends a product, it entices readers to try the product. Examples of bloggers in Indonesia are Sonia Eryka and Julia Marius (anakjajan.com).

Tips for Becoming an Influencer

1. Find interesting things

This is the first tip for you. To become an influencer, find something you really like and know about. You can share it with other people. If other people create content that is different from you and become successful, it doesn't mean you have to be like them. Create your own content. Do as much research as possible before making a decision.

2. Use an existing account

No need to create a new account and start over. Because it's not easy to find and build a following. Clean up your social media accounts easily by deleting content from old posts that don't match the concept and design of the content you have prepared.

3. Use company profiles and personal blogs

Go to Instagram settings and change your account to "Business Profile" for free. With this business account, you can see the engagement data you have in total or per message you send. You can view information as needed, including recommended hours of operation for recent photo submissions. Now additional Instagram roles can be used to increase engagement.

Don't forget to create a blog or website with your account name. Because you never know how long social media can survive and exist in cyberspace. A blog or website is like a house that you don't have to worry about when other social media (which can be likened to a shopping center) are closed.

4. Collaborate with brands

If you have more than 1000 social media followers, become a nano influencer. You can try to find brands or companies that need your services. Match your brand requirements with your account theme. Explore the brand you are looking for and find out who the marketing department is. Introduce yourself and say you want to create content that showcases your product as a sponsor. Gradually, as you upload more messages, other characters will naturally appear.

This is an explanation of influencers from understanding to tips on becoming an influencer. Hope it is useful!