How To Make It As A Micro-Influencer

Fortunately, to get attention on social media, it isn’t necessary to be a Kardashian. Many of my acquaintances and friends have been able to grow their Instagram followings, going from zero up to five or six figures in less than one year, and frequently by spending less than two hours per day.  

Does this intrigue you? The following are 4 useful tips from the Marketing Heaven to help you grow or build your own following on Instagram. 

1.Brand yourself

Review your areas of expertise and interests. Don’t force anything – don’t pretend that you are a surfer if you do not like spending time at the beach. However, think about what hobby or interest you can leverage.

What if there is traction for you in an area that is not one of your passions? Don’t worry about it. Researchers at Stanford say that “following your passion” is bad career advice since it prevents individuals from pursuing fields that are unfamiliar to them. New passions are not discovered, they are developed. 

Aslo, exploring overlapping and small areas of interest is what makes a micro-influencer unique. Your specific combination of experiences and skills is what attracts potential brand partners and users. Genuine support is valued by marketers, and followers are able to tell whether or not you are acting in an authentic way. 

2.Focus on quality over quantity 

You might be tempted to focus on the follower-to-following ratio that you have, but that is not a great way to measure what your worth is as an influencer. Your micro-influencers worth, in fact, is based on the fact that you do not have millions of people following you. The engagement that you are able to gain from your followers will depend on how relatable you are to them.  

Rather than attempting to increase your follower numbers, focus instead on the quality of your relationships. Thoughtfully comment whenever you are tagged by a follower. Post videos and images that show that you interact on a regular basis with real people in normal situations. Explain to brands what your strategy is by showing them that the ratio of comments and likes to followers peaks once an account has about 1,000 followers.

3.Use video

There is an important reason why video features have been added by platforms like Instagram and Facebook. In recent years, the viewership of social media videos has increased two to three times, and on Twitter it is six times more likely for videos to be retweeted compared to photo-based tweets. 

There are certain activities that work better with video compared to others. For example, if you are a whitewater rafter, then you won’t have any problems getting exciting clips to use. But what if you read novels or play chess? Dress a chess piece up and dance. Visit your favorite book setting or read while you are riding a unicycle.

4.Show generosity 

You don’t want to give away so much that you are unable to earn money as a micro-influencer. However, watch for opportunities to share and give. The least expensive and easiest thing to do is provide information.  If you happen to be a backpacker, you can provide a checklist. Another effective tactic is personal shoutouts. Whenever you are tagged by a follower, publicly thank them from your account. 

When is a sample or gift appropriate? Save these time-consuming, expensive things for big favors. For example, if another important camping influencer mentions you, you can send them a handwritten note. Try putting strings on gifts that both parties can benefit from. A good reason for sending a 12 pack might be enjoying a head-to-head tasting of craft beer with a fellow influencer.