5 Ways to Become a Paid Influencer on Instagram

how to become a paid influencer on Instagram social media marketing

Did you know up to 49% of people rely on influencers for product recommendations? Or that you can earn $250-$1,000 per post? That is right: there's never been a better time to enter the influencer game. This is especially true on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

An influencer is someone who has influence over a particular market and is paid by various brands to promote their products or services. Do you want to become a paid influencer? Follow these 5 tips and you will be well on your way to success!


1. Understand the Types of Influencers

It might surprise you that not all influences are created equally. There are three types of influencers.

Micro Influencer

A micro influencer offers a lot of authority but only to a small niche audience. They tend to have between 1,000 to 10,000 followers. They tend to offer cheaper services but are the easiest way to become a paid influencer.

Brands tend to prefer this group because they offer the most bang for their buck. They cost less to put out a campaign, but followers tend to engage in the brands these influencers post much more than larger groups.

Power Middle Influencer

These mid-level influencers have 10,000 to 100,000 followers. This group tends to be more experienced, hence the larger follower number. They have a topic of expertise but typically offer more engagement than the top tier.

This is the tier where you're likely to be able to make a living out of this. Running your own brand and business can be difficult, so don't forget websites out there like The Paystubs that can help make tax time easier for influencers. 

Macro Influencer

These are the big ones. The digital celebrities of social media. All macro influencers have hundreds of thousands of followers, and many have millions.

However, brands don't always prefer this group. While the reach is wider, their audience tends to engage with these links less often. So even if you never reach the level of digital celebrity, realize that you can do pretty well for yourself as an influencer in the middle or lower tiers.


2. Create Unique, Engaging Content

Today, your feed is actually more important than the number of followers you have. What really matters is how often your followers engage with the links you post. And when you have better content, your followers trust you and are more willing to engage with your content.

That means you're going to need to post quality photos. So make sure you have a good camera or a smartphone that takes high-quality photos. Remember, your photos will be what draws in your audience.


3. Stick to Your Core Values

You will need to at least start out by having your own niche. So focus on using keywords that relate to your interests and lifestyle. This will make it easier to search for your content and help you build your own personal brand.

As long as you stick to the values you set out for yourself, you will remain a trusted source for your followers. And remember, be yourself! There's only so long you can keep up a false appearance before faltering, so try to always remain true to yourself.


4. Network

Like any other business, networking is key for getting more businesses. Using networking platforms allow you to connect with brands related to your feed. Especially when starting out, this can be critical for brands to find you.

Check out this list of 25 platforms you can use to network with brands.


5. Don't Be Shy: Communicate!

If you want to build rapport with your followers, you will need to engage with them. Take time to respond to comments, and leave comments on other accounts that you follow. These will build viability and reputation. 

And don't be afraid to reach out to brands that you like! It is a great way to find new brands to work with that fit your niche.


Become a Paid Influencer: Now You Know!

Now you know the basics of how to become a paid influencer! Interested in learning more? Check out my posts on influencer marketing to learn more.

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