In the age of social media, it seems like more and more people are striving to be influencers. With lifestyle photos, geotags from exotic locations and sponsored posts popping up in our feeds every day, it’s easy to want to emulate the success of these influencers in order to make ourselves feel better or gain more attention. But this is far from reality – there’s a lot more that goes on behind the scenes than what meets the eye.
For starters, influencer marketing is one of the most undervalued forms of marketing out there – it takes time and effort to create great stories that can sell products quickly. Unfortunately, this also makes it easier for hucksters to prey on gullible followers by selling their “secrets” behind paywalls. These hucksters know how enticing influencers’ content can be, so they’ll offer quick-fix “secrets” that make followers think they’ve unlocked the key to success overnight.
It’s important for consumers to be critical when consuming influencers’ content. After all, just because someone posts a picture with a geotag in Paris doesn’t mean they’re actually there at that moment. Do your homework before believing everything you see online! Read reviews from people who have paid for services or products promoted by an influencer – was the product worth it? Did it last? Ask around for other people’s experiences too! Finally, if something looks too good to be true—it probably is!
As much as we hate hearing it, success doesn’t happen overnight and you won’t become an instant millionaire after signing up with an agency—there’s no such thing as shortcuts when it comes to building a successful brand or career as an influencer. Instead of trying out gimmicks presented by these quick-fix artists promising luxury lifestyles without actual work involved, focus on what matters: creating quality content combined with strategic networking and building relationships with brands who have similar values as yours. The right opportunities will come eventually if you remain consistent and keep working hard towards your goals!
