What Makes Someone an Influencer?
In today's digital world, influencers have become a significant part of our online experience. You probably follow a few yourself – people who inspire you, recommend products, or even shape your views on various topics.
But what exactly makes someone an influencer? Is it just about having a large number of followers, or is there more to it?
This guide will take you through all the qualities and traits that turn ordinary people into powerful influencers, and how these elements work together to build trust, engage audiences, and create lasting impact.
Authenticity: The Heart of Influence
When you think of your favorite influencer, what comes to mind? Chances are, they feel real to you. You trust them, and you believe that what they say is genuine. Authenticity is the number one trait that makes someone influential.
Why Authenticity Matters:
In a world full of ads and polished images, people are craving something real. Audiences today are quick to spot inauthentic behavior or fake personas. Influencers who stay true to themselves, their values, and their interests build a connection with their audience that goes beyond just products or promotions. This trust is the foundation of influence.
An influencer's authenticity means that they share content that aligns with their personal beliefs and experiences. Whether it's a raw, behind-the-scenes moment or an honest review of a product, it resonates with their followers because it feels real.
Examples of Authentic Influencers:
Emma Chamberlain has built a massive following by embracing imperfections and showing her authentic self. She doesn't pretend to be flawless, and that's what makes her relatable and trustworthy.
Glossier, the beauty brand, uses influencers who share their real, unfiltered experiences with skincare and makeup. Their marketing strategy revolves around the authenticity of their customers, not just perfect, unattainable beauty.
Impact of Authenticity:
When influencers are authentic, they build a loyal audience who feel like they are part of the influencer's journey. This leads to higher engagement rates, better brand partnerships, and stronger word-of-mouth recommendations. Authenticity is what makes followers trust an influencer’s opinions and, in turn, trust the products or services they recommend.
Expertise and Authority: Being the Go-To Source
Influencers are not just random people with a big following. They are experts in their specific niches. Whether it’s beauty, fitness, tech, or food, these influencers have knowledge that people rely on.
What Makes Someone an Expert?
Being an expert doesn't always mean having formal qualifications. It's about experience, passion, and the ability to educate or entertain others. An influencer could be someone who shares their personal experiences, teaches others how to do something, or simply offers well-informed opinions on a topic they are passionate about.
For example:
Neil Patel is a digital marketing expert who teaches others how to grow their online presence. He uses his expertise to help brands and individuals achieve marketing success.
Dr. Mike is a licensed doctor who shares health tips and advice in an engaging and accessible way, becoming a trusted source of information for many.
Why Expertise Builds Influence:
People follow influencers because they want to learn something or gain insights into a specific topic. When influencers provide valuable, knowledgeable content, their followers see them as credible and trustworthy sources. This credibility boosts their authority and influence in their field.
Impact of Expertise:
An influencer who is seen as an expert can shape opinions, change behaviors, and even drive trends within their niche. Their authority leads to higher levels of trust, which is essential for long-term influence.
Engagement: Building Relationships with Your Audience
It's easy to think of influence as simply about the number of followers, but in reality, engagement is much more important. Engagement refers to how actively an influencer interacts with their audience.
What is Engagement?
Engagement includes likes, comments, shares, and direct messages. But it goes deeper than that—it’s about two-way communication. Influencers who engage with their audience on a personal level (responding to comments, asking questions, holding live sessions) are more likely to build loyal communities.
Why Engagement Matters:
Influencers with high engagement rates have a more genuine relationship with their followers. These followers don’t just passively consume content—they interact with it, and in turn, influence the influencer’s next move. Engaged followers are more likely to trust the influencer, follow their recommendations, and take action on their advice.
Examples of High Engagement:
Zach King, known for his "magic vines" on TikTok, creates interactive content that encourages people to participate, comment, and share. His followers are not just watching—they are involved in his creative process.
Chrissy Teigen regularly interacts with her Twitter followers, responding to questions, cracking jokes, and even offering personal advice. Her followers feel like they have a direct line to her.
Impact of Engagement:
Engagement boosts an influencer’s credibility and reach. It helps build a community where people feel heard and valued, leading to deeper trust. As a result, the influencer’s recommendations carry more weight, and their influence grows.
Consistency and Frequency: Staying Top of Mind
If an influencer posts once in a while, their audience might forget about them. Consistency in posting and maintaining a steady online presence is essential for maintaining influence.
Why Consistency Matters:
When you post regularly, your followers come to expect content from you. Consistency keeps you in the minds of your audience, so you’re always on their radar. This could be daily, weekly, or monthly—it doesn’t matter as much as long as there is a regular flow of content.
Examples of Consistent Influencers:
Joe Wicks (The Body Coach) has built a massive following with his consistent posting of workout routines and healthy meal plans. His daily posts have helped him become a go-to fitness influencer.
Lilly Singh, a comedian and YouTuber, gained fame because of her consistent uploads, whether they were comedic sketches, motivational talks, or personal vlogs. She remained consistent in offering valuable, entertaining content.
Impact of Consistency:
Consistency helps influencers stay relevant. It also allows them to experiment with different types of content and see what resonates with their audience. Regular content keeps followers coming back for more, which ultimately increases influence.
Influence vs. Popularity: Understanding the Difference
There’s a difference between being popular and being influential. Popularity may come from large numbers of followers or celebrity status, but influence is about impact. You don’t need millions of followers to be influential.
Popularity vs. Influence:
Popularity refers to how many people know about someone or follow them. Popularity is often based on numbers.
Influence, on the other hand, is the ability to inspire action, change opinions, or affect behaviors. It’s about the trust and impact you have with your audience.
Examples of Influencers with True Influence:
Brene Brown, a researcher and storyteller, has a relatively modest social media following but has had a huge impact on people’s personal growth and leadership skills.
Greta Thunberg, an environmental activist, may not have millions of followers on every platform, but her message has influenced global movements and sparked action worldwide.
Impact of True Influence:
True influence comes from creating change or shifting perceptions. It’s about shaping opinions, encouraging positive behavior, and motivating people to act.
Emotional Appeal and Storytelling: Connecting on a Deeper Level
Great influencers know how to connect emotionally with their audience. They use storytelling to build a personal connection and make their content relatable.
Why Emotional Appeal Works:
Humans are emotional creatures. We remember stories, we feel empathy, and we respond to content that touches us personally. Influencers who can share stories—whether about their personal lives, struggles, or successes—help their followers connect on a deeper level.
Examples of Emotional Storytelling:
Casey Neistat, a popular YouTuber, built his brand through storytelling. His vlogs are a mix of adventure, personal growth, and deep reflections about life.
Alicia Keys, the singer, uses social media to share moments of vulnerability and growth, creating an emotional connection with her followers.
Impact of Emotional Appeal:
Storytelling makes the influencer’s journey feel relatable and human. Followers are not just consuming content—they are emotionally invested. This kind of connection leads to a stronger and longer-lasting influence.
Adaptability: Staying Relevant in a Changing World
The world of social media is constantly changing, and so are the platforms, trends, and audience preferences. Influencers need to be adaptable to stay relevant.
Why Adaptability is Key:
New platforms like TikTok can quickly replace older ones like Facebook. Trends shift fast, and the content that worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. Influencers who adapt quickly can remain influential by staying up-to-date and responding to these changes.
Examples of Adaptable Influencers:
Charli D’Amelio became a TikTok sensation by mastering the platform early on, and her ability to adapt to new trends quickly kept her at the forefront.
James Charles, a beauty influencer, has been able to pivot from YouTube to TikTok and keep his audience engaged across different platforms.
Impact of Adaptability:
Influencers who adapt quickly to trends, platforms, and audience behavior stay ahead of the curve. Their ability to stay relevant helps them maintain their influence over time.
Ethical Responsibility and Trustworthiness: The Foundation of Influence
Finally, influence relies on trust. Without trust, influence quickly fades away. Influencers must act ethically, especially when promoting products or services.
Why Ethics Matter:
Audiences trust influencers who are transparent and honest. If an influencer promotes a product, their followers need to know it’s something they genuinely believe in. Ethical responsibility also means avoiding misleading information, being transparent about sponsorships, and supporting causes they believe in.
Examples of Ethical Influencers:
Marques Brownlee, a tech reviewer, is known for his honest, unbiased reviews, and his trustworthiness has earned him respect in the tech community.
Ruthie Van Gorder, a lifestyle influencer, promotes sustainability and ethical brands, helping her followers make conscious consumer choices.
Impact of Ethical Behavior:
Being ethical strengthens an influencer’s reputation and ensures long-term influence. People trust those who act with integrity, which builds stronger, more loyal communities.
Conclusion
Being an influencer is about more than just popularity or follower count. It’s about authenticity, expertise, engagement, consistency, emotional appeal, adaptability, and trust.
These qualities work together to create a genuine influence that inspires action, builds loyalty, and drives change.
Whether you’re an aspiring influencer or a business looking to partner with one, understanding what makes someone truly influential is key. Influence is built over time, through meaningful connections and authentic engagement.
By focusing on these core traits, anyone can increase their influence, make a real impact, and build lasting relationships with their audience.