Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Successful Influencer
Ribbed Sweater tts, XXS | Ribbed Lounge Pants tts, XXS | Fuzzy Slippers
Welcome, dear readers, both new and familiar, to a special blog post where we venture into a slightly different topic than our usual beauty and fashion content. Today, I’m excited to answer a question that frequently fills my inbox: “How do you become a successful influencer”? While my blog primarily focuses on trends, beauty tips, and must-have items – I believe it’s important to cater to your interests and curiosity.
Whether you are a loyal follower or a first-time visitor, join me as we explore the world of influencing. From fashion inspiration to skincare secrets and workout routines, I’ve received countless inquiries about my style, beauty, and influencer journey. Today, I’m here to guide you through the essential steps to turn your aspirations into a reality.
Together, we’ll discuss narrowing down your niche, utilizing platforms like WordPress.org and Pinterest (with a special mention of the importance of Tailwind), and creating captivating graphics using Canva. We’ll also explore monetization options, including Like to Know It and the Amazon Associates program. Join me on this exciting journey as we unlock the secrets to becoming a successful influencer and manifesting a fulfilling career.
CLICK HERE to learn how to stay healthy and fit at ANY age!
**This post contains affiliate links, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting me!**
My Beginning
In the beginning, as a stay-at-home mom in my mid-40s, I found myself at a turning point in life. With my kids growing older and becoming more independent, I wanted to find something meaningful to pursue. During this time, I noticed a recurring theme in my interactions with friends and even strangers. They often asked me where I got my outfits, how I did my hair, what products I used for makeup and skincare, and what my fitness and workout routines were. This sparked a curiosity within me and ignited the idea of starting a blog.
At first, I had only heard of blogs in passing, without truly understanding what they were or the potential they held, I decided to start one! I didn’t even realize at the time that you could monetize a blog. That, my friends, is how very little I knew! lol!
Armed with enthusiasm and a desire to share all of the things I love, I bought a domain and created a blog name that I thought was genius. However, I soon realized that there were many mistakes and learning curves along the way. From technical glitches to content strategies, I encountered challenges that shaped my understanding of the blogging landscape. However, with each setback, I grew wiser and even more determined to succeed!
Today, A Successful Influencer
Editor Plaid Button Front Blazer Vest tts, XS | Poplin Puff Sleeve Bodysuit tts, XS | Super High Waisted Plaid Tailored Mini Skort tts, 0 | Black Strappy Slingback Heels tts, 7 | Dainty Layered Necklace | Haisley Mini Cuff | Pave x Crossover Ring | Dusk Scattered Crystal Ring
Today, I stand here with five years of experience under my belt and in a whole different age bracket – hello 50’s, having navigated the highs and lows of building an influential online presence. Through trial and error and the ever-changing algorithms, I have gained invaluable insights that I’m eager to share with you.
In the following sections, I will guide you through the essential steps to embark on your own journey as an influencer. By sharing my personal experiences and the lessons I’ve learned, I hope to empower you to make informed decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and accelerate your path to success!
Understanding Your Niche
1. Discover Your Passion:
The first step in embarking on your influencer journey is to discover your personal passion. It’s essential to find something that truly ignites your enthusiasm and aligns with your interests. Instead of trying to emulate others or follow trends blindly, take the time to explore your own unique passions. What do you genuinely enjoy? What topics or activities make you come alive? Your blog will be centered around this passion, therefore it’s crucial to choose something that genuinely resonates with you.
2. Find Your Niche:
In the beginning, I found myself constantly being asked about my outfits, hair, skincare routine, and fitness regimen. These recurring questions sparked an idea within me. Why not start a blog and share ALL my passions and knowledge with a wider audience?
With a desire to share everything I loved, from fashion and food to fitness and beauty, I initially cast a wide net. However, I discovered that to truly grow and connect with a dedicated audience, I needed to niche down.
3. The Power of Niching Down:
In the beginning, I resisted the idea of narrowing down my niche. I wanted to share it all — fashion, food, fitness, beauty — but I soon realized that my growth was stagnant. It wasn’t until I made the decision to focus primarily on fashion that I started to see significant progress. Niche down to showcase your expertise and attract a dedicated audience that resonates with your unique perspective.
4. Define Your Niche:
While discovering your passion is crucial, it’s equally important to define your niche. Narrowing down your focus will not only help you attract a targeted audience but also position yourself as an expert in your chosen field. Consider your passion and interests, and think about how you can carve out a specific niche within that realm. For example, if you’re passionate about fashion, you could focus on sustainable fashion, plus-size fashion, or vintage fashion. Defining your niche will allow you to create content that resonates deeply with your audience and sets you apart from others.
5. Research and Learn:
With your passion and niche in mind, it’s time to dive into research and learning. Stay updated on the latest industry trends, understand your target audience, and study successful influencers within your niche. By immersing yourself in your chosen field, you’ll gain valuable insights and inspiration that will inform your content creation and help you stay ahead of the curve.
In the following sections, I will share additional steps on your journey to becoming an influencer. From building a professional website using WordPress.org to leveraging the power of social media platforms like Pinterest, I will cover the essential strategies and tools that will set you up for success. Remember, this is your opportunity to create an influential online presence that is uniquely yours. Let’s continue our exploration and unlock the keys to becoming a successful influencer.
6. Define Your Target Audience:
Identify your ideal audience and understand their needs, desires, and pain points. Tailor your content to provide value, inspiration, and solutions that resonate with them. By addressing their concerns and aspirations, you’ll build a loyal community.
The Steps
1. Figure Out Your Blog Name:
The first step in starting a blog is to figure out your blog name. This is your online identity and should be a reflection of your brand and the content you’ll be sharing. Make sure your chosen blog name is unique, memorable, and available across all platforms, including social media handles. It’s important to create a consistent brand presence across different online channels.
Once you decide on a name, you’ll need to secure your domain name. Domain platforms like Namecheap offer a wide range of domain options and easy registration processes. Choose a domain name that aligns with your blog’s focus and is easy to remember. Check for its availability and register it to claim your online identity.
2. Start with WordPress.org:
WordPress.org is a powerful platform that provides you with complete control and customization options for your blog. It’s user-friendly, offers a wide range of themes and plugins, and allows you to create a professional website. Choose a suitable hosting provider and install WordPress.org to kickstart your blogging journey.
3. Create Amazing Content:
Once your blog is set up, it’s time to focus on creating amazing content. Content is the heart and soul of your blog, so invest time in crafting high-quality, informative, and engaging posts. Share your expertise, personal experiences, and unique perspective. Tailor the content to resonate with your target audience and offer value that keeps them coming back for more. See below for the tools you need to create quality content (spoiler alert: you really don’t need much)!
4. Utilize Canva for Graphics:
Graphics play a crucial role in capturing attention and enhancing your blog’s visual appeal. Canva is a user-friendly design tool that allows you to create stunning graphics, including blog post images, social media banners, and promotional visuals. Utilize Canvas templates, fonts, and image libraries to create eye-catching graphics that complement your content. Canva offers a free version and a premium version, sign up for a free trial if you want to see what it’s all about!
5. Leverage Pinterest and Tailwind:
Pinterest is a powerful platform for driving traffic to your blog. Create captivating graphics using Canva and optimize them for Pinterest. Utilize keywords, compelling descriptions, and relevant hashtags to make your pins discoverable. To maximize your Pinterest strategy, consider using Tailwind, a scheduling tool that allows you to automate your pinning schedule, join communities, and analyze your performance.
6. Select the Best Social Media Platform:
With countless social media platforms available, it’s crucial to select the ones that best suit your target audience and align with your content strategy. Whether it’s Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or YouTube – focus on building an engaged community on one or two platforms. Consistently share your blog content, and behind-the-scenes glimpses, and interact with your audience to foster genuine connections.
7. Engage and Collaborate:
Engagement is KEY to building a loyal audience. Respond to comments, messages, and emails from your readers and followers. Additionally, collaborate with fellow influencers, brands, and communities within your niche. Collaborations can expand your reach, introduce you to new audiences, and provide valuable networking opportunities.
White Moto Jacket | Similar Lace Top | Similar Double Knit Long Cardigan | Denim Cropped Flare Jeans | Balloon Sleeved Square Neck Crepe Dress | Long Sleeve Crochet Trim Blouse | Long Sleeve High Neck Lace Bodysuit tts, XXS
Creating connections with other influencers and fostering relationships with brands is SO important. Having people in your corner who understand you, what you do, and what your goals are is crucial to success!
8. Monetizing Your Blog:
Monetizing your blog can be achieved through various avenues. Explore affiliate marketing programs such as, Like to Know It and the Amazon Associates program, where you can earn a commission for promoting products you love. Seek out sponsored content collaborations and partnerships with brands that align with your values and audience. Remember, authentic and transparent recommendations are key to maintaining your audience’s trust.
Black Vest tts, XS | Wide Leg Pants tts, XS short | Heels
9. Stay Persistent and Evolve:
Consistency, persistence, and adaptability are key to your success as an influencer. Keep refining your content, staying updated with trends, and evolving your strategies to meet the ever-changing demands of the digital landscape. Embrace growth and learning as an ongoing process.
Tools to Become a Fashion Influencer:
Velvet Hangers | Handheld Steamer | Ring Light | Clothing Rack | XL Standing Steamer
Remember…
Becoming an influencer is a journey of self-expression, creativity, and sharing. By following these steps, leveraging the power of WordPress.org, harnessing the potential of Pinterest, and finding your ideal social media platform, you can turn your passion into a fulfilling and successful career as a typical 9-5! This doesn’t happen overnight, it takes time and dedication.
I have loved following you for outfit inspiration and thought about doing this myself for a while as my mid 40s, kids-getting-older life is starting to align as well. I hesitate when I think of the actual self-employed part. Do you have any recommendations on where to start with that part of it? Paying taxes and saving receipts for start up, etc? Thank you for posting this
Hi.
That is a great question! I would suggest consulting your CPA on advice for that as everyone likes to handle that part a little differently.