Do you follow bloggers, influencers, and YouTubers whose subscribers are in the thousands? Hundred-thousands? You probably wonder what it takes to get such a large following on social media platforms. Maybe you want to try your luck in becoming a social media star. Hint: it takes more than luck to get there.
They Spend Tons of Time On Their Work
It might take more hours than you’d guess at first glance. A twenty-minute YouTube video can take an entire day to shoot, and then another day to edit and upload. Some high-powered YouTubers might have help in this department, but when starting out, they’re on their own.
Most successful YouTubers put out a video a week, or more. Those hours spent behind a camera and in front of a screen can add up fast. If you’re juggling a job, school, a family, or all three, then setting time aside for your channel can be difficult.
Even Instagrammers need up to ninety minutes to curate material for one post. If you want to be more than a hobbyist influencer, you’ll need the time to do it. Quality content takes a lot of devotion, and it shows when true effort is put in.
They’re Engaging
The work doesn’t stop once you click the upload button. Followers like to feel a connection with influencers. As an influencer, you want to be relatable to your subscribers. The job comes with interacting with people who comment on your posts – trolls excluded.
If you’re only writing a small blog for cooking, you still want to be able to answer questions from your audience. Maybe they need advice on cooking methods. Maybe they want your opinion on altering the recipe. If you answer comments, they’re more likely to revisit your blog in the future.
A lot of popular influencers like to create activities for their followers. They can be in the form of a poll, a giveaway, or suggestions for the next upload. When the audience can participate, it creates a more interesting experience.
They Work Across More Than One Platform
Marketing isn’t just for businesses. Influencers have to get creative with marketing themselves. One way to strengthen your online presence is to have multiple platforms for your online personality.
Want to be a power-blogger? Consider connecting your blog to a Facebook page. You’ll reach a broader audience, and readers who might not have happened upon your website otherwise. Aspiring YouTube stars should think about posting content to other places like Snapchat and Instagram. Some followers will be more likely to subscribe if they can find you on their preferred site.
They Don’t Give Up
If you see your favorite makeup artist or fitness influencer hit their millionth subscriber, try not to be discouraged. They all started somewhere, and with a small group of followers that eventually grew.
That growth doesn’t happen overnight. And like any job, you don’t start at the top of the heap. Lucrative influencers work their way up the ladder, and the work can be hard – but it’s not impossible.
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