Building A Trusted Voice as an Influencer

Being an influencer is more than just having a large following or posting aesthetically pleasing content. It's about building trust with your audience, becoming a reliable source of information, and establishing yourself as the go-to expert in your niche.

Take influencers like fashion guru, Melissa’s Wardrobe, or college-grad, Clarke, as examples. They are renowned for their transparency and ability to amplify the impact of their honest recommendations.

With countless influencers vying for attention, standing out and earning trust is essential for long-term success. So, how can you establish yourself as the go-to influencer? Let’s delve into the strategies behind building trust as an influencer.

How do you build trust with your audience?

With more consumers sceptical of traditional advertising, building trust is necessary for building brand loyalty and establishing genuine connections with your audience.

Character

Discovering your voice on social media may seem daunting, but it’s all about authentically presenting yourself. Speaking your truth consistently and channelling your values will persuade brands and your audience to recognise your value.

Competence

Producing high-quality content that showcases your expertise enables you to create relevant material that paints your brand in a trusted light.

Communication

The quality of your relationship with your audience directly impacts the success of your content. Employing open communication and body language is key to sustaining the trust of your audience. It is important to behave consistently - extreme behaviour or sporadic actions may cause people to doubt you.

Identify your target audience

To capture your audience’s hearts, show a genuine interest and concern for their interests. To identify their needs, you must conduct thorough research to uncover who they are. Methods like social listening provide valuable insight into how your audience interacts online with your brand niche, offering a deeper understanding of their pain points and engagement patterns.

Experiment

Exploring and testing new content styles empowers you to discover what type of topics resonate with your audience, which helps to foster trust in your personal brand over time.

Strategies for building a reputable personal brand

Define your niche

To become the go-to influencer in your niche, it's essential to define your area of expertise. Identify what sets you apart from others and focus on creating content that resonates with your target audience. For example, Melissa’s Wardrobe’s trusted endorsements (aka #MelMadeMeDoIt) often influence the purchase decisions of consumers within the fashion and luxury lifestyle communities.

Consistency is key

Consistency breeds trust. Whether it's the frequency of your posts, the tone of your voice, or the quality of your content, maintaining consistency is crucial. Your audience should know what to expect from you, and consistency helps foster a sense of familiarity and reliability over time.

Authenticity

Authenticity helps to build a rapport with your audience, reassuring your audience that you have their best interests at heart. Sharing behind the scenes and being ‘real’ about your experiences as an influencer is crucial for building credibility.

Engage with your audience

Engaging with your audience is pivotal for cultivating trust among your audience. Actively participating in conversations and acknowledging your audience’s input helps create a community where your audience feels valued and respected.

Recognise your social responsibility

Taking a stance on social issues and being an advocate for ethical practices will resonate with your audience who seek authenticity. Using your platform to address societal concerns demonstrates your genuine concern for the welfare of the world and your community.

Tips on how to avoid spreading misinformation

With the rise of fake news and misinformation, ensuring the accuracy of your content is necessary to ensure the credibility of your account. If you want to learn how you can impede the spread of false information, check out our tips below!

Fact check your content

Verifying the reliability of your sources and statistics before posting demonstrates your commitment to truthfulness. Followers who can rely on the accuracy of your content are more likely to trust your expertise and recommendations.

Stay up to date

Keeping up to date on current events allows you to create content that responds to emerging trends and important topics that your audience cares about most.

Be transparent

It is good to get in the habit of influencer disclosing. If you’re sharing sponsored content or promoting products, be transparent about your partnerships and affiliations. Transparency builds trust and demonstrates your integrity as an influencer.

Be brave: call out fake news!

By actively addressing and calling out misleading narratives you position yourself as a reliable source of information. Twitter has joined the fight against fake news with the introduction of their community notes feature which allows users to better inform the world by adding context to misleading posts.

Summary

Establishing trust with your audience is a gradual process that takes time, but, when done right, it can establish you as the go-to creator for knowledge.

FAQS

What are the best practices to become an expert in my niche?

You don’t have to wait to be perceived as an “expert” to be one. Focus on investigating topics that aren’t heavily touched upon as content and always address your audience’s pain points to show that you can solve their problems.

How do I properly disclose sponsored Instagram posts?

It is good practice to make the disclosure easy to read by using the correct brand content tags.

What is fake news?

Fake news is false information misrepresented as news to deliberately mislead and deceive online readers.

How to Beat TikTok's Algorithm in 2024

Home for the most exciting trends in popular culture, TikTok has rapidly evolved into one of the most used forms of social media - threatening to dethrone Instagram. But how? TikTok’s default For-You-Page (FYP) tab is a highly advanced system designed to expose new music and edutainment recommendations to a diverse culture of communities that exist on the platform. If you want to know the secret to consistently landing on TikTok’s addictive FYP, we’re here to decode the mysterious algorithm that will make you besties in no time.

What is the TikTok algorithm?

Similar to Instagram, TikTok’s algorithm is a recommendation system that relies on ‘signals’ such as likes, comments and how much time you spend on a post to deliver an endless stream of entertainment that best caters to your interests. TikTok’s goal is to keep you scrolling; with each watch, the platform learns and understands more about your behaviour to curate a special selection of entertaining content.

The TikTok algorithm works to achieve four main goals:

User value

TikTok focuses on providing specially curated content that will highly stimulate your interests. In order to do this, the algorithm regularly monitors your interactions to mathematically assess the right content “For You”.

Long-term user value

The algorithm works to ensure that users return to the platform to receive an insatiable dose of entertainment.

Creator value

As TikTok doesn't prioritise creators based on their following or a user’s history of high-performing content, this means that every creator has the potential to go viral.

Platform value

TikTok’s own algorithm is used to improve the value of the platform itself.

How does the TikTok algorithm work?

The TikTok algorithm adjusts according to your behaviours and interests over time. Recommendations are based on the following factors to create a uniquely personalised experience that leaves your audience coming back for more:

User interactions

TikTok takes into consideration the videos you like, share and the duration of time spent watching a video to gauge their preferences.

Video information

The algorithm looks at the type of captions, sounds and hashtags used in the video. Content that integrates trending sounds and hashtags will ultimately increase their visibility on TikTok’s FYP. You can discover the hottest trends by using the search tool or via TikTok’s creative centre for some inspiration.

Device and account settings

Factors like your language preference, geographics and device type all play a part in optimising the right kind of content that TikTok believes you would like to see. For example, when travelling overseas, you may find that your FYP is weighted to content from creators in that region or about customs and cultures specific to that region.

User behaviour

TikTok observes how users interact with content (e.g., do they watch the entire video, share it, or scroll past quickly) to further refine their FYP.

How to beat the TikTok algorithm

While there's no foolproof formula for guaranteed success on TikTok, there are strategies you can employ to increase your chances of beating the algorithm:

Find your tribe

With 70% of users stating that they feel like they’re part of a community on TikTok, engaging in the right kind of tribe that compliments your niche will amplify your content to the right consumer. As the algorithm pushes content that aligns with your audience’s interests, it is important to create content that truly resonates with the rising trends and ever-changing interests of your community.

TikTok SEO

Focus on maximising your TikTok SEO by creating engaging captions and utilising trendy captions that invite your audience to interact with your content. Investing in a creative hashtag and caption strategy ensures that your content reaches your target audience and those actively seeking that kind of content on the platform.

The 3 second rule

TikTok was designed to entertain so time is of the essence here. Executing a good hook and the right cues is key to capturing your audience’s attention within the first three seconds.

Using sound

Trending sounds will help push your content to the FYP a lot faster. Music plays a powerful role on TikTok, facilitating the discovery of new music artists, instant creation of music trends and overall challenges creators to think outside of the box.

Engaging with audience

Responding promptly to your comments and engaging in your audience’s duets will push the visibility of your content. The more likes and comments your content receives will rank your content even higher.

Stay consistent

Establish a regular posting schedule to maintain visibility and keep your audience engaged. Consistency signals to the algorithm that you're a committed creator.

Experiment and iterate

Don't be afraid to try new content formats, styles, and trends to keep your content fresh and adapt to changes in the algorithm.

In Summary

Whilst there is no standard formula for dominating TikTok’s FYP, understanding the ins and outs of the algorithm, maximising your TikTok SEO and creating engaging content specifically for your audience will increase your chances of securing a top spot in the rank. Good luck!

Frequently asked questions

How can I consistently pop up on someone’s FYP?

To increase your chances of appearing on someone's FYP, focus on creating engaging content, using relevant hashtags, and participating in trending challenges that align with your target audience's interests.

How can I create content that goes viral?

While there is no set formula for creating viral content, you can increase your chances by engaging in popular trends, being authentic and relatable, and experimenting with different content formats that are specific to find what resonates with your digital community.

How to Beat Instagram's Algorithm in 2024

Heard about Instagram’s algorithm but don’t quite understand it? You’ve come to the right place! Instagram - one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, boasting two billion active users a month, constantly eludes influencers and veteran marketers alike with their ever-changing algorithm. Whether you’re just getting started or a well-seasoned influencer, mastering the ins and outs of the algorithm will guarantee the continued success of your content.

What is the Instagram algorithm?

Introduced to the world in 2017, the machine-learning algorithm is a unique set of rules designed to analyse a user’s behaviour to prioritise the right kind of content for a user’s Instagram feed.

The sophisticated process is reliant on “signals”: specific information about recent posts you’ve engaged with such as likes and the time of posting. From this metadata, Instagram makes predictions about the likelihood of your future interactions with these kinds of posts.

How does the algorithm work?

Instagram has multiple algorithms at play, each one for a different part of the app. These different algorithms ranks content based on different factors:

Feed

Your Feed page is home to content shared by your friends, family and your passionate interests. Instagram personalises your Feed by introducing posts from pages that you don’t follow but they determine you might be interested in based on content you’ve engaged with recently. The more likely you are to take action (i.e like or share the predicted post), the higher up the feed you’ll see those kinds of posts.

Stories

Instagram Stories are a great way to share behind the scenes of your life. Instagram considers your viewing history and engagement history to prioritise stories they don’t think you would want to miss.

Explore page

Instagram’s Explore page is a special curation of content designed to help you discover new interests. To rank explore, Instagram considers your likes, comments, shares, as well as information on the content and the person who posted it. Your recent engagement on the app will present the best profiles and content.

Reels

Instagram Reels are ranked through likes, comments, shares, and saves. Instagram incentivises creators to use Reels by giving them additional exposure on the Explore page and their very own Reels tab.

Key factors affecting the algorithm

As the algorithm prioritises popular posts, it is important to know what “signals” play a part in pushing your posts to the top of your audience’s feed.

User Engagement

Instagram will curate content for your explore page based on posts you have previously liked, shared, saved and commented on. For example, the more you interact with animal-friendly content, the more Instagram will push the visibility of that kind of content on your feed.

Relevancy

Instagram aims to deliver content that aligns with users' interests. It evaluates factors like past interactions, search history, and content preferences to determine relevance.

Relationships

Content from accounts with which users frequently interact, such as friends, family, or favourite brands, is given priority.

Timelines

Posting frequency and timing are crucial components of the Instagram algorithm. The timing of your posts significantly impacts their visibility, as sharing content when your followers are most active increases the likelihood of engagement. Consistent posting ensures that your content appears regularly in users' feeds, increasing the chances of reaching a wider audience.

How to beat the Instagram algorithm

Want to know how to make the algorithm work for you? Check out our top-tips on how to beat the Instagram algorithm!

Be consistent

Instagram needs a constant supply of content to keep their ever-growing audience engaged. Create a fool-proof content strategy that includes a consistent posting schedule to help you build a loyal community of followers that eagerly anticipate your content.

Engaging captions

Captions are an opportunity to captivate your audience and encourage audience interaction via comments and shares. Engaging captions shows that your content is valuable, leading to an increase in visibility and a higher ranking in Instagram’s algorithm.

Hashtags and keywords

A strategic hashtag strategy can prove an effective tool for maximising your content’s reach. By selecting trendy hashtags that suit your niche and target audience will help improve the discoverability of your content, which means more ‘views’ for the Instagram algorithm to take into account

Interact with your audience

When posting, it is important to actively respond to comments and direct messages. Acknowledging your audience will help increase engagement and foster a sense of community.

Timing content

Timing your content right can dramatically increase the exposure of your content to different kinds of audiences. By learning and understanding your audience’s behaviour, you can determine the most effective posting times to maintain a steady presence on user’s feeds.

Instagram Reels

Instagram reels have grown to become a prominent feature on Instagram, often garnering more engagement than any other types of posts. Leveraging this feature is a great way to fast track engagement and humanise your brand in a more creative way.

Instagram analytics

Instagram provides valuable insights into your audience demographics, engagement metrics, and post performance through its built-in analytics tools. By analysing these data points, you can gain valuable insights into what content resonates best with your audience and tailor your strategy accordingly.

In Summary

While tackling Instagram's algorithm may feel like a challenging task, it's not impossible. Understanding how the algorithm functions, creating an effective content strategy and staying engaged with your audience will allow you to cultivate genuine connections which is fundamental to beating the algorithm. So why not embrace the challenge today?

Frequently asked questions

How is the Instagram algorithm calculated?

Instagram utilises a blend of algorithms, processes, and classifiers to ascertain the most pertinent content for each user. It takes into account an array of signals including user activity, post details, interaction history, and information regarding the content creator. These elements are meticulously analysed to curate personalised feeds tailored to individual preferences and interests.

How often shall I post to beat the algorithm?

There’s no one-size fits all answer to this question. It’s essential to strike a balance between consistency and quality. Experient with posting frequencies to see what works best for your audience. The behaviour and habits of your audience should inform your content schedule. Posting at the right time will bolster your presence on a user’s feed which in turn increases the ranking of your content.

How do I get my Instagram post to the top of the feed?

A combination of regularly engaging with your audience and posting relevant content for your audience will help keep your Instagram posts at the top of your audience’s feed.

The Influencer Playbook for Building Long-term Brand Partnerships

Are you ready to level up your brand partnerships game? Well, we certainly are. Buckle up as we dive into the ultimate playbook on how to select and foster the right brand partnerships that go far beyond the 'gram.

As an influencer, your success hinges on the art of confidently selling your personal brand and understanding your audience well enough to keep them engaged as you evolve. For those new to the game, the idea of pitching yourself to household brands might seem daunting and time-consuming. But fear not! We're here to share the best practices for creating a killer brand pitch that will not only help you secure the perfect brand deal but will also ensure longevity.

How to choose the right partnerships

Brand alignment

Brands are seeking more than just a one-time promotion; they want a partner in crime who aligns with their values and vision. Before diving into collaborations, make sure you research into the brand’s mission, values and audience. A clear outline of your personal brand, content pillars and audience demographics, helps establish whether there is a common ground with the brand and how they fit with your audience’s evolving interests. Your audience is your ticket, so make sure your vibe attracts your tribe.

Know the brand

Take the time to understand the brand you're partnering with. Research their values, products, and previous campaigns. By becoming a walking encyclopedia on your collaborator, you'll be better equipped to tailor your content in a way that seamlessly integrates their message with your unique style.

Metrics that matter

Regularly assessing your audience demographics and performance metrics can provide great insight into the impact of your content. Being purposeful about the type of content you create not only strengthens your personal brand but helps to foster a deeper connection with your audience.

Look for authenticity

Recognising the role of authenticity is critical for influencers aiming to forge long-term brand relationships. Maintaining a consistent and trustworthy brand instils confidence in content, making you more attractive to brands. With brands prioritising authenticity more than ever in the over-saturated influencer landscape, staying true to your values ensures your credibility and contributes to cultivating enduring relationships.

Relationships matter

Remember that brands are run by people, not robots. Building a genuine relationship with the individuals behind the scenes can make all the difference. Engage with them on social media, attend events, and show genuine interest in their journey. Relationships are the secret sauce to long-term success.

Navigating brand partnerships

Scored your first ever brand collaboration but don’t know where to begin? We’re here to share some tips and tricks on how to navigate your relationship with the brand to convert one opportunity into multiple.

Professionalism

Upholding professional standards is necessary to preserve your personal brand and foster brand relationships. By honouring contractual obligations and remaining respectful throughout the campaign both offline and online can strengthen your relationship with the brand.

Consistency is Key

Consistency isn't just about posting regularly; it's about maintaining a cohesive brand image. Brands love influencers who can weave their products into their content seamlessly. Whether it's a story, a reel, or a post, keep your content in sync with your established aesthetic.

Flexibility & Adaptability

As we all know, trends change faster than you can say "influencer." Brands appreciate influencers who can adapt to new platforms, formats, and trends. Flexibility is not just a skill; it's a superpower that can elevate your brand collaborations to new heights.

Master a good pitch

When bidding on The Influence Room platform, it is important to use your filter to check the nature of the campaign to ensure that it aligns with your influencer brand. Use your bidding message to communicate your genuine interest in the brand and showcase how and why the campaign fits your social channels by sharing your content ideas. PS: The more creative, the better! By clearly articulating the value of your content and evidence of your influence, you establish yourself as a professional potential brand partner.

Reading the T&Cs properly!

Before celebrating your first brand partnership, it is crucial that you read and understand your contract inside out. Clarify any ambiguities and ensure that it aligns with your expectations before signing. A careful examination of your contract ensures a mutually beneficial partnership that is void of any potential misunderstandings.

Do not be afraid to negotiate

Really want to work with a brand but their offering doesn’t align with your content value? Negotiate! Being transparent about your expectations and understanding your worth can ensure a harmonious long-term relationship with the brands that you’re working with.

Diversifying your collaborations

To broaden your brand and audience, it is essential to occasionally collaborate with brands that sit slightly outside your niche. By tapping into different unique markets, you can reach different segments of your target audience and offer something new.

Using collaborations as a growth strategy

Regular brand collaborations can be a powerful growth strategy, fuelling your personal and professional development. Former Love Island legend, Molly-Mae Hague, signed a multi-million pound brand deal with the online fast fashion brand, Pretty Little Thing, after she left the villa and was later appointed as a Creative Director. Molly-Mae’s genius move was undoubtedly a success because of her ability to evaluate brand alignment and genuine understanding of her current audience.

Look for brand partnerships outside of your niche

Being intentional about the brands you work with can help accelerate your growth. It is important to look for brands that allow you to organically integrate unique and fun services within your existing brand and content strategy to ensure you stay true to your personal brand.

Conclusion

It’s important to remember that building a long-term brand partnership is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay authentic, be adaptable, and before you know it one opportunity will turn into multiple opportunities. At The Influence Room, we focus on cultivating genuine brand relationships that ensure both parties shine. With the imminent arrival of our communities feature, you’ll soon have the chance to develop long-term collaborations with your favourite brands in no time!

The Art of Building a Sustainable Brand as an Influencer

As we all know, influencers play a pivotal role in shaping trends and driving brand awareness. However, in the pursuit of rapid success and fleeting fame, it's easy to overlook the importance of building a sustainable personal brand. Beyond the likes and followers, the true measure of success lies in establishing long-term connections with your audience. In this blog post, we'll explore the art of building a sustainable brand that goes beyond the surface level, creating lasting relationships with your followers and brand partnerships.

What is personal branding?

Personal branding is the process of defining and promoting what you stand for as an individual. The creation of a personal brand demands intention; it’s a unique fusion of your story, values and attitude that often influences how your audience and clients perceive your influencer brand. Done well, a compelling personal brand can instil trust and help you build a highly visible presence, both online and offline.

Why do influencers need to build a personal brand?

Building a personal brand is essential for longevity and empowering your influence. A well-crafted personal brand allows you to self-define your online identity, easily differentiate yourself from your competitors and, most importantly, control your image. A strong, consistent personal brand can help foster trust between you and your audience. With 53% of women reliant on influencer recommendations, a well-crafted brand is key to attracting a dedicated audience, which in turn increases your engagement and sustains your influence.

7 Tips for building a sustainable brand

If you’re looking to build a sustainable online presence, we’ve compiled a list of our top tips to get you started:

Understand yourself

From a deep obsession with true-crime stories to raving about the latest beauty products, understanding your passion drives your content, enabling you to refine your expertise and position yourself as the trusted creator for information in that field. It is important to embrace your uniqueness as it will distinguish you from other creators and allow you to create content that truly resonates with your brand.

Authenticity is key

Authenticity is crucial to your success as an influencer because it helps you build trust with your audience. Working with brands that align with your values and being transparent about your experiences, fosters a sense of credibility which is paramount in the creation of building a sustainable community for your personal brand.

Know your audience

Knowing your target audience inside out will help you make them feel part of your journey. By leveraging analytic tools, you can monitor the performance of your social media posts to understand the type of content that fully engages your audience. Actively paying attention to your direct messages and comments allows you to see what your audience currently likes and wants from your content, helping you to make content that continually resonates with them.

Be consistent

Maintaining a consistent brand allows you to build an instantly recognisable brand and message to your audience and clients. A structured approach allows you to set realistic expectations when it comes to posting and allows you to prioritise quality content over quantity.

Collaborate with purpose

To collaborate with purpose, identify brands, causes and influencers with values that clearly align with your brand and content. Don’t just do paid campaigns - fill your feed with your genuine passions and interests! Ensuring that the content you create allows you to showcase your unique voice will enhance the experience your audience has toward it, ultimately strengthening your bond.

Educate and inspire

Influencing is more than just brand collaborations, you have the chance to become a great role model, inspiring your audience to take positive action on credible causes that are close to your heart.

Longevity over virality

For influencers, longevity is about the endurance of your influence and impact. Achieving this requires a delicate balance of experimentation while maintaining an engaged following. Building and maintaining a long-term online presence should involve a focus on strategic brand partnerships that contribute to the evolution of your brand and sustain the interests of your audience.

Conclusion

With an increasing focus on authenticity, building a sustainable brand is vital for securing consumer trust and relevancy in the digital world. By following these tips above, you can build a strong personal brand that will help you stand out in a very crowded space. Remember to stay true to yourself and your audience, be authentic in your interactions and be consistent in everything you do.

Top 6 Social Media Trends in 2024

Now we’ve stepped into the promising year of 2024, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the curve and anticipate the trends that will dominate the social media space. Staying up to date with social media trends can help fuel your strategy and help you stand out from the crowd. From emerging technologies to shifting user behaviours, here's a comprehensive look at the social media trends that are set to redefine our digital experience in 2024.

Longer-form video content is making a comeback

Remember when TikTok was all about snappy, under-a-minute videos? Well, not anymore. In 2024, TikTok, the reigning king of short-form content, has surprisingly turned the tables, championing the resurgence of long-form content. You probably remember the switch in 2022 when TikTok expanded its video limit to a whopping 10 minutes, bidding adieu to those blink-and-miss clips. This has opened up a world of opportunity for creators to dive deeper into storytelling, share detailed narratives and create more immersive experiences for viewers.

Word on the street is that TikTok might further up the ante, potentially extending the video limit to a staggering 15 minutes! This shift is a testament to TikTok's commitment to embracing comprehensive narratives and championing the cause of long-form video content in 2024.

So, take note. It's time to brush up your storytelling skills, add layers to your content and make the most of this exciting trend.

AI take-over

As social media platforms continue to evolve, AI is becoming increasingly instrumental in shaping user experiences. Fancy a caption that resonates with your audience? AI's got you covered. It's not just about crunching numbers and analysing data. The AI of 2024 will be a creative beast, offering you tips for catchy captions that will have your followers hitting the 'like' button like there's no tomorrow.

And let's not forget images. AI tools are becoming more adept at recognising and categorising images, which could completely transform the way we use and engage with visual content on social platforms. Additionally, AI-powered tools are playing a pivotal role in content moderation, ensuring a safer and more inclusive online environment.

And here's the cherry on the cake - personalisation. AI will play a pivotal role in personalising user experiences on social media. Advanced algorithms can tailor content to individual users based on their likes, interests, and browsing history. This means more relevant content for users and more engagement for brands. It's a win-win.

So, brace yourself for a social media landscape that's more intuitive, more personalised, and with more potential.

Authenticity is key

Get ready to hear the golden truth of 2024, authenticity isn't just important, it's reigning supreme! Consumers aren’t just scrolling for a quick sales pitch or an obvious photoshopped advert. No siree, they’re hunting for something that's real, relatable, and genuine.

Today, consumers demand transparency. They want to see behind the scenes, understand your values and connect with your story. They’re seeking out brands and influencers who are 'keeping it real'.

Now, don't get it twisted, this doesn’t mean you have to ditch your well-curated aesthetics. It’s about striking a balance. Yes, make your feed look amazing, but also sprinkle in those candid moments, those real stories, those genuine connections. It’s about opening up, being vulnerable, and showing the world the true face of your brand.

So, if there's one trend you should be betting your marketing budget on in 2024, it's authenticity.

Influencer marketing is here to stay

Guess what's not going out of fashion any time soon? Yep, you've nailed it - influencer marketing. It seems we're not quite ready to wave goodbye to our favourite Insta-stars and TikTok sensations. Despite the whirlwind of new trends hitting the digital sphere, this tried and tested marketing method is here to stay.

But don't get complacent; there's a twist to the tale. The influencer marketing game is evolving. Say ta-ta to vanity metrics and hello to authentic engagement. In 2024, it's not just about having the most followers or the flashiest content. Brands are seeking out influencers who truly resonate with their audience, who are genuine, and who can spark a real connection.

It's not just about flogging a product, it's about creating meaningful relationships, sharing personal experiences, and building trust. If an influencer loves your brand, their followers will likely feel the same. This connection is far more potent than any traditional ad. So, if you're looking to jump into the influencer marketing game in 2024, remember - authenticity is key.

Keyword search & SEO takeover

Social media isn't just for scrolling, liking, and sharing, it's also becoming your go-to search engine. More and more people are turning to their favourite social platforms for a quick, hassle-free search.

Need holiday inspiration? People are flocking to TikTok for some exotic destination ideas. Want to try a new cuisine but not sure where to go? Instagram's got you covered with thousands of restaurant recommendations at your fingertips. And let's not forget fashion - social platforms are bursting with style tips, outfit ideas, and even direct links to snag those must-have pieces.

The idea is simple: why go to Google when you can get real-life experiences, tips, and recommendations from real people on social media? It's convenient, personalised and just a tap away.

This means optimising your posts with keywords has never been more crucial if you aim to enhance the discoverability of your content.

This trend is transforming the way we use social media, morphing it from a platform for connection and entertainment into a robust search engine. So, the next time you're unsure of something, don't just Google it, social it!

UGC creators soar

Hold onto your hats, because in 2024, User Generated Content (UGC) creators are not just flying, they're soaring! According to Forbes, a whopping 86% of companies are incorporating UGC as part of their marketing strategy. And why not? It's more trustworthy than traditional advertising, it adds credibility to your product, and it beautifies your feed no end.

So, what's the 2024 spin? UGC creators are now commonplace. They aren't mythical creatures anymore, but a major part of the social media ecosystem. With no obligation for a massive follower count or to show their face, more influencers are helping brands build a stockpile of UGC content all year round. And let's be honest, in an era where authenticity is key, this user-generated content is pure gold.

So, there you have it - the top 5 social media trends for 2024. From AI-powered marketing and long-form TikTok videos to authenticity and UGC creators ruling the roost, the digital sphere is ripe for innovation. As social media platforms continue to evolve, we can't wait to see how these trends shape our online experiences. So buckle up and get ready to ride the wave!

How to increase your influence as a UGC content creator

In response to the world’s ever-increasing appetite for authenticity, the concept of an ‘influencer’ has gradually evolved from its previous association with ‘celebrity’ and the most elite figures of society to the ‘everyday’ person.

The shift in the operation of influencer marketing has revolutionised how brands choose to interact with their audience. With many businesses now incorporating User-generated content (UGC) created by regular people into their marketing strategies, they can effectively bridge the gap between themselves and their consumers.

Whether you’re a veteran or just starting your journey as a UGC creator, in this article we will walk you through the steps to increase your influence, from understanding what UGC creators are to mastering the art of crafting compelling content. Let's dive in!

What is a UGC creator?

User Generated Content, also known as, UGC, has surged in popularity in recent years. UGC creators are individuals who harness the power of user-generated content to influence, engage, and inspire their online audiences. They create content that resonates with their niche community, leveraging platforms like social media, blogs, and forums to share their authentic experiences and opinions.

From that viral Peter Thomas Roth Eye Cream moment to fellow TikToker, Nathan Apodaca, casually drinking Ocean Spray whilst skateboarding to Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams", it’s clear that the unfiltered story-telling of UGC creates a monumental buzz around a product, undeniably shaping a consumer’s purchase choices.

Why is UGC so powerful?

Feels authentic

One of the primary reasons UGC is so powerful is its authenticity. Unlike traditional advertising, UGC comes from real people sharing engaging anecdotes to stimulate meaningful conversations and provide honest insights into their experiences. The personality element of UGC is a key reason why it is so appealing to the masses, allowing creators to naturally establish emotional connections with their audience. Consumers are 2.4 times more likely to view UGC as authentic versus content by brands. That’s why ensuring your content is authentic can help you build trust with your audience, which can ultimately help you become more relatable and trustworthy.

Boosts engagement

The relatability of this incredibly intimate content enables creators to connect with a range of different communities, boosting engagement, but also serving as social proof. Social proof is a social phenomenon in which people tend to emulate actions that have been endorsed by people they typically trust, which plays a pivotal role in attracting new consumers and fostering more successful conversions for businesses.

Influencer purchase decisions

With 79% of social media users acknowledging that UGC highly impacts their buying behaviour, it is not surprising that UGC is a commonly used

marketing tool in the digital age. By becoming a UGC creator, you can directly influence the choices of your audience.

Faster than producing content from scratch

Creating UGC is efficient. You're not starting from scratch; you're building on existing experiences or knowledge, which speeds up content production. This allows you to stay consistent and maintain a loyal following.

How to become a UGC creator?

If you’ve ever posted a hotel review or raved about your favourite makeup brand via your social media account, you’ve created UGC! If you want to turn this into a full-fledged career, we’ve created some steps to help you begin your journey as a UGC creator:

Step 1: Identify your niche

Explore your passions and find a gap in the market for each. Focusing on a niche can hone your expertise, allowing you to become the go-to creator for information or resources for your audience. Frequently test new styles of content and see how your audience engages. The more unique, the better!

Step 2: Utilise the right platforms

Identify what platform(s) work best for your audience and acquaint yourself with their special creator features and tools. This is key for establishing your community.

If you create content centred around business and entrepreneurship, LinkedIn is likely your go-to platform, or if you like to create short and snappy lifestyle videos, TikTok and/or Instagram is the best platform to receive high engagement. Wherever it is, just be where your audience can easily discover your content.

Step 3: Craft compelling UGC

Create content that provides value, educates, entertains, or solves problems for your audience. Your content should resonate with your niche and reflect your unique perspective. Test your ideas from step one to build your portfolio. When you figure out what works, learn how to develop a strong and consistent story within your content to increase engagement and familiarity with your page.

Step 4: Mastering hashtags and SEO for discovery

Research the best and most relevant trending hashtags in your niche. It is also worth creating a unique tagline or hashtag that your audience will know you by to enhance discoverability. Tools such as Semrush and Google Keyword Planner can aid you with this.

Step 5: Engage and build a community

Engagement is key. Respond to comments, participate in discussions, and build a loyal community around your content.Understanding who your audience is, creating content that resonates with them and engaging in authentic conversations helps foster trust and loyalty. Setting measurable goals will help you track your progress and identify areas to help you increase your engagement.

Step 6: Collaborations and partnerships

Collaborate with other creators and brands within your niche. Partnerships can expand your reach and introduce your content to new audiences. To help you easily find brands to collaborate with, look at using influencer marketing platforms like The Influence Room With exciting campaigns across a range of different industries that can be located via a browse wall, The Influence Room can help you secure partnerships and build relationships with the most exciting brands in no time!

A final thought

As a UGC creator, your content has the ability to connect with a wide range of people in meaningful ways. By identifying your niche, becoming a master of SEO and regularly engaging with your budding community, you can strengthen your influence and leave a lasting imprint as a UGC creator.

Frequently asked questions about UGC creators

How many followers do I need to be a UGC creator?

There isn’t a particular follower count needed to become a UGC creator. Brands tend to focus on your niche, the quality of your content and the relationship you have with your audience when considering a collaboration. Just remember; as your influence grows, so will your follower count.

How do I find brands to work with?

Reach out to brands that align with your niche and values. You can also join influencer marketing platforms, like The Influence Room, where brands seek UGC creators for collaborations. Building a strong online presence and a portfolio of quality UGC will attract brand partnerships over time.

What’s the Difference Between an Influencer and a UGC Creator?

While UGC creators and influencers share many similarities, they have their differences as well. Like influencers, UGC creators produce original content, but the difference is that UGC creators create content without being compensated by a brand. Influencers see this in the form of either payment or gifted products, whilst, UGC creators serve as brand advocates curating content that typically ends up on a brand’s own channels.