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In the “old days,” only certain types of individuals were considered celebrities. For example, there were celebrity doctors who treated celebrity supermodels. Actors, CEOs, and politicians would consult their divorces and business arrangements with their celebrity lawyers. These were among the people at the top strata of society whose actions and decisions and, yes, endorsements helped and continue to shape the modern world.
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Yet, in the 21st century, a new breed of celebrity was born一the Influencer. An influencer has made it their profession, livelihood, and lifestyle to inspire, educate, or, more plainly, influence behaviors and perceptions. Today, the influencer market is a massive industry, with brands estimated to spend $15 billion on it in 2022 alone. If you are considering pursuing a career (and even superstardom!) as an influencer, learning about the types of influencers and types of influencers’ niches can help you develop a well-laid strategy and ensure success.
How do you differentiate the types of influencers?
Influencer types have the following classifications:
1. Type of influencers based on content
There are so many kinds of content that it can be difficult for an influencer to choose which topics to focus on. However, the more specialized your niche is, the likelier you are to cement your expertise and enjoy a deeper engagement with your audience.
2. Type of influencers based on the manner of presentation
Some influencers are bloggers who write entries in their blogs. On the other hand, vloggers are influencers who use video to present their content.
3. Type of influencers based on the social media channel utilized
Some types of influencers prefer to stick to a specific platform. For instance, there are types of influencers on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. However, it is common to see influencers posting content on multiple platforms to maximize reach.
What are the levels of influencers?
There are five tiers of influencers. We’re differentiating this from the other classifications because an influencer can start off on one level and progress to others without changing their type of content or preferred platform.
1. Nano-influencers
A nano-influencer has a follower count of 1,000 to 10,000. Their smaller following enables them to personalize their content and nurture more intimate relationships. In addition, this type of influencer comes off as more authentic and credible. With a much more specific, active, and loyal fan base than other tiers, nano-influencers can help brands reach a more defined target market.
2. Micro-influencers
The next tier is that of micro-influencers, with a following of 10,000 to 50,000. Although they have a more substantial follower count, they are still considered small-scale influencers who can retain a personal connection while giving brands access to a larger audience.
3. Mid-tier influencers
In between the levels are the mid-tier influencers. These are social media creators who are followed by 50,000 to 500,000 individuals. Their higher follower count is likely to result in less personal engagement than the nano-influencers and micro-influencers. However, they also have a wider reach which means they can be more effective in product launches. And an expanded audience typically means that their services are costlier than smaller-scale influencers. As a result, it’s typical for brands to select nano-influencers to mid-tier influencers in building product or service awareness through contests, product reviews, and giveaways.
4. Macro-influencers
Macro influencers are more established content creators with 500,000 to 1,000,000 followers. The more significant number of followers translates to an even higher cost of procuring their services. Although a vast following can create much noise around a brand, it doesn’t necessarily mean higher conversion rates.
5. Mega influencers
Mega influencers have more than 1,000,000 followers, putting them in the league of top celebrities who can draw considerable attention to your brand. The downside is that, since companies tend to flock to them to leverage their popularity, they may be associated with so many brands that you can easily get lost in the crowd. Unless your brand is an absolute stand-out, it may be challenging to rise above the promotional din.
10. Types of Influencers based on niche and content
Here are ten types of influencers’ niches and content:
1. Fashion & Beauty
a. Niche: They share the latest trends in the fashion and beauty industry.
b. Content: They may focus on makeup tutorials, product reviews of cosmetics and skincare, and styling tips, unboxing, and more.
2. Food
a. Niche: They talk about meal preparations and/or the hottest restaurants and food shops.
b. Content: Food influencers may share restaurant reviews, gourmand recipes, and kitchen hacks.
3. Pets
a. Niche: They are passionate about all things related to feathery or furry critters.
b. Content: Pet influencers may post pictures of their beloved furbabies, partner with pet food and accessories companies, and endorse the best grooming shops.
4. Gaming
a. Niche: These gaming enthusiasts range from professionals who share their opinions to video game creators.
b. Content: This passionate set typically deep-dive into gaming tactics so players can improve their skills. They also give reviews on the latest and trendiest video games.
5. Travel
a. Niche: Travel influencers travel to amazing destinations as a profession.
b. Content: They can give expert first-hand advice on travel hacks, share the best hotspots and accommodations to check out, and share stories about their journeys and globetrotting ways.
6. Music
a. Niche: Their passion for music helps them provide insights about anything that has to do with music.
b. Content: Music influencers sometimes partner with record labels to promote the latest music releases. Some specialize in giving critiques to vocal performances, while others share the latest news about movers and shakers in the music industry.
7. Photography
a. Niche: Photography aficionados are typically skilled photographers who share their love of photography with the world.
b. Content: Selling stock photos comprises a significant part of this influencer’s livelihood. They also enter competitions and even organize some. Of course, they also share their expertise with their followers with photography tips and tricks.
8. Parenting
a. Niche: These well-meaning influencers help parents in their journey of raising kids responsibly.
b. Content: Parenting influencers help equip parents, typically with informed advice, on the best ways to discipline and motivate their children. Many of them are parents themselves who share their personal experiences and challenges to encourage their fellow parents.
9. Sports or Fitness
a. Niche: This type of influencer motivates people to shape up and become healthier through sports and physical fitness.
b. Content: Sports or Fitness influencers are among the most energetic of the lot as they show their followers how to perform specific exercise routines effectively and safely. These influencers also share dos and don’ts in exercising as well as hacks to boost sports performance.
10. Health & Wellness
a. Niche: A health influencer is someone who shares facts to help people attain optimal health.
b. Content: This group of influencers diligently stays abreast of the latest medical and scientific developments. These may include information on the most effective diets, the newest superfoods in the market, biohacks, and potent vitamins and minerals. In addition, there are also health influencers who focus on fighting specific kinds of diseases like cancer or diabetes.
How many followers make you an influencer?
Upon reaching 1,000 followers, you can already be a nano-influencer, the first among the five tiers of influencers.
How do I sell myself as an influencer?
After finding your niche and content, here are some effective ways by which you can promote yourself as an influencer:
1. Select your niche and content, and focus on a preferred channel.
You may also cross over to other platforms, but picking one as your main base would be ideal. This can help you be an expert at it so you can maximize the features and benefits of your chosen social media app.
2. Create top-notch content that is relevant to your targeted audience.
Keeping your content consistently engaging, current, and useful to your followers will keep them loyal. And a faithful and considerable follower base is necessary to get the attention of advertisers.
3. Keep your pitch short but sweet, as attention spans are brief.
If you need a lengthier message, email it instead of using DM.
4. Get creative.
Sky’s the limit when it comes to making your pitch unique and special. You can also source inspiration from other influencers or check out professional influencer pitch templates.
5. Pitch for long-term relationships instead of one-time deals.
You can perhaps throw in a free service as a come-on.
6. Be ready to negotiate.
Most companies are out to get the most bang for their buck, so know your worth. But, at the same time, be willing to compromise here and there for the bigger prize (partnership) at stake.
7. Don’t forget to mention the brands you’ve successfully worked with in the past.
Include them in your pitch regardless of how small your contribution was.
How to become an influencer and make money
So how can you turn yourself into an influencer and earn from it? Check out these excellent ways to get you to top influencer status, professionally and financially.
1. Sponsored content
Brands pay influencers to post content to promote their products or services. These narratives have an organic look and feel that doesn’t seem out of place on the influencer’s site or blog. Companies will shell out good money to sponsor the content of an influencer who’s followed by the brand’s target audience.
2. Affiliate marketing
Influencers can also earn through affiliate marketing. This involves posting content and sharing links that direct their audience to a company’s website. When their followers make purchases, the brands pay influencers commissions.
3. Content collaborations
These long-term partnerships can prove financially rewarding to influencers. A content collaboration involves the brand and the influencer putting their heads together and cooperating to develop highly engaging and strategic material. This can come in several forms, such as an omnichannel marketing campaign (cross-platform), guest posting on the brand’s site, or social media takeovers (where influencers have the opportunity to “take over” a brand’s social media profile.
Wrap up
Being an influencer can truly be rewarding, both professionally and financially. However, it also takes a lot of strategizing, planning, and researching to get it right. Start your influencer journey by choosing what type of influencer you want to become, and get ready to work hard and smart. With some patience and positivity thrown into the mix, you should be able to reap your rewards in the future.
Karina Gandola was born and raised outside the city of Charleston, in the beautiful mountain state of West Virginia. Karina loves writing about the influencer marketing space and an area she is passionate about. She considers her faith and family to be most important to her. If she isn’t spending time with her friends and family, you can almost always find her around her sweet yellow Labrador retriever, Poshna.
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