How to become a micro-influencer

Today, Gen Z and Millennials are disillusioned with traditional job roles and career paths. Especially when they see that social media offers an alternative career option that can be fun, lucrative, and socially fulfilling.

It's also true that it's harder than ever to rise to the top as an influencer.

Competition is stiff, and you need to generate a ton of content daily to get any traction. In fact, you need a veritable production company to launch yourself successfully.

That is... if you want to be a big-name influencer like Mr. Beast or the Kardashians.

However, there is another path in the same industry - becoming a micro-influencer. As the name suggests, micro-influencers have a smaller following but can still have a profitable career.

Let's explore this topic more.

What are micro-influencers?

Micro-influencers are becoming a force to be reckoned with on social media. They bring authenticity and engagement, making their mark in their respective niches.

And not only that, there are nano-influencers and mid, macro, and mega-tier influencers. Check out the types of influencers today:

• Nano-influencers have an audience base of 1000-10,000 followers
• Micro-influencers have between 10K and 50 followers
• Mid-tier - 50K to 500K
• Macro-tier: 500K to 1 million followers
• Mega-influencers: 1 million and more

Nano and micro-influencers may not have followers in the millions, but they are still making significant contributions.

How so? By connecting deeply with their audience in a way that isn't possible with mega and macro-tier influencers. And by focusing on a niche that bigger influencers can't cover. Let's explore more about micro-influencers.

Why Become a Micro-Influencer?

When all influencers are aiming to be big, why should you choose to become a micro-influencer? Here are a few reasons why -

For starters, micro-influencers connect closely with their audience. With a smaller follower base, it's easier for them to engage and build relationships with their followers. This leads to higher levels of trust and credibility.

Moreover, as a micro-influencer, you have the opportunity to be more selective with your partnerships and collaborations. You can focus on working with brands that align with your values and niche, ensuring authenticity. This also guarantees a steady income stream, making it a viable full-time gig.

You don't need to create content that appeals to a general audience; you can establish yourself as an expert in your niche and create targeted content that resonates with your followers.

Additionally, micro-influencers are less likely to face competition from other influencers within their niche. Since you are catering to a specific audience, there is room for collaboration and mutual growth with other micro-influencers in your niche.

And finally, micro-influencers with a strong but small following in a niche can work with brands in a collaborative way. Brands will sponsor, pay, or network with micro-influencers for the opportunity to tap into a market that includes their target audience.

All in all, if you're willing to do the work and build quality relationships with content, being a micro-influencer can be rewarding financially and personally.

How To Become A Micro-Influencer

Some perks of becoming a micro-influencer are listed above, and there are more. But neither of these comes easy. Like any other profession, you have to work to become a micro-influencer.

1. Find Your Niche

The first step is to find your niche - something you're passionate about and have knowledge and expertise in.

As a micro-influencer, you want to avoid creating generic content. It's essential to niche down. This allows you to build a dedicated audience and collaborate with brands relevant to your niche with focused content.

If you're a writer, you can focus on books and literature; if you're a fashion enthusiast, then fashion and lifestyle from a specific era could be your niche. Identifying a niche is crucial as it helps you establish yourself as an expert in that field.

To find your niche, you can start by jotting down your interests and skills. You can also look up other micro-influencers in your field for inspiration. Choose one that makes the most sense for you so you can get started on building content.

2. Share Targeted Content

Once you have found your niche, start creating content that appeals to your target audience. Use relevant hashtags, keywords, and other SEO tricks to make your content more discoverable.

Most importantly, focus on the quality of your content rather than quantity. Consistency is key, but it's better to have a few high-quality posts rather than multiple mediocre ones.

For example, if you're a food blogger. Don't just share pictures of food; or recipes. Share your thoughts, experiences, and stories related to food. This not only makes your content more engaging but also adds a personal touch.

Collaborating with other micro-influencers and brands in your niche is another way to reach a wider audience and establish yourself as an influencer.

3. Post Regularly

To stay relevant and maintain engagement, it's crucial to post regularly. This keeps your followers interested and updated with your content.

Each social media channel has its ideal posting frequency and timings when your audience is most active. For example, on Instagram, the ideal posting frequency is once a day, while it's better to post multiple times a day on Twitter.

So, do your research and plan your posts accordingly.

In case you're having trouble maintaining a consistent posting schedule, you can always use social media management tools like Hootsuite or Buffer. These tools allow you to schedule posts in advance, making it easier for you to stay on top of your posting game.

4. Form Relationships With Brands Within Your Niche

As a micro-influencer, building relationships with brands is crucial. Start by reaching out to smaller and emerging brands in your niche.

For example, if you're a fitness enthusiast, reach out to local gyms or health food brands. This allows you to showcase your expertise and build trust with these brands.

Or, if you're a beauty blogger, reach out to indie makeup or skincare brands that align with your niche and values.

Once you have established yourself as a credible micro-influencer, larger brands will also start taking notice and reaching out for collaborations.

You can also join influencer marketing platforms like AspireIQ, Tribe Dynamics, and Upfluence that connect influencers with brands. Being present in such spaces will make you more 'findable' and create opportunities to make a living off your social media activities.

5. Engage With Your Audience

With micro-influencers, engagement is key.

As a micro-influencer, you will usually have a loyal, engaging community of followers. And since they take the time to interact with your content, it's essential to engage back.

Replying to comments and direct messages, conducting polls and Q&A sessions, and hosting live streams shows that you value their support and care about what they have to say.

Sometimes, replying to comments might seem tiring. In such cases, you can use automation tools like Sprout Social and Buffer that help you reply to comments on your behalf.

Collaborating with your followers by featuring their content or by surprising them with giveaways and discounts is another great way to engage with your audience. Make them feel like a part of your community, and they will continue to support you.

The key is to be strategic and to keep working towards growing your follower base. Your success and profits won't happen overnight but it will take place if you take one step at a time.

Conclusion

Becoming a micro-influencer is an incredible journey that has its rewards, but it also entails dedication, passion, and effort.

It's about carving out a niche that resonates with your passions, creating engaging and valuable content, and nurturing a community that values your insights and authenticity.

Remember, your goal should not just be about gaining followers but fostering a follower group that trusts and values your opinions.

So, if you're looking to carve out your unique space in the influencer world, becoming a micro-influencer could be your ideal path. Embrace your unique voice, connect with your audience, and start making an impact today!