The word influencer gets thrown around a lot these days, but being one doesn’t mean you have to chase fame, followers, or likes. At its core, being an influencer gives you the chance to share something meaningful across platforms, such as advice, creativity, or life experience, and having that message resonate with your wider audience. We influence to earn trust and share a unique message, not just to have a large follower count.
At Remitly, we know many creators start with just a phone, a big idea, and a lot of uncertainty. With that in mind, we’ve crafted this article to help you forge a more accessible path to becoming an influencer. No pressure to go viral. No need to “fake it until you make it.” Just actionable steps to help you grow your presence online, build a personal brand, and even start earning from your content.
Step 1: Choose your niche and platform
Every successful influencer has one thing in common: a clear vision. That doesn’t mean having a rigid, one-topic account—it means knowing what you stand for and how you want to tell your story.
Find your voice and focus
Your niche is the intersection of what you love talking about and what your audience finds helpful, interesting, or relatable. What are you passionate about? What could you talk about for hours without getting bored? It could be your skincare or gym routine, study tips, thrifting on a budget, or documenting your journey as an immigrant. Your niche is your vehicle for authentically connecting with your target audience.
Start broad if you need to, then refine as you grow. You don’t have to figure out your niche overnight—simply start showing up in a way that reflects what you truly care about.
Pick a platform that fits your content style
Choosing your preferred social media platform is just as important as choosing your niche. Think about where you already spend most of your time and what type of content feels most natural to you.
If you love fast-paced trends and casual storytelling, TikTok may be your home base. If you enjoy polished photos, dynamic videos, and longer captions, Instagram can help you tell your story beautifully. YouTube is perfect for detailed how-tos or visual storytelling, while LinkedIn is great for more professional or career-driven content.
The platform you choose will ultimately shape how your message is delivered, so pick one that fits both your style and the type of content you want to create.
Know your audience
It’s tempting to speak to everyone, but being specific builds trust. When you know who you’re talking to, your message gets stronger—and your content more focused.
Step 2: Create a content plan
Once you know what story you want to tell, it’s time to take those content ideas and develop your strategy. A content plan isn’t about scheduling every post to the minute. It’s about knowing what you want to say, making sure it reflects your brand, and deciding how often to share it.
Define your content pillars
And this is where content pillars come in. These are the themes you return to regularly when planning your content. They make it easier to come up with new and fresh ideas, and help your audience recognize and connect with your brand.
For example, if you’re a wellness creator, your pillars might include your morning routine, affordable meals, and motivational reflections. Having three to five core pillars keeps you from running out of ideas and helps your followers know what to expect.
Set a realistic posting schedule
Next, create a schedule that works for you. You don’t need to post every day to be successful. There’s no magic number of times you need to post per week, but whatever you choose, stick with it. Consistency is key.
Start with two or three posts a week that deliver real value—content that teaches, entertains, or inspires. And if you’re short on time, batching your content is a great approach. Filming or drafting a few posts at once helps you avoid rushed or inconsistent content.
People follow accounts that feel consistent and reliable, not just flashy and loud.
Create value-driven content
Ask yourself: “What does someone get from this post?” Whether it’s a laugh, a recipe, or inspiration, value makes people come back for more. You don’t need fancy equipment, just clarity, honesty, and a bit of creativity.
Step 3: Optimize your profile
Your profile is often the first impression someone has of you. Within a few seconds, people decide whether to follow you, click your links, or keep scrolling along. So make it count.
Craft a bio that speaks for you
Your bio is your five-second pitch. Make it clear who you are, what you share, and why someone should stick around.
If you help students stay organized, say so. If you share recipes passed down from your Nigerian grandmother, let people know. Here’s a simple formula that can help achieve this: what you do + who you help + your overall vibe. Example: “Helping students feel confident with money | Latina creator | Budgeting & side-hustle tips.”
Remember to add personality. Emojis and casual language are welcome—this isn’t your résumé, it’s your storefront.
Use visuals and links with intention
Make sure your profile photo is clear, bright, and captures your vibe. If your platform allows a banner or background image (like YouTube or LinkedIn), use it to reinforce your brand.
Also, don’t forget to include a link in bio. Whether it leads to your website, blog, YouTube channel, or a simple Linktree, this is your chance to guide people to take the next step.
Pin your best content
On most platforms, you can also pin top-performing posts, testimonials, or intro videos that help new visitors understand who you are and what you bring to the table.
Step 4: Engage authentically
Many people treat social media like a megaphone, shouting their message into the void and hoping someone hears it. But if you want to build influence, you have to treat it like a conversation. If content is what draws people in, engagement is what makes them stay. It’s the foundation of your community.
Be part of the conversation
When someone comments on your post, reply thoughtfully. When you see another creator doing something you love, let them know. Social media is social for a reason—the more genuine your interactions, the more likely people are to follow your journey.
You don’t have to respond to every message instantly, but when you do, be kind, thoughtful, and authentic. People can tell when you’re being genuine, and that makes all the difference.
Lift up your community
Engagement also means giving your audience ways to connect with you. Ask them questions, use polls and Q&As, share posts that invite people to tell their own stories, highlight user-generated content (UGC), or give a shoutout to other creators. Even a simple thank-you can go a long way.
It turns your space into a two-way relationship. And it’s those relationships—not just reach—that set great influencers apart from forgettable ones.
Step 5: Learn the basics of analytics
When you first start posting, it can be tempting to focus on likes and follower count, but those are just surface-level numbers. The real magic is in understanding how and why your content works.
Most platforms offer free analytics dashboards (like Instagram Insights, YouTube Studio, or TikTok Analytics), and checking in on those metrics once a week can teach you a lot. You don’t need to be a data analyst to grow online. But a little awareness of what’s working (and what’s not) can go a long way.
Track what actually matters
Instead of focusing only on likes, pay attention to saves, shares, and comments—those are signs your audience is saying, “This helped me” or “I want to come back to this.” These actions reflect real engagement and show that your content is resonating. You can also track reach or views to learn what formats and topics perform best.
Test and learn as you grow
Once you start recognizing patterns, use them. If people love when you talk about your daily routine, keep doing that. If your Q&As get more replies than your static posts, lean into it.
Experimenting is part of the process. Try different formats (maybe a vlog one day, a tip post the next), and see what feels right for you and your audience. Growth isn’t just about numbers. It’s about building real connection.
Use analytics to guide, not define
It’s easy to get caught up in numbers, but don’t let them take the lead. Analytics aren’t there to make you overthink—they’re there to help you focus on what’s most effective. Use insights to spot patterns and guide your efforts, not to add pressure.
Step 6: Collaborate and monetize
Once your content starts to connect with people, you can explore ways to turn influence into income.
Collaborate with similar creators
This doesn’t mean waiting around for big brands to contact you. Partnering with other creators starts with finding accounts that share your niche—and creating something together.
You can co-host lives, swap shoutouts, or simply hype each other in the comments section. These relationships don’t just grow your audience, they keep the journey fun and connected.
Start small with partnerships
You don’t need 100,000 followers to start getting brand deals. Many companies actively partner with nano- and micro-influencers (with under 10,000 followers) because of their close-knit communities. What matters most to brands isn’t just numbers—it’s trust.
Build a media kit and pitch confidently
Once you have a bit of content under your belt, put together a media kit—a simple PDF that includes your bio, audience stats, engagement rates, and sample work. When you’re ready, reach out to brands whose values align with yours, and be clear about how you can connect them with your audience.
Explore multiple income streams
Many influencers earn their income through affiliate links, selling digital products (like templates or guides), joining influencer platforms like Collabstr that match them with paid opportunities, or offering subscriptions on sites like Patreon or Substack.
Influencer life hacks and habits
Being an influencer isn’t just about showing up—it’s about keeping things sustainable so you don’t burn out before you hit your stride.
Reuse and repurpose your best content
Not every post needs to be brand new. If something worked well on Instagram, turn it into a short TikTok, a thread on X, or even a LinkedIn post with a fresh angle. Repurposing content saves time and helps your message reach different audiences in new ways.
Build a “content bank” for slow days
Create a folder (in your Notes app, Google Drive, or wherever works for you) and fill it with evergreen ideas for posts, drafts, photos, or video clips. That way, when life gets busy or your creative energy is low, you have a ready-to-go stash to pull from.
Use tools that make life easier
You don’t need to invest in expensive gear right away—just start with what you already have available to you. Canva can help with graphics, CapCut is great for editing videos, and scheduling apps like Buffer or Later make it easy to plan posts ahead of time.
Create a light-touch content calendar
A simple calendar (even in your Notes app or Google Calendar) can go a long way. Map out what type of post you’ll share on which day, so you’re not scrambling for ideas or posting randomly.
Keep track of your partnerships
If you’re starting to get brand deals, treat them like real business collaborations. Make a spreadsheet to log who you’ve worked with and what you delivered, along with deadlines and payments. Being professional doesn’t mean being perfect—it means being reliable.
Protect your creative energy
Not everything has to be content. Take time offline, let yourself have “no-post” days, and make room to recharge. Sustainable influence comes from consistency, not constant hustle.
Final thoughts
There’s no “one path” to becoming an influencer—just your own, shaped by what you care about, how you show up, and who you want to reach. You don’t need a fancy camera or a perfectly curated feed. What matters most is showing up with consistency, clarity, and the courage to keep creating, even when your goals feel far off.
FAQs
Do I need thousands of followers to be an influencer?
No. Many micro-influencers with just 1,000 to 10,000 followers land brand deals by finding their niche and building a strong, engaged community that trusts them.
How do influencers actually make money?
They usually combine multiple income streams: brand partnerships, affiliate links, content creation services, digital products, and sometimes ad revenue from platforms like YouTube or Instagram.
Can I be an influencer while in school or working full-time?
Absolutely. Many successful creators started that way. The key is setting a manageable content schedule and staying consistent, even if that means posting twice a week instead of daily.
What if I’m shy or not confident on camera?
You don’t have to be loud or performative to be successful. Many influencers thrive using voice-overs, writing thoughtful captions, or showing their work behind the scenes—your personality is your strength.