There is a big chance that even if you don’t “follow” or keep up with a social media influencer or even totally understand what they do you’re likely to understand the concept. Influencers are literally those individuals who have essentially established credibility in a specific sector or industry. To be successful, they need to have access to an audience, preferably a large audience hence their “influence.”
A lot of people of late not only appreciate what an influencer does, but a majority of social media consumers actually want to become influencers, especially university students.
According to a recent report by online retailer Jumia detailing mobile trends, over 42% and that is 19 million Ugandans are now connected to the internet out of the total estimated population of the country that stands at 44.5 million people with Social media usage standing at 2.5 million representing a 5.6% penetration across the country hence giving a platform to social media influencers.
Over the past few years, university students find the content created by such influencers to actually be more compelling than scripted advertising. That could explain why most of the university social media consumers said they’d like to be a paid social media influencer for their favourite product or brand while others said they consider themselves to be an influencer.
A key question to address is whether there are basic requirements or steps for one to become a social media influencer.
Becoming a Big Influencer
We’ve seen many people even those who are “famous” become influencers, but is being a celebrity a requirement for influencing?
“Being a celebrity is not a requirement because most of us influencers are not celebrities but status grows with time, it’s just social media fame,” said Esther Birungi, a social media influencer and girl child activist with over 258 thousand followers on Twitter.
“it’s hard work and you decide what you want to do and grow your brand,” said Esther.
A Huge Audience is Not Required
it isn’t important for a potential influencer to even have a huge following at the start, suggested Esther Birungi, who has been in influencer marketing for three years now.
“I don’t think it’s important and something to care about, though a large following gives you a boost” she noted.”I got my first gig with 2000 followers so it’s about discipline, behaviour and the way you brand yourself.”
So it’s crucial to note that Influencers and their role in the future of marketing will continue to evolve and develop.
