Disclaimer*: The articles shared under 'Your Voice' section are sent to us by contributors and we neither confirm nor deny the authenticity of any facts stated below. Parhlo PInk will not be liable for any false, inaccurate, inappropriate or incomplete information presented on the website. Read our disclaimer.
Ever since I resorted to my Instagram profile to use it as a micro-blogging platform rather than an app that makes my pictures pretty before I post them, I came across thousands of beautiful Instagram feeds and a lot of bloggers, influencers, and the self-claimed influencers or rather “fakefluencers”.
I’m ranting on this topic today because I felt hurt and annoyed that my name was referred at an event (by a friend) where it shouldn’t have been, and I believe that it was totally un-needed. I don’t mind my content being re-shared (with credits), but if you bring me up to strike up a random conversation, unknowingly (or knowingly) letting me down, it is just not done!
So, how many of you know that not every Instagrammer/blogger is, or can be an influencer? A lot of us, especially newbies, get so desperate to bag event invites and PR packages, that the real purpose of influencing and/or blogging gets lost in between. Are you an aspiring influencer? Here are 5 things to keep in mind so that you avoid taking the wrong turns towards success:
1. No Shortcuts!
An “influencer” does NOT need to throw their social media links to every other person they come across just to increase their following. Blog growth is a gradual process and measuring success based on short-cuts is equal to being dishonest with yourself.
2. Interact Positively!
An “influencer” does not have to use someone else’s (be it a normal individual with no sense of influencing) reference to striking up a conversation with an established influencer/PR personnel or any random person, again, just for a follow or invites/packages. There are a hundred other ways of positive interaction/networking.
3. Sponsor Your Content When It Is Worthy!
An “influencer” does NOT go on a crazy following spree just to reach a ‘milestone’. Remember: just like actions speak louder than words, engagement counts much more than the numbers. Let it build up on its own, sponsor your posts if you feel your content is worth reaching a larger audience, but blindly doing a follow for follow? No, not unless you actually like the content. Also, a real influencer doesn’t rely on shoutouts for growth.
4. Level Of Influence Is Required To Be An Influencer!
An “influencer’s” work speaks for itself. They do not have to buy followers or likes and comments just to make their “fake” influence look real. Genuine engagement doesn’t look forced, as in the case of most engagement POD that are formed to increase post reach and impressions. For beginners, such pods are quite fair to trick the algorithm, but an “influencer” doesn’t NEED it, the engagement comes naturally because of their level of “influence”.
5. Influence Goes Way Beyond Instagram!
A real “Influencer’s” growth is purely organic. They don’t need to ask people for follows (Not referring to giveaways here, that’s a fine way to increase engagement). People follow and love them because of the content they curate. Also, their followers don’t unfollow even if the influential blogger doesn’t follow them back or unfollows for any reason, or when they aren’t announced as a giveaway winner. Besides, social media influence goes way beyond Instagram.
Free advice: If you are striving to be an influencer, please don’t rush with it, please don’t neglect work ethics or put others in an awkward position just for “follows”. Trust your work, focus on making it even better. It’s okay if your growth is not as fast paced as others who started off with you or after you. If your intentions and aims are clear, you WILL reach where you want to, effortlessly. Make your presence in this cluttered digital space worthwhile, be original, be unique, don’t bother about what others are up to, you do your own thing.
