What is a Social Media Influencer and What do they do?

Just two decades ago, the concept of "What is a Social Media Influencer" was practically nonexistent. Social media itself was in its infancy, and the idea of ordinary individuals gaining fame without entering the music, TV, or film industry seemed improbable. Back then, only celebrities had the power to shape opinions, lifestyles, and trends, making them the sole influencers of their time.

Today, however, things have changed dramatically. With passion, determination, a good camera, and creativity, anyone can rise to fame and influence thousands, if not millions, of people. Social media platforms have democratized influence, allowing everyday individuals to build personal brands and connect with audiences worldwide.

This blog will explore what a social media influencer is, how they gain influence, their impact on audiences, and how aspiring individuals can build a successful presence online.

Learn digital marketing courses online from the World’s top Universities. Earn Masters, Executive PGP, or Advanced Certificate Programs to fast-track your career.

Learn advanced certification in Digital marketing and communication from MICA in collaboration with upGrad.

What  is a Social Media Influencer

A social media influencer is an individual who has built a strong online presence and credibility in a specific niche, allowing them to impact the opinions, behaviors, and purchasing decisions of their audience. These influencers create engaging content across platforms like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter, attracting followers who trust their recommendations.

If now someone asks you, "What is a social media influencer?" or "Who is a social media influencer?", then answer simply: they are content creators who have the ability to influence people’s choices, trends, and opinions through their online presence. Unlike traditional celebrities, social media influencers gain popularity through authenticity, relatability, and consistent engagement with their audience.

What Do Social Media Influencers Do?

Social media influencers engage their audience and shape opinions through various activities, including:

Alt Text : The multifaceted role of social media influencers.

• Content Creation – Share videos, blogs, photos, and reels across platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
• Brand Collaborations – Partner with companies to promote products or services.
• Affiliate Marketing – Earn commissions by recommending and linking products.
• Community Engagement – Interact with followers through comments, live sessions, and Q&A.
• Trendsetting – Set new fashion, tech, or lifestyle trends that audiences follow.
• Product Reviews – Provide honest opinions on gadgets, beauty products, and more.
• Education & Awareness – Share knowledge, tutorials, and important social messages.

By leveraging their influence, social media influencers impact consumer choices and brand success.

Read : How to become a successful Instagram influencer

The Era of Social Media Influencers

A lot of people have become desensitized to normal advertising. A celebrity telling people which clothes they should wear no longer has the same impact it used to at the start of the currently concluding decade. 

But while one avenue of advertising is losing its luster, another is shining brighter and brighter with each passing year. 

The past few years have witnessed a boom in the number of people who are showcasing their lifestyle on the internet over various social media platform and a lot of people can’t get enough of watching them.

It wasn’t long till some smart marketing executives realized that people just might buy something these rising internet stars will recommend to them. This was put to the test and the results were astonishing.

The Era of Social Media Influencer Marketing had begun and suddenly there was a brand new career option available for people wanted to become famous.

Also Read: How To Evaluate an Influencer Marketing Campaign?

How Social Media Influencers Earn and Build Careers

Becoming a social media influencer isn’t easy. It takes time, effort and a lot of confidence, endurance, and perseverance. But once one does get a good following across all of their social media platforms, it is a job that can pay very handsomely.

Once they have built a good number of followers within their niche, big corporations usually start approaching them.

Once a deal is struck between an influencer and a company, that influencer effectively becomes a semi-brand ambassador for that company’s products, and such companies can be very good employers.

This job is so lucrative that it has become one of the most sought after careers of the decade.

Get your hands on upGrad’s Free Influencer Marketing Course NOW!

The Power of Social Media Influencers

Research has found that over 70% of young consumers in developed countries use social media to inform their purchase decisions. These are the people that companies want to target through influencers to ensure that people buy their products.

For a person who is looking to buy a guitar because they suddenly discover that starting a solo band has been their true calling all along by watching the videos of their favorite social media content creator, will be extremely open to suggestions from that very creator about which guitar they should buy. 

Top-level social media influencers don’t even have to follow the current trends, they can set the trends that everyone else will have to follow.

All of this makes the job of social media influencers seem extremely attractive and worth struggling for.

upGrad’s Exclusive Digital Marketing Webinar for you –

Webinar with Q&A Session on Digital Marketing

How to Become a Social Media Influencer?

If you believe that this is the right career path for you, there are many nifty guides available on the internet but two things that you must keep in mind are that you need to figure out your niche early and learn who your core followers are going to be. 

No one can influence people to do or buy everything, but if a popular enough influencer with a loyal fan base recommends a new show, their fans will probably watch it and the producer of that show would be happy to pay handsomely to get this recommendation. 

Learn more about Top 10 Speech Recognition Softwares You Should Know About
 

Learn online course on consumer behaviour and market research from MICA in collaboration with upGrad

Conclusion

In today’s digital landscape, social media influencers have become powerful voices shaping trends, opinions, and purchasing decisions. They are individuals who build an audience through engaging content and authentic interactions.

 If someone wonders, "What is a Social Media Influencer?" or "Who is a Social Media Influencer?", the answer lies in their ability to create meaningful connections and drive conversations across various platforms.

From brand collaborations to setting new trends, social media influencers play a crucial role in modern marketing. Understanding what social media influencers do highlights their impact on industries and the opportunities they create for aspiring content creators.

Also, learn digital marketing courses online from the World’s top Universities. Earn Masters, Executive PGP, or Advanced Certificate Programs to fast-track your career.

Featured Programs for you – Advanced Certificate in Digital Branding & Advertising from MICA

Best Online Digital Marketing Courses

Top Digital Marketing Skills

Digital Marketing Free courses to Learn

Popular Digital Marketing Blogs