Social media influencers are becoming more ubiquitous every day, thanks especially to platforms like TikTok where rising stars can gain an audience quickly. You may even hear people you know talking about becoming an influencer.

But what are social media influencers and why does everyone seem to want to be one?

An influencer is someone who gets paid to create social media content promoting a product or service. A common example is a clothing company paying someone with lots of Instagram followers to post photos wearing the company’s brand of clothes. These photos will influence the followers to buy that brand.

Many influencers get started by simply posting a lot on social media for free and attracting a lot of followers. Once they have a big platform, they start to partner with brands to start making money.

Influencers can be on any social media platform and many of them are on multiple sites. Common platforms for social media influencers are Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Why Is Influencing So Popular?

Millions of people use social media every day, so many users would like to get paid to do it too. Successful influencers have lots of fans, go on elaborate vacations, and often get free merchandise from brands.

According to a survey conducted by Morning Consult, 86% of young Americans want to be influencers. Although they may not necessarily know how to become an influencer.

There are tons of reasons why influencing is such a highly desired career, especially among young people.

1. Influencing Is a Fun and Creative Career

Influencing involves a lot of creative endeavors like photography, fashion, video editing, and sometimes even acting. People who want a career where they can express their creative ideas are often attracted to being an influencer for this reason.

Many people find these activities fun, even when they are for work.

2. Influencers Get to Talk About Their Favorite Hobbies and Interests

Many influencers gain an audience through a community of people with a shared interest. For example, someone may be a fashion influencer or a health influencer. There are even virtual influencers! These niche influencers make their living by discussing this interest with the community, sparking fun discussion and debate.

Many people would love to get paid to talk about their interests, so they are attracted to influencing within that specific niche.

3. There Is Potential to Make a Lot of Money

You may have heard of influencers like Charlie D’Amelio who started as just regular people on social media and became millionaire influencers. Many people try to become influencers because of all the money that can be made through promoting products and brands.

Lots of influencers are seen on social media taking expensive vacations and wearing designer clothes, which motivates others to also start influencing.

4. You Can Make a Difference as an Influencer

Over half of Gen-Zers listed “the opportunity to make a difference in the world” as a motivation to become an influencer in the same Morning Consult report. Influencers, with their tons of followers, have the platform to create awareness for social causes and issues they are passionate about.

This gives them the power to make a positive impact on the world, which many people find attractive about this career path.

5. Influencing Allows You to Be Independent

Major events like the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic have permanently altered the job market. Many jobs are hard to find and don’t offer much flexibility.

People today are prioritizing keeping a work-life balance and flexibility in their schedule. Influencing allows you to work when you want and be in control of your work which is attractive in a career.

According to Refinery29, influencing can feel like breaking free from the monotony of the 9 to 5 corporate life, even if it comes with different problems.

Although there are a lot of good reasons to want to be an influencer, it is important to remember that becoming an influencer is a lot of hard work and can be difficult. However, it can be a really rewarding career path.

Whatever someone’s reason for wanting to be an influencer may be, there are a lot of benefits to being one.