10 Signs You Have What It Takes to Become an Instagram Influencer
Being an Instagram influencer is the ultimate dream, amirite?
I mean, sure, what these social media stars do is still a job, and there's a lot more that goes into it than we think—but posing merrily with a Hello Fresh kit sure beats sweeping floors at McDonald's.
With so many influencers out there reppin' so many products and brands, who's to say you can't be one of them? But while there really seems to be no cap on how many influencers are "allowed" on the app, it doesn't mean everyone out there is a fit for the brag-worthy gig.
Keep reading for 10 signs you have what it takes to become an Instagram influencer.
1. You Have a Marketable Personality
Sure, looks and lifestyle play a huge part in the life of an influencer, but something that sets them apart from everyone else is that added pinch of personality. Whether you're the quirky, self-deprecating girl, the dominant, self-assured diva, or someone in between, if you know for a fact you stand out in a crowd and no one ever forgets their first time meeting you, then you may be on to something.
2. You Have Well-Documented Passions
Influencers don't just wake up one day and get asked to promote FabFitFun boxes. Influencers accumulate followers and attract the attention of brands because they consistently post about a few particular passions. Is there something specific people associate with you on Instagram? It can be something big, like your nonstop travels or your intricate handmade jewelry line—or something small, and (for lack of a better word) basic, like your dedicated workouts or enviable wardrobe. It seriously doesn't matter, but if there isn't something you passionately post about, there's not much of an influencer angle.
3. You're a Leader, Not a Follower
Whether it's your personality, your knack for discovering things first, or your ability to be the best at everything you do, influencers are people who are at the forefront of what's cool. The whole term "influencer" comes from the idea of influencing others' opinions. If your pals constantly come to you for guidance regarding fashion, music, fitness, food, you name it—and not the other way around—it sounds like you may be just the next trendsetter Instagram needs!
4. You Know When to Say 'No'
When you have dollar bills essentially being thrown your way, it's easy to jump on the quickest opportunity to swoop them up. But the girl who can separate finances from her beliefs or from what's ethical will make the best influencer. Even the biggest influencers in the world, including Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid, for example, have gotten caught up in scams or tone-deaf campaigns they likely regret. When you're working on a smaller scale, you'll want to set the tone for your personal brand by only saying "yes" to the campaigns you really feel comfortable getting behind. If you're only it because you're money-hungry and, well, desperate, it will absolutely seep through your posts and your encounters with brands.
Sure, there's a good chance your entire closet didn't come from the mannequins at Walmart, but there's a big difference between supporting your favorite brand and a brand or message that portrays your values falsely. A potentially successful influencer knows that saying "no" from time to time is an empowering action and tells brands you know your worth.
5. You'll Put in the Effort to Perfect Your Insta Aesthetic
You've landed the deal, you've taken the best photo—now comes the fun part. Well, to an influencer, editing your shot to coincide with the vibe of the rest of your feed actually is the fun part. To mostly anyone else, this could be considered tedious and time-consuming. If you learn editing apps quickly (hello, VSCO!) and won't settle for anything less than perfect publishing on your feed, you're on the right track.
(via Instagram / @banditoboards)
6. You're Genuinely Confident
You may think that becoming an influencer is what will lead to confidence, but really, you've got to have that self-assurance beforehand. At the end of the day, no one's going to believe in you if you don't believe in yourself. Even if that means faking it 'til ya make it if you second-guess how you look or the content you post, a mass audience probably won't buy your schtick either. No two influencers are exactly the same, so if you go into it realizing that and touting your own personal contributions to the IG world, then you're off to a great start.
7. You Consider Instagram Consistently Fun
Instagram has its perks—but it also has a slew of downsides. If you're fine taking the good with the so-called "bad," it's a solid sign influencer life could be for you. If you're able to scroll through the app unfazed by other peoples' posts and get inspo from other accounts encouragingly (rather than upsettingly), then it sounds like your skin is thick enough to handle this world. While, like with any job, there are sure to be some days that are better than others, if you don't consider all aspects of the app fun at least 75% of the time, then it's probably best to consider something else.
8. You Don't Compare Yourself to Others
Depending on how long you've been in the game and what you have to offer, there will likely be people with massively bigger followings and engagement than you. While you should always strive to be a stronger, more successful individual, if you're constantly comparing yourself to others or knocking yourself because you don't have this or that, you certainly won't survive in the competitive world of Instagram influencing. That said, if you use other peoples' success as a means to propel you to do better, then you may be on the right track. The goal in this game is to be your best you, and give the world the best you can offer—leave everybody else's stuff to them.
9. Your Posts Are Creative
It's really easy to borrow mom and dad's newly renovated kitchen for a cute, smiley, sponsored photo—anyone can do that. But if you're able to incorporate pops of color and your own vibrant personality into an otherwise very advertise-y-looking piece of content, then you're well on your way to influencer life. It's hard enough making our own photos with friends or in front of murals interesting, so if you manage to make even the most mundane scenarios eye-catching, that really says something.
10. You're Not Afraid to Reach Out to Brands
Sure, plenty of brands seek out influencers for various campaigns, but starting out, these folks had to gain attention on their own somehow. Influencers have to be fearless, unafraid to blindly reach out if they see themself a fit with a particular brand or product. If you're all for taking chances, have excellent communication skills, can handle rejection and have an eye for spotting specifically where you'd be a fit, then this could be the gig for you.
Now that you know if you were born to be an influencer, HERE's how to find out if you'd make it as a YouTuber.