How to Stand out As an Influencer

As social media platforms like Instagram get more and more saturated with aesthetically pleasing @influenceraccounts, it’s harder for content creators to reach their audience.

Especially with brands and users alike becoming more knowledgeable about the platform, engagement rates, and algorithm, these content creators need to stand out from the crowd. They need to create content that is different and proves to brands that they have influence in the space.

Consider the ways that you, as an influencer, can set yourself apart from the many other accounts fighting for the same place on people’s feeds

Have a Cohesive Aesthetic That is Unique to You

Make a splash with your aesthetic; make a statement with Paul & Joe lipstick colours that are vibrant and bold, or incorporate a unique style element into your #ootd’s. Find your thing and stick to it.

Your personal style and aesthetic play an essential role in establishing yourself as an influencer. Aesthetics help with continuity and brand awareness, as users will associate a style (a makeup look, trend, colour scheme, background, filter, pre-set etc.) with your brand.

Platforms like Instagram are flooded with similar aesthetics ranging from VSCO to pink and vibrant to minimalist. Form an aesthetic that is unique to you — one that people will associate with just you, not a handful of influencers like you.

According to BigCommerce, 61% of marketers find that discovering the right influencer is the most challenging part of an influencer marketing campaign — make it easy for these marketers to find you. Take the steps to set yourself apart with an aesthetic that is uniquely yours.

Form Meaningful Relationships:

Don’t just be another face on a feed. Connect with your community; your followers, the people you follow, and the brands relevant in your space. Respond to comments, ask questions, tag accounts, use relevant hashtags and be an active Instagram user.

The best creators aren’t just creators, they are engaging and play an active role in their community. The fact of the matter is that 75% of marketers measure marketing success based on influencer engagement rates – that’s how your users engage and interact with your posts, which will only happen if you are also engaging.

Find a Niche:

Topics like travel, fashion, and food are saturated on social platforms, which is why it’s a good idea to identify a smaller niche with less competition. One where you are more likely to stand out.

If you are a fashion influencer, consider establishing a fashion niche—are you minimalist? Maybe you’re a vegan clothing or zero-waste fashion influencer. Consider branding yourself in a way that is specific and different from the other influencers in your community.

Use a Planning Tool:

An influencer’s brand isn’t only about the content that they share publicly — it’s about behind the scenes functionalities as well. If you are committed to making your online presence your business, it’s time to take yourself seriously. That means planning, organizing, and automating your processes.

Especially if you are establishing connections with brands and talking about executing campaigns that involve content strategy, take the time to identify a software that will help streamline these processes.

This organization will set you apart from other influencers, particularly to the brands you want to work with.Being an influencer isn’t just about setting yourself apart to your followers. It’s about setting yourself apart to the brands that are looking for the right influencer to represent them.

For example, long time influencer and businesswoman Danielle Bernstein recently created MOE (MoeAssist): an influencer based platform for automating integral processes like project management, content planning, payment processing and invoicing.

By using a platform like this, you are showing that you are not only organized, but are serious about your brand, and working cohesively with the brands that connect with you.