Faking It: My brief stint as an Instagram Influencer

May 31, 2024 | Social Media Influencer | 1 comment

In today’s digital age, social media influencers have become a powerful force in shaping trends, promoting products, and influencing consumer behavior. With thousands of followers, these influencers have the ability to reach a wide audience and have a significant impact on their followers’ purchasing decisions. Curious to see what it’s like to be an Instagram influencer, I decided to try my hand at pretending to be one for a week.

Armed with some basic photography skills and a collection of aesthetically pleasing outfits, I set out to create a curated feed that would showcase a glamorous and enviable lifestyle. I posed in front of colorful murals, snapped pictures of my meticulously arranged brunch plates, and even staged a few candid moments of me laughing with friends. I carefully edited each photo to achieve that coveted ‘Instagrammable’ look, with bright colors, a cohesive theme, and a hint of whimsy.

I also made sure to engage with my followers by responding to comments, liking their photos, and sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses into my daily life through Instagram stories. I followed other influencers in my niche, commented on their posts, and even reached out to a few brands in the hopes of securing a partnership or sponsorship deal.

As the week went on, I found myself getting increasingly caught up in the world of being an influencer. I obsessed over the number of likes and comments my posts received, constantly checked my follower count, and spent hours scrolling through my feed, comparing myself to other influencers. I started to feel the pressure to maintain a certain image and to constantly create content that would attract likes and engagement.

But as the week drew to a close, I started to feel a sense of disillusionment. The relentless pursuit of likes and followers felt hollow and artificial, and I realized that the glossy facade I had created was far removed from my real life. I missed the simplicity and authenticity of sharing moments with friends and family without worrying about curating the perfect shot for social media.

In the end, my experiment in pretending to be an Instagram influencer taught me a valuable lesson about the importance of staying true to myself and not getting swept up in the world of social media validation. While being an influencer can be a lucrative and rewarding career for some, for me, it highlighted the need to balance online persona with real-world authenticity. And while I may not have thousands of followers or brand partnerships, I have a newfound appreciation for living in the moment and cherishing genuine connections over likes and followers.