The Truth Behind the Functioning (or Lack Thereof) of Influencer Businesses

Oct 23, 2023 | Social Media Influencer | 26 comments

The Truth Behind the Functioning (or Lack Thereof) of Influencer Businesses




How Influencer Businesses Actually (Don’t) Work

In today’s digital age, social media influencers have become the new celebrities. With millions of followers and endless brand collaborations, it seems like influencers have found the perfect way to turn their online presence into a thriving business. However, behind the glamorous facade lies a harsh reality that many aspiring influencers fail to understand – influencer businesses don’t actually work the way they seem.

Firstly, the notion that influencers are making easy money simply by posting on social media is a myth. Building a successful influencer business takes a significant amount of time and effort. It requires creating high-quality content, engaging with followers, and maintaining an active online presence across multiple platforms. Additionally, influencers need to constantly stay up-to-date with the latest trends and constantly evolve their content to keep their audience engaged. It’s far from a “get rich quick” scheme.

Furthermore, becoming an influencer doesn’t guarantee financial stability. Many influencers struggle to monetize their platforms effectively. While they may receive free products and sponsorships, these are often not enough to sustain a business. The reality is that making a substantial income as an influencer is incredibly competitive. Brands are becoming more discerning in choosing who they collaborate with, and the market is becoming saturated with influencers vying for attention.

In addition to the challenge of generating income, influencers also face the uncertainty of their industry. Social media algorithms constantly change, affecting users’ reach and engagement. Platforms like Instagram and YouTube can suddenly change their algorithms, negatively impacting an influencer’s ability to reach their audience. It makes it difficult for influencers to predict their future income and maintain a stable business.

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Another mistaken belief is that influencer businesses are solely dependent on follower count. While having a large following may attract brands initially, engagement and authenticity are increasingly valued. Brands now look for influencers with higher engagement rates and niche followings that align with their target audience. This means that influencers need to constantly work on building genuine relationships with their followers to maintain their relevance and attract brand collaborations.

Moreover, influencers have to deal with the constant pressure to be “on” all the time. They are expected to share every aspect of their lives online, including the good, the bad, and the ugly. This constant exposure can take a toll on their mental health, as the line between the persona they present and their authentic self becomes blurred. Many influencers feel under immense pressure to portray a perfect life, leading to stress and anxiety.

In conclusion, while influencer businesses may seem like a dream come true, the reality is far from it. To succeed as an influencer, one needs to consistently produce high-quality content, build genuine relationships with followers, face financial instability, navigate changing algorithms, and deal with the constant pressure to be “perfect.” It is not an easy path, and for every successful influencer, there are countless others struggling to make it work. So, before embarking on an influencer journey, aspiring influencers need to be aware of the challenges ahead and approach it with realistic expectations.


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26 Comments

  1. Annabelle Richardson

    Really insightful video! I've noticed many influencers, especially those who might not be as established as Ryan Reynolds, struggle with consistent content ideas to keep their audience engaged. I found using boost app social helps a lot. It gives content ideas in seconds!

    Reply
  2. NoobsUnleashed

    5:00 "let's see why influencer businesss are bad" -> jumps to a sponsored segment
    ironic, huh?

    Reply
  3. Night Ridah

    All this shows is average American is stupid and can be convinced to buy anything

    Reply
  4. Grendy

    That’s why I don’t understand how Kylie Jenner is a billionaire, she couldn’t have created that company by herself

    Reply
  5. Jack Van Kirk

    I still don't understand why Logan and Jake Paul are e-celebs.

    Reply
  6. Morrasod

    Prime actually tastes solid, it’s just not the most effective brand

    Reply
  7. unkown 34X

    The only product from an influencer I bought was from Linus Tech tips. I don't consider them influencers, coz they have knowledge of what they talk. (Most of the time) but! Yeah I bought a jacket from them, no because! It was from them, it's because it has the features I was looking for, and the tools I was looking for too. Also because I was curious. It was a very good investment to me! 🙂 But… Kardashians credit card.. hahahaha I died man, I also hate logan Paul so you know the answer. When you do your products right, and you are not into a lot! Of controversy, it can be very good

    Reply
  8. Essai Sai

    Thumbs down just for Ryan Reynolds’s face. Those Mint commercials. My god.

    Reply
  9. Ellen Gill

    When they sign up or purchase these influencer-owned products, consumers think they're doing business with the influencer. Then, the influencer sells pretty quickly after winning these customers, usually to some big corporate player in the particular industry. Seems fraudy-y to me.

    Reply
  10. itsaok _TV

    Prime signed with Barcelona top 3 biggest club in the world what you saying about that

    Reply
  11. ToastyTasty Pancakes

    Mint mobile was running on T-Mobiles network to begin with, so T-Mobile was getting our money anyways.

    Reply
  12. Hamilton Gilpin

    You've framed this like it isn't a viable strategy. The only issue for a brand is when the influencer leaves. The solution is to have an in-house influencer agency if your company is big enough. The same way football clubs train young talent and gain loyalty because of that. KOL led businesses massively outperform other businesses

    Reply
  13. KAZPA APZAK

    3:40 did you just compare a multi million dollar feature film to a YouTube video.

    Reply
  14. GameExplorer0115

    Mr. Beasts chocolate bars are really good though. Ordinarily I don't buy celebrity products.

    Reply
  15. Lucario _style

    Hey, @HowMoneyWorks. Seems like you left out the end there

    Reply
  16. John B

    Im more of the word of mouth kind of person. Most things i get i hear good things about from people in real life. And things that i cant do that with, a lot of reviews. Thats thanks to cyberpunk 2077.

    Reply
  17. Alex Price

    Kanye is a terrible example. Opinions on his reputation aside, he has continued to succeed in business. Adidas had all that merch because they removed the “yeezy” branding from their remaining inventory and people refused to buy it that way. They had to restructure the deal with him. His rep didn’t tank the sales, adidas’ underestimation tanked them.

    Reply
  18. Murdrad

    "oops. All cold open"

    Reply
  19. Duelist-21

    Influencer Influence on my is already dead, so I dont have a problem with them.

    Reply
  20. TurdFurgeson571

    I find it so funny that someone will unironically call themselves an "influencer" while knowing full well they are doing their very best to emulate another person's work.

    Reply
  21. Madicyn Marinaro

    Social media has a huge problem & I generally don’t see many talking about it. Obviously the key to social media is users. & unique ones at that. But at this point. So many users have been removed, shadowbanned, demoted, age restricted etc. bc there’s been a push the last few yrs on social media to basically gentrify it. But now the cookie cutter posters on social media all produce the same kind of content. Mainstream approved ad friendly content. Over & over again. It’s really destroyed authenticity on social media & also creativity. So it’s more interesting now to stay OFF social media. Which means these sponsorship friendly influencers have no1 to buy from them. Social media has become just an echo chamber of what it once was. & honestly it’s sad. But when u constantly attack smaller accts in favor of the more homogeneous easily marketable ones, this is what happens.

    Reply
  22. Leroy Hopkins

    Very informal!! Feeling good about listening to what's going on in the real world+ future!

    Reply

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