So, you want to become an Instagram influencer. Now what?

How many influencers does it take to change a light bulb?

Too many to follow! 

Well, bad joke aside, being an influencer is about more than just having a pretty smile and being charming. Influence is a very calculated business. 

Knowing the world of influencers can benefit your own social media presence, whether you want to get paid to collaborate or promote content and products.

Who is an influencer?

In 2019, as unlikely as it may seem, you can make a living by being charismatic, strategic, and lucky on social media (mostly Instagram). 

Influencers are people who post on social media using endorsements, product placements, and brand partnerships. IN Earlier this year, journalists reported that small, non-celebrity influencers can typically earn between $30,000 and $100,000 a year. 

While celebrity partnerships are not a new idea, the emergence of a "lifestyle" influencer is relatively new. These influencers are essentially their own business. They work to show their daily lives through photos and videos in a way that engages and captivates the viewer. 

Influencers are the digital second cousin of word of mouth. Influencers are effective because they are authentic and recognizable, which means they are trustworthy. They are real people living their ordinary or exceptional daily life and building the confidence and trust of the followers.

Followers are always there, chatting, commenting, liking photos and clips, and then modeling or learning the behaviors and habits of influencers. 

Some influencers have their own product line. Some offer promotional codes to new users for various goods and services. Other influencers show up at events (the 2019 Met Gala was attended by numerous YouTube personalities and influencers) and then post material about their experiences. 

Influence is about being personal and humanized, but with targeted marketing. If you skillfully market yourself with a personal brand and capitalize on your follower base, you are an influencer. 

Is it easy to become an influencer?

While it may seem like being an influencer is easy… the answer to that question? Definitely not. 

To be considered a "micro-influencer", you must have at least 3,000 followers. Most aspiring Instagram influencers fall into the category of "nano" or "micro" influencers. How much you have?

With over 95 million photos posted to Instagram on a daily basis are hard to stand out if you're trying to become an influencer. Many influencers have to try for years before they are picked up by sponsors and gain enough credibility to make any money. 

In response to thousands of people trying to make money from influencers and literally millions of photos and posts to be surpassed, marketing trends embrace influencer marketing. There are even companies that represent influencers, post profiles listing past sponsors, engagement stats, and prices per post.

If you want to become an influential artist, read on. More importantly, if you want to learn from influencers in order to have a more experienced social media presence, keep reading!  

Using Instagram for Purpose

Influencers are people who, well, influence. Forget it... influencers don't just have influence, they cultivate it. . 

What do you want to do with your social media presence? Clarify your social media and marketing goals. Use Instagram wisely. put some , then let Instagram work for you.

Choosing an account type

Let's start with the basics. 

What account do you have? Does your account type match the needs of your business? 

Some artists have art-only Instagram accounts and maintain a separate personal account (or don't have one!). Other artists mix personal and professional in their account. Some artists use a business account. 

There is no one right way to introduce yourself on Instagram. Each account type has its pros and cons, consider which one makes the most sense for you. 

And for God's sake, make your account public!

Choosing a Content Approach

The account where you post art-related content is considered a professional account. You present yourself as a professional artist. 

What are the pros of this type of account? Your content is easy to create. You know exactly what you are writing about (art, sales, events, your process). Your followers are also potential customers, you have a built-in niche audience of people who are interested in your work and in you.

An account with a combination of your art and personal content allows you to interact more closely with your followers. While an artist-only account is strictly professional, this type of mixed account can also benefit your business.

Remember influencers. They combine their daily lives with work, product placement and support. You can easily connect to your work with this type of account. However, make sure your posted content is cohesive. Remember that you are showing your work, not just your personal life.

If you decide to combine the personal and the professional, consider the various Instagram features that can help you mediate between your two "identities". If you're posting exclusively personal and possibly private content, filter out "close friends" when posting. . 

You can also get a personal account on a strictly business account. Post from time to time about what's important to you. Share the backstory of a part of your art career, or highlight something you care about that is also related to your art.

Using a business account

If you're not already using it, turn your Instagram account into a business account!

Using a business account allows you to view analytics, create ads, add a "contact button" and, if you get over 10,000 followers, create live links in stories to help you get more customers to your website or .

If you want to present yourself as an influencer or brand partner, a business profile will allow you to show your engagement data and prove that you are an "influencer".

With business account analytics, you can see your reach, how people found your account (by hashtags, from your profile, etc.), as well as the number of likes, shares, saves, and comments. 

Creating Your Bio and Why It Matters

Your bio on your Instagram account is like a business card, plus it should deliver powerful information quickly and be easy to read. 

This is a place where you can briefly introduce yourself, add a link to a website or contact, and provide insight into your brand and aesthetic. Instagram allows up to 150 characters for a bio. At best, it's a sentence of text. 

So, get down to business. Please include your name, what you do, your contact information, and your gallery/other association. Keep it simple, but make it fit for you. Don't be afraid to add an element of the personal to your bio, maybe add emoji - take a leaflet from influencers and remember that personality and human touch drive business and engagement. 

Influence in art

So we know there are plenty of influencers out there selling face moisturizer, drinking sponsored paleo, keto, or alkaline shakes. But what does influence look like in the art world?

There are several major players in the art scene who have managed to become popular, such as the MET curator. .

Of course, there are galleries with a lot of followers and even accounts of gallery enthusiasts like , which has amassed over 94 followers by visiting art exhibitions around the world and posting interviews with artists. 

What does a real artist and influential person look like? 

You will decide! You're an artist. You are the one thinking about how to add influencer marketing to your list. How would a partnership or collaboration best serve you? 

Artists of high profile often collaborate with brands to collaborate on various product lines and then post about their line and its umbrella company. is a visual artist who teams up with the Uniqlo brand to create pop art and cartoon inspired clothing. 

However, you don't need a clothing line to make an impact. 

Artist influencer marketing can be as small as partnering with local businesses, designing a line of labels or posters for a local brewery, or cross-promoting an art district open studio evening. 

Think about influencer marketing more broadly.

You can turn any commission into influencer marketing when you get a promotional deal with your employer and post to promote their business/product as well as yours.

Adopting an influence mentality

Use an influencer mentality and start small by promoting yourself, talking to potential backers, and continuing to promote yourself and your work.

Remember that your online success also depends on your offline efforts. with the people you want to join forces with. 

Think about the people you admire and want to work with. Follow them on Instagram. Grow online art lovers and let them know you love their work!

Do you want to work with a supplier or framer? Tag and mention them when you use their products. This could be any time you use art supplies or materials that you particularly like, you go to a new gallery, or you read an article on a blog you like (art supplies, galleries, or art blogs). 

Self-promotion and relationship building can be as easy an effort as making sure to tag every other artist in a group show in a story or publication. These artists (if they are smart) can repost or include your story in their story. 

Violetta! Influence!

You have just reached a new audience of people. An audience that already loves art and is likely to love yours. 

Looking for other ways to monetize your art on Instagram? .