Sure, we’d all like to live the life of an Instagram model. Who wouldn’t want to have every meal and drink comped, have brands send you cool makeup and clothing for free, and spend your life on a constantly rotating vacation? It sounds like a dream come true, right? Well, like most things in life, making it big as an influencer isn’t easy, and when you do, things may not be all fun and games. There’s a certain kind of person who can hack it, and who can keep going no matter what garbage they find in their comment sections.
So, do you have what it takes to become an Influencer? Answer these four questions to find out:
1 – Can you let things go?
Look, putting yourself out into the public sphere for total scrutiny by any old person with a smartphone is not exactly easy. One of the first things you need to determine if you want to pursue that Influencer life is if you can deal with the constant, unrelenting, and usually bizarre criticism you’re going to receive. Are you the person who dwells on a negative remark or the sort who just shrugs it off? If insults roll off you like water off a duck’s back, then maybe you’re a good fit for this game.
So, can you let things go? If your answer is “YES!” then move on to…
2 – Are you a private person?
Do you kiss and tell? Are you embarrassed if people notice you’re wheezing after three minutes on the treadmill? Are you ashamed to eat dessert in front of a date? Are you still embarrassed about the time your fly was undone for a whole geometry class in high school? Not everyone can let it all hang out in front of the entire world. And there’s nothing wrong with that! There’s nothing wrong with being a person who hides nothing, and there’s also nothing wrong with being a person who likes to keep their private life private.
So, are you a private person? If your answer is “NO!” then you’re still in the running to be an Influencer, so let’s get to …
3 – Is your life interesting?
Look, you might think that you need to be the child of a movie star to have an interesting life, but that’s not the case! Just coming from an interesting background or community, or having unique or different life experiences, or interests, can make your life an interesting one that people would like to see more of. Are you really into cosplay? Do you live in a trendy big city with lots going on? Do you live in a small town that would seem strange to most people? Do you live with a disability people may not understand well? Are you from a religious minority you think people would be interested in learning more about? Are your parents both doctors who constantly monitor your health? Are your parents Alaskan crab fishers? There’s no one single thing that makes your life interesting, but you do need to know what’s going to make yours different and intriguing to an audience.
So, is your life interesting? If your answer is a resounding “YES!” then move on to…
4 – Can you market yourself?
Not everyone can talk themselves up and push themselves to the front of the line. But it’s kind of an important element of being a professional Influencer. When someone asks who’s the life of the party, do you immediately answer, “I’m your girl”? Can you talk your way past a bouncer when there’s a long line to get into a club? Does it bother you to talk about why you’re the best/greatest/most?
Just be honest, can you market yourself? If your answer is “YES!” then CONGRATS! You might just have what it takes to be an Influencer.
