Being a lifestyle influencer nowadays is an attractive career option. There are so many platforms including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest, that allow people to share what they're passionate about, to motivate people, and to ultimately create a brand around themselves.
But what exactly does it mean to be a lifestyle influencer, and how can you break into this competitive yet rewarding field?
This detailed guide will help show you how to become a lifestyle content creator, as well as the basics of defining your niche, creating a sustainable platform, and monetizing your influencer status.
Lifestyle content creator is effectively interchangeable with lifestyle influencer, though "content" emphasizes the content creation aspect. Lifestyle content creators create photos, videos, blog posts, or other media communications to document their experience, expertise, and so on, while building communities around their authentic self and unique perspectives. They frequently partner with brands to promote products or services that reflect their lifestyle.
Typical lifestyle topics include popular topics of fashion, beauty, travel, food, fitness, home decor, parenting, and wellness.
Let's look at the steps to help you understand how to become a lifestyle influencer.
The first step to being a lifestyle influencer is identifying what makes you different. Lifestyle influencing is very broad, but having a distinct angle or niche will help you differentiate yourself. Ask yourself:
What parts of my life are most different or interesting, or unusual?
What topics am I most passionate about (e.g. living sustainably, budget-friendly travel, minimalist fashion)?
What kinds of content do I like creating (e.g., videos, photos, written blogs)?
For example, you might focus your lifestyle on "eco-friendly living" or "urban adventure travel." Your niche should be something authentic to you but also connect as much as possible to your target audience.
Once you have determined your niche, create a personal brand that communicates who you are. This includes your tone, visual aesthetic, and values. Being consistent in all of your branding - including your bio, visual aesthetics, and content - will help your followers recognize and build trust in you.
Not all social media platforms make sense for all lifestyle content creators. Discover where your audience spends their time and invest your time there. Here's a quick overview:
Choose one or two platforms and build on them. You can add others as you grow. Make sure your profiles are optimized with a succinct bio, professional profile picture, and links to your website or other social profiles.
As a lifestyle influencer, content is the backbone that will fuel your success! In order to build a loyal following, you will need to consistently deliver engaging, high-quality content. Below are some tools and tips to leverage or consider in your content creation process:
Connect with your audience by replying to comments, including questions in captions and using different interactive elements, such as polls or Q&As.
Developing a following takes time, but there are ways to make this progress faster as a lifestyle content creator. Try the following tips:
Focus on building an engaged audience rather than just focusing on follower count. With quality connections, there are better opportunities.
After you've established a good audience on a platform (even a few thousand engaged followers), it’s time to monetize your platform. Here are ways lifestyle influencers monetise their platforms:
It is essential to be upfront about your rates, and only work with brands that adhere to your values.
The influencer space is always changing, so it's important to stay flexible. Understand what's happening with platform algorithms, changes to features, and new trends. Experiment with new formats of content, like live streaming or short-form video, to keep things fresh for your viewers.
Just as important, is maintaining authenticity. You can't be an effective lifestyle influencer without bringing your real self, it is by far your most compelling asset. Stay away from promoting stuff you don’t believe in, and don’t betray your values for monetary gain. Your audience will appreciate your honesty and loyalty.
Becoming a lifestyle influencer or lifestyle content creator can be an exciting journey that requires creativity, perseverance, and authenticity. By defining your niche, creating quality content, growing your audience, and monetizing wisely, you can convert your love for it into a successful career. Start out small, especially in the beginning, and don't be afraid to try different styles/purposes. Eventually, with enough dedication, you'll be able to inspire others or create a following based around your different lifestyle.
Ready to kickstart your influencer journey? Virtual Marketer Max helps you maximize your ROI, boosting your follower count, user engagement, and traffic. Schedule a call with us now!