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Do You Have Social Media Influencer DNA?

Social Media Influencer DNA

Social media influencers are some of the most popular people today. They capture the attention of big brands, have many followers, and play big roles in social media. Some are sought out by brands and given freebies in order to market for them.

But becoming social media royalty isn’t easy. You have to work hard to get to the top. If you want to become an influencer in social media, you must know what separates top influencers from their peers and how they constantly improve themselves.

Characteristics of a Social Media Influencer

Knowledgeable

Influencers are authorities in their fields – the go-to sources for valuable information. They have specialized skills and knowledge based on experience and research. They continuously provide valuable, high-quality information on particular topics and their opinions matter and hold a lot of weight.

Influencers don’t just retweet things other people say, they share original thoughts and inventive ideas. They are trusted sources of information and can determine trends depending on what they say or do.

Great Communicator

If there is one thing social media influencers know how to do, it is to communicate effectively. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t have the huge followings they do. They interact with their audiences through different mediums and use social media to enlarge their social circles. They have a natural tendency to socialize which helps draw people.

Unlike others, they don’t focus on their own agendas or communicate without considering the people on the other end. They comprehend that people won’t listen unless they connect emotionally and intellectually. Therefore, they make their listeners know they are valued.

Helpful

Successful influencers don’t just have many followers, they help their followers. They have a passion for what they do and offer assistance whenever they can. They provide real value to their communities and give solutions in a way that builds trust.

Influencers solve problems and provide useful information enthusiastically, keeping their followers coming back for more. Some retweet their followers’ tweets regularly to show they are interested in what others have to say. Influencers love to help and to see others succeed. They constantly share tips, services, and products which facilitate success.

Trustworthy

Trust is the biggest trait of a social media influencer. It is the most crucial feature of a great influencer. Influencers who are esteemed by their audiences gain their trust by being honest, open, and transparent. They understand that the only way to earn the loyalty of their followers is by being open with them. When they promote products, they give their honest opinions and do not falsely promote them.

Present on Many Relevant Social Media Channels

Great influencers are ubiquitous. They are active on all relevant social networks and have customized profiles with easily recognizable logos. They know that they can’t influence people if they are not active on social media. They post and tweet regularly and engage in activities to let their followers know that they are not going anywhere anytime soon.

How to Measure and Improve Your Social Media Influence

Social media influence matters. It can help you to improve your brand’s visibility, develop better engagement with your audience, and enhance the reach of your social messaging. To measure and improve your influence, do the following:

Use the Right Analytics Tools

No doubt about it, there are numerous analytics tools. Some can tell you how a keyword you used in a post resonated with communities while others can show you how your blog ranks worldwide. While these tools are important for marketers, web analysts, and communication experts, you only need to focus on two so as to measure your social media influence: Klout and Kred.

Klout determines your influence on social media and positions you between 1 and 100. Kred measures how much you connect with others and if people will act on your posts.

Be a Thought Leader

Influencers are not afraid to have a different point of view. If you are knowledgeable about a topic, show thought leadership. Inspire people with inventive ideas and transform concepts into reality. Post many updates and tweets about your field of expertise.

However, focus on one topic and don’t spread yourself thin. Give your followers recommendations and freely share valuable information. Become a dependable resource for your audience. You can quickly become an authority by teaching, informing, and giving free tips to your followers. This is a great way to grow customer loyalty.

Forge Relationships with Top Influencers

Many influencers to-be don’t know the top influencers in their fields or niches. If you want to succeed, you must know the top influencers. After you find out who they are, build relationships with them. This will help you to start off on the right foot. Great influencers have established audiences you can tap into if you connect with them. This doesn’t mean you use authorities to grow your audience and drop them once you’re done. Create meaningful relationships that will benefit each of you.

Form an Emotional Connection with Your Audience

One thing you must never underestimate is the power of emotions. If you want to captivate and influence people, you must connect with them emotionally. Make them smile, laugh, think, or even shed a tear.

Human beings love to relate and this is why you must strike an emotional chord. The next time you write a post or a tweet, make a joke or share a personal experience your audience can relate to. In addition, use great conversation starters to keep followers glued.

Stay Updated

Influencers know everything there is to know about their fields. To become one, read industry blogs and subscribe to them.

You will get helpful advice, valuable insight, and different viewpoints. As well, read news, expert opinions, press releases, and relevant posts written by thought leaders in your field. When you know the current happenings, you can keep your audience in the know. Use various tools to create alerts related to your niche.

If you wish to become a social media influencer, adopt the traits of an influencer and do all you can to improve your online presence. Develop your skills and leverage social media and you’ll soon get to the top.

AlexisKestler

Written by Alexis Kestler

A female web designer and programmer - Now is a 36-year IT professional with over 15 years of experience living in NorCal. I enjoy keeping my feet wet in the world of technology through reading, working, and researching topics that pique my interest.