Difference between influencer and content creator

Luka Brajković
Digital Reflections
5 min readJan 15, 2023

To answer the question of what is the difference between influencers and content creators, we need to start by talking about influencer marketing in general. Influencer marketing has become an increasingly popular way for brands to reach new audiences and promote their products or services.

It all started with the appearance of social media where people could follow one another based on their interests. Fast-forward to today, social media has become an indispensable part of our everyday life. On there, we share or read all kinds of information, ideas, and other content. Some popular examples of social media include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

It has come to the point where for every product or service that we plan or hesitate between using or not, we first have to check the reviews online.

Where do we check? Most of us write the name of the product in Google and then read the reviews.

But what about the product that we don’t even know exists or that we don’t know we need? Now comes influencer marketing. Now we have come to the importance of the difference between an influencer and a content creator.

Who is an influencer?

Influencers are individuals who have a significant following on social media, and the ability to influence the opinions and purchasing decisions of their followers. They may specialize in a particular niche such as fashion, beauty, lifestyle, or travel.

Because of their large following, influencers have built a strong relationship of trust with their followers, and their endorsements of products or services can be perceived as more credible and trustworthy than traditional advertising. The thing that certainly adds is that from the brand's perspective, traditional advertising is still the more expensive option.

It’s important to note that not all influencers are the same, and it’s important for a brand to research and choose the right influencer who aligns with their core values, and also has an engaged following that matches the brand’s target audience.

Here are some examples of influencers across different platforms and niches:

  • Kylie Jenner, who has a large following on Instagram and promotes various fashion and beauty brands
  • Tim Ferriss is an author, entrepreneur, and podcaster with a large following on Twitter and LinkedIn. He frequently shares his thoughts on productivity, self-improvement, and business strategies.
  • Gary Vaynerchuk, a Belarusian-American entrepreneur, internet personality, and author, known for his work in digital marketing and social media, has a large following on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. He shares his thoughts on business and marketing.
  • Huda Kattan, is a beauty influencer and makeup artist, with a large following on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. She promotes various beauty and makeup products and shares tips and tutorials.

Who is a content creator?

A content creator is an individual or a group who creates and produces original content for the internet such as videos, images, text, and audio, for various platforms, including websites, social media, and blogs. They can be bloggers, vloggers, podcasters, and more. In most cases, they have a smaller following than an influencer, but their content is often more in-depth and authentic.

Bloggers, for example, write articles and posts on a variety of topics, from personal anecdotes to expert advice. They often have a specific niche or area of expertise that they focus on. Vloggers create video content that is usually focused on a specific topic or theme. They may also have a niche or area of expertise, but their content is primarily visual.

Content creators play a vital role in the online world by producing and publishing content that informs, entertains, and engages the audience. Content creators come in many different forms and specialize in a variety of different types of content. But no matter what type of content creator they are, their ultimate goal is to connect with their audience and build a community and a relationship with them.

Here are a few examples of content creators across different platforms and niches:

  • Dude Perfect is a group of friends who create and share videos of trick shots and stunts on YouTube
  • Tasty, a food channel creates short recipe videos on Facebook and Instagram
  • PewDiePie is a YouTuber who creates and shares gaming videos, vlogs, and comedic commentary on current events and pop culture.
  • Casey Neistat, an American YouTuber and filmmaker, has a large following on YouTube and Instagram. He creates short films, and vlogs, and shares his thoughts on creativity and filmmaking.
  • Linus Tech Tips is a YouTube channel that provides technology-related content, including product reviews, demonstrations, and tutorials.

Additionally, content creators may have a more diverse income stream, monetizing their content through advertising, sponsored posts, merchandise sales, and other forms of income, while influencers mostly rely on brand collaborations and sponsorships.

Conclusion

Content creators and influencers are similar in that they both produce and share content online, and have a following of people who engage with their content.

But, the main difference is that content creators tend to produce and share a wide variety of content, while classic influencers typically focus on one specific area, such as fashion, beauty, or travel.

It’s also important to note that many people can be both an influencer and content creators. Many influencers create their content and share it with their followers, while many content creators may also have a significant following and influence over their audience.

In summary, an influencer is someone who has a large following and the ability to influence purchasing decisions, while a content creator is someone who produces original content and may or may not have a large following. Both can be effective marketing tools for businesses, but it’s important to understand the differences and use the right strategy for your brand.

Currently, as I am writing this article, I am a content creator. 😁

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