Influencer Insights: 5 Lessons I Learned From the Social Media Elite
The gritty real-life lessons amidst the glossy pictures
Social media has transformed the way we interact with the world and ourselves. In recent years, social media influencers have amassed millions of followers, shaping the cultural zeitgeist and influencing our behavior in ways we may not even realize. While some may dismiss influencer culture as vapid and shallow, there are valuable lessons to be learned from these digital stars.
I, like many people my age, spend hours on Instagram, scrolling through Reels. It’s addictive. There are a few influencers I follow:
- The content creators I genuinely enjoy — mostly comedians
- The influencers I hate follow
- The influencers who constantly shock me with their audacity
But in the many many many hours that I have spent on social media, I’ve learned 5 lessons from influencers:
1. Embrace Cringe Culture
There’s a vast amount of content that I find cringe-worthy. But while I’m worrying about the cringe levels an influencer might be facing, they’re busy creating even more content.
Do what you love and enjoy regardless of how cringe-y it may be.
I used to be so embarrassed about my writing. No one read anything I ever wrote. Now, I’m embracing the cringe and publishing on Medium. The only way to improve is by doing it. Maybe I’ll feel the cringe for a bit but it’s ok to be a little cringe-worthy and vulnerable.
2. Be the Main Character
There’s a subreddit called r/imthemaincharacter that I used to follow. Every day dozens of videos would be posted of influencers out in the wild, shooting videos in public places, often disturbing those around them. That’s not what I mean by “be the main character.”
The lesson I learned is that social media influencers understand the importance of creating a personal brand and taking control of their narrative.
By being confident in our unique stories and identities, we can forge a path that aligns with our values and aspirations. We are the protagonists of our own lives, and we should never shy away from owning that fact. Just don’t be a ****.
3. Take More Photos
This one is personal.
I went through a five-year stage during my teens, where I hated having my photo taken. As a result, there are hardly any pictures of me from that era. The younger me would be grateful for that; but the older me is upset. Thousands of memories that I didn’t allow myself to be captured in. I wish I could tell myself “ten years from now when you see these pictures, you won’t care about your weight, you’ll see yourself grinning with your friends — who are now spread across the world.”
Influencers take hundreds if not thousands of photos.
By documenting our lives through photography, we can create a visual diary of memories and experiences that we can look back on with fondness. So take more photos! But also be present in the moment.
4. Network, Network, Network
You ever see the most random influencer collabs or parties and wonder ?????
Hint: it’s networking.
Social media influencers are experts at networking and creating valuable connections. By collaborating with other influencers, attending events, and engaging with their followers, they have built empires and opened doors to new opportunities. In the corporate world, we must cultivate meaningful relationships and learn how to network effectively both online and offline. Following the lesson of network, network, network, is how I landed my new job.
5. Don’t Fall Into the Trap of Hustle Culture
The pressure to be constantly productive and successful can lead to burnout and anxiety, but social media influencers have taken it to another level.
The rise of hustle culture promotes the idea that our worth is determined by our productivity and ability to constantly churn out content.
However, this toxic mindset can lead to a loss of passion and creativity. It’s important to prioritize our well-being and remember that our personal lives and hobbies should not solely be seen as a means for profit.
Social media has many negatives and some positives. It’s almost impossible to not get caught up — it’s designed to capture your attention. I won’t comment on influencer culture or specific influencers, but I think observing the average behavior has helped me capture some takeaways. Let’s embrace our quirks, take control of our own stories, capture our memories, network with others, and remember to put our well-being first.
