SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS (READING)

SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS (READING)

By MOHAMED RIZAL

​Reading text: Social media influencers

It is estimated that about 40 percent of the world’s population use social media, and many of these billions of social media users look up to influencers to help them decide what to buy and what trends to follow.

So what is an influencer and how do we become one? An influencer is a person who can influence the decisions of their followers because of their relationship with their audience and their knowledge and expertise in a particular area, e.g. fashion, travel or technology. Influencers often have a large following of people who pay close attention to their views. They have the power to persuade people to buy things, and influencers are now seen by many companies as a direct way to customers’ hearts. Brands are now asking powerful influencers to market their products. With some influencers charging up to $25,000 for one social media post, it is no surprise that more and more people are keen to become influencers too. If you are one of them, then here are five tips on how to do it.

​1. Choose your niche What is the area that you know most about? What do you feel most excited talking about? Find the specific area that you’re most interested in and develop it.

​2. Choose your medium and write an interesting bio

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Most influencers these days are bloggers and micro-bloggers. Decide which medium – such as your own online blog, Instagram or Snapchat – is the best way to connect with your followers and chat about your niche area. When you have done that, write an attentiongrabbing bio that describes you and your speciality area in an interesting and unique way. Make sure that people who read your bio will want to follow you.

​3. Post regularly and consistently

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Many influencers post daily on their social media accounts. The more you post, the more likely people will follow you. Also, ensure that your posts are consistent and possibly follow a theme.

​4. Tell an interesting story

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Whether it is a photo or a comment that you are posting, use it to tell a story that will catch the attention of your followers and help them connect with you.

​5. Make sure people can easily find your content

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Publicise your posts on a variety of social media, use hashtags and catchy titles and make sure that they can be easily found. There is no point writing the most exciting blogposts or posting the most attractive photographs if no one is going to see them. Most importantly, if you want to become a social media influencer, you need to have patience. Keep posting and your following will gradually increase. Good luck!

​Choose the definitions with the correct vocabulary.

Multiple Choice

... expertise

• expert knowledge or skill in an area

• to ask someone to pay

• a specialised area

Multiple Choice

... a trend

• the people who watch or follow a public event, e.g. a film or concert

• a short introduction of a person (short for ‘biography’)

• something that is popular right now

Multiple Choice

... an audience

• attractive and easily remembered

• the people who watch or follow a public event, e.g. a film or concert

• doing something in the same way over time

Multiple Choice

... consistent

• doing something in the same way over time

• . something that is popular right now

• attractive and easily remembered

Multiple Choice

... catchy

• attractive and easily remembered

• the people who watch or follow a public event, e.g. a film or concert

• a specialised area

Multiple Choice

... to charge

• expert knowledge or skill in an area

• attractive and easily remembered

• to ask someone to pay

Multiple Choice

... a bio

• doing something in the same way over time

• a short introduction of a person (short for ‘biography’)

• to ask someone to pay

Multiple Choice

... a niche

• a specialised area

• the people who watch or follow a public event, e.g. a film or concert

• expert knowledge or skill in an area

​Choose the best answer

Multiple Choice

A social media influencer is not someone who …

• guides the decisions of their followers.

• is an expert in a particular area.

• pays their followers to buy products.

Multiple Choice

Companies want to use influencers to help …

• sell their products to their followers.

• develop new products.

• write their blogposts.

Multiple Choice

If you want to be an influencer, your bio on your social media account shouldn’t …

• say who you are.

• be the same as other people’s bios.

• talk about your niche area.

Multiple Choice

You should make sure that you post …

• once a month.

• every day for the first month and then once a month after that.

• about similar subjects.

Multiple Choice

You can make sure that people find your post by …

• using hashtags.

• using funny or memorable titles.

• using different social media to link to your post.

• doing all of the answers.

Multiple Choice

What should the title of this blogpost be?

• Five ways to influence people

• Five ways to use influencers in marketing

• Five tips on becoming a social media influencer

​Are the sentences true or false?

Multiple Choice

An influencer needs to know about as many topics as possible, e.g. fashion, travel, technology, etc.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

Companies are paying some influencers up to $25,000 to post about their products.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

Most influencers write regular posts on their blogs or micro-blogs.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

You can chat with your followers using your bio.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

Your posts should not only be attractive but should tell a story.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Poll

You can become a social media influencer in a short time.

• TRUE

• FALSE