Have you ever wondered how some people on Instagram and TikTok seem to get free stuff from brands all the time? Well, odds are they are micro influencers. A micro influencer is someone who has a highly engaged, niche audience on social media.
If you can grow your own tribe in a specific area of interest, you can become a micro influencer and start making money through brand partnerships and affiliate programs.
Who is Considered a Micro Influencer?
A micro influencer is generally defined as someone who has anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 engaged followers on social media.
Engagement is key here - it's not just about follower count. These types of social influencers have cultivated trust and connection with their audience around shared interests. This makes their fans more likely to listen when they recommend a product.
Many micro influencers are everyday people and experts within their niche like fitness, food, travel, photography, parenting, and more. They are approachable and authentic, which helps attract an engaged community. While they may not have as many followers as celebrities, micro influencers' high engagement makes them appealing for brands looking for genuine endorsements.
What Influencer Niches are Trending?
Some of the most popular and lucrative influencer niches right now include:
- Fashion and Beauty - Clothing, makeup, skincare, hair care, and style are always wildly popular on Instagram especially. Brands in this space often have some of the highest affiliate commission rates.
- Health and Wellness - This includes fitness, healthy eating, yoga and meditation, mental health, and more. Sponsorships often include supplements, equipment, apparel, or services.
- Travel - Everyone loves escapism and wanderlust. Travel influencers can earn commissions from hotels, experiences, tourism boards, and more by creating tempting content.
- Food and Drink - We all have to eat! Restaurants, meal services, kitchenware, and beverage brands partner with foodie influencers.
- Photography and Cameras - Aspiring photographers follow influencers for tips, inspiration, and gear reviews that often lead to equipment purchases.
- Parenting - Brands making products for babies, kids, and families are eager to access this attentive and expansive audience through mom bloggers and family influencers.
No matter your unique interests and talents, there is likely a niche audience eagerly awaiting your content as a micro influencer!
How Do Influencers Get Paid?
There are a few main ways micro influencers monetize their audience and make money:
- Sponsored Content - Brands will pay influencers to create social media posts featuring their products. The influencer receives a flat rate or sometimes free products in exchange for the promotion. Rates vary greatly but often range $50-$500 per post when starting out.
- Affiliate Marketing - Micro influencers share special links or codes with their audience to allow them to purchase products at a discount. If followers buy after clicking the influencer's link, the influencer will receive a commission. Sales commission rates depend on the brand but are commonly 10-30%.
- Brand Ambassador Jobs - Some brands formalize long-term partnerships with micro influencers by naming them an official ambassador. This usually includes special discounts, free products, advance access to launches, and consistent paid promotion.
- Merchandising Jobs - Once an influencer gains more notoriety, they can earn by creating and selling custom apparel, accessories, or products showcasing their personal brand.
How to Get Brand Partnership Opportunities as a Micro Influencer
If you want to earn money leveraging your influence, here are some tips for scoring your first (or next) brand deal:
- Find a Niche - As mentioned above, identify an area of interest you can uniquely contribute to like cooking, books, gaming, cars, etc. Stay consistent with high-quality niche content.
- Get to Know Your Audience - Interact authentically with others in your niche by commenting on their posts, engaging followers, joining online communities, and networking with those who share your passions. This will help you grow your audience.
- Flaunt Your Metrics - Once you organically gain 1,000+ engaged followers, start tracking key metrics around likes, comments, shares, etc and highlight them in an influencer media kit. Proof of your influence will attract brands.
- Be Professional - Have a website, media kit, content calendar, clear rates, and branding materials ready when brands come calling. Promptness and great communication are key.
- Partner with Kubyo - Kubyo is a cash app where you can earn money by simply scrolling through products and brands, selecting and sharing the items you love over social, email, etc. and then earning commissions from each sale or lead you receive through your shared link.
The more you share from Kubyo, the more opportunities you have to earn money. Micro influencers can easily monetize their channels through this high commission affiliate program
Conclusion
Becoming a micro influencer is very attainable for everyday people passionate about a topic who put care into creating content consistently. If that sounds like you, it's possible to get paid by brands in exchange for your audience and promotion. Sign up for Kubyo to start making extra money from home!