In most circumstances, the phrase “under the influence” typically refers to drugs or alcohol but it could also be due to greed/power or even love/attraction. But what of the influence of influence?
“How do you weigh an influencer?
In Instagrams”
Influence is the clout one has to sway others to their opinion or act as they suggest. Whether it be good or bad, the effect of influence is commonly measured by the reaction achieved. Imagine the potential of being able to affect the nature, behavior, and actions of others solely based on your example or suggestion.
Such is the basis of influencer marketing. Through social media, and even blogs, there’s seemingly no end to the endorsements and product placement from individuals and organizations who they think you’ll love as much as they do. It’s often difficult to distinguish which influencers are true experts and those who simply make claims to be. Influencer marketing depends heavily on entertainment (hence the recent dustup at IG on its push for reels) and not so much on factual information.
“How many influencers does it take to change a lightbulb?
One, but it will take 300 videos, over 10 hours and they will stop to comment at every eighth of a turn.”
Did you know that you yourself cannot claim to be an influencer? It’s a title that’s bestowed upon you by someone who values your ideas and/or content and then refers to you as an influencer to another. The fact that you have a following doesn’t necessarily mean that you have influence. Also, the size of your following isn’t nearly as important as your ability to affect change.
You may have noticed more recently that the term “influencer” has fallen out of favor and many now refer to themselves as “content creators”. Even so, the desired outcome is the same; to cause an action in another that in turn will reward themself. Some will argue that the intent for true content creators is the art while an influencer is more focused on engagement and community-building. Either way, it’s the quality of those relationships that are the true measure.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a mega, a macro, a micro (that’d be me), or a nano, influencers can come in all sizes and shapes (see What Is An Influencer? for more on those definitions). Due to their relatively low cost and ease of use, social media platforms make up the bulk of the influencer marketing that you’ll typically come across. However, that doesn’t mean that blogs don’t also have their place and purpose in this sphere.
The influence of influence appears to have caused some changes to several of the blogs I follow. Subtle that they may be, there appears to be a shift happening. Long-time link-up hosts have decided to stop hosting. Some have provided advanced notice and explanation while the reasoning for others remains a mystery. A reduction in sharing personal experiences and more targeted content on a narrower niche. I fully understand that for some their blog represents a potential or actual income and that “time is money”. It makes sense that since hosting a link-up or writing unsponsored content isn’t the best and most profitable use of their time, they would cut back on or eliminate those.
“Three Instagram influencers walked into a bar …
… I know this because I just saw their Instastory.”
Let’s Wrap This Up
Now, onto the Fine-Whatever link-up. My featured blogger from the last link-up (which was two weeks ago) is Kathrine who shares her experiences as a flutist, as a stylist, and as a woman of faith on her eponymous blog Kathrine Eldridge. Her post about the weekend gathering she had with four other bloggers recently enjoyed brought back fond memories of the meet-ups that I attended in the past. Kathrine is second from the left in the photo below. The other gals from left to right are Laura, Andrea, Jill, and Caroline.
What’s your opinion about the nature of influencing and social media? Have you also seen a shift in the content on the blogs you follow? While change is certainly inevitable and a person’s interests will change over time, is it wrong to resist those influences?
Stay well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Note: This is an unsponsored post; however, some or all of the links to clothing items are associated with an affiliate program where I earned a few cents for each click.
Photo credit: MMPerez
36 Comments
I am well aware that I missed the heyday of blogging, that the warm community and depth of comments are harder to find. And whenever I hear predictions about the demise of blogging, it makes me sad.
Blogging has changed and not necessarily for the better from a reader’s perspective. As for the predictions about its eventual demise, I don’t think that will happen. There’ll always be a place for the old school blogs.
Things are changing so quickly! I think you’re right about influencers and who they’re influencing (and it’s usually brands and companies that will truly determine that through sales..). I find it really sad when you’re just pumping out content for the sake of making a buck (I mean there’s nothing wrong with making a buck! especially if that’s your bread and butter!)…but if you care about your audience and community, authenticity is key…and that’s where I find that it’s a fine line that too many are crossing. I personally love, love the blogging world- I don’t ever want it to go away. I do use Instagram, because I also love that different creative aspect of it- and it’s super good for styling and the visual. But there’s change there too that I’m not always up for (and yet I’m starting to do it more and more)- reels! Great post, I can go on forever!!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights on the influencer state of affairs. I agree with you completely. And I also know how easy is to get swayed away from my original intent. I am currently putting more time an energy back into my blog and getting back to my roots before 2020 when life became much narrower.
Rosemary
http://www.distinctlysouthetnstyle.com
I realize that change is inevitable but couldn’t it happen more slowly? Just when you get used to doing things one way, it’s something new and different a moment later. And then we get criticized for not embracing the change!
This is a really important post, Rena. I have followed many bloggers, you included, for years. But, I didn’t subscribe nor did I comment (except for Debbie…Fashion Fairy Dust now Your Styled Story). I didn’t realize how important those subscribers and comments were to a blogger. And, when I say important, what I mean is how important it is to connect with the person. I started blogging in part because I was working with Debbie and in part because I felt I was growing stagnant in my life. I try to write blog posts that are engaging and maybe even a little entertaining. I will confess I fell into the trap of trying to make money from my blog. While it would be wonderful to make oodles of money (or even enough to cover the cost of having the blog), it’s much better to be connecting with people. Thanks for a really thought provoking post, Rena!
http://marshainthemiddle.com/
I’m so glad that you’ve made yourself known and even started your own blog. While traffic stats may attract collaboration opportunities, it’s the comments and likes that give me the most joy. They are the ultimate reward and indication of how well I’m connecting with others.
It’s a crying shame, people seek out blog content for the personal experiences, and the fact the content is researched and factual. A post can have a much more significant impact over time, with search, than a Reels post where an influencer promotes something he/she would never buy. Brands could look at blogs’ engagement rates, domain authority….they would form a different view. I still enjoy blogging and IG Reels hold no attraction for me. I don’t mind if that means no collaborations because I only do them occasionally and not for money. Great post Rena.
Thank you for the upvote on this post, Gail. I so agree with you about IG reels. I much prefer static photos and text slides which are usually better produced anyway.
I’d love to be able to earn some money blogging (heck…I’ve been trying for years lol!), but it doesn’t seem to be happening for me. Perhaps it’s because I’m not willing to change so much? I rather like my personal blogging style as it is. I am planning on adding more subjects at the moment so perhaps that might help. But I’ve never really considered myself an influencer.
Great post, Rena!
Hugs
Suzy xx
I hear you on being able to earn some money blogging, Suzy. But I’m not willing to promote products that I don’t particularly like in order to do so. Or have advertisements taking up a majority of the screen.
Let’s hope everything hasn’t changed because yes I look for experience and content in a website. I started my site following retirement because I wanted to keep keep myself occupied, and sharing my own knowledge made sense. I didn’t know if there would be interest and never thought to do research. I honestly didn’t know what a blogger was and have never considered myself one as all my posts together make up the whole! I like the personal touch and welcome contact from my readers. BUT marketing has changed over the years and although I don’t really understand it ‘influencing’ involves BIG BUCKS! But many marketing companies are quite laughable – I turn down styling opportunities, modelling work in New York, and only last week 6 mens watches if only I would write about them. Little do they realize that I’m a 74 year old grandmother based in the UK.
Pamela
http://www.style-yourself-confident.com
Most, if not all, of the collaboration offers I get are laughable if not downright scams. What I appreciate most in the blogs I read is authenticity and connectiong. I’m as interested in the blogger themselves as the content they write about.
This is a fun duster and I really like the print mix in your outfit! 🙂
My blog is just a hobby so I certainly don’t do all the “influencer” things to try make it bigger and better – I just like getting inspired by other personal style bloggers and honestly, being nosey and seeing what people are wearing, haha! I take after my grandad, I could sit and people watch all day, and bloggers let me do that and admire their outfits from everywhere in the world! I definitely do see more poeple trying to make a living from it – and all power to them! I’ve unsubscribed from a lot of PR lists I joined when I was just starting blogging but every now and then if I get an opportunity through that would be good for another blogger I forward it on to them instead! I just don’t have the time for the sponsored posts I did in the past.
Hope you are having a great day 🙂
Mica, it does feel a bit like being a voyeur when reading a blog, doesn’t it? Like, tell me more of the juicy details. LOL
Thank you so much for the feature my friend! I never thought that influencer is a name that is bestowed on you but that makes a lot of sense. I see what you are seeing with things changing with blogs but I’m focused on sharing what I love whether people like it or not. I am so sick of the craziness of Instagram so I might let that go in the near future but I won’t stop my blog. It’s therapy for me. Lol! Thanks for the link up and I adore your breezy chic look too!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
You are most welcome, Kathrine. I’m glad that you’ve started to participate in my link-up. And I agree with you about IG; it is crazy over there and my participation has drooped off a lot in the last few months. There was a time when I would get new blog readers from IG but not so much anymore.
This is such a great post. I play the Instagram game but enjoy blogging more. It makes my day everytime I make a connection!
Jill – Doused in Pink
I’m so glad that you and I have made that kind of connection, Jill.
I’ve never understood or been attracted to the idea of being an influencer. I’m definitely not a social media person. Although I’ve started trying to monetize my blogging efforts, I’m more interested in sharing pertinent ideas and conversations with other women in my Baby Boomer peer group. (And, I’m finding that younger women are interested in some of the same topics). Thanks for hosting the link-up
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
Like you, my motivations for blogging have little to do with being an influencer who encourages you to buy something. I’d rather provide inspiration and make connections.
I love people who inspire me more than influence me which is why there are several bloggers that I enjoy following more than others. I think one of the reasons I haven’t worked on making money from my blog and Instagram is that I do not want to be always trying to sell things. I’d rather be there to inspire people to be creative with their wardrobe, share my love of nature and the outdoors. Not to say I don’t get influenced every once and a while: I finally bought a lulemon belt bag and love it after seeing it shared over and over! But my love is for hearing people’s stories, making connections and getting inspiration.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
I couldn’t agree more with you, Mireille. And I’m so glad that you and I have made that kind of connection.
I think social media is a great way to reach an audience that has the same interests in what your all about. But there is a select few that become somewhat more interested, in keeping up with what everyone else does and not stay true or original. I think it depends on your format and focus. This was a great read and I really loved seeing your outfit.
https://www.bauchlefashion.com/2022/08/5-things-you-need-to-know-about.html?m=1
Thank you, Heather. I’m glad that you like this post.
Love that you featured Kathrine! She is a truly wonderful woman and fabulous blogger! I still hate saying I’m an influencer or content creator. I will always prefer my blog over social media!
Laura, you seem to have so much fun with your blog. And I never refer to myself as an influencer or content creator. Just simply a blogger.
Hello, again — Just popping by to say:
Thank you for participating in Talent-Sharing Tuesdays Link-Up 32.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
Oh Rena, what a fabulous post and brilliant outfit! I really enjoyed reading this and all of the little influencer quips made me chuckle. I am much more about sharing my experiences and my creativity than I am about influencing anyone. If I do have that impact on someone, as long as it’s positive for them, then great. Otherwise, I do no seek to influence. But I do love this community we have formed and I generate enough income from my blog to pay for itself. No more than that comes my way and I am okay with that!
Shelbee
Thank you, Shelbee. I’m glad that you like this post. I also much prefer to inspire rather than influence and impact people in a positive way.
I’ve been sad to see the shift in some of the blogs I follow from truly interesting content to what I now refer to as “shopping blogs”. I’ve stopped following some of them and each time that happens I feel like I’ve lost a friend.
Elaine, I hear you on this. I want a face, real life, and style inspirations; not just endless lists of items to buy from a mega online retailer.
There is going to be a difference whether you are blogging / instagramming, etc in hopes of an income vs mere self expression or belonging to a community. I, myself, tend not to follow blogs or other social media of those whose primary purpose is to create an income. I mean more power to them, but I am more interested in a sense of community, which means getting to know people; not just their purchase recommendations.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
I am not an influencer and don’t want to be. I mainly do social media and blogging for myself and the joy of it.
Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
Love your outfit, Rena. Kimonos are the perfect piece to help the transition from summer to fall. I don’t call myself an influencer. I am a writer first and foremost and that is the reason I started my blog, but I think the community of fashion and lifestyle bloggers is a great way to learn things and see what other people are up to. It’s fun and it sure beats reading too much news. Ha, ha. My following is tiny, but that’s okay. My main goal is to encourage, whether that be through my faith or through my fashion posts. I don’t make money with my blog and look at it as more of a ministry of sorts. It takes all kinds. – Amy
https://stylingrannymama.com/
I’m very mindful of the terrible impact fast fashion has on the environment so really don’t want to be contributing to that. I’d rather be part of a creative community of bloggers/Instagrammers who support each other. Of course, it’s nice to have gifted and paid collaborations, but as it isn’t my main source of income I can be selective about what I accept.
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com