Becoming a Nano-Influencer: What You Need To Know

With the rise of social media, many people see friends endorsing products and receiving free gifts from companies, and they think they could do the same. However, becoming a nano-influencer isn't as simple as it might appear. Nano-influencers—those with social media followings of 10,000 or fewer—have become increasingly sought after by brands. This is due to their ability to connect with followers on a personal level, creating a sense of authenticity that larger influencers may struggle to achieve. Here’s what you need to consider if you’re interested in joining their ranks.

1. Build a Following

While nano-influencers don’t need millions of followers, you still need to have a solid base. Generally, this means having at least 1,000 followers on platforms like Instagram, though many successful nano-influencers have up to 10,000 followers. The more followers you have, the more attractive you will be to brands looking for potential partners. A higher follower count suggests that you have a reach that can make a difference, even if it’s within a smaller, more targeted community.

2. Engage Actively with Your Audience

Having followers is one thing, but engagement is what really sets successful nano-influencers apart. Brands are keen to see you interacting with your followers, whether that involves responding to comments, running polls, or answering questions. Engagement shows that your followers are genuinely interested in what you have to say, making your recommendations more influential.

According to the Evening Standard, the average engagement rate on Instagram is around 1.6%. This means that if you have 1,000 followers, you should ideally see about 1,600 likes and comments combined across your posts. High engagement is a strong indicator that your audience is actively interested in your content, making you a more valuable partner for brands.

3. Show a Desire to Grow

Nano-influencers are often appealing to brands because they are willing to collaborate in exchange for gifted items rather than cash payments. This is typically because they have a vested interest in growing their own follower base. By working with brands that might share their content or feature them on their social media, nano-influencers can boost their visibility and attract new followers. If you’re keen to enhance your online profile, make this ambition clear when reaching out to brands, as it shows your commitment to mutual growth.

4. Find Your Niche

If you think that becoming a nano-influencer could be for you, it’s important to create engaging, relatable content. The easiest way to do this is by focusing on a niche that you are passionate about and have knowledge in. A niche could be anything from cooking, sports, and fitness, to make-up, fashion, or gaming. Sharing tips, tricks, and the latest trends related to your interests will make your content more compelling to your audience.

It’s possible to focus on more than one interest, as long as they complement each other. For example, if you have an interest in beauty, you could combine content on hair care and nail products. This can help you attract a wider audience while still keeping your content consistent and focused.

5. Craft a Memorable Profile

Your social media bio is your first chance to make an impression, so make it count. Create an attention-grabbing bio that quickly tells people who you are and what you’re passionate about. It’s also an opportunity to convey your personality, making your profile more memorable to potential followers and brands alike.

Visually appealing photos are important, but don’t overlook the power of your captions. Captions allow you to build an emotional connection with your audience, giving them insights into your thoughts and experiences. Keep your captions authentic and avoid overused clichés, as authenticity is key in building trust with your followers.

6. Plan and Schedule Your Content

Consistency is crucial when building a presence as a nano-influencer. Posting regularly helps you stay on your followers’ radar, which is essential for maintaining engagement. If you struggle to post consistently, consider creating a content schedule to keep track of your posts in advance.

Additionally, using the right hashtags can help your posts reach a wider audience. To ensure your hashtags aren’t lost in a sea of competition, research popular but niche hashtags that align with your content. There are various analytics tools available to help you track hashtag performance and optimise your reach.

7. Reach Out to Brands

Once you’ve built a following and established a consistent content strategy, it’s time to connect with the brands you’d like to work with. Start by tagging relevant brands in your posts and showing genuine enthusiasm for their products. This can catch their attention and demonstrate your interest in potential collaborations.

When you’re ready, prepare a professional pitch to reach out to these brands. Highlight your engagement rates, your niche, and the mutual benefits of a collaboration. Make it clear why you’re excited to work with them and how you can add value to their marketing efforts.

Why Brands Love Nano-Influencers

Contrary to the belief that influencer marketing is all about celebrities with huge followings, many businesses now prefer to work with ‘ordinary’ people with more modest social media followings. As Forbes magazine explains, followers tend to interact more frequently with posts from someone they perceive as genuine and trustworthy, which is often the case with nano-influencers. These influencers offer a more authentic, down-to-earth approach, which resonates well with audiences.

Nano-influencers also offer higher engagement rates than their more famous counterparts. A study by Influencer Intelligence revealed that 69% of brands found that nano-influencers boosted consumer engagement. Their smaller, tight-knit audiences tend to value their recommendations more, as they view them as honest and reliable. This makes them a cost-effective option for brands looking to build word-of-mouth marketing in an authentic way.

The Importance of Authenticity and Trust

Ultimately, authenticity and trust are at the heart of successful nano-influencer campaigns. Brands want to work with individuals who can genuinely recommend their products, and followers are more likely to trust recommendations from someone they see as relatable and approachable. This is why nano-influencers, who prioritise honesty and genuine connections, are becoming a crucial part of many brands' marketing strategies.

Ready to Get Started?

If you think you have what it takes to become a nano-influencer or if you are a brand looking to tap into the power of student influencer marketing, get in touch with us today. We can help you navigate the world of nano-influencer marketing and connect with a network of thousands of student influencers, all ready to help you make a meaningful impact on social media.