Five things nobody tells you about being an influencer.

So, you want to be an influencer. You’ve heard that these people with hundreds of thousands (or even millions) of followers are living a life of glamor, fame, and success. Behind the scenes, however, the reality of being an influencer is much different. There are truths and unique challenges not frequently discussed in public settings, and as first-hand observers of the influencer lifestyle (given our work with them), we’re in a position to share with you five things nobody tells you about being an influencer.

Before we continue, it’s important to note that not every influencer is living a “fake” life. That’s patently untrue, and frankly unfair to suggest. But it should be said that being an influencer is really a job like any other. There are up days, and there are down days. And just like most people who work for a living, sometimes we smile when we’re at work when we really don’t feel like it.

Moreover, each of us deal with our own “truths” about working in a professional setting. Someone, say, in finance may absolutely hate their job, but they do it because the financial reward is worth it. A doctor working in a trauma center may see horible things day-in and day-out, but they continue their job because they love to help people.

One more note: the notion that influencers are really just lazy people who take glamor shots at popular landmarks and photograph their food is overblown. Yes, those types of ‘influencers’ (we’re hesitant to even call them that) exist. But the majority of influencers are people who are creating very real pieces of content for us to consume and enjoy. Perhaps it’s teaching us a language, or how to put together a recipe for a Beef Wellington. The word “influencer” has taken on a negative connotation that has become almost unbearable for us, but we won’t stop our mission in defining what an influencer actually is — a person we look up to and trust.

With that out of the way, let’s talk about what keeps influencers up at night that is rarely discussed.

The pressure to maintain a perfect image is immense

Most influencers have at least one thing in common: when they are in front of the camera, they want to look presentable and as attractive as possible. Really, this is no different than a Hollywood actor dressing to the nines on the red carpet. If you’re in the public eye, you don’t want to be seen roaming about town in your pajamas, so influencers also feel this pressure to maintain a perfect image.

These pressures go beyond physical appearance. They sometimes also dive into portrayals of a flawless lifestyle and personality. We know of a popular YouTube couple who, for years, put on the appearance that they were happily in love — only to announce years later that the relationship was damaged beyond repair for a long while. But the pressure to please the audience was there; and it meant putting on a false persona for far too long to ensure the viewers wouldn’t leave.

Think about the mental and emotional toll these factors can take on a person. Imagine the eyes of the world are on you every time you step outside. It’s no surprise then that many influencers suffer from issues like anxiety and imposter syndrome.

It’s a full-time commitment

Let’s start by dunking the common myth that being an influencer is an easy, part-time job. Most of the influencer we work with are putting in more hours per week than most regular people with full-time jobs. It’s absolutely an around-the-clock commitment, and influencers spend long hours planning content, shooting photos and video, editing, engaging with followers, managing their social media presence, and staying up to date with the latest trends.

Moreover, the workflow is generally unpredictable, requiring incredible discipline and time management skills. Those without these abilities don’t last long in the business.

So, the next time you think you could post a video of your lunch and make a lot of money doing so, think about all the other work you’d have to do that comes along with it. Still interested?

The financial instability can be a problem

There seems to be a common misconception out there about influencer income. More specifically, that all influencers must make a substantial amount of money. While it’s true that many do, we’d venture to say that most do not.

The variability of income an influencer experiences is directly tied to the number of brand deals they do, the amount of engagement they are getting from their audience, social media platform algorithms, and more. Many influencers with above-average incomes don’t even qualify to mortgage a home due to the variations in their income. They may go months without doing a brand deal, and suddenly have an influx of income toward the end of the year, as an example.

This is why it is not uncommon to see content creators take advantage of pursuing multiple income streams, such as merch sales, appearance fees, and more.

Whereas most people have the comfort of knowing when their next paycheck is coming and for how much, influencers rarely get that piece of mind — adding to the stress of the profession.

The impact on personal relationships is real

In a previous paragraph, we mentioned a YouTube couple who tried to keep the image of their happy relationship alive for far too long, when the truth was that they hadn’t been in love for a while. This is something that influencers regularly deal with in everyday relationships.

Being in the public eye can strain personal relationships, perhaps beyond the point of repair. For many, the time commitment alone in this career is enough to put a wedge in even their closest relationships. But beyond that, who to trust with private matters can be a challenge in itself.

There is, of course, also the challenge of distinguishing genuine personal and intimate relationships from those seeking personal gain. Is this person truly into me, or are they using me for money, access to perks, and other benefits? These are questions most of us don’t think to ask, but influencers are asking themselves regularly.

Content saturation and creative burnout issues

Then there’s the content. Very few people give consideration to how hard influencer are working to keep their content fresh and relevant. It is extraordinarily challenging to consistently produce unique and engaging content that stands out in saturated market, and influencers are constantly on the lookout for that wave of inspiration that will keep them going and keep their viewers coming back.

To varying degrees, this stress almost always leads to creative blocks and the struggle to stay motivated.

One of the things we are constantly reminding the talent we work with is to step away from the screens, go for a walk, and relax for a while. The constant search for the ‘next big thing’ is exhausting for any normal human being and can lead to complete burnout — and it regularly does.

Final thoughts

These lesser-known realities are just a few of the pressures influencers deal with. Based on our experience, we could go on and expand this list considerably. The glamorous and stress-free facades can be just that — facades. At the end of the day, influencers are working for a living just like you and us. That doesn’t make them lazy and disingenuous as some would suggest. It makes them human. Behind the scenes, they are dealing with very real struggles like the rest of us.

If you’re looking to make a living in this line of work, be prepared for the ups and downs. Be prepared for the uncertainty. But bring your toughest attitude, bring your resilience, and bring your true self. Don’t forget the self-care while you’re at it.

It will take you far in this challenging yet rewarding career path.

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