# So Influential — Full Corpus > A transparent 0–100 authenticity score for any YouTube or Twitch account. Spot fake followers, bots, and bought growth — no login. --- ## Kai Cenat: First Streamer to Hit 1M Twitch Subscribers URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/kai-cenat-first-streamer-to-1-million-twitch-subs Category: For Creators · Published: 2026-09-12 Summary: Kai Cenat went from prank videos to Twitch's first 1-million-subscriber streamer — the sourced story, plus the Nike, McDonald's and Forbes numbers behind it. Kai Cenat spent 2018 posting prank videos to a YouTube channel nobody outside his circle watched. In September 2025, during a monthlong livestream called Mafiathon 3, he became the first person in Twitch's history to cross 1 million active subscribers. In between, he was arrested at a giveaway that turned into a riot, became the first streamer Nike ever signed, and landed on Forbes' list of top-earning creators two years running. Here's the sourced version of how he got from one point to the other — and what it's actually worth. ## The AMP years: how a prank channel became a streaming collective Cenat, born in Brooklyn in December 2001 and raised across four siblings by a mother from Trinidad and Tobago, uploaded his first YouTube videos in January 2018 — pranks and challenge content, made while he was a student at SUNY Morrisville, according to a [Rolling Stone profile via Yahoo Entertainment](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/kai-cenat-everything-know-mega-204554898.html). He dropped out in 2020 to focus on content full-time. The break that mattered wasn't a video going viral on its own — it was getting pulled into AMP ("Any Means Possible"), a group of NBA 2K creators built around Fanum, Duke Dennis, ImDavisss and Agent. Fanum discovered Cenat and brought him in, and the joint content the group made together is what actually built his audience, per reporting summarized from multiple creator-economy outlets and Wikipedia's sourced account of the group's formation. Cenat moved his main output from YouTube to Twitch in February 2021, and that's the platform where the rest of this story happens. ## The record: first to 1 million subscribers, ever Twitch subathons — extended, often monthlong livestreams that solicit paid subscriptions — had a previous high-water mark before Cenat got involved: VTuber Ironmouse. Cenat broke that record himself in his own November 2024 "Mafiathon 2," pulling in over 700,000 subscribers, according to [Forbes' coverage of that event](https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2024/11/12/kai-cenat-reclaims-twitch-subscriber-title-with-star-studded-month-long-mafiathon-2-stream/) and analytics firm [Stream Hatchet/Hatchet.gg](https://hatchet.gg/blog/kai-cenats-mafiathon-3-full-recap-breaking-1-million-subscribers/). Ten months later, he beat his own record by a full order of magnitude. During "Mafiathon 3," a month-long subathon that ran through September 2025, Cenat became the first Twitch streamer ever to cross 1 million active subscribers — reaching the mark on September 28, 2025, according to [Streams Charts](https://streamscharts.com/news/kai-cenat-breaks-twitch-subscribers-record), [Yahoo Entertainment](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/articles/kai-cenat-surpasses-1-million-150908018.html), and analytics tracker [Hatchet.gg](https://hatchet.gg/blog/kai-cenats-mafiathon-3-full-recap-breaking-1-million-subscribers/), which also logged 84.2 million hours watched across the month and a peak of 962,000 concurrent viewers — a 54% jump over Mafiathon 2. Twitch itself hasn't published an independent tally we could confirm separately, so we're citing the analytics trackers and outlets that covered the milestone as it happened, not a platform-issued number. As with any subscriber count, this is a dated snapshot from September 2025, not a running total — expect it to have moved since. ## The Union Square riot: the other kind of scale Virality cuts both ways. On August 4, 2023, Cenat announced a PlayStation 5 giveaway at Union Square Park in Manhattan over social media. Roughly 1,000 people, many of them teenagers, showed up; the gathering turned into a riot, with crowds throwing bottles at officers, climbing on buses and smashing car windows, per [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/us/kai-cenat-twitch-streamers-new-york-city-giveaway-union-square-ends-chaos.amp)'s reporting at the time. Police made 65 arrests, 30 of them juveniles, and Cenat was charged with inciting a riot and unlawful assembly. The case resolved in May 2024: the Manhattan DA's office dropped the charges after Cenat and two co-defendants apologized publicly on social media and paid more than $57,000 in restitution, most of it to the Union Square Partnership for cleanup costs — reported by the Associated Press and carried by [ABC10](https://www.abc10.com/article/news/nation-world/kai-cenat-riot-charges-dropped-union-square-mayhem-restitution/507-88e111ff-2285-4dfe-86e2-047c45120c39), [Yahoo Finance](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kai-cenats-riot-charges-dropped-152359755.html), and [The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/ap/ap-entertainment/ap-kai-cenats-riot-charges-dropped-after-he-apologizes-and-pays-for-union-square-mayhem/). We're including this because a profile that only lists the wins isn't a profile — the audience size that makes the brand deals below possible is the same audience size that turned a park into a scene the NYPD had to shut down. ## The money: Nike, McDonald's, and what Forbes actually counted Three deals are documented well enough to describe with figures attached: - **Nike**, announced February 2024. Cenat became the first streamer Nike ever signed to a partnership — not a one-off ad, an ongoing deal, as reported by [AfroTech](https://afrotech.com/kai-cenat-nike-partnership), [Yahoo Finance](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/streamer-kai-cenat-announces-partnership-203913621.html), and [Black Enterprise](https://www.blackenterprise.com/kai-cenat-announces-partnership-with-nike/), all of which noted the deal terms themselves weren't disclosed publicly — a case where we can confirm the deal happened, but not what it paid. - **McDonald's**, October 2024. McDonald's brought Cenat on as the face of the Chicken Big Mac's U.S. launch, with McDonald's USA CMO Tariq Hassan framing it explicitly as reaching fans through "live-streaming" culture rather than a traditional TV buy, per [Tubefilter](https://www.tubefilter.com/2024/10/09/mcdonalds-chicken-big-mac-kai-cenat-menu-partnership/) and [esports.gg](https://esports.gg/news/streamers/mcdonalds-x-kai-cenat-welcome-to-the-us-chicken-big-mac/). Again, no compensation figure was disclosed. - **T-Mobile**, alongside Snoop Dogg and Patrick Mahomes — cited directly on [Cenat's own Forbes Top Creators profile](https://www.forbes.com/profile/kai-cenat/), which frames it as part of him "going mainstream" beyond streaming-native sponsors. On earnings: Forbes put Cenat at $8.5 million on its Top Creators list, ranking him 24th in the 2024 edition — a figure covered directly by [Black Enterprise](https://www.blackenterprise.com/kai-cenat-druski-flaujae-johnson-and-more-black-influencers-top-forbes-2024-creators-list/) and [TMZ](https://www.tmz.com/2024/10/28/forbes-top-creators-livvy-dunne-logan-paul-kai-cenat/), and confirmed directly on his Forbes profile page, which also notes an average engagement rate Forbes measured at "more than 12%" — one of the highest on that list. That's the one number in this piece that comes from an outlet doing its own measurement rather than repeating a platform-reported figure, which is why we're citing it separately from the deals above. We are deliberately not citing a net-worth figure for Cenat. The trackers that publish one (the kind of site with "net worth" in the domain name) disagree with each other by tens of millions of dollars and don't show their work — exactly the guessing-built-on-guessing this site's sourcing standard exists to filter out. Forbes' $8.5 million is reported *income* for one measured year, not net worth, and we're not converting one into the other. ## What our checker can — and can't — tell you about him Cenat is eligible for a real read on this site: he's active on both YouTube and Twitch, the only two platforms our free [authenticity checker](/#checker) can score against a live account. We didn't run that check for this piece, and nothing above is, or implies, an authenticity score for his account. At his scale, "is this audience real" isn't really the open question a smaller creator's account raises before a brand deal — an audience this size gets independently confirmed by analytics firms tracking concurrent viewers in real time, which is a harder number to fake than a follower count. Where the checker earns its keep is on the account a brand is about to pay for its very first deal, not one that's already cleared Nike's due diligence. If you want to see what a live read looks like, you can run it yourself at [/check/twitch/kaicenat](/check/twitch/kaicenat) or [/check/youtube/kaicenat](/check/youtube/kaicenat) — and the same free tool works for any smaller YouTube or Twitch account you're actually trying to vet before a deal. ## The bottom line A prank channel, a discovery by another Bronx-adjacent creator, a riot the NYPD called a lesson in "the danger of social media," and a Nike deal that made him a first in the company's history — none of that is one clean narrative arc. It's four separately reported facts that happen to belong to the same person, and the throughline is ordinary: an audience that got big enough, and verifiably real enough in real time, that a shoe company and a fast-food chain both decided it was worth building a national campaign around. **Sources:** [Rolling Stone profile via Yahoo Entertainment, "Who is Kai Cenat?"](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/kai-cenat-everything-know-mega-204554898.html); [Forbes, "Kai Cenat Reclaims Twitch Subscriber Title"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2024/11/12/kai-cenat-reclaims-twitch-subscriber-title-with-star-studded-month-long-mafiathon-2-stream/); [Hatchet.gg, "Kai Cenat's Mafiathon 3 Full Recap"](https://hatchet.gg/blog/kai-cenats-mafiathon-3-full-recap-breaking-1-million-subscribers/); [Streams Charts, "Kai Cenat breaks Twitch subscribers record"](https://streamscharts.com/news/kai-cenat-breaks-twitch-subscribers-record); [Yahoo Entertainment, "Kai Cenat surpasses 1 million"](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/articles/kai-cenat-surpasses-1-million-150908018.html); [Fox News, Union Square incident](https://www.foxnews.com/us/kai-cenat-twitch-streamers-new-york-city-giveaway-union-square-ends-chaos.amp); [ABC10 / AP, "Kai Cenat's riot charges dropped"](https://www.abc10.com/article/news/nation-world/kai-cenat-riot-charges-dropped-union-square-mayhem-restitution/507-88e111ff-2285-4dfe-86e2-047c45120c39); [Yahoo Finance, same AP story](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kai-cenats-riot-charges-dropped-152359755.html); [The Hill, same AP story](https://thehill.com/homenews/ap/ap-entertainment/ap-kai-cenats-riot-charges-dropped-after-he-apologizes-and-pays-for-union-square-mayhem/); [AfroTech, Nike partnership](https://afrotech.com/kai-cenat-nike-partnership); [Yahoo Finance, Nike partnership](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/streamer-kai-cenat-announces-partnership-203913621.html); [Black Enterprise, Nike partnership](https://www.blackenterprise.com/kai-cenat-announces-partnership-with-nike/); [Tubefilter, McDonald's Chicken Big Mac](https://www.tubefilter.com/2024/10/09/mcdonalds-chicken-big-mac-kai-cenat-menu-partnership/); [esports.gg, McDonald's Chicken Big Mac](https://esports.gg/news/streamers/mcdonalds-x-kai-cenat-welcome-to-the-us-chicken-big-mac/); [Forbes, Kai Cenat profile](https://www.forbes.com/profile/kai-cenat/); [Black Enterprise, Forbes Top Creators 2024](https://www.blackenterprise.com/kai-cenat-druski-flaujae-johnson-and-more-black-influencers-top-forbes-2024-creators-list/); [TMZ, Forbes Top Creators 2024](https://www.tmz.com/2024/10/28/forbes-top-creators-livvy-dunne-logan-paul-kai-cenat/). --- ## IShowSpeed: From a Twitch Ban to 50 Million Subscribers URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/ishowspeed-twitch-ban-to-50-million-subscribers Category: For Creators · Published: 2026-09-06 Summary: Banned from Twitch in 2021, IShowSpeed hit 50M YouTube subscribers live in Nigeria in 2026 — the sourced story of his rise and the brand deals built on it. Darren Watkins Jr. — better known as IShowSpeed — spent 2021 banned from Twitch for threatening a fellow streamer on-air. Five years later, he rang in his 21st birthday live on YouTube, standing in front of a crowd in Lagos, Nigeria, watching his subscriber count cross 50 million in real time. In between, Rolling Stone named him the single most influential creator of 2025. Here's the sourced version of how he got from one point to the other, and what it's actually worth. ## The Twitch ban that almost ended it Watkins started streaming NBA 2K and Fortnite from his bedroom around the start of 2020, usually to a couple hundred viewers. What changed his trajectory wasn't the gameplay — it was clips of his on-stream meltdowns at the game, his teammates, and his own camera, which started circulating on TikTok as memes. Wikipedia's account of his career puts the resulting growth at roughly 100,000 subscribers in April 2021 to 1 million by that June, and gaming outlet Kotaku described him at the time as one of the fastest-rising streamers on YouTube. Twitch cut that momentum off in December 2021, permanently suspending his channel after he threatened to sexually assault a fellow streamer during an on-air "dating show" segment, as detailed by [Sportskeeda](https://www.sportskeeda.com/esports/why-ishowspeed-indefinitely-banned-twitch-revisiting-streamer-s-controversial-suspension) and [mein-mmo](https://mein-mmo.de/en/twitch-streamer-was-banned-5-years-ago-for-his-behavior-now-advises-a-young-viewer,1552009/). The ban held for nearly two years. Twitch lifted it in October 2023, and Watkins has streamed on both YouTube and Twitch simultaneously since — one of a small number of creators genuinely active on the two platforms this site's free checker can actually score. ## The pivot: from a gaming channel to a global broadcast The content that rebuilt his audience after the ban wasn't more NBA 2K. Watkins shifted the bulk of his output to unscripted, in-real-life (IRL) travel streams — broadcasting live, often for hours at a stretch, from wherever he happened to be. The tours built on each other: India in October 2023, Brazil in January 2024, an eight-city China tour in spring 2025 that became one of the year's most-watched livestream events, and a "Speed Does America" run across the US later that year, according to reporting compiled by [Dot Esports](https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/africa-changed-my-life-ishowspeed-reflects-after-30-day-continent-tour) and [PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ishowspeed-redefines-live-streaming-with-35-day-247-tour-powered-by-tvu-networks-302559247.html). That trajectory is also what got him Rolling Stone's recognition: the magazine named him the Most Influential Creator of 2025 in an August 2025 list, at which point he had roughly 43 million YouTube subscribers and had visited more than two dozen countries that year, per [Rolling Stone's own coverage via esports.gg](https://esports.gg/news/streamers/ishowspeed-is-most-influential-creator-of-2025-says-rolling-stone/) and [Cincinnati's Fox19](https://www.fox19.com/2025/08/28/cincinnati-streamer-tops-rolling-stones-influential-creators-list/), which covered the story as hometown news — Watkins grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. ## The number: 50 million, live, on his birthday His tour through Africa, which began December 29, 2025, produced the milestone this piece is built around. On January 21, 2026 — his 21st birthday — Watkins hit 50 million YouTube subscribers while streaming live from Lagos, Nigeria, part of a monthlong run through the continent. The moment was covered as breaking entertainment news by [eNCA](https://www.enca.com/lifestyle/youtuber-ishowspeed-hits-50mn-subscribers-nigeria-africa-tour), [Yahoo Entertainment](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/articles/youtuber-ishowspeed-hits-50mn-subscribers-210752531.html), Lagos outlet [BellaNaija](https://www.bellanaija.com/2026/01/ishowspeed-in-lagos-highlights/), and [Vanguard](https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/01/american-streamer-ishowspeed-hits-50m-subscribers-as-he-marks-21st-birthday-in-nigeria/), which also reported that he's the first Black creator to reach the 50-million mark on YouTube. Follower counts move fast and we won't pretend the number above is still current — it's a dated snapshot, not a running total. What it does show, sourced against the 43-million figure Rolling Stone reported five months earlier, is the shape of the growth: an audience that was already large and got meaningfully larger in a single tour. ## The money behind the audience A subscriber count that size gets monetized in more than ad revenue. Three deals are documented well enough to describe in detail: - **Beats by Dre**, December 2025. Beats built its first-ever creator-led film campaign around Watkins — a five-minute kung fu short called "The Master of Speed and Stability," directed by Daniel Wolfe and co-starring stunt performer Paco Yick, a veteran of Jackie Chan's team. It premiered as a livestream rather than a traditional ad buy; [The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-industry-news/ishowspeed-beats-ad-apple-kung-fu-1236448975/), [The Drum](https://www.thedrum.com/news/ad-of-the-day-beats-and-youtuber-ishowspeed-in-epic-kung-fu-film), and [DesignRush](https://news.designrush.com/beats-first-creator-led-film-ishowspeed-gen-z-audiences) all covered it as a deliberate shift in how the brand reaches Gen Z — a sports-and-culture slot normally reserved for athletes, handed instead to a streamer. - **DICK'S Sporting Goods**, March 2025. Watkins co-starred in "Speed Shopping," a footwear campaign alongside Tom Brady, Kevin Durant, Suni Lee, and Travis Hunter, that ran across broadcast and major streaming platforms. This one has a primary source: [DICK'S own investor-relations announcement](https://investors.dicks.com/news/news-details/2025/DICKS-Sporting-Goods-taps-IShowSpeed-Tom-Brady-Kevin-Durant-Suni-Lee-and-Travis-Hunter-for-Latest-Footwear-Campaign/default.aspx), corroborated by [Dexerto](https://www.dexerto.com/youtube/ishowspeed-links-up-with-kevin-durant-and-tom-brady-for-surprise-dicks-sporting-goods-ad-3166711/) and [WWD](https://wwd.com/footwear-news/shoe-industry-news/dicks-ishowspeed-speed-shopping-campaign-video-1237707605/). - **Rumble**, announced May 2023. Watkins and fellow streamer Kai Cenat signed a joint deal with video platform Rumble for an exclusive livestream series, "The Kai 'N Speed Show," reported at $15–20 million over three years by [EssentiallySports](https://www.essentiallysports.com/esports-news-thats-a-wrap-twitch-kai-cenat-and-ishowspeed-ink-multi-million-dollar-deal-with-rumble-for-epic-livestream-show/), [Dexerto](https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/kai-cenat-ishowspeed-join-rumble-for-exclusive-livestreaming-show-2145097/), and [Yahoo Finance](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kai-cenat-ishowspeed-announce-exclusive-201200201.html). It didn't require either creator to leave Twitch or YouTube — a side deal layered on top of his main platforms, not a platform switch. He's also a face of **PRIME Hydration**, with his own Dragon Fruit Acai flavor announced by the brand in 2024 — see [PRIME's own signing announcement](https://primevsgatorade.com/news/prime-hydration-signs-ishowspeed/) — though we couldn't confirm a specific deal value to a standard we'd publish; figures circulating online for that one trace back to sites we can't verify, so we're leaving the number out rather than repeating it. On net worth: several trackers put a figure in the tens of millions, and estimates like this are guesswork built on assumed ad rates and brand-deal values, not audited income. The one we're citing, [Celebrity Net Worth](https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-businessmen/producers/ishowspeed-net-worth/), estimated his net worth at $35 million as of early 2026. Treat that as one outlet's estimate, not a fact — and expect it to be stale within months, given the pace of the deals above. ## What our checker can — and can't — tell you about him IShowSpeed is one of the few creators in this story who's actually eligible for the free check on this site: he's active on both YouTube and Twitch, the only two platforms with a public data API our [authenticity checker](/#checker) uses to score real accounts. We didn't run that check for this piece — nothing here is, or implies, an authenticity score for his account. An audience the size of his is also not really in question the way a smaller creator's might be; the checker earns its keep more on accounts where "is this real" is a live question before a brand deal, not a settled one after multiple sold-out world tours. If you want to see what a live read looks like, you can run it yourself at [/check/youtube/ishowspeed](/check/youtube/ishowspeed) or [/check/twitch/ishowspeed](/check/twitch/ishowspeed) — and the same tool works for any smaller YouTube or Twitch account you're actually trying to vet before a deal. ## The bottom line The Twitch ban, the pivot to IRL streaming, the 50-million milestone, and the brand deals that followed are four separate, independently reported facts, not one narrative arc we're asserting on faith — each is sourced above to at least one outlet that covered it directly, and the milestone to four. What connects them is ordinary: an audience that got real enough, fast enough, that Beats and DICK'S Sporting Goods decided it was worth building a national campaign around, instead of a traditional athlete endorsement. **Sources:** [Sportskeeda, "Why was IShowSpeed indefinitely banned from Twitch?"](https://www.sportskeeda.com/esports/why-ishowspeed-indefinitely-banned-twitch-revisiting-streamer-s-controversial-suspension); [mein-mmo, "Twitch streamer was banned 5 years ago for his behavior"](https://mein-mmo.de/en/twitch-streamer-was-banned-5-years-ago-for-his-behavior-now-advises-a-young-viewer,1552009/); [Dot Esports, "'Africa changed my life': IShowSpeed reflects after 30-day continent tour"](https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/africa-changed-my-life-ishowspeed-reflects-after-30-day-continent-tour); [PR Newswire, "IShowSpeed Redefines Live Streaming with 35-Day, 24/7 Tour"](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ishowspeed-redefines-live-streaming-with-35-day-247-tour-powered-by-tvu-networks-302559247.html); [esports.gg, "IShowSpeed is Most Influential Creator of 2025, says Rolling Stone"](https://esports.gg/news/streamers/ishowspeed-is-most-influential-creator-of-2025-says-rolling-stone/); [Fox19, "Cincinnati streamer tops Rolling Stone's influential creators list"](https://www.fox19.com/2025/08/28/cincinnati-streamer-tops-rolling-stones-influential-creators-list/); [eNCA, "YouTuber IShowSpeed hits 50mn subscribers in Nigeria on Africa tour"](https://www.enca.com/lifestyle/youtuber-ishowspeed-hits-50mn-subscribers-nigeria-africa-tour); [Yahoo Entertainment, "YouTuber IShowSpeed hits 50mn subscribers in Nigeria on Africa tour"](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/articles/youtuber-ishowspeed-hits-50mn-subscribers-210752531.html); [BellaNaija, "IShowSpeed Hits 50 Million Subscribers in Lagos"](https://www.bellanaija.com/2026/01/ishowspeed-in-lagos-highlights/); [Vanguard, "American streamer IShowSpeed hits 50m subscribers as he marks 21st birthday in Nigeria"](https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/01/american-streamer-ishowspeed-hits-50m-subscribers-as-he-marks-21st-birthday-in-nigeria/); [The Hollywood Reporter, "Why Beats Is Betting on the Creator Economy"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-industry-news/ishowspeed-beats-ad-apple-kung-fu-1236448975/); [The Drum, "Ad of the Day: Beats and YouTuber IShowSpeed"](https://www.thedrum.com/news/ad-of-the-day-beats-and-youtuber-ishowspeed-in-epic-kung-fu-film); [DesignRush, "Beats Debuts Its First Creator-Led Film With IShowSpeed"](https://news.designrush.com/beats-first-creator-led-film-ishowspeed-gen-z-audiences); [DICK'S Sporting Goods, investor announcement](https://investors.dicks.com/news/news-details/2025/DICKS-Sporting-Goods-taps-IShowSpeed-Tom-Brady-Kevin-Durant-Suni-Lee-and-Travis-Hunter-for-Latest-Footwear-Campaign/default.aspx); [Dexerto, "IShowSpeed links up with Kevin Durant and Tom Brady"](https://www.dexerto.com/youtube/ishowspeed-links-up-with-kevin-durant-and-tom-brady-for-surprise-dicks-sporting-goods-ad-3166711/); [WWD, "Dick's Nabs Tom Brady, Travis Hunter, IShowSpeed and More"](https://wwd.com/footwear-news/shoe-industry-news/dicks-ishowspeed-speed-shopping-campaign-video-1237707605/); [EssentiallySports, "Kai Cenat and IShowSpeed Ink Multi-Million Dollar Deal with Rumble"](https://www.essentiallysports.com/esports-news-thats-a-wrap-twitch-kai-cenat-and-ishowspeed-ink-multi-million-dollar-deal-with-rumble-for-epic-livestream-show/); [Dexerto, "Kai Cenat & IShowSpeed join Rumble for exclusive livestreaming show"](https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/kai-cenat-ishowspeed-join-rumble-for-exclusive-livestreaming-show-2145097/); [Yahoo Finance, "Kai Cenat and IShowSpeed Announce Exclusive Streams with Rumble"](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kai-cenat-ishowspeed-announce-exclusive-201200201.html); [PRIME, "Prime Hydration Signs IShowSpeed"](https://primevsgatorade.com/news/prime-hydration-signs-ishowspeed/); [Celebrity Net Worth, "IShowSpeed Net Worth"](https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-businessmen/producers/ishowspeed-net-worth/). --- ## What Is a Good Follower Growth Rate in 2026? URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/good-follower-growth-rate-2026 Category: For Creators · Published: 2026-09-01 Summary: How to calculate your follower growth rate, realistic 2026 benchmarks by platform and account size, and the growth pattern that signals bought followers. Follower count gets all the attention, but follower *growth rate* is the more honest number — it tells you whether an audience is actually building or just sitting there. It also tells you something follower count alone can't: whether that growth looks organic or bought. Here's the formula, realistic 2026 benchmarks, and how to read the pattern. ## How to calculate follower growth rate **Growth rate (%) = ((Ending followers − Starting followers) ÷ Starting followers) × 100** Pick a period — most creators and brands use a rolling month — note the follower count at the start and end, and run the math. An account that goes from 30,000 to 33,000 followers in a month grew (33,000 − 30,000) ÷ 30,000 × 100 = **10%** that month. Use the same period length every time you compare. A weekly rate and a monthly rate for the same account look wildly different, and mixing units is the fastest way to misread a benchmark. ## 2026 benchmarks by platform There's no single "good" number — it depends heavily on platform, account size, and niche. These are directional, not universal targets: - **TikTok:** the fastest-growing major platform. Typical monthly growth runs **2.5–5%**, with smaller accounts sometimes seeing 5–10% in strong months, according to [CUFinder's 2026 follower growth rate benchmarks](https://cufinder.io/blog/wiki/marketing-metrics/follower-growth-rate/). TikTok's discovery-driven For You feed pushes new accounts to non-followers constantly, which is why growth here consistently outpaces feed-based platforms. - **Instagram:** slower and steadier. CUFinder puts typical monthly growth at **1–2.5%**, and [Mailmodo's follower growth rate calculator guide](https://www.mailmodo.com/calculators/follower-growth-rate-calculator/) cites a similar **1–5%** monthly range depending on account stage. - **YouTube:** typically **1–2%** monthly for an established channel, per the same CUFinder benchmarks — subscriber growth tends to track upload consistency and search/suggested traffic more than any single viral spike. - **X (Twitter):** the slowest of the major platforms. Mailmodo cites **0.2–2%** monthly as typical. - **Twitch:** there's no clean, widely-cited monthly percentage benchmark for Twitch the way there is for the feed platforms — channel growth is driven heavily by raid traffic, Discover-page placement, and live discoverability rather than a steady algorithmic drip. [Streamscharts](https://streamscharts.com/news/how-benchmark-yourself-against-similar-streamers-2026-guide) recommends tracking **followers gained per 1,000 hours watched** instead, since it normalizes for how much airtime a channel actually got. Be skeptical of any tool that hands you a precise Twitch growth "score" — the data genuinely doesn't support one. **Account size matters more than platform.** [Hootsuite's 2026 industry benchmarks](https://blog.hootsuite.com/social-media-benchmarks/) show weekly follower growth by industry ranging from roughly 0% to just over 2% depending on sector and platform — and across every platform, larger accounts grow more slowly in percentage terms even when they add more raw followers than a small account ever could. A channel with 5,000 subscribers gaining 500 in a month (10%) and one with 5 million gaining 50,000 (1%) can both be healthy; the second added 100× more people. ## The pattern that matters more than the number A single month's growth rate tells you less than the *shape* of growth over time. Genuine organic growth is gradual, with occasional jumps tied to a viral post, a press mention, or a launch — not a flat line that suddenly spikes and plateaus. Fraud-detection guides from [Contentgrip](https://www.contentgrip.com/influencer-marketing-fraud-detection/) and [Launchmetrics](https://www.launchmetrics.com/resources/blog/influencers-with-fake-instagram-followers) describe the same telltale signature: a sudden gain of thousands of followers over 24–72 hours with no content event to explain it, sometimes followed by a slow decline as platforms purge fake accounts. A creator organically growing 8% one month and 11% the next is normal variance. A creator flat for six months who suddenly jumps 300% in a week is not. This is exactly the signal our own [authenticity checker](/#checker) is built to catch. The **Growth pattern** category — 20% of the overall score — doesn't grade an account against a fixed target number, because there isn't one that holds across every platform and niche. Instead it scans an account's own follower history for a period that grows far faster than that account's typical pace, which is a much more reliable tell than comparing raw percentages across unrelated accounts. The full logic is public on our [methodology page](/methodology). ## How to check yours 1. Pull your follower count at two points in time — a month apart is the most useful window. 2. Run the formula above, and compare it to your platform's rough range rather than a universal number. 3. Look at the shape of your history, not just the latest number. A steady climb is healthy even if it's a modest percentage; a flat line with one spike is worth investigating. 4. If you're vetting someone else's account before a deal, [run a free check](/check/youtube/mrbeast) or use the [follower growth calculator](/tools/instagram/follower-growth-calculator) to project where their current pace is actually headed. ## The takeaway Follower growth rate is useful precisely because it's harder to fake convincingly than a single follower count — a bought spike leaves a shape in the data that steady organic growth doesn't. Judge the number against your platform and size band, but judge the *pattern* against the account's own history. That second check is the one that actually separates real growth from a purchase. --- *Sources: [CUFinder — What Is Follower Growth Rate? 2026 Guide + Benchmarks](https://cufinder.io/blog/wiki/marketing-metrics/follower-growth-rate/); [Mailmodo — Follower Growth Rate Calculator](https://www.mailmodo.com/calculators/follower-growth-rate-calculator/); [Hootsuite — Social Media Benchmarks 2026](https://blog.hootsuite.com/social-media-benchmarks/); [Streamscharts — Streamer Benchmarking Guide 2026](https://streamscharts.com/news/how-benchmark-yourself-against-similar-streamers-2026-guide); [Contentgrip — Influencer Marketing Fraud Detection 2026](https://www.contentgrip.com/influencer-marketing-fraud-detection/); [Launchmetrics — Spotting the Red Flags: Influencers with Fake Instagram Followers](https://www.launchmetrics.com/resources/blog/influencers-with-fake-instagram-followers).* --- ## How to Spot a Fake TikTok Influencer Before a Brand Deal URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-to-spot-a-fake-tiktok-influencer-before-a-brand-deal Category: For Brands · Published: 2026-08-29 Summary: A brand's checklist for vetting a TikTok creator before a sponsorship: reading engagement rate correctly, the growth-spike test, and what TikTok flags as fake. TikTok brand deals move fast, and the pitch usually leads with one number: follower count. That's also the easiest number to fake. Unlike Instagram or YouTube, TikTok has no official free API for looking up an arbitrary creator's stats — which is also why our own [free authenticity checker](/#checker) covers YouTube and Twitch (the two platforms with a real public data API) rather than TikTok. But the underlying vetting logic is identical, and TikTok actually publishes more of its own enforcement data than most platforms. Here's how to use it. ## TikTok removes tens of millions of fake accounts a quarter — and says so itself TikTok isn't shy about the scale of the problem. Per TikTok's own [Community Guidelines Enforcement Report](https://www.tiktok.com/transparency/en-us/community-guidelines-enforcement) for Q1 2026 (January–March), the platform removed **86,288,705 accounts for being fake**, plus another 25.8 million suspected of belonging to users under 13 — out of roughly 184 million videos removed platform-wide that quarter. That's not a one-off cleanup; TikTok runs this enforcement every quarter, and the fake-account number moves with each report. The platform's [Community Guidelines](https://www.tiktok.com/community-guidelines/en/integrity-authenticity) are explicit that this isn't limited to obviously fake accounts: TikTok states it will remove associated fake followers or likes whenever it becomes aware of accounts or content with inauthentically inflated metrics, and that content designed to trick people into gifting, following, liking, or otherwise inflating engagement is ineligible for the For You feed. In other words, TikTok's own policy assumes fake engagement is common enough to need a standing removal process — which means a snapshot of any creator's stats today can include some number of accounts TikTok hasn't caught yet. ## Start with the engagement rate — but use the right formula Follower count alone tells you nothing; TikTok's algorithmic distribution means engagement rate is the more honest signal, and it has to be read against the platform's real benchmarks, not a generic percentage. We cover the two competing formulas (by-views vs. by-followers) and the current 2026 benchmarks by tier in [what is a good engagement rate on TikTok](/blog/good-engagement-rate-tiktok-2026) — run a creator's numbers through our free [TikTok engagement rate calculator](/tools/tiktok/engagement-rate-calculator) before you go any further. A rate that sits far below the benchmark for that follower tier is the first flag, not the last one. ## 5 signals that catch a bought or botted TikTok audience **1. A follower spike with no viral video behind it** Organic TikTok growth is lumpy but explainable — a spike traces back to a specific video that took off. Use TikTok's own view counts and posting dates to line up any sharp jump in followers with a specific piece of content. If a creator gained thousands of followers in a day or two with nothing in their post history to explain it, that's the classic signature of a purchased batch. **2. Views are high but likes, comments, and shares don't move with them** Real audiences interact unevenly but proportionately — engagement scales roughly with views, even if the exact ratio varies. Bought views or bot traffic show up as videos with large view counts but a comment section and share count that look like they belong to a much smaller account. Compare the ratio across a creator's last 10–15 videos rather than judging off their single best-performing clip. **3. The comment section reads like a bot script** Generic, repetitive comments — "🔥🔥🔥", "Great content!", the same phrase posted by five different accounts within seconds of each other — are the fingerprint of comment pods or purchased engagement, not real fans. Scroll a few recent videos and actually read the comments rather than just counting them. **4. Follower accounts look hollow** Click into a sample of a creator's followers. No profile photo, a random string of letters and numbers as a username, zero posts, and an account following thousands while having almost no followers of its own are the standard markers of a bot or purchased account. A handful of these in any following is normal; a following dominated by them isn't. **5. Watch time doesn't match the view count** TikTok's algorithm rewards completion rate and rewatches, so a genuinely engaged audience tends to produce respectable average watch time. A video with an inflated view count but very low completion — visible to the creator in their own TikTok analytics — is a sign the views weren't watched by real people, even if they were technically served. ## What TikTok's own Creator Marketplace already checks If a creator is active in TikTok's official creator-brand matching program (TikTok One, formerly the Creator Marketplace), that's a mild positive signal: eligibility has historically required at least 10,000 followers, roughly 100,000 video likes in the trailing 28 days, and an account in good standing with no history of Community Guidelines violations — thresholds TikTok can and does adjust, and which vary by market. TikTok also runs its own fraud checks against applicants and can flag or reject accounts showing inauthentic engagement. It's a useful secondary check, not a substitute for your own review — plenty of legitimate creators aren't enrolled, and enrollment alone doesn't certify every number in a media kit. ## The data to request before you sign | What to request | Healthy sign | Red flag | |---|---|---| | TikTok Pro/Business account analytics screenshot | Engagement rate matches their stated tier's benchmark | Rate far below benchmark for their follower count | | Follower growth chart, last 90 days | Gradual, or spikes tied to specific viral videos | Unexplained overnight jumps | | Average views vs. average likes/comments across last 10 videos | Comments and shares scale with views | Views high, engagement flat | | A few minutes reading real comment sections | Specific, varied, on-topic comments | Repetitive, generic, or duplicated comments | | Average watch time / completion rate for recent videos | Reasonable completion given video length | High views, very low completion | A creator with a real audience can produce all of this from their own TikTok analytics in a few minutes. Resistance to sharing the Pro account screenshot — free, built into the app, no third-party tool required — is itself a data point. ## Run the rest of the vetting playbook TikTok-specific checks are one piece of a broader review. Our general guide to [spotting a fake influencer before a brand deal](/blog/how-to-spot-a-fake-influencer-before-a-brand-deal) and [how to spot bought followers](/blog/how-to-spot-bought-followers) cover the cross-platform signals — audience-location mismatches, follower-to-following ratios, and pricing sanity checks — that apply whether the creator's home platform is TikTok, Instagram, or anywhere else. If you're choosing between a bigger account and several smaller ones, [nano vs. micro influencers](/blog/nano-vs-micro-influencers-2026) walks through that trade-off. And before any money moves, get the terms in writing — see our [influencer brand deal contract guide](/blog/influencer-brand-deal-contract-guide) and [what to require in a media kit](/blog/influencer-media-kit-what-to-include-2026). ## The bottom line TikTok doesn't offer a free public API for looking up any creator's stats the way YouTube and Twitch do, so there's no automated shortcut here — but TikTok's own transparency reporting and in-app analytics give you nearly everything you need to check by hand. Read engagement rate against the real benchmark for that tier, look for a viral event behind every growth spike, and spend five minutes actually reading the comments instead of just counting them. A creator with a genuine audience produces that evidence without friction. One who can't is telling you something a follower count never will. **Sources:** [TikTok Transparency Center — Community Guidelines Enforcement](https://www.tiktok.com/transparency/en-us/community-guidelines-enforcement), Q1 2026 report (January–March 2026); [TikTok Community Guidelines — Integrity and Authenticity](https://www.tiktok.com/community-guidelines/en/integrity-authenticity). --- ## What Is Earned Media Value (EMV) in Influencer Marketing? URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/what-is-earned-media-value-emv-influencer-marketing Category: Guides · Published: 2026-08-27 Summary: Earned Media Value puts a dollar figure on influencer exposure, but there's no single formula for it — here's what EMV measures and how it's calculated. A campaign report lands with a headline number: "$2.4M in Earned Media Value." It reads like revenue. It isn't. Earned Media Value (EMV) is a real, widely used metric in influencer marketing — but it's an estimate of what exposure would have cost as paid advertising, not a measure of what a campaign actually returned. Confusing the two is one of the most common ways brands overrate a campaign's performance. Here's what EMV actually measures, how it gets calculated, and why the number is softer than the decimal points make it look. ## What EMV measures — and what it doesn't EMV estimates the ad-equivalent dollar value of unpaid or earned exposure: influencer posts, shares, mentions, and the engagement they generate. The logic is that if you'd had to buy that same reach and engagement as media placements, it would have cost roughly $X — so the earned exposure is "worth" $X. That makes EMV a **proxy for exposure**, not a measure of revenue. It doesn't tell you whether anyone bought anything. A campaign can post an impressive EMV and generate zero attributable sales, because EMV is built from impressions and engagement counts, not from purchases. For that reason, EMV is best read as an awareness/reach metric that sits alongside — never instead of — a real return metric like ROI or ROAS. ## There's no single formula — and that's the catch Search for "how to calculate EMV" and you'll find several different formulas in active use, not one standard. Common approaches include: - **CPM-based:** `EMV = Impressions ÷ 1,000 × CPM`, using a benchmark cost-per-thousand-impressions rate as the multiplier. - **Engagement-weighted:** assigning a dollar value to each like, comment, and share, then summing: `EMV = (likes × like value) + (comments × comment value) + (impressions ÷ 1,000 × CPM)`. - **Proprietary indices:** some platforms use a licensed valuation model — Later Influence, for example, calculates EMV using the [Ayzenberg Earned Media Value Index](https://help-influence.later.com/hc/en-us/articles/21083269843607-Earned-Media-Value-EMV-Return-on-Investment-ROI), which assigns a daily market value to each social action per platform, adjusted for demand. Every one of those approaches is defensible, and every one produces a different number for the identical campaign. Run the same 100,000-impression, 5,000-engagement Instagram post through a $6 CPM formula versus a per-engagement-value formula and you can land tens of thousands of dollars apart — with no way to say one answer is more "correct" than the other. [HypeAuditor's own EMV explainer](https://blog.hypeauditor.com/earned-media-value-in-influencer-marketing/) and [Databox's breakdown of the metric](https://databox.com/kpi-examples/earned-media-value-emv) both make the same point: there is no industry-standard formula, only a family of reasonable estimates. When a vendor hands you an EMV figure, you're seeing their formula's output, not a fixed fact about the campaign. ## Garbage engagement in, inflated EMV out Every EMV formula is a multiplier applied to engagement and impression counts. That means EMV inherits whatever is wrong with the underlying numbers — and doesn't correct for it. A creator with a bought-follower audience or bot-inflated views produces engagement figures that feed straight into the formula, and the resulting EMV looks just as impressive as a genuine campaign's, because nothing in the calculation checks whether the audience behind those numbers is real. This is the same failure mode covered in [how to spot bought followers](/blog/how-to-spot-bought-followers): inflated numbers don't just mislead a follower count, they compound through every metric built on top of it, EMV included. Before treating an EMV figure as meaningful, sanity-check the account it came from — does the engagement rate match [what's typical for that platform and audience size](/blog/good-engagement-rate-by-follower-count)? Our [free authenticity checker](/#checker) surfaces exactly that for any YouTube or Twitch handle: an engagement-quality read and an estimated fake-follower percentage, so you know whether the exposure behind an EMV number was earned from a real audience. ## EMV vs. ROI vs. ROAS These three get used interchangeably in campaign recaps, and they measure different things: | Metric | What it measures | What it's good for | |---|---|---| | **EMV** | Estimated ad-equivalent value of exposure/engagement | Comparing relative reach across creators or campaigns; awareness reporting | | **ROAS** | Revenue generated ÷ campaign cost | Day-to-day performance comparison across conversion campaigns | | **ROI** | (Revenue − cost) ÷ cost, as a percentage | Whether a campaign was profitable after full cost | EMV can run into the millions on a campaign with zero attributable revenue, and a campaign with modest EMV can still post a strong ROI if it converted well. They're not substitutes. Our [guide to measuring influencer marketing ROI](/blog/how-to-measure-influencer-marketing-roi) covers the UTM links, promo codes, and attribution windows that produce an actual revenue-based number — use that alongside EMV, not instead of it, whenever a campaign has a sales objective. ## How to use EMV without being misled by it - **Treat it as directional, not precise.** A $2.4M EMV figure is an estimate built on a chosen formula and a chosen CPM benchmark — useful for comparing this campaign to your last one using the *same* methodology, not for stating a hard dollar value to stakeholders as if it were revenue. - **Ask which formula produced the number.** If a vendor or agency reports EMV without saying how it's calculated, you can't compare it to anything else — including your own past campaigns, if the formula changed. - **Check the audience behind the engagement.** An EMV number is only as trustworthy as the engagement it's built from. Verify the creator's audience is real before the number goes into a report. - **Pair it with a real conversion metric whenever there's a sales goal.** EMV answers "how much exposure did we get." ROI answers "did it make money." A campaign report leaning entirely on EMV is usually one that doesn't have — or doesn't want to show — the conversion data. ## The bottom line Earned Media Value is a legitimate way to put a rough number on exposure, and it's useful for comparing reach across creators or tracking awareness over time. What it isn't is a substitute for revenue, and it isn't a fixed, auditable fact — it's an estimate that varies by formula and inherits whatever is fake in the engagement underneath it. Ask which formula produced the number, verify the audience behind it, and keep EMV in the awareness column, not the returns column. **Sources:** [Later Influence Help Center, "Earned Media Value (EMV) & Return on Investment (ROI)"](https://help-influence.later.com/hc/en-us/articles/21083269843607-Earned-Media-Value-EMV-Return-on-Investment-ROI); [HypeAuditor, "Quick Guide to Earned Media Value in Influencer Marketing"](https://blog.hypeauditor.com/earned-media-value-in-influencer-marketing/); [Databox, "Earned Media Value (EMV)"](https://databox.com/kpi-examples/earned-media-value-emv); [Kolsquare, "Essential KPI: Earned Media Value (EMV) in Influence Marketing"](https://www.kolsquare.com/en/blog/earned-media-value-emv-a-essential-kpi-in-influence-marketing). --- ## New York Now Requires Ads to Disclose AI 'Synthetic Performers' URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/new-york-synthetic-performer-disclosure-law-2026 Category: Industry · Published: 2026-08-22 Summary: New York's first-in-the-nation synthetic performer law took effect June 9, 2026. What it requires, who's exempt, and what it means for creator and brand deals. An ad featuring a person who doesn't exist is no longer just a trust problem in New York — it's a compliance one. On June 9, 2026, the state's new "synthetic performer" disclosure law took effect, making New York the first state to require advertisers to flag AI-generated human performers directly in the ad itself. For anyone running or vetting creator campaigns, it's a second disclosure layer stacked on top of rules that already existed. ## What the law requires Governor Kathy Hochul signed the bill (S.8420-A/A.8887-B) on December 11, 2025, amending New York General Business Law § 396-b, as reported by [Cooley](https://www.cooley.com/news/insight/2026/2026-01-29-new-york-enacts-synthetic-performer-disclosure-law-for-advertisements-including-those-using-generative-ai) and [McDermott Will & Emery](https://www.mcdermottlaw.com/insights/new-yorks-synthetic-performer-disclosure-law-what-advertisers-need-to-know/). A **synthetic performer** is defined as a digital asset created or modified by computer — using generative AI or another software algorithm — intended to give the impression it's a human performer, where that "performer" isn't recognizable as any identifiable real person. Anyone who produces or creates a commercial advertisement featuring one, in any medium, must **conspicuously disclose** that fact, provided they have actual knowledge a synthetic performer is being used. First violations carry a $1,000 civil penalty; each subsequent violation is $5,000, per [ArentFox Schiff's](https://www.afslaw.com/perspectives/the-fine-print/ai-actors-real-penalties-new-yorks-first-the-nation-advertising-law-now) coverage of the law taking effect. Because the law applies to any advertisement reaching a New York audience — not just ads produced by New York companies — it functions as a de facto national baseline for advertisers who can't practically geofence their campaigns. ## What's exempt The law carves out several categories, per legal analysis from [Hunton](https://www.hunton.com/privacy-and-cybersecurity-law-blog/new-york-enacts-law-regulating-the-use-of-ai-generated-synthetic-performers-in-advertising) and [Honigman](https://www.honigman.com/the-matrix/understanding-new-yorks-synthetic-performer-disclosure-law-impacts-businesses-steps-compliant): - **Expressive works** — movies, TV, streaming shows, documentaries, and video games — where a synthetic performer's use in a promotional ad matches its use in the underlying work. - **Audio-only ads.** - **AI used solely to translate** a real human performer's speech into another language. - **Publishers, broadcasters, and platforms** aren't liable just for distributing an ad someone else made — the disclosure duty sits with the advertiser and content creator, not the channel carrying it. ## Where this lands on creator marketing New York's law is about synthetic performers *in ads*, not about whether a creator's audience is real — but the two are converging. Brands increasingly run AI spokespeople and fully virtual influencers alongside human creators in the same campaigns, and this law now sits on top of the FTC's [2023-revised Endorsement Guides](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/06/federal-trade-commission-announces-updated-advertising-guides-combat-deceptive-reviews-endorsements), which already extended the definition of "endorser" to cover AI-generated and virtual personas and require disclosure when a reasonable viewer might otherwise assume they're watching a real person's genuine opinion. That means a brand running a synthetic-performer ad that reaches New York now has two separate disclosure obligations to satisfy, from two different regulators, with two different penalty schedules — and neither one goes away because the other is met. We covered the human-facing side of this problem — how to spot a deepfaked or undisclosed AI endorsement yourself — in [how to spot a deepfake or AI-generated influencer endorsement](/blog/how-to-spot-a-deepfake-or-ai-generated-influencer-endorsement). ## What this means if you're vetting a creator This law doesn't change how our free checker works — it scores real YouTube and Twitch accounts against their own platform data, and it isn't built to determine whether a channel itself is run by a synthetic persona. What it does change is the paper trail: a brand that skipped disclosure on a synthetic-performer ad now has two regulators who can act on that, not zero. If you're doing due diligence on a campaign that involves any AI-generated spokesperson or avatar, ask directly whether that disclosure has been made — the same instinct that already applies to bought followers and undisclosed sponsorships applies here. For the accounts behind the campaign, [run a free authenticity check](/#checker) on the YouTube or Twitch handle to see whether the audience and engagement look like a real, organically grown channel, and see the [full methodology](/methodology) for exactly what the score does and doesn't measure. **Sources:** [Cooley, "New York Enacts 'Synthetic Performer' Disclosure Law," January 2026](https://www.cooley.com/news/insight/2026/2026-01-29-new-york-enacts-synthetic-performer-disclosure-law-for-advertisements-including-those-using-generative-ai); [McDermott Will & Emery](https://www.mcdermottlaw.com/insights/new-yorks-synthetic-performer-disclosure-law-what-advertisers-need-to-know/); [ArentFox Schiff](https://www.afslaw.com/perspectives/the-fine-print/ai-actors-real-penalties-new-yorks-first-the-nation-advertising-law-now); [Hunton Andrews Kurth](https://www.hunton.com/privacy-and-cybersecurity-law-blog/new-york-enacts-law-regulating-the-use-of-ai-generated-synthetic-performers-in-advertising); [Honigman](https://www.honigman.com/the-matrix/understanding-new-yorks-synthetic-performer-disclosure-law-impacts-businesses-steps-compliant); [FTC, revised Endorsement Guides announcement, June 2023](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/06/federal-trade-commission-announces-updated-advertising-guides-combat-deceptive-reviews-endorsements). --- ## How to Spot a Fake Sponsorship Email Before You Open It URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-to-spot-a-fake-sponsorship-email Category: Guides · Published: 2026-08-20 Summary: Fake brand-deal emails are the most common way creator channels get stolen. The domain, contact, link and file checks that expose a phishing lure. Most of this site is about vetting creators before you trust them. This guide is the mirror image: how a creator vets the *brand* on the other side of a sponsorship email — because a collaboration offer is now one of the most reliable ways to get a channel stolen. The scale is not speculative. In a January 2025 investigation, threat-intelligence firm CloudSEK found a phishing campaign that had targeted [more than 200,000 YouTube creators](https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/youtube-creators-global-phishing/) with fake brand-collaboration proposals. As of December 2024 the operation was running **340 SMTP servers**, each pushing roughly 500–1,000 phishing emails, alongside 46 remote-desktop systems and 26 SOCKS5 proxies used to hide the command-and-control traffic. The lure was a polite, well-formatted offer of a 15-second ad read, priced off the recipient's subscriber count. The "contract" was a malware downloader that delivered [Lumma Stealer](https://hackread.com/malware-fake-business-proposals-hits-youtube-creators/), an infostealer that harvests saved credentials and session data. This is not a new tactic, either. Google's Threat Analysis Group [documented the same playbook back in October 2021](https://blog.google/threat-analysis-group/phishing-campaign-targets-youtube-creators-cookie-theft-malware/): a campaign running since late 2019 in which attackers offered creators fake demos of antivirus software, VPNs, music players, photo editors and games, then hijacked their channels to resell or to broadcast crypto scams. Google identified around 15,000 accounts sending the phishing messages and 1,011 domains purpose-built to serve the fake software, and said it had blocked 1.6 million such messages and cut related Gmail phishing volume by 99.6% after May 2021. Five years apart, the same shape. Here is how to tell a real offer from a lure without opening anything. ## Why the attachment is the whole attack The important mechanical detail: these campaigns are usually after **session cookies**, not your password. A stealer that lifts an active session token can log in as you without ever seeing your password — which means it walks past two-factor authentication, because you already passed the 2FA check when that session was created. Google's TAG writeup calls this class of attack cookie theft, or "pass-the-cookie." That changes the risk calculus. A phishing *page* asks you to type something, and you might catch yourself. A phishing *attachment* asks you to double-click a file called `Brand_Brief_Q3.pdf` — and by the time anything looks wrong, the session is already gone. This is why the advice below is organised around never reaching the file, rather than around spotting a fake login screen. ## Six checks before you reply **1. Read the sending domain character by character.** A real brand's outreach comes from that brand's own domain. Free-mail addresses — Gmail, Outlook, Proton — are effectively disqualifying for a company big enough to be buying sponsorships. But the more dangerous version isn't free mail; it's a domain that *nearly* matches: an extra hyphen, a swapped letter, a `.co` where the real one is `.com`, or the brand name pushed into a subdomain of a domain the attacker owns (`nordvpn.partners-mail.co` is not NordVPN). Read it right to left: the part immediately before the final dot is the only part that identifies the owner. **2. Confirm the human exists, through a route you found yourself.** Look up the named contact independently — on the company's own site, or their LinkedIn profile as a current employee. If you want to verify, contact the company through a phone number or address you located yourself, never a number, link, or "verification portal" supplied in the email. Every contact detail inside a phishing email is controlled by the phisher, including the ones that look like a way to check. **3. Treat generic praise as a signal.** Bulk campaigns can't reference your work, because they were addressed to two hundred thousand people. Real outreach from a brand that actually wants your audience will name a video, a series, a niche, or a specific reason you fit the campaign. "I love your content and your channel is a great fit for our brand" is a mail-merge field. **4. Never let the offer put a file on your machine.** A legitimate brief is a link to a doc, a deck, or a page you can read in the browser without downloading anything. Password-protected archives are the single loudest tell in the CloudSEK campaign — the password exists to defeat the mail provider's malware scanner, not to protect a secret. Executables dressed as documents (`.exe`, `.scr`, `.bat`, or a `.zip` that expands into one) are the payload, full stop. And note what the CloudSEK campaign did with hosting: the files sat on **OneDrive**. A link to a real, reputable cloud host is not evidence of legitimacy — attackers use those services precisely because they look trustworthy and pass domain filters. **5. Check the money for shapes that never occur in real deals.** Real sponsorships run on a written agreement and an invoice. They do not require you to pay anything up front, buy the product yourself for a promised reimbursement, accept payment in crypto, or hand over banking details in a first reply. Anything asking you to send value to receive value is a scam regardless of how polished the branding is. Our [brand-deal contract guide](/blog/influencer-brand-deal-contract-guide) covers what a real agreement actually contains. **6. Weigh the pressure.** Deadlines that expire in hours, an NDA demanded before you're told what the campaign even is, or a warning that the slot goes to another creator if you don't sign today — these are manipulation, not procurement. Brand campaigns have budgets and timelines measured in weeks. One more structural tell worth knowing: a genuine sponsorship has to be disclosed. The FTC requires that a material connection between a brand and a creator be [disclosed clearly and conspicuously](https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/disclosures-101-social-media-influencers). A real brand's marketing team will raise disclosure language unprompted, because they have compliance obligations too. An offer that never mentions it — or that asks you not to mark the post as sponsored — is either a scam or a client you don't want. ## If you already clicked Assume session compromise, and act in this order: 1. **Invalidate the sessions before anything else.** Changing your password is not sufficient on its own if a stolen cookie is still live — sign out of all other sessions and devices from your account's security settings, then change the password. On Twitch, the equivalent is disconnecting all sessions in Security and Privacy settings, and resetting your stream key. 2. **Treat the device as compromised.** A stealer that ran once has already read whatever the browser had saved. Scan the machine, and change passwords for the accounts stored in that browser — from a different, clean device. 3. **Harden the login.** Google's guidance for creators is to enable 2-Step Verification and to use a passkey as the second factor for the strongest phishing resistance. Passkeys can't be replayed by an attacker the way a code or a cookie can. 4. **Audit what else has access.** Check your channel's permissions and managers, any brand-account access, and connected third-party apps — a hijacker's first move is often to add themselves as a manager so they keep access after you fix the password. 5. **Report it.** Report the message as phishing in your mail client, report the account on the platform, and file with the FTC at [ReportFraud.ftc.gov](https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/), which feeds the data used to track these campaigns across platforms. Twitch's [Community Guidelines](https://safety.twitch.tv/s/article/Community-Guidelines) treat scam and phishing links as a policy violation. ## The other kind of fake deal Not every bad offer is malware. A second category arrives from a real person at a real company and is simply not what it claims: "paid collaboration" that turns out to be gifting only, a brief that quietly assigns the brand perpetual rights to your footage for paid ads, an affiliate arrangement dressed up as a sponsorship fee, or a rate anchored far below what your audience is worth. Those aren't security problems, they're negotiation problems — and the defence is knowing your own numbers before you reply. If you don't have a rate you can justify, our guides on [what to charge for a sponsored post](/blog/how-much-to-charge-for-a-sponsored-post) and [what belongs in a media kit](/blog/influencer-media-kit-what-to-include-2026) are the place to start. ## Where our checker fits — and where it doesn't Being straight about this: our free checker scores **creator** accounts on YouTube and Twitch. It cannot tell you whether a brand or an agency emailing you is real, and we won't pretend otherwise. Where it does help is the other direction — and the reverse case is more common than creators expect. If an "agency" name-drops the creators it supposedly represents, those handles are checkable: [run them through the free check](/#checker) and see whether the roster it's claiming has the audience history a real client roster would. Thin, purchased-looking accounts behind a pitch tell you something about who you're talking to. If you're on the brand side of the table, that same check is the first step in [vetting a creator before a deal](/blog/how-to-spot-a-fake-influencer-before-a-brand-deal), and the [methodology](/methodology) page shows exactly what goes into the score. ## The bottom line A real sponsorship offer survives being slowed down. It comes from the brand's own domain, names a person you can find independently, references your actual work, links to something you can read in a browser, and never needs money or a downloaded file to move forward. A phishing lure fails at least one of those and usually several — but only if you check before you open the attachment, because the attachment is the attack. **Sources:** [CloudSEK — How Threat Actors Exploit Brand Collaborations to Target Popular YouTube Channels](https://www.cloudsek.com/blog/how-threat-actors-exploit-brand-collaborations-to-target-popular-youtube-channels); [Infosecurity Magazine — YouTube Creators Targeted in Major Phishing Campaign](https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/youtube-creators-global-phishing/); [Hackread — Malware Hidden in Fake Business Proposals Hits YouTube Creators](https://hackread.com/malware-fake-business-proposals-hits-youtube-creators/); [Google Threat Analysis Group — Phishing campaign targets YouTube creators with cookie theft malware](https://blog.google/threat-analysis-group/phishing-campaign-targets-youtube-creators-cookie-theft-malware/); [YouTube Help — Channel security tips](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/16281336); [YouTube Help — Safety tips and resources for YouTube creators](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2802848); [FTC — Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers](https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/disclosures-101-social-media-influencers); [Twitch Community Guidelines](https://safety.twitch.tv/s/article/Community-Guidelines). --- ## TikTok Shop Bans AI Voices From Shopping Livestreams URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/tiktok-shop-ai-voice-ban-2026 Category: Industry · Published: 2026-08-15 Summary: TikTok Shop's May 2026 policy bans AI-generated voices, prerecorded audio, and static screenshots from LIVEs, enforced by an Account Health Rating. TikTok Shop just drew a hard line between "produced with AI" and "performed by AI" — and only one of them is still allowed to sell you something live. On May 23, 2026, TikTok Shop published new production requirements in its US Seller Academy, under a document titled "Requirements for High-Quality Videos and LIVEs." The policy bars AI-generated voices, pre-recorded audio narration, and radio-style scripted audio tracks from shopping livestreams, along with slideshows, looping footage, screen recordings, and static screenshots of product pages. Enforcement went live in July 2026, tied directly into a new account-scoring system that can freeze or deactivate a seller's storefront. ## What the policy actually bans The rule, as reported consistently across multiple outlets covering the Seller Academy update, states it plainly: **"Do not use non-real-time verbal interaction such as AI-generated voices, audio recordings, or radio."** For LIVEs specifically, that means every seller or creator running a shopping stream now has to talk in real time — spoken or signed — rather than loop a pre-recorded script or route the audio through a text-to-speech voice. The banned list extends beyond audio: slideshows, looping product footage, screen recordings, and still-frame screenshots of product detail pages are all out. Still visuals can't cover more than half the screen at any point in the stream. For recorded shoppable videos (not just LIVEs), the same document requires at least three seconds of dynamic content with no static images or looping visuals, shot in a real-world environment, with camera movement and the creator's face visible alongside the physical product. ## Enforcement runs through a new scoring system TikTok Shop rolled out enforcement through its Account Health Rating (AHR), a 0–1,000 point score that replaced the platform's older Violation Points system across the board starting in July 2026, after a preview period in Seller Center beginning in May. The mechanics are a meaningful change from what came before: the old system reset strikes every 90 days, so a seller with a bad stretch could effectively wait out a clean slate. AHR instead tracks compliance on a rolling 180-day window and starts every account at a base of 200 points, adjusted up for completed orders and down for policy violations. As an account's score drops, restrictions escalate — from blocked new campaigns, to a program freeze, to deactivation at the bottom of the scale. Content that violates the LIVE and video quality rules now counts directly against that score, which means a seller who built a shopping-stream operation around cheap text-to-speech narration over looping product B-roll isn't getting a warning — they're accumulating a penalty that compounds toward losing the storefront. ## Why this is an authenticity story, not just a production-quality one TikTok Shop is framing this as a content-quality update, but the underlying target is the same thing every platform crackdown in this space is chasing: content designed to look like a real person talking to a real audience, when neither the voice nor the presentation was actually live. A synthetic voice reading a script over looping footage is functionally the same trust problem as a bought follower list — a number or a presence that isn't what it appears to be, aimed at extracting a purchase or a follow from someone who assumed they were seeing something genuine. That's also why this is worth tracking if you evaluate creators for brand partnerships involving TikTok Shop. A seller or creator whose shopping-stream content leaned on AI narration and looping visuals before July 2026 either adapted their production process or is now actively losing Account Health Rating points — and a low-scoring shop can mean restricted campaigns or an account that disappears mid-partnership. Checking whether a prospective TikTok Shop partner's recent LIVEs are genuinely real-time — a visible face, live back-and-forth with viewers, product handled on camera — is now a due-diligence step with real consequences attached, not just a taste preference. It's a reminder that authenticity checks aren't only about follower counts and engagement ratios. How content gets made is now part of the same trust question. Our [TikTok engagement rate calculator](/tools/tiktok/engagement-rate-calculator) still tells you whether a creator's audience is actually reacting to their content — pair that with a quick look at whether their LIVEs hold up to TikTok's own new rules before you sign anything. For creators and channels on YouTube or Twitch, the free [authenticity checker](/#checker) runs the same kind of scrutiny automatically, with a transparent 0–100 score and confidence rating rather than a single opaque number. --- *Sources: [TikTok Shop, "Requirements for High-Quality Videos and LIVEs"](https://seller-us.tiktok.com/university/essay?knowledge_id=4581457528243969&lang=en), US Seller Academy; reporting from [TechTimes](https://www.techtimes.com/articles/320624/20260715/tiktok-shop-bans-ai-voices-live-commerce-streams-violations-now-dent-account-health-score.htm), [PYMNTS](https://www.pymnts.com/commerce/ecommerce/2026/tiktok-shop-bans-ai-voices-from-livestreams/), [NetInfluencer](https://www.netinfluencer.com/tiktok-shop-bans-ai-voices-prerecorded-audio-from-promotional-livestreams/), and [ppc.land](https://ppc.land/tiktok-shops-quality-rules-ban-ai-voices-and-still-images-from-lives/) on the policy; Account Health Rating mechanics per [AdBeacon](https://www.adbeacon.com/tiktok-shop-account-health-rating-violation-points/) and [AuditSocials](https://www.auditsocials.com/blog/tiktok-shop-account-health-rating-2026-replaces-violation-points-seller-compliance-enforcement).* --- ## How to Spot a Deepfake or AI-Generated Influencer Endorsement URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-to-spot-a-deepfake-or-ai-generated-influencer-endorsement Category: Guides · Published: 2026-08-11 Summary: How to spot a deepfake or AI-generated influencer endorsement: the visual and audio tells, real scam examples, and how to verify before you trust it. Fake follower farms used to be the cheapest way to fake influence. In 2026, the cheaper trick is faking the influencer entirely — a cloned voice, a synthetic face, or a fully AI-generated persona putting words in a real creator's mouth (or replacing them altogether). Here's how to tell when an endorsement isn't what it claims to be, before you act on it. ## This isn't a hypothetical — it's already widespread According to McAfee's 2025 [Most Dangerous Celebrity: Deepfake Deception](https://www.mcafee.com/blogs/internet-security/the-stars-scammers-love-most-mcafee-reveals-worlds-most-deepfaked-celebs/) survey of 8,600 adults across seven countries, **72% of Americans have seen a fake or AI-generated celebrity endorsement online**, and **39% clicked one** — often before realizing anything was off. Among those who lost money, the average financial hit was **$525**. Taylor Swift topped the list of most-impersonated celebrities, followed by Scarlett Johansson and Jenna Ortega. The pattern isn't limited to fringe names: - **Tom Hanks** publicly warned his Instagram followers in 2023 about a dental-plan ad circulating with "an AI version of me" that he had no involvement in ([NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tom-hanks-warns-followers-wary-fraudulent-ads-using-likeness-ai-rcna168966)). - **MrBeast** was deepfaked into a TikTok ad offering iPhone 15s for $2 — an offer he never made ([Yahoo Finance](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/youtube-biggest-star-mrbeast-seemed-110105662.html)). - **Taylor Swift** has been the face of a recurring deepfake scam pushing discounted Le Creuset cookware, seeded across TikTok and Facebook ([Tech.co](https://tech.co/news/taylor-swift-deepfake-scam-le-creuset); [AOL](https://www.aol.com/news/taylor-swift-fans-scammed-fake-183519339.html)). None of these creators made these endorsements. Every one of them was manufactured to borrow trust the real person never gave. ## Two different problems, both called "AI influencer" It helps to separate what you're actually screening for: 1. **A real person, deepfaked without consent.** A cloned voice or face is stitched onto footage to make it look like a real, known creator or celebrity endorsed something they never touched. 2. **A fully synthetic persona.** Accounts like Lil Miquela or Aitana Lopez are AI-generated from the start — no real person behind the face, run by a studio, and disclosed (with varying clarity) as virtual. These aren't inherently scams; the fraud risk is in *undisclosed* synthetic personas, or in a virtual account's content being passed off as a real person's genuine experience with a product. Both are covered by the same underlying question a brand or reader should ask: **does the audience know what they're looking at?** ## The tells that catch most fakes Per warnings from the [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/27157-bbb-tip-how-to-spot-a-deepfake-and-avoid-scams) and [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rise-of-ai-celebrity-endorsements/), the same handful of tells catch the majority of deepfake endorsements: **Visual:** - Unnatural blinking (too much, or none at all) - Blurry or doubled edges around the face, hairline, or jaw - Lighting or shadows on the face that don't match the background - Lip movement that doesn't quite sync with the audio **Audio:** - Choppy sentence rhythm or odd phrasing that doesn't sound like how the person actually talks - Flat or oddly-placed inflection, like sentences stitched from different clips **Context (often the fastest tell):** - The "deal" is too good — free or heavily discounted product for shipping cost only, urgency countdowns, "limited spots" - The video only exists as a paid ad or on a brand-new, low-follower account — not on the creator's own verified page - Comments are disabled, or the account posting it isn't the creator's real, verified handle That last one is the highest-leverage check and takes 30 seconds: **go to the creator's own verified account and see if they've posted it themselves.** A real endorsement exists in more than one ad unit — it shows up on the creator's actual feed, gets covered by outlets that cover that creator, or is confirmed in their own words. A deepfake usually exists in exactly one place: the ad you're looking at. ## What the law actually says The FTC isn't silent on this. Its [Trade Regulation Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/08/federal-trade-commission-announces-final-rule-banning-fake-reviews-testimonials) took effect October 21, 2024, on a unanimous 5–0 vote. It explicitly bans creating or selling **fake celebrity endorsements that misrepresent who is actually endorsing the product** — including AI-generated ones — and separately bans buying or selling **fake indicators of social media influence**, i.e., purchased followers or engagement. Violators face civil penalties that started at up to $51,744 per violation and, per the FTC's [inflation-adjusted 2025 penalty schedule](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/02/ftc-publishes-inflation-adjusted-civil-penalty-amounts-2025) (unchanged for 2026), now run up to **$53,088 per violation**. Separately, the FTC's [revised Endorsement Guides](https://www.ftc.gov/media/71402) require that any endorsement reflect the endorser's honest opinion, and that any connection between an endorser and a marketer that consumers wouldn't expect must be clearly disclosed. A synthetic persona pretending to be an ordinary, unpaid enthusiast — human or not — is exactly the kind of undisclosed connection the rule targets. In other words: this isn't just a trust problem for the audience. For a brand running the ad, it's a compliance problem with real penalties attached. ## Why "high engagement" won't save you If you're vetting a creator and their engagement rate looks unusually strong, that alone isn't proof of a real audience — it can be the opposite signal. As we found digging into a recent creator-economy report, [AI-generated creator accounts posted engagement more than double the rate of comparable human creators](/blog/creator-economy-2026-key-findings) in the same dataset. Engagement doesn't distinguish "AI-generated account with real followers who know it's AI" from "AI-generated content pretending to be a human's genuine review." Only disclosure and verification do that. ## Verify before you trust it For any creator making a claim on YouTube or Twitch — the two platforms with real, public data to check against — run the actual account through our free [authenticity checker](/#checker). It won't catch a deepfaked *video ad*, but it will confirm whether the *channel* behind a claim has the growth pattern, engagement quality, and content consistency of a real, organically-grown audience, rather than one built to lend a fake endorsement borrowed credibility. Pair that with the manual checks above — checking the creator's own page, watching for the too-good-to-be-true framing, and looking for lip-sync or audio artifacts — and you'll catch the overwhelming majority of fakes before you act on them. ## The bottom line A deepfake or undisclosed AI endorsement only works if you act on it without checking. The fix costs nothing: go to the creator's own account before you trust the ad, watch for the visual and audio tells, and treat "too good to be true" as the loudest signal of all. Check any creator — or any claim about one — before you trust them. --- ## Twitch Is Now Capping Viewer Counts for Viewbotting URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/twitch-viewbot-ccv-cap-policy-2026 Category: Industry · Published: 2026-08-08 Summary: Twitch's new CCV-cap policy penalizes persistent viewbotting. What changed, how the cap works, and what it means for vetting a streamer's live-viewer numbers. Twitch just gave itself a new penalty for one of the platform's oldest fraud problems. On May 7, 2026, CEO Dan Clancy announced that channels caught persistently viewbotting will have their concurrent viewer count — CCV, the single number Twitch sponsorships are priced on — capped by the platform itself. If you evaluate Twitch creators for sponsorships, or you're a creator whose numbers get evaluated, this changes what "the platform caught it" actually looks like. ## What Twitch announced In a statement posted via Twitch Support, Clancy said: "For channels identified as persistently viewbotting, we will apply a cap to the streamer's CCV for a fixed period of time, on all of the Twitch surfaces," as reported by [Engadget](https://www.engadget.com/2167521/twitch-has-new-penalties-for-streamers-caught-viewbotting-ceo-says/) and [Tubefilter](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/05/08/twitch-new-viewbot-policy-dan-clancy-announcement/). According to Clancy, the cap is set relative to a channel's own historical *non*-botted traffic, and repeat offenses lengthen the penalty period — the platform-level equivalent of a graduated fine. That's a different move than Twitch's past bot cleanups, which mostly happened after the fact — most notably a 2023 purge in which, per [Engadget's reporting at the time](https://www.engadget.com/twitch-deletes-75-million-bots-that-inflated-view-and-follow-counts-084823271.html), the platform removed tens of millions of accounts responsible for inflated view and follow counts. The CCV cap is proactive and ongoing: instead of only cleaning up after a wave of fake accounts is found, Twitch is now attaching a standing penalty directly to a channel's live number when it catches persistent botting. Coverage of the rollout (including [Dexerto](https://www.dexerto.com/twitch/twitch-introducing-viewership-caps-for-streamers-caught-viewbotting-3362453/) and [Dataconomy](https://dataconomy.com/2026/05/08/twitch-to-cap-view-counts-for-streamers-caught-using-viewbots/)) reports that Twitch isn't publicizing which channels get capped or exactly when, on the stated reasoning that broadcasting enforcement timing would just help bot vendors adapt around it — but that affected creators are told once a cap has been applied, along with its duration, and can appeal. The announcement wasn't universally welcomed. Streamer John "Tectone" Rinaldi publicly disputed Clancy's characterization that most viewbotting comes from small channels rather than large ones — a reminder that the policy addresses the mechanism, not the argument over who's actually doing it. ## Why CCV is the number that matters here Twitch doesn't have a like or comment history the way Instagram or YouTube do. The number brands actually pay for is average concurrent viewers — how many real people are watching a given stream — which makes it also the number most worth faking. We covered the manual side of that problem in [how to vet a Twitch streamer before a sponsorship](/blog/how-to-vet-a-twitch-streamer-before-a-sponsorship): checking CCV against chat activity, follower ratio, and growth-curve shape. This policy adds a platform-side check to that list — a CCV cap notice is itself a red flag worth asking a creator about directly. ## What this means for a free authenticity check Our checker's Twitch read is built on the same number this policy targets. Twitch has no post history to average like the other platforms, so the [scoring engine](/methodology) uses a channel's live viewer count as its engagement-quality proxy, weighted at 30% of the overall score. That number is only as clean as what Twitch's API reports at the moment of a check — the checker doesn't independently detect botting, it reads the platform's own live figures. Twitch enforcing harder against inflated CCV is good news for the reliability of that input, but it doesn't replace the manual checks (chat activity, growth curve, follower ratio) that catch what a single live snapshot can't. [Run a free check](/check/twitch/ironmouse) on any YouTube or Twitch handle to see the current numbers and confidence breakdown, or browse the [creator directory](/directory) for a starting shortlist. **Sources:** [Engadget, "Twitch has new penalties for streamers caught viewbotting, CEO says," May 2026](https://www.engadget.com/2167521/twitch-has-new-penalties-for-streamers-caught-viewbotting-ceo-says/); [Tubefilter, May 2026](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/05/08/twitch-new-viewbot-policy-dan-clancy-announcement/); [Dexerto](https://www.dexerto.com/twitch/twitch-introducing-viewership-caps-for-streamers-caught-viewbotting-3362453/); [Dataconomy](https://dataconomy.com/2026/05/08/twitch-to-cap-view-counts-for-streamers-caught-using-viewbots/); [Engadget, 2023 bot-purge reporting](https://www.engadget.com/twitch-deletes-75-million-bots-that-inflated-view-and-follow-counts-084823271.html). --- ## How to Spot a Fake Giveaway Scam Before You Enter URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-to-spot-a-fake-giveaway-scam Category: Guides · Published: 2026-08-06 Summary: How to tell a real giveaway from a scam impersonating a creator or celebrity, and verify the account behind it before you enter. A giveaway post is one of the most effective lures on the internet, because it borrows a real creator's trust and points it at a link the real creator never touched. Imposter scams — the category that includes fake celebrity and creator giveaways — were the single most-reported fraud type to the [Federal Trade Commission in 2025](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/06/ftc-data-show-people-reported-losing-3-point-5-billion-imposter-scams-2025), with reported losses reaching $3.5 billion. Here's how the scam actually works, and how to check whether a giveaway — and the account behind it — is real before you click, pay, or hand over any information. ## Why giveaways are the scam of choice A legitimate giveaway asks for almost nothing: a follow, a comment, maybe an email. A fake one is built to extract something of value while looking exactly like the real thing — a cloned profile photo, a copy-pasted bio, and a link that leads to a "verification fee," a crypto wallet, or a phishing page disguised as a prize claim form. [McAfee's 2025 research on celebrity deepfake deception](https://www.mcafee.com/blogs/internet-security/the-stars-scammers-love-most-mcafee-reveals-worlds-most-deepfaked-celebs/) found that 72% of Americans have seen a fake celebrity or influencer endorsement, 39% have clicked on one, and 10% went on to lose money — an average of $525 per person. Taylor Swift topped that list for 2025, including a widely circulated hoax that misused her image to push a fake cookware giveaway. The pattern isn't limited to A-list celebrities. Any creator with an audience worth impersonating is a target, which is why the FTC's guidance on this is written for anyone, not just famous people: [never send money, gift cards, or crypto to claim a prize](https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/pass-it-on/impersonator-scams) — no legitimate sweepstakes, and no real creator, will ever ask for that. ## The red flags that separate real from fake - **A request for money to "unlock" or "verify" the prize.** This is the single clearest tell. Real giveaways don't charge an entry or claim fee — if a DM, comment, or landing page asks you to pay shipping, taxes, or a "processing fee" before you can receive anything, it's a scam. - **Urgency with a countdown.** "Only the first 100 people," "offer expires in 10 minutes," a link that vanishes if you hesitate — pressure is a manipulation tactic, not a giveaway feature. - **The account doesn't match the creator elsewhere.** A real creator's giveaway is usually cross-posted or at least referenced on their verified accounts on other platforms. If you can't find any mention of the giveaway anywhere except the one post asking you to click, that's a strong signal it's not coming from the real person. - **A brand-new account with an old creator's name.** Check the account creation date. An account claiming to be an established YouTuber or streamer that was created last week has no legitimate reason to exist. - **Hijacked livestreams promising to "double" a payment.** This one is specific to YouTube: scammers compromise or clone an established channel, rebrand it to impersonate a real figure, and run a 24/7 loop of old footage next to a QR code promising to double any crypto sent to a wallet. It's one of the more damaging variants because the stolen channel briefly *is* a channel with real subscriber history, which is exactly why the account-vs-content mismatch matters more than the subscriber count. ## Verify the account, not just the offer Whether or not the giveaway itself looks convincing, the account running it either is or isn't who it claims to be — and that's checkable. - **Look for the platform's actual verification badge**, not a checkmark emoji pasted into a bio or display name. YouTube shows a checkmark next to verified channel names; Twitch shows a blue badge for verified Partners. - **Compare growth against engagement.** A channel with a large subscriber or follower count that suddenly starts running a giveaway should still have engagement that roughly matches its stated size. If a "500K subscriber" channel has videos with a few hundred views and a comment section with no real conversation, the audience and the number don't agree — see our breakdown on [how to verify a YouTube or Twitch account is legit](/blog/how-to-verify-a-youtube-or-twitch-account-is-legit) for the exact ratios to check. - **Check for a staircase growth pattern.** Organic subscriber or follower growth is a wobbly upward line. A flat history with a sudden vertical jump — especially right before a giveaway post — is the signature of a purchased or hijacked account. - **Run it through a free authenticity check.** For any YouTube or Twitch handle, [our free checker](/#checker) pulls the account's real public data and returns a transparent 0-100 score, an estimated fake-follower percentage, and growth-pattern flags — with a confidence rating attached so thin data is never dressed up as certainty. It won't tell you whether a specific giveaway is a scam, but it will tell you whether the account behind it has the audience history a legitimate creator's account should have. See the [full methodology](/methodology) for exactly what goes into the score. ## Report it, don't just scroll past Both platforms treat impersonation-for-giveaways as a policy violation, not just a nuisance: - **YouTube's [impersonation policy](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2801947)** bans channels that deceptively copy another creator's branding or use AI to mimic their voice or likeness; reportable from the channel's About page. - **Twitch's [Community Guidelines](https://safety.twitch.tv/s/article/Community-Guidelines) ban impersonating an individual or organization** — often done by pairing a copied username and profile picture to siphon donations meant for the real streamer — reportable from the account's menu under Report → Impersonation. - **The FTC takes reports directly** at [ReportFraud.ftc.gov](https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/), which feeds the same data used to track scam patterns across platforms. ## The bottom line A real giveaway never needs your money to give you something. Before you enter one, treat the account the same way you'd vet any creator before trusting them: confirm the badge, check whether the growth and engagement tell the same story, and look for a footprint that exists outside the one post asking you to act fast. When in doubt, [run the handle through our free check](/#checker) before the offer — real or not. **Sources:** [FTC — Imposter scams cost $3.5 billion in 2025](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/06/ftc-data-show-people-reported-losing-3-point-5-billion-imposter-scams-2025); [FTC — Impersonator Scams consumer guidance](https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/pass-it-on/impersonator-scams); [McAfee — 2025 Most Dangerous Celebrity: Deepfake Deception List](https://www.mcafee.com/blogs/internet-security/the-stars-scammers-love-most-mcafee-reveals-worlds-most-deepfaked-celebs/); [YouTube impersonation policy](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2801947); [YouTube fake engagement policy](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/3399767); [Twitch Community Guidelines](https://safety.twitch.tv/s/article/Community-Guidelines). --- ## What Is an Influencer Credibility Score? URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/what-is-an-influencer-credibility-score Category: Guides · Published: 2026-07-30 Summary: Every influencer-vetting tool defines credibility score differently: what it usually measures, how one major tool builds it, and how to read any score you get. Search "influencer credibility score" and you'll get results from a dozen tools, each returning a different number for the same account — with no explanation of what actually went into it. That's not a coincidence. "Credibility score" isn't a standardized metric like follower count or engagement rate; it's a label every vetting tool applies to its own proprietary blend of signals, and most of them don't publish the recipe. Here's what the term generally covers, how one of the industry's better-known tools builds one, and what to check before you trust any score you're handed. ## What "credibility score" usually means Across the tools that use the term, a credibility score is an attempt to answer one question: **is this audience real, and is it actually paying attention?** That's different from raw follower count, and it's different from engagement rate on its own — a credibility score tries to combine multiple signals into a single read on whether an account's numbers reflect a genuine, engaged audience or an inflated one. HypeAuditor, one of the larger platforms in this space, calls its version the Audience Quality Score (AQS) and [publishes the components it uses](https://help.hypeauditor.com/en/articles/2221731-what-is-aqs-audience-quality-score-and-how-is-it-calculated): engagement rate, audience quality (the share of followers who are real users versus mass-followers, other influencers, or suspicious accounts), follower/following growth patterns, and comments authenticity — whether likes and comments show signs of pods or tag-to-win schemes rather than genuine interaction. HypeAuditor states creators scoring above 60 are generally considered to have an authentic, engaged audience. That's a useful reference point for what "credibility" is trying to measure. But the specific weights, the exact detection thresholds, and the underlying data each tool uses are proprietary — which is exactly where the confusion starts. ## Why this matters more than it used to Credibility scoring exists because consumer trust in influencer content is measurably thinner than trust in almost any other form of advertising. BBB National Programs' National Advertising Division surveyed more than 3,720 U.S. consumers for its [2025 Influencer Trust Index](https://bbbprograms.org/media/insights/blog/influencer-trust-index) and found that while 58% of consumers said they'd made a purchase because of an influencer endorsement, only 5% said they trust influencer content completely — compared with 87% who said they trust conventional advertising. The survey's top trust-killers: influencers who don't come across as genuine or transparent, and failure to disclose brand relationships. That gap is the whole reason a "credibility score" is worth having in the first place. Brands are still spending on influencer partnerships — but the audience on the other end of that partnership is skeptical by default, which raises the cost of getting the vetting wrong. ## The problem with most credibility scores Two issues come up repeatedly once you start comparing tools: **Most don't show their work.** A single 0–100 number with no visible breakdown tells you a tool's opinion, not what produced it. If you can't see how much weight went to engagement versus follower quality versus growth pattern, you can't judge whether a low score reflects a real problem or a data gap. **Most don't distinguish "unknown" from "bad."** A newer account, a private-by-nature platform, or a creator with a small enough following that engagement data is thin should produce a *less confident* score — not a falsely precise one. A tool that outputs "47/100" with no confidence indicator for an account it barely has data on is manufacturing certainty it doesn't have. ## How our score handles both of those Our free checker scores YouTube and Twitch accounts — the two platforms with a free, public data API (YouTube Data API v3, Twitch Helix), which means the underlying numbers are real, not estimated. The formula is public on the [methodology page](/methodology): `Overall = 0.40 × Audience authenticity + 0.30 × Engagement quality + 0.20 × Growth pattern + 0.10 × Content & brand safety` Each category is visible on the result page, not folded into a single opaque number. And when the data available for an account is thin — a small sample, no meaningful growth history — the confidence on that category drops instead of the score pretending to a precision the data doesn't support. That's the piece most black-box tools skip. ## A quick checklist for reading any credibility score Whichever tool produced the number in front of you, ask: - **Is the methodology published?** If you can't find what the score is built from, you're trusting a black box. - **Does it break down into categories**, or is it one number with no components? - **Does it show confidence or data quality**, especially for smaller accounts? - **Is it reproducible** — would running the same account again produce a consistent result, or does it fluctuate for no visible reason? - **What data is it actually built on** — real platform API data, or estimates? A score that fails most of these isn't necessarily wrong, but it's not verifiable, which is the entire point of running a check in the first place. ## Try it on a real account [Run a free check](/#checker) on any YouTube or Twitch handle and see the full breakdown — not just the number. A few to try: [MrBeast](/check/youtube/mrbeast), [PewDiePie](/check/youtube/pewdiepie), or [Ninja](/check/twitch/ninja). For a browsable starting point, the [creator directory](/directory) lists vetted YouTube and Twitch accounts by niche. And if you're comparing a creator's numbers against typical benchmarks for their platform, our [engagement-rate guide for YouTube](/blog/good-engagement-rate-youtube-2026) and [nano-influencer vetting guide](/blog/how-to-vet-a-nano-influencer) go deeper on the individual signals that feed into a credibility read. **Sources:** [HypeAuditor, "What is AQS (Audience Quality Score) and how is it calculated?"](https://help.hypeauditor.com/en/articles/2221731-what-is-aqs-audience-quality-score-and-how-is-it-calculated); [BBB National Programs / NAD, "The 2025 Influencer Trust Index: Analyzing Credibility in Influencer Marketing"](https://bbbprograms.org/media/insights/blog/influencer-trust-index). --- ## How to Measure Influencer Marketing ROI (2026 Guide) URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-to-measure-influencer-marketing-roi Category: Guides · Published: 2026-07-28 Summary: A brand's guide to measuring influencer marketing ROI: the right formulas, UTM tracking, promo codes, attribution windows, and 2026 benchmarks. Influencer marketing generated an estimated **$32.55 billion** in spend in 2026, according to the [Influencer Marketing Hub 2026 Benchmark Report](https://influencermarketinghub.com/influencer-marketing-benchmark-report/). But spend at that scale only makes sense if you can measure what it returns — and that's where most brands fall short. The problem isn't that ROI is unmeasurable. It's that the default approach (checking follower count and likes after a campaign ends) measures the wrong things. This guide covers what to track, how to track it, and what the numbers should look like when a campaign is working. ## Start with your objective — before you brief the creator ROI measurement fails before any post goes live when a brand treats "influencer campaign" as its own objective. Every campaign produces one of three outcomes that can actually be measured: - **Awareness** — more people know your product exists (reach, impressions, share of voice) - **Engagement** — people interact with the content (comments, saves, shares, watch time) - **Conversion** — people take action (clicks, sign-ups, purchases, revenue) Define which one is primary before you brief the creator. A campaign optimized for awareness should be measured on reach and frequency, not sales. A conversion campaign needs promo codes and tracking links in place at launch — you can't install them after the fact. Mixing these up is the most common reason a campaign looks like it "didn't work" when the real problem was measuring awareness spend against conversion targets. ## The ROI formula (and when to use ROAS instead) The standard ROI formula for a conversion campaign: > **ROI (%) = ((Revenue generated − Total campaign cost) ÷ Total campaign cost) × 100** If a campaign cost $5,000 and generated $18,000 in attributed revenue, ROI = ((18,000 − 5,000) ÷ 5,000) × 100 = **260%**. For day-to-day evaluation, many teams use ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) because it skips the subtraction and gives a clean revenue-per-dollar figure: > **ROAS = Revenue generated ÷ Total campaign cost** That same campaign: 18,000 ÷ 5,000 = **$3.60 ROAS**. Easier to compare across campaigns. **Total campaign cost** should include the creator fee, product gifted, any whitelisting rights premium, agency fees, and the time your team spent managing the partnership. Undercount cost and your ROI looks better than it is. ## Three ways to track what creators actually drive ### 1. UTM links A UTM link is a regular URL with tracking parameters appended — it tells your analytics platform which creator and campaign drove each click. Set up a unique UTM link per creator before any content goes live: ``` utm_source=instagram utm_medium=influencer utm_campaign=summer2026 utm_content=jessica_nguyen ``` When a viewer clicks the link, your analytics records exactly where the session started. The catch: UTM data can fail if a viewer copies a link, uses a different browser, or buys later on a different device. Use it for directional signal, not as your only method. ### 2. Promo codes A unique discount code per creator (e.g., `JESSICA20`) gives you certain last-touch attribution: every checkout that enters the code is credited to that creator's campaign, regardless of what device or browser the buyer used. No link required. Promo codes also incentivize conversion in a way a plain link doesn't, which makes them the better choice for conversion campaigns. The cost is a small margin discount you build into the campaign budget upfront. **Best practice:** pair each creator's promo code with their UTM link, so you capture both click-through data and checkout attribution. The two methods together close most gaps either one would miss alone. ### 3. Dedicated landing pages A landing page built specifically for a campaign (e.g., `/brand/jessica`) can capture source traffic without relying on UTM persistence. Combine with form submissions or a single-creator-specific offer and you get clean attribution even in a multi-touch journey. Higher setup cost, but useful for high-value creator partnerships where the investment justifies it. ## Attribution windows: how long to wait before measuring Most influencer-driven conversions don't happen the day the post goes live. Someone sees an Instagram Reel, thinks about it for a few days, gets a retargeting ad, then buys. A 24-hour measurement window misses nearly all of that. Industry-standard attribution windows: | Product type | Attribution window | |---|---| | Low-ticket / impulse (under $50) | 7–14 days | | Mid-range (apparel, beauty, supplements) | 30 days | | High-ticket (electronics, furniture, software) | 60–90 days | Set the window in your analytics before the campaign starts and hold it constant across campaigns so you're comparing like with like. If you shorten the window for one creator and extend it for another, the comparison is meaningless. ## 2026 benchmarks: what does good look like? According to the [Influencer Marketing Hub 2026 Benchmark Report](https://influencermarketinghub.com/influencer-marketing-benchmark-report/), brands earn an average of **$5.20 for every $1 invested** in influencer marketing. Top-performing campaigns — well-targeted audiences, strong brand fit, clean tracking — push to $11–$18 per dollar. A few other benchmarks worth knowing: - **Micro-influencers outperform on cost-efficiency.** Creators with 10K–100K followers generate higher engagement rates than mega-influencers and charge significantly less per post. In conversion campaigns, they often deliver higher ROI per dollar spent than larger accounts. - **Authenticity is a multiplier.** Engagement rate and audience authenticity predict conversion performance better than follower count. An inflated audience suppresses your ROAS — you pay reach premiums for viewers who don't exist. - **Surveyed marketers are positive:** 83% of the 650 marketers Sprout Social surveyed reported their influencer campaigns were effective or very effective. But the 17% who didn't mostly pointed to poor targeting and vague objectives — both preventable. ## A worked campaign, end to end Abstract formulas are where ROI measurement goes wrong, so here is one campaign with every number carried through. **The brief.** A DTC skincare brand runs four micro-creators for a launch. One objective: first-time purchases in 30 days. **Total campaign cost — all of it, not just the fees:** | Line | Cost | |---|---| | 4 creator fees @ $1,200 | $4,800 | | Product gifted (4 × $85 retail, $22 COGS) | $88 | | Whitelisting rights on 2 of the 4 posts | $900 | | Agency management fee | $600 | | Internal time (12 h @ $65 loaded) | $780 | | **Total** | **$7,168** | The tempting number is $4,800. Reporting against fees alone rather than the full $7,168 turns this campaign's ROI from **227% into 389%** before a single extra sale is counted — and that is the single most common way influencer ROI gets overstated in a deck. **Attributed revenue, by tracking method:** | Method | Orders | Revenue | |---|---|---| | Promo codes (4 unique) | 214 | $16,050 | | UTM-attributed, no code used | 61 | $4,575 | | Post-purchase survey only | 38 | $2,850 | | **Total** | **313** | **$23,475** | Note what the three methods each caught. Codes are the backbone but miss anyone who forgot to type one. UTMs catch same-device clickers and miss everyone who saw the post on a phone and bought on a laptop. The survey catches that last group and nothing else. Run only codes and you would have reported $16,050 — a 32% undercount, which reads as a mediocre campaign. **The result:** > ROI = (($23,475 − $7,168) ÷ $7,168) × 100 = **227%** > ROAS = $23,475 ÷ $7,168 = **$3.27** Against the $5.20-per-dollar average above, $3.27 is below par. Now the useful part: the per-creator split showed one creator at $0.61 ROAS and three between $3.90 and $4.80. Drop the fourth from the next flight and the same campaign shape returns **$4.16**. That is what the arithmetic is for — not a grade at the end, but the decision about who to book again. **One caveat this campaign makes concrete.** The fourth creator's post reached 41,000 accounts and produced 15 orders — $1,093 against a $1,792 cost share, at the campaign's $75 average order value. Reach was not the problem; audience quality was. Auditing before booking would have cost nothing and saved $1,792 of the total. You can [check a YouTube or Twitch creator free](/#checker) before you sign. ## What the metrics don't capture Clean attribution handles conversion campaigns well. It handles brand campaigns poorly. A creator who introduces your product to 200K genuinely interested new people creates value that no promo code captures: brand awareness, future search intent, organic word-of-mouth, and earned media. For awareness campaigns, proxy metrics include: - Branded search lift (track your brand's search volume before and after the campaign period) - Social listening: mentions, sentiment, share of voice in your category - Direct/referral traffic growth in the attribution window - New vs. returning customer breakdown on purchases during the campaign These are directional signals, not hard attribution — but they're more useful than measuring an awareness campaign against a conversion yardstick. ## The authentication step that often gets skipped Measurement only works if the audience you paid for is real. A 3× ROAS on a campaign to an inflated audience is a 0× ROAS in reality — you just can't see it because the fake followers generate click-through noise without purchase intent. The sequence that protects your measurement: 1. [Check the creator's authenticity before you pay](/check/youtube/mrbeast) — run a free 0–100 authenticity score to flag fake follower patterns and abnormal growth curves 2. Set up tracking (UTM + promo code) before content goes live 3. Define your KPI and attribution window upfront 4. Measure at window close against your pre-campaign baseline Skipping step 1 makes steps 2–4 unreliable. A brand that verifies audience authenticity first has cleaner data, tighter attribution, and fewer campaigns that "shouldn't have failed." ## The short version Good influencer ROI measurement is mostly setup work done before a campaign launches: clear objectives, creator authentication, UTM links, promo codes, and a defined attribution window. Do that consistently and you build a dataset that improves your decisions over time — which creators drive real return, which formats convert, and where your spend compounds. --- *Sources: [Influencer Marketing Hub 2026 Benchmark Report](https://influencermarketinghub.com/influencer-marketing-benchmark-report/); [Improvado: How to Measure Influencer Marketing ROI](https://improvado.io/blog/measure-influencer-marketing); [Cometly: Influencer Marketing ROI Tracking](https://www.cometly.com/post/influencer-marketing-roi-tracking); [InfluenceFlow: Campaign Attribution Guide](https://influenceflow.io/resources/influencer-campaign-attribution-how-to-measure-what-actually-works-in-2026/); Sprout Social 2026 Influencer Marketing Report (650 marketers surveyed).* --- ## TikTok's US Deal: What Actually Changed for Creators URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/tiktok-usds-deal-what-it-means-for-creators Category: Industry · Published: 2026-07-28 Summary: TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC closed January 22, 2026. Here's what shifted for creators, influencer marketers, and brands running TikTok campaigns. After more than a year of on-again, off-again ban threats, the situation resolved on January 22, 2026: ByteDance divested TikTok's US operations into a newly incorporated entity, **TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC**, and the federal ban was permanently averted. The app stayed live. Accounts stayed intact. But some things did change — and a few of them matter if you're evaluating creators or running influencer campaigns on the platform. Here is what the deal actually means, based on what's been reported and confirmed. ## Who owns TikTok now The new joint venture has three managing investors: [Oracle](https://www.oracle.com/), [Silver Lake](https://www.silverlake.com/), and Abu Dhabi's state-backed [MGX](https://mgx.com/), which together hold a combined 50% stake — approximately 15% each, per [reporting by Variety](https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/tiktok-us-joint-venture-deal-close-date-oracle-silver-lake-1236612315/). Existing ByteDance investors hold roughly 30.1%, and ByteDance itself retains a 19.9% minority stake — just below the legal threshold that would have triggered the ban under the federal statute. Oracle is the designated security partner. Per deal terms reported by [Content Grip](https://www.contentgrip.com/tiktok-us-deal-oracle/) and [MacDailyNews](https://macdailynews.com/2026/01/23/tiktok-forms-majority-american-owned-venture-with-oracle-silver-lake-and-mgx/), Oracle is responsible for data audits, replicating and retraining the algorithm under US jurisdiction, and ensuring ongoing compliance with national security requirements. That last point matters for understanding what could change algorithmically over time. ## What stayed the same The operational continuity for users was immediate and complete. According to [Romano Law's explainer](https://www.romanolaw.com/tiktoks-new-u-s-entity-explained-what-creators-need-to-know-in-2026/) and [Pulse Advertising's brand briefing](https://www.pulse-advertising.com/resources/social-media-news/tiktok-us-deal-2026/), users didn't need to take any action — followers, videos, likes, comments, and account data transferred without disruption. Marketing tools, analytics, and advertising features continued to function normally. The app's core experience was unchanged at launch. For brands already running TikTok campaigns, ad targeting and creative tools remained operational. The deal didn't interrupt the media-buy infrastructure or require platforms to re-verify integrations. ## What changed, or could **Algorithm oversight is now US-based.** Oracle's role in retraining and auditing the algorithm under American jurisdiction introduces a compliance variable that didn't exist before. As [Digiday reported](https://digiday.com/marketing/tiktoks-u-s-ownership-shift-raises-creator-concerns-over-algorithm-changes/) shortly after the deal closed, some creators raised concerns that US-regulated content moderation could mean different visibility rules — particularly around politically sensitive or news-adjacent content. No sweeping changes were announced in the immediate term, but the structural fact is that a US-based entity now has authority over the algorithm, which was the core demand of the ban statute. **Monetization tightened around authenticity.** The 2026 enforcement environment on TikTok tightened further after the deal. The platform's Creator Rewards Program — which replaced the earlier Creator Fund and pays based on qualified views for videos over one minute — became stricter about what counts as authentic engagement. Per [SocialCal's analysis](https://www.socialcal.app/blog/how-to-monetize-tiktok), watch time and shares now carry more weight than passive likes in how earnings and algorithmic reach are calculated. That directly affects how creator performance looks on paper. **Some creators experienced disruptions.** [Forbes reported](https://www.forbes.com/sites/katiesalcius/2026/01/27/creators-and-brands-sound-off-on-the-new-us-tiktok/) on missed payouts and stalled TikTok Shop commerce in the transition weeks — operational friction, not structural collapse, but enough for some creators to accelerate moves toward YouTube or other platforms. ## What this means if you're vetting a creator The deal resolved platform uncertainty, but it also highlights a few due-diligence points that weren't as visible during the ban-threat period: **Engagement metrics shifted.** If you're looking at a TikTok creator's historical engagement rate, be aware that the 2026 algorithm rewards watch time and shares — metrics that weren't weighted the same way a year ago. A creator who was performing well on the old mix of likes-to-followers may look different on the new one. Our [TikTok engagement rate calculator](/tools/tiktok/engagement-rate-calculator) runs the baseline math client-side if you want a quick benchmark against current rates. **Platform concentration risk is real.** The disruptions in January 2026 — missed payouts, stalled commerce — were a reminder that creators whose income was entirely TikTok-dependent had no buffer during the transition. For a brand evaluating a creator for a long-term partnership, diversified platform presence is worth looking at alongside the headline follower count. **Audience authenticity hasn't changed as a problem.** The deal changed ownership; it didn't change the underlying dynamics of bought followers, artificial engagement, or inflated metrics on TikTok. If anything, the heightened authenticity focus in monetization enforcement makes the gap between real and padded audiences more visible. The [free authenticity checker](/#checker) on this site covers YouTube and Twitch natively (the two platforms with free data APIs); for TikTok, the engagement rate calculator lets you run your own numbers against the current benchmarks. ## The strategic read The TikTok USDS deal is a structural turning point rather than a dramatic operational change. The app is stable. US advertisers can plan with more confidence than they could six months ago. But the transition also clarified something: the creators who came through without disruption were the ones who had built their audience across multiple platforms and didn't depend on any single point of monetization. That diversification argument is the same one that real engagement metrics make: an authentic, engaged audience on two or three platforms is more durable than a large, inflated one on a single platform where the algorithm can shift overnight. --- *Sources: [Variety](https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/tiktok-us-joint-venture-deal-close-date-oracle-silver-lake-1236612315/); [MacDailyNews](https://macdailynews.com/2026/01/23/tiktok-forms-majority-american-owned-venture-with-oracle-silver-lake-and-mgx/); [Content Grip](https://www.contentgrip.com/tiktok-us-deal-oracle/); [Pulse Advertising](https://www.pulse-advertising.com/resources/social-media-news/tiktok-us-deal-2026/); [Romano Law](https://www.romanolaw.com/tiktoks-new-u-s-entity-explained-what-creators-need-to-know-in-2026/); [Digiday](https://digiday.com/marketing/tiktoks-u-s-ownership-shift-raises-creator-concerns-over-algorithm-changes/); [Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/katiesalcius/2026/01/27/creators-and-brands-sound-off-on-the-new-us-tiktok/); [SocialCal](https://www.socialcal.app/blog/how-to-monetize-tiktok).* --- ## What to Include in a Brand Deal Contract (2026 Guide) URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/influencer-brand-deal-contract-guide Category: Guides · Published: 2026-07-25 Summary: Every clause an influencer brand deal contract needs in 2026 — deliverables, usage rights, exclusivity, FTC disclosure, kill fees — for creators and brands. You found a brand, agreed on a rate, and shook hands. The next step is the contract — and that's where most creator–brand relationships either get protected or get messy. Usage rights disputes and missed payment terms are among the most common sources of conflict in influencer partnerships. The contract isn't paperwork for paperwork's sake; it converts informal agreement into enforceable commitment, on both sides. A good one protects a creator from a brand that won't pay or suddenly wants to run their content as paid ads forever. It protects a brand from a creator who disappears before delivery or posts for a competitor the next week. This guide covers the eight clauses every influencer contract needs in 2026, the language to watch for, and how to think about each section whether you're the creator or the brand. --- ## The 8 must-have clauses ### 1. Parties and scope of work Name the parties precisely: legal names, business entities (not just social handles), and representative contacts on each side. If an agency is involved, clarify whether the brand or the agency is the contracting party — it matters for payment and dispute resolution. Scope should state what the relationship is: a one-off campaign, an ambassador arrangement, or a long-term retainer. Vagueness here creates ambiguity over whether later requests ("can you add one more Story?") are included. ### 2. Deliverables This is the clause most often written too loosely. Instead of "create promotional content," write: - Format and quantity: "2 Instagram Reels, each 30–60 seconds" - Required elements: "verbally mention the product name and its key benefit; include a link-in-bio CTA" - Posting dates: specific calendar dates, not "within 30 days" - Caption requirements: hashtags, tags, any mandated language If the brand wants Stories, YouTube Shorts, a TikTok, and a blog mention — each is a separate deliverable with its own format spec. List them individually. ### 3. Compensation and payment schedule State the total fee, the currency, the payment method, and the payment timing. "Net 30 after content goes live" is common; "50% upfront, 50% on delivery" is better for creators on larger deals. Performance-based bonuses (e.g., extra pay if a Reel exceeds a view threshold) are legitimate — if you include them, define exactly how performance is measured and who provides the data. ### 4. Content ownership and usage rights Under US copyright law, the creator owns the copyright in original content they produce — unless the contract explicitly transfers that ownership. Most brand deal contracts do *not* transfer full ownership; instead, they grant a license. That license needs four boundaries defined in writing: | Dimension | What to specify | |---|---| | **Channels** | Organic reposts only? Paid ads? Brand website? Email? All of the above? | | **Duration** | 6 months? 1 year? Perpetuity? | | **Geography** | Worldwide, or a specific territory? | | **Exclusivity** | Can the creator license the same content to anyone else? | Posting an Instagram Reel and running that Reel as a paid Meta ad are different services — they should be priced separately. If a brand's contract bundles unlimited paid-media usage into a single flat fee without flagging it, that's worth renegotiating. Whitelisting rights (the brand runs ads from your handle) typically carry a meaningful rate premium. ### 5. Exclusivity Exclusivity defines how long and how broadly a creator is restricted from promoting competing products. The practical guidance: push for *category* exclusivity (e.g., "skincare brands") rather than full exclusivity (e.g., "any product"), and cap the duration to the campaign window plus a short post-campaign tail — 30 to 90 days is standard. Read this clause carefully. A poorly drafted exclusivity clause can quietly prevent a creator from taking any brand work for months, even in unrelated niches. ### 6. FTC disclosure requirements Under the FTC Endorsement Guides (updated 2023), both creators and brands are responsible for ensuring that paid partnerships are disclosed clearly and conspicuously. "Clear and conspicuous" has a specific meaning: the disclosure must be impossible to miss — not buried in hashtags, not after a long caption, not skipped in a video because it feels awkward. The contract should spell out the exact disclosure language and placement — for example: "Creator will use Instagram's official Paid Partnership label and include the words 'paid partnership' or '#ad' in the first line of the caption or verbally in the first 30 seconds of any video." Vague language like "follow applicable regulations" shifts ambiguity to whoever gets reviewed first. Enforcement risk falls on both parties. Brands that knowingly work with creators who don't disclose properly face their own liability. ### 7. Revision and approval process Define: how many revision rounds are included, the turnaround time for brand review, and what "approval by default" looks like if the brand is silent past a deadline. Without this clause, a brand can request unlimited revisions indefinitely, or a creator can post without approval and claim they were waiting. One round of revisions after draft submission is a reasonable default. More than two rounds on a paid campaign typically signals a misaligned brief, not a content problem. ### 8. Kill fee and cancellation terms Campaigns get cancelled — budget freezes, brand emergencies, and strategy pivots are real. A kill fee clause determines what each party keeps when that happens. A common structure: - **Brand cancels before brief delivery:** creator keeps any upfront payment; no further obligation. - **Brand cancels after brief approval but before draft submission:** creator receives 50% of the total fee. - **Brand cancels after draft delivery:** creator receives 100% of the total fee. The kill fee should also address what happens if *the creator* fails to deliver: the standard is a full refund of any advance, less documented expenses incurred by the creator. --- ## Clauses to read twice A few things that sometimes appear in brand-drafted contracts and deserve scrutiny: - **"Perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide" usage rights bundled into a flat fee** — this is essentially a full content buyout. It isn't automatically unfair, but it should be priced accordingly. A flat sponsorship fee that grants a brand unlimited ad rights forever is worth more than one that grants a 6-month organic repost license. - **Unlimited revision cycles** — any contract that doesn't cap revisions gives the brand leverage to delay indefinitely. Add a number. - **"Creator warrants that all content is original"** — standard, but make sure it only applies to the content you're creating for the brand, not your entire body of work. - **Non-disparagement clauses** — common and generally fine, but pay attention to whether they survive the contract term and what they actually prohibit. --- ## Before you sign: verify both sides Contracts protect what's already agreed — they don't fix a bad-faith partner. Before signing, creators should verify the brand is a real, established company with a discoverable track record. Brands should verify the creator's audience is real and their engagement matches what they're claiming. The easiest way to do that second check: run the creator's handle through our free [authenticity checker](/#checker) before the deal is on paper. A 10-second check against the engagement benchmarks catches the most obvious red flags — an inflated follower count, an engagement rate that doesn't match the tier — before a contract is drafted, not after. --- ## The short version A brand deal contract doesn't need to be long. It needs to be specific. Get deliverables, usage rights, exclusivity scope and duration, FTC disclosure language, revision rounds, and kill fee terms in writing before any content is created. The brands and creators who skip this step don't usually regret it until after something goes wrong — by which point the informal handshake has no enforcement mechanism. --- ## YouTube Views-to-Subscriber Ratio: Benchmarks & Red Flags URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/youtube-views-to-subscriber-ratio-2026 Category: Guides · Published: 2026-07-25 Summary: Is a YouTube channel's subscriber count backed by real views? The views-to-subscriber ratio reveals the gap — 2026 benchmarks and fraud red flags explained. YouTube engagement rate gets the most attention, but brands auditing a channel for a sponsorship often reach for a blunter, faster check first: how many of those subscribers actually show up to watch? The views-to-subscriber ratio answers that in one calculation — and when the answer is far below the expected range, it's one of the clearest early signals that a subscriber count has been inflated, or that an audience has quietly walked away. This is not the same metric as engagement rate. Engagement rate (likes + comments ÷ views) tells you whether the people who *watched* a video cared enough to interact. The views-to-subscriber ratio tells you whether subscribers are *watching at all*. Both matter, but for authenticity vetting — spotting bought followers and ghost subscribers — the view ratio comes first. ## How to calculate it The formula is simple: **(Average views on recent videos ÷ subscribers) × 100** Use the average views across the last 10–15 uploads, skipping any clear viral outliers. A channel with 200,000 subscribers and an average of 20,000 views per video has a 10% views-to-subscriber ratio. That's comfortably inside the healthy range for a mid-sized channel. A few practical notes: - **Skip viral outliers.** One video that broke out via Shorts, a collab, or a trending topic will inflate the average and give you a number you can't rely on for vetting. Average the channel's typical content. - **Use a consistent window.** Last 10–15 non-Shorts videos is the standard. YouTube Shorts have a completely different distribution pattern and should be evaluated separately. - **Channel age matters.** Newer channels with under 10,000 subscribers often show ratios outside the typical ranges — audiences are still forming, and a single viral video can distort everything. Apply the benchmarks below to channels with an established posting history. ## 2026 benchmarks by subscriber tier Healthy views-to-subscriber ratios vary by channel size. Smaller audiences are typically more self-selected and engaged; at scale, more subscribers are casual or lapsed. According to multiple YouTube growth analyses — including guides from [Veefly](https://blog.veefly.com/youtube/what-is-a-good-youtube-subscriber-to-view-ratio/) and [SEOStudio](https://seostudio.tools/blog/youtube-subscribers-to-views-ratio/) — the 5–20% range covers most healthy channels, with the 8–14% band as a commonly cited middle target. | Subscriber tier | Healthy range | Caution zone | Red flag | |---|---|---|---| | Nano (1K–10K) | 15%–40%+ | 8%–15% | under 5% | | Micro (10K–100K) | 10%–25% | 5%–10% | under 4% | | Mid (100K–1M) | 5%–20% | 3%–5% | under 3% | | Macro (1M–10M) | 3%–12% | 1.5%–3% | under 1.5% | | Mega (10M+) | 1%–8% | 0.5%–1% | under 0.5% | The direction is consistent: smaller audiences pull higher ratios. A nano creator at 30% is working from a tight, intent-driven subscriber base. A mega channel at 3% is a realistic outcome of scale — not every subscriber who joined five years ago watches every video. What's suspicious at 500,000 subscribers (say, 1%) is normal at 50,000,000. ## What the 48-hour window tells you Beyond the overall average, many brand media buyers check an additional signal: how much of a channel's subscriber base shows up within the first 48 hours of a new upload. YouTube's algorithm uses the early response from existing subscribers as a distribution signal — it tests the video with the subscriber base before pushing it to recommendations. That means a channel's first-48-hour view rate is a proxy for how engaged the core audience actually is. A widely referenced creator-community rule of thumb: a healthy channel should pull **15–40% of its subscribers** within the first 48 hours of a new video going live. This is not an official YouTube figure, and niche, posting frequency, and video length all affect it — but a mid-sized channel (around 100,000 subscribers) that consistently fails to reach 10% in 48 hours has an audience that isn't responding, which brands pay close attention to. ## Why a low ratio doesn't always mean fraud A views-to-subscriber ratio well below the expected range is a red flag worth investigating — but it isn't automatically proof of purchased subscribers. Several legitimate explanations should be considered first: - **Content pivot.** A channel that moved from gaming to cooking (or tech to lifestyle) may have retained its old subscribers while losing the audience that cared. The subscriber count reflects an old reality the content no longer serves. - **Audience atrophy.** Channels that slowed or stopped posting for a period will have large subscriber bases with shrunken active audiences. YouTube doesn't prune inactive followers — they stay counted indefinitely. - **Format shift.** Moving from long-form to Shorts-heavy output changes how views accumulate and where they come from. A channel's apparent ratio can drop significantly while total views actually rise. - **Niche migration.** An account that built its following on trending content (challenges, reaction videos, commentary on a news cycle) often sees its ratio compress once that trend passes. If any of these explain the gap, ask about it. A creator who can walk you through a content shift with the timeline is in a very different position from one who can't explain why their 500,000 subscribers produced 6,000 views last month. ## What fraud specifically looks like When the cause is actually manipulated subscriber counts, the signal is different in character from simple audience decay. Per guides from [PeerToPeerMarketing](https://peertopeermarketing.co/fake-youtube-subscribers/) and [Creator Hero](https://www.creator-hero.com/blog/how-to-spot-youtube-fake-subscribers/), the specific fraud patterns to watch for: - **Consistent sub-5% ratio with no content pivot.** A channel posting the same content it always has, with no obvious niche change, whose videos routinely land below 5% of the subscriber count. Audience decay this severe on a consistent creator is uncommon without a structural cause. - **Staircase growth on Social Blade.** Legitimate subscriber growth looks like a wobbly upward slope with occasional spikes tied to viral videos or collabs. Purchased subscribers show up as vertical jumps with flat periods between them and no viral event to explain the spike. [Social Blade](https://socialblade.com) exposes this history publicly for any channel. - **Comment–view mismatch.** Channels with real audiences generate comments roughly proportional to views. A video with 200,000 views and three comments is a different shape of problem than a low view count — it points to bot-inflated views rather than bot-inflated subscribers. - **Wildly inconsistent video-to-video views.** One video sitting at 300,000 views while the surrounding videos average 4,000 — with no viral explanation — can indicate a bot drop on a single video to manufacture a highlight for a brand pitch. ## How to check it Manually: pull the last 10–15 video view counts from the channel page, average them, divide by the subscriber count, and multiply by 100. It takes about three minutes and costs nothing. For the growth history: [Social Blade](https://socialblade.com) shows subscriber and view trajectories for free. A staircase pattern on the subscriber chart with no corresponding spike in the views chart is worth flagging. For a faster read across both YouTube and Twitch — the two platforms with a public data API — our [free authenticity checker](/#checker) pulls the engagement and audience signals automatically and returns a transparent 0–100 score with a published confidence weight. The view-to-subscriber ratio feeds directly into the engagement and audience sub-scores. See [the methodology](/methodology) for exactly how the weighting works; nothing is a black box. If you want to spot-check a specific creator before reading the score, try [MrBeast](/check/youtube/mrbeast), [Marques Brownlee](/check/youtube/mkbhd), or [any handle in the creator directory](/directory). ## The bottom line The views-to-subscriber ratio is the fastest first filter for audience legitimacy on YouTube. Five minutes with a calculator and Social Blade will tell you whether a channel's subscriber count and its actual viewership tell the same story. When they don't — and there's no obvious niche shift, posting gap, or format change to explain it — that gap is worth taking seriously before a sponsorship budget goes in. For the full engagement picture beyond the ratio, see [YouTube engagement rate benchmarks by subscriber tier](/blog/good-engagement-rate-youtube-2026). For verifying both identity and audience health on YouTube and Twitch step by step, [the full verification guide](/blog/how-to-verify-a-youtube-or-twitch-account-is-legit) walks through each check. --- ## Creator Economy 2026: $4.8B in Fraud, AI's Blind Spot URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/creator-economy-2026-key-findings Category: Industry · Published: 2026-07-23 Summary: The Influencer Marketing Factory's 2026 Creator Economy Report: $4.8B in fraud losses, an emerging creator middle class, and AI's blind spot in detection. The Influencer Marketing Factory released its [2026 Creator Economy Report](https://theinfluencermarketingfactory.com/creator-economy-report/) earlier this year, covering more than 200 million content creators globally. Two numbers stand out: an estimated **$4.8 billion in influencer fraud losses** in 2026, and the fact that nearly half of all creators earn under $10,000 a year. The picture the data paints is more complicated than the creator-economy narrative usually admits. Here are the findings that matter most for brands and creators operating in this environment. ## Most creators earn far less than the headlines suggest The report's earnings breakdown cuts against the "six-figure creator" story that dominates social media: - **48.7%** of creators earn under $10,000 annually - **45.6%** earn between $10,000 and $100,000 — the emerging "creator middle class" - **5.7%** earn over $100,000 That top 5.7% is where most of the press coverage lives. The majority of the 200M-creator ecosystem is in the bottom two tiers, working hard for income that wouldn't replace a median salary in most markets. The report frames the $10K–$100K band as meaningful progress: a genuine professional class of creators who are making a real living, even if not a lavish one. That's a different story from "influencing is either a lottery win or a side hustle" — and it's probably closer to the truth. ## Fraud losses hit an estimated $4.8 billion The authenticity problem in influencer marketing isn't abstract. The report puts the 2026 fraud loss figure at an estimated **$4.8 billion** — money spent on campaigns where audience metrics were inflated, fake, or manipulated. Fraud and authenticity concerns rank third among marketers' challenges, accounting for **12.73%** of reported problems. That's behind rising creator costs (35.4%) and budget constraints, but it's a meaningful share of operational anxiety — and a figure that corresponds to real campaign losses, not just worry. The FTC and UK FCA have responded with enforcement: per the report, **2,340 creators** are currently under investigation for fake or AI-generated reviews under the FTC's October 2024 rule. That's enforcement at a scale that didn't exist two years ago, and it changes the risk calculation for brands that have quietly tolerated inflated metrics. For brands, the math is straightforward: fraud losses come from paying reach premiums for audiences that don't exist. For creators with real, authentic audiences, a documented clean profile is now a competitive advantage — not just a nice-to-have. ## AI is moving fast on discovery, slowly on fraud detection The report tracks how AI is being used inside influencer marketing programs. Most marketers have adopted it in some form: only **10.56%** report no AI use in their influencer campaigns. Where AI is being applied reveals a gap. **Creator discovery** leads at 36.67% adoption — AI is good at sorting through thousands of accounts to surface candidates. **Fraud detection**, meanwhile, sits at just **7.22%** adoption. That's a significant mismatch. AI can find creators at scale, but relatively few teams are using it to verify whether those creators' audiences are real. The manual spot-check — checking engagement rate, follower growth curves, comment authenticity — remains the primary method for most brands. This gap explains part of the fraud loss figure. Discovery at scale without verification at scale is how inflated accounts slip through. ## Virtual influencers outperform on engagement — but not where it matters The report also quantifies the virtual influencer trend. AI-generated creator accounts average a **5.67% engagement rate** versus **1.89% for human creators** in comparable contexts. The engagement advantage is real. The context matters, though. In categories where authenticity is the product — health advice, financial recommendations, personal development — sponsored posts by human creators outperform virtual ones by up to **2.7×**, per the report. Audiences respond differently when they believe the creator has actually used the product or lived the experience. Virtual influencers win on engagement metrics in entertainment and novelty content. Human creators win in conversion contexts where trust is the mechanism. ## Visibility is harder than it looks from the outside One of the starkest data points in the report: **76% of TikTok creators** receive fewer than 1,000 views per post. On Instagram, it's 46.2%. On long-form YouTube, 59.1%. Most content, made by most creators, reaches almost no one. The accounts that break through are outliers, not the norm — and they have characteristics that distinguish them from the majority: consistency, niche clarity, engagement that converts viewers into repeat audiences. This is also why follower counts alone are an increasingly poor proxy for reach. A creator with 50,000 followers and a 76% post-view rate of under-1,000 is not the same as a creator with 50,000 followers who consistently hits 30,000 views. ## What this means for brands and creators The overall picture from the 2026 data is one of a maturing, more professionally diverse ecosystem that is also more contested and more fraud-prone than it was three years ago. A few practical reads: **For brands:** The fraud loss figure argues for verification before spend, not after. An engagement-rate check and a growth-curve audit take minutes; a $20,000 campaign paid to an inflated account takes much longer to diagnose as a loss. The [creator authenticity checker](/#checker) gives you a 0–100 score with transparent methodology — a fast way to flag accounts worth a deeper look before a deal is signed. **For creators:** The earnings data shows that the middle band ($10K–$100K) is real and reachable — but getting there requires an audience that actually engages, not just a follower count that looks good in a media kit. In an environment where enforcement is rising and brands are doing more due diligence, a documented authentic audience is a differentiator. **On AI:** The detection gap — 36.67% adoption for discovery, 7.22% for fraud detection — will likely close over the next two years as the tools mature. Brands that build verification into their discovery workflow now are ahead of that curve. --- *Sources: [The Influencer Marketing Factory 2026 Creator Economy Report](https://theinfluencermarketingfactory.com/creator-economy-report/) (via [Yahoo Finance](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/influencer-marketing-factory-releases-2026-130000296.html) and [Newswire](https://www.newswire.com/news/the-influencer-marketing-factory-releases-2026-creator-economy-report-revealing)); [Influencer Marketing Hub 2026 Benchmark Report](https://influencermarketinghub.com/influencer-marketing-benchmark-report/).* --- ## YouTube's Inauthentic Content Crackdown, Explained URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/youtube-inauthentic-content-crackdown-2026 Category: Industry · Published: 2026-07-23 Summary: YouTube's January 2026 enforcement wave terminated 16 channels. What changed under the inauthentic content policy and what it means for brands. In July 2025, YouTube quietly renamed one of its monetization rules: "repetitious content" became "inauthentic content." The label change looked minor. What followed in January 2026 was not. According to reporting from [OutlierKit](https://outlierkit.com/resources/youtube-ai-slop-crackdown-2026/) and [TechTimes](https://www.techtimes.com/articles/320629/20260715/youtube-wiped-35m-subscribers-over-ai-slop-now-its-judging-your-taste.htm), YouTube's January 2026 enforcement wave terminated 16 channels carrying a combined 35 million subscribers and 4.7 billion lifetime views. Press estimates placed the affected channels' annual ad revenue at around $10 million. It was, by those accounts, the largest single enforcement action against AI-generated channels in the platform's history. ## What the policy actually says YouTube's [Fake Engagement Policy](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/3399767) has long prohibited artificially inflating metrics — views, watch time, likes, subscribers. The July 2025 update extended that principle to content itself. The new "inauthentic content" language targets videos that: - Are mass-produced from templates with little variation between uploads - Can be replicated at scale without meaningful human editorial input - Are designed to exploit search and recommendation algorithms rather than genuinely serve viewers YouTube CEO Neal Mohan described the target as "AI slop" — low-quality, formulaic content produced to game the algorithm. The policy does not ban AI tools; it bans using those tools to manufacture content at scale with no real audience intent behind it. ## What triggered the January enforcement wave Among the earliest channels caught by the renewed enforcement were Screen Culture and KH Studio, two operations built around AI-generated fake movie trailers, per [reporting from Factually.co](https://factually.co/fact-checks/media/major-youtube-channels-terminated-2025-2026-reasons-99ab56) and [AOL/AP coverage](https://www.aol.com/articles/youtube-pulls-plug-popular-ai-160052025.html). Both used AI narration over repurposed studio footage to generate trailer-style videos for films that hadn't been announced or didn't exist — accumulating views by exploiting viewer curiosity and search intent. The January wave broadened enforcement beyond that specific tactic to any channel exhibiting the high-volume, low-variation pattern the policy targets. ## Collateral damage on legitimate creators Not every channel caught in the enforcement wave was running a scam. As [The Next Web reported](https://thenextweb.com/news/youtube-ai-slop-crackdown-faceless-creators-collateral-damage), some legitimate "faceless" creators — who don't appear on camera but produce genuinely human-made content — found themselves flagged by the same signals: voiceover-heavy format, fast upload pace, non-face thumbnails. YouTube's enforcement operates at scale, which means imprecision is a real risk. Creators who rely heavily on AI tools for efficiency, even in service of original ideas, are now in a grayer zone than they were a year ago. ## Why this matters for brands and marketers For anyone doing influencer due diligence, the January wave has two practical implications: **1. Past subscriber counts are noisier than they look.** Channels that survived the January wave may still carry subscriber numbers inflated by an audience that followed them when their content was algorithmic junk and never meaningfully engaged. A channel at 800K subscribers that peaked on AI-slop content and pivoted to legitimate work will look large on paper but deliver reach far smaller than the number suggests. Engagement rate versus subscriber count tells that story faster than anything else. **2. Growth pattern auditing is now more important, not less.** The enforcement wave removed some of the most egregious inflators from the platform, but it didn't eliminate channels that used AI tools more conservatively. Checking whether a YouTube channel's subscriber growth correlates with actual content milestones — viral uploads, collabs, press coverage — remains the fastest manual check for whether an audience was earned or manufactured. ## What the policy does not target YouTube has been explicit that AI assistance is permitted. The [July 2025 policy clarification](https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/7/youtube-updates-its-policy-to-demonetize-inauthentic-mass-produced-ai-generated-content) confirmed that AI-enhanced content, reaction videos, commentary, and tutorials are unaffected. The line is between using AI to make better content versus using AI to manufacture content in place of any real creative intent. That distinction matters if you're a brand evaluating a creator who uses AI in their workflow. The question isn't whether they use AI tools — it's whether the content has a real audience that watches, comments, and trusts the recommendation. ## Checking a channel before a partnership The inauthentic content crackdown makes the legitimacy check more useful, not less. Subscriber count was already a weak proxy for real reach; now it's even weaker, because some large channels were inflated by tactics YouTube is actively unwinding. What actually tells you whether a channel's audience is real: - **Engagement relative to subscriber count** — does the video view-to-subscriber ratio hold up? Comments read like real viewers? - **Growth pattern** — gradual with identifiable spikes, or staircase jumps with no content moment to explain them? - **Content consistency** — has the channel maintained a coherent niche and upload cadence, or does it show the high-frequency pivot pattern of an algorithmic channel? The free [authenticity check](/#checker) on So Influential scores YouTube channels across exactly these dimensions — engagement quality, growth signals, and content consistency — and returns a 0–100 score with a confidence rating so thin data is never presented as more certain than it actually is. You can also browse the [creator directory](/directory) for vetted YouTube channels by niche. For a deeper look at how the scoring engine works, the [methodology page](/methodology) explains each sub-score. --- *YouTube's Fake Engagement Policy is available at [support.google.com/youtube/answer/3399767](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/3399767). The July 2025 inauthentic content policy update was reported by [Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/technology/youtube-updates-monetisation-policies-ai-and-repetitive-content-ban-begins-july-15-1.500192660) and [AlternativeTo](https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/7/youtube-updates-its-policy-to-demonetize-inauthentic-mass-produced-ai-generated-content). January 2026 enforcement statistics cited from [OutlierKit](https://outlierkit.com/resources/youtube-ai-slop-crackdown-2026/) and [TechTimes](https://www.techtimes.com/articles/320629/20260715/youtube-wiped-35m-subscribers-over-ai-slop-now-its-judging-your-taste.htm).* --- ## The FTC Is Now Enforcing Its Ban on Bought Followers URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/ftc-consumer-review-rule-fake-followers-enforcement Category: Industry · Published: 2026-07-21 Summary: The FTC's Consumer Review Rule bans bought followers and fake reviews. First enforcement letters arrived December 2025 — what it means for creators and brands. For years, buying followers, views, or engagement was a legal gray area in the US — clearly against every platform's terms of service, but not something a federal regulator had explicit rulemaking authority to punish on its own. That changed with the Federal Trade Commission's **Consumer Review and Testimonials Rule**, finalized in August 2024, and in December 2025 the agency took its first concrete enforcement step under it — a signal worth understanding if you buy, sell, or evaluate audience size for a living. ## What the rule actually bans Per the [FTC's own announcement](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/08/federal-trade-commission-announces-final-rule-banning-fake-reviews-testimonials), the Rule — which took effect October 21, 2024 — prohibits several specific practices, including: - Creating, buying, or disseminating fake or false consumer reviews and testimonials, including ones from people who never used the product - Buying positive reviews or paying for reviews contingent on a positive rating - Undisclosed insider reviews (employees or close relatives reviewing their own company's products without disclosure) - Review suppression — companies that intimidate or threaten people to remove honest negative reviews - **Buying or selling fake indicators of social media influence** — specifically, followers, views, or other engagement generated by bots or hijacked accounts, when the buyer knew or should have known they were fake That last provision is the one that lands squarely on this site's beat: it is now a federal violation, not just a platform-policy violation, to purchase fake followers or views intended to misrepresent your (or a client's) real audience size for commercial purposes. ## The first enforcement letters went out in December 2025 Rules on paper only matter once there's enforcement behind them. On December 22, 2025, the FTC [sent warning letters to 10 companies](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/12/ftc-warns-10-companies-about-possible-violations-agencys-new-consumer-review-rule), flagging practices that included fake or undisclosed reviews and the misuse of fake social media influence indicators — the agency's first public step toward enforcing the Rule since it took effect over a year earlier. Multiple law firms that track FTC advertising enforcement, including [Kelley Drye](https://www.kelleydrye.com/viewpoints/blogs/ad-law-access/ftc-warns-companies-of-potential-violations-of-the-consumer-review-rule) and [Venable](https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2025/12/ftc-signals-heightened-enforcement-of-new), described the letters as a signal that active enforcement — not just the existence of the Rule — was beginning. The letters directed each recipient to immediately stop any non-compliant practice and to confirm in writing the steps taken to come into compliance. They are warnings, not lawsuits — but they establish that the companies were on notice, which matters for any future case. Violations of the Rule can carry civil penalties, which multiple outlets tracking the letters put at up to $53,088 per violation. ## Why this matters beyond the 10 companies involved The Rule's fake-followers provision doesn't just target businesses that sell follower packages — it also creates exposure for whoever *buys* them to misrepresent their reach for a commercial purpose. That reframes "buying followers" from a platform-terms-of-service problem (your account gets banned) into a regulatory-exposure problem (you can be fined by a federal agency). For any brand vetting a creator for a paid partnership, that raises the stakes on doing real due diligence before money changes hands, not just trusting a media kit. It also lines up with where the FTC says it's headed next: the agency's FY 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, published in April 2026, names bot-inflated engagement and purchased followers as an ongoing enforcement priority — so the December letters are very likely a first step rather than a one-off. ## What this means if you're vetting a creator The regulatory risk sits on top of the reputational and financial risk that already existed — a sponsor paying for reach that isn't real was always a bad deal even before a federal rule existed to punish it. The practical response hasn't changed: check engagement against audience size, look for unexplained growth spikes, and don't take a follower count at face value. We cover the manual version of that process in [how to spot bought followers](/blog/how-to-spot-bought-followers) and [how to verify a YouTube or Twitch account is legit](/blog/how-to-verify-a-youtube-or-twitch-account-is-legit); our [free authenticity checker](/#checker) automates the same math for any YouTube or Twitch handle, with a transparent 0-100 score and an estimated fake-follower percentage instead of a black-box verdict. Browse the [creator directory](/directory) if you're starting a vetting shortlist from scratch. **Sources:** [FTC final rule announcement, ftc.gov, August 2024](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/08/federal-trade-commission-announces-final-rule-banning-fake-reviews-testimonials); [FTC warning letters to 10 companies, ftc.gov, December 2025](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/12/ftc-warns-10-companies-about-possible-violations-agencys-new-consumer-review-rule); legal analysis from [Kelley Drye](https://www.kelleydrye.com/viewpoints/blogs/ad-law-access/ftc-warns-companies-of-potential-violations-of-the-consumer-review-rule) and [Venable](https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2025/12/ftc-signals-heightened-enforcement-of-new). --- ## How to Verify a YouTube or Twitch Account Is Legit URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-to-verify-a-youtube-or-twitch-account-is-legit Category: Guides · Published: 2026-07-21 Summary: A step-by-step way to verify a YouTube or Twitch account is legit before you trust, hire, or sponsor it — subscriber math, upload history, and a free check. "Is this channel legit?" is one of the most common questions anyone asks before working with a creator — whether you're a brand about to sign a sponsorship, a viewer deciding who to trust, or a fan trying to figure out if an account is an impersonator. YouTube and Twitch are also the two platforms where you can actually answer the question with real data, because both publish a free public API (YouTube Data API v3, Twitch Helix) that anyone can query for subscriber counts, upload history, and live-viewer numbers. This guide walks through what to check by hand, and where an automated tool saves you the time. ## Start with the account itself, not the follower count Before touching any numbers, confirm you're looking at the actual creator and not an impersonator — a common scam on both platforms, especially around giveaways. - **Check for platform verification.** YouTube shows a checkmark next to verified channel names; Twitch shows a blue check badge for verified Partners. Absence of a badge doesn't automatically mean fake (many legitimate smaller creators aren't verified), but presence is a strong positive signal. - **Cross-reference the handle across platforms.** A real creator's YouTube channel, Twitch channel, and social profiles usually link to each other. An account with no cross-platform footprint, a recently created channel claiming an established creator's name, or subtle misspellings (extra characters, swapped letters) is the classic impersonation pattern. - **Look at account age.** Both platforms expose channel/account creation dates. A channel claiming years of history that was actually created last month is an immediate red flag. ## Do the subscriber-to-engagement math Once you've confirmed identity, the fastest legitimacy check is comparing audience size to actual engagement. **On YouTube:** average the likes, comments, and views across the last 10-12 uploads and divide by subscriber count. A channel with 500K subscribers whose videos routinely pull 3,000 views has a mismatch worth investigating — either the subscriber count was inflated at some point, or the channel has changed content direction and lost its original audience's interest. **On Twitch:** followers accumulate for the life of an account and never decay on their own, so they're a weak signal on their own. What matters is **average concurrent viewers (CCV)** relative to followers. A legitimate channel typically pulls live viewers at roughly 3-6% of its follower count in the micro tier, dropping toward 1% or less at very large scale (see our [Twitch engagement rate benchmarks](/blog/good-engagement-rate-twitch-2026) for the full breakdown by tier). A channel with 100,000 followers and 40 concurrent viewers — a 0.04% ratio — has a following that doesn't match its live reach. ## Check the shape of the growth, not just the total Organic audiences grow in a wobbly upward line with occasional spikes tied to a viral video, a collab, or a platform feature. Purchased followers and bot-inflated subscriber counts show up differently: flat histories broken by sudden vertical jumps with no corresponding event. If a channel's public stats (visible on third-party trackers like Social Blade or TwitchTracker) show a staircase pattern with no viral moment to explain it, that's a legitimacy flag worth asking about directly. ## Watch for the specific fraud each platform allows - **YouTube:** view-count and watch-time manipulation, comment bots, and subscriber-count purchases. YouTube's own [Fake Engagement Policy](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/3399767) explicitly bans artificially inflating any metric and states that traffic identified as artificial won't be counted — which is why a channel's *public* numbers can still include manipulation that hasn't been caught yet. - **Twitch:** view-botting is the platform-specific version of the problem — services that fill a live stream with fake concurrent viewers, which is much harder to audit after the fact than a static follower count. Twitch [documents the problem directly](https://help.twitch.tv/s/article/how-to-handle-view-follow-bots) and enforces against it, but detection lags behind the fraud. Checking chat activity against the reported viewer count is the best manual tell: real viewers post in chat, bots don't. ## Run an automated check Doing this by hand — pulling upload history, calculating ratios, cross-checking growth curves — takes real time per account, and most people vetting a creator have more than one to check. That's exactly the gap our free tool fills: [run a free authenticity check](/#checker) on any YouTube or Twitch handle and get a transparent 0-100 score with an estimated fake-follower percentage, engagement-quality read, and growth-pattern flags, plus a confidence rating so thin data is never presented as more certain than it is. See the [full methodology](/methodology) for exactly how the score is calculated — nothing about it is a black box. A few real accounts to try it on: [MrBeast](/check/youtube/mrbeast), [PewDiePie](/check/youtube/pewdiepie), or [Ninja](/check/twitch/ninja). For a browsable starting point instead of a single handle, the [creator directory](/directory) lists hundreds of vetted YouTube and Twitch accounts by niche, each linking straight through to its own check. ## The bottom line Legitimacy on YouTube and Twitch isn't one number — it's whether the identity, the growth history, and the engagement all tell the same story. When they don't, that gap is usually where the fake part is hiding. Verify the account is who it claims to be, sanity-check the engagement math for the platform you're on, and run an automated check before you commit money, trust, or a sponsorship budget to what you find. --- ## Influencer Media Kit: What to Include in 2026 URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/influencer-media-kit-what-to-include-2026 Category: Guides · Published: 2026-07-21 Summary: What goes in an influencer media kit in 2026? A section-by-section guide to every element brands check, plus the metrics mistakes that kill deals. A media kit is the first thing most brands ask for before a sponsorship conversation goes anywhere. According to Influencer Marketing Hub's 2026 State of Influencer Marketing report, 87% of brands now require a media kit before discussing partnerships — up from 72% in 2024. If you don't have one, or your current one is a follower-count screenshot stapled to a rate list, you're losing deals to creators with better packaging. The good news: a strong media kit isn't complicated. It's organized, honest, and specific. Here's exactly what goes in it. ## What a media kit actually is A media kit is a one-to-three-page document (PDF or a live link) that gives a brand everything it needs to decide whether to move forward with you. Think of it as your business card, resume, and pitch deck in one. It shouldn't try to win a brand over — it should give them the information to win themselves over. The shift in 2026 is that brands are doing more due diligence than ever. Influencer fraud costs the industry over $2 billion a year, so marketing teams and procurement departments are scrutinizing metrics more closely. A media kit with inflated numbers or vague claims doesn't just fail to impress — it actively marks you as a risk. Honest, specific metrics with context now outperform big headline numbers with no backup. ## The essential sections, in order ### 1. A one-paragraph bio Open with two to four sentences that answer: who you are, what you create, who you create for, and what you help your audience do. Skip the adjectives ("passionate content creator," "lifestyle guru"). Name your niche directly. *Example:* "I create product review and daily-routine content for working parents on Instagram and TikTok. My audience skews 28–40, primarily mothers in the US with household incomes above $75K. I post five times a week and have maintained above a 4% engagement rate for 18 consecutive months." That last sentence is the bio doing real work. It's verifiable and it pre-empts the audit. ### 2. Platforms and follower counts List every platform where you have a meaningful presence, with current follower/subscriber counts. Don't pad with platforms where you're inactive — a brand will click through and it looks worse than not listing them. If you're primarily one-platform, say so and own it. A focused creator with 30K highly engaged followers on one platform is often more valuable to a brand than a creator spread thin across six with mediocre numbers on each. ### 3. Audience demographics This is where most media kits under-deliver. Follower count tells a brand how big your audience is. Demographics tell them whether it's their audience. Include: - **Age breakdown** (the dominant range, not just the top bracket) - **Gender split** - **Top countries and cities** (critical for brands targeting a specific market) - **Device split** if relevant (mobile vs. desktop matters for some link-click campaigns) These numbers come from your native analytics — Instagram Insights, TikTok Analytics, YouTube Studio. Screenshot them or transcribe them. The point is specificity: "69% female, 63% US-based, top cities NYC and LA, 25–34 age bracket at 38%" is a usable brief. "Mostly women aged 25–40" is not. ### 4. Engagement metrics by format Engagement rate by follower count is the standard starting point — brands use it to compare accounts across tiers. But in 2026, brands increasingly want format-level numbers, because they're buying a specific deliverable. For **Instagram**, break out: - Overall engagement rate (likes + comments ÷ followers) - Average Reel views and reach - Average carousel reach and saves - Story completion rate (if above 70%, this is worth highlighting) For **TikTok**, include: - Engagement rate by views (interactions ÷ views × 100) - Average video completion rate - Average shares per video For **YouTube**, include: - Average view count per video (last 30–90 days) - Subscriber-to-view ratio - Average watch time or retention percentage You don't need all of these for every platform you're on. Pull the two or three numbers that make the strongest case for the format you're actually selling. A save-heavy carousel creator should front-load saves. A retention-focused YouTuber should front-load watch time. Not sure where your rate sits? Our free engagement rate calculators ([Instagram](/tools/instagram/engagement-rate-calculator), [TikTok](/tools/tiktok/engagement-rate-calculator)) benchmark your numbers against the current tier averages, which is a useful reference when framing your metrics in the kit. ### 5. Past brand partnerships List brands you've worked with, organized by category if you've done more than five or six. You don't need to include the dollar amounts, but you should include the deliverable: "Three-post Instagram integration for [Brand]" or "Dedicated TikTok review series for [Brand], 4 videos." If you have case study data — "drove 1,200 link clicks" or "product sold out in 48 hours after post went live" — include it here. Even one strong result with a number behind it is worth more than ten vague mentions. Brands are ultimately buying outcomes, not content. If you haven't landed paid brand work yet, skip this section rather than filling it with gifted or affiliate work that doesn't represent a real budget relationship. You can note "available for first brand collaborations" and lean harder on your audience quality metrics. ### 6. Content samples Three to five images or links to live posts that represent your best and most recent work. Not your highest-performing posts — your most *representative* ones. The goal is to show a brand exactly what their content will look like. If you create video, link to it rather than including screenshots. A brand trying to evaluate production quality will click through anyway, and a still frame doesn't communicate much. ### 7. Services and deliverables List what you're available to produce: feed posts, Reels, TikTok videos, Stories, UGC content for brand use, newsletters, YouTube integrations, event appearances, and so on. If you offer content licensing (usage rights for the brand to run your content as paid ads), list that separately — it commands a premium and brands often don't know to ask. Be specific about formats and timelines: "Reels with one round of revisions, delivered within 10 business days of brief receipt" is more useful than "Instagram content." ### 8. Your rates This is the section creators most often get wrong in both directions — either leaving it out entirely (which just creates back-and-forth), or listing one flat fee without context. A well-structured rate section includes: - Base rates by deliverable (one Reel, one carousel, one Story set, etc.) - Bundle pricing if you offer it - Add-ons: usage rights (flat fee or monthly), exclusivity (percentage on top of base), rush delivery You don't have to publish your floor. Many creators list rates as "starting from" or leave a range. What matters is that a brand can roughly evaluate fit without a meeting. If your minimum for a Reel is $3,000 and a brand has $500, the earlier both parties know that, the better for everyone. Not sure what to charge? See the benchmarks in our [sponsored post rate guides](/blog/how-much-to-charge-for-a-sponsored-post) by tier and platform. ### 9. Testimonials A short quote from a past brand partner is social proof that your process works, not just that your metrics look good. If you've worked with even one brand who had a good experience, ask for a sentence or two after the campaign closes. One genuine quote — "She delivered early, stuck to the brief, and the video drove more traffic than our paid ads that week" — is worth more than a page of credentials. ### 10. Contact information Name the right person and channel for brand inquiries. If you have a manager or an MCN handling partnerships, say so and provide their contact. If you handle your own deals, list a dedicated business email — not the account you use personally. Brands receive a lot of inbound and a professional email address signals you take it seriously. ## The most common mistakes **Outdated metrics.** A media kit with numbers from eight months ago looks neglected and may not reflect your current audience. Refresh it at minimum every two months, or any time your follower count or engagement rate changes meaningfully. **Inflated or unverifiable stats.** Brands are running authenticity checks before finalizing deals. If your claimed engagement rate doesn't match what an audit tool shows, you've broken trust before the campaign starts. If your numbers look good, your media kit should reflect the real ones — they're already good. If your numbers aren't where you want them, fix engagement before you pitch. You can sanity-check how your account reads to a brand at any time using our free [authenticity checker](/#checker). **No demographics.** A media kit without audience demographics is a media kit that can't answer the brand's most important question: are these my customers? **Rate card that's just one number.** A single "flat rate" suggests you haven't thought about what you're actually selling. Different deliverables, different usage scenarios, and different exclusivity arrangements all price differently. A brand evaluating you against three other creators will choose the one whose pricing they can actually work with inside their budget. **Too long.** If your media kit is more than four pages, something's wrong. The goal is to give a busy marketing manager what they need in under two minutes. If they want more, they'll ask. ## Format: PDF vs. live link PDFs work for initial outreach because they travel well as email attachments and don't require the brand to click a link to an unfamiliar domain. A live URL (a personal site, a Canva public link, or a Notion page) works better for follow-up because it always shows your current metrics and doesn't go stale. The practical move: keep both. Send the PDF cold, and follow up with the live version once there's a conversation going. ## The metric that closes the deal Brands screening media kits in 2026 are looking past follower count within seconds. The number that closes or kills a deal is the engagement rate relative to the tier benchmark — because it's the most direct proxy for whether real people are paying attention. A creator with 18K followers and a 5.5% engagement rate is in a stronger commercial position than a creator with 180K followers and a 0.7% rate. The first one can prove their audience is real and active. The second one cannot — and the first thing a brand's fraud tool will flag is an engagement rate sitting below the "below average" threshold for a given tier. The best media kit you can send is one where your real, verified metrics make the case without you having to oversell anything. If they do, you don't need to inflate them. If they don't, the fix is improving your content and engagement — not repackaging the numbers. --- ## What Are Engagement Pods? A Fake-Engagement Explainer URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/what-are-engagement-pods-influencer-fraud Category: Guides · Published: 2026-07-21 Summary: Engagement pods use real accounts to coordinate fake likes and comments — harder to detect than bots. Here's how they work and the signals that give them away. Most brand teams learn to screen for the obvious version of influencer fraud: a follower count that doesn't match the engagement, bot comments full of fire emojis, a growth curve that looks like a staircase. But there's a second type of fake engagement that passes those tests cleanly, because it comes from real people using real accounts on purpose. That's an engagement pod — and it's worth understanding before your next influencer vetting pass. ## What an engagement pod actually is An engagement pod is a private group, typically organized on Telegram or Discord, where creators agree to engage with each other's content on a coordinated basis. When a member posts something new, they share a link in the group. Other members are expected to visit the post and leave a like, a comment, or both. Everyone in the pod does this for everyone else. The mechanics are straightforward. Many pods run on a "drop" system: at scheduled times, members share their latest posts, and other members have a fixed window — often 30 to 60 minutes — to engage. Some pods are niche-specific (skincare creators, personal finance accounts, travel photographers), and some are purely transactional, mixing creators with no topic overlap. Some are free; others charge membership fees or enforce engagement quotas to stay active. The appeal is obvious: engagement is the signal that tells platforms to show content to more people. Pod engagement can genuinely boost algorithmic distribution, at least in the short term. The problem for brands isn't that it doesn't "work" — it's that it works in a way that has nothing to do with your audience. ## Why pod engagement is worthless to a brand Here's the key distinction that makes engagement pods different from a slightly inflated follower count: **pod engagement isn't from the creator's audience at all.** When you pay for a sponsored post, you're paying to reach the people who follow and engage with that creator. If a meaningful portion of the engagement on their recent posts came from other creators in a Telegram group — rather than from their actual audience — the historical engagement rate you're looking at isn't a measure of audience loyalty. It's a measure of how active their pod membership is. The pod members who liked last Tuesday's post are: - Not in the creator's niche audience - Not interested in the creator's recommendations - Not people who will see or act on your brand's message - Often themselves creators with no purchasing intent for your product category A creator with 50,000 followers and a 6% engagement rate built on pods is a materially different proposition from a creator with the same numbers earned organically. The organic creator has an audience that pays attention. The pod creator has a number that looks like an audience. This matters most in niches where pod activity is highest. Platforms like [Single Grain have documented](https://www.singlegrain.com/blog/ms/engagement-pods/) that engagement pods are especially common in lifestyle, beauty, fitness, and personal development — precisely the categories that attract the most brand spend. ## Why engagement pods survive most vetting checklists The main reason engagement pods are harder to catch than bot followers is that they involve **real accounts**. Follower-quality audits typically look for bot signals: recently created accounts, no profile photos, minimal post history, unusual username patterns, follower/following imbalances. Pod members don't trigger those flags — they're active, legitimate accounts with real people behind them. The second reason is that the engagement rate itself can look healthy. A creator whose organic audience would generate 1% engagement but whose pod membership generates an additional 4 percentage points can sit in the "average" tier by standard benchmarks, without raising any of the red flags that a below-average rate would trigger. Traditional vetting that looks at follower count + engagement rate + growth curve can miss pods entirely, because pods can produce plausible-looking numbers at all three checkpoints. ## The signals that do give pods away Pod engagement isn't invisible — it has a pattern. None of these signals is conclusive alone, but they point in the same direction when they cluster: **Engagement timing is suspiciously synchronized.** Organic engagement on a post arrives unevenly: a burst when the post goes up, tailing off over hours and days. Pod engagement often arrives in a tight window — many likes and comments within the same 30–60 minute span, regardless of when the post actually went up. If a creator's last ten posts each show a similar concentrated spike of engagement within a specific daily time window, that pattern is worth questioning. **Comment quality doesn't match the creator's content.** Real comments reference the post specifically. Pod comments lean generic: "Love this!", "Great post!", "So inspiring!" Comments that could have been copy-pasted to any post in any niche are a pod fingerprint. It's not that individual commenters are bots — they're real people, but they're leaving minimal comments to satisfy the pod's engagement requirement quickly. **Commenters are from unrelated niches.** If you tap through to the accounts leaving comments on a skincare creator's posts and find a string of travel photographers, business coaches, and food bloggers who share no audience overlap with the creator, you've likely found pod activity. Real niche audiences consist of people interested in that niche. Pod audiences consist of whoever else is in the pod. **Engagement spikes don't connect to content quality.** On organic accounts, better content gets better engagement — a particularly useful post or a striking image outperforms the average. Pod-driven engagement is more uniform, because the engagement is based on participation rules, not on what the post actually contained. **The like-to-comment ratio trends one way.** Pods often generate a disproportionately high comment count relative to likes, because comments drive more algorithmic visibility and pod members know it. On an organic post, likes significantly outnumber comments. If a creator consistently shows an unusual comment-to-like balance, the engagement pattern may be engineered. ## What to ask for instead of trusting the rate No vetting tool catches all pod activity — the accounts are real, and even sophisticated analysis can only flag patterns, not prove intent. The practical response is to diversify what you look at. **Request a random sample of post Insights** (not cherry-picked), including reach-to-follower ratio and saves. Saves and shares are much harder to pod because they're private — pod groups can't track them or enforce them as norms. A creator with a good organic audience shows healthy save rates. A pod-reliant creator typically shows strong like and comment counts with weak save and share numbers. **Watch the engagement on their previous sponsored posts.** Pod members engage on regular posts out of reciprocity. Many don't engage on sponsored content, either because the pod discourages it or because they recognize it as a paid placement. A creator whose engagement rate drops noticeably on brand posts is showing you the difference between their pod-inflated baseline and their real commercial reach. **Look at who's actually commenting.** Spend two minutes tapping through the accounts that comment most on a creator's recent posts. If their profiles look like other small-to-mid creators with no visible connection to the creator's niche or audience, the engagement network is probably mutual, not organic. ## Spotting pods is part of a broader authenticity check Engagement pods are one layer of the fake-engagement problem; bot followers, follow/unfollow schemes, and view-botting on video platforms are others. Any creator audit should layer multiple signals rather than relying on a single rate. Our [free authenticity checker](/#checker) runs a transparent 0-100 score for YouTube and Twitch accounts — the two platforms with a free public data API — flagging engagement-to-subscriber mismatches, growth anomalies, and bot-risk signals with an explicit confidence weight rather than fake precision on thin data. See the [full methodology](/methodology) for exactly how it works. For a pre-built shortlist of vetted channels, the [creator directory](/directory) is a starting point. For Instagram and TikTok, where the engagement pod problem is most acute, the manual signals above are the most reliable additional screen after a standard engagement-rate check. The pod pattern isn't invisible — it's just different from what most brand teams are trained to look for. **Sources:** [Single Grain, "Engagement Pods: Do They Still Work in 2026?"](https://www.singlegrain.com/blog/ms/engagement-pods/); [Tailwind, "Instagram Pods: Can Engagement Pods Beat the Algorithm?"](https://www.tailwindapp.com/blog/instagram-pods); [impulze.ai, "What Is Instagram Pod? Pros and Cons"](https://www.impulze.ai/post/what-is-instagram-pod). --- ## What Is a Good Engagement Rate on TikTok in 2026? URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/good-engagement-rate-tiktok-2026 Category: For Creators · Published: 2026-07-18 Summary: What is a good TikTok engagement rate in 2026? Benchmarks by follower tier and niche, plus when a low rate signals a fake or bought audience. TikTok's engagement rates look deceptively simple — but they hide a formula problem that misleads both creators and brands. The platform pushes content algorithmically to far more people than a channel's follower count, which means the two most common calculation methods give results that can differ by 3× or more depending on a creator's tier. Getting the right benchmark starts with knowing which formula you're reading. The short answer: a good TikTok engagement rate in 2026 is **3%–6% by views** for a micro creator (10K–100K followers), dropping toward 1.5%–2.5% at scale. The platform median sits around **4.25%** across all tiers — still the highest of any major social platform, though it dipped roughly 8% from 2025 (≈4.62%) to 2026, according to a benchmark study by [SociaVault](https://sociavault.com/blog/good-engagement-rate-tiktok) analyzing 150,000+ accounts. ## Two formulas, two very different numbers **By views** (the more accurate read for TikTok): > (Likes + comments + shares + saves) ÷ views × 100 **By followers** (what most tools and media kits default to): > (Likes + comments + shares + saves) ÷ followers × 100 TikTok's For You Page pushes content to non-followers at a scale no other platform matches. A micro creator with 25K followers might consistently reach 150K+ views per video — meaning the by-followers formula gives a number six times higher than the by-views formula on the exact same posts. Neither is wrong; they answer different questions. **By views** tells you whether the content earned engagement from people who actually saw it — the most honest read of how well the content works. **By followers** tells you whether your existing audience is active, which brands use when comparing accounts of different sizes in a spreadsheet. When a brand asks for your TikTok engagement rate without specifying, assume by-followers — it's what most dashboards and media-kit templates report. When you're diagnosing your own content performance, track by views. ## TikTok engagement rate benchmarks by follower tier (2026) These ranges use the by-views formula and reflect active creators publishing consistently. Data synthesized from 2026 benchmark studies including [SociaVault's 150,000-account analysis](https://sociavault.com/blog/good-engagement-rate-tiktok), [Nowadays.media's benchmarks by tier and niche](https://nowadays.media/blog/influencer-engagement-rate-benchmarks-2026-by-platform-niche-follower-tier/), and [Social Insider's 2026 TikTok report](https://www.socialinsider.io/social-media-benchmarks/tiktok). | Follower tier | Below average | Average (good) | Excellent | |---|---|---|---| | Nano (1K–10K) | under 4% | 6%–10% | 13%+ | | Micro (10K–100K) | under 2% | 3%–6% | 8%+ | | Mid (100K–1M) | under 1.5% | 2%–4% | 6%+ | | Macro (1M–10M) | under 0.8% | 1.5%–2.5% | 4%+ | | Mega (10M+) | under 0.5% | 1%–2% | 3%+ | The pattern holds across every platform: smaller, self-selected communities engage at a higher percentage because they found the creator deliberately, not through an algorithm surfacing someone unfamiliar. A nano creator at 8% by views is normal. A mega creator at 8% by views would be near-impossible without systematic engagement manipulation. If you want a number you can act on, calculate yours with our free [TikTok engagement rate calculator](/tools/tiktok/engagement-rate-calculator) — enter your follower count and average interactions and it places you against the tier benchmark. ### Worked: the same video, both formulas A creator with **40,000 followers** posts a video that pulls **310,000 views**, 24,800 likes, 640 comments, 1,900 shares and 2,100 saves — 29,440 interactions. > **By views:** 29,440 ÷ 310,000 × 100 = **9.5%** > **By followers:** 29,440 ÷ 40,000 × 100 = **73.6%** Both are arithmetically correct. Only the first means anything. 9.5% against the 3%–6% micro band is a strong video; 73.6% is not an engagement rate at all, it is a statement that the video travelled far past the follower base — which on TikTok is the normal case, not the exception. This is why a media kit quoting a by-followers TikTok rate reads as either naive or dishonest to anyone who checks, and why a brand seeing "70% engagement" should ask which denominator was used before anything else. The same creator's *next* video does 18,000 views with 900 interactions: 5.0% by views, still inside band. Average across 10–15 videos and exclude the breakout — one For You page hit will drag the mean somewhere the account cannot sustain, and that gap is exactly what a brand discovers after paying. ## Benchmarks shift dramatically by niche Platform averages mask a wide spread across content categories. According to 2026 benchmark data from [Nowadays.media](https://nowadays.media/blog/influencer-engagement-rate-benchmarks-2026-by-platform-niche-follower-tier/) and [SociaVault Labs](https://sociavault.com/labs/reports/engagement-benchmarks-2026): - **Education:** ~7.4% — the highest engagement rate of any major content category on any tracked platform. Viewers who sought out a tutorial or explainer are primed to save, share, and comment with follow-up questions. - **Entertainment and comedy:** ~6.9% — a naturally interactive category where viewers react emotionally, share to friends, and stitch or duet, all of which count as engagement. - **Gaming and sports:** 5%–7% — high comment velocity around plays and moments; strong stitch culture drives above-average shares. - **Lifestyle and travel:** 3%–5% — broad audience, moderate engagement, but often strong save behavior as viewers bookmark content they plan to revisit. - **Fashion and beauty:** ~3.2% average — significantly lower, and partly structural: this niche carries the highest documented fake-follower rate on TikTok. When inflated accounts are removed from the benchmark dataset, genuine category engagement runs thin. A real fashion creator at or above 3.2% is performing well; at 1% it warrants scrutiny. - **Finance:** below the platform median by design. Finance content attracts intent-driven viewers who save rather than comment publicly, and TikTok's algorithm gives finance content less For You distribution than entertainment. Low engagement in finance is a niche characteristic, not a red flag. Benchmark within your category first. A lifestyle creator at 4% is performing solidly. A fashion creator at 4% is performing above the category average. ## What the year-over-year decline actually means TikTok's platform-wide median dropped from roughly 4.62% in 2025 to 4.25% in 2026 — an 8% fall. That's a real trend, but context matters: - **TikTok still leads all major platforms on engagement rate by a wide margin.** Instagram's 2026 platform median sits around 1.5%–2%; YouTube runs below 4% by views for most tiers. - **The decline tracks platform growth.** As TikTok adds more users and more creators compete for a finite pool of attention, average engagement per post dilutes. This is what happens to every platform at scale. - **Algorithm shifts play a role.** TikTok has expanded For You distribution further, pushing more content from accounts users don't follow. That inflates view counts without proportionally inflating interactions, mechanically lowering the by-views rate. Meeting a 4.25% platform median on TikTok in 2026 still means beating the average engagement rate on every other major platform. It's a high bar in context. ## What a low rate can signal A rate sitting well below the "below average" column for a creator's tier has a few common explanations: 1. **Content-audience drift.** The creator's niche or format shifted from what built the original following. The followers stayed; the interest didn't. This pattern usually shows as lumpy, declining engagement over time with real-sounding (if sparse) comments. 2. **Passive audience by design.** Some formats — ambient study streams, background music, lo-fi content — intentionally attract passive viewers who watch without interacting. Low engagement here is structural, not fraudulent. 3. **Bought followers or engagement pods.** Purchased followers add to the denominator without contributing engagement. Engagement pods artificially inflate interactions but in a detectable pattern: eerily flat ratios across posts regardless of content quality, comments from accounts with no profile photo or posting history, and activity spikes that don't correlate with the creator's strongest content. The difference between drift and fraud shows in post-level patterns. Audience slump creates natural variation — some videos land, others don't. Bought followers create suspiciously consistent ratios and generic or off-language comment sections. For an independent check, run any account through our free [authenticity checker](/#checker) — it surfaces engagement anomalies, growth-curve irregularities, and the signals that distinguish a bought audience from a disengaged one. ## Engagement quality tells a richer story than the number alone Two creators at 4% can be worth very different amounts to a brand: - A creator whose 4% includes strong save rates, stitches, and duets has an audience that acts on recommendations — they're bookmarking content for later action and rebroadcasting it to their own networks. - A creator whose 4% comes from follow-for-follow pods, emoji spam, or a giveaway-chasing audience has conditioned a response, not genuine investment. Saves and shares are the hardest engagement types to game at scale and the strongest signal of genuine audience intent. A creator who can show a 5%+ save rate alongside a solid overall engagement rate is demonstrating real audience investment — the kind that translates to product discovery and purchases. When reporting your rate to a brand, add context: "4.2% engagement, averaging 900 saves and 35 stitches per video" is a materially stronger pitch than a bare percentage. It pre-empts the audit by showing the engagement is organic and intent-driven — which is ultimately what the brand is paying for. ## What to actually do with this 1. Pull your last 15 non-viral TikToks (exclude any that hit 5× or more your normal view count). 2. Average their views, and average their total interactions (likes + comments + shares + saves). 3. Divide average interactions by average views and multiply by 100. 4. Find your tier in the table, then adjust for your niche. 5. If you're at or above "average (good)" for your tier and niche, that's your floor when pitching to brands. The [TikTok engagement rate calculator](/tools/tiktok/engagement-rate-calculator) handles steps 2–4 in seconds. In 2026, TikTok engagement rates still lead every other major platform. Meeting the tier benchmark isn't just a vanity metric — it's the primary signal that your audience is real, active, and worth what you're asking brands to pay. --- ## How Much to Charge for a Sponsored Post in 2026 URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-much-to-charge-for-a-sponsored-post Category: For Creators · Published: 2026-07-18 Summary: Exact rate benchmarks for sponsored posts in 2026 — by follower tier, platform, and format. Know what you're worth before your next brand pitch. Knowing what to charge for a sponsored post is one of the most practical skills in the creator economy — and one of the least well-documented. Brands rarely volunteer what they pay. Agencies lowball. Other creators won't say. The result is a huge information gap that costs under-informed creators real money. This guide closes that gap. Here are the actual 2026 rate ranges by tier, platform, and format — and the factors that let you price above the benchmark. ## The core formula brands use Before quoting rates, it helps to know how brands think. Most marketing teams start with a CPM-style proxy: what will this cost me per thousand followers reached? The rough industry anchor in 2026 is **$10–$20 per 1,000 followers** for a standard single Instagram post — meaning a 50K-follower creator is in the $500–$1,000 range before adjustments. That's the floor, not the target. Engagement rate, niche, format, audience geography, and exclusivity all push rates up. A 50K creator in personal finance with a 5% engagement rate and a US-heavy audience can command 3–4× that baseline. ## Sponsored post rate benchmarks by follower tier (2026) These are typical single-post rates for an Instagram static or TikTok video from an active creator in a general lifestyle niche. Rates for other formats and platforms are indexed off these figures. | Tier | Followers | Rate range | |---|---|---| | Nano | 1K–10K | $100–$500 | | Micro | 10K–100K | $500–$5,000 | | Mid | 100K–500K | $5,000–$15,000 | | Macro | 500K–1M | $15,000–$40,000 | | Mega | 1M+ | $40,000–$100,000+ | The ranges are wide because follower count is just one input. A nano creator at $100 and a nano creator at $500 are not the same creator — they differ on every adjusting factor below. ## Platform multipliers Not all platforms pay the same for the same follower count. Production effort, content longevity, and algorithm behavior shift the value brands place on each platform. **Instagram** is the reference point — ranges above apply directly. **TikTok** runs **10–30% lower** than Instagram for equivalent follower counts. The tradeoff: TikTok reach is more volatile and performance-driven, so a smaller creator who consistently overperforms on views can sometimes outcharge a larger Instagram creator. **YouTube** commands a **2–3× premium** over Instagram. A dedicated video or integration from a 50K-subscriber channel might run $3,000–$8,000 because the content lives indefinitely, ranks in search, and requires the most production effort of any format. **LinkedIn** has emerged as a high-CPM niche. B2B creators with 20K–50K engaged followers regularly charge $1,000–$4,000 per post — far above lifestyle Instagram creators with 10× the following — because the buying power of their audience is categorically different. ## Format multipliers Within a single platform, format drives pricing almost as much as audience size. | Format | Multiplier vs. baseline static post | |---|---| | Static post / carousel | 1× (baseline) | | Instagram Reel | 1.5–2.5× | | TikTok video | 1.0–1.3× (over baseline TikTok) | | YouTube dedicated video | 2–3× | | YouTube integration (60–90s) | 1.0–1.5× | | Instagram Stories (per swipe-up set) | 0.3–0.5× | | Story series (3–5 slides, branded) | 0.6–0.8× | Reels command the biggest premium on Instagram because they extend beyond your follower base into Explore and the algorithm's broader distribution. A Reel from a 30K creator gets seen by more people than a static post from the same account — brands pay for that expanded reach. ## Five factors that push your rate above benchmark ### 1. Engagement rate This is the single biggest lever. A 5%+ engagement rate on Instagram justifies a 40–60% premium over a same-size creator at 1.5%. Brands know a high rate means real, interested people — and real people convert. Before any pitch, calculate your rate (likes + comments ÷ followers × 100 over your last 10 non-viral posts) and include it in your media kit with context. If your rate is strong, lead with it. "I have 35K followers and a 6.2% engagement rate" is a stronger opening than just the follower count. ### 2. Niche premium Audience *intent* determines how much a brand will pay to reach them. A finance creator's 10K followers are worth more than a general lifestyle creator's 50K followers to the right advertiser — because finance audiences are actively looking to spend money on financial products. High-premium niches in 2026: personal finance, B2B, health and wellness, business productivity. Lower-premium niches: general lifestyle, humor, broad entertainment. Knowing your niche's multiplier lets you price with confidence rather than guessing. ### 3. Audience geography A creator with 80% US audience commands 20–40% higher rates than one with similar numbers but a more distributed or emerging-market audience. Brands with US-focused campaigns pay a geography premium because US consumers have higher purchasing power and the product is often US-only. Instagram Insights and TikTok Analytics both show your top audience countries. If your audience is US-heavy, that's a line item in your media kit, not a footnote. ### 4. Content rights and usage Base rates cover the post going live on your channel. Anything beyond that is a separate fee: - **Usage rights** (brand repurposes your content as an ad): add 20–50% of the base rate - **Exclusivity** (you won't post for competing brands for a defined window): add another 10–30% per month of exclusivity - **Whitelisting** (brand runs paid ads through your creator account): an additional monthly or per-campaign fee Many creators leave significant money on the table by not asking these questions. If a brand wants to run your Reel as a paid ad, that's a different product than the organic post — price it separately. ### 5. Long-term partnership vs. one-off Brands increasingly prefer ongoing relationships: a monthly retainer or a series of posts over a quarter rather than a single drop. If a brand wants to partner long-term, you can offer a modest discount (10–15%) in exchange for a committed multi-post deal — it gives you predictable income and they get consistent, authentic integration. Don't discount more than that; reliability and continuity have their own value. ## A worked quote, from baseline to number The tables above give ranges. Here is how you get from a range to a figure you can defend on a call. **The creator:** 42,000 Instagram followers, personal-finance niche, 4.1% engagement rate, 78% US audience. The ask is one in-feed Reel plus two stories. | Step | Working | Running rate | |---|---|---| | Baseline, micro tier | 42,000 followers at the $10–$20 per 1,000 anchor | $420 – $840 | | Engagement adjustment | 4.1% against the 2.5%–4% micro band — top of band, not far above it | ×1.2 → $504 – $1,008 | | Niche premium | personal finance: high purchase authority | ×1.5 → $756 – $1,512 | | Geography | 78% US | ×1.2 → $907 – $1,814 | | Format | Reel rather than static | ×1.3 → $1,179 – $2,359 | | Added deliverables | two stories, priced at ~25% of the main asset | +$295 – $590 | | **Quote** | | **≈ $1,475 – $2,950** | Open at the top of that range, not the middle. You have room to concede, and the multipliers are all defensible line by line — which is the actual point of building the number this way rather than naming one. **What is deliberately not in there.** Usage rights and exclusivity. Both get quoted separately, because both are things the brand is buying *in addition* to the post: - **Paid usage / whitelisting** typically runs as a percentage uplift on the base fee for a defined window. A brand running your face as an ad for six months is buying an ad asset, not a post. - **Exclusivity** is you turning down that creator's competitors. Price it against what you would have earned from them, not as a courtesy. Fold either into the base rate and you have given it away, because neither has a line the brand can see. **For brands reading this from the other side:** an asking price 3–4× the follower-count baseline is normal and not a red flag on its own — every multiplier above is real. The number to interrogate is the engagement rate the quote is built on, since it is doing the most work and it is the easiest to inflate. Verify the audience before you agree the fee, not after. ## What brands actually look at before accepting your rate When a brand receives your pitch with a rate, they do a quick mental audit: 1. **Does the follower count check out?** Any significant discrepancy between followers and engagement raises a flag. Our [authenticity checker](/#checker) shows exactly what a brand's team will see when they audit your profile — a useful self-check before pitching. 2. **Is the engagement rate real?** Flat, suspiciously consistent engagement across every post, or a comment section full of generic emoji, reads as pod activity. Authentic variation and genuine comments matter. 3. **Does the audience match our customer?** Demographic overlap — age, gender, geography, interests — is often the deciding factor after engagement. 4. **Is the content quality on-brand?** Brands look at your last 20–30 posts to assess visual style and tone fit. Passing this audit is worth more than any amount of follower padding. A creator with 18K real, engaged followers in the right niche will outperform a creator with 80K inflated followers every time — and savvy brands know it. ## How to quote your rate When a brand asks for your rate, don't ask what their budget is. Give a number first. "My rate for a single Instagram Reel is $X; for a static post or carousel it's $Y" signals professionalism and anchors the negotiation where you want it. Then include what's in the rate: one revision round, 48-hour turnaround from brief, organic post that stays live for 30 days. And list what costs extra: usage rights, exclusivity, additional platforms. If a brand comes back under budget, you have three options: hold the rate, reduce scope (Stories instead of Reels, shorter exclusivity window), or make the math work with a multi-post deal at a small volume discount. What you don't do is dramatically cut your price — it signals that your original quote was padded, and it sets the rate expectation for every future deal with that brand. ## The floor and the ceiling The floor is set by the market. If you're a nano creator in a general lifestyle niche with an average engagement rate, $100–$300 per post is realistic right now. That's not a judgment on your content — it's the commodity price for that set of specifications. The ceiling is set by your proof. Strong engagement, verifiable audience demographics, a niche with real advertiser demand, a clean authenticity profile — each of these moves your rate up. A 15K-follower creator with a 7% engagement rate, a US-heavy finance audience, and a clean audit will get more offers at higher rates than a 100K-follower lifestyle creator with a 0.9% engagement rate and no audience location data. Know your number, back it with data, and stop discounting what you can prove. --- ## What Is a Good Engagement Rate on LinkedIn in 2026? URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/good-engagement-rate-linkedin-2026 Category: For Creators · Published: 2026-07-16 Summary: What is a good LinkedIn engagement rate in 2026? Benchmarks for personal profiles vs. company pages, by follower tier and content format. LinkedIn engagement rate is the least talked-about number in influencer marketing, and the most underestimated. While brands debate nano versus micro on Instagram, B2B buyers are quietly making purchase decisions based on a thought leader's last five posts — and the engagement rate on those posts is the fastest signal of whether the audience is real and paying attention. The short version: a good LinkedIn engagement rate in 2026 is **4–6% for personal profiles** and **2–3% for company pages**. Both numbers run higher than most people expect, because LinkedIn's algorithm rewards quality disproportionately, and its audience is self-selecting in a way no consumer platform is. ## Personal profiles vs. company pages: the most important split in LinkedIn benchmarking Before looking at a single number, establish what you're measuring. Personal profiles and company pages behave like different products: - **Personal profiles** average 3.85% engagement. A good rate (top-quartile performance) starts around 4–6%, with anything above 6% considered excellent. Personal profiles benefit from LinkedIn's heavy weighting of person-to-person content and tend to reach first- and second-degree connections who have context for why the author's opinion matters. - **Company pages** average around 2.1% engagement. A good rate for a company page is 2–3%, with anything above 4% being strong. Company pages get broader algorithmic reach to less-connected audiences, which mechanically lowers the rate — but a company page audience that does engage tends to be high-intent. The practical rule: personal profiles achieve roughly 3× higher engagement than company pages on equivalent content. When a B2B brand asks whether to invest in creator partnerships versus content on their own page, the engagement gap is part of the answer — a thought leader's personal post reaches more people who actually respond to it. ## LinkedIn engagement rate benchmarks by follower count (2026) These ranges use the standard by-followers formula (likes + comments + reposts ÷ followers × 100) across personal profiles posting consistently. The same inverse-size relationship seen on every other platform holds here, but it's less dramatic than on Instagram or TikTok — LinkedIn's algorithm distributes content by relevance more than by recency, which softens the nano-creator advantage. | Follower count | Below average | Average (good) | Excellent | |---|---|---|---| | Under 5K | under 2% | 2.5%–4.5% | 6%+ | | 5K–20K | under 1.8% | 2.5%–4% | 5.5%+ | | 20K–50K | under 1.2% | 1.8%–3% | 5%+ | | 50K–100K | under 0.9% | 1.5%–2.5% | 4%+ | | 100K+ | under 0.7% | 1.2%–2% | 3.5%+ | The headline: engagement holds relatively stable from 0 to about 20K followers (2.5–2.7%), then drops meaningfully at 50K+ and again above 100K. The 1K–5K range often outperforms even against expectation — small but expert audiences engage at very high rates because they're almost all first-degree connections who opted in deliberately. ## How to calculate it correctly The most common formula: **(Total likes + comments + reposts) ÷ followers × 100** If you'd rather not do it by hand, our free [LinkedIn engagement rate calculator](/tools/linkedin/engagement-rate-calculator/) runs the same formula against the tier benchmarks in the table above — enter a handful of recent posts and it shows where you land. Run it across your last 10–12 posts, exclude any outlier that was reshared by a large account (it will inflate your numbers and distort the picture). If you post sporadically, use a 60-day window instead of a post count. LinkedIn Insights surfaces impressions rather than reach, which introduces a second formula: **(Total likes + comments + reposts) ÷ impressions × 100** By-impressions runs lower than by-followers because LinkedIn distributes content past your network — posts often get seen by second- and third-degree connections who are less likely to engage. By-followers is what external tools and brands default to; by-impressions is what you should watch when optimizing your own content, because it tells you whether the actual viewers cared. ## Engagement varies sharply by content format LinkedIn's format gap is wider than on any other major platform — possibly because the algorithm explicitly rewards formats that keep users on the page longer: - **Document posts (PDF carousels):** average 6.6–7.0% engagement — the highest of any format. Swiping through slides keeps dwell time up, which LinkedIn's algorithm treats as a quality signal. A strong document post can outperform equivalent text content by 3× or more. - **Multi-image posts:** 6.4–6.9%. Multiple images serve a similar dwell-time function to documents, without requiring a PDF upload. Performance has climbed year over year. - **Native video:** 5.6–6.0%. Video uploaded directly to LinkedIn (not linked from YouTube) benefits from in-feed autoplay and strong algorithmic distribution. Video CTR is around 1.8%, well above other formats. - **Text-only posts:** 2–4%. The format most creators default to, but the lowest-performing. Text posts can overperform when the writing is genuinely sharp, but they get less algorithmic distribution than multimedia formats by default. - **Polls:** roughly 3.5–4.5%, but declining since LinkedIn deprioritized them in a 2026 algorithm update. Polls that generate genuine debate still outperform; polls run purely for engagement data tend to underperform the tier average. Practically, if your overall engagement rate looks soft but you mostly post text: the format is doing at least part of the work. Switch one text post per week to a document or multi-image and watch what the baseline does before concluding your audience is the problem. ## Industry shapes what "good" actually means LinkedIn's self-selected professional audience means niche matters more here than on almost any other platform. Rough patterns for 2026: - **Tech and software:** 3–6%. Large creator community, high comment volumes, audiences used to evaluating vendors. Comment sections tend to be substantive. - **Finance and professional services:** 3.5–6.5%. High-intent audience with real purchase authority. Lower post frequency from creators but higher per-post engagement on expert takes. - **Marketing and media:** 4–8%. LinkedIn-native culture, heavy first-mover advantage for strong takes. The platform's most active commenting community — but also the most susceptible to engagement-pod inflation. - **Healthcare and life sciences:** 2.5–5%. More restrained commenting culture, but shares and saves carry more signal (peer sharing to professional networks). - **Manufacturing and logistics:** 2–4%. Smaller but focused communities where a 3% rate represents extremely high intent. If you're comparing two creators in different industries, the benchmark table above matters less than the within-industry comparison. A marketing creator at 4% and a logistics creator at 4% are in very different positions relative to their peers. ## What a low rate signals on LinkedIn A rate well below the tier benchmark has a few explanations: 1. **Connection decay.** LinkedIn networks accumulated over years often include connections who have left the platform, changed industries, or simply stopped engaging. The follower count stays high; the active portion of the audience shrinks. 2. **Content-audience mismatch.** LinkedIn's algorithm distributes content to people who engage with similar content. A creator who pivots topic (say, from HR tech to cryptocurrency) will see engagement crater until the algorithm recalibrates — often several weeks. 3. **Bought or low-quality connections.** LinkedIn's barrier to fake followers is higher than most platforms, but it's not zero. Mass connection-request campaigns (accepting everyone who connects) inflate follower count with people who have no genuine interest in the creator's content. The difference between options 2 and 3 is usually visible in the comment section. A creator with a real but misaligned audience gets some comments — they're just from the wrong people. A creator with inflated connections gets almost no comments at all, or comments that are generic and unrelated to the post content. You can cross-check the pattern with our [authenticity checker](/#checker). ## Comment-to-like ratio: LinkedIn's sharpest signal On every other platform, likes are the primary engagement signal. On LinkedIn, the comment-to-like ratio is often more revealing — and brands who know what they're doing look at it before follower count. A LinkedIn post that earns 80 likes and 40 comments is a fundamentally different thing from a post with 80 likes and 3 comments. The first is sparking real conversation in an audience that has opinions about the topic. The second is getting polite applause from passive observers. For B2B marketing purposes, the first is worth far more. Rough target for a healthy LinkedIn post: a comment-to-like ratio of at least 20–30%. Below 10% consistently suggests either a passive audience or content that's informative but doesn't provoke a response. When pitching to a brand or reporting your rate, "4.5% engagement with an average of 35 comments per post" is a stronger number than a bare percentage — it tells the brand the audience actually argues back. ### Worked: two posts, same engagement rate, different value Both from an 11,000-follower profile, so both land in the 5K–20K band. | | Post A | Post B | |---|---|---| | Likes | 340 | 92 | | Comments | 12 | 226 | | Reposts | 8 | 42 | | **Engagement rate** | (340+12+8) ÷ 11,000 = **3.27%** | (92+226+42) ÷ 11,000 = **3.27%** | | Comment-to-like ratio | 12 ÷ 340 = **3.5%** | 226 ÷ 92 = **246%** | Identical rates, both sitting inside the 2.5%–4% band for their tier. If the percentage were all you reported, these two posts are interchangeable. They are not remotely interchangeable. Post A got scrolled past and tapped — the applause pattern, and the 3.5% comment ratio is well under the 10% floor. Post B started an argument: more comments than likes, and a repost rate that says people put their own name next to it in front of their network. For a B2B brand evaluating this creator, Post B is the evidence that the audience has opinions and will voice them next to a product. That is what the sponsorship is actually buying. **How to report it.** "3.3% engagement, averaging 180 comments per post" is a materially stronger line in a media kit than "3.3% engagement" — and it is the one a brand cannot get by scraping your follower count. If your comment ratio is the strong half of your numbers, lead with it. ## What to actually aim for 1. Identify whether you're measuring a personal profile or company page — the baseline is different, and comparing across them leads to the wrong conclusion. 2. Calculate your rate over 10–12 posts using by-followers, excluding obvious viral outliers. 3. Find your follower tier in the table, then adjust for industry. 4. If you're in the "average (good)" band or above, that's the number to lead with in pitches and media kits. 5. If you're below, audit your format mix before assuming your audience is weak. A shift from text-only to document posts alone can lift average engagement by 30–50% without touching your follower count. ### Free LinkedIn tools All three are pure client-side math on numbers you enter — no login, no API, nothing stored: - **[LinkedIn engagement rate calculator](/tools/linkedin/engagement-rate-calculator/)** — your rate against the tier benchmarks above, plus a consistency read across posts. - **[LinkedIn follower growth projector](/tools/linkedin/follower-growth-calculator/)** — a 12-month projection and time-to-milestone. - **[LinkedIn CPM & CPE calculator](/tools/linkedin/cpm-calculator/)** — what a sponsored LinkedIn campaign actually costs per thousand impressions and per engagement. One honest caveat: LinkedIn has no free public API for looking up an arbitrary profile, so our [authenticity checker](/#checker) can't score a LinkedIn account the way it scores YouTube and Twitch. We'd rather say that plainly than publish a number we can't source. LinkedIn in 2026 rewards specificity more than any other major platform. A creator with 8,000 followers, a 5.5% engagement rate, and a comment section full of senior professionals debating a niche point is more valuable to a B2B brand than a 200K-follower macro-creator with 0.9% engagement and no visible expertise. On LinkedIn, the quality of the conversation is the product — and the engagement rate is how you know whether you have one. --- ## How to Vet a Twitch Streamer Before Signing a Sponsorship Deal URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-to-vet-a-twitch-streamer-before-a-sponsorship Category: For Brands · Published: 2026-07-16 Summary: A brand's checklist for vetting a Twitch streamer before a sponsorship: why CCV beats followers, spotting view botting, and what data to request. Twitch sponsorships have become a mainstream brand channel, but the vetting playbook is fundamentally different from Instagram or YouTube. Follower count is nearly meaningless on Twitch — what you actually buy is **live reach**, measured in average concurrent viewers (CCV). And live reach can be faked in ways that a follower audit never catches. Here's how brands should vet a Twitch channel before committing a budget. ## Forget followers. CCV is the only number that matters On Twitch you're buying into live viewing sessions, not passive subscribers. A channel with 500,000 followers but an average of 200 concurrent viewers reaches 200 people per stream — not 500,000. The follower count tells you how many people once clicked follow; CCV tells you how many actually show up. The platform distribution makes this point clearly. Data from [TwitchTracker](https://twitchtracker.com/statistics) shows the median active Twitch channel averages fewer than 26 concurrent viewers. Twitch's own Affiliate threshold is just 3 average viewers; Partner status requires 75 average CCV sustained over 30 days. A creator consistently pulling 1,000+ CCV sits in a genuinely rare tier. When a creator sends you a media kit, move past the follower number immediately and ask for their 30-day average CCV. ## View botting: the fraud Instagram vetting won't catch View botting is the Twitch equivalent of buying Instagram followers — but harder to spot because fake viewers appear live during the stream. Brands that vet by follower count and accept a creator's self-reported CCV without verification are the most exposed. Twitch acknowledges the problem directly in its own support documentation, [How to Handle Viewership Botting and Fake Engagement](https://help.twitch.tv/s/article/how-to-handle-view-follow-bots). The scale of the problem has been documented in reporting: [Engadget reported](https://www.engadget.com/twitch-deletes-75-million-bots-that-inflated-view-and-follow-counts-084823271.html) that Twitch identified and removed millions of accounts violating its terms through follow-botting and view-botting — and that when Twitch deployed new detection tools, a measurable share of platform-wide concurrent viewership disappeared overnight, because it had never been real. [Stream Charts](https://streamscharts.com/), a third-party Twitch analytics service, has found over 41,000 channels showing at least one suspicious stream, with more than 10% of flagged channels demonstrating persistent, repeated botting patterns. The fraud is inexpensive and widely available. A brand paying $5,000 for a "1,000 CCV" integration can easily be buying 950 fake viewers and 50 real ones. ## 5 signals that catch most botted and inflated Twitch channels **1. CCV-to-follower ratio is inverted** A legitimate channel earns followers over time from real viewers who subscribe after finding the stream. Healthy channels typically draw live viewers at roughly 5–15% of their follower count — a creator with 10,000 followers and 700 average CCV is in that range. An account with 50,000 followers streaming to 80 concurrent viewers (0.16%) has a disconnected audience: either followers were purchased at some point, or the content has drifted far from what built the following. Below 1% warrants a direct question. **2. Chat activity doesn't match the viewer count** Real viewers talk. A botted stream shows a high CCV number with almost no corresponding chat activity. In genuine live streams, a meaningful share of concurrent viewers are active in chat at any given moment — visible, continuous conversation that scales with the real audience. A stream displaying 800 concurrent viewers with single-digit messages per minute is almost certainly padded. Ask to watch an archived VOD from a recent stream and compare the chat volume to the reported peak CCV. **3. CCV pattern looks artificial** Organic viewership builds at stream start, peaks mid-session, and trails toward the end — shaped, noisy, and proportionate to content events. Bot services often deliver CCV in flat plateaus at suspiciously round numbers, or produce abrupt mid-stream drops when a service pauses. Request CCV graphs for the last 10 streams from their Twitch Dashboard. Organic graphs look jagged and human; botted graphs look engineered. **4. Follower growth has staircase spikes with no viral event** [SocialBlade](https://socialblade.com/) tracks daily Twitch follower changes publicly. The fingerprint of follow-botting is a flat baseline broken by overnight jumps of thousands, with no corresponding viral clip, major collab, or platform feature to explain them. Ask the creator to walk you through any sharp spikes in their history. A legitimate spike always has a story — a clip that blew up, a raid from a large channel, a feature on Twitch's front page. An unexplained cliff doesn't. **5. No off-platform evidence of the claimed reach** Twitch streamers with real audiences build a footprint across YouTube (VODs and highlights), Twitter/X, and clip aggregators. A channel claiming 5,000 average CCV but with no YouTube presence, thin Twitter engagement, and clips sitting at double-digit views has no corroborating evidence of that live reach. You can cross-reference claimed CCV against a channel's history on TwitchTracker, which tracks historical peak and average viewership publicly for most channels. ## The data to request before you sign Before contracting, ask for: | What to request | Healthy sign | Red flag | |---|---|---| | Twitch Dashboard screenshot (30-day avg CCV) | Matches their media kit claim | Far below what they quoted | | CCV chart for last 10 streams | Organic peaks and troughs | Flat plateaus at round numbers | | 90-day follower growth curve | Gradual or event-driven gains | Unexplained overnight jumps | | Recent VOD view counts | Proportionate to CCV | Tiny fraction of reported viewers | | Archived chat from a recent stream | Active, contextual messages | Silent chat during high-CCV windows | A creator with a real audience hands all of this over without friction. Stalling or refusal — especially on the Dashboard screenshot, which takes 30 seconds to produce — is itself the data. ## What the tiers look like For reference, CCV tiers and the sponsorship rate ranges brands typically pay, based on industry benchmarks from [Influencer Fee](https://influencerfee.com/blog/twitch-sponsorship-rates/) and [Envisioner](https://envisioner.io/blog/streamer-sponsorship-pricing-guide-2026/): | CCV tier | What it means | Indicative per-stream rate | |---|---|---| | 10–50 CCV | Nano / emerging | $50–$300 | | 50–500 CCV | Micro / growing | $300–$1,500 | | 500–5,000 CCV | Mid-tier / established | $1,500–$10,000 | | 5,000+ CCV | Large / top 0.1% of the platform | $10,000–$50,000+ | A common rough benchmark is $0.80–$1.20 per CCV per hour for standard in-stream integrations. These are ballparks — niche, integration type, exclusivity, and audience quality all move the actual number. The key insight is that a mid-tier streamer with 1,000 genuine CCV and active chat is worth more than a "large" channel at 5,000 claimed CCV where most of those viewers are bots. Authentic reach outweighs a headline number every time. ## Run a quick check before you go deep For a fast first-pass screen of any Twitch channel, use the [free authenticity checker](/check/twitch/shroud) — it surfaces follower-growth anomalies, engagement signals, and bot-risk flags automatically. The checker covers Twitch and YouTube, the two platforms with a real free public data API. Use it to triage your shortlist before you spend time requesting dashboard screenshots from everyone on it. ## The bottom line Twitch sponsorships are priced on live reach — and live reach is the easiest thing to fake on the platform. The brands that get burned aren't doing something obviously wrong; they're applying an Instagram-style follower audit to a live-streaming platform where followers are the wrong metric entirely. CCV verification, chat quality, VOD cross-checking, and a clean growth curve are the checks that catch what a follower count never will. Vet on CCV. Verify with public tools. Request the screenshots. The creator who won't share a Twitch Dashboard screenshot for a $5,000 deal is the creator who can't. --- ## What Is a Good Engagement Rate on Twitch in 2026? URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/good-engagement-rate-twitch-2026 Category: For Creators · Published: 2026-07-14 Summary: What is a good Twitch engagement rate in 2026? Benchmarks by follower tier, how CCV replaces likes and comments, and how to spot a padded channel. Twitch engagement works differently from every other creator platform — and that difference matters the moment you try to benchmark it. On Instagram or YouTube, you look at likes and comments relative to followers or views. On Twitch, those signals barely exist. What replaces them is **average concurrent viewers (CCV)**: the real-time count of people actually watching a live stream. Everything else flows from that number. The short version: a good Twitch engagement rate in 2026 is roughly 3–6% CCV-to-follower ratio for a micro-tier channel (10K–100K followers), dropping toward 1–2% for larger accounts. But follower count is an unreliable denominator on Twitch for reasons worth understanding — because the same distortions that inflate follower counts on other platforms are present here, just differently shaped. ## Why follower count misleads on Twitch Twitch followers accumulate over a channel's entire lifetime. Someone who followed a streamer three years ago and never watched again is still counted in that total. The platform does not automatically prune inactive followers the way algorithmic feed-based platforms do through gradual invisibility. A study by [Streams Charts](https://streamscharts.com/news/viewers-engagement-twitch-biggest-channels) found that the ratio of active chatters to followers trends around 4.5% for channels in the 100K–500K follower range, 3%+ for channels with 1M–5M followers, and roughly 1.75% for the very largest (10M+) channels. Since CCV includes all viewers — not just those chatting — the actual CCV-to-follower ratio runs higher than these chatters-only figures. But the direction is the same: the number of live viewers a channel can reliably pull is a small fraction of its follower total, and that fraction shrinks at scale. According to [TwitchTracker](https://twitchtracker.com/statistics), roughly 95,700 channels stream simultaneously on Twitch while about 2.29 million viewers are watching at any given moment — an average of around 24 concurrent viewers per live channel across the entire platform. The top 1,000 channels average over 3,000 CCV, which tells you how dramatically the distribution skews. For most working streamers, a healthy CCV/follower ratio matters far more than the follower count headline. ## How to calculate Twitch engagement rate The standard formula, used by tools like [Phlanx](https://phlanx.com/twitch-engagement-calculator) and [InfluencerTools](https://influencertools.tech/twitch-er-calculator): **(Average CCV ÷ followers) × 100** Use the average CCV from the last 20–30 streams, not the peak. Peak CCV is inflated by raids, hosts, and viral clips and tells you nothing about day-to-day audience health. Average CCV is what a brand will actually reach. If a streamer has 80,000 followers and consistently averages 2,400 CCV, their engagement rate is **3%** — which is solid for the micro tier. ## Twitch engagement rate benchmarks by follower tier (2026) These ranges use the CCV-to-follower formula. They reflect reported averages from influencer-marketing tools ([InfluencerTools](https://influencertools.tech/twitch-er-calculator), [Phlanx](https://phlanx.com/twitch-engagement-calculator)) cross-referenced with Streams Charts chatter data: | Follower tier | Below average | Average (good) | Excellent | |---|---|---|---| | Nano (under 1K) | under 5% | 8%–15% | 20%+ | | Small (1K–10K) | under 3% | 4%–10% | 15%+ | | Micro (10K–100K) | under 2% | 3%–6% | 8%+ | | Mid (100K–500K) | under 1% | 1.5%–3.5% | 5%+ | | Macro (500K+) | under 0.5% | 0.8%–2% | 3%+ | The same pattern you see on YouTube and Instagram: smaller, self-selected communities engage harder on a percentage basis. A nano streamer at 10% is normal. A mega streamer at 10% would be extraordinary. Follower count alone is a weak predictor of live viewership. [Powerspike's analysis of Twitch influencer metrics](https://medium.com/powerspike/understanding-key-twitch-influencer-metrics-abccc56c386a) found streamers with 15,000 followers sometimes pulling just 5–10 CCV, while streamers with 2,000 followers held 50–100 CCV. The ratio is everything; the headline number is noise. ## Chat rate: the quality signal within engagement CCV tells you how many people showed up. Chat rate tells you whether they care. Chat messages per minute (MPM), relative to the number of concurrent viewers, is the clearest signal of an active versus passive audience. A highly engaged Twitch community has viewers who talk to each other and the streamer — replying to plays, asking questions, driving conversation. A passive background-streaming audience watches silently while doing something else. Brands experienced in Twitch campaigns know this distinction. As [influencerfee.com notes](https://influencerfee.com/blog/twitch-sponsorship-rates/), a streamer with consistent chat activity is worth more per viewer than one with passive background viewership, and this difference is baked into how serious buyers evaluate deals. When vetting a streamer, ask for a screenshot of their chat metrics, not just average CCV. There is no universal MPM benchmark because it varies enormously by content category (see below), but within a given niche, a channel whose chat consistently moves faster than its peers is showing you something real. ## How category shapes what "good" looks like Twitch engagement rates are not comparable across categories the way YouTube engagement is not comparable across Music and Finance channels. The gaps are wide: - **Just Chatting and IRL:** Highest chat density on the platform. Streamers in this category build their content *around* chat interaction, so MPM runs far above any gaming category. A low chat rate in Just Chatting is a real flag. - **Competitive gaming and FPS:** Chat is active but reaction-focused — kills, clutches, tournament moments. CCV can spike sharply around competition, so compare average CCV during normal streams, not tournament days. - **Strategy and RPG:** Longer sessions, more deliberate comment culture. Chat volume is lower but dwell time is higher — [Gamesight's creator metric research](https://blog.gamesight.io/metrics-to-select-twitch-creators-pt1/) identifies sustained session watch time as more predictive of real audience investment in slower-paced categories than raw chat rate. - **Music and ambient:** Passive viewership by design. Low chat-to-CCV ratios are structural, not a warning sign. Evaluate these channels on peak CCV and VOD views instead. When benchmarking, always compare within category first, then tier. ## What a low CCV-to-follower ratio can mean A ratio that sits well below the "below average" band for a channel's tier has a few explanations: 1. **Old account, stale followers.** The channel grew years ago, pulled a different audience, and the current content no longer resonates with the follower base. The followers never left; the audience did. 2. **Bought followers.** Just like on Instagram, follower packs inflate the denominator without adding real viewers. A channel with 200K followers and 40 CCV has a 0.02% rate — nearly impossible to explain through natural audience attrition alone. 3. **Host and raid inflation.** Follower counts can spike after large streamers raid or host a channel, bringing hundreds or thousands of new follows from an audience that has no particular connection to the content. 4. **Background streaming niche.** Lo-fi music, study streams, and ambient content intentionally targets passive viewers. Low engagement here is intentional, not fake. The difference between reasons 2 and the rest shows in account history. Bought followers produce irregular follower spikes with no corresponding CCV growth. Natural growth — even if old and stale — produced at least a temporary matching CCV spike that you can see in historical data on tools like [TwitchTracker](https://twitchtracker.com/statistics) and [Streams Charts](https://streamscharts.com/overview). ## Other signals worth checking CCV-to-follower ratio is the headline. These supplement it: - **Subscriber rate.** Twitch subscribers pay a monthly fee ($4.99–$24.99). A subscriber-to-CCV ratio above 5% signals a community willing to spend money — strong commercial intent. Ask for sub counts, not just subs-per-stream. - **Clip rate.** Clips created per stream indicate how often viewers see a moment worth sharing. A channel that generates consistent clip traffic has organic reach beyond its live audience and better content discovery. - **Return viewer percentage.** Platforms like Streams Charts show the share of an audience that watches regularly. High return viewers mean the audience is genuinely loyal, not accumulated from a single viral moment that never repeated. ## What to ask for when vetting a Twitch creator Before any sponsorship conversation, request: 1. Average CCV (last 30 streams, excluding raids and tournaments) 2. Peak CCV for context 3. Chat messages per minute (average across recent streams in the same category) 4. Subscriber count and subscriber-to-CCV ratio 5. Historical follower growth chart (to spot bought spikes) The first number answers the reach question. The second through fifth answer the quality question. A streamer who can produce all five without hesitation is a streamer who understands their own audience — which is itself a positive signal. For an independent check, you can [run a free Twitch authenticity scan](/check/twitch/ninja) on any channel to surface engagement patterns, follower-growth history, and an overall 0–100 score — useful as a first filter before you invest time in a direct conversation. ## The bottom line A good Twitch engagement rate in 2026 is 3–6% CCV-to-follower for micro channels, 1.5–3.5% for mid-tier, and anything above 0.8% at scale. But those numbers only mean something once you've verified that the CCV is consistent, the chat is real, and the follower count doesn't reflect bulk purchases. On Twitch more than anywhere, the ratio isn't the whole story — it's the starting point. --- ## What Is a Good Engagement Rate on X (Twitter) in 2026? URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/good-engagement-rate-x-twitter-2026 Category: For Creators · Published: 2026-07-14 Summary: What is a good engagement rate on X in 2026? Benchmarks by follower tier, and why the by-impressions and by-followers formulas diverge. X engagement rate is the most misread metric in influencer marketing — mostly because the platform exposes two completely different numbers depending on which formula you use, and because X's historically high bot count means even a healthy-looking rate deserves a second look. Before you benchmark a creator or pitch your own rate to a brand, you need to know which calculation you're running. The short version: a good X engagement rate by followers in 2026 is **1.5–3%** for micro-tier creators (10K–100K), falling toward **0.5–1.5%** for large and mega accounts. By impressions the numbers run lower — roughly 0.5–3% for most healthy content, with anything above 3% signaling strong resonance for a given post. ## Two formulas — and why they matter more on X than anywhere else **By followers** (most common for cross-platform brand comparisons): > (Average likes + replies + reposts) ÷ followers × 100 **By impressions** (X's native metric — surfaced in creator analytics): > (Average likes + replies + reposts) ÷ impressions × 100 On Instagram or YouTube, by-followers and by-reach run relatively close. On X, they can diverge by 5–10×. X surfaces content heavily through algorithmic feeds, replies, and quote posts — so the gap between who sees a post and who follows the account is enormous. A creator with 80,000 followers might get 600,000 impressions on a breakout thread, or 4,000 impressions on a quiet post. Neither figure tells you much about the other. What this means practically: when a brand quotes your "X engagement rate," assume by-followers unless they say otherwise — that's what third-party tools default to. When you're diagnosing your own content or deciding whether a post landed, use by-impressions — it tells you whether the people who actually saw it cared. ## X engagement rate benchmarks by follower tier (2026) These ranges use the **by-followers** formula across a creator's last 10–15 non-viral posts. They reflect typical accounts that post consistently and haven't bought followers. | Follower tier | Below average | Average (good) | Excellent | |---|---|---|---| | Nano (<10K) | under 2% | 3%–6% | 8%+ | | Micro (10K–100K) | under 1% | 1.5%–3% | 4%+ | | Mid (100K–500K) | under 0.5% | 0.8%–2% | 3%+ | | Macro (500K–1M) | under 0.3% | 0.5%–1.5% | 2.5%+ | | Mega (1M+) | under 0.2% | 0.3%–0.8% | 1.5%+ | The same pattern holds here as on every other platform: smaller, tighter accounts engage at higher percentages. A nano creator at 5% is doing exactly what you'd expect; a mega account at 5% would be exceptional. For the by-impressions formula, a good benchmark for most account sizes is **0.5–3%**, with content above 3% considered strong for its reach. Viral threads and breaking-news reactions can spike into double digits — but like TikTok FYP breakouts, those outliers skew your average and shouldn't be included in a stable benchmark you'd show a brand. ### Worked: why X is the one platform where you can check both X shows impressions publicly on every post, which no other major platform does. So you can run both formulas on an account that is not yours — and the gap between them is the most informative number on the platform. An account with **34,000 followers** averages, over 12 posts: 210 likes, 18 replies, 46 reposts, 9 quotes — 283 interactions — against 21,500 impressions per post. > **By followers:** 283 ÷ 34,000 × 100 = **0.83%** > **By impressions:** 283 ÷ 21,500 × 100 = **1.32%** By followers, 0.83% sits below the 1.5%–3% micro band. By impressions, 1.32% is respectable. Both are true, and together they say something neither says alone: the content engages the people who see it, but it is only reaching about 63% of the follower count per post. That is a *distribution* problem, not an audience-quality one — and the fix is different. A dead audience shows low numbers on both formulas. A distribution problem shows exactly this split: healthy by impressions, weak by followers. The pattern that should actually worry you is the inverse — high by followers, low by impressions — which usually means a small number of accounts engaging very heavily on posts almost nobody saw. That is the shape of a pod. ## Niche changes the picture significantly X's engagement distribution is wider by niche than any other major platform. Some useful context: - **Finance and crypto:** Historically the most engaged corner of X, with rates often running 1.5–2× the tier average. The community is dense, opinionated, and reply-heavy — a good engagement signal, but also a space where coordinated boosting is common. - **Politics and news commentary:** High engagement on individual posts, but bursty rather than consistent. One viral political take inflates the average massively — always look at the median, not the mean. - **B2B and marketing:** Lower per-post engagement numbers but high-intent audiences. Saves and link-clicks matter more than likes here. - **Entertainment and celebrity:** Broad audiences with lower per-follower engagement. Ratios above 0.8% for mega accounts in this category are healthy. - **Tech and developer community:** Thread-heavy content performs well. Long-form threads consistently outperform single tweets on every engagement metric. If you're comparing two creators on X, compare within the same niche first. Cross-niche comparisons routinely lead to the wrong conclusion. ## What low rates signal on X — and why it matters more here A below-average X engagement rate has a few possible explanations: 1. **Natural niche effect** — the account operates in a category where lower rates are structural (entertainment, sports commentary on large accounts). 2. **Inactive or stale audience** — the creator was active in an earlier era of Twitter, accumulated followers, then shifted content or posting cadence. Old followers stop engaging; the denominator stays large. 3. **Bought or inauthentic followers** — X has one of the highest concentrations of bot accounts of any social platform. A large following that doesn't engage is a stronger red flag on X than the same pattern on Instagram. The difference between option 2 and 3 isn't always visible in the engagement rate alone. What gives away purchased followers is the composition: accounts with no bio, no profile photo, no posting history, or accounts following 5,000 people while having two posts and zero followers of their own. You can see this in a follower audit — or use our [authenticity checker](/#checker) to surface it quickly. ## X Premium and algorithmic distribution distort the comparison pool One structural shift in 2026: X Premium subscribers get preferential algorithmic distribution. A creator paying for X Premium may see their impressions run 20–40% higher than an equivalent non-paying account — which lowers their by-impressions engagement rate on the same content quality. When you compare two creators on X, treat this as noise. By-followers still provides the most stable cross-account comparison because follower count doesn't fluctuate based on subscription status. ## Engagement quality signals that matter Two X accounts at 2% can be worth entirely different amounts. The signals that separate quality engagement: - **Reply quality.** X comment sections (replies) are highly visible and searchable. Thoughtful replies that engage with the creator's actual argument signal a real, invested audience. Generic "great post!" or emoji replies can indicate a pod or a bought engagement pattern. - **Repost vs. quote-post ratio.** Quote posts (commenting while reposting) require more effort and signal real opinion. A creator whose reposts are mostly quote posts has an audience engaging with their ideas, not just amplifying them reflexively. - **Link-click rate.** If you have access to creator analytics, link CTR is a strong predictor of whether the audience acts on recommendations — which is what brands are actually paying for. When pitching to a brand, frame your engagement rate with context: "2.4% engagement by followers, with [average replies] replies per post, mostly substantive" says far more than a bare percentage. ## What to actually aim for 1. Calculate your rate over your last 10–15 non-viral posts using the by-followers formula — that's what brands will compare. 2. Find your tier in the table, then adjust for niche. 3. If you're in the "average (good)" band or above, lead with that number in pitches and media kits. 4. If you're below, investigate before adding followers. More followers at a low rate makes the ratio worse and flags you harder in an audit. On X in 2026, engagement quality matters more than on most other platforms — precisely because the platform's history of bots has trained brands and tools to scrutinize it harder. A 2% rate with genuine, readable replies and a follower list that holds up to a spot check is worth far more than a 4% rate built on inflated numbers. Make sure yours can stand the audit. --- ## Alejandro Rioja Built the Club Operating System He Wished Existed URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/alejandro-rioja-courtlines-club-operating-system Category: For Brands · Published: 2026-07-11 Summary: Alejandro Rioja, founder of Pickleland, built Courtlines — an AI advisor that reviews a club's numbers every morning and tells the operator what to do. ![Alejandro Rioja Is Building the Club Operating System He Wished Existed](https://alejandrorioja.com/images/me/ale.jpg) [Alejandro Rioja](https://alejandrorioja.com) spent years running Pickleland, his indoor pickleball facility in Austin, before deciding the biggest problem in his business wasn't pickleball at all — it was the software running it. "Every booking system out there is the same — CRUD screens, a dashboard, good luck," Rioja says. "None of it's AI-first. I wanted something that runs itself and gets better on its own, not something I babysit." That frustration became [Courtlines](https://courtlines.com), a club operating system Rioja built for racquet and court-sport facilities — pickleball, tennis, padel, squash, badminton, with room to extend into adjacent spaces like volleyball and CrossFit. Booking, memberships, point-of-sale, and scheduling all live in one place, but the part he keeps coming back to isn't a screen — it's a routine. Every morning, Courtlines' AI advisor reviews a club's numbers and tells the operator what to actually do about them, instead of leaving a dashboard to interpret. "Favorite part's the AI advisor — every morning it tells you what to actually do with your numbers instead of just showing you a dashboard," he says. "Software that improves itself, not software you babysit." Unlike most founders building software for an industry from the outside, Rioja was the customer first. "I wasn't guessing at the pain points — I was living them," he says. "Different kind of insight when you're the operator, not just building software for one." Pickleland runs on Courtlines end-to-end, not as a pilot bolted onto older tools, and has posted roughly a 25% revenue increase since making the switch — credit Rioja gives as much to the morning recommendations as to the booking flow itself. His ambitions go past racquet sports. "Short term, club OS for racquet sports," he says. "Long term I want this running any small business that lives on time slots and memberships — gyms, salons, whatever. Started with courts because that's the world I know. But the itch was never just pickleball, it's 'why is this software so dumb.'" To learn more about Courtlines, visit [courtlines.com](https://courtlines.com). More on Alejandro Rioja at [alejandrorioja.com](https://alejandrorioja.com). --- ## Alejandro Rioja Built a Court Directory That Refuses to Go Stale URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/alejandro-rioja-the-court-scout-verified-directory Category: For Brands · Published: 2026-07-11 Summary: Pickleland founder Alejandro Rioja built The Court Scout, a directory of pickleball, padel, tennis, and badminton courts re-checked weekly by AI agents. ![Alejandro Rioja Built a Court Directory That Refuses to Go Stale](https://alejandrorioja.com/images/me/ale.jpg) Most pickleball directories get built once and then quietly go wrong. [Alejandro Rioja](https://alejandrorioja.com) got tired of dealing with the fallout. "Every pickleball directory gets scraped once and left to rot," says Rioja, who runs Pickleland, an indoor pickleball facility in Austin. "Wrong numbers, courts that closed years ago. I built agents that check every club weekly instead. Living directory, not a snapshot." The result is [The Court Scout](https://thecourtscout.com), a directory covering pickleball, padel, tennis, and badminton courts, built and maintained by the same team behind Pickleland. Instead of a one-time research pass, it runs on an ongoing verification loop — agents that revisit every listing on a set cadence and confirm details against primary sources, rather than letting old data quietly expire. "Verified court directory — pickleball, padel, tennis, badminton," Rioja says. "Difference is freshness. Most directories are a one-time scrape. Ours gets re-checked weekly against primary sources. What you see is true right now, not whenever someone last hit Google Maps." It's the re-checking — the unglamorous part of the job — that most competitors skip once the initial listing goes live. "Same itch as [Courtlines](https://courtlines.com)," he says, referring to the club software he's also building. "I don't fix things halfway. A directory that's wrong half the time isn't hard to beat — you just have to keep checking instead of walking away." The Court Scout started in Texas and has been expanding state by state since, deliberately, given how much manual verification sits behind each listing. Rioja's bar for success isn't size. "Want it to be the default — not the biggest list, the most current one," he says. "Same team running Pickleland runs this. Not a side project we forgot about." To check out The Court Scout, visit [thecourtscout.com](https://thecourtscout.com). More on Alejandro Rioja at [alejandrorioja.com](https://alejandrorioja.com). --- ## How to Become a UGC Creator in 2026 (No Followers Required) URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-to-become-a-ugc-creator-2026 Category: Guides · Published: 2026-07-11 Summary: A practical 2026 guide to becoming a UGC creator: the gear you need, building a portfolio from scratch, where to find brands, and what to charge. UGC stands for user-generated content, but the way brands use the term today is specific: they hire independent creators to film authentic-looking videos and photos that the *brand* publishes on its own channels — paid ads, product pages, email campaigns, social posts. Your follower count is irrelevant because the content never appears on your account. That distinction is what makes UGC one of the most accessible ways to earn as a creator in 2026. You don't need an audience. You need a phone and the ability to film convincing, genuine-feeling content. ## What brands are actually buying Brands outsource UGC because polished studio ads stopped converting the way they used to. Consumers — especially on TikTok and Instagram Reels — scroll past anything that looks like a production. What stops the scroll is something that looks like a real person talking about a product they actually use. The types of UGC brands hire for most often: - **Testimonial / talking-head videos** — you explain what you like about a product on camera - **Unboxing and demo videos** — showing the product being opened or used in real life - **Lifestyle b-roll** — ambient footage of a product in context (coffee on a desk, skincare on a bathroom shelf) - **Before/after or problem-solution videos** — a format that performs well as paid ads - **Product photo sets** — flat lays, lifestyle stills, aesthetic product shots Most briefs will specify the format, the talking points, and the tone. Your job is to execute them authentically. ## The gear you actually need Almost nothing. The top UGC setup in 2026 is a recent smartphone — an iPhone or mid-tier Android with a good camera. That's it to get started. Optional upgrades that help, all under $100 total: - **Ring light or small LED panel** — eliminates flat lighting, noticeably improves video quality - **Compact tripod** — keeps shots stable; essential for solo filming - **Clip-on lavalier microphone** — clean audio is the fastest way to look more professional Do not buy anything else until you have paid work. Many experienced UGC creators still shoot exclusively on their phone — clients are not paying for production quality, they're paying for authenticity and adherence to the brief. ## Building a portfolio before you have clients Every brand will ask to see your work before hiring you. The way you solve this before you have clients: spec work. Pick two or three products you actually own and already like — a skincare item, a coffee subscription, a kitchen gadget — and film mock UGC videos for them as if you were hired to. The spec work portfolio approach works because: 1. Brands can assess your style, delivery, and production quality from it 2. You own the footage, so there are no rights issues 3. If the video is strong, the brand itself sometimes reaches out Aim for three to five polished spec pieces before you pitch anyone. Keep them short — 15 to 30 seconds for video, cleaned up and properly lit. That's enough for a brand to assess whether you can execute their briefs. Host your portfolio somewhere simple: a Google Drive folder, a basic Notion page, or a free Canva site. You do not need a personal website to land your first deal. ## Where to find brands that hire UGC creators The fastest paths to your first paid project: **UGC platforms** connect creators with brands actively seeking content. Billo, Insense, and JoinBrands all run marketplaces where brands post briefs and creators apply. Rates on platforms tend to be lower than direct pitches, but they're a reliable way to build a track record fast. **Fiverr and freelance marketplaces** work well for beginners — listing a gig priced at $75–$100 per video positions you as accessible and builds early reviews that compound into higher-rate work. **Direct brand outreach** is lower-volume but higher-margin. Find DTC brands you genuinely use, check whether they're running UGC-style content in their ads (use Meta Ad Library to look at any brand's live Facebook/Instagram ads), and send a short pitch email with your portfolio and a spec video made specifically for their product. **Instagram and TikTok** — many brands post in their Stories or Reels asking UGC creators to reach out. Searching #ugccreator or #ugcbranddeal surfaces both brand callouts and creator communities where job opportunities circulate. Most beginners land their first paid project within four to eight weeks of actively pitching. ## UGC creator rates in 2026 Rates are organized by experience level, not follower count: | Level | Experience | Rate per video | |---|---|---| | Beginner | Under 6 months, small portfolio | $75–$150 | | Intermediate | 6–18 months, proven brand work | $150–$350 | | Experienced | 18+ months, consistent quality | $350–$750 | | Expert | Track record of ad performance data | $750–$1,500+ | Most brand spending concentrates in the $150–$300 range for intermediate creators — that's where the bulk of ongoing work is. Photo sets typically price lower than video ($50–$150 per photo set). Usage rights add 30–50% to the base rate: if a brand wants to run your content as paid ads, that's worth charging for. Retainer deals — where a brand commits to 4–12 videos per month — typically run 15–30% below per-video rates, but they're worth it for the predictable income and the ongoing relationship. ## What separates working UGC creators from those who don't book **Authenticity is the deliverable.** Brands can tell when a creator is reading a script for the first time versus talking about something they actually know and use. The more genuine your on-camera presence, the more your content converts, and brands come back for content that converts. **Brief compliance matters more than creativity.** Clients will not re-hire a creator who improvised around their talking points, even if the creative was good. Read the brief twice, deliver exactly what was asked, and flag any confusion before you film — not after. **Turnaround speed builds reputation.** Most brand briefs expect delivery within five to seven days. Consistent, fast turnaround puts you at the top of a client's preferred roster when they need content in a crunch. **Quality over volume.** Taking fewer well-briefed projects at a higher rate beats mass-applying to every low-paying brief. Your portfolio is your recurring asset — every piece of UGC you film should be something you'd want a future client to see. ## The authenticity angle: why UGC works better than ads The whole premise of UGC is that content created by real people converts better than polished creative because it doesn't trigger the "this is an ad" skip reflex. The brands winning in paid social right now are not the ones with the biggest ad budgets — they're the ones who've mastered the pipeline of finding creators who can speak naturally about their products and deploying that content at scale. As a UGC creator, your competitive advantage is looking and sounding like a real person. That sounds obvious, but it's genuinely rare — most creators overthink the performance and lose the naturalness that makes the format work. If you want to know how a brand is likely to assess your credibility before hiring you, you can [run your own authenticity check](/#checker) to see how your social presence scores — even if your follower count is low, strong engagement and a consistent aesthetic signal to brands that you understand content. ## First steps to take this week 1. Pick three products you own and genuinely like 2. Film a 20–30 second spec video for each — keep it natural, use good light 3. Set up a simple portfolio page with those three videos 4. Create a Billo or Insense profile, and one Fiverr gig 5. Write a short pitch template you can customize for direct brand outreach The barrier to entry is low enough that the main thing separating UGC creators who earn from those who don't is whether they start. The market is still underpopulated at the intermediate and experienced tiers — there's room for new creators who take the craft seriously. --- ## What Is a Good Engagement Rate on YouTube in 2026? URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/good-engagement-rate-youtube-2026 Category: For Creators · Published: 2026-07-09 Summary: What is a good YouTube engagement rate in 2026? See benchmarks by subscriber tier and niche, how to calculate it correctly, and when a low rate is a red flag. YouTube engagement rate is one of the most misread numbers in influencer marketing — partly because the platform exposes more signals than any other, and partly because creators and brands often use different formulas. Before you can judge whether a rate is good or bad, you need to agree on how you're calculating it. The short version: a good YouTube engagement rate in 2026 sits between **3–5% by views** for a healthy mid-to-large channel, rising to 6–10%+ for smaller, tighter communities. But the subscriber tier and niche shape what "good" actually means more than the platform average does. ## How to calculate YouTube engagement rate There are two common formulas, and they give very different results. **By views** (most accurate for YouTube): > (Average likes + comments) ÷ average views × 100 **By subscribers** (used for brand comparisons): > (Average likes + comments) ÷ subscribers × 100 YouTube pushes content heavily through recommendations and search, so a video can rack up far more views than a channel has subscribers. That makes the by-subscribers formula misleading in the same way TikTok's by-followers formula is misleading — it can swing wildly based on whether a single video went viral. **By views is the more honest read of whether content actually lands.** When brands ask for your "engagement rate," find out which formula they're using. If they don't specify, assume by-subscribers — it's what most tools default to. ## YouTube engagement rate benchmarks by subscriber tier (2026) These ranges use the by-views formula, averaged across a creator's last 10–15 non-viral videos. | Subscriber tier | Below average | Average (good) | Excellent | |---|---|---|---| | Nano (1K–10K) | under 4% | 6%–10% | 12%+ | | Micro (10K–100K) | under 2.5% | 3%–6% | 8%+ | | Mid (100K–1M) | under 1.5% | 2%–4% | 6%+ | | Macro (1M–10M) | under 0.8% | 1%–2.5% | 4%+ | | Mega (10M+) | under 0.5% | 0.7%–1.5% | 2.5%+ | The pattern mirrors every other platform: smaller channels engage harder on a percentage basis because the audience is self-selected and tight-knit. A nano creator at 8% is normal; a mega creator at 8% would be exceptional. ## Benchmarks shift sharply by niche YouTube's niche spread is wider than Instagram or TikTok, so the platform average can actively mislead you. A realistic picture by content type: - **Gaming:** 4–7% average, with highly opinionated audiences who comment on everything. Gaming comment sections are dense and specific — a strong quality signal. - **Education and how-to:** 5–9%. Viewers who sought out a tutorial are primed to engage; comment sections fill with follow-up questions and "thank you" replies that indicate real value. - **Tech reviews:** 4–8%. Strong save-and-share behavior as viewers research purchases. - **Finance and investing:** 3–6%. Lower comment volume but high intent — viewers are there for information, not community. High like-to-view ratios are a positive signal here. - **Lifestyle and vlogging:** 2–4%. Broad audiences spread thin, but loyal sub-communities punch above average. - **Music:** 1–3%. Videos accumulate passive views from playlists and autoplay; low like-and-comment rates are structural, not a sign of a weak channel. If you're benchmarking a music channel against an education channel, you'll reach the wrong conclusion. Compare within niche first, tier second. ## Shorts vs. long-form YouTube Shorts reshaped the equation when they started appearing in main channel analytics. Key differences in 2026: - **Shorts generate more raw engagement per view** — roughly 1.4× higher — but Shorts views are often algorithmic and passive, so the engagement rate can read high without reflecting a genuinely invested audience. - **Long-form watch time and completion rate** are harder to fake and say more about whether people actually care. A 10-minute video with 65% average completion is a far stronger quality signal than a Short with 6% engagement. - **Treat them separately.** Mixing Shorts and long-form into one averaged rate creates a number that represents neither format accurately. When reviewing a channel, pull the two content types apart before drawing conclusions. ## What a low rate can signal A YouTube engagement rate that sits well below the tier benchmark has three plausible explanations: 1. **Niche mismatch** — the creator's category naturally runs low (music, ambient channels, replays). 2. **Audience slump** — content has drifted from what built the subscriber base, losing active viewers over time. 3. **Inflated or inactive subscribers** — bought subscribers, sub4sub behavior, or a channel that stopped posting for a year and kept growing passively. The difference between option 2 and 3 shows up in the watch-time and comment trends. A channel with genuine but drifting engagement will still see real-sounding comments and some watch time. A channel with bought or inactive subscribers tends to show a view count that tracks only the platform's own recommendation traffic, with almost no watch time and comment sections that are thin or generic. Watch time per view is YouTube's clearest fake-audience signal. You can't buy average view duration the way you can buy subscribers. If a creator's analytics show 800K views but under 60 seconds average watch time on a 12-minute video, the views aren't real. You can sanity-check the broader picture with our [authenticity checker](/#checker) — it surfaces the patterns that paid subscribers can't hide. ## Engagement quality tells a better story than the number Two channels at 4% can be worth completely different amounts: - A creator whose 4% is built on specific, thoughtful comments and high save rates has an audience ready to act on a recommendation. - A creator whose 4% is driven by like-bait prompts ("smash the like button if you agree") has a conditioned response, not genuine investment. When reporting your rate to a brand, add context: average watch time, comment volume and quality, click-through rate on end screens if you have it. "3.8% engagement with an average watch time of 68% on 12-minute videos" is a stronger pitch than "3.8% engagement" alone — and it pre-empts the audit by demonstrating the engagement is the real, intent-driven kind. ## What to actually do with this 1. Calculate your rate using the last 10–15 non-viral videos, by views. 2. Find your tier in the table, then adjust for niche. 3. If you're at or above "average (good)" for your tier, that's your negotiating floor with brands. 4. If you're below, investigate watch time and comment quality before assuming audience size is the problem. Often the issue is content drift or an old sub spike rather than a permanently broken channel. In 2026, YouTube's layered analytics make it possible to diagnose exactly why engagement sits where it does — which means a creator who understands their own numbers has a real advantage in pitching to brands who don't. --- ## 7 signs an influencer has fake followers URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/7-signs-of-fake-followers Category: Guides · Published: 2026-06-28 Summary: Learn the 7 clearest signs of fake followers on any social account, from engagement gaps to suspicious growth spikes, plus how to verify a creator in seconds. Fake followers are still the single biggest way creator metrics get inflated. A bloated follower count looks impressive in a media kit, but it tells you nothing about whether real people see, trust, or act on what a creator posts. The good news: padded audiences leave fingerprints. Once you know what to look for, you can spot the signs of fake followers in a couple of minutes. Below are the seven signals that matter most, ranked roughly by how reliable each one is. ## 1. Engagement that doesn't match the follower count This is the loudest signal. Real audiences interact at fairly predictable rates depending on size: - **Nano (under 10k):** ~4-5% engagement is healthy - **Micro (10k-100k):** ~2-3% - **Mid-tier (100k-500k):** ~1.5% - **Mega (1M+):** ~1% or just under If someone has 300k followers but pulls 400 likes per post, that's well under 0.2% — a classic mismatch. Tiny engagement on a large account almost always means the follower number is inflated. You can [run a free authenticity check](/#checker) to see the engagement rate calculated for you. ## 2. Sudden, unexplained follower spikes Organic growth is mostly gradual, with occasional bumps from a viral post or a press mention. What's *not* normal is a flat line that jumps by tens of thousands overnight with no viral content to explain it. Bought followers are usually delivered in batches, so the growth curve looks like a staircase rather than a slope. ## 3. Comments that read like bots Scroll the comments on a few recent posts. Warning signs include: - Generic one-word or emoji-only comments ("Nice!", "🔥🔥🔥") repeated across dozens of accounts - Comments unrelated to the actual post - The same handful of accounts commenting on everything - A flood of comments in broken or mismatched languages Authentic comment sections are messy and specific. Bot comment sections are repetitive and hollow. ## 4. A follower base from the wrong places If a creator's content and captions are in English and aimed at a US or UK audience, but a large share of followers are from regions with no connection to the niche, that's a flag. Bought followers are frequently sourced from click farms concentrated in a few countries. A geographic mismatch between content and audience is worth questioning. ## 5. Lots of followers, almost no posts Be skeptical of accounts with a huge follower count and a thin or barely-maintained feed. Real audiences are built over time through consistent posting. An account with 200k followers and 15 posts didn't earn that audience the slow way. ## 6. A follower-to-following ratio that feels off This one is softer, but useful as a tiebreaker. Many fake-follower services pair purchases with mass-follow behavior, so you'll sometimes see accounts following tens of thousands of others. On its own it proves nothing, but combined with low engagement it strengthens the case. ## 7. Story and video views that contradict the follower count Stories and short-form videos are harder to fake than follower counts. If an account has 500k followers but stories consistently get 2,000 views, the real, reachable audience is far smaller than the headline number. Always weigh views against reach, not against total followers. ## How to confirm it in under a minute Any single sign can have an innocent explanation. The pattern is what matters — low engagement *plus* a growth spike *plus* generic comments is a strong case that a follower count is padded. Rather than eyeball every signal yourself, you can [check any creator for free](/check/youtube/mrbeast) and get a transparent 0-100 authenticity score that folds these signals into one number, with the fake-follower estimate, engagement quality, and growth flags broken out. If you're a brand about to pay for a campaign, or a creator who wants to prove your audience is real, running the check first turns a gut feeling into evidence. --- ## Good Engagement Rate by Follower Count (2026) URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/good-engagement-rate-by-follower-count Category: For Creators · Published: 2026-06-28 Summary: What counts as a good engagement rate in 2026? See realistic benchmarks by follower count for Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus how to calculate yours. "Good engagement rate" is one of the most misunderstood numbers in the creator economy. A 2% rate can be excellent for one account and mediocre for another — it depends almost entirely on audience size. Bigger audiences engage at lower percentages, so judging a mega-creator by nano-creator standards (or vice versa) leads to bad decisions. Here are realistic 2026 benchmarks and how to read them. ## How to calculate engagement rate The most common formula is straightforward: **Engagement rate = (average likes + comments per post ÷ followers) × 100** Average your last 6-12 posts to smooth out the effect of one viral hit. For a fuller picture, some creators include saves and shares, which matter a lot in 2026 because platforms weight them heavily. If you don't want to do the math by hand, you can [run a free authenticity check](/#checker) and get the rate calculated for you. ## Engagement rate benchmarks by follower count These bands are Instagram-anchored and apply directionally elsewhere — for a platform-specific number, use the per-platform table further down and the guide it links to. They reflect a simple truth: the larger and broader an audience gets, the smaller the share that engages on any given post. - **Nano (under 10k):** ~4-5% is healthy. Small audiences are tight-knit and responsive. Strong nano accounts can exceed 6%. - **Micro (10k-100k):** ~2-3%. Still high trust, still personal, but reach starts to dilute. - **Mid-tier (100k-500k):** ~1.5%. Solid for this band. The audience is broader and less uniformly interested. - **Macro (500k-1M):** ~1-1.5%. - **Mega (1M+):** ~1% or just under. At celebrity scale, even 0.8% can be perfectly normal. The headline pattern: **engagement falls as follower count rises.** That's expected and healthy. What's *not* healthy is engagement far below the band for a given size — that's often a sign of inflated or purchased followers rather than a genuinely large but quiet audience. ## A worked example: the same numbers, two different verdicts Two Instagram accounts, both averaging 900 likes and 45 comments per post. **Account A — 25,000 followers.** (900 + 45) ÷ 25,000 × 100 = **3.78%**. That lands inside the micro band, so this is a normal, healthy account. Nothing to explain. **Account B — 480,000 followers.** (900 + 45) ÷ 480,000 × 100 = **0.20%**. Same absolute engagement, but against an audience nineteen times larger. The macro band starts around 1%, so B is running at roughly a fifth of what its size predicts. The identical numerator is the point. Engagement rate is a ratio, and the follower count does all the work — which is exactly why "900 likes a post" tells a brand nothing on its own, and why a creator who has bought followers ends up with a *worse*-looking account than before they bought them. The purchased followers land in the denominator and never touch the numerator. Account B is not automatically fraudulent. A five-year-old account whose audience has drifted produces the same shape. What separates the two is *how* the gap opened: a drifted audience still comments, just less, while a padded one shows likes with almost no comments and a follower curve with steps in it that no piece of content explains. ## Platform differences matter — and the denominators are not the same This is where most cross-platform comparisons quietly go wrong. A 6% TikTok rate and a 6% Instagram rate are not the same measurement, because they divide by different things: | Platform | Divides by | Good at ~25K | Good at ~500K | |---|---|---|---| | [Instagram](/blog/good-engagement-rate-instagram-2026/) | followers | 2.5%–4% | 1%–1.8% | | [TikTok](/blog/good-engagement-rate-tiktok-2026/) | **views** | 3%–6% | 2%–4% | | [YouTube](/blog/good-engagement-rate-youtube-2026/) | **views** | 3%–6% | 2%–4% | | [X (Twitter)](/blog/good-engagement-rate-x-twitter-2026/) | followers | 1.5%–3% | 0.5%–1.5% | | [Twitch](/blog/good-engagement-rate-twitch-2026/) | **concurrent viewers ÷ followers** | 3%–6% | 0.8%–2% | | [LinkedIn](/blog/good-engagement-rate-linkedin-2026/) | followers | 1.8%–3% | 1.2%–2% | Each row is the band from that platform's own benchmark guide, read at those two account sizes. The tiers those guides use differ — LinkedIn's top band starts at 100K where YouTube's starts at 10M — so treat this table as an orientation and the linked guide as authoritative for any specific account. Three consequences worth carrying: - **TikTok and YouTube divide by views, not followers.** Both push content well past the follower base, so a likes-over-followers rate understates them badly and can read above 100% on anything that travelled. Use views. - **Twitch has no likes or comments at all.** Its rate is concurrent viewers as a share of followers — a live snapshot, not an average over posts — so it moves with when you measure, not just how the channel is doing. - **X runs structurally lower than everything else.** A 1.5% rate on X is a healthy micro account; the same figure on Instagram would be below band. Nothing is wrong with the account. ## What pulls an engagement rate up or down Even within a band, several factors move the needle: - **Niche:** tight communities (fitness, finance, niche hobbies) engage harder than broad lifestyle content. - **Content format:** carousels and saveable, useful posts tend to outperform single static images. - **Posting cadence:** over-posting can fatigue an audience and drag the average down. - **Audience quality:** this is the big one. Fake followers count toward the denominator but never engage, so they mechanically crush the rate. That last point is why a suspiciously low engagement rate is a clue worth investigating, not just a performance verdict. ## When a "bad" rate is actually a red flag If a creator sits well below the benchmark for their size, ask why. Sometimes it's a genuine slump or an audience that's outgrown the content. But persistently low engagement on a large account frequently points to padded follower numbers. The way to tell the difference is to look at *who* makes up the audience and how growth happened over time. That's exactly what an authenticity check surfaces. You can [check any creator for free](/check/youtube/mrbeast) to see the engagement rate alongside an estimated fake-follower percentage and growth flags — so you know whether a low rate means "quiet audience" or "inflated audience." ## The takeaway There's no universal "good" engagement rate. Anchor your expectations to the follower band, adjust for platform, and treat anything far below the benchmark as a question to investigate rather than an automatic disqualifier. For creators, knowing your real number — and being able to show it's real — is becoming as important as the number itself. --- ## What Is a Good Engagement Rate on Instagram in 2026? URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/good-engagement-rate-instagram-2026 Category: For Creators · Published: 2026-06-28 Summary: What is a good engagement rate on Instagram in 2026? See benchmarks by follower tier, how to calculate yours, and what counts as healthy vs. a red flag. If you're asking what is a good engagement rate on Instagram in 2026, the honest answer is that it depends entirely on your follower count — and the benchmarks have dropped since 2021. As Reels pushed reach up and likes down, the old "1% is good" rule of thumb became misleading. A good rate today is the one that beats the average for your tier. The other thing nobody tells creators: engagement rate is the number brands actually pay on once they get past follower count. Knowing yours, and being able to defend it, is leverage in every rate negotiation. ## Instagram engagement rate benchmarks by follower tier (2026) These ranges reflect engagement-by-followers (likes + comments ÷ followers) across active accounts. The clear pattern: smaller accounts engage far harder. | Follower tier | Below average | Average (good) | Excellent | |---|---|---|---| | Nano (1K–10K) | under 3% | 4%–6% | 8%+ | | Micro (10K–50K) | under 2% | 2.5%–4% | 5%+ | | Mid (50K–250K) | under 1.2% | 1.5%–2.8% | 4%+ | | Macro (250K–1M) | under 0.8% | 1%–1.8% | 2.5%+ | | Mega (1M+) | under 0.5% | 0.7%–1.3% | 2%+ | The headline: a nano-creator at 5% is *normal*, while a mega-account at 5% would be exceptional. Don't compare yourself to accounts ten times your size — you'll either feel falsely great or needlessly bad. ## How to calculate your engagement rate The standard formula: **(Average likes + average comments) ÷ followers × 100** Take your last 9–12 posts, average the likes and comments, divide by your current follower count. Skip viral outliers — one breakout Reel will inflate the number and give you a figure you can't reproduce for a brand. Don't want to do it by hand? Our free [Instagram engagement rate calculator](/tools/instagram/engagement-rate-calculator) does it in seconds — enter followers and average interactions and it places you against the tier benchmark above. ## Engagement-by-followers vs. engagement-by-reach There are two formulas, and the gap between them matters in 2026: - **By followers** (above) is what most brands and tools quote. It's stable and comparable across accounts. - **By reach** (interactions ÷ accounts reached) is what Instagram surfaces in Insights. With Reels reaching far beyond your follower base, this number is often *lower* but more honest about content quality. When a brand quotes your "engagement rate," assume they mean by-followers unless they say otherwise. When you're optimizing your own content, watch by-reach — it tells you whether people who saw the post actually cared. ## What's pulling 2026 numbers down Three structural shifts since the early Reels era: - **Reach inflation.** Reels show your content to non-followers, so the denominator effectively grows while likes stay flat — mechanically lowering by-reach engagement. - **Like-hiding and passive consumption.** More people watch and scroll than tap. Saves and shares now carry the signal likes used to. - **Follower-count inflation across the platform.** As more accounts pad their numbers, average engagement-by-followers drifts down, which is exactly why suspiciously low rates flag fake audiences. That last point cuts both ways: if your rate sits *below* the "below average" column for your tier, brands auditing you may assume bought followers. A healthy rate isn't just good for reach — it's proof your audience is real. You can sanity-check how an account reads to a brand with our [authenticity checker](/#checker). ## Engagement rate by content format Your overall account rate hides big differences between formats, and brands increasingly ask for format-specific numbers. Rough 2026 patterns: - **Carousels** typically pull the highest engagement of any feed format — multiple slides mean more dwell time, more saves, and a second chance at a swipe-back like. Many creators see carousel rates 1.4–2x their static-photo rate. - **Reels** generate the most *reach* but the lowest like-rate, because views balloon the denominator. Judge Reels on shares, saves, and comments, not likes. - **Static photos** sit in the middle and are fading as a discovery format, though they still convert well with an engaged existing audience. - **Stories** aren't part of the standard rate but matter enormously — a 5%+ story-view-to-follower ratio signals a genuinely active audience and reassures brands the followers are real. If your overall rate looks soft, break it down by format before concluding your audience is weak. Often one underperforming format (usually low-effort Reels) is dragging the average while carousels quietly overperform. ## Engagement quality matters as much as the percentage Two accounts at 4% can be worth very different amounts. A high rate built on saves, shares, and thoughtful comments signals an audience that acts on your recommendations — exactly what a brand pays for. A high rate built on giveaway entries, emoji spam, or an engagement pod is hollow and won't convert. When you report your rate to a brand, contextualize it: mention your save and share rates, your story completion, and the kind of comments you get. "4% engagement, with carousels averaging 300 saves" tells a far stronger story than a bare percentage — and it pre-empts the audit by showing the engagement is the real, intent-rich kind. ## What to actually aim for Stop chasing a universal target. Instead: 1. Find your tier in the table. 2. Calculate your real rate over your last 10 non-viral posts. 3. If you're in the "average" band or above, you're healthy — lead with this number when pitching brands. 4. If you're below, fix engagement before chasing more followers. More followers at a low rate makes the ratio *worse*, not better. A 12K creator at 4.5% is in a stronger commercial position than a 90K creator at 0.9% — fewer followers, more proof. In 2026, the rate is the asset. --- ## How Much Do Instagram Influencers Charge Per Post? URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-much-instagram-influencers-charge-per-post Category: For Brands · Published: 2026-06-28 Summary: How much do Instagram influencers charge per post in 2026? Real rate ranges by follower tier, the formulas behind pricing, and what actually moves the price. If you're a brand asking how much do Instagram influencers charge per post, you've probably already gotten three wildly different quotes for creators of the same size. That's because there's no fixed rate — pricing is a loose function of follower count, engagement, niche, and how much the creator (or their agency) thinks they can get. This guide gives you the real ranges and the formulas underneath them so you can tell a fair quote from a fishing expedition. ## Instagram rate ranges by follower tier (2026) These are typical ranges for a single in-feed post or Reel. Stories run lower; bundles and exclusivity run higher. | Follower tier | Per-post range | Common per-post midpoint | |---|---|---| | Nano (1K–10K) | $50–$250 | ~$100 | | Micro (10K–50K) | $200–$1,000 | ~$500 | | Mid (50K–250K) | $1,000–$5,000 | ~$2,500 | | Macro (250K–1M) | $5,000–$15,000 | ~$8,000 | | Mega / celebrity (1M+) | $10,000–$100,000+ | varies wildly | The spread inside each tier is enormous — that's the real lesson. A 40K micro-creator might be worth $300 or $1,000 depending on engagement and niche. Follower count sets the ballpark; everything below sets the actual number. ## The two formulas behind most quotes Most honest rate cards trace back to one of these: - **The 1% rule (CPM-style):** roughly $10 per 1,000 followers as a floor. A 50K account → ~$500. Crude, but it's where many creators start. - **Engagement-weighted:** rate ≈ engaged followers × a per-engaged-follower rate ($0.10–$0.50). A 50K account at 4% engagement has 2,000 engaged users → $200–$1,000. This is the fairer model because it pays for attention, not vanity. The gap between those two formulas is exactly where you negotiate. Want a defensible starting number for any creator? Run their stats through our free [sponsored post rate calculator](/tools/instagram/sponsored-post-rate-calculator) — it factors in engagement, not just follower count. ## What moves the price up - **High engagement rate.** A creator at 6% in their tier can legitimately charge 2–3x one at 1%. - **Niche.** Finance, B2B SaaS, and parenting command premiums because the audiences convert; generic "lifestyle" sits at the bottom. - **Usage rights.** Want to run their content as a paid ad (whitelisting) or reuse it on your channels? That can double or triple the base post fee. - **Exclusivity.** Asking them not to work with competitors for 30–90 days is a real cost to them — expect a 20%–50% premium. - **Production load.** A polished Reel with a hook, edit, and reshoots costs more than a static photo. ## What should pull the price down (or kill the deal) - **Low engagement for the tier.** A 200K account at 0.4% is reaching fewer real people than a healthy 30K account. Don't pay macro prices for mid-tier reach. - **Fake-follower contamination.** If a chunk of the audience is bots, you're literally paying for nobody. Always audit before agreeing on price — check the engagement-to-follower ratio and growth curve with our [authenticity checker](/#checker) first. - **Mismatched audience geography.** A US product promoted to a 70%-overseas audience is wasted spend regardless of follower count. ## A simple way to pressure-test any quote When a creator sends a number, do this: 1. Estimate engaged followers (followers × engagement rate). 2. Divide the quoted price by engaged followers to get a cost-per-engaged-follower. 3. Compare across your shortlist. Example: a $2,500 quote from a 150K account at 1% engagement = 1,500 engaged followers = **$1.67 per engaged follower**. A $600 quote from a 25K account at 5% = 1,250 engaged followers = **$0.48 per engaged follower**. The "cheaper" creator reaches almost as many engaged people for a quarter of the cost-per-engagement. The math, not the follower count, tells you who to book. ## Stories, Reels, and bundle pricing A single in-feed post is just one line item. Here's how the other formats typically price relative to it: - **Stories:** usually 30%–50% of a feed-post rate per frame, often sold in sets of 2–3 frames. They expire in 24 hours, so they're cheaper but great for swipe-up traffic and time-sensitive promos. - **Reels:** often priced *at or above* a static feed post because they reach beyond the follower base and take more production effort. A Reel can be the highest-value single deliverable on the menu. - **Bundles:** a "feed post + 3 stories + 1 Reel" package usually carries a 10%–20% discount versus buying each à la carte — and gives the algorithm multiple touchpoints, which improves performance. - **Link-in-bio / pinned placement:** a small add-on fee for keeping your link or content pinned for a set window. When a creator sends a flat "per post" number, ask what's included. A $1,500 quote that's actually a full bundle is very different from $1,500 for one static photo. ## Common pricing mistakes brands make - **Paying on follower count alone.** The whole point of the engagement-weighted math above is to stop overpaying inflated accounts. A big follower number with weak engagement is the most overpriced thing in the market. - **Skipping usage rights, then paying again.** If you might want to boost the content as an ad, negotiate whitelisting up front — retroactive rights cost far more. - **Ignoring the audit.** A "cheap" creator whose audience is 40% bots is infinitely expensive, because you reached nobody. Always verify before you price. - **Treating the first quote as fixed.** Rates are negotiable, especially for multi-post deals, longer relationships, or off-peak timing. The first number is an opening position, not a price tag. ## Bottom line for brands Use the tier table to know whether a quote is even in the right galaxy, then use engagement-weighted math to decide if it's fair. The creators worth paying are the ones whose numbers survive an audit and whose cost-per-engaged-follower is competitive — not the ones with the biggest header number. Vet first, price second, and let the engagement do the talking. --- ## How Much Money Do YouTubers Actually Make? URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-much-money-do-youtubers-make Category: For Creators · Published: 2026-06-28 Summary: How much money do YouTubers make? YouTube earnings explained: real RPM ranges by niche, what 1M views actually pays, and the income streams beyond AdSense. How much money do YouTubers make? The honest answer is that the headline AdSense numbers you see online are mostly wrong in both directions — some inflate it with celebrity outliers, others lowball it by quoting CPM when creators actually get paid on RPM. Let's break down YouTube earnings the way the payout actually works, with real ranges you can plan around. ## CPM vs. RPM — the number that actually matters Two acronyms get confused constantly: - **CPM (cost per mille):** what advertisers pay per 1,000 ad impressions, *before* YouTube takes its cut. - **RPM (revenue per mille):** what *you* actually keep per 1,000 video views, after YouTube's 45% share and accounting for views that show no ads. RPM is always lower than the advertiser CPM. When someone says "YouTube pays $5 CPM," your real take-home RPM is often closer to $1.50–$3. Always plan on RPM. ## What 1 million views actually pays, by niche RPM varies enormously by topic because advertiser demand varies. Rough 2026 RPM ranges and what 1M views yields from ads alone: | Niche | Typical RPM | Earnings per 1M views | |---|---|---| | Finance / investing | $12–$30 | $12,000–$30,000 | | Tech / software reviews | $6–$15 | $6,000–$15,000 | | Business / marketing | $8–$20 | $8,000–$20,000 | | Education / how-to | $4–$10 | $4,000–$10,000 | | Lifestyle / vlogs | $3–$7 | $3,000–$7,000 | | Gaming | $2–$5 | $2,000–$5,000 | | Entertainment / comedy | $1.50–$4 | $1,500–$4,000 | | Kids content | $0.50–$2 | $500–$2,000 | This is why a finance channel with 200K monthly views can out-earn a gaming channel with 2M. The audience an advertiser will pay to reach matters more than raw size. Want to model your own channel? Plug your monthly views and niche into our free [YouTube earnings calculator](/tools/youtube/earnings-calculator) to get an RPM-based estimate instead of guessing off a generic CPM. ## AdSense is usually the smallest slice Here's what the "how much do YouTubers make" question usually misses: for established creators, ad revenue is often *under half* of total income. The real money sits in: - **Brand deals / sponsorships.** Frequently the #1 line item. A mid-size channel can charge $1,000–$2,000 per integrated mention; large channels charge $20,000+. Sponsorships routinely pay 2–5x what AdSense does for the same video. - **Affiliate revenue.** Links in the description earning a cut of sales — especially lucrative in tech, finance, and software niches. - **Own products / courses / memberships.** The highest-margin income, and the most stable. Channel memberships, Patreon, and digital products turn an audience into recurring revenue. - **YouTube extras.** Super Thanks, channel memberships, and Shopping take a smaller cut but add up at scale. A realistic income mix for a 300K-subscriber business/education channel might be: 30% ads, 35% sponsorships, 20% affiliate/products, 15% memberships. The creators who earn the most aren't the ones with the most views — they're the ones who diversified past AdSense. ## What drives RPM up or down within a niche Even inside the same niche, two channels can see RPM differ by 3x. The factors that move it: - **Audience country.** Advertisers pay far more to reach viewers in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia than in most other markets. A channel with a 70% US audience earns dramatically more per view than the same content with a globally dispersed audience. - **Watch time and video length.** Videos over 8 minutes can carry multiple mid-roll ads, multiplying ad slots per view. Long, watchable content earns more per view than short clips. - **Season.** Q4 (October–December) RPMs spike as advertisers spend holiday budgets — often 30%–50% above the summer trough. Many creators earn a quarter of their annual ad income in December alone. - **Advertiser-friendliness.** Videos flagged as "limited ads" (profanity, sensitive topics) get throttled monetization regardless of views. This is why a generic "what does YouTube pay" number is meaningless. The same video earns wildly different amounts depending on who watched it and when. ## Shorts vs. long-form earnings YouTube Shorts monetize through a separate, pooled revenue model rather than standard mid-roll ads, and the effective RPM is a fraction of long-form — often $0.05–$0.15 per 1,000 views versus dollars for long-form. Shorts are an audience-acquisition tool, not an income engine. Creators who rely on Shorts for views but never convert that audience to long-form or other income streams earn far less than their view counts suggest. Treat Shorts as the top of the funnel, not the destination. ## Why "subscribers" is the worst earnings predictor Subscribers barely move income. A 1M-subscriber channel where videos get 50K views earns less than a 100K-subscriber channel pulling 500K views per video. YouTube pays on *views and watch time*, not the subscriber badge. When you evaluate a channel's earning power — your own or a creator you want to sponsor — look at average views per video over the last 30 days, not the subscriber number. ## Putting it together To estimate any channel's ad income: 1. Find recent average monthly views. 2. Apply the niche RPM range above. 3. Multiply, then treat that as the *floor* — sponsorships and products typically add 1–3x on top. Example: a tech channel averaging 800K views/month at $9 RPM earns ~$7,200/month from ads. Add a couple of sponsorships and affiliate links and $15,000–$20,000/month is realistic. The same view count in entertainment at $2.50 RPM earns ~$2,000 from ads — same effort, a fraction of the pay. The takeaway: YouTube income is driven by niche and views, not subscribers, and ads are just the starting line. Model the RPM, then build the income streams that actually compound. --- ## How to Check if an Influencer Has Fake Followers URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-to-check-if-an-influencer-has-fake-followers Category: For Brands · Published: 2026-06-28 Summary: Learn how to check if an influencer has fake followers before you pay them. A practical 7-point audit for brands using free tools, ratios, and red flags. If you want to know how to check if an influencer has fake followers, the short answer is: you don't need an expensive agency tool, you need to read the numbers the way a fraud analyst does. Bought followers leave a statistical fingerprint, and once you know where to look, a 10-minute audit catches most of it before a dollar leaves your budget. Here's the uncomfortable backdrop. Industry estimates have consistently put fake-follower contamination across sponsored Instagram accounts somewhere between 15% and 40%, depending on niche. Travel, luxury, and "motivation" accounts skew worst. That means if you skip the audit on a shortlist of five creators, the base rate says one or two are inflated. ## The fastest signal: engagement rate vs. follower count Real audiences engage. Bought ones don't. The single most reliable check is comparing an account's engagement rate against the benchmark for its size tier. Rough benchmarks for Instagram: | Follower tier | Healthy engagement rate | Suspicious below | |---|---|---| | 1K–10K (nano) | 4%–8% | under 1.5% | | 10K–50K (micro) | 2.5%–5% | under 1% | | 50K–500K (mid) | 1.5%–3% | under 0.7% | | 500K+ (macro) | 1%–2% | under 0.5% | A 220K account pulling 600 likes a post (0.27%) is the textbook tell. Run the math yourself with our free [Instagram engagement rate calculator](/tools/instagram/engagement-rate-calculator) — paste in followers and average likes/comments and you'll see instantly where they land. ## The 7 checks that catch most fakes 1. **Engagement rate is far below tier benchmark.** Covered above. This alone flags the majority of purchased-follower accounts. 2. **Like-to-comment ratio is broken.** Real audiences comment at roughly 0.5%–2% of likes. Accounts with 8,000 likes and 4 comments are buying likes too, or running bots. 3. **Follower spikes with no cause.** Ask for a screenshot of follower growth (Instagram Insights shows it). Vertical cliffs of +20K in two days with no viral post means a purchase. 4. **Comment quality is generic.** "🔥🔥🔥", "Nice pic", "Great content" repeated by accounts with no profile photo and egg-like usernames. Open five commenters — if three are empty shells, the engagement is bought. 5. **Follower geography doesn't match the audience.** A US fitness coach with 60% of followers in Indonesia, Brazil, and Russia bought a cheap follower pack. Request audience-country data from their Insights. 6. **Follower-to-following looks farmed.** Accounts that follow 7,000 and have 7,200 followers often grew through follow/unfollow bots, not genuine reach. 7. **Story views collapse relative to followers.** Stories are harder to fake. A 100K account with 800 story views is showing you its real audience size. ## Why "follower count" is the wrong number entirely Brands keep paying on reach when the only number that predicts sales is genuine engaged reach. A creator with 40K real followers at 5% engagement delivers more attributable clicks than a 400K account at 0.4%. The first reaches ~2,000 engaged people per post; the second reaches ~1,600 — and you'd pay the macro account 5–8x more. This is the whole con of inflated accounts: they sell you a vanity number that doesn't convert. ## Run the audit in order Start with the engagement-rate check because it's fast and catches the most. If that passes, move to the like-to-comment ratio and a quick scroll through commenters. Only request Insights screenshots (growth curve, audience geography, story views) for creators who clear the first two and are getting real money. Asking a legitimate creator for their Insights is normal — refusal to share is itself a data point. For a one-click sanity pass on a profile before you go deep, drop the handle into our free [authenticity checker](/#checker). It surfaces the same ratio and growth signals automatically so you know which accounts deserve the manual review. ## Tools and manual checks, compared You can audit by hand or with tools. Each has a place: | Method | What it catches | Limitation | |---|---|---| | Engagement-rate math | Bought followers (low rate) | Misses accounts that also bought engagement | | Manual commenter scan | Bot comments, empty-shell accounts | Slow at scale; sample only 5–10 | | Insights screenshots | Growth spikes, geo mismatch, real reach | Requires creator cooperation | | Automated checker | Ratio + growth anomalies fast | Best as a first pass, not the only check | The right workflow layers them: automated first pass to triage the shortlist, engagement math on survivors, then manual commenter scan and Insights request only on the finalists you're about to pay. Don't run the full manual audit on every name — it doesn't scale, and the cheap checks eliminate most fakes early. ## A worked example A brand is considering a 180,000-follower "fitness" account. Quick audit: - Average likes over last 10 posts: 720. Engagement rate: 720 ÷ 180,000 = **0.4%** — well below the 0.7% suspicious floor for its tier. Flag one. - Comments per post: ~6, mostly "🔥" and "amazing." Like-to-comment ratio and comment quality both poor. Flag two. - Story views (requested screenshot): ~1,100. For a 180K account that's a real audience of well under 1% — the followers aren't watching. Flag three. Three independent signals point the same direction. This account bought followers (and probably some likes). The 360 genuinely engaged people it reaches don't justify a macro-tier price — pass, or renegotiate to a rate that matches the real audience. ## Reading the signals together No single check is conclusive, and treating one as conclusive is how real creators get wrongly accused. What matters is which signals co-occur. | Pattern | Bought followers | Real but drifted audience | Real but under-distributed | |---|---|---|---| | Engagement rate vs. size band | far below | below | below | | Comments per 100 likes | near zero | reduced but present | normal | | Comment content | generic, off-topic, emoji-only | on-topic, from the wrong people | on-topic | | Follower curve | step changes with no content event | flat or slowly declining | steady | | Reach per post vs. followers | low | low | low | | Follower geography vs. content language | mismatched | matches | matches | The three columns look identical on the one metric most people check — engagement rate — and diverge on every other row. That is the whole argument for running more than one check. **The practical rule:** a low rate alone is a question. A low rate *plus* near-zero comments *plus* an unexplained follower step is an answer. Two of the three, and you ask the creator directly — a genuine one will have a story that matches the curve, like a post that broke out or a feature that drove a spike. And state it carefully. "This account's engagement is well below the benchmark for its size" is a defensible observation. "This creator bought followers" is an accusation about a real person, and unless you can see their purchase records you cannot support it. A low score is a signal to investigate, not a verdict. ## When the numbers are borderline Not every low engagement rate means fraud. A few legitimate reasons an account underperforms: - **Reels-heavy accounts** show lower like rates because views, not likes, are the currency. Weight your read toward saves, shares, and comments. - **Huge accounts naturally decay.** A genuine 2M-follower account at 0.8% is normal, not fake. - **Niche B2B audiences** lurk more than they tap. The point isn't to reject everyone below a threshold — it's to make the creator explain the gap with real data. Fraud can't survive a request for screenshots; a real creator answers in five minutes. Vet before you pay, not after. A 10-minute audit on a five-creator shortlist routinely saves a campaign from spending half its budget reaching bots. --- ## How to Grow on Instagram Without Buying Followers URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-to-grow-on-instagram-without-buying-followers Category: For Creators · Published: 2026-06-28 Summary: How to grow on Instagram without buying followers: a real playbook for organic growth that builds an engaged audience brands will actually pay to reach. If you want to know how to grow on Instagram without buying followers, start with the part nobody selling growth services will tell you: bought followers don't just fail to help, they actively sabotage you. They tank your engagement rate, which is the exact number brands check before paying you and the signal the algorithm uses to decide whether to show your content. A padded account is worth *less* than an honest small one. Here's how to grow the real way — slower, but durable, and worth money. ## Why buying followers backfires Walk through the mechanics: - **Your engagement rate collapses.** Add 10,000 fake followers to a 5,000-follower account and your likes don't move, so your rate drops from a healthy 5% to under 2%. Every brand audit now flags you. - **The algorithm down-ranks you.** Instagram measures engagement *relative to reach*. Dead followers who never interact tell the algorithm your content isn't worth distributing. - **You fail authenticity checks.** Brands run accounts through tools that catch follower-to-engagement mismatches and growth spikes. Bought followers are detectable, and getting flagged kills deals. You can see exactly what a brand sees by running your own handle through an [authenticity checker](/#checker). Bought growth is a number that looks good in a screenshot and costs you every actual opportunity. Don't. ## The organic growth playbook ### 1. Pick a sharp niche and own it Broad "lifestyle" accounts grow slowly because nobody knows why to follow. A specific angle — "budget meal prep for shift workers," "houseplants for low-light apartments" — gives people a clear reason to hit follow and tells the algorithm exactly who to show you to. ### 2. Make Reels your reach engine Reels remain the primary discovery surface. They reach non-followers in a way feed posts and Stories don't. Aim for: - A **hook in the first 2 seconds** — the single biggest lever on watch-through. - **High completion rate** — short, tight edits beat long rambles. - **A reason to save or share** — saves and shares are weighted more heavily than likes for distribution. Consistency beats perfection. Three solid Reels a week for three months will outperform one viral attempt. ### 3. Convert reach into followers and engagement Reach without conversion is wasted. To turn viewers into followers: - End videos with a specific reason to follow ("part 2 tomorrow," "I post one of these every day"). - Reply to every comment in the first hour — it signals the algorithm and builds the relationship that creates repeat engagement. - Use Stories to deepen the bond with people who already found you; story viewers are your truest fans. ### 4. Engage outward, deliberately Spend 20 minutes a day leaving genuine comments on larger accounts in your niche. Not "great post" — actual thoughtful replies that get noticed. This is slow, manual, and it works, because it puts you in front of exactly the right audience without spending a cent. ### 5. Use the format that's actually winning Beyond Reels, two underused organic levers in 2026: - **Carousels.** They pull the highest engagement of any feed format because multiple slides increase dwell time and saves. A well-built "how to" carousel earns saves, and saves drive distribution. Treat carousels as your depth play while Reels are your reach play. - **Collaborative posts (Collabs).** Co-authoring a post or Reel with another creator in your niche puts you in front of their entire audience for free. One good collab with a similarly sized account can outperform a month of solo posting for follower growth. ### 6. Post on a sustainable cadence Burnout kills more accounts than the algorithm does. Three to four quality posts a week, sustained for six months, beats a two-week sprint of daily posting followed by silence. The algorithm rewards consistency, and so does your audience — predictable posting trains people to expect and look for your content. Pick a cadence you can hold through a busy month and protect it. ## How long organic growth actually takes Set honest expectations so you don't get tempted by shortcuts. With consistent, niche-focused content: - **Months 1–3:** slow. You're finding your format and voice. Single-digit-to-low-hundreds follower weeks are normal. This is where most people quit and where buyers cheat. - **Months 4–6:** compounding starts. A Reel or two breaks out, your back catalog gets discovered, and growth accelerates. - **Months 6–12:** if engagement stays healthy, growth becomes self-sustaining as the algorithm trusts your content. The accounts that look like "overnight" successes almost always had 6–18 quiet months first. Real growth is a curve that bends upward, not a line you can buy. ## Track the number that proves you're real As you grow, watch your **engagement rate**, not just your follower count. Healthy organic growth keeps the rate up because the new followers are people who chose you. Benchmarks to aim for by size: | Followers | Healthy engagement rate | |---|---| | 1K–10K | 4%–8% | | 10K–50K | 2.5%–5% | | 50K–250K | 1.5%–3% | Check yours regularly with our free [engagement rate calculator](/tools/instagram/engagement-rate-calculator). If the rate holds steady or climbs as you grow, you're doing it right. If it slides, your content — not your follower count — needs work. ## The payoff: growth you can monetize Here's the part that makes the patience worth it. An organically grown account is *more valuable per follower* than a padded one. A real 15,000-follower account at 5% engagement out-earns a fake 80,000-follower account at 0.6% because brands pay for engaged reach, not vanity. When you're ready to charge for posts, your honest numbers let you command a fair rate — estimate it with our [sponsored post rate calculator](/tools/instagram/sponsored-post-rate-calculator). Growth without buying followers is slower, and that's exactly why it's worth it: every follower is a real person who chose you, your engagement rate stays high, and your account passes the audits that unlock real money. The shortcut is the trap. Build the asset. --- ## How to Spot a Fake Influencer Before a Brand Deal URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-to-spot-a-fake-influencer-before-a-brand-deal Category: For Brands · Published: 2026-06-28 Summary: How to spot a fake influencer before a brand deal closes: a pre-contract checklist of red flags, the data to request, and the audits that protect your budget. Knowing how to spot a fake influencer before a brand deal is the single highest-leverage skill in influencer marketing, because the cost of getting it wrong isn't just wasted money — it's a campaign that reports great "reach" and drives zero sales. A fake influencer doesn't have to be a complete bot farm to burn your budget; partial inflation is enough to wreck your ROI. Here's how to catch it before the contract is signed. ## "Fake" comes in three flavors It helps to know what you're actually screening for: - **Bought followers.** The classic — purchased follower packs that pad the count but never engage. - **Bought engagement.** Likes, comments, and views from bots or engagement pods, designed to make the ratios look healthy even when followers are fake. - **Borrowed credibility.** Real followers, but acquired through giveaways, follow/unfollow, or audience-swap schemes — an audience that has zero interest in the creator's actual content (or your product). A sophisticated fake account buys *both* followers and engagement to keep ratios in the normal range. That's why a single check isn't enough — you layer them. ## The pre-deal red-flag checklist Run through these before you ever talk price: 1. **Engagement rate outside the tier band.** Too low signals bought followers; suspiciously *high and flat* (every post within 2% of the others) signals bought engagement. Real engagement is lumpy. 2. **Like-to-comment ratio is off.** Healthy accounts comment at ~0.5%–2% of likes. Far below means bought likes; weirdly high means engagement pods. 3. **Comment content is generic or off-language.** Emoji spam, "great post," and comments in languages that don't match the stated audience. 4. **Follower growth has unexplained cliffs.** Request a growth-curve screenshot. Genuine growth is jagged-but-trending; purchased growth is a vertical wall on specific dates. 5. **Audience geography is mismatched.** A US-targeted product needs a US-majority audience. Heavy concentrations in low-cost-follower regions (with no business reason) are a tell. 6. **Story / Reel views don't match followers.** Stories are hard to fake. A 150K account with 1,000 story views is showing you its real reach. 7. **No willingness to share Insights.** A legitimate creator shares screenshots within a day. Stalling or refusing is the loudest signal of all. ## The data to request — and what good looks like Before contracting, ask for screenshots of the creator's native analytics (Instagram Insights, TikTok Analytics, YouTube Studio). Specifically: | What to request | Healthy sign | Red flag | |---|---|---| | 90-day follower growth | Steady, organic curve | Vertical spikes on set dates | | Audience top countries | Matches your target market | Random low-cost-follower regions | | Audience age/gender | Fits the niche | Implausible for the content | | Reach per post (last 10) | Consistent, ~20–40% of followers | Tiny relative to follower count | | Story/Reel views | Proportionate to followers | A fraction of follower count | A real creator hands these over and they tell a coherent story. A fake one's screenshots contradict each other — huge followers, tiny reach, geography that makes no sense. ## Automate the first pass You don't need to do the full audit on every name. Run each shortlisted handle through our free [authenticity checker](/#checker) first — it flags the engagement-to-follower ratio, growth anomalies, and the obvious red flags automatically, so you only spend manual effort on the accounts that pass the screen. For the borderline ones, calculate the engagement rate precisely with our [engagement rate calculator](/tools/instagram/engagement-rate-calculator) and compare it against the tier benchmark. ## Build it into the contract The smartest brands don't just vet up front — they protect themselves in writing: - **Performance floor.** Tie part of the payment to a minimum genuine reach or engagement, verified by post-campaign Insights screenshots. - **Authenticity warranty.** A clause stating the creator confirms their audience is organically grown. It won't stop a determined fraudster, but it deters casual padding and gives you recourse. - **Insights access.** Require the creator to share campaign analytics within 48 hours of posting. ## Beyond fake followers: other deal-breakers to screen A creator can have a 100% real audience and still be a bad brand-deal risk. While you're vetting, also check: - **Audience fit.** Real followers who don't match your customer are nearly as wasteful as bots. A genuine audience of teenagers won't buy a $300 enterprise product. Match the audience demographics to your buyer, not just the follower count. - **Brand-safety history.** Scroll their last 6–12 months. Past controversy, undisclosed sponsorships, or content that clashes with your values becomes *your* problem the moment you associate. - **Disclosure discipline.** Creators who hide #ad or skip FTC disclosure are a compliance liability. Sloppy disclosure today is a regulatory headache tomorrow. - **Sponsorship saturation.** An account that posts a different sponsor every other day has trained its audience to scroll past ads. Engagement on their *sponsored* posts — not their organic ones — is the number that predicts your result. Always check engagement on a creator's *past sponsored posts* specifically. Plenty of creators have great organic engagement that collapses the moment they post an ad. That collapse is exactly what your campaign would buy. ## The one question that ends most cons When in doubt, ask: *"Can you send me a screenshot of your last 10 posts' reach and your 90-day follower growth?"* A genuine creator says "sure" and sends it. A fake influencer goes quiet, gets defensive, or sends something that doesn't add up. That single request resolves the majority of borderline cases — fraud cannot survive a polite request for primary data. Vet first, contract with teeth, and never pay on follower count alone. The 20 minutes of due diligence is the cheapest insurance in your marketing budget. --- ## How to spot bought followers on Instagram and TikTok URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-to-spot-bought-followers Category: Guides · Published: 2026-06-28 Summary: A practical, step-by-step guide to spotting bought followers on Instagram and TikTok using engagement math, growth patterns, and audience quality checks. Buying followers is cheap, fast, and surprisingly common. For a few dollars, an account can add thousands of followers overnight — which is exactly why a raw follower count is one of the least reliable numbers in social media. The skill worth having is knowing **how to spot bought followers** before you trust, hire, or pay a creator. This guide walks through the checks in order, from fastest to most thorough, and works for both Instagram and TikTok. ## Start with the engagement math The quickest test is comparing engagement to audience size. Add up likes and comments on a creator's last 6-12 posts, average them, and divide by follower count. Healthy engagement rates by follower band: - **Under 10k:** ~4-5% - **10k-100k:** ~2-3% - **100k-500k:** ~1.5% - **1M+:** ~1% On TikTok, lean on **view counts** instead of likes, because the algorithm pushes content beyond followers. A TikTok account with 400k followers whose videos routinely get 3,000 views has a reach problem that bought followers can't fix. If the engagement rate is a fraction of the band above, you've likely found padding. You can [run a free authenticity check](/#checker) to have the engagement rate calculated automatically. ## Look at the shape of their growth Organic accounts grow in a wobbly upward line — steady gains with occasional spikes from viral posts. Bought followers arrive in lumps. Red flags in the growth curve: - A flat history with one or two vertical jumps - Big follower gains with no corresponding viral post or press mention - Growth that suddenly reverses (platforms periodically purge fake accounts, so bought followers can vanish in a "follower drop") A staircase pattern is one of the clearest signs of purchased followers. ## Audit the comment section Open three or four recent posts and actually read the comments. Authentic engagement is specific and a little chaotic. Purchased or bot engagement is repetitive: - The same emoji strings ("🔥🔥🔥") across many accounts - One-word praise unrelated to the post - A recurring cast of accounts commenting on everything - Spammy comments in languages that don't match the audience Tap into a few of those commenters. If they have no profile photo, no posts, and a randomized username, they're not real fans. ## Check the audience makeup Bought followers often come from click farms concentrated in a handful of regions. If a creator posts US-focused lifestyle content but a large slice of their audience is from unrelated countries, the geography doesn't add up. You can't always see follower demographics from the outside, which is part of why an automated check is useful — it estimates the share of likely-fake accounts for you. ## Compare stories and Reels to the headline number Stories and short-form video are harder to inflate than follower counts. On Instagram, an account with 500k followers but only 4,000 story views has a real reach far below its headline. On TikTok, compare average video views to followers: if views consistently sit well under the follower count, the audience isn't engaged — or isn't real. ## Watch the follower-to-following ratio Many follower-buying services bundle in aggressive mass-following. An account following 30,000+ others while posting little is worth a second look. This isn't proof on its own, but stacked with low engagement it becomes convincing. ## Put it together No single signal is conclusive. Bought followers reveal themselves through the **combination**: low engagement, a staircase growth curve, hollow comments, and a thin reachable audience all pointing the same way. Doing this by hand for one creator takes about ten minutes. Doing it for a shortlist of twenty is exhausting — which is the whole reason this tool exists. You can [check any creator for free](/check/youtube/mrbeast) and get a transparent 0-100 authenticity score with the estimated fake-follower percentage, engagement quality, and growth flags laid out clearly. Run it before you sign a contract, not after. --- ## How brands should vet a nano-influencer before paying URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-to-vet-a-nano-influencer Category: For Brands · Published: 2026-06-28 Summary: A brand's checklist for vetting a nano-influencer before paying: audience authenticity, engagement quality, brand fit, and red flags to catch before you sign. Nano-influencers — creators with under 10,000 followers — are one of the best-value plays in influencer marketing. They're affordable, their audiences are tight and trusting, and their engagement rates (often ~4-5%) outperform bigger accounts. But low cost can breed sloppy diligence, and even small creators can have padded numbers or a poor brand fit. Here's **how to vet an influencer** at the nano level before any money changes hands. ## Why nano creators are worth the effort A nano-influencer with 6,000 genuinely engaged followers can drive more real action than a mid-tier account with a partly fake audience. Their followers often know them personally or feel like they do, so recommendations land as trusted advice rather than ads. The catch: that value only exists if the audience is real and relevant. Vetting protects the bet. ## Step 1: Check audience authenticity first Before anything else, confirm the followers are real people. Even small accounts sometimes buy a starter batch of followers to look established. Look for: - **Engagement that fits the size.** Nano accounts should land around 4-5%. Far below that on a small account is a warning sign. - **A natural growth curve.** Steady gains, not an overnight staircase jump. - **Real comment sections.** Specific, conversational comments — not emoji spam or generic one-liners from empty accounts. The fastest way to clear this gate is to [run a free authenticity check](/#checker), which returns a 0-100 score with an estimated fake-follower percentage and growth flags. Make a minimum score part of your vetting standard. ## Step 2: Judge engagement quality, not just quantity A high engagement *rate* is good, but read the engagement itself. Are followers asking questions, sharing experiences, tagging friends? That's a community that will act on a recommendation. Are the comments shallow and transactional? Then even a decent rate may not convert. Quality of conversation predicts campaign results better than the percentage alone. ## Step 3: Confirm brand and audience fit The right nano creator is one whose audience overlaps with your customer. Check: - **Content alignment:** does their usual content sit naturally next to your product, or would your brand feel bolted on? - **Audience relevance:** are their followers plausibly your buyers? A local food creator is great for a regional restaurant, irrelevant for enterprise software. - **Values and safety:** scroll their history for anything off-brand or controversial. A small audience won't shield you from a bad association. Fit beats reach at this tier almost every time. ## Step 4: Look for red flags before you commit Run through a quick disqualifier checklist: - **Engagement far below the nano benchmark** despite a normal-looking feed - **A sudden follower spike** with no viral post to explain it - **Generic or bot-like comments** from empty accounts - **An audience based largely in regions** unrelated to the content - **Vague or evasive answers** when you ask about past results Any one of these warrants a closer look. Several together is a pass. ## Step 5: Ask for receipts A professional creator — even a small one — should be able to share recent performance: typical reach, saves, story views, link clicks, or examples of past brand work. Story and Reel views are especially telling because they're hard to fake. If a creator can show that 6k followers reliably produce 2k+ story views and meaningful clicks, that's a stronger signal than the follower count itself. ## Step 6: Standardize it so it scales Vetting one nano creator is easy; vetting fifty for a campaign is not. Set a simple, repeatable bar: 1. Minimum authenticity score 2. Engagement at or above the nano benchmark 3. Clear audience-to-customer fit 4. No unresolved red flags 5. Some form of past-performance proof With a fixed standard, your team can screen a long list quickly and only spend real time on creators who clear the gate. You can [check any creator for free](/check/youtube/mrbeast) as the first filter, then move qualified names into deeper review. ## The payoff Nano-influencers deliver outsized value precisely because their audiences are small and real. A few minutes of vetting per creator keeps your budget pointed at genuine reach and away from inflated numbers — turning a low-cost tactic into a reliably high-ROI one. --- ## Nano vs. Micro Influencers: Which Is Better in 2026? URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/nano-vs-micro-influencers-2026 Category: For Brands · Published: 2026-06-28 Summary: Nano vs. micro influencers in 2026: a head-to-head on engagement, cost, reach, and trust to help brands pick the right tier for their campaign goals. The nano vs. micro influencers debate comes down to a simple trade-off that most brands get backwards: more reach per creator versus more trust and lower cost. In 2026, with audiences more skeptical of polished sponsorships than ever, the "smaller is more authentic" trend has only sharpened. This is a practical head-to-head so you can pick the right tier for your goal — not the one with the bigger number. First, the definitions, because they shift depending on who's selling you a service: - **Nano influencers:** roughly **1,000–10,000 followers**. - **Micro influencers:** roughly **10,000–50,000 followers** (some stretch this to 100K). ## Head-to-head: nano vs. micro | Factor | Nano (1K–10K) | Micro (10K–50K) | |---|---|---| | Typical engagement rate | 4%–8% | 2.5%–5% | | Cost per post | $50–$250 | $200–$1,000 | | Reach per post | Small (hundreds) | Larger (low thousands) | | Audience trust | Highest — feels like a friend | High, still personal | | Content production | Variable / casual | More polished | | Management overhead | High (need many) | Moderate | | Fake-follower risk | Lower (less worth faking) | Higher (more to gain) | ## Where nano influencers win Nano creators have the highest engagement rates on every platform, full stop. With audiences often built from real-life connections, their recommendations read as genuine word-of-mouth rather than advertising. They win when: - **Trust and conversion matter more than reach.** Their followers actually buy, because the recommendation feels personal. - **Budget is tight.** At ~$100 a post, you can activate 20 nano creators for the price of one micro post — and get 20 distinct audiences and content pieces. - **You want hyper-local or niche penetration.** A nano creator embedded in a specific city, hobby, or community delivers a concentration no bigger account can. - **Authenticity is the campaign.** UGC-style, "real person uses real product" content performs because it doesn't look bought. The catch: scale is painful. Hitting meaningful total reach means recruiting, briefing, and managing dozens of creators. The overhead is real. ## Where micro influencers win Micro creators are the sweet spot most brands land on because they balance the equation. They win when: - **You need real reach without celebrity prices.** A micro post reaching a few thousand engaged people costs a fraction of a macro deal. - **You want polish.** Micro creators usually treat content as a craft — better production, reliable delivery, professional communication. - **You're managing a campaign, not a logistics project.** Coordinating 5 micro creators is far easier than 30 nanos for similar total reach. - **You want some social proof in the follower number itself.** "As seen by" a 40K creator carries more perceived authority than a 4K one. The catch: as soon as an account is worth faking, some accounts fake it. Micro is exactly the tier where bought followers and engagement pods appear, because the financial upside crosses the threshold. Always audit. ## Don't pick a tier — pick on engaged reach and trust The follower label is a proxy. What you're actually buying is **engaged reach** (followers × engagement rate) and **trust**. Run the math: - A nano at 6,000 followers × 6% = **360 engaged users** for ~$100 → **$0.28 per engaged user**. - A micro at 35,000 followers × 3.5% = **1,225 engaged users** for ~$600 → **$0.49 per engaged user**. The nano is cheaper *per engaged user* and likely converts better; the micro delivers more total reach in one deal with less hassle. Neither is universally "better" — it depends on whether you're optimizing for conversion efficiency (nano) or reach-per-effort (micro). Whichever tier you choose, the bigger risk is paying for fake reach. Before you contract anyone, verify the audience is real with our [authenticity checker](/#checker), and pressure-test the price against engagement using our [sponsored post rate calculator](/tools/instagram/sponsored-post-rate-calculator). ## How to match the tier to your campaign goal Pick by the outcome you're actually paying for: | Campaign goal | Better fit | Why | |---|---|---| | Drive direct sales / conversions | Nano | Highest trust, recommendations read as word-of-mouth | | Maximize total reach efficiently | Micro | More engaged reach per deal, less management | | Build a UGC content library | Nano | Cheap, authentic, many varied creators | | Launch in a specific city/community | Nano | Hyper-local concentration | | Add credible social proof | Micro | Bigger follower number carries authority | | Test a new market fast | Micro | Fewer creators to brief, quicker to run | If your goal is "awareness" with no conversion target, you're probably better served by a small number of micro creators. If your goal is measurable sales or trust-building, a wide nano base usually wins on cost-per-result. ## Management overhead is the hidden cost The nano-vs-micro decision isn't only about media value — it's about your team's time. Running 25 nano creators means 25 briefs, 25 contracts, 25 content reviews, and 25 payments. That coordination cost is real and often underestimated. Micro creators concentrate the same reach into fewer relationships, which is why brands without a dedicated influencer manager frequently default to micro even when nano would deliver better cost-per-conversion. If you go the nano route, budget for the tooling or the headcount to manage it — otherwise the efficiency on paper evaporates in operational drag. ## A 2026 strategy that uses both The strongest programs don't choose. They run a **layered approach**: a handful of micro creators for reach and polished content you can repurpose as ads, plus a wide base of nano creators for trust, local penetration, and authentic UGC. The micro tier gives you a credible top line; the nano tier gives you conversion and a content library you couldn't afford to produce yourself. Pick by goal: nano for trust and conversion efficiency, micro for reach and lower management overhead — and audit every creator before the money moves. --- ## TikTok Engagement Rate Calculator: How to Calculate It URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/tiktok-engagement-rate-calculator Category: Guides · Published: 2026-06-28 Summary: A TikTok engagement rate calculator guide: the exact formulas, what a good rate is by follower tier, and why TikTok engagement reads differently than Instagram. A TikTok engagement rate calculator does one simple thing: it tells you what percentage of an audience actually reacts to a creator's content. But TikTok engagement is genuinely different from Instagram or YouTube, and using the wrong formula will give you a number that's either useless or misleading. This guide walks through how to calculate it correctly, what's a good rate, and where the platform's quirks change the math — then hand you off to our free [TikTok engagement rate calculator](/tools/tiktok/engagement-rate-calculator) to run the actual numbers. ## The two TikTok engagement formulas There are two valid ways to calculate it, and they answer different questions. **By followers** (most common for brand vetting): > (Average likes + comments + shares + saves) ÷ followers × 100 **By views** (more honest for TikTok specifically): > (Average likes + comments + shares + saves) ÷ views × 100 On Instagram, by-followers is the default. On TikTok, the For You Page sends videos far beyond a creator's follower base, so by-followers can produce wild numbers — a creator with 5,000 followers and a 2-million-view video would show a 4,000% "engagement rate," which is nonsense. For TikTok, **engagement-by-views is usually the more meaningful read.** ## Why TikTok engagement reads higher than Instagram Three platform-specific reasons: - **The FYP rewards interaction.** TikTok's algorithm surfaces content based on completion rate and engagement, so videos that get traction get *more* engagement, compounding the rate. - **Shares and saves carry real weight.** A TikTok share is a stronger signal than an Instagram like, and TikTok audiences share liberally. Including shares and saves is non-negotiable in the formula. - **Comment culture is heavier.** TikTok comment sections are a content format of their own, so comment counts run higher relative to likes than on Instagram. The practical upshot: don't compare a TikTok engagement rate to an Instagram one one-to-one. A "good" TikTok rate looks higher because the platform behaves differently. ## What counts as a good TikTok engagement rate Using the **by-followers** method, rough 2026 benchmarks: | Follower tier | Low | Good | Excellent | |---|---|---|---| | Nano (1K–10K) | under 6% | 8%–12% | 15%+ | | Micro (10K–50K) | under 4% | 5%–9% | 12%+ | | Mid (50K–500K) | under 3% | 4%–7% | 9%+ | | Macro (500K+) | under 2% | 3%–5% | 6%+ | Notice these run roughly double the equivalent Instagram benchmarks. That's expected, not a sign of inflation. ## How to calculate it step by step 1. Pull the creator's **last 10–15 videos** (skip any viral outlier — it distorts everything). 2. Average the likes, comments, shares, and saves across those videos. 3. Decide your denominator: **followers** for brand-comparison, **views** for content-quality read. 4. Apply the formula and compare against the benchmark for the tier. If you'd rather not run the averages by hand, our free [TikTok engagement rate calculator](/tools/tiktok/engagement-rate-calculator) does the arithmetic for you and flags where the result lands against the benchmark tiers below. ## Watch for these distortions A raw engagement number can lie. Adjust for: - **One viral video.** A single FYP breakout can triple a creator's apparent average. Exclude obvious outliers or report a median instead of a mean. - **View-bot inflation.** Some accounts buy views, which *deflates* engagement-by-views (lots of views, no real reaction). A creator with 500K views and 800 likes per video is showing you bought reach — the same underlying problem as a padded follower count on any platform. - **Engagement-bait.** "Comment 🍕 to enter" videos spike comments artificially. Read a few comments to see if the engagement is genuine. ## TikTok metrics that matter beyond the engagement rate The engagement rate is the headline, but TikTok exposes signals that tell you *why* a video worked — and whether the audience is real: - **Completion rate.** The single most important TikTok metric. A high percentage of viewers watching to the end is what the FYP rewards. A creator who consistently holds completion above 50% on longer videos has genuinely sticky content. - **Watch time / average view duration.** Long average watch times signal real interest, not a scroll-past. Bots and bought views crater this number — lots of "views," almost no watch time. - **Share rate.** TikTok's strongest organic signal. A share means a viewer thought the content was worth sending to someone. High share rates are very hard to fake and predict virality. - **Saves / favorites.** Indicate the content has reference or rewatch value — recipes, tutorials, tips. Save-heavy creators have practical, high-intent audiences brands love. - **Follower conversion.** What share of viewers on a video actually followed. Strong conversion means the creator turns reach into a durable audience rather than one-hit views. When you ask a TikTok creator for their analytics, request average watch time and completion rate alongside the engagement numbers. Those two are where bought reach gives itself away — inflated view counts simply cannot fake sustained watch time. ## A quick worked example Say a creator's last 12 videos average: 40,000 views, 3,200 likes, 180 comments, 240 shares, 300 saves, on a 28,000-follower account. - Total interactions per video: 3,200 + 180 + 240 + 300 = **3,920** - By followers: 3,920 ÷ 28,000 × 100 = **14%** — excellent for the micro tier. - By views: 3,920 ÷ 40,000 × 100 = **9.8%** — strong content-quality read. Both numbers are healthy and consistent with each other, which is itself reassuring: when the by-followers and by-views rates both look reasonable, the account is far less likely to be inflated. ## Using the number to make a decision For brands, the by-views rate is your best predictor of whether content actually lands. A creator who consistently holds 5%+ engagement-by-views across their last 15 videos has a real, reactive audience — that's worth paying for regardless of follower count. A creator whose engagement collapses the moment you exclude their one viral hit does not. Calculate it on a stable sample, use the right denominator for the question you're asking, and remember that healthy TikTok numbers simply run higher than the platforms you may be used to. ## Run the numbers Don't average likes and comments by hand — our free [TikTok engagement rate calculator](/tools/tiktok/engagement-rate-calculator) runs the by-views math (or by-followers, if you don't have view counts) instantly and tells you where the result sits against the tiers above. No signup required. A healthy engagement rate is a good sign, but it doesn't rule out a purchased or botted audience sitting underneath real-looking numbers — TikTok doesn't currently offer the public API access our scoring engine needs to check an account directly. If the creator you're vetting also runs a YouTube or Twitch channel, run that through our free [authenticity checker](/#checker) — a 0–100 score with a published, honest methodology rather than a black-box number. --- ## What to charge per Instagram post in 2026 (creator rate guide) URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/what-to-charge-per-instagram-post-2026 Category: For Creators · Published: 2026-06-28 Summary: A practical 2026 creator rate guide for what to charge per Instagram post, with tier-based pricing ranges, multipliers, and how to justify your rate to brands. Pricing is the question every creator dreads and every brand low-balls. Charge too little and you leave money on the table; quote too high without backup and the deal stalls. This guide gives you realistic 2026 ranges for **what to charge per Instagram post**, plus the levers that move your rate up or down — and how to prove you're worth it. A quick caveat: these are starting ranges, not laws. Niche, engagement, and deliverables swing the final number a lot. ## The baseline: rates by follower tier A common industry rule of thumb is roughly **$10 per 1,000 followers** for a single in-feed post — but real rates vary widely around that anchor. Here are practical 2026 ranges per single feed post: - **Nano (under 10k):** $50-$150 - **Micro (10k-50k):** $150-$500 - **Mid micro (50k-100k):** $500-$1,000 - **Mid-tier (100k-500k):** $1,000-$3,000 - **Macro (500k-1M):** $3,000-$7,000 - **Mega (1M+):** $7,000+, often negotiated per campaign Notice the ranges are wide. That's because follower count alone is a weak predictor of value. What closes the gap is engagement and audience quality — which is why brands increasingly ask creators to prove their numbers before agreeing to a rate. You can [run a free authenticity check](/#checker) and attach the score to your media kit to do exactly that. ## Multipliers that change your number Start from the tier range, then adjust: - **Engagement rate:** This is the biggest lever. A micro creator at 5% engagement can command more than one at 1.5%, regardless of follower count. High engagement justifies pricing toward the top of your range. - **Niche:** Finance, B2B, tech, and luxury audiences convert at higher value, so rates run higher than broad lifestyle. Niche authority is worth a premium. - **Deliverable type:** Reels typically cost more than static posts. Stories are cheaper individually but often sold in sets. A bundle (Reel + 3 stories + a feed post) should be priced as a package, not a sum. - **Usage and exclusivity:** If the brand wants to run your content as a paid ad (whitelisting), reuse it on their channels, or lock you out of competitors, charge meaningfully more. Usage rights are real value. - **Turnaround and revisions:** Rush jobs and unlimited revisions deserve a surcharge. ## A simple way to build a quote 1. Start with your tier's midpoint. 2. Move up if your engagement beats the benchmark for your size (nano ~4-5%, micro ~2-3%, mid ~1.5%, mega ~1%). 3. Add for Reels, usage rights, exclusivity, and rush timelines. 4. Bundle multiple deliverables into one package price. This gives you a number you can defend line by line, which matters more than the number itself. ## Why proving your audience is now part of pricing Brands got burned by inflated follower counts, so the conversation has shifted from "how big is your audience" to "how *real* is it." A creator with 40k genuine, engaged followers can now out-earn a creator with 150k padded ones — because the buyer cares about results, not vanity metrics. This is good news if your audience is authentic. Leading with a transparent authenticity score reframes the negotiation around quality and lets you hold your rate. You can [check any creator for free](/check/youtube/mrbeast) — including your own account — and use the 0-100 score, engagement quality, and clean growth history as proof points. ## Don't undersell consistency and conversion Two things creators routinely underprice: - **Reliability:** brands pay a premium for creators who hit deadlines, follow briefs, and disclose properly. If that's you, factor it in. - **Conversion:** if you have data showing past posts drove clicks, sign-ups, or sales, that's the strongest pricing argument there is. Results beat reach every time. ## Bottom line Use the tier ranges as your floor, adjust with the multipliers, and package deliverables. Then back the rate with evidence — engagement above benchmark and a clean authenticity score do more to justify your price than any follower count. In 2026, the creators who get paid well are the ones who can *prove* their audience is real. --- ## Nick Jordan on Why Social Media Impacts His Company’s Growth URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/startup-founder-nick-jordan-on-why-social-media-impacts-the-growth-of-his-company Category: For Brands · Published: 2022-04-20 Summary: Nick Jordan, founder and CEO of Workello, explains why founders spend half their time on social media and how it drives sales and clicks. ![Startup Founder Nick Jordan On Why Social Media Impacts The Growth Of His Company](/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Startup-Founder-Nick-Jordan-On-Why-Social-Media-Impacts-The-Growth-Of-His-Company.png) An entrepreneur’s job, when shown in movies and TV shows, usually doesn’t include them sitting over their computer for hours responding to comments on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. The media representation of entrepreneurs includes a lot of angry phone calls, fights with co-founders, brilliant eureka moments, and countless hours spent negotiating the next big deal. However, the reality is much, much different than the fantasy. Entrepreneurs and founders today need to spend at least half their time on social media, says Nick Jordan, the founder and CEO of Workello. We sat down with Nick to find out just how he is leveraging the power of social media to drive sales and clicks to his website, grow his startup, and change the game for the companies he is servicing. Nick Jordan is an entrepreneur and founder of Workello, a new startup that helps ambitious startups hire remote roles. With a background in SEO, Nick drove 4 projects from 0 to 100k organic visitors/month, with the biggest one generating 1.5m. Now he helps others get the same results **City where you’re from:** Seattle **Favorite quote:** Careers are measured in decades, not months or years **Social accounts** [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickfromseattle/) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/nickfromseattle) ## Tell us about your beginnings. How did you enter the startup world? **Nick Jordan:** I always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Over 15 years ago I started building startups right out of college when I dropped out. My first ever startup was an app that helps people find a perfect outfit by posting their pictures on the app and getting feedback from other users. Obviously, it failed, because back in that time, smartphones weren’t really a thing, and phone cameras were not what they are today. After that, I tried a few more times, and failed every time. Then I realized that I’m trying to build a company from the ground up without really having much employee experience. So, I joined a new startup as employee #8, and over the next couple of years helped grow it to 200 employees. This experience allowed me to learn the skills I needed to start my own company one day, and not repeat the same mistakes my former bosses did when they were running their team. ## You founded Workello recently. Can you tell us more about your new company and what it does? **Nick Jordan**: Before [Workello](https://workello.com/) I started a content marketing agency and drove 4 projects from 0 to 100k organics/month. And I realized something. We’ve been there. Our clients are on a mission to grow their business, but in order to do that, they need quality content—but they don’t have the time to recruit, interview, and hire writers. We were also on a mission to grow our businesses and were struggling with finding writers we could trust to write solid content. So we decided to do something about it: we created Workello. Workello is the world’s only tool for hiring writers on auto-pilot and I believe it will be a game-changer for the content marketing industry. ## How do you leverage social media to grow your business? **Nick Jordan**: I’ve always been active on social media, but never realized how much impact it can have on the actual business I’m running. I was talking to a friend who mentioned that they got three clients just from posting regularly on LinkedIn so I told myself, okay, let’s try this for a month. If it doesn’t work — no harm done. If it does, well, it will change the game! And it did work! Not only did I manage to close deals and find new clients and customers, I also met a lot of amazing people, some of who are my mentors now, and some whom I mentor. Social has allowed me to grow my network and get opportunities I never would have imagined. ## What was your social media strategy? **Nick Jordan**: I started posting little snippets of things I learned while working on LinkedIn and Facebook. We call this “Building in public” because we show our audience exactly what we did that worked, what failed, how we got to where we are today, and our journey to where we are going. My only goal was to be honest, share my journey, and make some friends along the way, but it turned into so much more. I started a Facebook community that now counts over four thousand members, and it’s a fantastic place where people can ask questions freely, get constructive answers, and learn from each other. My main strategy is to provide value to my audience, and while doing that I am building trust, rapport, and getting a lot of value back when people comment on my posts, share their opinions, and forward my writings to friends or colleagues. ## Where are you planning to take your social media strategy in the next year? **Nick Jordan**: I’m going big on YouTube. It’s the next step for me and my team, and we’re working on spinning up our video production efforts. I believe it will be our next big channel that we can leverage and reach even more people and provide even more value. We want to teach our community how to build big, successful [content teams](https://workello.com/content-team-job-descriptions/), promote Workello, and make information public. --- ## Vulnerability Is the New Vixen To Your Online Marketing Strategy URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/vulnerability-is-the-new-vixen-to-your-online-marketing-strategy Category: For Creators · Published: 2022-03-23 Summary: What if the missing ingredient in your online marketing strategy is being more human? How vulnerability deepens connection and trust online. ![Vulnerability Is the New Vixen To Your Online Marketing Strategy](/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_1476465131-4a00f6ed.jpg) An edgy strategy is a secret weapon to enhancing your marketing no matter the time of year. But what if the missing ingredient to turning up the heat on your online conversations and client-creation is to simply be more human? [Rachel Hollis](https://www.instagram.com/p/0fwr9Dl-VK/?hl=en) spearheaded the vulnerability online movement when she shared a picture celebrating her stretch marks. It went viral. Since then, we have witnessed moments of vulnerable truth and self-expression from women who, through liberating themselves, have liberated others. What they didn’t expect was the beautiful bi-product of connections in their online communities deepening and levels of magnetism and trust exponentially expanding. How do you confidently step off the vulnerability ledge to tap into your marketing vixen? Share Your Edges ![Ania Halama, world traveler and wealth expert who helps entrepreneurs embrace vulnerability in marketing](/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/3_5-ania-edited-57b25eff-1024x660.jpg) “When I went on an adventure to travel the world in my early 20s, I realized what it was that I was missing. I didn’t realize I was going to find myself by leaving the life I have always known behind, but that’s exactly what I did. I took the leap of faith and trusted in the Universe and in God, that everything would work out.” [Ania Halama](https://aniahalama.com/), a world traveler and wealth expert has helped thousands of heart-centered entrepreneurs align with their ideal clients and attract money, better health, abundant love, improved mental health, and spiritual wealth. Before packing her bags, she was very sick; alcoholism and deteriorating mental health had taken their hold. Plant and spiritual medicine brought Ania back to life and she fell in love with business and spirituality. It was the healing work that allowed her to embody the confidence to share her most vulnerable edges – ones that once carried deep shame now magnetized women within her community to her. As her experience shows, holding back also denies those in need of your medicine. “For one month straight, I kept receiving the message to ‘write’ to the universe and it kept nudging me to step outside of my comfort zone and share more of my story. I have seen tremendous growth in my business because I decided to do the healing work, show up and share what has been my greatest shame. It is now my greatest tool for teaching and guiding others.” The Mirror Holds The Magic ![Genevieve Searle, TEDx speaker and holistic wellness mentor, on the power of authentic storytelling](/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/3_5-Feature-Image-ddc0616b-1024x683.jpg) “Sometimes we need the reflection of another’s story, to reveal the truths of our own. This is especially true if that person has healed through their own pain, as they can offer clues on how we might go about doing it for ourselves.” Genevieve Searle is a survivor of abuse, TEDx speaker, and Personalised Holistic Wellness Mentor dedicated to supporting clients in becoming their own wellness authority. She has seen the power in sharing her story and in what it has allowed other women to do, who see themselves in her reclamation. It is important to note that the power of reflection is diluted when you share from your mess, rather than from the wisdom on the other side of the experience. “It’s one thing to share your mess, but if you can’t hold yourself in the process, you’re just another messy human. Sharing creates a human connection, people can see me as real and accessible, and sharing my story from a place of clarity and leadership allows them to trust that I can help them”, Searle shares.  “It’s also really important to know yourself.  Different people are wired differently and sharing vulnerably can actually be really intense for some nervous systems.  Understanding your personal HealthTypeProfile can really help you  take care of yourself when doing this.” In order to shift towards catalyzing magic in your business, Searle speaks to the benefits of breathwork, movement, and ‘mini-vulnerability shares’. In this three-step method, she brings her body online through activating the parasympathetic nervous system with breathwork, then moving any fears through her body via somatic expression, and finally sharing small pieces of herself and her story that bring trust in being exposed. “Each time I do one of these and ‘don’t die’, I gain more proof that I am actually strong and powerful. Confidence is built over time as we courageously step up to do something hard or scary. Sharing vulnerability from our hearts is no different.” Liberate Others ![Leah Steele, known as The Wealth Witch, on self-liberation and business growth](/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/3_5-Wealth-Featured-Image-9d955da5-1024x683.jpg) Self-liberation is the secret to moving the needle in your business. The more you learn and heal, the more the apology from the back of your throat disappears when you speak. Choosing to share your experiences by sharing from ‘what went wrong’ and ‘what I learned’ can be the antidote to a lifeless plug-n-play marketing strategy. Today, more and more women are desiring deep connection and to rise within the community among others who they relate to and feel deeply seen by. Leah Steele, otherwise known as ‘The Wealth Witch’ knows that through her ‘6-Figure mistakes’ which taught her to always source her power from within vs an external strategy. She shares “we cannot communicate and sell effectively when we are out of alignment with the highest version of ourselves. People buy our energy, therefore your first stop on wanting to grow your business – is to heal and liberate yourself!”  [*Words Shannon Rose*](https://www.instagram.com/iam.shannonrose/?hl=en) --- ## 6 Influencers in the Crypto Space URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/6-influencers-in-the-crypto-space Category: For Brands · Published: 2022-03-07 Summary: Cryptocurrencies are still big, thanks in part to celebrities and influencers. Six influencers in the crypto space to know, starting with Tim Draper. ![6 Influencers in the Crypto Space](/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/pexels-photo-1447418-scaled.jpeg) In spite of wider economic upheaval, cryptocurrencies are still big right now. And this is at least in part thanks to celebrities and influencers. From [Laci Kay Somers’s reported investment](/blog/mega-instagram-influencer-reveals-her-secrets-to-building-an-instagram-empire) to Matt Damon and LeBron James recording crypto ads (which even aired during the Super Bowl), a number of major celebrities have hitched themselves to the bandwagon. And those are just a few of the famous figures involved. Even beyond major celebrities though, there are a number of major influencers helping to prop crypto up as well. Let’s take a look at some names to know. ## 1. Tim Draper Bitcoin is the OG cryptocurrency, and thus represents a good place to start. This eyebrow maximalist is a well-known venture capitalist with a strong history of early connections to successful technologies and brands. Draper is bullish in general about the Bitcoin price, and seeks to educate people about it for their own benefit. ## 2. Jenny Q Ta For some it’s still a joke, but the reality is that people invest in Dogecoin today thanks in no small part to the attention from meme artists like Elon Musk. Former owner and current COO of commerce platform CoinLink, Jenny Q Ta is part of the Doge scene as well. While she lends further legitimacy to the once-spoof cryptocurrency though, she is also careful not to encourage reckless buying from investors. ## 3. Vitalik Buterin Consistently second-most valuable to Bitcoin for some time now, Ethereum is popular due to its network’s ability to support original applications, blockchain smart contracts, and the like. As of now, the point of [buying Ethereum](https://www.wealthsimple.com/en-ca/product/crypto/ethereum-eth) is typically either to diversify an investment portfolio or to get in on a platform with clear potential for massive growth and expansion over time. Many who make the decision to buy in though are ultimately encouraged by Vitalik Buterin –– one of the original coders of Ethereum who still props it up to his millions of social followers via technical, “nerdy” commentary on a regular basis. ## 4. Girl Gone Crypto A lot of folks buy Monero for quite different reasons than those associated with other cryptos –– notably its lower traceability and lack of finite quantity. At the same time, those benefits can be somewhat obscure to crypto newcomers, which is where Girl Gone Crypto comes in. The influencer usually creates video content relating to general crypto and blockchain news, but has also set up releases specifically aimed at educating viewers about Monero. ## 5. Mykhailo Fedorov Tether is an altcoin which is highly transacted due to its one-to-one value with the U.S. dollar (which makes it easier to use and trade than some other cryptos). And now, thanks to some of the worst circumstances imaginable, the [youngest minister in the Ukrainian government](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ukraine-asked-for-donations-in-crypto-then-things-got-weird/ar-AAUyF8h) has gone viral as a sort of accidental influencer –– drawing attention from crypto enthusiasts by seeking donations in Tether (as well as Bitcoin and Ethereum). ## 6. CZ Binance A massively popular exchange with its own BNB token rocketing upward in 2021, it’s no wonder Binance is one of the biggest companies in the crypto world. Former burger flipper Changpeng “CZ” Zhao is CEO and reportedly the [largest shareholder in Binance](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-01-09/binance-ceo-cz-s-net-worth-billionaire-holds-world-s-biggest-crypto-fortune), with a lot of BNB as well as Bitcoin to his name. Zhao is up there with the most popular crypto influencers, with millions of followers and a great deal of sway over the market. Today, there’s seemingly an influencer for every popular coin out there. In some respects, their impact only makes the crypto world more difficult to navigate. Nevertheless, anyone interested in crypto should know names like the ones listed here. --- ## 4 Finance Lessons From Celebrity Influencers URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/4-finance-lessons-from-celebrity-influencers Category: For Creators · Published: 2021-08-20 Summary: Money, influence, and status are perks of being a celebrity, but celebrities can go broke too. Four finance lessons from celebrity influencers. ![4 Finance Lessons From Celebrity Influencers](/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/coins-currency-investment-insurance-128867.jpeg) Money, influence, and status are some of the perks of being a celebrity. Many probably imagine high-profile names like Jay-Z and Oprah Winfrey as big spenders; after all, they do have a hefty net worth attached to their names. However, celebrities can go broke, even if they’re making millions. That was almost the case for basketball star Shaquille O’Neal, who blew his first million-dollar paycheck on cars and jewelry until he learned a valuable lesson from the president of his bank on taxes and fellow NBA player Magic Johnson. [Shaq](https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/28/shaquille-oneal-on-getting-his-first-million-dollar-paycheck.html) learned these lessons in finance and improved his business acumen. Now, he’s worth $400 million from a vast business empire that includes restaurant franchises, branded products, and partnerships. Stars like him are inspirational and influential, with many looking to them for financial motivation. Here are four key finance lessons from other celebrity influencers: ## Know what you’re worth, and ask for it – Nicki Minaj In her early years after moving from the Caribbean to Queens, New York, Minaj experienced a life of violence and struggle. Rather than let that drag her life down, she focused on her songwriting and performing skills to eventually launch her career as one of the most successful rappers today. However, Minaj learned early on that she had to ask for what she was worth. The genre of music she performed was at the time dominated by male artists, and the disparity in pay was evident in her earnings. After realizing how other rappers earned more for the same standard of work, she decided that she would be unapologetic about asking to be compensated well for the stellar performances she put on. Today, Minaj has a net worth of $80 million, illustrating how we owe it to ourselves to know our worth and ask for it. ## Diversify your investments, Jay-Z Jay-Z became a household name in the mid-1990s when he founded Roc-A-Fella Records in 1995 and released his debut studio album, Reasonable Doubt, the following year. It received widespread critical acclaim and propelled his career forward. Alongside that, he continued his various business ventures, including buying the brand Ace of Spades and founding the entertainment company Roc Nation. He has certainly branched out from just music. [AskMoney.com](https://www.askmoney.com/), which features many articles on successful celebrities, identifies him as one of the wealthiest sports franchise owners in the world, with a net worth of $1.4 billion. He currently calls the shots for the NFL’s Super Bowl Halftime Shows, and he’ll continue to do so for the foreseeable future; he also owns part of the Brooklyn Nets NBA franchise. If there’s anything that can be learned from the way Jay-Z has earned his money, it’s that one should diversify their investments. It’s best not to put all your eggs in one basket, so branch out as much as you can. ## Generate new income streams – Eminem While Eminem may have earned a reputation for being quite a controversial artist in the music industry, he is undoubtedly an influential figure. With big hits come big earnings, and he has understood the value of protecting one’s finances knowing that making money can be finite. [TheDefiant.com](https://thedefiant.io/eminem-ellen-degeneres-are-latest-celebs-into-nfts/) reports that Eminem has also ventured into new financial opportunities. He recently dropped his own non-fungible tokens (NFT) in an event called “Shady Con,” featuring open editions with instrumental beats and collectible action figures. The rapper said it was inspired by his own love for collecting. With this, he has found another way to earn. ## Spend with care and invest – Oprah Oprah Winfrey is perhaps one of the most famous and richest self-made women in America. Her influence is also significant in media as the first black woman to own a production company. While she is known for sharing her wealth generously and spending money with care, she also ensures that the money she does keep is well taken care of through investments. One of the investing life hacks [Oprah](https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephaniedenning/2018/01/08/what-makes-oprah-oprah-her-thoughts-on-her-exceptional-success/) provides in her book titled “What I Know for Sure” is to invest in things and causes that you believe in. Putting principle before profit might not grow as quickly as an investment with larger gains. But sticking to an investment that matters to you will motivate you to grow your wealth for the right reasons. Many people let go of their investments because they are driven by short-term gains. Choosing a meaningful investment will help you earn while enriching lives, including your own and others’. Check more insightful and inspiring posts here: - [6 Viral Reels Ideas to Grow Your IG with Ela Mazur](/blog/6-viral-reels-ideas-to-grow-your-ig-with-ela-mazur) - [10 Influential Companies Giving Back to Their Communities During COVID-19](/blog/10-influential-companies-giving-back-to-their-communities-during-covid-19) - [Top 9 Tips On Becoming A Full-time Social Media Influencer](/blog/how-to-become-a-full-time-social-media-influencer) --- ## Q&A with Stefan Katanic: White-label Marketing at Veza Digital URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/qa-with-stefan-katanic-how-veza-digital-successfully-does-white-label-marketing-for-agencies Category: For Creators · Published: 2021-06-21 Summary: Stefan Katanic, CEO and founder of Veza Digital, explains how his agency does white-label marketing for over 100 agencies with a remote team of 40+. ![Q&A with Stefan Katanic – How Veza Digital Successfully Does White-label Marketing For Agencies](/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Stefan-Katanic-cdf5503e.png) Q&A with Stefan Katanic – How Veza Digital Successfully Does White-label Marketing For Agencies With over 100+ agencies being white-labeled, the question is “how?” Hear from CEO & Founder of white-label marketing agency Veza Digital, Stefan Katanic, as he explains how it all works.  Veza Digital is a Marketing Agency that specializes in white-labeling for other marketing agencies. The agency was founded by Stefan Katanic and has grown to over 40+ team members working remotely as digital nomads.  1. What is white-label marketing, and why do agencies need it? Stefan Katanic: White-label marketing is a term for the process of an agency taking over another agency’s marketing services and rebranding it under their brand. The reason agencies need to do this is that they are usually overloaded with work and want to continue bringing new money in or really just don’t have the resources to get started. Veza Digital takes over the back-end delivery with our people, processes, and delivery systems; we deliver a marketing service under our agency partner’s brand.  2. How does Veza Digital helps agencies with their marketing needs? Stefan Katanic: Normally, we work on the agency’s backend delivery, but from time to time, some of our partners ask us to do their digital marketing or sometimes web re-design. We’ll gladly do it and treat them like a 5-star client. 3. The benefits of working with an agency that specializes in white-label marketing - You get an entire team backing up your brand when they work on it, contrary to small agencies who will inevitably employ multiple clients at one time, which can diminish their attention - Less employee turnover thanks to the happy workplace culture fostered by Veza Digital - The cost savings and efficiency from working with an agency that has a dedicated focus will allow you to invest more into your client relationships - We buy agency owners the time to not worry about hiring, processes, and delivering high-quality work – we handle the entire back-end 4. Why is Veza Digital the perfect partner for Agencies looking for white label services?  Stefan Katanic: We’re the perfect partner for agencies who want to scale because we’ve been there, and I like to believe that we’ll continue to scale for as long as we’re around. Iron sharpens iron, and those are the types of agencies we like to work with. 5.  An example of a success story from one of our clients, who had been struggling to create a service delivery presence before partnering with Veza Digital Stefan Katanic: Claire, an agency owner from LA, was at her wit’s end. She had tried every possible avenue to create a service delivery presence for her agency, but she couldn’t make it happen. She was trying to hire freelancers, who frankly didn’t care as much about her clients as she did. There were many other demands on her time and resources, so it wasn’t something that she could do. And then she found [Veza Digital](https://www.vezadigital.com/white-label-marketing-agency), and everything changed! The entire onboarding and delivery process from start to finish took less than two months; the turnaround time is super quick now!  6. Our process – how we work together to help you meet your goals and exceed expectations Stefan Katanic: Every agency has a different challenge they’re facing, which can include: revenue predictability, a framework for delivering marketing services, knowledge on the latest CMS such as Webflow.com, hitting revenue plateaus, and not sure how to fix it, and many more. Every partner we take on, we like to know full transparency of where they are today and where they would like to be 6, 12, and 18-months from now. --- ## 6 Viral Reels Ideas to Grow Your IG with Ela Mazur URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/6-viral-reels-ideas-to-grow-your-ig-with-ela-mazur Category: Guides · Published: 2021-06-20 Summary: Reels are one of the fastest ways to grow on Instagram. Perth content creator and coach Ela Mazur shares six viral Reels ideas to grow your IG. ![6 Viral Reels Ideas to Grow Your IG with Ela Mazur](/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/DSC2400-a7679715.jpeg) Reels are making business owners dance and lip-sync to their favourite songs. The free-for-all platform provides tools for easy-making, and its 15 to 30-second video format, makes it quick to consume. If you’re looking to grow followers, increase engagement and boost sales, keep reading. Reels through likes and views have become a great way to attract visitors to your page and increase traffic. Users can see your Reels without even following you while scrolling down similar videos or through the explore page. It’s one of the fastest and preferable ways to grow your Instagram account in 2021.  But what’s the magic formula to these results? The Perth-based content creator and coach [Ela Mazur](https://prowritingaid.com/en/Analysis/WebEditor/Ela%20Mazur) found the secret to a great Reel. In her six years in the Social Media Business, she tried all the hacks and gimmicks. To making scroll-stopping videos, she learned you must share valuable content for your audience and be consistent. Next, Ela shares six content ideas to achieve this goal. #1: Introduce yourself and your business. “Chances are you have more new followers now than when you started, and who knows – your Reel might be viral and reach new people. Do a Reel about you, your business, and how you started. For the followers who know you, it will be a reminder, and new followers will learn about you in a quick, simple way!” Shares Ela. Showing your face on your page adds a personal touch that makes your audience feel closer to you.   #2: Convince your audience why they need your product or service.  “No matter what you’re selling – you need to convince your audience to become a customer. Explain why they need the product or service you’re offering. Focus on your audience’s pain and pleasure points when you create your Reel!” Ela explains it perfectly. If you want your content to go viral, you need to step into your customer’s shoes and speak their language. They might not know they need your product, investigate what their problems are, and address them. #3: Teach your audience something they want to know. Ela says: “Do a quick tutorial teaching your audience a hack or task they can apply to their life. The tutorial must be on-brand. You only have 15 seconds, be clear and concise!”  #4: Bust a myth. A great way to catch your audience’s attention is to uncover the lies spread across the internet. Don’t be afraid to bring your controversial opinions to the table and invite people to comment. “I’m sure your industry has myths that need to be BUSTED! Do this entertainingly, in a way it reinforces your expertise!”. #5: Answer common questions. Ela shares: “Answering common questions about your business is a great way to create promotional content with heaps of value!”.  #6: Repurpose! “You’ve created awesome content in the past! Repurpose in a Reel format, reinforce your message for the people who’ve seen it, and reach new people who haven’t!” Repurposing content is an art. This last piece of advice is also a tremendous timesaving tip on Ela’s part. Ela Mazur is the founder and CEO of Ela Mazur Creative. She is also an Online coach, Content creator, YouTuber, and Podcaster. If you are spending hours creating content and not getting the results you expect, you might be interested in joining [Ela’s Instagram for Business Course!](https://elamazurcreative.mykajabi.com/) She’ll show you how to craft stories that sell, build content that converts and learn sales strategies.  Ela will be there every step of the way, reviewing your performance and supporting you when things don’t go as planned. You can contact Ela for more information [here.](https://www.elamazurcreative.com/contact/) --- ## 5 Types of Influencer Content That Sell on Social Media URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/5-types-of-influencer-content-that-sell-on-social-media Category: Guides · Published: 2021-03-25 Summary: Social media is booming, but not every type of content will make you popular. Five types of influencer content worth exploring to tap a big audience. ![5 Types of Influencer Content That Sell on Social Media](/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pexels-photo-3850213-scaled.jpeg) There’s no doubt that social media is booming. It’s estimated that both Instagram and Facebook have over 1 billion global users each. Thanks to the increase in Internet users and the proliferation of smartphones, anybody can access multiple platforms. For social media influencers, that means having a massive audience that can make them overnight sensations. But that doesn’t mean every type of content will make you popular. If you’re hoping to tap a big online audience, here are some popular social media content trends that are worth exploring. ## **Life Hacks** Admit it: when the random instructional video post gets recommended on your feed, you’re likely to check it out. Instagram, YouTube, and now, TikTok are home to many of these ‘life hacks’, which are convenient shortcuts to certain tasks. They’re great ways for influencers to promote themselves and their credibility. You might want to start an account of your own and post hacks about a specific group of tasks, like cooking hacks or workout tutorials. Be as relatable as you can because the point of a life hack is to help many people become more efficient in day-to-day tasks. Look at [Mashable.com’s list of 12 best TikTok hacks](https://mashable.com/article/best-internet-life-hacks-tiktok-doing-it-wrong/) for inspiration. Users say they are enjoying the humbling experience of learning they’ve been doing everyday tasks “wrong”. ## Lifestyle Snippets Often, users will look for influencers living what they perceive as an ideal life. And the more aesthetically pleasing, the better. Just look at Dan Bilzerian. At only 40-years-old, Bilzerian has made Poker.org’s list of wealthiest poker players and has also amassed a large following on social media. Though very controversial, what he does well online is to flaunt his assets. Whether that is piles of poker winnings, being surrounded by beautiful women, or showing off his international travels, Bilzerian has learned how to present the life his 32 million Instagram followers want to see. Though not all people are fans of flaunting your wealth online, social media users are definitely drawn to the curated lifestyle. So regardless if you’re a millionaire like Bilzerian or a workout guru, you want your lifestyle snippets to represent what you’re trying to portray. ## Storytime and Drama Commentary Storytime content is, as the name implies when the influencer shares a moment from their lives that may be funny, heartwarming, heartbreaking, or even scary. The appeal of this content is how it’s shared in a casual way. It also makes it appear like they’re just talking to a friend. Meanwhile, drama commentaries dive into more sensitive topics. Regardless, audiences like hearing from influencers. [Top commentary channels on YouTube](https://www.vulture.com/article/drama-commentary-youtubers-breakout-video.html) advise keeping things relatable but sensitive to the topic. For instance, the Spill Sesh YouTube channel is all about ‘spilling the tea’ on controversial topics. Accounts like this can be seen as controversial as well, but they definitely rack up an impressive amount of views. ## Reviews The last few years have seen an uptick in popular review-style influencers. Why their content may not be as flashy as others, what they offer builds more trust with audiences. Most of the popular reviews-based influencers focus on games, toys, gadgets, and, of course, skincare and makeup. Many beauty influencers have even made their own brand or line of makeup. NikkieTutorials, James Charles, and Tati Westbrook are some of the biggest names on YouTube. That said, there are also budding beauty gurus that don’t fit a certain mold. [Allure’s list of influencers](https://www.allure.com/story/beauty-influencers-to-follow-on-instagram) features several up-and-coming beauty gurus to watch. Talontedlex, for example, caters to individuals who have rosacea but still want to experiment with beauty products. Finding your niche and reviewing products that cater to it could be your way to becoming influential online. ## Influencer Engagement Remember when comedian and TV host Ellen DeGeneres broke the Internet? It wasn’t because of the image composition or a snappy caption. It was simply because it showed a bunch of famous people in one photo. When audiences see fellow influencers come together, it can be exciting. This is why collabs are so common nowadays and why in [our post ‘Top 9 Tips on Becoming a Full-time Social Media Influencer’](/blog/how-to-become-a-full-time-social-media-influencer) we recommend tagging other creators and brands for traffic. They may just take notice and reach out. Each influencer can potentially gain new fans and tons of extra engagement. The online world can create influencers just as quickly as it can cancel them. There is yet to be any sure way to hit it big online. But in the world of social media, how well an influencer can understand and connect makes all the difference. --- ## 5 Reasons You’re Not Getting Clients on Social Media, and Fixes URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/5-reasons-why-youre-not-getting-clients-on-social-media-and-how-to-fix-it-isabella-sanchez Category: Guides · Published: 2021-02-11 Summary: Business coach Isabella Sanchez on 5 reasons you are not getting clients on social media, and how to fix the techniques that fail to convert. ![5 Reasons Why You’re Not Getting Clients on Social Media and How to Fix It – Isabella Sanchez](/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Screen-Shot-2021-02-12-at-8.10.34-am-83c772c4.png) Having an online presence on social media is now one of the most popular ways to increase brand awareness and be in front of your ideal customer.  However, a lot of business owners do not know the best strategies to convert those followers into paying clients. The hard truth is, if you are not closing any leads from your social media page, you are most definitely using the wrong techniques.  Business coach expert [Isabella Sanchez](https://www.instagram.com/theisabellasanchez/?hl=en), who specialises in helping life and wellness coaches sell high ticket offers, talks us through the ins and outs as to why your social media is not converting. Here we go… You’re trying to speak to anyone and everyone Trying to speak to everyone is the fastest route to not getting clients. If you’re not 100% sure about who you’re speaking to, this is where you start.  Here’s why speaking to everyone doesn’t work: let’s say you’re a hormone healing coach trying to attract anyone that needs your help. Hormone healing will be completely different for new moms than women going through menopause and by speaking to everyone, your message won’t resonate with either. Speak to one person and solve one problem and your sales will skyrocket. Here are some questions to get you started: 1. What’s your ideal clients  name?⁣⁣ 2. Who are they and what is their current life situation?⁣⁣ 3. What do they want -> What kind of tangible result do they want to achieve? Don’t be vague! 4. What problem keeps them up at night? 5. What do they google?⁣⁣ 6. Why haven’t they achieved what they want on their own? 7. IN THEIR EYES, what is keeping them stuck?⁣⁣ (They don’t know how, have no time, etc ⁣⁣) Your messaging is off People don’t invest in what they need, they invest in what they want. Sometimes our ego can creep up and say “I don’t want to just sell what they want, because I’m more than that” but remember that your ideal client has a different level of awareness than you do, so if you want to help them you need to create content speaking to what they SAY they want, not what you WANT them to want or what you ASSUME they want. Confusing right, but makes sense.  Putting it in simple terms: find out what your client wants and what they need, and provide it. You’re obsessed with the timeline  The thing about online businesses is that in the beginning progress is invisible…until it’s not.  You’re clapping for yourself when nobody else is and that can be discouraging. All the coaches talking about “6 figures in 6 months” are not revealing the complete story.  Take my story as an example: I made 6 figures in my business coaching business in 7 months but before that, there’s a decade of “failures” behind, $100,000 invested in mentorship, 4 failed businesses, 1 successful one, a whole lot more on the unsexy side of entrepreneurship. So get rid of the timeline and the obsession to hit 6 figures in 6 months and be PATIENT. Hire a mentor to help you but give it time. Some people will take 6 months, for some a couple of years and that’s okay. It’s not a race and you’re not a bad entrepreneur if you don’t make $100K your first week in business, that’s unrealistic. You’re on too many platforms before having an offer that converts If I gave you a million followers today, would you know how to convert them into high paying clients? Most coaches focus on visibility first so they’re on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, podcasts, and putting thousands into ads but they don’t have a strategy to convert those leads so they’re just hoping for something to stick.   Focus is the secret. Focus on one or two platforms until you master your sales process. Once you have an offer and sales process that you know converts CONSISTENTLY, you can start expanding and scaling a sustainable business without being ‘burnt out’ or investing thousands into ads when you don’t have cashflow. You see sales as stealing Scarcity and fearful energy can be felt by potential clients from miles away. When coaches have a negative relationship with sales and money it comes across as fearful sales, and pushy.  The thing is that I know how passionate you are about helping people, but sometimes negative programming can get in the way. This negative programming about sales is not your fault but it’s your responsibility to heal if you want to make an impact through your business. Get clear on WHY you are doing this, WHY you want people to buy from you and how the lives of your clients will change when working with you. Sales is an act of service. It’s giving people more of what they desire vs. taking from them. This shift will change the game for you. Here are a few journaling prompts to get you started. 1. What limiting stories am I believing about sales? 2. How will my clients’ lives change when they work with me? 3. How do I want to feel when I sell? If this article has helped you understand why you’re not converting your followers into sales, give a comment below. The Abundant Coach Blueprint. 90 day business program for coaches who want to stand out and consistently sign high ticket clients with a small audience. --- ## Jean Fallacara: From Maverick CEO to Top Motivational Influencer URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/jean-fallacara-from-maverick-ceo-to-top-motivational-influencer Category: For Creators · Published: 2020-12-10 Summary: Jean Fallacara is an athlete, speaker and maverick CEO who founded Z-SC1 Biomedical and scaled it from scratch to a multi-million-dollar business. ![Jean Fallacara: From Maverick CEO to Top Motivational Influencer](/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/JeanFPicture.jpg) Backed up with some extensive educational background, Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, a master’s degree in immunology and genetics, and an engineering degree in biotechnology. Studied neurosciences, brain functionalities, law, and finances.. Jean Fallacara is an intellectual nerd with a punk attitude, athlete, speaker, and the maverick CEO of [Z-SC1Biomedical](https://z-sc1.com/) the company he founded from scratch and scaled from zero to multi-million-dollar business. This versatile entrepreneur has an overachieving mission in mind. ## **Bring the World’s First Human Optimization Program:** **Neuroscience Calisthenics.** This patented concept is an approach to fitness that leverages the power of neurobiological mechanisms to push the body to its optimum. By optimizing human performance means understanding the intricate functions and how our systems’ systems have been interconnected. The concepts of Neuroscience Calisthenics come from applying science principles to calisthenics workouts. But it works for any sports or activities. ## **The rules are simple and based on 3 fundaments: VISION > MINDSET > ACTION** Since 2016 [Jean Fallacara](https://ca.linkedin.com/in/jeanfallacara) is explaining the fundamental of this concept on his Instagram account **[@cyborggainz](https://www.instagram.com/cyborggainz/)** emphasizing the need to know how the brain and nervous system works, its effects on our body and mind, and how to maximize hyper focus using the benefits of neuroplasticity. ‘***’The Cyborg principle: shifting our focus to understand how our brains and nervous systems work, the brain works similarly to a central computer system that controls all the body functions you can rewire it and reprogram it’’*** **“My concept, Neuroscience calisthenics is this; if the body is being trained, shouldn’t the brain be trained along with it?”** says Jean to his community. ## **About Jean Fallacara** Ranking #5 now in the TOP10 Motivational Influencers Jean is also the founder of [Cyborggainz](https://cyborggainz.com/)– a unique web application platform that offers a new approach to calisthenics training. His blog is in the TOP20 Best Calisthenics Blogs and Websites. Being of mix of Italian & French Origin, Jean Fallacara actively participated in rock climbing and running sports. Besides, he has been working as an experienced executive focused on technology products for the science business. What marks his achievements is many organizations he has founded and led across the science-technology industry. Recently, Jean released a new book dubbed “Neuroscience Calisthenics: Hijack Your Body Clock”. .” In the book, he points out that every decision we make, whether consciously or subconsciously, shifts our biology towards cell aging. However, factors such as Nutrition, sport, supplements, sleep and exercise contribute to hijacking your body clock. --- ## Thatja Andrade Helps Women Build an Influential Personal Brand URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/thatja-andrade-helps-women-build-an-influential-personal-brand-online-and-step-into-feminine-magnetism Category: For Creators · Published: 2020-12-10 Summary: Thatja Andrade helps women build an influential personal brand online, after building her own six-figure business from scratch. ![Thatja Andrade Helps Women Build an Influential Personal Brand Online and Step Into Feminine Magnetism](/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Thatja_Branding-NabeelsCamera-48-226bb4ba.jpg) Finding your place in life is not easy – let alone building a six-figure business from scratch with nothing but inner potential. Yet, it’s possible to channel your inner self into your business and cause it to grow. That’s exactly what Thatja Andrade did.  According to a study, [55% of business owners](https://www.guidantfinancial.com/small-business-trends/) start their businesses because they want to be their own boss. They want to be in control of their lives. If you’re a female entrepreneur looking to take charge of your life, finances, and business, then meet Thatja Andrade. She’s been getting the media’s attention for all the exceptional results that she brings to her clients worldwide. ![Thatja Andrade, personal brand coach for women entrepreneurs](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/utsWteqDUJ-24cyBph4WYMs7DWnXH2Pyo9dp2G1Sg5LW0Gva4jrhvGT9jOrWS32mtLr9d9bfuNqE7r57G3xXMVBneQSEY4V0OO54CKwKuMM3DckEAbq6mnXIq2w026NHJ9HL-Kj8) But there’s more to her than just being a powerful businesswoman, and that’s what we’re here to discover.  Danny Barba: Where were you born?  Thatja Andrade: Brazil — Rio De Janeiro, to be precise. Barba: What’s your backstory, and what was your big calling? Thatja Andrade: After several years of hustle in 9 to 5 jobs while building my own coaching business from the ground up, I felt burned out and miserable. So, I asked myself, “What do I need to do today if I knew I was to die tomorrow?” and the answer was: Go to the Amazon. Not many people know that. But the link that was missing in the way I do business, I learned from indigenous tribes.  I learned my best leadership secrets from living with indigenous tribes in their home, the jungle. I realized how the world is fully connected, even when we are so different culturally and geographically.  These native indigenous women are also going through a huge transition. They are stepping back into leadership roles that they once had, especially in spirituality. It completely shifted my perception of leadership when I saw the perfect harmony and respect among the men and the women. The way they work together to create a strong community where the foundation is love is just so inspiring. But the most amazing thing is how they divide tasks according to talent, skill, and experience, regardless of gender.  They live life to the fullest — celebrating, singing, and praying — but with absolute mastery and dedication in everything they do.  I’ve always been passionate about human development. After my first training, I fell in love with personal growth. But in the Amazon, I fell in love with people. I founded The Magnetic Woman Academy and right after, the Magnetic Online Empire because I know how it feels to not have a community of people with the same passions and determination that I have. I don’t want to settle for less one more day in my life. I don’t want to do this alone. For me, when I was struggling with my business for many years, I hated how I was living. I had a job I absolutely hated. The commute was awful, involving taking the train from uptown New York City all the way down to the Meatpacking District. To make matters worse, the train was always packed. If it was not snowing or raining outside the train station, the super cold New York cold breeze would be there to greet me. I would do that every single day. Every morning, I would ask myself when this would end. I rarely had days off. The days dragged on, and I couldn’t wait to get home each day. But when I’d get home after work to my crappy shoebox apartment, I’d kick off my shoes at the front door and start crying. I would go into the bathroom, lock the doors, turn on the water, sit on the bathroom floor, and cry. All the while, I’d be worried that my roommate or neighbors would hear me crying. That was my lowest of lows because I couldn’t figure out how to go about my business. I had no money. I felt like a failure. Everything I was trying to do as a side hustle was sucking all my energy. I was staying up all night yet making no money for years. It was really a low point for me, and everyone had lost faith in me.  Even I had lost faith in me. Everyone around me was telling me, “Stick to your job, you can’t do it, make sure you don’t ever leave.” At this point, my body started to cause me pain, showing me that I had hit my rock bottom.  That’s when a girlfriend invited me to this weekend of personal development. I said YES to her because I had no other choice. After this YES, my life was never the same. One day, someone did something to help me — something that changed my life. It makes me happy when I can do the same for others. My passion is to show others that they have what it takes to create the life and the business that they love! I am fully committed and dedicated to serving my community with nothing but the highest level of education and support.  I do this because I understand that like me, they’re probably unclear about what to do next. My community is also passionate about serving others. But sometimes they don’t feel ready to start offering their services at a high level, where they get paid what they truly deserve. We help them close this gap from the start so they know their worth and impact more people. Fortunately, I understood this early as I began planning my escape while immersing myself in parallel training with the world’s best experts in personal development.  When I started attending some top leaders’ exclusive events, I saw that they were actually just regular people who learned how to become extraordinary. By being around these mentors and communities, I started to remember my true power. That’s when things started to change for me! Slowly, I began to gain momentum, reaching six figures in 12 weeks. Finally, feeling super confident within myself, even though I still felt like something was missing, I had reached my next level. That’s when I made a decision to follow my heart and embark on a journey to the Amazon rainforest and live with indigenous tribes for the next months. When I returned, my true potential for success was unlocked! I had faced my fears and learned my biggest lessons I am not afraid to say, “Trust yourself!” No matter what your dreams or obstacles are. You have the power to change your life, and by doing so, you’ll change the world. Today, I help women step into magnetic feminine leadership and build their online empires doing what they truly love. We are growing a VIP community of the most ambitious, confident, successful, and magnetic women. I have helped them completely turn their lives around — and we will soon start another round to change more lives. I am also proud to teach alongside my top mentors at the Magnetic Woman Academy, the Magnetic Online Empire, and around the world. For years, I saw this missing gap between the seminars and training that I attended. Our courses and training build you up from your inner core to your outermost being. The aim is to help you evolve in all areas of your life and never again settle for anything less than your fullest potential. Barba: What was your spark, where did it come from, and what motivates you every day? Thatja Andrade: My motivation is helping build top female leaders. We merge business with feminine traits. We encourage women to connect with their magnetic inner power and harness this natural talent in every area of their lives so they can build a legacy and meaningful relationships. She simply emanates. She radiates. She magnetizes. Can the vibe of the new feminine leader magnetize instead of dominate? Attract instead of seek? Receive instead of take? This can feel challenging at times, as our whole society is based on the masculine way of doing business. We are taught to act like men if we want to be respected, to achieve, and to succeed.  But this is not true. This is one of the biggest lies that society tells us. We have believed it for so long. But now, my mission is to demystify this lie and empower women to restore relationships and build scalable businesses that they love and can be proud of — in the feminine way, not the old way. The feminine way is so much more powerful and easy. I believe this to be the ultimate desire of The Magnetic Woman. I empower and guide female entrepreneurs to embody their feminine essence and be wildly successful by turning their superpower into profit and impact. When it comes to building an online empire that stands out, Thatja believes in an unconventional approach to business that she uses in tandem with traditional business principles. Here’s her advice. Develop a “Full-stack” Consciousness Most courses teach a specific skill, like relationships or business. This approach creates disconnected women who don’t understand their whole being. As a result, they don’t see the big picture of life, let alone business. To succeed in life, love, and business, you need to learn the “full-stack” of three interconnected layers of consciousness that are built on top of each other. ![The three interconnected layers of consciousness framework for building a personal brand](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/i2MtWCJAncQBGztVtPyr6E9nhDeHAZT0bPOj8vgnhrarUwbHKEgNXOf93Bk_g_BWtRBYzNFWwANURQ36Jo37VOqE-Vt-UUvhiE9sMDHfu3KoPmF0vjM_DoPoiXhYgkvJFBenaTNh) 1. ### Mental Awareness Mental awareness deals with gaining an intimate understanding of who you are and what you’re capable of. It involves: - Rewiring your brain to understand your true potential so you can live up to it. - Creating your magnetic vision. - Transforming and healing your hidden mental programming. - Having emotional leadership and quantum healing. Mastering this level of consciousness will help you see the world in a different light. You’ll see opportunities that others miss. It will also help you unlock your potential to live your ultimate purpose in this life!  ### 2. Body Blissciplines Blisscipline is a compound of two words: bliss and discipline. Body blisscipline, therefore, is the ability to find deep joy in integrating awareness consistently to practices with your body. This includes developing a healthy body (studies show that only [12.2% of Americans](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181128115045.htm#:~:text=Data%20revealed%20that%20only%2012.2,for%20cardiovascular%20risk%20factors%20management.) are metabolically healthy) and a healthy inner being. Body blissciplines are consistent practices that give you pleasure and bring you back to your body (your feminine energy). This will help you radiate positive energy. It is this positive energy that draws the right people and opportunities your way. It also helps you exude an aura that makes you irresistible and unforgettable. This is what makes this level of consciousness an integral part of your “full-stack” consciousness. It sets the tone for your day and ultimately, forms the building blocks of your life and business. This is the key to self-mastery and helps unlock the secrets of your feminine magnetism. It’s the secret to learning to love yourself, your body, and your life. 2. ### Soul Leadership The key to success in business is to get your message heard. This is where soul leadership comes in. Not only does soul leadership help you amplify your voice and message, but it also makes your message desirable. Those who have mastered soul leadership know how to play it smart in business. Their businesses seem to flow unhindered. That’s because soul leadership is a level of consciousness that helps you attract powerful people into your network. The success of your business is strongly influenced by the networks you create. Not only that, but it also builds high levels of trust within yourself and others. Soul leadership is a broad subject that can’t be covered in a few words, but the bottom line is that it’s one of the secrets that many powerful entrepreneurs have used to start and scale their businesses successfully. Success Is Deep Within You — You Just Need to Let It Out These three levels of consciousness are the missing link to success for most female entrepreneurs. Tapping into them will help you break every limitation in your life and business. They align you for success. This and more are what Thatja (and her top mentors) teach in The Magnetic Woman Academy. Most of the students are ready to get their Ph.D. and build their Magnetic Online Empire from a place of full alignment. The results that her students have had are phenomenal. “You have great potential hidden in you. You just need to know how to unlock it, harness it, and leverage it to live a life of success. Unlocking your inner feminine potential is the key to building a Magnetic Online Empire: doing what you love. That is how to live a fulfilled life — and get paid for it.” Thatja adds. --- ## Are Clickfunnels the Marketing Vertical of the Future? URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/are-clickfunnels-the-marketing-vertical-of-the-future-according-to-groovy-marketing-the-answer-is-yes Category: For Brands · Published: 2020-11-23 Summary: Clickfunnels automate the sales process, giving owners control over every stage of the buying journey. Groovy Marketing on why they are the future. ![Are Clickfunnels The Marketing Vertical of the Future? According to Groovy Marketing, the Answer is Yes](/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Clickfunnels-pricing-2020-businesshelp-9a686e82.jpg) More businesses are going online today than ever before thanks to coronavirus-fueled shutdowns and regulations. Everything from clothing companies to personal trainers are taking to the internet to find their customers. It’s easy and something that can be done safely from their living rooms. Therefore, more business owners than ever before are wondering how they can spend the least amount of time on marketing, yet aggregate the greatest number of clients. That’s where clickfunnels come into the picture. Clickfunnels automate the entire sales process, providing a business owner with power and control over every stage of the buying journey. Instead of marrying different parts together for one lead funnel, with a clickfunnel, all of that is taken care of in one, centralized location. It’s a win-win for the customer and the seller, cutting back the time, hassle, and money that previously went into a coordinated marketing effort. The All-In-One Solution Already pioneering the power of the clickfunnel long before the COVID-19 shift was Groovy Marketing, an expert clickfunnel distribution and hosting platform. Known for mastering the art of a sales funnel, which has one page, one offer, and one opportunity to take action, Groovy Marketing has secured results and conversion rates that speak for themselves. “Clickfunnels software is primarily designed to provide online businesses with a complete sales funnel,” said _________, Owner of Groovy marketing. “It’s a simple, hassle-free alternative to ranking your website in search results while collecting leads with much more ease. So many of these business owners don’t have prior online marketing experience, which is why an all-in-one solution is their best bet for playing catch-up today.” Creating a sales funnel can be a tricky process that requires different parts, coordination, and background information. This isn’t always something that new online marketers possess, which is the appeal of a clickfunnel. With Groovy Marketing, everything is managed through one platform. There are no multiple marketing tools required for every stage of the customer journey. Pages can be designed, optimized, and targeted, with retargeting messages that are sent out at different points in the customer journey.  What’s Included in a Clickfunnel Package? What are some of these tools, exactly? They include: website hosting, landing page design, A/B testing, email autoresponders, affiliate management, integrated payment systems, ongoing support, training materials, and templates. With Groovy Marketing, they provide million-dollar clickfunnel templates that they have seem perform over and over again for their clients.  “We see it like this: why reinvent the wheel when we already have a proven, tried, and tested method that actually works? And, the templates as well?” said _________. “Clickfunnels makes creating complex funnels super simple, which is why we are working with all businesses impacted by coronavirus today. Business owners don’t have time to waste – they need sales and they need them now. There’s no better solution for that than clickfunnels.” Groovy Marketing helps clients from every industry leverage clickfunnels to build high converting sales funnels. From business to lifestyle sectors, Groovy Marketing’s all-in-one approach has aggregated hundreds of thousands of dollars for all participating partners. --- ## Social Media Marketing: Increased Value in 2020 URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/social-media-marketing-increased-value-in-2020 Category: For Brands · Published: 2020-09-17 Summary: Social media marketing gained value in 2020 as people quarantined and shopped online. Tips for new talent and brands to get their name out there. ![Social Media Marketing: Increased Value in 2020](/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Social-Media-Marketing-Increased-Value-in-2020-9fdc392d.jpg) For burgeoning [modeling and acting talents](https://www.huntertalent.com.au/talent/), exposure is one of the key aspects to making it more likely that you’ll be hired for the job. By managing your reputation the right way, you can have something similar to a digital portfolio for potential recruiters to see. However, brands of all kinds can benefit from a strong social media presence, and this marketing has become even more important as people quarantine and conduct more online research and shopping.    Read on to learn all about the value of social media marketing for 2020. I’ll also include my tips for how new talent and brands can utilize social media to get their name out there!  **What is Social Media Marketing?** It first helps to know what constitutes social media marketing. Although you may think you have to spend a large amount of money in order to be successful, I believe a good strategy doesn’t necessarily include a high budget. Social media marketing is the act of producing and posting content on social media in order to drive traffic to your website, build your audience and authority, or increase sales. It’s important that a brand produces quality content based on a specific goal as well as their target audience. Quality content is content that’s informative, educational, entertaining, and relevant to your audience. For instance, if you’re a model that’s posting [portfolio-worthy content](https://www.bubblegumcasting.com.au/editorial-photography/), show your range by including multiple photos or a video of the process. You can also utilise the caption area to talk about your experience and methodology as a model.   **The Value of Social Media Marketing Today** I’ve found that social media marketing is becoming nearly synonymous with digital marketing. It’s an important aspect of a brand’s digital marketing campaign regardless of the industry or audience. The only thing that does change is the content you produce, the platforms you use and the way you distribute that content.  [According to Hootsuite](https://thenextweb.com/growth-quarters/2020/01/30/digital-trends-2020-every-single-stat-you-need-to-know-about-the-internet/), the number of people using the Internet around the world has grown by seven percent. Internet users also spend an average of 100 days online each year. Even more remarkable, 89% of Internet users aged 16 to 64 are using social media apps each month. Here are a few more statistics that showcase the value of social media marketing:    ·         Average daily time spent using social media apps worldwide is two hours and 24 minutes ·         Facebook followed by YouTube are the most-used social platforms ·         Facebook followed by Instagram and TikTok are the social media platforms with the most active users ·         Users spend 50.1% of their daily Internet time using mobile devices    The pandemic of 2020 makes these statistics even more profound. People are making even more purchasing decisions based on the content they see and interact with. They also want to form relationships with brands that can give them a reprieve from the outside world.  **Staring Your Social Media Marketing Campaign** If you’re an actor, model, or entrepreneur, the best way to start a new social media marketing campaign is to identify the audience you want to reach. For instance, if you’re a model that wants to do work for major brands, you want to keep your content polished and mimic the photographic style that those companies are using. You’ll also want to start with only one social media platform to become an expert at it before branching off into multiple platforms. Consider your target audience and the social media platforms they’re most likely to use. Here is a brief run-down on some of the most popular platforms and how you can utilise them:  **Instagram** [Instagram is all about](/blog) creating a beautiful grid of photos and videos that are visually cohesive. You want to use the same editing techniques on each one for a more eye-catching and professional look. Instagram is one of the most versatile platforms. Along with professional content, you can also post behind-the-scenes Stories or fun Reels to build relationships with your audience.  **Facebook** It’s hard now to gain any traction on a Facebook Business profile without paying for it. Instead, brands and entrepreneurs are creating Groups based on their brand. These communities allow you to share free information that provides immense value. You can also foster discussions, build relationships, and advertize your services or goods to loyal followers.  **Twitter** [Twitter is all about](/blog) mastering the art of short-form content. In 280 characters, you can stay at the top of people’s minds by announcing new products or services. You can also comment on recent events and Retweeting Tweets that are important to you. This is also a great place to redirect people to long-form content on your website.  **Getting the Exposure You Need** Social media marketing is an important aspect of any brand’s digital marketing campaign. This rings true especially now more than ever before as people quarantine. By being consistent in the content you produce, you’ll be able to increase sales, drive traffic to your website, and build lasting relationships with your audience. However, you need to make sure that the content you’re producing is relevant, entertaining, and informative.  In order to get started, focus on your most immediate goal for your career. Then, consider the specific people you want to be interacting with on your social media profiles. Then, use the platforms where you can find them and produce content that can draw their eye.  Bubblegum Casting ensures that all their talents have the resources they need to be successful. Adam Jacobs is the incredibly busy Managing Director of Bubblegum Casting, and Hunter Talent He works with some of Australia’s biggest brands, media properties and agencies to secure talented children to work in Television, Film and Modelling roles. They’ve recently launched an office in LA too. --- ## Travis Believes: A Trailblazer in the Social Media World URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/a-trailblazer-in-the-social-media-world-travis-believes-has-a-lot-to-teach-us-and-is-still-learning-himself Category: For Creators · Published: 2020-09-02 Summary: The story of Travis Believes and his company InnerLight, which helps others craft a social media presence with positive and affirming messaging. ![A Trailblazer in the Social Media World: Travis Believes Has A Lot to Teach us and is Still Learning Himself.](/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_3616.jpg) Social media is a hard task to master let alone entirely change the game, inspiring people to do the same. This is the story of [Travis Believes](https://instagram.com/travisbelieves?igshid=wqxu97lgsdy5) and his company [InnerLight](https://innerlightsocial.com/services/). He is assisting others in crafting their social media presence and with positive and affirming messaging. To make things quite clear, [Believes](https://innerlightsocial.com/services/) outlines the motivation behind his drive plainly and simply on his company website: “Our mission is to impact the world through positivity because we believe all change requires inspiration first.” More than just another copy-and-paste marketing manager who rides the waves of social media trends, Believes sets out to establish his work as a storm surge, changing the landscape altogether through enthusiasm and motivation. As evidenced in the comprehensive material he has created for notable individuals such as Tom Bilyeu, Jay Shetty, Lewis Howes, Prince Ea and more, his uplifting and affirming products are something followers can get behind and feel good about. A stark comparison to some of the mindless drivel cranked out by apathetic and downright nihilistic content creators, Believes brand produces something the world really needs right now, and it shows in his success. Positivity may be a secret ingredient to [Believes](https://innerlightsocial.com/services/) prosperity, but it is not the only one. The CEO understands what it is that the masses crave most in an era dominated by corporate cacophony crammed in everyone’s faces: integrity. The company’s motto “Knowledge is the New Entertainment, Integrity is the New Currency” proves itself through every genuine production for which it’s mastermind is responsible. By taking the time to truly respect and understand the audience of his clients, [Believes](https://innerlightsocial.com/services/) is able to produce social media communications that not only register but resonate with those at whom his content is aimed. This leads to deeper-seated and longer-lasting brand-client relationships. People today have a much keener nose for incenserity, and [Believes](https://innerlightsocial.com/services/) will have none of that on his watch. [Believes](https://innerlightsocial.com/services/) company is enjoying hard earned success for another crucial reason: he takes clients all the way from start to finish. A four step process, strategizing, development, launch and reporting, InnerLight’s action plan makes absolutely certain that the job gets done, and done correctly. The incredibly hands-on approach and tailored fit utilizes experts in the field arranged by [Believes](https://innerlightsocial.com/services/) himself, to ensure that every client is bestowed with the content that not only agrees with their audience, it keeps them coming back for more. InnerLight Media has afforded some of the biggest names in social media influence billions of views, millions of followers, and a digital presence that has garnered the attention of leaders around the world. The one-stop-shop for social media management, viral video production, and guidance in the realm of monetization of audience interaction has already proven itself a formidable player in the ever-changing, rapidly-expanding world of electronic communication. [Travis](https://instagram.com/travisbelieves?igshid=wqxu97lgsdy5) [Believes](https://innerlightsocial.com/services/) continues to sharpen his skills, working diligently daily to review every platform update, tweak every manipulation of complex and fluid algorithms, and come up with creative new ways to spread the positivity for which his brand is known. To find out more about Travis Believes, [click here](https://instagram.com/travisbelieves?igshid=wqxu97lgsdy5) or visit his [company’s official website here](https://innerlightsocial.com/services/). --- ## Meet Zachary Kayal, Co-Founder of Blade Marketing URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/meet-zachary-kayal-co-founder-of-blade-marketing-and-director-of-marketing-for-lynx-mortgage Category: For Brands · Published: 2020-08-28 Summary: Zachary Kayal is Head of Marketing Business Development for Lynx Mortgage Bank and co-founder of digital marketing team Blade Marketing. ![Meet Zachary Kayal, Co-Founder of Blade Marketing and Director of Marketing for Lynx Mortgage](/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/unnamed_1-4436c315.jpg) [Zachary Kayal](http://instagram.com/zachkayal) is the Head of Marketing Business Development for Lynx Mortgage Bank LLC Nmls # 5838 ,with a demonstrated history of working in the banking industry. Zachary is skilled in Social Media Development and Marketing. He graduated  Cum Laude from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication/ Media Studies. Along with this, Zachary is the Co-Founder of Blade Marketing which is a team of elite professionals who specialize in digital marketing, social media branding strategy and more. After speaking with you, the team at Blade Marketing will custom tailor a digital marketing plan that will help you reach your goals. At Blade Marketing, professionalism and communication is their top priority. They strive to always leave their clients satisfied every step of the way. [Zachary Kayal](http://instagram.com/zachkayal) got involved with Blade Marketing because the other founder [Ben Hochheiser](https://benhochheiser.com) and Zachary bonded over their goals, drive, and passion for the industry. The two business partners come from digital backgrounds and have always dreamed of starting a successful digital marketing agency. They had differing skill sets and strengths and decided it was the perfect time to launch Blade Marketing. While working to grow and expand Blade Marketing, Zachary spends his time as the director of marketing for Lynx Mortgage Bank LLC. Ben Hochheiser is also a New York State Real Estate Agent, therefore each of them puts countless hours into their business ventures both personally and together.  [Zachary Kayal](https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-kayal-41b143130/) values the importance of having multiple streams of income in the business world, especially ones that can be passive. Some of Zachary’s biggest accomplishments in business thus far include being one of the Top 100 People in Real Estate in 2019, one of the Long Island Young Professionals 30 Under 30, and many other advances in the business world.  While still in college at Hofstra University, Zachary began interning at Lynx Mortgage Bank handling social media and marketing. After graduation, he was offered a permanent position as the head of marketing and business development. In this role, [Zachary Kayal](http://instagram.com/zachkayal) handles all facets of communications including social media, marketing and advertising. In August 2018, Zachary was honored to be contacted by Facebook for successfully using their platform to promote a small business. He was invited to the Facebook headquarters to share his feedback and suggestions on how to enhance their platform for small businesses which was a very proud moment.   Zachary differentiates himself from the competition by the pride he takes in excellent service to each and every client. He takes the time to get to know each client, help them through the process, and help them grow to new levels. To learn more about Zachary Kayal and his business endeavors, visit [his LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-kayal-41b143130/). --- ## How to Become a Social Media Influencer: The 101 URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-to-become-a-social-media-influencer Category: Guides · Published: 2020-08-18 Summary: Being a social media influencer is no longer just a hobby but a serious career option. The steps to take if being an influencer is your calling. ![Wondering How To Become A Social Media Influencer? Here’s The 101!](/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/social-media-influencer-guide.jpg) Being a [social media influencer](/blog/mega-instagram-influencer-reveals-her-secrets-to-building-an-instagram-empire) is no longer just a hobby, but a serious career option. Influencers are in demand both from brands and their huge following. Brands want to collaborate with influencers who have a good fan following to promote their products and services. Their fans, on the other hand, look to them for guidance, advice, and recommendations. Therefore, it comes as a surprise to no one that influencer marketing is gaining steam. And as this profession keeps getting more popular, people increasingly want to jump on the bandwagon. If being an influencer is your true calling, you have come to the right place. With these steps, you’ll be on your way to joining the ranks of social media influencers! ## Step 1: Find Your Niche To be desirable to your audience and brands, you can’t put your fingers in all the pies. You need to find one area that you are really good and focus on creating content for that [particular field](https://alejandrorioja.com/understanding-competitive-advantage/). While this niche could be something that is conventional, like fashion, travel, music, or art, it does not necessarily have to just that. People are looking out for interesting and innovative content, so all you have to do is play to your strengths. ## Step 2: Choose Your Platform Once you have narrowed down your area of specialization, find a platform that works the best for you. In this step, you have to match your content or niche to a platform that works best for you! If you are a fashion influencer and most of your work is through static images and short-form videos, you might go for Instagram, but if you are doing detailed reviews of movies, YouTube could be a fair choice. There is no formula to find out what works best. At the same time, you also do not have to be on all platforms. You may use YouTube to showcase your work, while Instagram could just be your space to connect with fans. Relevant: Read how to effectively use Instagram videos for marketing [here](/blog/how-to-use-videos-for-instagram-marketing) ## Step 3: Prioritize Your Content The next step is creating content that sticks. We are not at a point where the space of social media is untapped. On the contrary, it’s cluttered with too many people producing content that belong to similar niches. Then what sets you apart from everyone else, for example, in the beauty niche? For example, Ankush Bahuguna, an Indian actor and comedian, has been dismantling the ideas of patriarchy and beauty for cisgender heterosexual men by posting makeup tutorials for them! Ankush’s videos have gained mass popularity for their honest effort and simple yet strong message that cis men do not need to shy away from makeup because of society’s age-old conditioning. Like him, you can find your unique selling point or USP within your niche. Adding this one element will set you apart from the crowd and also, help you get brands to collaborate with you for your out-of-the-box approach. ## Step 4: Be Consistent Your followers are there because of the content that you create. If you fail to do the same, you might see the number of followers on your profile drop over the months or days. An excellent way to ensure that you do not lose touch with your followers is to create a content calendar and plan it out at least a month ahead. This would mean that you do not have to work on it last minute or be worried about missing out on posting! You can use a good photo editing app or one of the best free video editor [available online](https://invideo.io/make/online-video-editor/) to create and update your content regularly! ## Step 5: Listen To Your Community The best place to understand and develop your content is by listening to those who follow you. These people are your target audience, and they know what they want to see from you. As you are working towards becoming a well-trusted and adored influencer, the best guidance will come from your immediate follower community. Read your comments, conduct polls, track the performance of some posts, and you will be able to spot what works for your target audience and how you can maximize on the same. ## Step 6: Use Relevant Hashtags As a beginner, hashtags are your best friends. Your content is only meaningful when it reaches the right people, and hashtags are a fantastic way of achieving this! When you use the right kind of hashtags, your posts reach a whole new section of audience who might not be following you but are interested in the sort of content that you produce. To maximize the benefit of hashtags, research which ones work best for your niche, understand the search volumes on each, and then use them judiciously without crowding your post with unrelated or unnecessary ones. You can also create your own hashtag once you have a significant following. Encouraging your followers to post with your hashtag can up your game as an influencer. ## Step 7: Collaborate With Other Influencers Yes, the influencer space is cluttered, and there are too many people doing similar things online. But you can capitalize on this by doing projects with other influencers. This would not only establish you as someone who does not indulge in unhealthy competition but also help you tap into the other person’s fan following and vice versa. You can create fun promotional content for your collab using [promo video maker online free without watermark](https://invideo.io/make/promo-video-maker/) to reach both your followers. ## Step 8: Build Your Own Website The content that you put up on your social media platforms are at the mercy of these platforms and are not entirely owned by you. For example, when the Government of India banned [TikTok](https://alejandrorioja.com/how-to-gain-followers-on-tiktok/), a huge number of creators from this platform lost all their work and access to their primary platform. Your own website not only ensures that you get to keep the content that you own irrespective of what is happening on another social media platform. Also, with proper SEO, your website can rank well on Google, giving you greater visibility to brands and audiences across platforms. ## Wrapping up! Being an influencer is by no means an easy task. It requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and commitment to create content on a regular basis, ensure that you have a constant appeal to your audience, and still have fun! Following these simple guidelines can make your journey as an influencer easy and enjoyable. If you found this article helpful, read more useful posts here: - [Top 5 ways of becoming a trusted influencer](https://alejandrorioja.com/5-ways-to-become-a-trusted-influencer/) - [How can you become a full-time social media influencer?](/blog/how-to-become-a-full-time-social-media-influencer) - [Best tips on getting more Instagram influencers](https://alejandrorioja.com/tips-to-get-more-instagram-followers/) --- ## How To Use Videos For Instagram Marketing? A Guide For Businesses URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-to-use-videos-for-instagram-marketing Category: Guides · Published: 2020-08-13 Summary: Instagram has over a billion monthly active users. A guide to using videos for Instagram marketing so your business can engage its target audience. ![How To Use Videos For Instagram Marketing? A Guide For Businesses](/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/blonde-influencer-recording-make-up-video_23-2148135470.jpg) Gone are the days when Instagram was just used to share pictures of your food and pets. In the last couple of years, Instagram has seen a tremendous spike in its user base, transforming it from a simple photo-sharing app that you used to stay in touch with your friends and family to a [powerful marketing tool](/blog/mega-instagram-influencer-reveals-her-secrets-to-building-an-instagram-empire) that your business can use to engage with its target audience. With over a billion active monthly users and over 95 million pictures & videos being shared every day on Instagram, your business has a great opportunity to reach many people from all corners of the world. This is why it comes as no surprise that every business and brand today have their own Instagram page. When you think you have a grasp on all different formats available, Instagram goes ahead and adds something new to its arsenal. With so many updates on Instagram ranging from carousel posts to IGTV and the newly launched Reels, every brand has a host of different formats at their disposal. With 15 seconds of video on Reels, 60 seconds on your feed, and longer videos on your IGTV, there is something out there for every type of content you want to put out. That’s not all, you can also go live on your Instagram page and then save the video on your profile for your audience to watch later. Various statistics and researches have shown that the [engagement on video posts](https://alejandrorioja.com/tips-to-get-more-instagram-followers/) is higher than that on pictures. Brands have also reported a higher Return on Investment on videos and there has reportedly been an 80% increase in time spent watching Instagram videos! This should convince you to incorporate more Instagram videos in your next social media marketing campaign. But just how do you effectively use videos on Instagram for marketing your business? ## Here are some tried and tested ways in which you can grow your business by using Instagram videos: 1. Before you even decide to post an Instagram video on your profile, story, or IGTV, make sure you get your resolution and aspect ratio right. Each format of Instagram videos has different sizes and specs, and failing to adhere to these specs can create a pixelated or cropped video. The last thing you need on your profile is a video with important bits cropped off! Use an [Instagram video editor](https://invideo.io/make/instagram-video-editor/) to edit your videos and select your desired format to make sure your video is optimized as per the specific format. 2. When creating a video for your profile or your IGTV, create a [captivating thumbnail](https://alejandrorioja.com/youtube-thumbnail-size/) to catch your audience’s eye. Use bright colors, texts, and any other visuals that are cohesive with your brand’s color schemes and overall vision. Your thumbnail should be able to communicate the gist of your video without giving the whole story. Create enough mystery to tempt your audience and make them curious enough to watch the entire video. 3. Each Instagram video has a predetermined length, so keep that in mind when creating content. Don’t put a 45-second video up on your stories (they have a max length of 15 seconds per video) as your audience might not tap to view the next slides and just drop off. Similarly, avoid putting up a 10-second video on your feed and use the new Reels feature instead! When creating a long-form video, add it to your IGTV. 4. Instagram Live is a great way to interact with your audience in real-time and is perfect for Q&A sessions, product demonstrations, and collaborating with other Instagram creators while building an authentic connection with your audience. Live videos should be laidback and spontaneous, so have fun while you are on a live video with your audience. Use this space to give your audience a sneak peek and behind-the-scenes access to your brand and the people. 5. Use Instagram videos along with captions to weave beautiful and captivating stories. When sharing videos on your profile, make full use of the 2,200 character limit in the captions to tell a story. Using longer captions not only helps you explain your video more but is a great way to increase retention time on each post. Build a continuation between your video and your caption and tie them together with an authentic story. 6. Pay attention to your Instagram feed’s aesthetic and post visually appealing content. When [posting videos on your feed or IGTV](https://alejandrorioja.com/how-to-download-instagram-photos-and-videos/), keep a theme or color palette to have a consistent feed. The overall look of your feed should match the tonality and style of your brand and should appeal to your target audience. Whether you are going for calm and moody or young and fun, remember to stay consistent across your posts. You can use different apps and editors to add filters on your videos to change the look. 7. If your brand has pages on other social media platforms, such as Facebook and YouTube, use your Instagram page to cross-promote the other social media accounts. As mentioned in the previous points, create attractive thumbnails for your videos and make sure they fit the overall aesthetic of your page. Use a [YouTube video editor](https://invideo.io/make/youtube-video-editor/) to edit your YouTube videos and post them on your Instagram page. These video editors are very easy to use, even for absolute beginners, and do not require extensive designing skills. ## To wrap up! The boom in social media has changed the marketing landscape and if you want to be on top of your marketing game, use these tips and tricks and make Instagram videos a must-have in your social media strategy. But remember, these tips will work for your brand only if you are consistent with your posts. Put up pictures and videos one to three times a day to stay visible and reach a wider audience. Be true to your brand’s values when creating content and don’t forget to interact with your audience and customers on every post. Happy Instagramming! Read these articles next for more insights and inspiration: - [Your guide to getting millions of views on Facebook with Goubtube](/blog/go-viral-facebook-goubtube) - [20 entrepreneurs to get inspired from in 2020](/blog/top-entrepreneurs-to-watch-in-2020) - [Top tips on becoming a full-time social media influencer](/blog/how-to-become-a-full-time-social-media-influencer) --- ## Top 9 Tips On Becoming A Full-time Social Media Influencer URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-to-become-a-full-time-social-media-influencer Category: Guides · Published: 2020-08-06 Summary: Influencers shape decisions from products to buy to holiday destinations. Top 9 tips on becoming a full-time social media influencer. ![Top 9 Tips On Becoming A Full-time Social Media Influencer](/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/social-media-influencer.jpg) Influencers’ platforms have experienced an enormous hype recently as the hottest and most effective marketing strategies. Their impact lies in their ability to relate to the public in providing credible and reliable content. Today, these have become defining qualities in influencers, experts in various fields. Decisions from products to purchase, shows to watch, and holiday destinations all have experts [influencing the choices people make](https://alejandrorioja.com/5-ways-to-become-a-trusted-influencer/). Before we get started, here’s a video to help you understand the phenomenon of influencers: ## What’s an Influencer? ![What is a social media influencer — concept illustration](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2Hvuw9etW61w5RO8ykgxZjA-C5uNO557XZs_UcM9qlTWMhR9XzdSEMcQfQfvGWIjX-rJ3EleG-gbFEJsee7nupO1exb8_7MPEIcka8X2aXckXbnELsMRKib-PW1pyOB0w21gaVGQ) Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re sure to have heard of the term influencer by now. In straightforward terms, influencers are internet-focused personalities with enormous numbers of dedicated and engaged followers. They usually have connections to major positions in broadcasting channels,  consumers, and business unions. The fans often view influencers as idols and follow virtually everything they endorse. Influencers are frequently seen as power figures or specialists in their various specialties. [Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/entrepreneurs-guide-to-influencer-marketing-on-instagram-brand-ambassador) is spot on in their definition of what it takes to be an influencer. How are they so impactful? Owing to the convenience of online networking platforms, influencers [garner close connections with their fans](/blog/how-jordan-lintz-is-dominating-influencer-marketing-with-the-highkey-brand). Unlike mainstream stars, their lives aren’t hidden from the world. This is the thing that gives them influence over their crowd. Instead, influencers frequently share sneak peeks into their own lives with their followers. That way, their fan base views them more like friends, people they “know” more than far off fictional characters. Influencers become a part of people’s lives purely because they post [regular content](https://alejandrorioja.com/how-to-gain-followers-on-tiktok/) that people consume and engage with in real-time. These [social media big names](/blog/david-phan) need to have solid fan bases to effectuate their influence. They share their authentic opinions in the content they distribute. This encourages trust and loyalty from fans. Studies show that 70% of recent college grads admit to being shaped more by bloggers than traditional stars. Before you begin on your path to becoming an internet or [Instagram influencer](https://alejandrorioja.com/tips-to-get-more-instagram-followers/), you have to decide whether you have the character for it. Read on to find out what steps you’ll have to take to become an impactful influencer. Relevant: Read about the secret of success of one of the mega influencers [*here*](/blog/mega-instagram-influencer-reveals-her-secrets-to-building-an-instagram-empire) ## Where do you start? At this point, you ought to have an idea of what it takes to be an influencer, and whether you’re the ideal individual for it. The subsequent stage is to dive in and enlighten you on how to develop your web-based influencer image. Here’s a rundown of the steps you can take today to give yourself a headstart in becoming a social media personality: 1. Choose Your Niche 2. Social Media Platform 3. Develop Your Content Strategy 4. Spread the Word 5. Collaborate with Brands & Fellow Influencers 6. Engage Your Followers 7. Be Consistent 8. First Principles Thinking Approach Influencer marketing can assist you with developing your image, and doing it right is key. Here’s how to jump into the influencer world, step-by-step: ### 1. Choose your niche ![Network of connected people representing choosing a niche as a social media influencer](/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/people-network-human-resources-customer-relationship-management-crm-concept_31965-6629.jpg) If your goal is to be successful as an influencer, you need to cut off the jack (or jane) of all trades, master of none mentality. Pick a niche that aligns with your brand. As you select one, don’t go for what you think is the most popular. Choose something you’re interested in and will be able to create content unfailingly. Settling on a specific specialty will assist you with smoothing out your audience and tailor content that precisely suits their interests. You ought to have some degree of mastery in the field you choose to build yourself as an influencer in. Systems like HubSpot’s Buyer Persona Generation Tool assist in distinguishing the individual needs, difficulties, and objectives of your typical audience that you can help unravel and address. While you don’t need to pigeonhole yourself, it’s key that you pick a specific specialty and focus wholeheartedly on it. You can consolidate at least two of these specialties. Ensure the individual specialties line up with each other. For example, you can join travel and lifestyle or beauty and fashion. The choices to make are plenty, and here are some of the categories you could choose from: 1. Beauty 2. Entertainment 3. Fashion 4. Food 5. Gaming 6. Health & Fitness 7. Lifestyle 8. Sports 9. Tech 10. Travel The probability of people following a well-curated page with dazzling travel pictures is a lot higher than if the page was loaded up with random pictures of dogs, faces, beauty items, and mountains. When people visit your page, they need to immediately see what to expect if they follow you and feel sure that they will reliably get that content. ### 2. Social Media ![3D icons of popular social media platforms](/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/pile-3d-popular-social-media-logos_1379-881.jpg) With your preferred niche locked down, the next stage is choosing the ideal media platform to optimize your profile. Ideally, having at best two platforms is advised so that you can equally distribute your energy on the two channels. Some tips to help you [optimize your profiles](/blog/anshul-aggarwal): 1. **Change to a Business Profile**: Most social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have the option to create a business profile in the account settings. 2. **Make your Bio Intriguing:** First impressions matter in making you stand out to potential followers, and that’s why you should invest in an impressive bio. This is the first thing visitors encounter on your profile l, and as such, it should tell an engaging story about who you are and what you’re about. 3. **Choose a Stunning Cover Photo:** Your brand identity lies in how followers perceive you from the images you share of yourself. Make sure the picture is highly pixelated, and you look good in it! The target audience should guide your choice in the chosen platform. The idea is to put yourself out there so that followers who share interests with you can easily find and engage with you. Find out where they “hang out” and interact with them there. With LinkedIn, for example, the focus is more on career paths and scholarly content. Video graphics are available, but the audience there is more open to large texts in blog-type posts. If, for example, your expertise is in fashion and lifestyle, then you’ll be better geared towards Instagram to share your visual content. [Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2019/07/31/13-top-tips-for-choosing-the-right-social-media-platform-for-your-business/) touches more on the criteria needed for selecting the best platform. Chances are, most of the platforms you end up on will be congested with people with similar dreams as yours. So it’s key to plan your posting and publishing schedule. Different platforms have different algorithms that determine how often you should post to have the greatest impact. By tracking everything, you can attempt diversifying content types and approaches and see what your crowd reacts to. Realizing what works and what doesn’t helps ensure that everything that you post is a hit. ### 3. Develop a Content Strategy ![Social media icons on a keyboard representing content strategy development](/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/social-media-icon-keyboard_117856-950.jpg) People with digital content creation concept I can’t emphasize enough how important content strategy is in your success. The world and the internet do not need more mediocre content. As an influencer, the core of what you do is centered on creating and distributing quality posts that other people find valuable, not just you. Once your content pillars set up, it’ll be a lot simpler to create content as you can switch between your different sources. Figure out your best angle. How are you going to address the niche you’ve chosen and make yourself stand out from everyone else? For starters, keep your content relatable. While you may be tempted to thin out material to last you a while, remember that a bad strategy will make lose the audience you’re working on impressing. Let your voice and personality stand out in your content by striking a balance between informative and personal content. Your followers trust you because your content is grounded in authenticity and reliability. Prioritize holding conversations over trying to make sales. You have to stay at the top of your game to emerge through the clutter of other creators. The best way to achieve this is to create content worth paying for. [Cosmopolitan magazine](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/worklife/a21067113/how-to-make-money-on-instagram/) discusses how to make money as an influencer. The influencer lifestyle isn’t like having a job interview where one strong performance secures a contract. You’ll have to consistently perform and update your profile because you’re only as relevant as your previous post. Captions and hashtags are a great chance to start conversations and foster meaningful relations with your followers. Also, maximize your posts by ending your posts with a call-to-action, be it encouraging comments or sharing. Relevant: Learn how to create impactful content [*here*](https://alejandrorioja.com/pillar-content/) ### 4. Spread the Word ![Blogger presenting content to camera, representing spreading your message online](/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/brunette-blogger-showing-blackboard-camera_23-2148192227.jpg) Each post you share on your channels needs to give some form of significant worth, even if it’s just a little laugh. The worth that you give will rely upon your intended interest group and your image. So, as a picture taker, that’ll range from flaunting your work to presenting instructional exercises or taking followers behind the scenes of your most recent posts. Ask yourself what draws you to the communities you follow, and then see what you can learn from them. Find some kind of harmony between concentrating on the depth and breadth of your content. Breadth gets you large numbers of followers, while depth makes them trust you if you can show expertise in the field. With every post you make, make sure you follow up and interact with the comments and share your posts across all your media platforms. Another effective way to make your brand a household name is to ask your audience to talk to each other and share your posts. The more interactions you have, the more significant your reach, and the better you can get paid for brand collaborations. Don’t underestimate the power of emails. This helps you build a dedicated following that is truly “yours” and doesn’t rely on a platform you have no control over. Address issues your audience may be having over the emails and offer them solutions. Teach where you can and pique their interest to make them follow you on other media platforms. ### 5. Collaborate with Brands & Fellow Influencers ![Puzzle pieces coming together representing brand and influencer collaboration](/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/woman-hand-holding-jigsaw-puzzle-pieces-office_38810-7047.jpg) Influencers understand that it’s not what you know but who you know. Many established influencers collaborate with each other to create combined content, and this means you’ll have to sharpen your network skills. Two heads are better than one, and if you share a platform with another influencer, you can help boost your following! Find existing influencers in your industry and find opportunities where you can work together. Think about spending time with other influencers as a way to level yourself up. Ultimately you’ll have to tailor your own way, but once you comprehend what works (and what doesn’t), it’ll be easier. Make yourself available to be considered for every opportunity that comes up. Offer to help in conferences, reach out, and get your name out there. Maximizing tools like [BuzzSumo](https://alejandrorioja.com/buzzsumo-review/) helps you learn what keywords are trending and what topics are hot in your field. Something as simple as writing in your bio that you’re open to brand collabs will make your outreach larger. An indirect way is to tag brands and mention them when you post about their products. The goal here is to start a conversation and gradually build rapport. This takes time and can’t happen overnight, so you need to be persistent about it. ### 6. Engage With Your Followers ![Social media notification icons on a mobile phone representing follower engagement](/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/female-friend-pointing-man-using-social-media-network-notification-icons-mobile_23-2147844464.jpg) Your content should be audience-focused and set up in a way that allows your followers to interact with your posts. Most platforms have algorithms that will enable you to analyze your audience’s interests. Posting relatable content allows your followers to communicate with you and build your influence. After a post, camp in the comments section and interact with your followers and respond. You’re not above interacting; if people have taken time to engage with you, you should show gratitude by responding. Another way to engage with your followers is to ask them prompts that spark conversations about a topic of mutual interest. Interactions like these help build personal connections with your audience and solidify your position as an influencer. You could also host an AMA (ask me anything) session as a beginner on the platform of your choice. On top of keeping your followers engaged, it will also help establish your know-how in various topics in your niche. Giveaways are also a great way to encourage engagement. Rewarding your followers for their likes, reposts, and shares will increase the traffic on your platform. Your followers become loyal to you as a result of the personal and honest touch you add to your content. Bombarding them with sponsored content you don’t fully endorse, or who aren’t authentic can harm your reputation as an influencer and disengage your followers. ### 7. Be Consistent ![Dartboard with arrow in the center representing consistency and goal achievement](/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/top-view-dartboard-with-arrow-center_23-2148543339.jpg) Most social media platforms’ algorithms give preference to accounts that post regularly. Socials like Instagram need you to be active to increase your visibility. Depending on your platform, you can choose to post every day or week. Platforms like Twitter may require you to post several times a day to remain relevant and have a better impact. When brands are [searching for influencers to collaborate with](https://alejandrorioja.com/contact-bloggers/), they’ll be looking for someone who can encourage their followers to make a purchase. They’ll want someone to follow them back, not inactive accounts that’ll silently observe the promoted content. Focus on not only the number of posts but the quality you dish out. Always be genuine in the products you endorse because your followers will catch on if you’re inauthentic. Check the best posting times for your chosen platform and build an ideal posting schedule. Pick a time table and stick to it so that your followers know what to expect from you. To make sure that you don’t run out of content, plan by batching material. Set aside a few days weekly to go out and create content that’ll last you for a week or so. Write down what posts you want to make, the shots you want to capture, and any props you’ll need. ### 8. First Principles Thinking Approach ![Collection of light bulb sketches representing first-principles thinking](/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/top-view-light-bulb-draw-collection_23-2148534778.jpg) In an interview Elon Musk did once, he elaborated on the idea that there are two reasoning paths people use. Your best bet in a successful career as an influencer is to use the first principles thinking approach. It allows you to set yourself apart without being limited by last events and industry “trends.” This approach allows you to be a pioneer in fresh thinking in whatever your industry you’re in. Here, the status quo means nothing. The focus is on bringing your audience fresh content. Have confidence and establish yourself as an expert in your industry. Executed well, you’ll have your audience’s attention to listen to what you have to say. Don’t play it safe by going for lukewarm topics, but have a strong voice and opinion on things that matter to you. Be an independent thinker. If anything, having non-linear views will make people talk and soon, you’ll be the talk of the week. Not that you should go out of your way to be controversial,  but it’s okay for your ideas to deviate from the norm. ### 9. Invest In Your Brand ![Text reading "influencer" on a golden mesh board representing personal brand investment](/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/influencer-text-golden-colored-mesh-board_72402-1087.jpg) Credibility is essential and in setting you up for a great start, however, in the long run, you’ll need to become more polished as time goes on. It’s essential to guarantee that your content is linguistically right and that it carries the correct tone. You can achieve that by using the Articoolo style publication manager and grammar checker. Filming content on your iPhone and pasting together thumbnail images for an Instagram post only works while you’re a rookie. Once you’ve got a more substantial following, you’ll need to invest in more sophisticated machinery, camera ware, and editing tools. You could have the most fabulous ideas, but to reach greater heights, you’ll need to push out quality visuals. Your community will appreciate having high pixel content to engage with. Maintain a single theme on your platform to create an aesthetic look on your page. Purchase stunning themes to keep your profile sleek. Invest your time to keep up to date with trends within your industry. Know how often the platform you’re on updates their algorithms and any terms and conditions they have. ## Wrapping up! I’ll be upfront with you. The [influencer lifestyle](/blog) isn’t going to happen overnight. You’ll have to be willing to put in hours of hard work, consistency, and steadiness. Even after attaining the status, the pressure remains on to remain relevant. The foundation stage is the most troublesome and tedious, but after that, if you’ve established yourself well, it becomes a well-oiled machine. These are tried and tested master tips used by many aspiring influencers in your multiple areas. Follow these guidelines, and it’ll only be a matter of time before you see the wanted outcome! We’d love to hear what you think is the best tip in becoming an influencer! If you enjoyed these tips, then don’t leave just yet. We’ve got more articles on how to grow your social media influence below: - [Top 13 Tips To Get More Instagram Followers [2020]](https://alejandrorioja.com/tips-to-get-more-instagram-followers/) - [The Best Growth Hacking Stories You Need to Know For 2020](https://alejandrorioja.com/best-growth-hacking-stories/) - [Olyasha Novozhylova: inspiring women through her lifestyle blog](/blog/how-olyasha-novozhylova-turned-her-passion-into-a-fashion-and-lifestyle-blog-to-inspire-young-women-to-create-their-own-extraordinary-style) Share our post and comment below what other marketing tips you’d like us to share next! --- ## Cosmina Esanu: Lash Artist, Trainer, YouTuber and Podcast Host URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/cosmina-esanu Category: For Creators · Published: 2020-07-09 Summary: Cosmina Esanu is a lash artist, trainer, licensed esthetician, YouTuber and podcast host from Romania whose love for lashes began in childhood. ![Meet Cosmina Esanu: A Lash Artist, Trainer, Licensed Esthetician, YouTuber And Podcast Host Whose Love For Lashes Has Been Her Passion Since Childhood](/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/qqq-857x780-1.jpg) [Cosmina Esanu](https://www.instagram.com/lashextensionartist/) was born and raised in Romania, Europe. She is a lash artist, trainer, licensed esthetician, YouTuber and Podcast Host. Eyes are the window to the soul and Cosmina makes them look and feel much better thanks to the technique she uses in applying eyelash extensions. [Cosmina’s](https://www.instagram.com/lashextensionartist/) love for lashes is based on her passion for beauty products since she was a child. But when she grew older and migrated to the United States with her husband and only $500 in her pocket, she started her career as a make-up artist. > **“When I first started doing lashes, I realized that I can help someone get a natural look that lasts for weeks with eyelash extensions. Applying lash extensions for my customers and helping students all across the world learn this beautiful skill is really a dream come true.” Cosmina shares.** So she decided to become a Professional Lash Stylist and today she offers unforgettable experiences to other professional women, brides, models and artists. Even though Cosmina started with humble beginnings as an immigrant with little money, she was able to grow her influence through her ability to master the skill of lash extensions. Today, Cosmina runs a [lash salon](https://www.bostonlashing.com/1) in Boston, Massachusetts, which she has built from the ground up, all because of her passion and hard work. She breathes and bleeds eyelash extensions and helps other eyelash artists get started. > **“I am blessed to work with women who I can help feel safe with the power of eyelash extensions. I am also happy to share my knowledge with other students with this online eyelash extension course.” Cosmina says.** Cosmina has overcome great obstacles to get to where she is today. Not only does she run her salon in Boston, but she also provides online [training services](https://www.instagram.com/limitlashes/) through her webpage [Limitless Beauty Boss](https://limitlessbeautyboss.com/). But it was not easy, although she always kept in mind her motivations: to achieve financial freedom and have the ability to travel the world. > **“Being an immigrant in the U.S., and literally landing at the airport with my husband with $500 in our pockets was the biggest challenge.” Cosmina recounts. “The first few years of our life were quite intense. Being exposed to a new culture, a new language, a different economy were all obstacles I had to overcome. The biggest obstacle was mainly my mentality because I had to push myself to compete with myself and not with other people.”** This is why [Cosmina](https://www.instagram.com/lashextensionartist/) understands the importance of mindset. For her, a business can only grow as much as the owner’s potential. So, in her words, if the business owner does not have the right mindset, the business will never grow. > **“My advice for those trying to start their own business is to find someone that has achieved what you want to achieve.” Cosmina states. “If you have a budget, hire a mentor as fast as possible. But not any mentor, find someone that has achieved what you want to achieve, and hire that person to teach you. If you don’t have a budget, find someone that has achieved what you want to achieve and go work for them for free or find something valuable that you can offer to them in exchange for their time.”** With all her experience and potential in applying [eyelash extensions,](https://www.instagram.com/limitlashes/) Cosmina has set herself on a mission to help as many women as she can to have a rewarding career by becoming an eyelash extension artist. To do this, Cosmina has recently launched an online [course](https://www.fulltimelashartist.com/training37421546) and group mentorship program. > **“I work with students all across the world teaching them how to apply lashes and help them become full-time lash artists. Also, I recently relaunched my 2 Day Lash Extension Intensive, where students travel to Boston, MA, and learn from me directly how to apply lashes, and become certified lash artists.” Cosmina explains.** This capacity to be transparent and open is something that sets [Cosmina](https://www.instagram.com/lashextensionartist/) apart from her competition. She educates her customers about every step of the lash extension process. > **“When my customers choose me, they don’t get just a simple lash extension set, they get a full experience that helps them feel confident.” Cosmina says.** Cosmina is also always looking for ways to innovate with her business. Recently, she launched her podcast [Limitless Beauty Boss](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/limitless-beauty-boss/id1505254319?i=1000469912882), which has received high ratings, where she shares tips and tricks on how to start a business in the beauty industry. In addition, in her [YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtVupaG6fJVmGyC1Cc-cs3A) she publishes weekly videos on how to apply lash extensions and how to succeed as a lash artist. Find out more about Cosmina [here](https://www.instagram.com/lashextensionartist/). --- ## How Steven Ridzyowski’s Ecommerce Marketing Agency Sets the Tone URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-steven-ridzyowskis-ecommerce-marketing-agency-is-setting-the-tone-for-the-ecommerce-industry-in Category: For Brands · Published: 2020-07-06 Summary: Steven Ridzyowski is the self-taught American entrepreneur who founded Ecommerce Marketing Agency LLC and is a Forbes Business Councils member. ![How Steven Ridzyowski’s Ecommerce Marketing Agency is setting the tone for the Ecommerce industry in](/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IMG_6388-scaled.jpg) [Steven Ridzyowski](https://www.instagram.com/stevenridzyowski/) is an American Entrepreneur who founded [Ecommerce Marketing Agency LLC](https://ecommercemarketingagency.com/). Steven is self-taught in all aspects of his career and has worked very hard to get where he is now. He is a Forbes Business Councils Member and Yahoo Finance Top Entrepreneur to Follow During COVID-19. One of his biggest accomplishments is having a successful Ecommerce Marketing Agency with a one of a kind turnkey experience. Steven saw a gap in the industry and decided to use his skill sets and passion to make his dream come true.  Steven Ridzyowski views fear as not being able to provide for his family and having to go back to working 3 jobs. At one point while working 3 jobs [Steven](https://www.instagram.com/stevenridzyowski/) was still not able to comfortably live and was living paycheck to paycheck. Steven decided to start his own business his senior year of high school because he wanted to be in control of his own time, pay, and make decisions based on his own knowledge for his company. Every aspiring entrepreneur has their own definition of success, goals set for themselves, and each step planned out to get there. Success to [Steven Ridzyowski](https://www.instagram.com/stevenridzyowski/) is being able to provide for others whether it is his family, giving opportunity to new employees for his agency, and making sure everyone else is happy while putting his happiness as a priority too.  One of the biggest obstacles Steven has overcome as a business owner is being able to have an online business during COVID-19 when most businesses are struggling because they don’t have any online presence. [Steven](https://www.instagram.com/stevenridzyowski/) grew and expanded his business with technology as it grew and is currently working on Turnkey Ecom Stores.  [Steven Ridzyowski](https://www.instagram.com/stevenridzyowski/) and his team differentiate themselves from competition with 13+ years of experience. They specialize in many advertising platforms and custom product funnels to provide a true turnkey experience.  [Steven](https://www.instagram.com/stevenridzyowski/) was inspired to get into his niche because “Turnkey Ecom Stores” ‘is a new service they are offering that hasn’t been done and most people can not replicate and prove results with. Another service [Ecommerce Marketing Agency](https://ecommercemarketingagency.com/) offers that you can get started with today is Shopify. In this service their team of highly trained Media Buyers, Product Research Specialist, Graphic Designers and Consulting will provide you with everything you need in order to start a shopify store. This team will help you market it correctly with converting product funnels and their “Non-Guru” methods prove to be superior year after year. The team will manage everything start to finish throughout the life of your store and business.  It is with [Steven Ridzyowski’s](https://www.instagram.com/stevenridzyowski/) hard work and commitment to be proficient in every aspect of his business that made his success. His ability to see a gap in an industry and fill it is incredible, and his business [Ecommerce Marketing Agency](https://ecommercemarketingagency.com/) is proof of that. To follow along with Steven’s journey and future endeavors, click [here](https://ecommercemarketingagency.com/). --- ## Ryan Alford Is Creating New Solutions in the Marketing World URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/ryan-alford-is-creating-new-solutions-and-revolutionizing-the-marketing-world Category: For Brands · Published: 2020-07-01 Summary: Ryan Alford is the founder and CEO of Radical Ad Agency, a full-service digital agency and one of the fastest-growing ad agencies in the Southeast. ![Ryan Alford Is Creating New Solutions And Revolutionizing The Marketing World](/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Screen-Shot-2020-07-01-at-3.47.39-PM-e1593633514313.png) [Ryan Alford](https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford/) is the founder and CEO of [Radical Ad Agency](https://ryanalford.com/), a full-service digital agency that is one of the fastest-growing advertising agencies in the Southeast. With over two decades in the ad business, he is one of the most experienced voices in digital marketing. Ryan has over two decades in the ad agency business and is one of the most experienced voices in digital marketing and social media. Ryan saw that client needs and technology were rapidly changing so he set out to fill the gap with Radical. > “**There are countless small agencies that have no experience in the real world of branding and sell themselves as digital experts to small and medium-sized businesses only to churn clients quickly because they do not service the account properly and cannot provide consistent results or solutions to marketing challenges. At the other end of the spectrum, you have large agencies that cost too much and are stuck in internal bureaucracy, put too much emphasis on process and procedure, while focusing primarily on selling retention models that are as old-fashioned as the titles everyone still clings to.**” Ryan shares. These reasons motivated him to start his digital agency Radical. He knew that the industry needed a fresh perspective that tackled the core gaps that businesses have, namely content creation at scale and innovative strategy that didn’t break the bank. Ryan had just the right ideas and experience to build an agency around this. > “**I started Radical because I knew there was a new agency model needed. An agency model with speed and efficiency at its core combined with real brand experience and innovative thinking. This is the model that businesses both large and small need today. Radical is built to meet the challenges that companies face in an omnichannel environment. Leveraging in-house content production with best in class web development resources and a no-rules creative think tank we are the agency for the new normal.**” Ryan explains. [Ryan](https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford/) is also the co-founder of GVL Hustle, which was founded in 2017 by him and Tyler Harris as a way for two of Greenville South Carolina’s most influential entrepreneurs to offer their contribution to their locality through frequent networking events and other initiatives. Now a successful entrepreneur, Ryan recommends for anyone to start their own business that they have patience no matter what and to know that creating a business takes time. > “**My biggest piece of advice for anyone starting a business is to understand that it takes time to build a sustainable business. Most start-ups fail because of a lack of patience. Even when the business concept is right and you have early success it takes patience to scale properly. There can be a rush to expand too quickly and with that comes more issues. You can start hiring the wrong talent. You can get overextended on cash flow. You don’t service your clients properly and take care of the customers that got you started.**” ***Ryan advises.*** Aside from continuing to grow his Radical Agency, Ryan is also focused on expanding his podcast, which is his way of sharing his insight with others as much as he can. Ryan believes that his techniques and skills could drastically help others who are interested in similar industries. > “**I am focused on expanding our company’s podcast, RADCast, as a means to share our marketing knowledge and provide value through guests who share their unique perspectives and strategies. I am also continuing to build my personal brand to facilitate more business opportunities for Radical and to create more speaking opportunities.” *Ryan says.*** To find out more about Ryan and his various businesses, you can follow him on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford/) or check out his [website](https://ryanalford.com/). --- ## Alex Shue Launches One of 2020’s Fastest-Growing Marketing Firms URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/alex-shue Category: For Brands · Published: 2020-06-20 Summary: Alex Shue is a 20-year-old marketing expert whose company Icon Social Marketing has helped hundreds build their online presence on Instagram and more. ![Alex Shue Launches One of the Fastest Growing Social Media Marketing Companies of 2020](/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DSC03341-8-copy.jpg) [Alex Shue​](https://www.instagram.com/alexshue/) is one of the most outstanding entrepreneurs in the online space. He is accompanied by his company Icon Social Marketing which has helped 100’s build their online presence through platforms like Instagram and more. Alex is a 20 year old marketing expert that has built an agency with an incredible reach and reputation in the marketplace as a leader in the field. With little to no startup capital or experience Alex has used the power of social media to build his company and help businesses across the globe. Today Alex resides in Scottsdale, Arizona where he currently runs ​[Icon Social Marketing](https://iconsocialmarketing.wpcomstaging.com/)​. He leads a team of over 150+ affiliates that work everyday collectively as a team to sell and find solutions for businesses in need of their solutions. He has an incredible online presence, including over 100,000 followers on Instagram. He has leveraged the investment he has made into his personal brand to build his business and recruit new affiliates over the past two years. Alex started out in Entrepreneurship two years ago, at that time he was a college student working a side job locally. During that time Alex began thinking about joining the online space, he’d seen people making leaps in the field and building an empire. Alex made a decision during that time to drop out of college and quit his job to go all in on his dream of becoming an entrepreneur and learning about the online space. Throughout the next two years Alex learned the ins and outs of the industry and started to build his reputation in the market. As things started to move forward for Alex he decided to leave the company he’d partnered with and started Icon Social Marketing. Alex’s edge in the market that has allowed him to grow rapidly is his value of building relationships with his customers. Through building his own brand online, he has built the empire he now has. He is known across the industry as one of the pioneers or leaders in the space and is renowned for the results he has been able to help his clients achieve. With such an amazing transformation in a short period of time, what is stopping you from joining the movement. Alex​ has opportunities for just about anyone, whether you’re looking to grow your online brand, sell services with Icon Social as an affiliate, or receive mentorship from Alex to conquer your limiting beliefs and reach your full potential. If you’re looking to learn more about anyone of these opportunities or check out more of Alex’s story click ​[here](https://www.instagram.com/alexshue/). --- ## How Willy Moeller Made Millions From Social Media URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-willy-moeller-made-millions-from-social-media Category: For Creators · Published: 2020-06-19 Summary: Willy Moeller moved from Quito, Ecuador to Miami and used social media to go from making a couple thousand dollars to a couple million. ![How Willy Moeller Made Millions From Social Media](/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/image8-1.jpeg) [Willy Moeller](https://www.instagram.com/wmoeller85/) is originally from Quito, Ecuador and now lives the life of luxury in Miami. He was able to transform his life from making a couple thousand dollars to a couple million dollars by using the power of social media to enhance his presence. He has made a business out of helping others do the same. > **“I was born in Quito, Ecuador. I am 34 years old and moved to Miami 20 years ago! For over 10 years, I have been a traditional business owner who completely merged into the online business world about 3 years ago! Now, I run multiple multi million dollar online businesses.”** Recounts Willy. For Willy, the internet has been crucial to magnifying his success and financial freedom, particularly the tools associated with social media. In particular, Willy has used Instagram to help grow his brand. He now has over half a million followers and an incredible brand, which helps him expand his presence in the business world. > **“I focused a lot on building a personal brand, and growing my social presence, which now I leverage it to build relationships with all the major entrepreneurs!”** Exclaims Willy. His talents of making money online by moving his traditional business format into the virtual world has allowed Willy to make millions of dollars from anywhere in the world, including on vacation. His income went from a couple thousand dollars to millions of dollars by embracing the digital world. Now, Willy makes money while he sleeps, from the comfort of his own home, or while traveling. > **“I went from making 4 to 5 thousand a month to well over 6 figures a month in profit in less than a year! I have grown to over half a million followers on Instagram, and have leveraged it to connect and do business with all the top entrepreneurs. I have also traveled to over 80 countries while making money from my phone, and I am now helping others do the same!”** Explains Willy. Since achieving so much success, Willy has been helping others do the same. He created his own business to help others expand their presence on Instagram, create their own amazon storefronts to make money even while they sleep, and is generally offering advice on how to use digital formats to become more successful than anyone imagined. > **“We work with the absolute best in the industry, which allows us to guarantee the results our clients need. My website has on its homepage ‘Maximize your full potential. Welcome to the digital world.’ That is what we intend to do: maximize any person or business’ potential by enhancing their presence. Your Instagram account shows the world who you are, so you should start treating it like a business.”** Says Willy. Willy’s business, though now incredibly successful, did not start off that way. He had to change some major things about the way he was going about life and thinking about things in order to make the massive shift to the digital world. This mostly came in the form of a mindset change, which was needed to think outside the box and embrace this new style of conducting business. > **“I needed a change of mindset and adjustment to the changes from the traditional business world into the digital!”** States Willy. Willy hopes to continue to embrace the best digital formats to create the best resources for himself and for others who want to use digital technology to help expand their business. Willy’s service is crucial now more than ever in the times of coronavirus when digital presence is the only way that customers can interact with businesses due to lockdowns and limitations on physical presence. To learn more about how to launch your business into the future with digital, check out Willy’s website here: www.willymoeller.com/. You can also follow Willy on Instagram [@wmoeller85](https://www.instagram.com/wmoeller85/). --- ## David Phan on What Made Him a Successful Digital Marketer URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/david-phan Category: For Creators · Published: 2020-05-19 Summary: David Phan started his own digital marketing company, Phaners, to help people and businesses make more money by leveraging social media. ![Social Media Master David Phan Shares What Made Him A Successful Digital Media Marketer](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/aa9c9e6e-e7b0-40d3-9eb4-23d26dc8c31a.jpg) Nowadays, everything revolves around social media. It is the center of every business, every celebrity, and the way that most people interact. The best way to grab people’s attention is to reach them via social media where people spend much of their down time. [David Phan](https://www.instagram.com/davidphnn/?igshid=1i8s76oke2mww) started his own digital marketing company to help people and businesses make more money by leveraging social media. > **“I started off just helping friends increase their social media presence. It quickly became an obsession for me, and I wanted to do more and more. I was helping everyone out and helping people build their brands online. When the demand became too much, I founded my company Phaners.”** Recounts David. When David was considering career options, he knew that he wanted to do something with social media. He began self-teaching himself the skills he needed to become successful in the digital marketing world as well as learn more about business. He did so by leveraging technology and using youtube to teach himself these skills. > **“By 23, I was fairly good at digital marketing. I combined my expertise with all that I had learned by watching youtube videos and reading books. I had had a lot of experience working with friends to craft their social media, so it was only a matter of combining these skills to create my company.”** Explains David. David decided to get involved in a competitive industry. There are numerous other digital marketing and public relations firms that help businesses become more successful, so David knew he had to do something different to make himself stand out in the crowd. He relied on his simple approach to social media, which makes his clients stand out from the crowd. His strategy centered around the technology that he could use to help expand people’s brands by making them show up in more search results online by expanding their overall presence. > **“The secret to my success is quite simple: I try to understand the client’s goals and work with them to craft their brand. I am less focused on rigidity when it comes to creating solutions for my clients.”** States David. Since beginning his company, David has amassed huge numbers of clients and has retained 96% of his clients. At a young age, David is already making millions of dollars by working with his clients and increasing his business. His company is one of Toronto’s fastest growing digital marketing companies. > **“My services include search engine marketing (SEM), search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, data-driven marketing, influencer marketing, campaign marketing, email marketing, social media marketing, e-commerce marketing, and social media optimization among others. My company has made over 400% in revenue!”** David exclaims. For anyone who is hoping to start their own business, David recommends a few things to get you on the right track. He recommends that everyone should have a strong presence on social media, to stay ahead of the competition, and to always go above and beyond for the business and the customers. He has been incredibly successful because he has followed these basic principles, but anyone can follow them to achieve their own financial goals. > **“Don’t leave any money on the table from clients that are ready to pay but didn’t, simply because they have never heard of you.” You need to  get enough exposure and create a strong presence online in order to create increasing brand awareness.My digital marketing strategy covers a wide array of marketing strategies such as social media marketing, content marketing, and SEO, all of which can help boost your company’s revenue.”** Advises David. To learn more about David and his marketing skills, you can check him out on Instagram [@davidphnn](https://www.instagram.com/davidphnn/?igshid=1i8s76oke2mww). You can also connect with him on his website [phaners.com](https://www.phaners.com/) where you can learn more about his amazing public relations and social media skills. --- ## Ben Deveran Shares How to Take Over the Marketing World URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/ben-deveran-on-taking-over-the-marketing-world Category: For Brands · Published: 2020-05-04 Summary: Ben Deveran has impacted businesses worldwide in under 18 months. At Next Wave Marketing, he helps people build online credibility and social proof. ![Entrepreneur Ben Deveran Shares How to Take Over The Marketing World](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Screen-Shot-2020-04-02-at-2.png.cf_.jpg) [Ben Deveran](https://pr.report/h64nbFOz) is the definition of an entrepreneur. In less than 18 months, Ben has impacted businesses and individuals across the globe in terms of their Digital Marketing presence. At Next Wave Marketing, their main focus is to help people with their online branding by establishing online credibility and social proof. Furthermore Ben stated, “Many people know they need to invest into their brand for themselves but don’t know a place to go to get everything they need done.” Ben and Next Waves track record speaks for itself, collectively they’ve worked with some of the most respected business leaders in the US, as well as on an international level with very large corporations. When he first started, Ben knew that there was a huge market for the services he wanted to provide. He saw how others were finding incredible success in the online space. Knowing it wouldn’t be easy, he took a full dive into the industry at the start of 2019. Ben went on to say “In the beginning it wasn’t easy, not even in the slightest. I struggled immensely to get a footing online. It takes awhile to build trust, especially at that time because I had so many things to work on.” To cap off the rest of 2019, Ben quickly figured out what strategies worked and how to build a footing online. The greatest thing about it Ben stated is, “Everything we found to work we did a 180 with and added it to our services for our clients. The same way we’ve been able to grow our business is the same way we help others grow theirs.” One of the most important things for Ben was to seek out knowledge and mentorship. Mentorship was by far the most valuable thing for him during this journey. Ben explained, “The only investment people need to make is in a quality mentor who helps steer them in the right direction and scale their business.” There’s so much beauty in mentorship, it’s a guide to help you get ahead quicker and not make the same mistakes others made on the same path as yourself. Leading into the sixth business quarter of Next Wave Marketing, Ben and his team have been working hard to remodel their service offerings so that they can stay ahead of the everlasting changes in their industry. “This is an absolute necessity for us, currently we have so much demand for our services in the marketplace. We’re working endlessly to put our service offerings into more streamlined monthly deliverables so that we can help our clients as best as we can. We have a lot of exciting new offerings we’re perfecting as well including personal name SEO, and business reputation management so consumers are less hesitant to make decisions when researching online.” Ben is always focused on the value he brings to his customers. Ben went on to say “We’re months ahead of anyone else in our industry, most agencies have outdated service offerings and even worse; nothing that is streamlined and efficient. In order to be a great agency, you need to stay ahead of the curve, not just for your own bottomline but to make sure your clients are getting the results they desire.” If you’re interested in learning more about Next Wave Marketing or following [Ben](https://pr.report/hyW3Z5Kf) Journey, click [here](https://pr.report/DimnHBpX). --- ## Jordan Lintz Is Dominating Influencer Marketing With HighKey URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-jordan-lintz-is-dominating-influencer-marketing-with-the-highkey-brand Category: For Brands · Published: 2020-04-06 Summary: Jordan Lintz runs the HighKey brand with his brother Luke. Branding is central to their e-commerce, agency, and influencer management companies. ![How Jordan Lintz Is Dominating Influencer Marketing With the HighKey Brand](/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Screen-Shot-2020-04-06-at-4.56.24-PM.png) The HighKey brand is run by Jordan Lintz and his brother Luke Lintz. For them, branding is the most important part of their work. That is why all of their companies are branded under the name “HighKey.” With their e-commerce company HighKey Technology, the Lintz Brothers have accomplished seven figures! HighKey Agency was formed 2 years into the journey. Now Jordan has achieved six figures within one month for his influencer management company HighKey Clout Inc. ON social media, HighKey maintains an engaged social media following with millions of impressions and interactions. The Lintz Brothers control an umbrella with three businesses. [HighKey Technology Inc.](https://www.instagram.com/highkeyco/?hl=en) is an e-commerce company that sells high quality waterproof wireless earbuds to consumers at an affordable price. [HighKey Agency Inc.](https://www.instagram.com/highkeyagency/) is a full-service social media branding company that focuses on developing their client’s brands through stellar social media content, management, and PR. [HighKey Clout Inc.](https://www.instagram.com/highkeyclout/) is an influencer management company that achieves Instagram growth for its clients through celebrity influencer giveaways. Just recently, they achieved $100k in sales in just one week of late December by selling the HighKey Clout giveaway campaign featuring rapper and influencer, Bhad Bhabie. The life story of Jordan Lintz is crucial to understand the HighKey brand. During his third year of university, Jordan dropped out to further develop his e-commerce company. He had always loved the idea of branding and advertising. This is why he chose to get into a line of work that allowed him to follow his passions in addition to networking with large influencers and high net worth individuals. He was very motivated by the idea of creating an online presence and growing his brand. He has now surpassed 1M combined followers on Instagram between all his company brands and personal account. Jordan has always valued mindset, patience, and not listening to anyone else’s opinion. For him, there is no competition because he is a strong believer in himself, and compares himself to no one. > **“Patience is the most important thing! Don’t quit at something you know is right. Give your business time to grow into everything you believe it can be. You have to be dedicated and have faith in what you are doing will work. When you believe and conceive… You will achieve it” Jordan says.** In addition, Jordan does not see obstacles as challenges, but simply as stepping stones to the next accomplishment. His secret to having built his empire is patience and taking advantage of every opportunity. > **“I did not even start paying myself with our revenue until year two.” Jordan shares.** He believed that he needed to invest his time for it to pay off in the future. Now, thanks to his patience, the HighKey companies have multiple streams of income. HighKey is known for selling futuristic technology (Wireless Earbuds) and great social branding for clients including content, PR, and Instagram growth via celebrity influencer giveaways. The HighKey brand has made a name for itself with a huge following of customers, and celebrities that value what the brand is doing. In 2020, the HighKey companies are ready to create more content, do more PR, and engage in more networking with large influencers and high net worth individuals. Get to know more about Jordan Lintz and the HighKey brand [here](https://www.instagram.com/jordanlintz/?hl=en). --- ## Luke Lintz, the 16-Year-Old Entrepreneur Taking Over Social Media URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/how-the-16-years-old-entrepreneur-luke-lintz-is-taking-over-social-media Category: For Brands · Published: 2020-04-06 Summary: Luke Lintz started e-commerce company HighKey Technology at 16, so young he was not even legally allowed to sign the ownership papers. ![How The 16-Years Old Entrepreneur Luke Lintz Is Taking Over Social Media](/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Screen-Shot-2020-04-06-at-5.02.42-PM.png) Growing up in the age of social media and in a completely digital world, Luke Lintz always found it very easy to communicate ideas and use social media to drive results in multiple industries. This motivated him to have his own e-commerce business early when he was just 16, so young that he was not even legally allowed to sign the ownership papers of the cooperation. Luke started HighKey Technology Inc., a futuristic technology company, along with his brother Jordan Lintz. They wanted to transform the name HighKey into a sustainable business, even though many doubted their efforts. Today, Luke is co-owner of HighKey Holdings Inc., a company that owns large equity positions in HighKey Technology, HighKey Agency, and HighKey Clout. They are all within the same industry, which the brothers define as social media real estate. They buy, sell, hold, and flip online real estate on a daily basis amongst all of their companies. > **“My motivation over the years has grown and my purpose and view of life has completely changed.” Luke shares. “I am now focused on fulfilling my purpose of becoming a world leader with massive global influence.”** They Lintz Brothers care about creating the best products and services that they are capable of. For them, competition does not exist. Instead, what he cares about is what he has seen as a major barrier to entry in the digital marketing space, the fact that the average business has no idea how to capitalize their services on social media. HighKey is also known for their very unique marketing strategy on social media that incorporates comedic videos and influencers. From their unique content, they have received a tremendous amount of hate across social media. > **“To make an impact on a community you have to inflict some emotion, and that is exactly what we do with our social media content.” Luke says.** For Luke, branding is the number one most important thing in the world. He also believes that a personal brand is the most influential and underestimated technique in business. > **“You are able to create relationships with thousands and thousands of people and then refer them over to your business, which replicates the best marketing imagenable… Word of mouth. With companies like Amazon, you will be forced into the commodity market if you do not establish a brand,” Jordan stresses.** HighKey Agency Inc. has a very unique selling process that is based completely on referrals and word of mouth. Luke and his brother are able to do this because of the amazing service that they provide to their clients. They focus on building a personal relationship with the clients, which ultimately is what closes deals. Moreover, Luke wants those who are looking to have their own business to understand that business is not a 60 metre track and field sprint, but is instead a full 26.2 mile marathon, that ultimately comes down to consistency. > **“Consistently getting out of bed and crushing a 10 hour day of work. Consistently saying ‘no’ to going out with your friends. Consistently motivating yourself and improving,” Jordan advises.** In addition, to successfully launch a business having the right mindset, extreme pain resistance, an unbelievable work ethic, and immense motivation is necessary. This has been the key to success for Luke and his brother. Having started at just 16, Luke can now look ahead and know that he will continue to dominate the business industry with creativity and passion. To follow him on Instagram, go [here](https://www.instagram.com/lukelintz/?hl=en). --- ## A New Language Learning Method With Millions of Followers URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/pioneering-a-new-method-of-language-learning-comes-with-thousands-of-success-stories-millions-of-followers Category: For Brands · Published: 2020-04-01 Summary: Kale Anders picked up Spanish in three months in Mexico, then built an English language learning empire teaching Spanish speakers his own method. ![Pioneering A New Method of Language Learning Comes with Thousands of Success Stories & Millions of Followers](/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/POST-4-1.jpg) Learning a new language can be so much fun especially if you do it on your own. Many people find themselves in a state of confusion when they move to new places with different language speakers. Even so, that’s not always the case. Some adapt and pick up a new language easier than others. It all depends on why you are interested in the language and how you learn it. The most important thing is that anyone can learn any language. Kale Anders, an English Language learning empire owner learned Spanish in the most unorthodox way and set out to teach Spanish speakers English using his same methods. After picking up Spanish in three months while studying in Mexico, Kale discovered that everyone around him there had interest in learning English. That’s when he started sharing his secrets of language learning that he himself had applied. Unlike how traditional schools have taught language over the years, Kale’s way is not based on grammar rules, but rather on more practical methods that emulate how we learn our first language as children. Where Traditional Learning Institutions Go Wrong As mentioned earlier, the learning process matters. How and why you learn a new language has a direct impact on the time it will take to be fluent. Traditional institutions ignore the scientific facts of how the learning process should take place. On your first day in a language class, the teacher goes ahead to teach you grammar rules and vocabulary. While one can learn these things at one point to improve one’s spoken and written language, there are other things that are more important to consider before. According to Anders, a student has to feel inner joy and satisfaction consuming the language to successfully learn it to the point of fluency. External motivations like money or social status are merely a small piece, he claims. Creating genuine joy in the consumption of the language is the key to reduce the time one takes for the whole process. Consequently, every language teacher should start by focusing on this for the students before getting to the ins and outs of the language teaching. Kale learned Spanish so fast after falling in love with the Latin American people and their culture. He did not have to learn it but he did anyway. Traditional institutions fail to motivate their learners. That way, acquiring a new language feels like a burden or an obstacle to one’s goals. English, The Language of the Internet After becoming obsessed with the science of language learning, particularly studies from famed American linguist Stephen Krashen, Kale set up an English online academy for the Spanish speakers. At the time, e-learning was at its peak and it worked well for him. He shared lessons and advice on his social media accounts and everything just took off. It took off for a couple of reasons. One of them is that many Latin Americans wish to move to the US in the future. Unfortunately, a very small percentage of people in the United States speak Spanish. Consequently, they have to learn English to have a chance of employment and to prosper socially. Another reason is that English is considered the language of the internet. Ecommerce has become a very crucial part of the world economy today. The internet is employing more people today than ever and the Spanish speaking population is no exception. Many people in Latin America wish to set up online businesses but the language barrier is a problem. They have to learn English to take advantage of the huge online market. Kale brought Latin Americans a new and better way of learning the one language that stands between them and their dreams. The result has been thousands of success stories from people who would have never learned their most coveted language. The New Method Kale encourages learning English through interaction with native speakers. To make that happen, he gets his students to make native speaking friends on social media and join groups with whom they share interests. After that, they exchange messages everyday in native English making it a habit to use the language. Their interests in the same thing create the motivation every learner needs to push on with the language lessons. Having something to talk about removes the fact that it is a lesson in the first place. The language learning pioneer insists on the importance of comprehensible input in English learning. This type of learning means that you learn like a baby does, naturally and subconsciously by consuming comprehensible English. It involves learning from listening or reading, hence the word input. Comprehensible input allows you to learn a language without thinking about the grammar rules. Instead, you acquire a language by regularly consuming phrases that all contain grammar, similarly to how children learn their first language. In conclusion, Kale Anders is the best at what he does. By going against the grain in the industry, he is creating a lasting impact on the world around him. --- ## Meet One of Instagram’s Most Stylish Men; Patrick Van Negri URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/meet-one-of-instagrams-most-stylish-men-patrick-van-negri Category: Guides · Published: 2020-02-10 Summary: Patrick Van Negri is a young Instagrammer and rising youth style icon whose Italian roots and border-town upbringing shaped his sense of fashion. ![Meet One of Instagram’s Most Stylish Men; Patrick Van Negri](/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/85131306_213688906436046_3834017034832707584_n-e1581391761798.jpg) When it comes to style and fashion, Patrick Van Negri knows how to deliver it with conviction. This young Instagrammer is getting increasingly popular as a youth style icon. The style started to come to him naturally when he was still too young. He lived near the borders to Italy which helped him increase his exposure to the major style brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Givenchy, and Versace that were not present in his small hometown.. His family would go out shopping in Italy every weekend, and that is where style started influencing him as a youngster. Dressing up nice was an essential aspect of his upbringing and the environment he belonged to, and his Italian roots helped him to learn it in the best way. It is because of this incredible style sense that Patrick is now a part of major brands that added to his credentials and incredibility. His style statement and fashion sense have been the reason why he is now a sought after part of the fashion fraternity. He is currently a GQ insider and gets exclusive invites from all major fashion weeks and runway fashion events.  ## Impact of Style in Patrick’s life Patrick knows and understands the importance of making the first impression, and the first impression is a crucial determinant of whether you will land an opportunity or not. As such, being at the best of your appearances is a must, maintains Patrick. You would be surprised to know that you ended up getting an opportunity that was never there just because you were looking great that day or had an inviting and attractive attitude, which just adds to your style. Though it sounds too superficial and shallow dressing up and how you look does matter, and Patrick was aware of it from a very young age. He recalls being well dressed and looking his best even when he went out to throw garbage. Appearances do matter; that’s because if you look great, it showcases a lot about you and your personality even if you don’t utter a single word. And according to Patrick, that is going to be a solid foundation for you to move ahead and progress. For Patrick, he recalls had changed his life completely. From posting his outfit photos just for fun to making a living out of it as a full-time job, Patrick’s style sense has helped him become what he is today. For him, it is even better as he is doing what he is passionate about. He loves showcasing style and helps people with visual guides on how to dress up and look good. And, day in and day out through his posts and work, that is precisely what he is doing. He tries to put in all his efforts to create a thoughtful version of elegance and style, and that makes him stand out from the rest of the lot. He is, however, careful not to overdo what he does as his main aim is to create long-lasting value and not become an attention seeker. He does not believe in flaunting too much and lets his work do the talking. ## Patrick Van Negri – An Inspiration, a Style Guide From posting photos about what he wears and his outfits on Instagram to collaborating with big style and fashion brands, Patrick has come a long way. Patrick is creating his mark in the market through blogs on his website and building an authentic brand. He has a Fall Fashion article to his credit that provides for a comprehensive guide about fabrics, pieces, and how everything put together could work, and that is just the beginning. With every Instagram post, he makes he ensures he is checking the comments section and follows up and answers queries personally as far as he can. Through Patrick’s work, he is trying his best to inspire and educate his followers to appear and look the best without having to waste too much time or putting too much effort. He is an absolute inspiration for anyone who wants to embrace style for good.  For this man, being in style is like breathing air. It is that easy for him, and he makes it feel like a breeze for his clients and followers with his work too. The way he has transformed and changed many of his follower’s outlooks on fashion and style is fantastic. Through his daily content, his blogs, and all the work that he continues to do, Patrick Van Negri continues to touch, change, and transform lives in a significant way. --- ## Mega Instagram Influencer Reveals Her Instagram Empire Secrets URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/mega-instagram-influencer-reveals-her-secrets-to-building-an-instagram-empire Category: For Brands · Published: 2020-01-20 Summary: Mega Instagram influencer Laci Kay Somers shares her insights on succeeding with Instagram as the platform and its algorithm keep changing. ![Mega Instagram Influencer Reveals Her Secrets To Building An Instagram Empire](/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/laci-thrive-in.jpg) With Instagram changing its platform and algorithm, it has never been more important to rethink your content strategy as an influencer, entrepreneur- especially if the platform is part of your overall brand strategy to get known and drive traffic to your product/service. It’s time to understand the changes and how one can succeed with Instagram. We had a quick chat with mega influencer [Laci Kay Somers](http://www.instagram.com/lacikaysomers) who provides her insights into her success on social media and off the platform. **Give us some context into who you are, what you do, and how did you an Instagram Influencer?** My name is [Laci Kay Somers,](http://www.youtube.com/lacikaysomers) I’m an actress, model, and recording artist from San Francisco, California. I’ve successfully built a brand on social media with over 11 million followers and subscribers, and continue to build my fan base with extensive social media knowledge. I’ve invested heavily in real estate and cryptocurrency, and that has allowed me to travel the world and build several other income streams. Today, I spend most of my time in LA creating new music and networking with other successful entrepreneurs, and icons in music. I became an influencer by creating unique quality content when Instagram first started, and I viewed my Instagram as a “business” and not just a photo and video sharing app. I’m always changing up my content, strategies and making sure I’m adapting to the changes of Instagram. ![Laci Kay Somers, Instagram mega influencer and actress](/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/laci-red-1-1200.webp) [Credit: Laci Kay Somers](http://www.instagram.com/lacikaysomers) **What are your top 3 tips you used to grow your Instagram that could benefit others?** My top 3 tips for growing your Instagram following and influence include; 1. Creating valuable eye-catching content at all times 2. Innovating and doing something different than everyone else 3. Investing and reinvesting capital into content creation, advertising, and social media campaigns for explosive growth **You have many brands trying to promote their products and services, could you provide insights on how brands can increase their chances of working with top influencers like yourself?** The key for brands is to provide quality products for influencers to promote and ASK influencers what they charge for advertising. My biggest pet peeve is when brands contact me and tell me what they want to pay me for advertising and make it seem like I NEED them or want to post them on my page. I would advise brands to open up communication with influencers by asking them if they would be interested in promoting their brand and then asking that influencer what they charge for advertising. I’ve put a lot of money into blowing up my brand and I have a lot of engagement, therefore, I’d like the respect and acknowledgment of what I’ve done and then how we can work together. **Have you ever turned down a brand deal even though they paid a lot of money? If so, what was your reason for doing so?** YES, I’ve done this numerous times. There’s a really popular brand on social media that a lot of influencers are currently promoting, and I chose not to work with them because I didn’t want to align myself with a brand that included other individuals with bad reputations. I’m a firm believer in doing business with brands that align with your values and I didn’t want to be associated with questionable individuals. I also didn’t agree with the amount they wanted to pay me given my social reach, and I didn’t want to promote a product to my fan base for a check I didn’t need. I love working with brands but it has to be a mutually beneficial relationship that is more than just money. I like full creative control when it comes to posting as I know my audience, page and most importantly know how to execute better than anyone else. **Being a musical artist, how have you been able to leverage Instagram to drive awareness to your music or other projects you are currently working on?** My Instagram generates millions of page views every week, and I’ve used it to drive millions of listeners to my Spotify and iTunes accounts, as well as my YouTube channel. I’m constantly figuring out ways to extend my reach and show people that I’m more than just a model. I’m a recording artist who has a passion for creative music and a unique sound. --- ## Ali Jamal Awad: From Law Firm Employee to Social Media Mogul URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/ali-jamal-awad-turn-opportunity-into-becoming-a-social-media-mogul Category: For Brands · Published: 2020-01-04 Summary: Ali Jamal Awad left a $40k-a-year law firm job with $200k of debt and started his own business, giving free legal advice on social media. ![Ali Jamal Awad – Turn Opportunity Into Becoming A Social Media Mogul](/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/81266102_473651380236305_637543205956485120_n.png) Ali Jamal Awad is the personification of changing your career in the direction you want! He started his career as an employee at a law firm for $40k a year. Unfortunately, his boss refused to pay the bonuses he deserved. Enough was enough! With a debt of $200k, this was not the future he studied so hard for. Just one day after quitting his job he started his own business. Ali Jamal Awad started out giving free legal advice on social media. Quickly he had many people turning to him for legal advice. His name spread fast around social media. And before he knew he was driving all around the state giving legal advice. In turn, this generated a lot of cases for him to handle.  Only 2 months after he registered his firm, he already had to hire his first employee to do the paperwork. After just over a year his company already generated his first million-dollar. Now he has a whole team of employees to keep up with all the business that he is generating. As a modern social media business all his employees work with a laptop and a business phone from home or wherever they want, to keep the cost low and the efficiency high. Ali Jamal Awad already launched a new company called “CEO Media”. Many doctors, lawyers, and other professionals saw how Ali Jamal Awad build his niche though social media. Now he helps professionals at the top of their fields to build their niche through social media. Coming from a family in the poor part of Dubai Ali Jamal Awad is grateful he had the American nationality, which gave him the opportunity he needed to build his business. **Which tips does Ali Jamal Awad has for us when building a brand through social media?** - Take advice from the right people. If you want to become an entrepreneur through social media, find a mentor who already did what you aim to achieve. - Using social media is not a substitute for hard work. When building your business on social media you have to work hard every day to achieve your goals. **What can we learn from Ali Jamal Awad to become successful?** - Be grateful for the opportunities you get in life. don’t let your opportunities go to waste. - Surround yourself with the right people. This includes employees with the right mindset, who want to learn new skills and become better every day. Avoid people with a bad mindset, even if they have the skills. Working hard and with passion is more important than talent. **Which things should you avoid according to Ali Jamal Awad?** - Don’t let your ego be in the way. Don’t pretend you know it all, because you don’t. Be open and eager to learn and improve yourself every day. Only by improving yourself, you can improve your business or current situation in life. - Stop being in contact with the people that matter. During your journey, you will meet many people who can help you during the rest of your career. Don’t feel too proud to be the one keeping the contact with someone alive. Especially with mentors you had in life. They can be very valuable during the rest of your career. --- ## Jeremiah Davis, the 23-Year-Old Instagram Photo and Video Star URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/jeremiah-davis-the-23-year-old-instagram-star-who-is-turning-heads-with-his-talent-in-photography-and-videography Category: For Brands · Published: 2019-12-30 Summary: Jeremiah Davis, known as ThatOneBlondKid on Instagram, is a photographer and videographer who toured 50 countries within two years of his career. ![Jeremiah Davis, the 23-Year-Old Instagram Star Who is Turning Heads with His Talent in Photography and Videography](/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/80665727_457745475166755_2465327222362210304_n.jpg) Jeremiah Davis, also known as [ThatOneBlondKid](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://instagram.com/thatoneblondkid?igshid%253D1uxcivl2kan1v%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;ust%3D1577759726566000&sa=D&ust=1577759726572000&usg=AFQjCNFxf8S8kI4ZSOHadw3Hcws-hBIXVw) on Instagram, Is one of the talented photographers and videographers in today’s generation. The young star is one of the few graduates who do not need a resume to secure a job. He was able to tour 50 countries within two years of his career life, work with MTV’s crew *The Buried Life,*work with the renown group, The Chain smokers and produced his own Snapchat series about travel. Jeremiah is one of the few individuals who have not had to choose between fun and work. For him, it has been easy as he can incorporate both at the same time. The young star is a good definition of living beyond your comfort zone. **The Birth of a Career in Photography and Videography** Jerimiah found his inspiration on photography from his elder brother, who was a pro videographer, while in high school. His career in photography though started after his freshman year at Azusa. It was after Davis set out for a walk across Spain, the Camino de Santiago. From the walk, he brought with him a GoPro which he used to try and edit the footage he had shot during the walk. The young photographer then set out for another four months trip to South Africa with his “Crappy Camera,” taking selfies and making duck faces. He suddenly felt the urge to give his followers a better experience and decided to upgrade his news feed. **The Drone Experience** While on campus, Davis had mastered the art of pilot shooting using a drone. His first gig as a drone shooter, was with a non-profit organization, Be Perfect Foundation, that was raising awareness on spinal cord injury victims. According to Davis, everything took a turn around in his career life after his girlfriend got him a drone for his 22nd birthday. That inspired Davis to upgrade his feed to resemble a Hollywood star now that he had the right tools. The high quality and beautiful images brought him so much love on Instagram, with an increase in the number of likes as well. That gave him the confidence to explore more with his page. He developed the courage to direct message potential employers he had always looked up to. **Finding Breakthrough in His career** In January of 2016, Davis reached out to Rory Kramer after he spotted him as a producer to Justin Bieber’s “I’ll Show You” music video. On his pitch, Davis congratulated Kramer for the excellent job he had done on the song, then requested him for a chance for them to work together. Three days later, Davis had not received feedback from his pitch. He went ahead and rewrote it, attaching a video of his previously done drone footage then offered to work for free for Kramer if given a chance. Kramer replied to his second DM, and they have been working together since then. After a good working relationship with Kramer, he started recommending him to others in the industry. Kramer introduced Davis to work for G-Eazy. Davis, together with G-Eazy’s team, shot footage for his Endless Summer Tour which they used on his live performances. Kramer also recommended him to Poo Bear, and Davis did Poo Bears wedding shoot which was also a big success. In the spring of 2016, Davis was contacted by *The Buried Life’s* Dave Lingwood, for a job with Snapchat’s “Yes Theory” as videographer and producer. It was after Davis reached out to him on Instagram. The show involved Ifor boys from different countries, set out for a challenge to live beyond their comfort zones. Davis would later take up the challenge himself two and a half months later after working with the group. Soon after that job, Kramer reached out to Davis and requested him to do drone footage for The ChainSmoker’s “Closer” lyric music video. It is now one of the most-watched videos on Youtube with over a billion views. After that job, The Chainsmokers took him in and have toured with him around the world in their performances as their videographer. Many have come out to speak of their inspiration from Davis’ life of going beyond his comfort zone. Among them is Sebastian Hugoboom. He was able to pitch a financial analyst celebrity, that he always wished to work with. The pitch was a success, and Hugoboom was able to secure a job with his potential employer. Davis has urged other young people to go beyond whatever obstacles they may encounter until they get to their destinies. --- ## Matthew Rosa’s Battle Against the Odds in Network Marketing URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/matthew-rosa-battle-against-all-odds-to-succeed-in-network-marketing Category: For Brands · Published: 2019-12-21 Summary: Matthew Rosa stood out in network marketing. With partner Jason Brown, they rank among the top 10 highest annual income earners in the industry. ![Matthew Rosa Battle against All Odds to Succeed in Network Marketing](/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/80447188_2755521241164874_2334081611731042304_n-scaled.jpg) The network marketing industry has grown tremendously over the years. Also known as multi-level marketing, it is an industry that involves direct selling strategies using a network of people to sell products. It is an industry dominated by many young entrepreneurs.  Matthew Rosa is one of the young entrepreneurs who have stood out in this industry. And there is a lot to know about him, his business endeavors and struggles. Mr. Rosa has never thought of succeeding in entrepreneurship and his success story in network marketing is a fairy-tale. Thanks to his partnership with Jason Brown, they rank among the top 10 highest annual income earners in the multi-level marketing industry. A feat only a few young entrepreneurs can only dream about. **Success Fairy-tale of Matthew Rosa** Despite Matthew and Jason being new and inexperienced in the network marketing platform, what they have achieved is unimaginable. In fact, too many people, it is hard to believe how such young people can achieve such a feat within a couple of years.  Rosa and Jason have been working part-time jobs to pursue their passion for full-time multi-level network marketing. Through ups and downs, they have established a partnership that has helped them grow. Matthew has attested that the income they were getting wasn’t enough, but the desire to succeed in this industry has always been there. In 2015 they decided to make new strides and look for extra cash to pursue their passion. For Matthew Rosa, the journey was full of trials and tribulations. He had $25000 in credit card debt and he had to move back to his parent’s home. He went on and started delivering Chinese food and pizza to make cash among other hustles.  **Hard Work and Partnership Pays**  iMarketsLive (IML) was the opportunity they had passion in and they were ready to pursue it. They started by learning how to trade in the foreign exchange market without even building a network. After two months of learning, Mr. Rosa and Jason decided to take on leadership roles in the company.  Through determination, hard work and persistence, the key ingredients of the recipe of successful network marketers; reached a level called Chairman 8- earning a six-figure annual income. It took their patients to take the company to the next level and the company has grown to thousands of customers worldwide.  Luckily, they have been able to partner with prominent leaders in the network marketing industry. For instance, in 2016, they introduced EVP Alex Morton; a partnership with Brandon Boyd, Ivan Tapia, David Imonitie, Austin Godsey and Gary McSween among other industry giants.  Matthew Rosa and Jason Brown have gone on to take their company to more than 30 countries globally and iMarketsLive reputation is the talk of the industry. Their company ranks as the first-ever Chairman 250.  **Matt Rosa Next Goal** Matthew has a mantra of looking no further than going ahead and grow his business empire. Despite being someone who had few entrepreneurship or education options in his background, his determination and perseverance have seen him rank as a Chairman 500. Coincidentally, from jumping between jobs and working from Massage Envy to Chipotle, Mr. Rosa is a reputed entrepreneur and human being working hard to change the world.  Matthew Rosa is eager to help everyone he and his company can reach no matter where they go. He looks forward to enriching, empowering and education millions of customers globally. He hopes to leave an impeccable legacy of success and leadership. --- ## Jessie Lee Ward – Network Marketing Guru URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/jessie-lee-ward-network-marketing-guru Category: For Brands · Published: 2019-12-07 Summary: Jessie Lee Ward grew up poverty-stricken in Maryland and turned her marketing and communications degrees into a seven-figure-a-year income. ![Jessie Lee Ward – Network Marketing Guru](/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/74286512_828775017579269_827905729997307904_n-scaled.jpg) Jessie Lee Ward grew up poverty-stricken in a county of Maryland not too long ago. In this particular county in Maryland, she needed $300 a month to pay her rent. Jessie has degrees in marketing and communications but could not afford the luxury in life. To gain more income and increase her wealth, Jessie Lee Ward converted her knowledge of marketing into dollars while joining a can community-based marketing group in October 2015 with no experience. Jessie Lee became a multiple six-figure a month and seven-figure a year earner from her expertly drawn out marketing campaigns. Jessie Lee Ward not only understands the difficulties of being poor, but she understands why a person is poor. Coming from a meager background, she realizes that it is necessary to be passionate about what you do. Her motto is to do what you strongly believe in or don’t do it at all. She takes the same strategy into her presentations and empowerment seminars to help women, lead her teams, relationship building, and on the side, save animals. Jessie Ward understands that to be successful in life, a person must have an attitude of success and passion. Jessie Lee Ward has a lot of accomplishments to talk about. Ms. Ward has been on the cover of Networking Times. The magazine, Networking Times, is a network profession premier magazine that is dedicated to helping people understand more about network marketing. Ms. Ward has been a keynote speaker at Go Pro. The keynote speaking event was about the most powerful women and network marketing Association professionals. Jessie Lee Ward is proud to let her fans know that she has never slowed down. For the last four years, she has built her empire almost solely online with no phone calls, no meetings, no events, and tours the world to support her team. Ms. Ward actively preaches trying network marketing to gain a substantial amount of income because she knows firsthand how beneficial network marketing is. Ms. Ward continues to be a master trainer for professionals that desire income the way that she produces it. She knows how to train people on how to make money at home. She was the master trainer in the Association of network marketing professionals events in the past and has been on the face page of two networking magazines. The essential tips that Ward shares with her audience is “be exactly who you are.” Ward understands that the key to network marketing is being genuine with your audience and the people who trust you. Giving people the impression that you are acting or reading from a script is ineffective. Ward also preaches that a person can easily bridge the gap from where they’re sitting to the top 1% of income earners. The only barrier that sets a person apart from the top 1% is getting up and trying. Ward believes that when there is opportunity, a person should take advantage of it immediately. Jessie Lee Ward’s goals include being an influential person in network marketing. She wants to be influential in social media and reach as many persons as possible with her knowledge. Ward knows from experience that network marketing is not perfect, and no one has the concept down to a science. However, Ward is successful at network marketing through being genuine and creating an audience that appreciates her style. --- ## Daniel Duminy Turned His Social Media Presence Into a Business URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/if-daniel-duminy-transformed-his-social-media-presence-into-a-profitable-business-you-can-too Category: For Brands · Published: 2019-11-16 Summary: Daniel Duminy, an 18-year-old from Durban, turned his social media presence into a profitable business, growing his Instagram and YouTube fast. ![If Daniel Duminy Transformed His Social Media Presence into a Profitable Business, You Can Too](/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/76897504_2204116163027061_3928698244548263936_n.jpg) Social media has become a hub where many are making great fortunes. Some to the tunes of millions of dollars. More often, legendary musicians, veteran brand influencers, celebrities, and socialites are among those that make the biggest following on social scenes like YouTube and Instagram. It’s barely the young or upcoming artists who have a commanding presence on social media. [Daniel Duminy](https://www.instagram.com/realdanduminy/)– an 18-year-old Durban young blood – is rubbing shoulders with social media bigwigs and seems to beat most of them in their own game. At such an early age, the young star is garnering fans to his Instagram and YouTube channels at rates that would leave any celebrity drooling for such influence. What’s more, Dan, who now lives in Los Angeles, is successfully turning his social presence into a thriving business. After securing a chance to sit with the busy artiste, he unravels the details of how he is setting a commanding social media presence into a good fortune. **About Daniel Duminy** Born and bred in South Africa’s urban world, Dan Duminy is multitalented young blood who’s taking over the social scene with an endearing command. Many know him for his racing career, where he competed in several S.A. track competitions and several global events. He was selected to compete in the 2018 Audi Sport T.T. Cup. “While in S.A., I worked with rappers Nasty C, Tellaman, and Rowlene. I used to do vlogs for them. I took pleasure in doing video clips of my daily activities and uploading them on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. The response was always amazing, and before I knew it, I was already attracting a following, especially in my Instagram account,” says Dan. At 15, Dan Duminy was already sharing interesting content on YouTube, and his following grew by the day. At the beginning of 2019, Dan’s Instagram account had scooped 33,000+ followers, and that was before he moved to live in L.A.. After moving to L.A. to pursue his social media influencing passion, he had clocked a 40K Instagram following. **Shinning Away from Home** Dan’s decision to move to L.A. was inspired by the belief that social media was were his heart and future wanted to focus. He, together with a friend, had already done their research about the ideal place to make their dreams come true. Los Angeles was the place. They decided to step out into the ‘real world,’ he describes L.A. to be where the magic started happening. Four months in the new city, and Daniel Duminy’s following is a whooping 200K+! “I was overwhelmed by the support that L.A. gave me in my music and the content I’ve been uploading. I’m grateful,” says the happy Dan. Although he has not released any music yet, he’s positive that with the upsurge of a commanding following, he’s set to release an E.P. at the close of 2019. Many miles away from home and Dan’s star continues to shine. Dan has been making his dollars from his growing YouTube channel as well as doing paid adverts for several international brands. Although he’s met the icons of the entertainment industry – Including Justin Bieber and Skrillex – Dan’s career highlights have been the recognition and a special connection with his fans. He owes his success to the support he gets from his fans. **Dan’s Word to Upcoming Social Media Influencers** Daniel Duminy is a self-made success, and he’s set for great heights. He owes his achievements to staying real and authentic in all his content. “I make sure the content I upload is a true reflection of the real Dan Duminy. I don’t fake it, and neither do I care what everyone says about me,” asserts Dan. He encourages upcoming influencers who want to create and build their brand to, first of all, input the correct information on their account bio. The right info and proper use of keywords will attract a good following on your account. Posting regularly and making sure the photos are good quality and using the relevant hashtags is the surest way to garnering followers on social media, especially Instagram. **Wrap Up** Social media influencing and vlogging is no longer a thing only for the icons of the entertainment industry. Dan Duminy is proof that age is just a number when it comes to going for what your passion demands. His success is such an inspiration to many young and aspiring influencers. We’re yet to hear his music, which he is set to release late this year or early next year. Dan’s story is a success that came too soon, and his potential is limitless. --- ## The Future of Marketing Belongs to Brands and Consumers URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/the-future-of-marketing-belongs-to-brands-and-consumers Category: For Brands · Published: 2019-11-05 Summary: In marketing, the only certainties are uncertainty, constant innovation and rapid change. Why the future of marketing belongs to brands and consumers. ![The Future of Marketing Belongs to Brands and Consumers](/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Screen-Shot-2019-11-05-at-4.04.32-PM.png) In the world of marketing, the only certainties are uncertainty, constant innovation and rapid change. In previous decades, businesses would approach advertisers, then pay them for their big ideas and creative concepts. With this system, the ability to measure effectiveness of the campaigns was severely limited—subway posters or billboards didn’t provide any analytics or audience insights, after all. Then, when the internet age was in full swing, the potential channels for brands to reach consumers were seemingly endless—popup ads, social media ads, search engine ads, email campaigns, the list goes on and on. Yet, because the digital marketing landscape was so new, many underhanded, seedy tactics from nefarious publishers ran unchecked. Any sort of regulation or technology to combat these blackhat methods proved too slow to keep up. Both of these scenarios have a common thread: they put power into the hands of the publisher as opposed to the brands or consumers. If an agency isn’t able to quantify the efficacy of their campaigns, they won’t be expected to uphold any sort of standard or success metric. If an agency is able to use underhanded, blackhat techniques that could be perceived as deceptive in order to convince consumers to buy products, the agency is in the driver’s seat. All that being said, thanks to a number of innovations, the tide is certainly changing. With the rise of platforms that fight invalid traffic, SMS platforms with high deliverability rates, and performance marketing that guarantees ROI—brands are starting to meet consumers where they’re at, and publishers are being held accountable when it comes to performance. This puts the power into the hands of brands and consumers. Here’s more on the specific technologies paving the way for the future of marketing, and the movers and shakers behind the movement. **#1. The Rise of SMS Marketing** With the proliferation of email spam filters, ad blockers and more, it’s no wonder why SMS marketing is currently receiving a wave of public interest. People look through nearly all of their text messages and check their phones an average of 80 times per day, making for favorable open rates exceeding 90% as opposed to email marketing’s consistently dwindling open rates—which currently hover around 25%. Another reason for the renewed interest of SMS marketing though is it gives influence back to consumers. Instead of sifting through countless emails from lists someone might not even remember subscribing to, individuals have the information they want at their fingertips with SMS—whether it’s letting them know about a flash sale or an upcoming event. Recipients can also easily unsubscribe by replying with “Stop”. Lastly, because text messages are a more intimate communication channel compared to email or social media, it’s unlikely a consumer would opt in to receive SMS notifications from a brand they don’t have an affinity for. This ensures your mailing list for texting is relevant and engaged. The surge in popularity of SMS platforms like Sendii.io, Avochato and SendHub all illustrate the rise of texting as a legitimate marketing channel. These platforms can help businesses meet customers where they’re at and not disrupt their everyday behaviors, which is why SMS will have a place at the table when it comes to the future of marketing. **#2. The Rise of Performance Marketing** Defined, performance marketing is centered around the principle of paying publishers only when a specific action (a click, an online sale, etc.) is completed rather than through an upfront charge or a rate based on impressions driven. This is different from more traditional forms of marketing and advertising, where companies pay a flat rate for content created, a retainer fee on a recurring basis or a different form of an upfront cost. The main reason for performance marketing gaining popularity in recent years is because of its guaranteed ROI. Unlike other types of campaigns, performance marketing guarantees results because if none are driven, you don’t pay. One individual making head way in this space is serial entrepreneur [Gustavo Geraldes](https://www.instagram.com/gustavogeraldes/). As the founder and CEO of [Milkit](http://milkit.io/)—a renowned direct response marketing firm that specializes in lead generation—along with a number of other ventures, Geraldes has been able to use performance marketing techniques to help brands across a variety of industries meet and exceed their business goals. By utilizing well-targeted, persistent direct response campaigns on Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Google, his own proprietary SMS marketing platform Sendii.io, and more, Geraldes has been able to drive tens of millions of dollars worth of sales, countless website visits, email signups and other down-funnel results for his clients. Gustavo’s success as a publisher in this space is, of course, because of his skill as a marketer, but is also evidence of a much larger trend in the marketing landscape where brands embrace performance marketing and turn a cold shoulder to the less measurable forms of advertising. These sorts of results-driven, data-centric campaigns empower brands to hold advertisers and publishers accountable to succeed—and only seem to be gaining more popularity as time goes on. **#3. The Rise of Valid Metrics** The increased demand from brands for online traffic has facilitated the underground industries of click fraud and invalid traffic. One such example is click farms—which are businesses (typically located in developing countries) where low paid workers are hired to drive traffic to a piece of content or web page. Many influencers have been known to use click farms to increase traffic to their sponsored posts, making it appear like it’s performing better than it is. Another example is bot traffic on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, which are typically used for similar means or to bolster vanity metrics for influencers and agencies alike. Because of this, brands are beginning to invest in platforms like MOAT, which help fight fraudulent web traffic by ensuring only valid clicks are counted when paying publishers, advertisers or influencers. In fact, MOAT actually sold to Oracle back in 2017 for a whopping $850 million—highlighting the value and the necessity of brands combating invalid traffic. --- Technology has set the stage for the unprecedented innovation we’re currently seeing in the digital publishing and marketing space. As a byproduct though, the technology has also enabled blackhat, ill-willed marketers to gain influence, while eroding authority away from brands and consumers. That being said, with the current wave of solutions being developed, the pendulum seems to be swinging the other way with fraudulent methods being policed, businesses meeting customers where they’re at, and guaranteed ROI being a priority rather than a bonus. As the dynamic continues to shift, in order to succeed, businesses will need to be ultra-mindful to target effectively and marketers more calculated in their efforts than ever before. --- ## How Anshul Aggarwal is Curating Engagement with Supercharged URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/anshul-aggarwal Category: Guides · Published: 2019-11-01 Summary: Anshul Aggarwal is the voice of Supercharged, a video channel using comedy and skits to grow social, technical, and financial literacy in Gen Z. ![How Anshul Aggarwal is Curating Engagement with Supercharged](/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/IMG_1263.jpg) **Bio**: Anshul Aggarwal is the voice of Supercharged, a video channel dedicated to growing social, technical, and financial literacy in Gen Z. He uses comedy and skits in a relatable format to teach people about the hidden parts of what makes our world tick. **Social accounts**: [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/c/supercharged), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/WorldofAnshul), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/anshulabula/) **Niche:** YouTube Educational Content ### How did you grow your account in the early days? **Anshul Aggarwal:** I’m still very much in the early days of my channel, but what I’ve seen the most benefit from is engagement and talking to viewers where they are. I post my videos across the internet, and make sure to check in on my posts to see if anybody has commented or referenced it. Keeping an engaged audience is one of the biggest parts of growing a small community, and those people will be the most engaged with you as you grow and be willing to recommend you to their friends. ![Anshul Aggarwal, creator of Supercharged YouTube channel](/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/IMG_8090-1024x686.jpg) ### Did you stumble upon any useful tricks or flows that got your content viral? **Anshul Aggarwal:** Honestly it really depends, but the biggest benefit is the most boring: Consistency and Relatability. While there are all kinds of smaller things that can optimize for virality, the quickest way to grow a brand is to be consistent with your uploads *and your content* and being relatable to the audience you’re trying to focus on. If your content is all over the place, it’s hard for a subscriber to know what they are subscribing to and if its not relatable to them it’s not relatable to their life. I call it the day before and the day after problem. If one of you videos is super viral thats great! But how does that viewer convert to a follower? Generally, they check the videos you’ve posted super recently on your feed, or older hits you might’ve had. If the content isn’t consistent, they will not convert into a follower, as your content to them does not seem consistently relevant. Knowing your audience intimately is a key part of any business, but influencers often get lost in following trends that lose them subscribers. ### What are some secrets to virality in YT? **Anshul Aggarwal:** On YouTube, the open secret is the algorithm. There’s been a ton of debate about the secret ways YouTube promotes you, but in truth the engagement you have with followers on your videos is the most key. Youtube wants people to stay on the platform longer, so the more evidence YouTube sees of people returning to click on your channel the better. Keep talking with them and keep up to date on relevant topics and post as fast as you can. ![Anshul Aggarwal](/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/31335DD4-CFBB-4F20-A0DC-124A788D081F-1024x1024.jpg) ### What’s a common misconception your followers have about you? **Anshul Aggarwal:** Most educational channels seem to be helmed by people that have all the answers, and to an extent that’s because to be teaching a topic you have to be pretty knowledgeable. But it’s easy to forget that behind that screen I’m a human too that has not read every last word on the subject and that sometimes I do make mistakes or I have my own biases. I try hard to mention that people should do their own research as well, and I link my most important research in the descriptions of each video so people can read for themselves, but I think viewers often forget that that option exists. ### What do you think you do better than most people? How are you able to do it? **Anshul Aggarwal:** I’m better at explaining high complexity ideas concretely through stories and examples. A lifetime of being taught and being a teacher has given me this ability and I love sharing that knowledge with as many people as I can. It’s a worthwhile endeavor and has given me so much in return, I’d encourage everyone to become a teacher as soon as possible. ### What are some of the best blogs you’ve ever read? **Anshul Aggarwal:** [The Story of Us](https://waitbutwhy.com/story-of-us) by Tim Urban is hands down the longest, most ambitious and most engaging content I have ever read. It’s literally the story of us, the entire human race and who we are and who you are whether you believe it or not. This singular series has changed my mind so many times, it’s a must read for everyone I know. ![Anshul Aggarwal of Supercharged](/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/IMG_0463-1024x683.jpg) ### Any favorite influencers you follow? **Anshul Aggarwal:** I have to shout out [CoffeBreak](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9WQRw8jgJhag-vkDNTDMRg) and [Michael Reeves](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtHaxi4GTYDpJgMSGy7AeSw) on YouTube, both are incredible artists I truly respect who are pushing boundaries on how to engage people in very positive ways while teaching them something. I love them and I love their content. ### Any last thoughts? **Anshul Aggarwal:** Always keep learning something new! Being curious is a habit you can build, and it’s been one of the most important parts of my life. --- ## How To Get Millions of Views on Facebook with Goubtube URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/go-viral-facebook-goubtube Category: Guides · Published: 2019-10-04 Summary: Goubtube has over 1.5M likes and 150,000,000 views on his Facebook page. Goubran Bahou shares his process for creating viral content on Facebook. ![How To Get Millions of Views on Facebook with Goubtube](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/goubtube.png) Amassing over 1.5M likes, over 150,000,000 views on his Facebook page and over 1,000,000,000 views on Facebook over all, Goubtube is one of the most watched sketch makers in the world. His most watched video on his page surpasses 90M views. We sat down with Goubran Bahou, the genius behind Goubtube to learn his process for **creating viral content on Facebook**. ### Hey Goubtube, amazing having you here to share some of your Facebook virality secrets. Let’s just jump right into it. What are the 4 steps for going viral on Facebook? Goubran: Thanks for having me. First off a disclaimer: This guide is not a guarantee you’ll go viral.. but it’s how I went viral.. consistently for the last year.. I’ll come back to consistency later on. ## Step 1: Content People’s average attention span is under 7 seconds on Facebook.. if you don’t have them hooked straight away, then say goodbye to that viewer.. **What you upload ultimately decides how viral your video is going to go!** What’s your approach? Funny, informative, cute, food, sport? Before confirming an idea you need to to have an in-depth think about how shareable/relatable/tag-able/engaging the content is. If your intended demographic aren’t compelled to view, share or tag, then you’re already lost. By far the best question to ask yourself is: > “what conversation is going to happen in the comments?” Some videos go viral and the comments section is abuzz with life and it’s not even the intended conversation of the video maker. For example look at the comments on nearly every bfgf prank video on the internet; is littered with angry comments about the unethical/fake/violent nature of the video. It may be unintended, but the unwanted comments still generate a huge amount of traffic. > Tag someone that needs to see this ??? > > Follow my Instagram/Snapchat: Goubtube > > Posted by [Goubtube](https://www.facebook.com/Goubtube/) on [Monday, May 1, 2017](https://www.facebook.com/Goubtube/videos/1870091779878144/) ## ## Step 2: Aesthetics If you’re at a fruit and veg market.. you meticulously look over each piece of food, before you make your decision to buy right? Facebook is no different. The thumbnail: Easily the most important aspect of your video aesthetically, is the picture you choose to promote your video with. Treat it exactly how businesses do with the packaging on their products; when I choose candy it’s usually dependent on how the packaging makes me feel. Your thumbnail needs action/life. The most effective thumbnails are the ones that encapsulate the most exciting part of the video, without giving away too much information. Sometimes your thumbnail doesn’t even need to be a still from the video it self and can be something completely different; still garnering the attention needed for a viral post. > …and she wonders why I’m moody every morning > Like my page for more! ❤️ > Snapchat: goubtube / johannah.arts > > Music: RaceCarBed > > Posted by [Goubtube](https://www.facebook.com/Goubtube/) on [Monday, October 24, 2016](https://www.facebook.com/Goubtube/videos/1075653045883314/) ##### ##### Examples The old adage “Sex sells”, is poignant here, as a pair of boobs/ab/bum will increase te likelihood of clicks (sad but true). A thumbnail showcasing action is also a winner, by “action” I mean an action shot from the video that isn’t static and boring. This makes the audience want to see what the hell is going to happen in the video. Finished product thumbnails also help, so if the thumbnail is detailing the crescendo of the video, that makes the audience feel the need to watch the video to find out how the crescendo was achieved. #### #### The Caption: The caption is essentially the thumbnail’s cousin.. they are viewed simultaneously and together help the casual viewer decide if it’s worth their time clicking on the video. The caption has to sprite the audiences attention by describing what’s happening in the video accurately/vaguely.. both angles work but are completely dependent on the agenda of the video; Say too much and the audience may be put off clicking .. contrarily say too little and you’ll suffer the same fate. **Don’t forget the call to action!!! E,g “tag a friend that..”, “share if this is you” etc.. this technique could turn your video from 10k to 1M views.** ## Step 3: distribution When starting small expect little to no growth, engagement or views (although truly viral content won’t adhere to this, if something is a viral it will move naturally) but whatever you do don’t be put off. Send your content to [as many publications](http://flux.la/get-featured-forbes-techcrunch-mashable-inc/), fb pages, influencers, friends, strangers, long lost cousins and pet cats as possible. Swallow your pride and push.. if you don’t push your content to as many eyes as possible, going viral becomes a myth. Once/if a network is established and if your content is good and you’ve followed the steps above, all it takes is for just one of these new found friends to share/upload your content and BOOM you have yourself a viral video. **Your distribution pipeline is everything!!! Without one you will find it incredibly difficult to make any progress alone…** ## Step 4: consistency **If you’re not failing every single day .. then you’re not trying hard enough**. In a year’s time you’ll look back and wish you started today. Now you know how to go viral, it’s time to learn how to monetise it… we will cover that on another interview. --- ## A 6M follower IG network with Sam Sellar URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/instagrams-social-media-expert-sam-sellar-and-his-massive-following-of-over-6-million Category: Guides · Published: 2019-09-30 Summary: Australian entrepreneur Sam Sellar organically grew his network of Instagram pages to over 6 million followers across ten-plus pages. ![A 6M follower IG network with Sam Sellar](/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/sam-sellar.jpg) Amassing a following of over one million followers while also owning ten plus pages with over five hundred thousand each is no easy task, but that is exactly what entrepreneur [Sam Sellar](https://www.instagram.com/samsellar/)([@samsellar](https://www.instagram.com/samsellar/) on instagram), Australian native, has accomplished with his digital space. Sam Sellar has been able to organically grow his online presence to over 6 million followers over his network of Instagram pages where he offers packages and to public figures, brands, and celebrities followers. This business venture started off five years ago when Sam decided to create Instagram and Twitter accounts with different niches, all depending on what was trendy and viral at the time. > **“I noticed that the more pages I created – the more business I attracted and more money I was making. After I built my first page or two, to roughly 400,000 followers each, I was able to push shoutouts and promotions to new pages I made. I believe I jumped on the Instagram train right in time, allowing me to stand out and be unique with the pages I made,” he states.** When he first joined Instagram in 2012, he noticed all the pages being created solely for comedic purposes, where people posted popular memes and funny pictures. This is what led him to create his first page, which he recalls being a difficult process in the beginning, but then it became almost second nature. His motivation to start this business came from his desire for financial freedom. He also knew he had a unique knowledge in the area of social media which further pushed him to follow this venture. > **“I began to have many public figures and brands contacting me to help them build their following and social media management. I initially started growing accounts and connecting with others purely for a hobby and because I loved connecting with others and learning from them too – then this lead on to creating a business and taking it seriously as a profitable source,” he shares.** His biggest challenge throughout the start was the unknown question of “How long will this last / how long will Instagram stay around for?” Time management also became an issue since the majority of his clients were based in the US, meaning he had to deal with the different time zones. He was staying up all hours of the night and sometimes sacrificing his sleep because he was too busy building accounts and working. For those who are looking to start their business, Sam advices to have your mind set on small goals. > **“A strong mindset on inspires you to keep going, mine is of course the financial freedom and understanding the power of a personal brand, especially in this industry. Knowing how to differentiate myself from others in the market, and make my business/services stand out to the buyers,” he shares.** In addition, he also warns people that starting a new business requires you to go all in, you can’t put half the effort and expect the results you want. He advises, “Know what you are wanting to achieve in 3 months, 6 months and a year. Have your goals written somewhere you are always looking, be motivated to achieve them!” [Sam Sellar](https://www.instagram.com/samsellar/) differentiates himself from others because what he offers his clients is 100% real. He guarantees real and engaging followers who have followed the client for their own content and not fake. His meaning of success now is the pure happiness that he feels from achieving all of his goals and seeing the growth in himself and his business. He is now focused on achieving this everyday and continuing to succeed in his social networks and in every aspect of his life. --- ## 5 Stories When Memes Have Helped Marketing A Lot URL: https://soinfluential.com/blog/5-stories-when-memes-have-helped-marketing-a-lot Category: For Brands · Published: 2019-09-03 Summary: Memes are now part of pop culture and digital campaigns. What makes them powerful, plus five stories when memes really augmented marketing. [Digital marketing](http://alejandrorioja.com/blog/) changes quickly and keeps adding new forms of infotainment. Competition forces brands to get creative and think of alternative [marketing](https://futuresharks.com/how-marketing-gurus-are-lying-to-you/) tricks to win over the target audience, which is how we got to the point where memes started playing a major role in digital campaigns. Memes have become a natural part of the pop culture and it would be foolish not to use them to promote your business. However, some marketers are still skeptical and don’t feel like adding this format to their campaigns. In this post, I will discuss what makes memes so powerful and present you five cases when memes really augmented traditional marketing. Let’s take a look! ## Memes: Definition and Benefits Before I show you practical examples of memes in digital marketing, I want to discuss this concept and explain what makes it so interesting and full of potential. By definition, a [meme](https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-meme-2483702) is a virally-transmitted photograph that is embellished with text that pokes fun at a cultural symbol or social idea. It can be made of anything – a popular movie scene, a poster, a photo, etc. What is important to emphasize is the fact that the audience loves memes. As a matter of fact, some marketers report having a 10 times higher reach on Instagram and Facebook with 60% organic engagement – all [thanks to memes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2018/08/10/memes-a-digital-marketing-tool-for-every-industry/#56dc1ee12664). But it’s not the only benefit of this marketing format. On the contrary, memes can give you a number of other advantages: - **They are viral already**: You will rarely ever create a brand new meme. Instead, you will use the content that is already viral and change it just a little bit in order to help your brand stand out. - **Easy to make**: There is nothing simpler than making a meme because the Internet is flooded with all sorts of [free generators](https://imgflip.com/memegenerator). All you need to do is choose an image that inspires you and write a short line of text to promote your business. You don’t even need to hire the [Best Essay](https://www.bestessay.com/) or similar content creation agencies because the text is way too short for that. - **Memes are shareable**: Being such a popular online phenomenon, memes are extremely shareable. Users love sharing funny posts, so you can expect a meme to drive a lot of engagement. - **They are attractive**: Modern consumers love visual content because it’s easy to skim and digest. Memes fit these preferences perfectly as they are simple and everyone can figure them out in a matter of seconds. However, there is one thing left to mention here. While memes are indeed simple and easy to create, you do have to pay attention and respect the basic principles. First of all, you must know the true meaning of a meme in order to use it in the right context. Secondly, it needs to be perfectly aligned with the style and expectations of the target audience. Another thing you need to make sure is to react quickly because the majority of memes get lost and forgotten very quickly. The last advice is to keep it discrete and moderate since. Too many memes could harm your marketing strategy in general and you could end up with tons of negative comments like VelvetJobs. ## The Best Examples of Meme Marketing Now that you understand how memes work, it is time to see the most interesting part of the article. Without further ado, here are the top five examples of memes in digital marketing. 1. **Ruffles – Perfect steaks** Ruffles would not be the official chip of the NBA without some serious creativity in the marketing domain. They use part of this inspiration to create funny and engaging memes such as the perfect steaks. Jake Gardner, a marketing manager at [Assignment Masters](https://www.assignmentmasters.co.uk/), says the idea is to drive action and inspire the audience to share their grilling fails: “However simple, this meme is actually a powerful driver of user engagement.” 1. **Denny’s Diner – The biscuit risk** Denny’s, also known as one of the most famous diners in the US, often uses the meme format to make interesting and funny content. [Risk it for the biscuit](https://www.instagram.com/p/BZFXvvGHBsX/?utm_source=ig_embed) is a perfect example of how a brand can use memes to publish amusing posts on a daily basis without looking too pretentious or promotional. 1. **Classic Art Memes – Going out** It’s hard to imagine a pair that fits together more appropriately than classic artwork and memes. The combination always brings a delicate dose of humor, which is why we love memes such as [Going Out](https://www.instagram.com/p/BuZSILmH-Sl/?utm_source=ig_embed). This meme has it all: a popular image, a sheer simplicity, and a humorous punch line. 1. **BarkBox – Taxes and loans** BarkBox is yet another brand that creates marketing miracles with memes. They actually turned it into the brand standard, so the audience could hardly imagine BarkBox social accounts without memes. The one about [taxes and loans](https://www.instagram.com/p/BoulNaBlCsh/?utm_source=ig_embed) is a clear example of how a viral meme can inspire thousands of likes and hundreds of comments. 1. **Gucci – Saving money** The meme storm is so strong that it sucks in even premium brand such as Gucci. Although this high-level brand is not considered to be the most suitable for alternative digital marketing formats, it doesn’t stop them from making engaging memes like [Saving Money](https://www.instagram.com/p/BRwcCk4hdIS/). It’s a creative and bold attempt to approach younger audiences and prove that Gucci belongs to the digital marketing world just like any other brand out there. ### Conclusion There is no easier way to create content and make it go viral than to make a meme. The whole process takes only a few seconds, but it can help your brand raise awareness and generate tons of new fans in a matter of days. In this article, you could learn: - The concept of a meme along with its benefits - How to make memes - 5 stories when memes have helped marketing a lot This marketing format has incredible marketing potential, so don’t hesitate to use it in your campaigns. And if you have any questions about it, make sure to leave us a comment below! ---