Redefining Influence

*quickly swipes out of 100th  IG live*. 

If social media meant anything before Covid’19…it means the world now. However, who matter’s in this ball game, and who’s actually making the big waves? Influencers have had a rude awakening from companies whose ad budgets are being cut due to the pandemic. Influence during these trying times, can be depicted in various ways. When the world stopped still, five months ago, social media picked up its pace. Your timeline became an essential place for you to access news updates, keep up with friends, and share your own experience.

 100% of profit from sales to both #GeorgeFloyd’s official fund and @blackvisionscollective

More importantly, it’s allowed people to virtually form a civil rights movement and speak out against the injustices regarding race and law enforcement.

Live has become the virtual club, chat room, interview session, party, and much more for different entrepreneurs and your average users.

Now more than ever, the content you produce and put out into the world must be strategically curated. Hone into your audience, understand them, relate to them, and deliver to them. People have much more time now to read into you, your brand , and it’s message. Think of solutions for these times, that your audience may want or need.

Fatou B. Barry and Delilah Dee focused on the solutions they can bring to their community after the tragic death of George Floyd.  

““Everyone plays a role in creating the world that you want to be seen in and live in””

On a typical quarantine day, Fatou asked Delilah if she’d be interested in collaborating on a graphic shirt that will raise funds to donate to the George Floyd fund and aid organizations in the fight for social justice. The venture made sense for them because they were passionate about it, but as well to the needs and wants of their community. They designed the t-shirt and dropped it the same day. It took on a life of its own and this is because it presented an alternative option to be active in this moment besides the traditional protesting method. Their community resonated with their messaging and goals, and by week four they had raised 12,000 dollars as a platform. 

With the coming together of social movements, people desperately demand change. Influence lasts when you can adapt to the changing times. Going live is a great tactic to access your audience, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Focus on where your audience truly absorbs your message.

The Influence that matters right now creates change. Create that petition, start a job source for college students, produce a manual for mental health practices, start an IG highlight promoting only black businesses. Challenge yourself to put out content that will keep the ball rolling.  

Alex Rivera “The Bronxer”

Business Insider states that some digital creators are tapping into alternative revenue streams like consulting, teaching, and coaching, which fall outside the norm of what typically constitutes influencer work. This is the perfect time to pivot your direction and highlight your skill sets.

Bianca Jeanty honed her own skill sets, and now she’s actively giving back to her community by laying down the truth of the corporate game. As an entrepreneur and creative story teller, she helps full timers and freelancers tell their careers to maximize their professional equity with style and integrity. She’s done it all from doubling her income, closing million dollar partnerships, and even walking away from the company she co founded. Bianca started “Y’all hiring?” which is a time optimized playbook for managing recruiters and referrals. Bianca gives us the tools to navigate the job hunt in a sharper way. 

As Billy Porter would say “The category is community”. The real influences are the ones that can track, form a case study, and reflect on what they’ve put out into this world. Alex Rivera or better known as “The Bronxer” maximized his brand and image through his own personal story and his community. Dondre Green put him onto a secret project with Nikon, which involved shooting with the Nikon Z50 camera that was being released. He networked with the representatives of Nikon that day, and kept up a steady relationship with them, they actively supported Alex’s content. Nikon gifted Alex a free camera for himself and another one to raffle off, he rolled out this giveaway by curating an IG live with Nikon, for his community. Alex is now raffling off his second camera through his work with Nikon. Alex is a perfect example of how creatives can seek inspiration through amplifying their own stories and communities, and as a creative finding opportunities to give that same magic back.