Labels are an important way to identify the difference between to things that are similar yet different. A perfect example of this is in the popular world of blogging and influencing. People in this realm seem the same yet how they reach their followers can be very different.
Blogger
Bloggers have a website and they create and post their content to that website. They can and a lot of the times do have social media for their blog but their social content is created in a way to drive you back to their website or blog where they want their attention to go. Bloggers are a big deal in todays society since we search and google for everything we do today.
Influencer
An Influencer is someone that uses social media to reach their followers. The Influencer uses their following on their chosen social media site to share their product recommendations with their loyal followers. These people build massive followings and share their niche of products to a band of loyal followers. The Taco God is a prime example of an influencer, he posts to his Instagram account about Tacos and has a catchy way of hosting his reviews with his tag lines “Taco only no sauce” & “Hands off lets keep it professional”. He has no website and uses his Instagram account to push his Influencer brand.
Can you be both?
So you might be wondering if you can be both a Blogger and an Influencer? Well the answer is yes although it is uncommon it does happen and is possible. Normally when you see the combination it is coupled with a larger organization or a popular celebrity with a team behind them. Inland Empire Explorer is a perfect example of both. Joel is a popular celebrity talent that runs multiple shows and is asked to represent brands all over the country. We have robust social media platforms with large amounts of followers as well as a website where we house information and post about what is going on in the IE.
Other people that operate in both categories are Tasteful Escape & Life with Erns both are Influencers with a blog that use their social media to post and share as well.
How do I get started, can anyone do it?
So building a following isn’t easy but if your passionate about what your sharing it will eventually shine through. One of the ways local Inland Empire bloggers and influencers grow their following is through networking. People who run social channels and blogs get together and take turns hosting blogger events at local restaurants. The Inland Empire Food Bloggers also link up at houses and coffee shops to share what they use to make the magic happen. They also get together at local conferences like TECHmunch where bloggers and influencers can learn from industry leaders, get access to new brands looking for representation and exposure and hear from the people who are changing the ways customers learn about the next product.