With the rise of social media and no clear indication of it slowing down, there’s no surprise that influencers are taking over the world and having a more significant impact on our day-to-day lives. Now, contrary to belief, this isn’t always a bad thing. We have a lot to learn from these individuals, who share and engage with their audience regularly.
Influencers have been defined as individuals who affect or alter the way that other people behave, and it’s fair to say that this is a thoroughly true statement. We look up to these individuals to gain understanding and insight into their lives and career, which can be incredibly motivating, changing how we go about our day-to-day lives. When looking at influencers there is a direct link to mentors who can be defined as those who help less experienced people develop and grow both personally and professionally.
From people who are experts in their field to those who share the latest tips on wellbeing, each day we are engaging with content that truly inspires us whilst learning at the same time. This is one of the main reasons we are seeing an increase in influencers becoming mentors, as a way of not only expanding their ventures but assisting the development of their mentees. When we look at the characteristics of mentors they are similar to those of mentees, which comes as no surprise.
Influencers are engaging
One of the biggest comparisons between mentors and influencers is their ability to be engaging. To be popular on social media one of the most important qualities and talents needed is the capability to be able to share wisdom and produce engaging content that can attract audiences from all over the world. You can’t be a mentor without being engaging and likewise, with being an influencer. Influencers and mentors have a great way of showcasing their experiences in addition to helping us learn a thing or two.
Influencers are knowledgeable
To be a mentor you need to have the ability to back up what you do, the same goes with being an influencer. We turn to influencers because they are knowledgeable within an area we want to know more about, whether this is fashion or even marketing, they are always up to date on the current trends and events. Although we may not always agree with their opinions, we follow them because we value their advice and ideas on distinctive subjects. This is the same with having a mentor, who we turn to in hopes of acquiring the latest insight and knowledge in our industry.
Influencers are successful
When people look for mentors they generally look for someone successful in the same or similar field they are interested in. We view influencers as being successful due to the influence they have on their audience as well as their career conquests. We look to these people for motivation in our daily lives because we want to be in the same position they are in, they give us insight into what we need to do to become one step closer.
Influencers are candid and honest
While this doesn’t apply to all influencers, the ones we look up to are the ones who offer honest and candid views into their lives. Although our guilty pleasure as humans is to follow people who live a picturesque lifestyle that we could only dream of, the ones we truly engage with are the ones who show us both the good and bad. This is a significant characteristic of a great mentor, someone who can share their experiences (no matter the outcome) and communicate with us how they overcame the challenges they faced.
An eagerness to learn
To be successful as an influencer, it’s critical to consistently learn, the same goes with being a mentor. Looking up to someone who is continuously learning and evolving is great for enabling us to feel motivated in what we do. It gives us the inspiration to learn new skills and take on new challenges that help us also grow and mature. It’s hard to learn from someone who thinks they know everything, instead of someone open to learning new perspectives, skills, and habits as a way of self-development.
How to get your favourite influencer to become your mentor
Whether you’re looking to acquire new talents or looking to gain a better understanding of the industry, there’s always someone out there to help, so why not ask your favourite influencer? Granted, they may have 20,000 followers and might not reply to your message straight away but it doesn’t hurt to try and get their attention. If they are someone you respect and want to learn from, then here’s how you do it:
Get to know them
I’m not saying you need to know everything about them, but before getting in touch it’s advised that you learn as much as you can. Read their latest posts, listen to their podcasts and interviews. Use the information you uncover to study them, become acquainted with their work, and see if they would be the right fit for you as a mentor. Can they help you go further in your career? Do they have the expertise to back up what they say? These are things you should be looking for.
Practice what they preach
By discovering more about them you’ll be able to gain a more in-depth insight into their values and views. It’s vital that before contacting them you put their words into action. This will help you determine whether the relationship would be a success and if it would bring value to your life.
Reach out
There are so numerous ways to reach out to an influencer. From sending a tweet to leaving a comment under their latest post, either way, it’s a great way to get their attention. Now, it’s not recommended that straight off the bat you ask them to be your mentor. Why? Because the likelihood is that they’re busy or may feel overwhelmed at the thought.
However, start reaching out to them and getting their attention, once you’ve exchanged a few interactions, start asking for pieces of advice here and there, and if the relationship works well, then you can ask them to be your mentor. Remember, don’t be disheartened if they refuse, many times it’s not a personal reflection on yourself but other external factors that may influence the decision.
The bottom line
Being a mentor is an incredibly rewarding and valuable experience, which everyone should try at least once in their lifetime. Influencers are now recognising the power and experience they hold and using it for the greater good to help others thrive. Whatever the industry they work in, there’s no denying they have the motivation and drive to be successful at what they do. Influencers have a platform to share their wisdom and expertise to help those who look up to them enhance their lives. So, the next time you find an influencer whose opinion you value, why not reach out to them? You might be surprised at what they have to say.
