How to Be an Instagram Influencer in 2025

Apr 22

So you want to be an influencer?

When I first started sharing online, it was about documenting our home projects and life in real-time. Over time, it turned into something bigger than I ever imaged possible. We created a community, a business, and most importantly, a place where I can show up as myself and help others do the same.

If that’s your dream too, you’re in the right spot. I’m here to walk you through exactly how to become an Instagram influencer this year, without losing your mind.

First Things First: Crafting a Solid Instagram Bio That Converts

Your bio is, essentially, your elevator pitch. It’s the storefront window to your brand. And we don’t want people just walking by; we want them to come in and stay. Here's the formula we use to make that happen:

Ask Yourself:

What do I do?
Be clear. No, clearer than that. What is the thing you want to be known for?
Who do I do it for?
Speak directly to your person. Your ideal follower, client, or community.
What am I helping them achieve?
We all follow people who bring value. What's yours?

Our Bio Formula (Keep this one in your back pocket!):

Name – Niche
Example: Chris Loves Julia | Moody Modern Traditional
Unique Brand Proposition
Helping you create a home you love
Content Types (pick 3!)
DIY Projects | Room Makeovers | Decor and Styling Tips
Call to Action
Join my design challenge!
Link in Bio
👇 Grab your free guide below!

Pro Tip:

Use line breaks and emojis to make it easy to read (and show a bit of your vibe!).

Show Up Daily (Non-Negotiable!)

Okay,I’m not going to sugar coat this one and say it’s ok to show up when you have time. If you’re serious about making a career out of this, then you have to give it your all, and that means showing up each and every day. Consistency is everything. This isn’t just about posting daily (although, yes, that’s important!). It’s about showing up every day in some way:

Stories 👀
DMs 💬
Comments 🖤
Lives 📲
Reels 🎥

Your community needs to see you and feel that you’re present. You don’t have to be on all the time, but you do need to be consistently showing up. Even if it’s a simple “Good morning!” on Stories while you’re tidying up the kitchen (or hiding in the laundry room for a minute of quiet).

Create Consistent Content (That Actually Feels Like You)

Instagram is still, and forever will be a visual app. While high quality content is still important, authenticity and connection should be the forefront of your creative process.

Here’s your quick-start checklist for creating consistent content:

Pick 5-7 Content Pillars:
These are your main topics. They’ll guide everything from your Reels to your Stories.
Ex: Project before and afters, Thrifting Finds & How I Styled It, Behind-the-Scenes Family Life
Batch Create Content:
Spend a day or a few hours each week creating and planning your posts. You’ll thank yourself later.
Use Templates and Tools:
Canva, CapCut, or even Instagram’s built-in tools are lifesavers. Consistency doesn’t mean reinventing the wheel each time.

And friend, if you’re worried about sounding repetitive? Don’t be! Your audience needs to hear your message at minimum 3-5 times before they act on it. So keep sharing.

Want to make sure you’re not falling into the most common traps? I wrote all about The Biggest Mistakes New Influencers Make—And How to Avoid Them. It’s a must-read if you’re serious about leveling up without burning out.

Be Authentically You

Truthfully, your followers can tell when you’re faking it. They’re savvy. What works in 2025 is raw, real, and relatable content.

Show your wins.
Show your struggles.
Share the messy middle.

Whether you’re a small business owner packaging orders in your pajamas or an influencer testing yet another dry shampoo, share the real. That’s what builds trust.

Be Professional, Always

Your Instagram is your storefront. Would you walk into a messy, inconsistent shop with bad customer service? Nope.

Here’s how to keep it pro:

Answer your DMs. (Even if it’s a simple heart emoji to acknowledge them.)
Respond to comments.
Communicate clearly with brands (contracts, deadlines, deliverables, stay on top of them).
Meet deadlines. If you say you’re going to do something, do it.

And yes, email signatures, media kits, and a clear pitch template? They go a long way.

Embrace Affiliate Links (And Do It Authentically)

Affiliate income is one of the best ways to make income as an influencer in 2025. But here’s the thing, only recommend what you love.

If you wouldn’t tell your best friend to buy it, don’t share it. People can smell inauthenticity a mile away.

Use LTK (LIKEtoKNOW.it), Amazon Affiliates, ShopMy, or direct affiliate programs.
Create shoppable guides on your Stories and Highlights.
Disclose your links (It’s the law—and it builds trust.)

Your audience wants to support you. Make it easy for them.

If you want a deeper dive on how influencers are making money in 2025 (and exactly how to diversify your income streams), check out How Do Influencers Make Money in 2025—My Guide to Diversifying Your Income. It’s packed with ideas that go way beyond affiliate links.

Understand Your Analytics (Data, But Make It Fun)

Knowing what’s working (and what’s not) will make your life so much easier.

Track:

What content gets the most comments and saves?
Which Stories get the most replies?
What time does your audience engage most?

Instagram’s Insights are your superpower. Use that info to create more of what works and tweak what doesn’t. Simple. Powerful.

What Instagram Prioritizes in 2025

Short-Form Video Still Comes Out on Top
Carousel Posts with Value: Shareable tips, step-by-step guides, and aspirational posts.
SEO on Instagram: SEO is still so underrated. Use keywords in your captions, bio, and alt text.
Original Content: Gone are the days of trending audios. Make your content unique to you.

Tools to Make Life Easier (Because Balance Matters)

Canva – for on-brand graphics
Asana – for content management
InShot – for quick video editing
DropBox – for photo and document storage

Your Action Plan: How to Start Right Now

Audit Your Bio. Use our formula. Make it crystal clear.
Choose Your 5-7 Content Pillars. Stick to them!
Commit to Showing Up Daily. Especially in Stories.
Plan Out Your Week. Batch and schedule when you can.
Engage, Engage, Engage. Comments, DMs, everywhere.
Stay Professional. Every time.
Track What Works. Adjust as needed.
Stay YOU. Because the world doesn’t need another copycat influencer. It needs you.

From One Influencer to Another

If you take nothing else away from this, remember this: You don’t have to be perfect to be successful on Instagram.
You just have to be consistent, authentic, and kind. And in 2025? That’s more than enough.

If you’re ready to level up as an influencer, to grow an engaged audience, partner with brands you’re proud of, and earn real income through affiliate marketing (without feeling weird about it) - the Good Influence(r) course is where it all comes together. It’s everything you need to build a sustainable, values-driven influencer business… and we’d love to have you inside.

You’ve got this. I’m cheering you on. 🖤

Good Influencer Team