How to Become an Influencer and Generate Revenue
You’ve probably Googled this before: How do I become an influencer? Or more specifically: How do I make actual money as one?
And I get it. The world has made "influencer" a dirty word. They think it's all mirror selfies, brand trips, and convincing people to buy things they don’t need. But here’s what I know:
A professional influencer is not a walking advertisement. A professional influencer is a brand. A business. A creative entrepreneur with something real to say, who knows how to show up and generate revenue without selling out.
So today, I’m pulling back the curtain and showing you exactly how to do it—from growing your presence to building an actual income.
Step 1: Know What You Stand For
Before you post a single thing, ask yourself: What do I want to be known for? Because if you’re trying to be for everyone, you’re going to resonate with no one.
Whether it’s DIY home renovation (hi, that’s how I started), sustainable fashion, motherhood chaos, or interior styling on a Target budget—own it. Say it out loud. Put it in your bio. Build your content around it.
Pro Tip: Your niche is not a prison. It’s a starting line.
Step 2: Get on Camera (Even If It Feels Weird)
I’ll say it louder for the people in the back: People follow people. Not pages. Not brands. Not logos. People.
Your audience wants to know YOU. That includes your voice, your face, your story, and your day-to-day chaos. And I know what you're thinking—"But I’m not a video person." You are now.
Start with small things:
15-second story explaining your day or GRWM
Voiceover Reel showing your latest project
A face-to-camera tip or behind-the-scenes moment
You don’t need to be polished. You just need to be real.
Step 3: Create Consistently (Not Constantly)
Posting daily is great. Burning out is not. The secret isn’t more content—it’s better content that trains your audience to engage.
Here’s what works:
Hooks that stop the scroll
Captions that tell stories
Visuals that feel cohesive but not curated to death
Clear CTA’s (Tell people what to do next!)
And make it sustainable. Batch content. Use templates. Repurpose your best posts.
Pro Tip: My favorite hack? Try rotating 5 post types (content pillars): behind-the-scenes, tips, personal story, brand work, and “just for fun.” That’s a full week of content with structure and variety.
Step 4: Build Your Email List (Yep, It Still Matters)
Social platforms can change. Algorithms can shift. But your email list? That’s yours forever.
Start building it early. Use:
Free downloads (checklists, templates, guides)
Exclusive tips
Weekly newsletters
And most importantly: make it good. If your newsletter is just a recap of your posts, people will skip it. Give them stories. Give them personality. Give them value.
Step 5: Start Monetizing (Yes, Even With a Small Following)
Let’s break this down, because everyone thinks you need 100K followers to start making money. You don’t. Brands are actually looking to partner with micro influencers now more than ever before.
Here’s how real influencers start generating revenue:
1. Brand Deals
Reach out. Don’t wait to be discovered. Show brands how you can deliver ROI with content that converts.
2. Affiliate Marketing
Pick products you genuinely use. Share stories, not just links. And track performance.
3. Your Own Products
Templates. Guides. Courses. Merch. You name it. If you’ve built trust, they’ll buy it.
4. Services
Maybe you coach. Maybe you consult. Maybe you offer design services. Package it up.
Start with one stream. Get good at it. Then diversify.
Reminder: Every piece of content should be doing one of three things—building trust, exdpanding reach, or driving revenue.
Step 6: Track, Learn, Adjust
You’re not just a creator. You’re a business owner. And business owners look at data.
Check your analytics weekly
Look at what’s getting shared, saved, commented on
Double down on what works
And if something flops? Learn from it. Don’t spiral. Don’t quit. Adjust.
Pro Tip: If you want to land high-paying brand deals, start tracking your content performance in a media kit.
Step 7: Protect Your Energy + Stay in Your Lane
The hardest part of being a professional influencer? Staying grounded when everyone else is performing online.
Some reminders:
You don’t have to chase every trend
You don’t need a viral moment to succeed
You are allowed to grow slow
What matters most is that you keep showing up, adding value, and building community. That's the secret sauce.
Final Word: This Is Your Sign
If you’ve been waiting for someone to say, "You can do this," here it is.
You don’t need permission to take this seriously. You don’t need 10K followers to start. You don’t need to do what everyone else is doing.
You just need to start. With a plan. With purpose. With your whole self.
Be real. Be strategic. Be a professional influencer.
Let’s build something beautiful.
P.S. Want the Shortcut?
We’re hosting a live beginner seminar that walks you through exactly how to become a professional influencer—from scratch.
Becca, our Head of Good Influence(r), is breaking it ALL down in our How to Become a Professional Influencer Masterclass. If you’ve been thinking about growing online, getting brand deals, and finally taking this seriously, this is for you.
✔️ Real strategies ✔️ Beginner-friendly ✔️ Zero fluff
Reserve your seat now.
