How To Be An Influencer In NYC
Tired of your dreadful 9-5 job? Looking for a job that embraces your creative side? You might want to consider starting a content creation job. Content creation jobs can include TikTokers, YouTubers, Instagramers, and more. Most popular content creators live in big cities, since a lot happens in big cities that can be used to attract viewers. Special events such as concerts and fashion weeks take place, there are tons of shops and unique restaurants to visit, and cool tourist attractions to showcase. So, if you live in New York City and want to become an influencer, read on for tips on how to get started!
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what type of content?
According to a study done on state influencer density, New York is in the lead with 6.45% of the population having influencer status. I’ve come across various content creators that moved to New York City to expand their content and viewership, such as Lauren Norris who moved from Alabama, Mai Pham who moved from Canada, and LenaLifts who moved from New Jersey.
New York City offers various outlets for creating content. There are events such as New York Fashion Week and festivals such as Smorgasburg and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. During the wintertime, there’s various fun activities and sights to see, such as the Rockefeller Tree Lighting and ice skating in Central Park.
The city also has a lot of cozy, unique cafes and restaurants to visit. Some of my favorite videos to watch are “day in my life” videos where influencers run errands, go cafe hopping, and clean their spaces. “What I eat in a day” videos are also very popular, since they give viewers food inspirpation for the week. Vlogging visits to different shops and restaurants in the city, as well as showing viewers what you’re buying and eating, is an easy form of content creation.
According to Visme, the top two most-watched video types on YouTube are video tutorials and “ask me anything” videos. Other popular video types include unboxings, hauls, vlogs, and product reviews. This is quite an extensive list of possible content to create, and it might seem overwhelming. So how do you determine what content is right for you?
First, think about your hobbies. What do you enjoy doing? Do you collect things such as books or CDs? Do you enjoy beauty and doing makeup? Maybe you like shopping or trying out new restaurants. Any of your hobbies can be turned into content for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and other social platforms. Even just being good at giving advice on certain topics like careers and relationships can get you a following. Pinpoint what you’re passionate about first and go from there!
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equipment you’ll need
So, what type of equipment is needed or useful for influencers? The first thing you’ll want to consider is if you want to record or take pictures on a camera or your phone. If you want to use a camera, some popular ones according to Ainfluencer include the Sony a6400, Canon M50 Mark II, and DJI Osmo Pocket. All three cameras are either compact or pocket-sized and offer 4K video.
It’s very possible to use your smartphone to record and take pictures if you’re looking to save money. In fact, this might make editing videos a lot easier, since you won’t need to upload the video clips or pictures from your camera to a computer to edit later and can instead edit them directly in an app on your phone.
A piece of equipment you’ll want to invest in is a microphone. Microphones give viewers clear audio free of background noise. New York City is very busy and loud, so you’ll want to make sure your viewers can properly hear you. And if you’re planning to record as you go, consider getting a USB microphone. There are also mini microphones that clip onto clothes and are perfect for on-the-go recording.
Proper lighting is key for many influencers. Selfie light phone cases are helpful to have if you’re on the go, because they adjust the lighting to match the surrounding environment. If you set up your own studio, a mirror with lights on it may be helpful to record in front of.
Other important things to keep in mind are the space you record in (if you’re recording in a single location) and how you’ll stay organized. If you have a blank wall, you might want to consider getting a green screen. This is especially useful if you don’t want to bother decorating a space for recording content or taking pictures. If you don’t have a green screen, it’s helpful to make your recording or photo space look presentable and even aesthetic, if possible. To keep yourself organized, planners or whiteboard wall calendars are super helpful. Be sure to write down what types of videos you need to record, any pictures you need to take, or brand meetings you might have. Staying organized is key to the influencer lifestyle!
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editing
If you’re becoming an influencer, you’ll want some image and video editing apps to up the quality of your content. If you have an iPhone, the app iMovie (which comes downloaded on the phone) is great for editing videos and free to use. There’s also editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, CapCut, and InShot.
If you’re looking for photo editing apps, there’s VSCO which is free to use and has a simple interface, Snapspeed which has professional features and a more complicated interface, and Canva, which allows users to create collages and add text and effects to photos.
What might you need to edit? Perhaps the lighting in a photo is too dark, or there are parts of a video you recorded that you don’t want viewers to see and wish to cut out. These apps and software can help you fix any little errors in your content. They also allow you to add cool features, such as intro and outro clips in YouTube videos, music, and unique filters on photos.
TikTok, Instagram, and other contemporary social media applications have revolutionized content creation by also offering robust video editing tools that empower users to unleash their creativity effortlessly. TikTok, in particular, has gained widespread popularity for its user-friendly interface and a plethora of innovative features, including filters, effects, and music overlays, enabling users to craft engaging short-form videos.
Instagram, with its IGTV and Stories features, also provides a comprehensive suite of editing tools, allowing users to enhance and personalize their videos seamlessly. These platforms understand the increasing demand for visually appealing and dynamic content, offering a diverse range of editing options such as transitions, text overlays, and augmented reality effects. The accessibility of these advanced tools democratizes content creation, transforming users into amateur filmmakers and fostering a global community of creators who can easily produce, edit, and share captivating videos.
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It Takes time
It takes a lot of time and effort to become an influencer and build your following. It doesn’t happen overnight, so patience is key. The best ways to increase your following are to develop a content schedule to ensure you’re actively and frequently putting out new content, making sure you stay up to date with current trends, and—most importantly—making content you’re passionate about. If viewers and followers see that you’re passionate about what you’re doing, chances are that they’ll come back for more. Enjoying what you do makes a big difference!
It’s also helpful to open accounts on as many social platforms as possible. For instance, if your focus is YouTube content, consider linking a TikTok profile to your videos and making shorter versions of the videos you make on YouTube. The more platforms you post content on, the bigger your following will be.
It’s important to remember that being an influencer often starts out as a side hustle. Sure, views, advertisements, and sponsorships can bring in income. But when you’re just starting out, this income isn’t enough to live off. You’ll want to find a way to manage a job and content creation until you can get your platform to grow.
But I hope you don’t feel discouraged! Content creation can be so much fun and it allows you to express yourself creatively, as well as do what you’re passionate about. With time and patience, you can make content creation a career!
conclusion
It can be tiresome and unmotivating to attend the same job and do the same things every day, which is why becoming an influencer may be right for you. You’d be able to spend time doing what you enjoy, share it with others, and potentially make money off it! It’s a perfect side hustle job to have.
New York City is an exciting city with so much to do, so you’ll never be short of places to vlog yourself going to or unique places to do a photoshoot at. I hope you’re able to use these tips to start content creating, and I wish you the best of luck on your journey to becoming an influencer in New York City!
