“So…Are You Ever Going To Do This Full Time?”

 

I am often asked a question that I would prefer not to answer. The question is, "Will you become a full-time influencer?" This new-ish career path that people are taking has many ways to describe it, especially in 2024. It seems like everyone has become a full-time influencer. Although I have tried it, I have many more thoughts about this topic.

Would I Be A Full-Time Influencer?

Collaborations Would Be Easier

I understand how disheartening it can be when I receive an invitation to a breakfast or lunch meeting/event but have to decline due to my 9-to-5 schedule. Fortunately, the brands I work with are accommodating, but I can't help but wonder how much more I could foster relationships with brands if I had more time to attend these events, particularly in a post-COVID world.

Additionally, having more time would allow me to focus on my content. Although I believe I'm currently doing a decent job, I feel like I could be more thoughtful with my content. Prior to COVID, there was a lot of pressure to produce visually appealing content. While that's still important, it's now more of a balance between my everyday life and producing content. In 2019, I would shoot content every few weeks to ensure I had enough to post. Nowadays, a simple outfit mirror pic can receive the same level of engagement.

Travel Would Be Easier

I often contemplate about my inability to take trips due to the limited number of vacation and personal days I have. I need to plan my PTO days carefully, and when I'm busy with work, traveling is out of the question. However, things have become easier post-COVID as I can work from home and travel to other states whenever I need to. Nonetheless, my 9-to-5 job always comes first as it pays my bills and, more importantly, I love what I do.

…but it’s still not that easy

I've noticed a lot of people saying that being an influencer isn't difficult, often followed by the argument that it's not a job that saves lives or requires rocket science-level skills. This argument bothers me because it's something that could be applied to any traditional 9-to-5 job. Personally, I work in the fashion industry, where I'm responsible for organizing products and helping with inventory to grow the business. Is my job saving lives? Definitely not. But is it challenging? Yes, especially when there are high expectations to meet. So, is it difficult? No, not really. 

My point is that becoming a successful influencer and earning enough to make it your full-time job is not easy. I know this from experience because I've tried it. Many people have misconceptions about those who earn a living from their Instagram or website. The internet makes it easy to assume that everyone's life is perfect or that they deserve criticism for every little thing they do because they put their lives out there. However, social media is just a highlight reel of people's lives, showing only the good things and not the vulnerable moments.

While we show what goes on “behind the scenes”…it’s still a lot of highlights. We loooooove the idea of hustling. We looooove showing that side of our lives online.

But what about real-life things??? Like health insurance. When I started a new job after trying to be a full-time influencer for a bit, my insurance didn’t kick in for 60 days. I had to pay $900 for shitty health insurance (that didn’t include dental…and I need a lot of dental work at the time. If I truly were a full-time influencer, there’s no way I could afford $450 a month without sacrificing something else in my life. It’s just not something I want to do ever.

I guess that’s my main point. Since I’ve struck the perfect balance between the two, why would I stop? Right now, my 9-to-5 and my own business allow me to live the lifestyle I want. I really don’t have to sacrifice much. Not only do I absolutely LOVE what I do at my LITERAL dream job, I also get to run my own business. The dual income, the security of steady biweekly paychecks, the benefits, working in the fashion industry, AND working with brands on my own…it’s all kind of worth it to me. It works for me. It’s not easy by any means. But it works.