Social media, when productively used, serves as a key that unlocks incremental value for personalities and businesses. With the monumental growth of digital media and communications, our world has become smaller and more democratic than ever. Social media usage now permeates our web; catalyzing the creation of brands, startups, thought leaders and innovations.

It is right to say that the best brands and individuals on the internet, those who have optimized the relevance of social media in the 21st century, are those who utilize their digital tools and networks strategically and intentionally to gain credence and amplify their voices across the web. Individuals and brands that find success on the social web are often measured by the strength of networks, the relevance of content, and the scope of engagement.

As social beings, we naturally seek out others that pay attention to us, don’t we? There are very few things as powerful as the ability to make a large number of individuals or institutions act according to what is “said” or “written” by you. A social media influencer, therefore, wields that power to act and make change, using his or her social assets; both for self and for others. For many social media users, this happens to be a desire and a goal: powerful and recognition as an Influencer. It is vital to have a resounding voice on the social web in this “age of the social”. To amplify your voice and strategically brew yourself into a worthy Influencer, the following traits are worthy of your attention.

1. CREATE A VOICE AND A PURPOSE
Getting started (in case you haven’t yet), your voice matters a lot. Let your inner being amplify your personality, so as to have your personality speak your thoughts, attitude, relevance and goals. Most social media influencers that I have studied, and many more who are currently amplifying great conversations and moving worthy contents on the social web, are actually everyday individuals who have chosen an extra channel (the social web) to project their personalities and beliefs.

So, the idea is to think about what you are good at and then let that lead you on the path to becoming an Influencer. Are you a funny individual who makes friends and families laugh? Then you could consider posting short, funny videos on Instagram or Facebook. Do you have smart business tips and practical ideas in business? Then you could create an image around that, choose a platform like Twitter or LinkedIn and gradually build your community of followers. The idea is to try to be as real as possible by doing what you love doing and what you could create a social media image upon.

2. CHOOSE YOUR CHANNELS
Choosing your channels could be as easy as figuring out what you want to achieve on these channels. However, attention still has to be given to making this seemingly simple choice. For one, to be an Influencer does not necessarily mean you have to spread your voice (thinly) across all social platforms.

Most influencers started off building their images on a single platform, gained traction and gradually spread their popularity to other desired and popular platforms. However, most influencers choose one or two platforms where they believe their personas commune, and they stick to it while optimizing their presence. Your purpose and objective will determine your content; your content ultimately determines your channel of choice. You could, therefore, publish your content via a blog, or choose one of the other micro-social media platforms that suits your purpose

3. UNDERSTAND YOUR AUDIENCE TO CRAFT YOUR CONTENT
It is very vital to know who the people you want to engage, and influence are. What motivates your personas? How do they want their content? When are they mostly active on your channel of choice? Having answers to these fundamental questions matters a lot as it serves as a compass during content development and publishing. Content, they say, is King. Spend time and assess your ecosystem to have a general understanding of these areas while you incrementally develop on your communication skills on the social web.

4. MAKE AN IMPACT
Above all else, this must be your ultimate focus; to influence your world. Remember that being an Influencer is not just about YOU but ultimately about your world. You need to make your voice and influence relevant by participating in worthy causes, driving conversations around pressing issues. Using social media productively this way helps in pushing you up the ladder as a thought leader and as a proponent of social good. Real issues around us happen to be one of the most published, discussed and debated content online. For this reason, the power of your reach must drive change; both on the social web and offline.

Credit: DAVID OTU