How Becoming a Full-Time Influencer Has Changed My Life

Never did I imagine, that a single app I downloaded in 2014 would change my life as much as it has. That that this app allowed me to quit my 9-5 in 2017 and pursue social media full-time.

Never did I imagine, that I would be able to teach others how to do the same full time.

When you work for yourself, it’s easy to become distracted on what needs to be done, as opposed to what you’ve done to get to that point.

Since launching my social media course Art of Influence in November of 2021 , i’ve had a lot of time to reflect over the past 8 years and just how far i’ve come and just how much my life has changed since making the transition.

Truth be told, I never “planned” on becoming a social media influencer…

this job didn’t even exist at that time.

In just a few years the industry exploded, generating careers that no-one knew could exist and only then did people begin to understand the power social media possessed.

Being able to teach others through AOI has been one of the most wholesome things I have ever done. Waking up to DMs from my students telling me that they’ve landed their first collaboration makes my day and pushes me to make AOI even better.

There are limitless ways in which pursuing social media full time has changed my life, but if I had to list the ones that I value the most…

I have complete flexibility in my schedule

I am my own CEO, my own boss and my the owner of my business.

Never will I need to ask for time off, or put in my availabilities again and I can work wherever I want, whenever I want.

I get to plan every aspect of my day, from shooting content, online shopping all the way through to planning a dinner date with my closest friends.

When you choose to fully commit into social media and become an influencer, you are not bound to a single location or working hours. Some days that might be at home and others it might be cafes (often on the other side of the world ✈️).

Nothing will compare to the freedom that I feel being able to take a day off if I decide to meet up with a friend, or attend important events without having to ask or report back to someone else.

I get to be creative everyday

I always knew that the corporate realm was never my calling, I had too many ideas to just be told what to do.

I’ve always been a creative person, and nothing empowers creatives more than working within the social media industry. Your value is determined by your ability to think outside the box and be unique, not how well you listen to orders.

I’ve become more confident

The Art Of Influence was built with the idea of bettering both you and your content. I wanted people to feel like the empowered version of yourself - ready to take on the world.

Creating content and putting yourself out there daily constantly pushes you to become a better — more confident, more assertive, more refined and well-spoken version of yourself.

Who I was before social media, versus who I am now are two completely different people and I want you to feel the same.

Finally being the author of your own story is the most liberating part of all, and I want you to feel it too.

I get to work with my favourite brands

Before social media became the norm, working with brands was something I believed was only reserved for models. The idea that I too, would be working with my favourite brands in the future wasn’t even a thought.

As soon as brands understood the power that social media possessed over their audiences, they were quick to adapt and it quickly levelled out the playing field for every single aspiring creator.

In only a few months of me starting my social media career, I had already landed brand deals leaving me with the impression that I could do this full time.

Fast forward 8 years and i’ve worked with almost every single one of my dream brands - I’ve even landed long term contacts with some of them!

If you feel like this story would never be you, I’m here to tell you that you’re wrong.

In the beginning, many of our students have had the same worries, only to have their lives change in only a few short months. I want to be the one to teach you how you can do the same.

This industry is for everyone.

I’ve created a community

Having an audience on Instagram is like having a group of friends you can take along with you everywhere! While building a community is what takes the most work, it is also the most rewarding.

Being and influencer, it’s easy to fall into the trap of “it’s about me” instead of “how can I better serve my community” because that’s exactly what it’s about.

People are invested in you and your narrative, so it’s important to show appreciation to the ones that support you. You possess a huge influence, and the better your relationship with your community, the bigger your influence is.

One of the biggest perks (that I believe not enough people mention) is your ability to create friendships amongst the people within your community. Because you attract so many likeminded people within that niche, you’re constantly exposing your followers to each other, forming friendships that would have otherwise be impossible.

Our student only group is a perfect example of this. One of the most wholesome things of all is coming across posts from students sharing their successes amongst each other, and that’s what this industry is all about.

Empowerment.

The job has perks (and lots of them)

From PR gifts to sponsored trips, it truly does feel like you’re living the dream sometimes. There’s been so many times I’ve been taking photos in such an amazing location and I often have to pinch myself – is this really my job?! That’s not to say it’s always sunshine and rainbows, because of course it’s not. But, the perks really do outweigh them.

The Art of Influence has already generated life changing scenarios for some of our students, from being able to quit their 9-5 and pursue content creation full time, to all paid overseas collaborations.

The AOI really does create dreams.

Life excites me more than ever!

I never know where I’ll be next month or even next week. An exciting opportunity can pop up in your email at any time. I’ve learned to thrive off the unpredictability and the idea of where my life could be in 5 years. All I know is, I get to spend my days doing what I love most!

If you’re thinking about becoming a social media influencer, I’m hosting a free masterclass on how you can get started! I’d love to see you there and teach you how to make a living from Instagram.