From a young age, we are encouraged to dream about our future. In the past, careers like doctor, lawyer, teacher, or even astronaut dominated our imagination. These were professions our parents viewed as stable and promising. However, reality has shifted, and with it, the dreams of new generations. Today, one of the most common aspirations among young people is to become a digital influencer. But does this dream make sense for everyone?
The short answer: not always.
The Influence of Social Media on Collective Imagination
Social media has shaped a new idea of success. Who hasn’t followed the lives of influencers, watching their travels, unboxing videos, and partnerships with major brands? For many young people, the life of an influencer seems like an irresistible mix of fame, flexibility, and, of course, wealth. According to recent research, nearly 60% of young people between 13 and 26 would trade their current jobs to become influencers. They see content creation as a fun opportunity to be their own boss.
But what often goes unnoticed are the challenges behind the scenes. The life of an influencer is not just about sponsored posts and likes. Often, it’s an exhausting routine of content creation, studying algorithms, and managing one’s image. Moreover, only a small percentage of influencers actually achieve the financial success that we see online.
The Other Side of the Story
The digital influencer market is vast and diverse. There is a misconception that anyone can become a social media star with little effort. However, many people don’t realise that more than 70% of influencers in Brazil earn less than the minimum wage. For the majority, the path to financial stability through content creation is long and uncertain.
While a small elite of influencers accumulates millions of followers and lucrative sponsorships, the reality for most is quite different. Creating relevant content, building a loyal audience, and dealing with the constant pressure to be online can be both challenging and exhausting.
Why Investing in Personal Branding Still Makes Sense
Now, you might wonder: if being an influencer is so difficult, why is it still a dream for so many young people? The answer lies in relatability. Influencers feel like ordinary people, someone who could be your friend, and this closeness is what captivates their audience. Furthermore, the ability to influence goes far beyond the digital world.
This is where the importance of personal branding comes into play. If you don’t want to be a digital influencer, that’s perfectly fine, but we all have a personal brand, whether we realise it or not. Personal branding is essentially how you position yourself and how others perceive you, both in your personal and professional life. Building an authentic and consistent image can open doors in any career.
Developing your personal brand means understanding your skills, values, and how you want to be perceived in the market. In an increasingly digital world, knowing how to communicate effectively and use the right tools can be a huge advantage, regardless of whether or not you want to be an influencer.
Dream Big, But Prepare Even Better
Whatever path you want to follow, it’s important to remember that there is no success without effort. The life of a digital influencer may be glamorous, but it also comes with many challenges. For those who truly want to follow this dream, it’s worth preparing, studying, and developing skills beyond "posting pretty pictures."
However, if you don’t want to go down this road, focus on building a strong personal brand. Being clear about who you are, what you want to achieve, and how to position yourself in the world can be just as valuable as having thousands of social media followers.
In the end, success is much more about authenticity and consistency than about likes and views.
Sources:
DW Brasil: "Studying for what? Young people who dream of becoming influencers"
Jornal Digital Recife: "Digital Influencer: The new professional dream of youth"
Portal Cloud CIEE: "The unstoppable rise of digital influencers"
Portal MKT Digital: "The Impact of Digital Influencers on Youth Development"
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