What is a tech influencer?

Many might define it as someone well-known for discussing technology, which is a reasonable description. However, in this context, I think of a tech influencer as someone who influences industry practices or thinks on a particular topic. For example, Tanya Reilly on Being Glue, Cindy Sridharan on Testing in Production, or Dan Luu on Hiring and the Market for Lemons.

Interestingly, most truly successful people aren’t widely recognized online. If you’re deeply involved in social media, it’s easy to fall into a “reality distortion field” where being well-known in an online community feels synonymous with professional credibility. However, in my experience, many of the most successful individuals I know don’t have a significant online presence. They don’t create online content, write books, or appear at conferences. Some might have an Instagram account, but it’s more about family or personal interests than professional endeavors. In communities that thrive online, there’s often a pervasive message suggesting that success requires creating content. But this isn’t true. You don’t need a YouTube channel, a blog, or a Twitch stream to build a successful career.

I believe focusing your energy on long-lasting, semi-private communities—like learning circles, meetups, or niche industry groups—can make you more influential. These spaces often foster deeper connections and more meaningful impact than public online platforms. Being well-known online can also have downsides. For every person whose career has benefitted from online visibility, I know several who’ve faced harassment or whose professional prospects have been harmed. Public visibility on the internet can often do more harm than good.

What’s more important than online fame is prestige. Prestige, whether earned through accomplishments or affiliations, acts as a universal advantage in professional spaces. For those who didn’t graduate from a prestigious university, creating their form of prestige can be a powerful career tool. It makes you a more compelling candidate, facilitates networking, and opens doors to senior roles. While it’s possible to achieve all these things without prestige, having it makes the journey significantly easier.

A Step-by-Step Guide: Becoming a Tech Influencer:

Nowadays, platforms like social media, podcasts, blogs, and online videos offer outgoing communicators the chance to share their insights and gradually build a loyal community. With dedication and effort, it’s possible to turn your passion into a profitable side hustle or even a full-time career.

Interested in becoming more influential? Here are the steps to help you embark on the journey of becoming a tech influencer.

Set Goals and Define Your Niche

To establish yourself as an influencer, start by setting clear, achievable goals and identifying a specific niche or subject area. This will guide you in choosing the right platforms, creating frequent content that resonates with your audience, and building your credibility.

Neal Schaffer, a digital marketing consultant, advises asking yourself the following questions:

• Where do you want your career and life to lead?
• What do you want to be recognized for?
• Who is your target audience?
• In which areas do you have above-average knowledge or expertise?

“There’s riches in the niches,” Schaffer says. Finding an engaging niche can help you target your audience more effectively and run focused marketing campaigns.

Authenticity and genuine intentions are key to growing a loyal following, according to Horace Mackey, an AI sales director and tech career influencer with over 20,000 Instagram followers and 5,000 on LinkedIn. Mackey draws from his personal experiences to educate people about tech career opportunities for diverse professionals and dispel myths that might discourage them. Storytelling is an excellent way to start creating engaging online content.

Remember, you don’t need to be an expert in a topic to discuss it unless you’re positioning yourself as a technical authority. You can focus on areas you’re learning about and share your journey, especially if it involves emerging technologies that others may find intriguing.

Brand Yourself as an Influencer

Once you’ve chosen a niche, focus on building a strong, recognizable brand that captures attention and fosters meaningful connections with followers.

Your brand includes your tagline, visuals (such as profile graphics, colors, and props), and the overall tone of your content. These elements create a distinct identity and boost engagement on platforms like LinkedIn and others. Schaffer suggests reading his free e-book for insights on using LinkedIn for personal branding.

A thoughtful and intentional brand acts as a roadmap for your content strategy, defining your purpose, identity, and audience expectations.

Build a Community

Whether you opt for social media, blogs, podcasts, videos, or in-person events, start small and choose a platform that suits your strengths and communication style. Different platforms cater to different audiences, so select one that aligns with your goals.

For example, Mackey began his journey by speaking to students at Georgia Tech about non-technical careers in tech companies. This evolved into a video content strategy featuring insights on job postings, roles, and earning potential.

Produce Consistent and Engaging Content

Consistency is key. As your audience grows, aim to publish content weekly or more frequently. Engage with your followers by responding to comments and messages promptly. Direct interaction fosters loyalty and encourages followers to share your content.

Network and Collaborate

Collaborating with other tech influencers can expand your reach and introduce you to new audiences. For example, Mackey’s breakthrough came when he appeared on a popular tech influencer’s podcast.

Partnerships with like-minded influencers or experts can boost your credibility. However, ensure their messaging aligns with your goals. Be cautious of podcasts that charge for guest appearances. If you aim to lead a larger community, consider hosting Zoom discussions, creating Slack channels, and using social listening tools to understand audience feedback and sentiments. Over time, you can establish yourself as an expert by participating in industry events, webinars, and panel discussions. The scale of your influence is up to you.

How to Become a Top Influencer

Whether you’re young or old, male or female, anyone can become an influencer. While influencer marketing is open to various personalities and styles, it relies on specific techniques and strategies, including the following:

1. Be Authentic

The number of influencers on social media is growing rapidly. To stand out, you must stay true to yourself and consistent in your approach. Your content style—whether educational, fun, or humorous—should remain clear and genuine. Additionally, your values and messaging must align with the community you’re building.

To be a top influencer, focus on becoming an expert in a specific field. Your audience expects expertise, trend awareness, and a strong grasp of the latest innovations. True influencers believe in what they share, and their sincerity is evident.

2. Use the Right Hashtags

Hashtags are crucial for boosting the visibility and discoverability of your posts on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube. When you share stories or opinions about brands or products, combine relevant hashtags creatively. Effective hashtags should be engaging, witty, and positive to capture your audience’s interest.

3. Post Regularly

Consistency is key. Posting frequently and on a schedule increases your visibility and helps you stand out from the crowd. Regular updates not only boost engagement rates but also attract the attention of brands interested in partnerships. Establish a routine to keep your followers coming back for more.

4. Start Locally

When you’re starting as an influencer, it’s better to set realistic, local goals. Targeting your local community increases the chances of your content being noticed. Mentioning local brands, businesses, and locations in your posts can be highly effective, especially when paired with geotags. Build your local influence before expanding to national or international audiences.

5. Automate Likes and Posts

It can be challenging to respond to every comment or interaction from your followers. Using tools to automate likes and replies can save time and help maintain engagement. Automation tools can also schedule posts, ensuring your content reaches your audience consistently.

6. Engage Offline

Building a community isn’t limited to social media; real-life interactions matter too. Host events like contests or meetups, reward your audience in person, and share those experiences online. This personal touch helps strengthen your connection with followers and enhances your overall influence.

7. Stay Curious

To excel as an influencer, continuous learning is essential. The influencer marketing landscape is always evolving, so staying updated with the latest trends, tools, and insights is crucial. Curiosity drives creativity and ensures your content remains fresh and engaging for your audience.

8. Be Creative

Quality always trumps quantity. Focus on producing high-quality, unique content that stands out. Whether you’re sharing videos, photos, or stories, originality is vital. Experiment with editing, special effects, or creative formats to keep your audience engaged and excited.

9. Network with Other Influencers

Collaboration is a common practice among top influencers. Networking with others in your field allows you to share ideas, strategies, and experiences. Learning from seasoned influencers and partnering with them can significantly enhance your skills and reach. Consider joining influencer agencies or communities to expand your opportunities.

10. Be Persistent

Success in influencer marketing doesn’t happen overnight. It requires time, dedication, and resilience. Use the early stages of your journey to experiment with content styles, tones, and strategies. Persistence and adaptability are key to overcoming challenges and finding your unique voice.