INSIDE OF INFLUENCERS: An analysis and framework of social media influencers’ self-branding practices

Name: Alison Lindsey-Noble
Major: Communication Studies
Minor: Global Media & Digital Studies

This study aimed to understand the practices social media influencers (SMIs) use to create a self-brand, maintain their status and secure financial gain. This study pinpoints a framework by which further research on SMIs and their self-branding practices can be conducted. The framework explored factors of self-branding like relatability, consistency and authenticity which are used by SMIs to maintain their brand and influence audience perception. Through the production of these pillars of self-branding, this research project seeks to add to existing research on digital labor, self-branding and celebrity studies. This project was conducted through case studies of three prominent SMIs and their production of consistency, authenticity and reliability. Through these three practices, one will better understand the implications of SMIs within their own industry, how they make their fortunes and how these practices can be implemented by anyone seeking to engage with this career path.

Keywords: influencers, self-branding, relatability, consistency, authenticity, digital labor

Inside of Influencers, Ep. 1

Inside of Influencers, Ep. 2

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Posted in Comments Enabled, Independent Study, Symposium 2022 on April 26, 2022.

2 responses to “INSIDE OF INFLUENCERS: An analysis and framework of social media influencers’ self-branding practices”

1. melanderson says:

   April 28, 2022 at 9:45 pm

   I love your podcast and the ways you show how SMIs take off because of their relatability and innovation. Great research and engaging narration.

2. Tracy Cosgriff says:

   April 29, 2022 at 12:04 pm

   A fabulously interesting project, Alison! I love that you translated these ideas using podcasts – very thoughtful and engaging! Congratulations!