How Covid has affected content creators life so far

For starters, i am an uprising social media content creator. Being in this industry is already tough in Singapore as many people do not recognised this lifestyle as a proper career path and what is making it tougher is that Covid has not only affected me but also many micro-influencers in such an industry

A glimpse into my life

I am a fresh graduate who just finished her course in International Business. The reason why i wanted to learn this course actually also relates to why i want to start influencer marketing. Hopefully one day i can start my own digital e-commerce platform.

I am currently studying another degree in web media and marketing which can further enhance my career or help me learn more of designing new websites or creating e-commerce platforms.

Before the pandemic hit, many influencers were able to travel around the world, try out different foods and even attend physical events. This stopped significantly as the pandemic happen, lockdowns happen and more importantly everyone is staying home to avoid crowded places or even to stay safe.

I for one am a part goer, I love trying new things, new adventure, food, places etc. Having to go into this path of career and such a time like this obviously puts me in a spot and whats more I am only just starting out and need people to recognise me to get to know me and be able to trust me to create content for companies that people will enjoy and like.

How has the industry been affected?

For influencers, it has been hard. This is because what we earn is depending on how much companies want to endorse in us. Since companies have also been affected by the pandemic, many companies choose to either lessen their endorsements or even halt productions. This means for us influencers, our rice bowl has also gradually decreased as we are getting lesser endorsements which means lesser engagements for our followers. For companies, since influencers are not able to travel overseas, companies can only endorse locally, which also in return means their engagement rate is also lesser. Everyone is feeding day by day living within the means.

How I as a start-up influencer been coping?

I have definitely trying to be more occupied and even took on a part-time job as a gymnastics coach. In terms of spending my time, i try not to think about what is going to happen the next day, whether any companies or brands will reach out to me. I have been trying to keep myself occupied with either school or heading to the gym just to keep my mind off things. Yes this industry on itself is already hard as an influencer as you decide your own time, effort and also decide how much you want to earn every single month, but coming into this industry at such a time I was also prepared for what was to come next and take it day by day.

How do I get companies to recognised me at times like this.

Overall, I feel that in this industry you have to be outgoing. Putting yourself on the market to show that you can be an asset for a brand or a company. I for one, am always looking at different opportunities be it whether it is for a simple photoshoot to improve my portfolio or even signing up for local press release to get myself out into the market and that is what I have been doing. If there is an opportunity for me to attend an event, I will make it an effort to go if I am not working or schooling. being outspoken being adventurous is one way i have been getting companies to recognised me. I being a start-up influencer is also more approachable for smaller brands or companies as I am willing to take a lower cut of what brands will get after i endorse them as I am still fresh on the market.

With that being said, at the end of the day I will always be genuine and unfiltered in my opinions and this is why I believe my fans can trust me and companies are willing to endorse me if they can feel my realness.