Do you know who are the top social media influencers in the world? And do you know how they became so popular and influential? If you are curious about the world of social media influencers, you are not alone.
According to a survey by Statista, 70% of teens trust influencers more than traditional celebrities and 86% of women use social media for purchasing advice. Social media influencers are not just celebrities, they are also content creators, experts, leaders, and trendsetters in various niches and genres. They have the power to inspire, educate, and entertain millions of people with their posts and stories.
In this blog, you will learn what makes someone a social media influencer, who are the top 10 influencers in the world, and what are their secrets to success. Whether you are a fan, a follower, or an aspiring influencer yourself, you will find this blog informative and insightful.
Who Is A Top Social Media Influencer?
A social media influencer is one who creates content in various niches and genres, such as fashion, travel, gaming, etc. They have the power to inspire, educate, and entertain millions of people. Also, they help brands reach and engage their target audiences.
To become a social media influencer, you need to:
- Have a large and loyal following.
- Be an expert or a leader in your niche or genre.
- Create engaging and original content.
- Have a strong and authentic personal brand and voice.
Types Of Social Media Influencers
Celebrities: Famous people who promote their work, personal lives, and brands. For example, Dwayne Johnson.
Bloggers: People who publish content on a blog and use social media to drive traffic, interact, and collaborate. For example, Chiara Ferragni.
YouTubers: People who create and upload video content on YouTube and use social media to grow, engage, and monetize. For example, PewDiePie.
Podcasters: People who create and distribute audio content on podcasts and use social media to promote, connect, and partner. For example, Joe Rogan.
Instagrammers: People who create and share visual content on Instagram and use social media to showcase, work, and influence. For example, James Charles.
TikTokers: People who create and share short-form video content on TikTok and use social media to express, entertain, and go viral. For example, Charli D’Amelio.
Twitch streamers: People who stream live video content on Twitch and use social media to build, chat, and earn. For example, Ninja.
LinkedIn influencers: People who create and share professional content on LinkedIn and use social media to share, network, and influence. For example, Bill Gates.
Here Are The Top 7 Social Media Influencers
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
- Number of followers: 890.3 million
- Platforms: Instagram, Facebook, and X
- Genre: Fashion, Fitness, and Lifestyle
- Influence: Endorsing sports and body fitness products, Social work
Cristiano Ronaldo ranks first on the list of the top social media influencers. Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr and the Portugal national team. He was born on February 5, 1985, in Portugal.
He began his career with Sporting CP, then joined Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, winning many trophies and awards, including five Ballon d’Or. He is Portugal’s captain and top scorer, and he has won the European Championship and the Nations League. He is also the top scorer in international football and one of the best players ever. He has a total of 32 trophies.
Ronaldo is the first person to surpass 500 million followers and the most followed person on Instagram. He creates and shares engaging and original content that showcases his soccer career, family, friends, hobbies, and lifestyle. He also endorses various brands and products, such as Nike, LiveScore, Clear, and Herbalife etc. He earns $3.2 million per sponsored post.
He also uses his platform to support various charity organizations such as children’s hospitals, cancer research, disaster relief, and human rights. He has donated millions and auctioned off his awards.
2. Lionel Messi
- Number of followers: 612.5 million
- Platforms: Instagram, Facebook, and X
- Genre: Fashion, Fitness, and Lifestyle
- Influence: Endorsing sports and body fitness products, Social work
Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team. He was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina. Messi is an Argentine footballer who plays for Inter Miami and Argentina.
He started with Barcelona, where he became their top scorer and won 34 trophies, including eight Ballon d’Or. He then joined PSG and won Ligue 1 and the Super Cup. He is Argentina’s captain and top scorer, and he has won the Copa América and the World Cup. He is also the top scorer in international football and one of the best players ever. He has won a total of 44 trophies.
He creates and shares engaging and original content that showcases his football career, family, friends, hobbies, and lifestyle. He also endorses various brands and products, such as Adidas, Pepsi, Gatorade, Budweiser, Louis Vuitton, and his brands as well. Messi earns $2.5 million per sponsored post.
He also uses his platform to support various causes and charities, such as UNICEF, the Leo Messi Foundation, children’s hospitals, cancer research, disaster relief, and human rights.
3. Selena Gomez
- Number of followers: 584.6 million
- Platforms: Instagram, Facebook, and X
- Genre: Entertainment and Music
- Influence: Music, fashion, Social work
Selena Gomez grabs the 3rd rank in the list of top social media influencers. She is an American singer, actress, producer, and businesswoman who was born on July 22, 1992, in Texas.
She started her career as a child actress on the show Barney & Friends and later rose to fame as the star of the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place. She also appeared in several movies, such as Another Cinderella Story, Spring Breakers, and The Dead Don’t Die.
Gomez is also a successful singer and songwriter who has released four solo albums: Stars Dance, Revival, Rare, and Revelación. She has sold over seven million albums and 22 million singles worldwide and has won numerous awards, including an American Music Award, and Billboard Music Award. She has also collaborated with other artists.
She creates and shares engaging and original content that showcases her music, movies, and personal life. She also endorses various brands and products, such as Puma, Coach, Rare Beauty, and Serendi Beauty. She earns around $1.7 million for each sponsored post.
Gomez has also donated to organizations that support education; she has also donated money to Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund, UNICEF, and Palestine relief efforts.
4. Justin Bieber
- Number of followers: 495.5 million
- Platforms: Instagram, Facebook, and X
- Genre: Entertainment and Music
- Influence: Music, fashion, Social work
Justin Bieber is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and producer who was born on March 1, 1994, in London, Ontario. He ranks fourth on the list of the top social media influencers. Bieber is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and producer who was discovered on YouTube by Scooter Braun and Usher. He released his first EP and album, My World and My World 2.0, which made him a global star and a teen idol.
He also made a concert film, Never Say Never. He released more albums and singles, such as Purpose and Changes, and collaborated with artists like Ed Sheeran and Ariana Grande. He is one of the best-selling artists ever, with over 150 million records sold. He has also won many awards, including two Grammys and 33 Guinness World Records.
Bieber creates and shares engaging and original content that showcases his music, movies, and personal life. He also endorses various brands and products, such as Puma, Calvin Klein, Schmidt’s Naturals, and his own label, Drew House. He earns approximately $1,763,000 per post.
Justin has donated money to a variety of organizations, including Charity Water, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, City of Hope, and Comic Relief.
5. Kim Kardashian
- Number of followers: 473 million
- Platforms: Instagram, Facebook, and X
- Genre: Entertainment, Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle
- Influence: Lifestyle, Fashion, Beauty, Social Work
Kim Kardashian is an American media personality, socialite, and businesswoman who was born on October 21, 1980, in Los Angeles, California. Kim started her career as a stylist and friend of Paris Hilton but gained wider fame after her infamous scandal with Ray J in 2007.
Later that year, she and her family began to star in the reality TV show Keeping Up with the Kardashians, which became a huge hit. She also appeared in movies, such as Disaster Movie and Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor.
She is a successful entrepreneur and influencer who launched and promoted her brands and products, such as Skims, KKW Beauty, KKW Fragrance, and Dash. Via social media, Kim Kardashian shares her fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content. She also endorses brands like Adidas, Uber Eats, and Olay. She earns $1,689,000 per post.
Kim Kardashian has donated money to a variety of organizations, including Baby2Baby, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Armenia Fund, and Reform Alliance.
6. Kylie Jenner
- Number of followers: 472.7 million
- Platforms: Instagram, Facebook, and X
- Genre: Entertainment, Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle
- Influence: Lifestyle, Fashion, Beauty, Social Work
Kylie Jenner is one of the top social media influencers and is very well-known to the Gen Z generation. She is an American socialite, media personality, and businesswoman who was born on August 10, 1997, in California.
Kylie started her career as a child model and appeared in the reality TV show Keeping Up with the Kardashians with her family in 2007. She gained popularity on social media, especially Instagram, where she has over 300 million followers. She also starred in her spin-off show in 2017.
She is also a successful entrepreneur and influencer who has launched and promoted various brands and products, such as Kylie Cosmetics, Kylie Skin, and Kylie Baby. She is the founder and owner of Kylie Cosmetics, which sells makeup products such as lip kits, eyeshadows, and blushes.
She is also the ambassador for Smile Train, a charity that provides surgeries for children with cleft lips and palates. Kylie Jenner has also endorsed and collaborated with many brands, such as Puma, Adidas, and Calvin Klein etc. She earns $2,386,000 per post.
Kylie has donated money to organizations such as Smile Train, Feeding America, the March of Dimes, and Black Lives Matter etc.
7. Taylor Swift
- Number of followers: 452.8 million
- Platforms: Instagram, Facebook, and X
- Genre: Entertainment, Music
- Influence: Lifestyle, Social Work
Taylor Swift has ranked 7th on the list of the top social media influencers. Taylor Swift is an American singer, songwriter, and producer who was born in 1989. She started as a country singer in Nashville and released her first album, Taylor Swift, in 2006.
She became a star and a teen idol with her second album, Fearless, which won 12 Grammys. She released more albums and singles, such as 1989, Reputation, and Folklore, and experimented with different styles. She also acted in movies and documentaries, such as Miss Americana and Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions.
Swift is also a successful entrepreneur and influencer who has launched and promoted various brands and products, such as Keds, Wonderstruck, Covergirl, Diet Coke, Adidas, Olay, and Apple Music. She earns $418,970 per post.
Swift is also a philanthropist and an advocate for various causes, such as criminal justice reform, Armenian relief, and mental health. Swift has donated money to organizations such as Hunger Relief, the American Cancer Society, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Donors Choose, and Hurricane Harvey in Texas, etc.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you have learned about what is a social media influencer, the types of influencers, and the top social media influencers and their secrets to success. These influencers are not only famous, but also influential, creative, and authentic.
They have millions of followers who trust and admire them. They also work with brands and causes that align with their values and passions. If you want to become a top social media influencer yourself, you need to follow their example and start creating your content today.
Also Read: The 10 Best Instagram Marketing Strategies To Increase Engagement
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